Cover Girl Outlast Lipstain

Warning: Taking a marker pen to your face usually has disastrous consequences ...
Take note. However, this needn't be the case with Cover Girl's outlast lipstain.

My beautiful friend Gia brought me this lipstain from Australia on a fleeting visit to the UK earlier this month.

I am not usually one to wear a lipstain, it took me long enough to start wearing lipstick having previously been a lipgloss addict but this really is very nice. Gia chose for me shade 440 Wild Berry Wink.

It has a marker pen tip for precision application which felt smooth and hydrating on the lips. There is a lovely juicy taste to this product which I can't quite put my finger on but I have to restrain myself from licking it off as soon as it's on my lips. On first impression the shade 440 looks to be quite a dark dusky pink but once on the lips it's a vibrant but wearable berry red. Gia really made a good choice for me as with my colouring it can be hard to pick a red that works well with my skintone and hair. Thumbs up, Girl!
I have heard that this product was originally designed for Cover Girl by make up artist Pat McGrath but I am not sure if there is any truth in this. I wore this on Friday night and got a good few hours out of it before it faded. Other reviews I have read have mentioned how different shades vary in longevity and pigmentation and a few have mentioned dryness to the lips and the product itself drying out quickly. Personally my lips were fine with this lipstain however if dryness became a problem it would be easy enough to apply a balm beforehand.
Only issue I have with this is I have nowhere to repurchase in the UK as far as I know. Our shelves were cleared of Cover Girl products a long time ago. I may have to talk sweetly to Gia to send me some more supplies as the shade of red seems to be a perfect match for me!
And just for kicks, here is a picture of my girl Gia (and her claw) ... wearing the lipstain. Ain't she purdy?

Anyone else a fan of lipstains? What can you recommend?

x

Bank Holiday FOTD

It has been a glorious bank holiday weekend for me, friends, fun and good weather. The last of my 3 day obligatory bank holiday bender was an event called Fiasco Secret Location. An intimate number of revellers all get together at a bar then a bus/taxi transport us to a secret venue for a massive party and fantastic line up of DJ's! Oh and a random bungee run was thrown into the mix too - Great fun!

Anyway ... the day kicked off around 3pm ... I decided on casual but cool look - peg leg trousers with a loose fitting vest, leather jacket and wedges. Comfort prevailed as I knew I would be on my feet dancing from early on. As for make up - I decided to put my Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland palette to use. It had lay unloved for a few months as I let everyone else get on with the hype of such a delightful feast for the eyes (quite literally). I think I may be delving into it daily though as I loved the colours so much! FACE:
Foundation: Estee Lauder Double Wear
Concealer: Bobbi Brown creamy concealer
Bronzer: Nars Laguna
Blush: Illamasqua Unrequited
Highlighter: Topshop Sunbeam
EYES:
Shadow: Urban Decay AIW palette -Drink Me Eat Me - all over lid, Mad Hatter - crease, White Rabbit - browbone, Alice on lower lashline
Eyeliner: Bobbi Brown Gel liner and Urban Decay liner in teal on waterline
Mascara: Cover Girl Lash Blast
Lashes: Revlon Lush individual lashes on outer corner
LIPS:
Lipliner: Urban decay Wicked
Lipstick: MAC Angel
Lipgloss: Dolce & Gabbana Candy
I was so pleased with my make up, it felt fresh and lasted the whole day and night with no touch ups other than lipgloss. This is the first time I have worn EL double wear for a night out and it really lasted well and looked fresh even after hours of dancing!

Sadly, I am back in the office tomorrow ... hope you have all had a great bank holiday!

x

Mascara du Jour - Cover Girl Lash Blast

In one of my previous posts I was asked what mascara I was wearing and to be honest, I have been dying to share with you what it is!

Most of you will already know it and some of you have even tried it - it's Cover Girl Lash Blast. My husband was in America a few months ago and he brought me home quite a substantial stash of make up goodies from the U.S. Shamefully, I have only got round to trying some of that stash in recent weeks *hangs head*

Because this is a drugstore mascara I really didn't believe it would deliver results but I could not have been more wrong!

Lash Blast comes in a fat orange tube - not the most luxurious packaging but I guess it's 'fun'. The wand is straight and the bristles seem to be made of a plastic/rubber material and are quite short and prickly.

The first thing I noticed about this mascara is that it applies really well and only takes 1 coat to get a good coverage however I do like to layer my mascara but even when layered it doesn't flake. The only time I have noticed flakiness is if I apply in the morning then apply a few more layers late in the afternoon but even then it is minimal. The second thing I notice about this mascara and what makes it stand out to me is that it makes my eyelashes look 'cute'. Yeah, I know what you are thinking, what do 'cute' eyelashes look like?? Well, for me, it's that they look full with a nice natural looking curl. In other words, it's the false lash effect.
It lasts for hours even on days like today, when I have a full on cold and my eyes have been streaming non stop! They are the only part of my make up that has stayed intact. I haven't put this mascara down since I first tried it and I am starting to panic about where my next tube will come from. Fingers crossed my husband has another business trip to America planned!! :)

What is your mascara du jour?

x

FOTD - Sundown Glow

Last night I was asked to join an evening out with my husband and work colleagues but I literally had about half an hour or so to get ready!

I knew I had to do a quick make up look and also wanted something that was simple enough so I could cart the make up with me wherever I went. So on I donned the new Christopher Kane dress, teamed with opaque tights, platforms and a blazer and as for make up here is the rundown ...
Face:
Mac SFF mixed with Lustre Drops sunrush
Mac Select cover up concealer
Nars Laguna bronzer with dusting of Prestige Glam Tan over the top
Nars Orgasm blush

Lips:
Barry M Peachy Pink and a clear plumping gloss on top

Eyes:
The Body Shop Eye Trio in Sundown Glow
Mac Carbon to define
Bobbi Brown Gel liner in Caviar
Jemma Kidd Corrector pencil on lower lash line
Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara

I chose to use the Body Shop eye trio as I could take all 3 eyeshadows in one little compact container instead of bulking my bag with individual eyeshadows or a bigger palette. I really like this little trio and the quality and longevity of the shadow is great. I have recently been using sleek palettes and my final conclusion is that although they are great value for money, I personally hate the quality of them and the colours and textures don't sit well with my skin. I think when i tried the body shop trio I did expect it to be the same kind of quality but I was pleasantly surprised! It's a great product to reach for when you are in a hurry and think I may add it to my work make up bag which I do try and keep as minimal as possible.

In the end my night out actually got cancelled so I was all dressed up with nowhere to go :( Oh well!

x