The one about the red lips!

Everywhere I go at the moment, I seem to walk slap bang in to the promo for Kate Moss's new Rimmel lipstick line.

Picture from Google Image Search.

Yes, the ad with the red lip that is so striking (that eye make up is something else too).

Now I have just about summoned up the self-restraint not to buy it. I mean really, no lipstick is going to look that good on me and honestly, when do I wear a red lip?!

However, my restraint has resulted in a bit of a frenzy to find my own perfect red lip using the few red lip products that I already own.

Here are my thoughts:

*Barry M Lip Lacquer Crayon No 1

This creates what I think of as a typical red lip, a solid, bright, cherry red. I was surprised at what a strong red colour this pencil lent the lip. It does feel quite drying but is quick to apply. A good one to keep in the handbag for those quick, spur of the moment red lip moments.

* MAC Viva Glam Cyndi

I might be repeating myself but I feel that Viva Glam Cyndi is one MAC's best products. Cyndi is no cherry or Hollywood red, it is too muted and is more of a raspberry red. It looks very natural for a red lip. I always say that Cyndi is the one lip, I feel comfortable leaving the house with. It is testament to this red lipstick that I actually do use it. It is such a pretty colour all on its own. I find it very flattering and I think most people would find the same as Viva is a huge campaign for MAC and I think they design the lipsticks to compliment most lips and colouring.

* Benefit Frenched

I brought Frenched on a whim after seeing it in a Benefit look two or three years ago. It is an absolutely gorgeous red but there is nothing discreet about it. If you wear this, you are telling the world that yes, you have painted your lips red and indeed, have made quite an effort.
When I put this one on, I was reminded of just how creamy this lipstick is. It leaves a very shiny, rich, almost postbox red finish and there really is no need for a gloss.
I've always liked the way this looks on my lips and now as time passes, I think that I'm also more comfortable wearing it. This is a lipstick, I've grown in to, I used to look at it longingly dreaming of a time when I would feel comfortable enough to flaunt it but now I feel a bit more ready to take the bite and wear this one a little more.

*Benefit Next Question Please

Finally, it is the gloss which falls between the red and pink and like Cyndi, there is something very raspberry about it. It gives a lovely natural looking lip when worn alone. I wouldn't say it is a gloss that is particularly striking or defines a look but it very pretty and could easily compliment or give a lift to an otherwise neutral look.

I've got to say my favourite remains Cyndi, it is just a very special wearable red but on the whole, as I get older, I do feel a bit more confident with red lips and hope to make more of Frenched and Next Question Please. In fact, this is a must do before I can allow myself to buy 01 from the Rimmel Kate Collection.
What do you think of red lipsticks? What is your favourite? Do you often venture further then Viva Cyndi and muted raspberry hues? Have you tried any of Kate Moss's new lipsticks?

X

Barry M 53

Back in February Barry M 53 was never a sensible purchase, it just looked so enticing sat on the shelf that it had to come to the till with me.

I know that the orange coral is fated for sunny girls that bear a nice golden glow but I couldn’t help myself. This lipstick is so vibrant, alive and oh so eye catching among the usual pinks and reds. Striking maybe but not really a match for me yet I went and brought it, didn’t I?!

Now it is June and in theory, this lipstick still should not suit me. I am so pale!

Ok, I have been tanning a little with St Moriz (Make Believe next, yay) but it really is only a little and sometimes even with moisturiser so there is little evidence on my pasty skin of my penchant for tanning. A hint of a glow at the very most.

Yet, I think that I can wear 53. There is no mistaking the fact that it is a bright and vibrant orange yet there is a slight shimmer to it which is almost peach and in certain lights, this seems to tone the lippie down a little which is good news for me as this seems to make the electric colour almost wearable.

I have to be careful in application. A full on lipstick application with a harsh outline is never going to work but with soft application and a little gentle rubbing here and there to smooth out the more pigmented areas. I also used a little Erase paste around the lip line area to blur the lip line and merge the two seamlessly (not an easy technique to master, it looked a bit smudgy first like I’d been eating some raspberries_ and ta dah, I have a hint of sunshine about my lips but still look beach ready, pale skin and all.

Benefit Erase Paste

Benefit You Rebel tinted moisturiser mixed with Bourjois 10 hour sleep effect in Apricot

Maybelline Dream Mousse blush in Peach Satin

Modellette

Max Factor Lash Extension Effect Mascara

Barry M No53

I would have gone with All That Glitters on the eyes but like I said this lippie has a little shimmer and I want to keep the look simple so I opted for my old favourite, Modellette (very apt because it reminds me of wet sand). I don’t mind shimmer but if I’m going to be outside then I find it can add to that sticky, sweaty look too quickly. Nice!!


I think it is also important if this lipstick is not your perfect match to keep everything else about your look simple. I used just one eyeshadow and a natural mascara. I wore simple, block colours. My outfit had no frills or anything complicated about it. Nothing was too obvious or confusing because if it had been then in a look with Barry M 53, everything could have looked too chaotic and then people would hone in on my look and that lip colour that should not really work for me.

At the end of the day, I like this colour. Surely all that matters is that I am comfortable and happy wearing it. I’m not going to be wearing it to any important formal events but this lippie just gives me that little bit more of a sunny feeling on a day destined for lazing in the garden.

Oh but next time when I dab I may add some vaseline in to the equation as my lips are feeling a little dry. Barry M occasionally seem to produce dry lipsticks. I don’t think that this is too bad. Nor was Barry M 100 and that was drier then this one but then I’m out in the sun with 53 so yeah, vaseline or something might be a good idea!

What lippie do you like to greet the sun with?

X

PS If you get a chance, check out my Share the Love videos on You Tube. There is one for You Tube channels and one for blogs!

Dipping in to dazzle!

Hi Pretties So I have been meaning to do this post for ages but for some reason have never got around to it but it has to be done. I have to pay tribute to some beauties from Barry M. The Dazzledusts! You may remember a rave in one of my first posts. It was a top five one. Here is what I said about the ultimate dazzledust, Mushroom 51. 'Yes, you may say it is neutral and yes, you may say you're playing it safe because you can never go that wrong with neutral and you would be right but this colour is truly gorgeous on the eyes and what is more, it looks great in the pot too. It is subtly alluring with its little sparkly flakes. It twinkles and almost winks at me in the pot, whispering 'put me on, put me on'. OTT but true all the same. I like the way that I can not pinpoint the exact colour of 51. Purple, grey, brown. Everytime I look at it, it looks a little bit different. The best I can say is it seems good for this time of year, earthy. It reminds me of stewing skies and the changing colours of leaves. And like all dazzledusts, its intensity can be played up and down. A great day look then add a little more and maybe a flash of something sultry and it becomes the perfect smoky eye or it would be if my application, was a little more skilled but that is why I am here. Two warnings though! Firstly, the fallout can be messy so I like to deal with my eyes before I start the rest of my face. Secondly, these dazzledusts are relatively cheap (I think mine was around £4.50) and addictive. When I discovered them, I must have brought twelve in as many days.' http://essjay23x.wordpress.com/2009/12/21/my-top-five/ That was then, this is my collection now.  Back left to right PinkGold 3, Bright Blue 5*, Khaki 14, Baby Blue 20, Cherry 34, Tan 39?, Bronze 44, Mushroom 51, Chocolate 53, Lilac 59, Winter Berry 88, Silvery Black 91, Purple 926 Limited edition It is true. I have brought a few dazzledusts (There are a couple of fine glitter dusts in there too*). I love them. I'm not sure why as application is not always so easy but they make such an impact. I believe you can apply them dry or wet. I have always applied them dry but wonder if it would be easier to use a wet brush so the dust has something to stick to. However once I have cleared any fallout, I do believe that these dusts create a much stronger eye look compared to some of the more conventional high street shadows. I tend to prime my eye with something eg.Erase Paste concealer, a Benefit cream eye shadow or occasionally a MAC paint tube and the look tends to last all night. I have also worn dazzledusts in the day. Sometimes if I'm been lazy and only want to wear one colour on my eyes then using a dazzledust (such as Mushroom or Chocolate) instead of a powder shadow can just give a mono lid slightly more impact. I find dazzledusts more messy and timeconsuming when I'm doing a look with more then one. It can be difficult to blend symetrical balanced and matching eyes but I still use dazzledusts because the final look always makes such a statement! And because dazzledusts do talk for themselves, I'm going to give you a warning. As much as I adore my Max Factor Lash Extension Effect Mascara which grooms and defines so well, dazzledusts are heavy and I find that when I'm wearing a dazzledust look then I do, indeed, prefer more of a volumising mascara such as the L'Oreal Double Tubes even if it does clump. Anyways. You know that I adore Mushroom. Here are some of my other faves. Chocolate 53 A very deep brown which reminds me of Sable and Embark from MAC or the dark brown contour from Big Beautiful Eyes (Benefit). I love to smoke it up when I am going out and to do so, I use Mushroom to colour the lid and then some Chocolate to contour. This is supposed to be remniscent of a Cheryl Cole smoky eye (See MakeUpAdikt's tutorial here http://www.barrym.com/make-up-tutorials/video-tutorial.asp?vid=85). Chocolate can also be used alone and it will simply make the eyes smoulder. Bronze 44 Now that summer is here, I find myself watching a lot of the bronze eye tutorials on You Tube but I have to be careful being so pale as it can look too wrong or trampish on me so I've latched on to a new habit of using the bronze dazzledust to contour. I use it in the way that Lollipop26 uses MAC Museum bronze pigment in her bronzed eye look http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpRsm8Xr_T4 . Using a subtle neutral powder shadow for the lid keeps the look toned down and pretty rather then orange and garish. Although when I was looking at my dazzledusts today, I noticed just how orange this bronze is and I'm thinking I might like to try using the Tan 39 in the crease instead. I'm not sure I've used this one before but it looks so pretty and shimmery. Baby Blue 20  This colour is absolutely divine in the pot and makes me think of the sea and sunshine. If you do have good technique or time for careful application, this looks gorgeous when paired with a Bronze contour. This looks phenomenal on my little sister. She is blond, blue eyed and has a warmer complexion then me but I still think most people could work these two colours together to some degree. Just build the colours up very slowly. Use a light hand to find the right balance or maybe you find it'll work better to use the bronze as the main colour and the Baby Blue to line the lower lashes or something. Anyhow for me, these two colours just seem to team perfectly for summer. Here is a quick glimpse of what they looked like when I tried the combo out. So have you got any dazzledusts? What are your favourites, am I missing any gems? If you're a stranger to Dazzledusts, will they now be added to your wishlist? X