It’s national lipstick day dolls tomorrow (29th of July) so of course I had to talk about the power of a good lipstick!
This will be an interactive piece so leave your comments down below and let’s get started:
8 Reasons Why Lipstick Can Turn Your Shitty Monday Morning Around
Even if you have on no other makeup just the lipstick, you’ll look put together, and in turn feel put together.
Lipstick has the ability to lift your mood and mind-set
It enhances your smile
It brightens your complexion
Any lipstick shade, the sexual red shade or a warm chocolate brown or soft pinky peach colour, can give you a confidence boost to take on the day
That moment when you find a lipstick at a discounted price in stores or online, you instantly feel whole again:
Ok I have to pause on this point, my cousin showed me the other day LimeCrime Cosmetics were having a 30% discount plus a free, a FREE shade and I almost died. I know death is the opposite of feeling whole as aforementioned, but shush you get what I’m saying
And we’re back
7. There’s an instant bond between people who wear lipstick which means you can expand your social circle with just this wonderful beauty product.
Story time again: I was at some fancy work event, fuck knows the name of event and I was introduced by blah, blah and blah. This lady was talking to me about the weather and the rain in the UK. What did she expect me to say? Or did she want me to carry on with the boring weather conversation? Honestly, this conversation ranked lower than your friend or sibling telling you about their latest shit.
However, the moment she opened her bag to look for her Ruby Woo Mac lipstick and was talking about the red shade, I instantaneously felt a connection to her. Ok, a small lie, connection is a slightly strong word as she was still a boring fuck. But at least, there was a connection on some level.
8.You take better care of your lips in terms of hydration and exfoliation as your lips become the focal point. Basically, the struggle of having chapped lips never becomes real or deep for you!
There you have it folks, 8 reasons why Lipsticks are a true blessing.
If you want more articles like this, let me know and as always, stay fab with your lippie this Saturday x
I spent 100 pounds on liquid lipsticks this Tuesday – yupp let that sink in!
So yesterday, I vowed not to spend any money on lipsticks this Spring. Going cold turkey and I believed I could do it!
The next day, I don’t know now but I ended up on the Beauty Bay website and I bought Cherry Blossom. LOOOL I’m trying to decipher how that happened after I specifically, I SPECIFICALLY, said I was going cold turkey. I’m so irate so I thought my doll readers could help me figure this one out! Ok here comes my internal monologue:
Uptight Mara: Why are you on Beauty Bay? You know they have over 20 lipstick brands, C’mon now – get off the site
Relaxed Mara: Relaaxx Uptight Mara, I’m just looking at the website. I’m not honestly going to buy any more lipsticks! I know you keep reminding me about my lipstick budget each month and the 100 pounds – calm down
Uptight Mara: Then get off the site then! There is nothing else to see – you literally have every colour imaginable from light to dark colours
Relaxed Mara: Can you fuck off Uptight Mara? Ahah I’m just looking at the Coloured Raine collection – I’m not going to buy any – just seeing if there are new editions.
Uptight Mara: There aren’t
Relaxed Mara: You don’t know anything. Omgosh look at this red! What’s the name? Cherry Blossom! Damn! I think I’m in love – it’s like a deep red with muted cherry tones. It looks so regal … I should get it because I’m a queen and this lipstick is fitting!
Uptight Mara: Firstly Relaxed Mara, you aren’t getting this shade. Secondly, you already HAVE a deep red. Do you remember Wicked by LimeCrime? You have this colour. Plus your cousin has bloodmoon if you really want to use a deep red.
Relaxed Mara: You can’t tell me what to do. My LimeCrime – Wicked shade is over 3 years old. Why the hell would I want to put some mouldy shit on my lips? And I don’t want to put bloodmoon on my lips – the shade is streaky AF and it’s a cranberry red. I want a cherry red!
Uptight Mara: You need to calm down on the profanities and act like your name and relax. You don’t even wear red- cranberry or cherry! Brown and purple are your main colours.
Relaxed Mara: Shut the hell up – I didn’t use profanities, when did I? And the term is swear words with your bougie arse. I’m getting the shade. It’s good to change it up now and again and experiment with different colours. It’s nice to know you’re still as anal as ever ahaha!
Uptight Mara: Shit is a swear word, have you forgotten? Or is your mind so consumed with lipsticks that it’s incapable to think and reason?
Relaxed Mara: Next you’re going to say Hell is a swear word? Or is ‘Lipstick’ a swear word? Loool
Uptight Mara: Your words don’t faze me – you’re not getting the shade
Relaxed Mara: ………
Uptight Mara: Are you there Relaxed Mara?
Relaxed Mara: …….
Uptight Mara: Ok, I’m going to go now – make sure you don’t buy Cherry Blossom
Relaxed Mara: Ok
Uptight Mara exits and Relaxed Mara is left by herself
Relaxed Mara: LOOL, she didn’t think I would listen to her! Look at the shade – it’s calling me and soon it’ll come home to me. Don’t worry my sweet Cherry Blossom you’ll be mine soon…
Honestly, my dolls, the rest of the conversation is quite hazy to me and all I remember is getting the ‘your order has been despatched’ email. I knew at that moment I had screwed up! LOOOOL
Make sure you comment down below your impulsive spends, I want to know J, and a long prayer would be lovely!
Apologies dolls, it’s been a while- forgive me! I felt compelled to write this article and you’ll see why 🙂
So I was scrolling through Coloured Raine’s website and I saw ‘Roulette’. I instantaneously fell in love – the colour is so unique. It’s a burgundy shade with deep purple undertones. It looked sultry and I knew it was the one! Lool I know what you’re thinking – Mara calm down it’s just lipstick. But no, this colour was intense and it would suit any outfit!
I have other Coloured Raine lipsticks including Tootsie and Truffle Raine. If you want a review about these products, check out my ‘Brown is the New Red’ post. The formula and pigmentation for these two were spot on. Ok back to this story:
So after 2 weeks (due to the international shipping), Roulette finally arrived at my doorstep. I tore open the box and put it on my lips. Man, was I disappointed! This is what it looked like with 2 coats:
Roulette with 2 coats!
Yes, a mess! A messy mess! It’s a mess from the pit of hell! The formula is not good as it’s patchy and this formula needs a lot of improvement.
Roulette with 4 coats_wet
When this lipstick finally dries, it crumbles and it’s impossible to even out. This is extremely frustrating as it’s just a lovely shade but it’s unwearable.
Roulette with 4 coats_dryRoulette Liptube
This is Roulette after 30 minutes of application. I ate some crisps and drank some water. I have no words..
30 minutes after applying Roulette
I’m a big fan and lover of Coloured Raine products, but Roulette missed the mark MAJORLY.
Instead of only loading one bullet in the revolver and pulling the trigger at this lipstick, it would be fully LOADED. In this way, this lipstick would be eradicated from the face of the earth!
Dolls, I would give this 0.5/5 – [0.5 point was allocated due to the lovely colour]
See you in my next post and please free feel to comment on the worst lipstick you have received down below xx
The struggle is real for mocha/chocolate skin complexions when searching for nude lipsticks. But behold, I have come up with the three commandments for finding the one – that ultimate nude lipstick:
Commandment 1:
Thou shalt have an idea of the nude shade thy is seeking before looking online or in store
Dolls, you need to know the nude colour you are seeking. If the nude lipstick is too light, then you end up looking ashy and dehydrated – not cute! If the nude lipstick is too dark, then it’s not a nude lipstick anymore. My advice would be to get a nude lipstick that’s one to two shades darker than your skin tone. The nude lipstick shouldn’t be the exact colour as your skin tone as there will be no contrast. When that happens, your lips lose dimension; look washed out and they become a secondary character. God forbid! – Your lips should be the protagonist in this nude fairy-tale.
If you must wear a colour that’s lighter than your skin tone, a dark brown lip-liner is imperative. It’s important as OXYGEN ! I’m serious because the lip-liner allows the light colour to blend seamlessly with your skin.
Commandment 2:
Thou shalt be clear about thy budget
Are you looking for high end or high street products? There are three categories lipsticks in general fall under: Designer, High End and High –Street
Tom Ford Lipsticks, Chanel Lip Matte Lipsticks, Gucci etc all fall under the Designer category. A lipstick in this category would retail for around £40- £60. But beware, dolls! Price doesn’t necessarily equate to quality. Before purchasing any lipstick, it’s crucial to read reviews; watch lipstick swatches to see the pigmentation, consistency and wear time.
In the High – End category, Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Gerard Cosmetics, Dose of Colours, Kylie Cosmetics, Coloured Raine, LimeCrime etc all fall under here. The lipsticks are around £12 – £30.
Maybelline, L’oreal, Rimmel London and NYX Lipsticks are in the High Street Category and retail for £5 – £9.
Planning and monitoring your lipstick budget is crucial as it will ensure there is enough money for the things you need and the things you desire. It gives you an overall picture of your financial health; decrease your stress levels and identity wasteful expenditures. So dolls, is purchasing a nude lippie a wasteful expenditure? Absolutely Not!
But…which category should I purchase the nude lippie from? It depends on the individual m’dear and what your budget allows.
Commandment3:
Verily, verily I say unto thee, mixing lipsticks is key for that custom nude shade
For all my lipstick junkies out there, how many lipsticks do you own? Don’t worry, I’ll wait for you to count.
2…. 20? 50? No 100?
Did you know two lipsticks in your collection can be used together to make that magical nude colour? So I repeat, do not throw away any shades you feel look too light or don’t suit you. For this resurrection to occur, you would need two nude shades (a lipstick one/two shades darker and another lipstick two shades lighter)
First Step: Prime your lips
We want the lips to be moisturised with a matte balm so the nude colour will pop.
Second Step: Start Application
Start with the dark – coloured base on your top and bottom lips. When the lipstick is drying down and becomes slightly tacky, apply the lighter – coloured base on the centre of both lips. Press your lips together to mix the colours together. To avoid that harsh light straight line on the top lip, gently pat in the lighter shade with your finger.
If you do not want the darker colour to be the prominent colour, mix the two colours together with a stiff – bristled lip brush on the back of your hand first and then apply. You won’t get a gradient effect with this second method.
My ultimate nude combination has to be Truffle Raine – Coloured Raine as the dark base and Iced Mocha – Gerard Cosmetics as the light shade. This is perfect as Truffle Raine is a shade darker than my skin tone and the Iced Mocha is about two shades lighter.
Truffle Raine was reviewed in my Brown is the new Red post so check out the link here:
I utilised method one to mix the colours. See below:
So dolls, we have now reached the end of this post. What should I call these Three Commandments for nude lippies? Let me know in the comments. In addition, if you have any useful tips managing your lipstick budget, please leave a comment below to share with the other dolls.
As always, have a lovely day and I’ll catch you in my next post! xx
Team Metal! You didn’t think I’d forgot about you? Never! Team Matte had their shining glory with the ‘Brown is the new Red’ post, but now it’s your turn. Forget the shimmery eyeshadows, binding highlighters; it’s all about the metallic lip glow.
The metallic lipstick is the new kid on the block, rather old kid from the 90’s just reinvented. So why is the metallic lip the new beauty trend?
Well my metallic dolls, there are three main reasons:
They make a big statement.
These bad boys are fun, cool, and add dimension to the lips. Who doesn’t love a pouty lip?
They add highlight to the face
I am TALKING about that glow – that liquefied metal glow! That glow that gives you whiplash from turning your neck too quickly! Ok Mara ahah calm down, next point
They are an extension from matte lipsticks
Ok, Team Matte, I know you are seething at the moment, but hear me out. Metallic finishes are perfect for people who want the shine of a lipgloss but still want that matte effect. So really, without matte lipsticks, metallic lipsticks wouldn’t be around. I can see Team Matte are starting to smile now!
So Team Metal, I have searched endlessly for two amazing metallic lipsticks to share with you.
I have finally FOUND the promise land! The crème de la crème! The garden of Eden! Are you ready? Introducing the hydra metal – matte Underworld and Grape Crush lipsticks by Gerard Cosmetics. These lipsticks will be reviewed on their pigmentation, consistency, comfort, staying power and value for money
Underworld – Gerard Cosmetics
This lipstick is described on the GC website as ‘a colour that reflects the darkness and mystery all around us. Ultra sultry and a true statement lip’. Sounds mysterious. The colour reminds me of a soft brown with purple undertones.
Underworld liptube
UnderworldUnderworld
Pigmentation: Just like its hydra matte counterparts, this lipstick is highly pigmented. You only need one or two dips of the product for your top and bottom lips. On my skin tone, the lip product looks like melted bronze with added purple swarovski crystals. For my fair- skinned dolls, this shade would look darker due to the contrast.
Consistency: The formula has a ‘moussey’ texture compared to the matte lipsticks. The micas in this metal- matte are shimmer pigments and these give off a pearlescent shine. When applied on the lips, it’s not tacky; delivers a silky feel and it’s water resistant.
Comfort: Underworld is very hydrating and moisturising. It is very soft on the lip and you don’t feel like you are wearing a lipstick.
Staying Power: There is no flaking or cracking! I wore this on a night-out. Applied this at 7p.m and came home around 3a.m. At 3 a.m, it was 85% intact. I found the lipstick in my inner lips came off slightly but this lipstick fades beautifully.
Value for Money: 11.50 pounds – that’s 0.22ml per pound (2.5 ml in the liptube). Dolls, you NEED to get this colour – it’s completely worth it! I’ll link where you can get these products at the end of this post.
5/5
Grape Crush – Gerard Cosmetics
Described as ‘an effervescent purple that really pops’ on GC’s website, this colour will surely stand you out from the crowd! This hue is a gorgeous metallic purple that shimmers and gleams!
GrapeCrush liptube
GrapeCrush
Pigmentation: The pigment in this!! Let’s take a minute of silence to marvel at this beautiful colour. Ok 40 more seconds to go, let’s extend this appreciation for 60 more seconds.
GrapeCrush
….
Ok and we are back! I literally want to take this lipstick and colour my whole body with this shade. Purple is truly a magical colour and it shows. On my skin tone, the lip product is an intense, luxurious vivid colour.
Consistency: The formula feels the same as UnderWorld. It has the same ‘moussey’ texture due to the micas. Grape Crush is very easy to apply on the lips
Comfort: The metal – matte lipsticks are cruelty – free, no animal testing, gluten free and paraben free. Grape Crush dries down to an ultra-matte finish and it’s hydrating! The best of both worlds.
Staying Power: The staying power is incredible but I have to give ‘Underworld’ the slight edge. Both lipsticks didn’t peel or crack but Underworld looks more intact after the 7 hour mark.
Value for Money: 11.50 pounds – that’s 0.22ml per pound (2.5 ml in the liptube). GET THIS COLOUR!
4.5/5 ( 0.5 deduction for the staying power element)
So Team METAL and Team MATTE, who do you think won the overall lipstick battle: Metallic Matte Lipsticks or Matte Lipsticks? Let me know in the comments below!
#Team Matte and #Team Metal, thanks for reading and see you in the next post xx
i’m going crazy. there, i’ve said it. isn’t saying these fatal words suppose to alleviate some stress? some strain? alas, no, my heart is still gripped in this wretched vice. someone, please someone, loosen the jaws in this vice as my heart is about to plastically deform. my heart’s nearing the elastic limit; the number of dislocations keep accumulating; these dislocations continuously interact, inducing strain fields that annihilate, quickening this deformation process. these dislocations have taken hold of my surface irregularities, defects in my heart that were never fixed, never mended. these dislocations propagate; my slip planes compress; my bonds sequentially break, crack and rupture. i beg, please stop! loosen the jaws in this vice!
