Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer | Celestial, Aurora* and Big Bang

I have had the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers in Celestial and Big Bang since having a little spend in the ASOS 30% off Rimmel sale a few months back. Recently, The Hut** very kindly sent me the shade Aurora* to give a whirl and add to my collection, so I thought it was about time for a good ol' review!

L-R: Rimmel Apocolips Lip Lacquer in Celestial, Aurora* and Big Bang

Aesthetics are usually what draws me towards a product and I love the packaging of the Apocalips. From the little diamond shaped tube tips to the way the shade of the lacquer fades into the black packaging, it all looks pretty damned attractive to me. The applicators themselves are doe foot applicators but with a kind of well in the middle to hold more of the lacquer, which I can't say I've noticed being used on any other lip product! It works really well for application as it holds a nice amount of product, avoiding repetitive dipping. I found that the pointed shape also made creating a nice, neat finish incredibly easier.

The lip lacquers have a much thicker, creamier consistency and incredibly higher pigmentation than a regular lip gloss, but they are not at all sticky. The glossy shine is equally as impressive and the product didn't dry out my lips in the slightest. For me, on the whole the formula is pretty much perfect.

L-R: Celestial, Aurora* and Big Bang

Celestial is the lightest shade of the three; a perfect subtle baby pink colour. Aurora* is a brighter, more coral pink colour. This is the first coral toned lip product I own as I wasn't convinced I would suit it, but it's such a subtle coral that I think few people would struggle with. Last but certainly not least, we have Big Bang; a bright, look-at-me red which is certainly not for the faint hearted. I freakin' love it! My new absolute favourite lip product; the lip swatch really does not do this beauty the justice it deserves.

I did find that as Big Bang is so pigmented, it is better worn with lip liner and blotched with a tissue for a more flawless finish. The first time I wore it without blotching, I was having constant battles with the whole lipstick/teeth appearance...oh how attractive I must have looked. 

Other than that, I have no quips at all with these beauties. The lasting power is pretty damn good to be quite honest; even food and drink has a pretty tough time shifting it, and it doesn't fade unevenly at all. The only complaint I have is that I only own three shades...

The Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers are available here from The Hut for £5.99.

They are also avalailable from £5.99 at Superdrug here, or £6.49 from Boots here.

**I really would recommend taking a peek at The Hut, not only for their range of beauty products (some of which are even cheaper than in Boots) but they also have some gorgeous clothes, and sell all sorts of other bits and bats! 

I have been having a good gander myself and I feel a wishlist coming on... 

   

Which is your favourite shade of the Rimmel Apocalips?

Love, 

Jo xxx

30% Off Rimmel Products at ASOS

Just a wee quickie to let you know about the 30% off Rimmel products at ASOS!

From left: 

Rimmel Apocalips | (L-R): Big Bang and Celestial | £6 £4 each

Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick | (L-R) 05 and 08 | £5.49 £3.50 each

In standard Joanne style, I decided to take advantage and ordered myself a few goodies.

I've been hankering after trying the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers ever since they hit the shelves, so I got two in the shades Big Bang (which is the most stunning bright red I've ever seen), and Celestial. 

I also treated myself to a couple of the Kate Moss lipsticks, in shades 05 and 08. I'll pop up some reviews soon if you like, just let me know in the comments! 

Altogether these four products came to just £15, rather than the RRP of £22.98.

Bit of a bargain if you ask me.

Go on, what are you waiting for? Get spending ladies! 

The discount page can be found here.

Love, 

Jo xx

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain | Crush

Soooo as I am having a dinner break from my revision, I thought I'd share this quick little post with you whilst I munch on my banana butty! I've had this written for a while and have only just got round to publishing it today. Unfortunately my Blogger picture uploader has been refusing to work for about a week now (is this just me or is anyone else having similar problems?) so if it's not fixed soon, I'm afraid you might not be graced with my presence for a good few days (you poor, poor lot). Enjoy!


After all the hype around Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain* (gob full or what?!), I was delighted to receive one in the lovely package of goodies I won in Amy's blog competition a while back.

I received the shade Crush, a deep berry colour that is perfect for the winter months.

First off, the packaging of the balm is lovely. The product dispenses as a fat crayon which actually allows surprisingly accurate application for amateur lippy wearers like me. It also smells like mint, which surprised me at first but makes a nice change for a lip product.

Revlon describes the Balm Stain as a product that gives

"softer, smoother lips with a perfect flush of colour that lasts hour after hour". 

Pretty accurate description I'd say! The colour is quite deep and maybe not to everyones taste but I quite like it. I find it to be quite moisturising and it leaves my lips feeling pretty smooth.

I did try to picture this on my lips but the colour representation was really inaccurate (it came across as a darkish pink), so I thought it would be a bit useless and gave up.

 One small tip; definitely apply a slick of lip balm before applying. Whether you think your lips are dry are not, without it they will end up a patchy, horrible mess like mine did!

Overall its a lovely little product, I currently have my eye on the shade Honey!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains can be bought from Superdrug (here) or Boots (here), now reduced from £7.99 to £5 on both websites!

Have you tried Revlon Just Bitten?

What's your favourite shade?

Jo xx

Guest Post | The Perfect Purple MAC Lip

My next guest post is from the lovely Rachel preaching her winter berry lips!

When Joanne said I was welcome to guest post on her blog I was over the moon and immediately began to think about the kind of post I’d like to write. I wanted to bring something a little different to Joanne’s blog that stayed true to my personal style and so, after reading about her phobia of bright lipstick, I knew this would be a good opportunity to talk about my love of the bold, statement lip. Hopefully I can convince her that a purple pout is perfect for the Christmas season!

To create this look I applied MAC’s lip liner in Nightmoth, outlining my lips and gently colouring them in. This particular liner is one of my absolute favourites – the rich, vibrant plum colour is so striking and the creamy consistency makes it easy to apply and really long lasting. I then applied MAC’s lipstick in Rebel which blends with the liner to create the perfect ‘vampy’ lip. This is definitely a bold, statement look and so I think it’s important to keep eye make up simple –just a flick of eye liner and a few coats of your favourite mascara.

And there you have it! My favourite make up look for the Christmas season. I can’t wait to style this with a festive sequin dress and a glamorous faux fur coat!

I really hope you’ve enjoyed this post. If you’d like to read more from me then check out my blog Rachel’s Journal!

Merry Christmas everyone!

x

How perfect is that colour on Rachel?! I wonder if I'm brave enough to attempt to pull it off...

 ...I can just imagine me walking round town, purple all over my teeth and looking like I drank too much red wine...but one can dream of the perfect pout, eh?

Thanks again Rachel for guest posting for me! Don't forget to check out her beautiful blog, Rachel's Journal.

Jo xx

MUA Lipstick | Shade 8

I have a phobia of lipstick. A phobia that I am trying my absolute best to overcome.

This MUA lipstick is the first ever lipstick I have purchased with my own money. Why did I dive straight in at the deep end and pick shade 8, a deep red colour? I'm afraid I can't answer that one...I literally have no idea what came over me. Probably the worst colour I could have picked.
After all, I'm hardly easing myself in with a bright red, am I.

 

Anyway, onto the lipstick itself.

For the price, I think the packaging is pretty decent! I love the fact you can see what shade of lippy you're picking up without having to peek inside, and the black plastic looks simple and clean. Most importantly, it does its job of protecting the lipstick.

Without flash

With flash (aplologies for the sulky pout)

The pictures above make it look a bit pinky but I can't say I noticed this at all in person.
Shade 8 is in fact a warm deep red colour with a lovely subtle golden sheen. Although the colour does need building up on the lips, with a few layers it is a fab shade that is perfect for my skin tone.

The wear isn't great as it starts to fade (unevenly) once you start eat or drink anything, but then again what do you expect from a lipstick with such a tiny price tag?

Fortunately I can't say it has scared me away from lipstick altogether. I may only be brave enough to traipse round the house with it on at the minute, but I did wear it to nip out to the car yesterday.
I know, calm yourself ladies!

I will definitely be stocking up on a few more shades from this range in an attempt to try and overcome my lipstick fear...

...maybe more subtle colours next time.

The MUA lipsticks can be purchased from the MUA website here for a mere £1, and there are 16 shades to choose from.

Do you have an MUA lipstick?

What shades would you recommend to try for someone who isn't used to wearing lip colour?

Thanks for reading,

Jo xx

Collective Haul | Boots, Superdrug and Bodycare

So I planned on going into Boots just to stock up on the essentials.

Did I stick to my plan? Did I heck.

I then continued on into Bodycare and Superdrug to buy a couple more not-so-essentials.

As is life, eh?

Not the most exciting of hauls, but I'm a student, what can I say.

First up, the goodies from Boots and Superdrug:

Good Things Face the Day moisturiser, £7.99, and Fresh Start creamy cleanser, £4.99

I'm a bit confused seeing as when I bought these they were both discounted (can't remember how much I paid exactly) rather than on 3 for 2 offer as listed on the website?

Anyway, these have worked absolute wonders on my skin since I started using them so these are my back ups - I don't want another mascara incident!

Maybelline Dream Satin Liquid foundation in Nude, £7.99, Dream Smooth primer, £8.99 and Dream Touch Lumi concealer, £6.99 free!

I actually only needed the foundation, but seeing as they were on 3 for 2 I thought I'd also give the primer and concealer a go. I must say, so far I'm impressed!

MUA lipstick in shade 8, £1, and Undressed pallette, £3

Neither of these were necessary. But I am a bit of a lipstick phobic and can never figure out which colours and shades would suit my skin tone, and which would look ridiculous. The price tag of these lippys means I can have a play around with different colours for next to nothing!

And with not being able to justify the price tag of the beautiful Urban Decay Naked pallette, it is kind of necessary that I own MUA undressed instead.

My teeny tiny Bodycare haul:

Facial wipes, £1 per packet, Osiris exfoliating facial scrub, £1, and Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation in soft beige, £5.99

Pretty boring stuff, but I have been after adding a facial scrub to my weekly routine to see if it makes much difference to my skin, so I thought I'd try this one out for starters and see how it goes.

After seeing the Wake Me Up hype sweep across the blogosphere, I literally could not resist picking it up at such a bargain price.

Am I converted?

I have used it twice and I can already safely say that my brand spanking new bottle of Dream Satin Liquid is going straight down the drain. Well, straight on eBay.

I love this stuff!

So there we have it. I've got to say, writing this post up has made me feel a lot less guilty about my unnecessary little haul. It doesn't look as much on paper. Phew!

Thanks for reading,

Jo xo