Mac RiRi Boy Lipstick

Let's cast our minds back to the 20th June 2013... What were you doing? I remember it well as from about 11:40am I began to hit the refresh button on the MAC home page in (obsessive?) anticipation of Rihanna's second RiRi Hearts Mac launch. I had already snared RiRi Woo back in May (which was a happy accident! totaaaally unaware of the coveted hype!) and now my eyes were set firmly on RiRi Boy.

I knew I needed to be prepared. 

Let’s picture the scene.

Me surrounded with the laptop, Iphone and Ipad.  

Tapping the refresh key on each device, willing the collection to go live so I could order and relax!

DISCLAIMER

I say I was 'tapping' the refresh key and that's true so long as the term 'tapping' covers repeatedly and frantically press press PRESSING the enter key at a rate that mirrored my pounding heart beat!!! BANG BANG BANG! 

Girls feel the urgency here and imagine the crazy look in my eyes! All I was missing was a whistle and some back up

(Think Friends when Monica goes wedding dress shopping... yes!)

BUT... twas worth it though as I got her! And ain't she beautiful?

(I also got the bronze and blush duo in Hibiscus Kiss but that was really in the interest of free delivery!)

Despite having this lipstick since June, I've only just started wearing it. The RiRi embossed bullet looks so good I couldn't bring myself to even swatch it and spoil it! And then there's the putting off using it because you haven't taken the photos yet... BEAUTY BLOGGER PROBLEMS THOUGH!

RiRi Boy is described as a 'matte vivid lavender' with a retro matte finish. They certainly weren't lying when they said VIVID mind. The colour is intense and I loved wearing it. For me it's a true purple, it's bright but deep and because it's a matte finish it's entirely opaque.

Looking at comparison swatches RiRi Boy is Matte version of Mac's Up The Amp.

Purple lips and dark nails... Oh and a berry coloured beanie hat. This can only mean TAAAARAAAA SUMMER! 

I 'do' the colder months better. I find them less hassle and love feeling cosy.

(Give me a week before I'm on here whinging and whining asking for a bit sunshine again!)

FICKLE.

Throw in a mohair cardie and some buckled ankle boots and we've got autumn sussed!

Do we like? Is RiRi Boy on your list come the 3rd of October??? I don't know what's on mine yet but I can already imagine any logic or self control going ooot the window.  In fact I'm still waiting on it coming back!

I reply to all comments and you can catch me on twitter and instagram too (links on home page) 

See you over there :)

Love and kisses

k xxxxxxxx

August Monthly Haul

Hello, Hi, Hey and Hola

It's September, I'm back from my Summer Holiday and I needed to wear a cardigan the day I arrived home. A sure sign autumn is upon us. Well actually it's not quite upon as (annoyingly) the sun has persisted on shining the odd day or two! I'm so ready for boots, tights and chunky knits. But don't want to be looking all cosy and wrapped up if the weather changes its fettle half way through the day! I'm also majorly excited to shop for the perfect winter coat and I'm just in the mood to hoy the fake tan to the back of the cupboard and become lax with regularity of hair removal.

From the #bbloggers chat the other night it seems as though we are all excited for the new season and my September haul is already filled with berry shades and nourishing moisturiser. BUT back to today... today I bring you my August purchases.

Ooh I must also add that lots of you have requested full reviews of certain products and they will posted in the next week or so... 

Alpha H Liquid Gold

 This is a much raved about product that promises miracles in transforming your skin. I won't say too much as I've actually written a full review about my results with before and after pictures (seriously scary stuff!) What I will say is notice there is TWO bottles and I restock what I lurrrrrve... 

Eau Thermale Avene Gentle Eye Make-Up Remover

Ok so despite spending almost three figures in boots before I went on holiday (I went in for sun cream and toothpaste) I found myself in Germany without anything to take my mascara off...  

Cooling, gentle and effective, it even dissolves they're real! What a prize for being disorganised!

Eau Thermale

Just because I'm incapable of buying only one thing at a time and the fact I've read like a million ravey reviews about it. I'm yet to use it but I think it will be ideal for refreshing and setting my make up on long days at work.

Perricone No Foundation Foundation-

This is a repurchase and I absolutely adore the trousers off it. It's like a second skin and I cannot express how much I love it. I've written a full review with swatches and stuff so if you are thinking of buying I hope that it's helpful as I often read that people find 'the one shade fits all' doesn't really fit you if you are pale.

Me? I'm like translucently blue and I think it's fine on me but maybe I'm swanning around with a tide mark? I'm pretty sure I'm not but the mirror can sometimes lie, I mean it used to tell me my unplucked mousey eyebrows were totally acceptable!

Anyway if you found the No Foundation Foundation too dark then worry not as they are releasing the LIGHT option at some point this month.  

Guerlain Meteorites Perles in Teint Rose

First off, apologies for the rubbishy blurry picture, I'm putting it down to shaky hand excitement as I was so dazzled by their beauty. 

Again I have a full review coming up of this delightfully pretty finishing powder.

Mally Easy On The Eyes Collection

 Anyone who reads my blog regularly will know that I'm a bit of a Mallynista (QVCers will get the reference) and I bought this kit whilst it was the TSV. I had been umming and ahhing over the Urban Decay Naked Palette for some time (see I am capable of exercising some level of purchase control) so I was in the market for some eye shadows...  aaaand the rest is history :) 

Mally's Palette in Buff has a primer plus 11 neutral shades which can be used wet or dry so in essence you get 22 colours to play around with. The kit comes complete with three BULLET PROOF eye pencils, mascara and some under eye brightener (which is also known as 'sunshine in a jar' ooh!). Not to mention a 60 page booklet with step by step instructions so you can create a whole spectrum of gorgeous looks.

YSL Touché Éclat

I've always lusted after this and for as long as I can remember beauty magazines have hailed it as a 'must have' and told me that I need it in my make up bag. I never took too much notice as dark circles aren't something I suffer from (blood shot eyes, yes, spots, yes, sensitive skin, yes, oh the list goes onnnnn!) but I thought I'd give it a whirl and see how it works as at covering blemishes.  (Of which I have many!) 

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in #18 Prune In Fire 

Right let's be fair. Does this lipstick not scream sexy? Everything from the sleek and seriously beautiful packaging to the vampy purple loveliness... Aaaah it makes me melt. 

Leighton Denny Colour Cocktail Collection

I also bought this as a QVC TSV as I can't resist anything Leighton related. The kit contains four colours plus two 'cocktailing' shades that transform the base colours to create a new shade with plenty of shimmer. If I'm being totaaaaaaally honest, I'm not a huge fan (anxiety set in as I typed that). It's simply a personal preference as I prefer a nice block of colour to make a statement. The shimmery sheerness of these shades just aren't really 'me'.

The Essential Remover Pot, the Diamond Buffer and Lip and Cuticle Balm were worth it alone though.

In other news, after buying like a million Nails Inc Remover Pots I've fallen out of love with them- a brand new pot dyed my fingers a dirty greeny grey. Tres ugly.

OPI San Francisco Set

 Now these little beauties were a bit of a surprise. I ordered the OPI TSV (are we seeing a home shopping addiction here?) back in March and I selected the auto-delivery option which basically means you get a further delivery with new colours but held at the special discounted price. I wouldn't of actually ordered these but kept them as I needed a new nail envy and you can never have too much avoplex oil!

I need to remind myself that the surprise auto-delivs aren't actually gifts though! Oopsie!

SBC Collagen Gel

How bad is this...? This arrived and I had absolutely no memory of ordering it! I now have a vague recollection of doing it whilst half asleep! I think I saw the pretty pink gel and thought it'll look fabulous in the bathroom if nothing else! Perhaps I was drunk on tea and jaffa cakes? I haven't used it yet BUT it does indeed look beeeeeeowdifal in my bathroom!

The pictures below are repurchases which I've enthused and rambled about on previous blog hauls. The Decleor set was bought primarily to get my casper white mitts on their gradual tan again. You can read about why I LOVES it here 

My Elemis pots of joy are the Pro Collagen Marine Day and Night Cream- the ultimate in moisturising goodness. Elemis Cellular Recovery Skin Bliss Capsules are in the big pot and if you fancy reading about why they are loved like my children you can do that here

The ABC Skin Care Set for me is a must have. Espesh the HEEEEOWGE body wash which lasts for months (unless one of  your children 'plays' with the pump and fills the bottle up with shower water...) and it keeps skin clean and clear. The shampoo and conditioner smell amazing, well all of these products smell amazing if you happen to love the zingy fresh tea tree aroma? If not then (why not?) just skip to the next picture. 

The Pure Tea Tree Oil is perfect for adding to bath water or when you want a nice deep cleansing steam. I tend to dispense onto a cotton pad and wipe over blemishes (yes plural!).

The blemish sticks contain witch hazel too and they have a roller ball application, perfect for slipping in your bag to target them nasties that get bigger and angrier as the day progresses. You know the ones right? They often crop up on Friday ready to spoil your weekend!

The wipes are in my car and will probably be used a glorified baby wipes! (Think sticky fingers on a three year old!) Oh I is Glam!

Maybelline Baby Lips

Well I just had to didn't I? Absolute bandwagon purchase and unlike many they don't incite any strong feelings in me either way. A lip balm is a lip balm, tinted or not right? Cherry Me gives a gorgeous juicy flush of colour and Hydrate is fine to slick on as you would any lip balm. I did also get Pink Punch but I gave that to my sister in law who wears it far better than I ever could- plus these aren't available in Germany so I felt like I was bringing her treasure!

Organix Brazilian Keratin Shampoo and Conditioner

I like a high end shampoo and conditioner, Kerastase, Ojon or Aveda often take residence in my shower. In my pre-holiday panic I ended up 'settling' for the Organix set as I was rushed, in boots and needed something quickly (usually order my shiz off the net). I'd also read a rave review from Allana Beau and believe me when I say that girl takes some impressing! 

Emma Hardie Moringa Balm, Day and Night Cream (pictured on first picture). I forgot (bad blogger) to take a photo of these individually but essentially it's a repurchase as I need plenty of stock of the cleansing balm. The moisturiser I don't use regularly (Elemis loyalty for you right there!) but the odd occasion I have I did notice it was rather thick. Perhaps ideal for the colder season?

So that was August... Done. Dusted. Gone. 

September marks the end of the summer and the end of my haul. 

Any products you're loving? Ooh or have you seen anything and thought BIG MISTAKE KATE? 

Let me know if there's anything you'd like to see a thorough review on as I'm more than happy to oblige :)

Oh and slightly off topic but you know how I mentioned I'm super excited to go shopping to find the perfect winter coat? I don't why I said that as I've never ever actually found one. Each winter it's a constant disappointment where I trawl around the shops searching for perfection before buying something I actually hate and then spend the rest of the season having coat envy when I see girls who just get it right! 

Anyway

Looking forward to reading your comments and don't be shy, come say HIYAAAon my TWITTER

I also have a giveaway running to win a Mac Lippy or Paint Pot of your choice, click here if you're feeling lucky?

Love 

k xxxxxx

Mac Impassioned Lipstick love

MWAH

Pucker Up Boys and Girls as today I want to share my lusty love for this weeks favourite lippy shade.

MAC's Impassioned.

Aaaah for me this is sexy gorgeous sexiness rolled into one vanilla scented sleek lil bullet!

 The colour on the lips is a beautiful bright almost neon pinky red. Its warm toned and I found it ever so flattering on my pale face. It's certainly a lipstick to centre your make up around like, it does the talking for you and makes a canny statement on a Saturday afternoon.

The Amplified finish is perfect as it intensifies on the lips to give high impact colour that will turn heads!

(Listen to me, talking like I'm wor cherillllllllll doing her loreal adverty thing)

No lip brush required, I just swished (yes swished) it straight on from bullet to lip.

(happy accident, I was pushed for time, couldn't find a brush so thought I'd cheat... score!)

Matte and Amplified are most definitely my favourite finishes and they have the best staying power...  I mean this pouty pic was taken about 3 hours after my initial application and it hadn't budged.

In fact I woke up the next morning with Impassioned still clinging on to my lips for dear life! Not a look I'd recommend though :)

I wonder what lippy will be ruling my world next week? What's your favourite MAC shade?

Looking forward to reading your lushty comments and please feel free to leave your links :)

*blows kisses*

Love 

k xxxxxx

Mac Speed Dial

Hi and a big hello to you all. Hope everyone is good :) Today my post is dedicated to the sweetest pink lipstick in my collection.

Yes its Mac! And she goes by the name of 'Speed Dial'

Speed Dial is a cremesheen formula which gives a creamy sort of milky coverage with a slight gloss to the finish... Not talking a lip gloss effect here, think more of a matte lippy with a slick of lip balm over it .

In my opinion (which is based on nothing scientific) Speed Dial is a cool toned pink, with a gorgeous golden shimmer running through it. The colour pay off is fabulous and is almost opaque on the lips. The gold isn't glitzy nor does it give a pearlised or frosted effect so it is super wearable through the day. 

Mind because of the finish its staying power isn't that of a matte, so to keep that colour popping, prepare to reapply in maybe 3 or so hours. No lip brush needed :)

L- One swish                                            R- Two swishes intensify colour

Next two pictures are almost definitely unnecessary facial close ups! So be kind and use a sort of squinting technique when looking :)

Photo above is 2 coats of Speed Dial with no blotting. 

Photo below is after blotting (and lil sneak peek of nostrils too!)

As I'm a total fanny scatter brain I forgot to take Speed Dial out on my travels the day I debuted it... So here's me 6 hours post application... A very faint wash of colour left, rookie error!

So in a shell of a nut, Speed Dial is probably my 'go to' day time lipstick as I cannot seem to pull off nudes! Its light fresh, girly and ever so pretty.

Anyone else got it? What's your favourite day time shade? I need to expand my collection :)

Looking forward to reading and replying to your gorgeous comments 

Love

k xxxx

May-be Hauling

Hey Girls and Boyos! Its June, AND it's almost double figure days into June, and only now am I bringing you my haul from the month of May! *hangs head in shame* But to throw a few excuses cliches at you, it's better to be late and great... better late than never... it's about the pace not the race... and all that jazz!

So lets get straight down to it: May welcomed a few products into my life but primarily it was more about the repurchases, the clothes, the decorating and the half term holidays. So by my crazy expectations this haul is smaller than my beauty cave anticipated. 

Emma Hardie's magic moringa balm not shown... awaiting replacement tub as mine was cracked on delivery :(

So this is the No No No Hair Removal System and as I'm such a die hard Girls Alouder I involuntarily call it the Sexy No No No! A little piece of irrelevant trivia for you there. I didn't actually buy this in May, I bought it in March but I FOUND it in May... in a wardrobe whilst looking for minty green wedges (they still haven't turned up!) if you're wondering. I'm on the fence with this one as haven't used it long enough to see true results but essentially it is a laser treatment that in the short term singes away and buffs off visible growth and over time eradicates hair follicles with the big beautiful picture being permanently perfectly smooth pins... (that's my take on their promise!) What I will say its quiet, easy and painless, I do it watching Corrie!

Innocently showing MAC some love... and avoiding eye contact with my husband when the postie knocked on the door... :) 

Ok so this happened like this. All about orange collection came out... Bought Flamingo and the Strobe Cream, didn't need the strobe cream really but if its in the name of free delivery then I WILL add another item to basket. I have Gemma the ultimate make up magpie to thank for the other four lippys!

 That is four limited editions you see there... makes it all the more necessary surely?

Now tell me these colours aren't pretty?? At time of typing of I've yet to swatch some but I'm planning a post dedicated to my collection (which only started in March!). I have worn Silly which was BRIGHT and looked fabulous with my (fakey) tan, it's not the dizzy heights of Candy Yum Yum for me though! Flamingo is simply gorgeous BUT it does look suspiciously identical similar to my Betty Bright from the Archies Girls collection, the only obvious difference being the finish, Betty Bright is a satin finish and Flamingo is Lustre.

L-R Raspberry Swirl, Silly, Speed Dial, Flamingo, Feel My Pulse

I honestly thought it would of been rude not to take advantage of Daniel Sandler's 20% discount over the bank holiday weekend. I've been dying to try the water colour blushers for a while now and after tweeting the man himself to ask for advice on my perfect shade (to which he replied!) I ordered So Pretty which is a rosy pink with shots of shimmery gold running through it... The swatches of So Pretty are indeed so pretty and I can't wait to use this properly. 

I'm Soap & Glory devotee and tend to impulsively pick up something from the brand every time I'm in Boots. The shower cream smells delish and I have a million Soap & Glory body lotions and butters to layer the scent too. I toyed with the idea of the body spray but decided against it... unsure why now! 

Sexy Mother Pucker is worth buying for the name alone :) I have the original and it's been a repurchase a few times (because its A) wonderful and B)I keep losing things... it's an illness!) but this has some pink to it and gives a little wash of colour as well as the famous TINGLE. 

*Sound the fanfare* Yes it's my monthly Elemis tribute dance :) Shown here is the Pro Collagen Marine Day and Night Cream. Bought simply to keep my stock levels in check :) You can read about my Elemis raves and reviews HERE and HERE and that includes my May Elemis purchases

... Happy skin care! 

Bit of unusual one as not available in the UK...

My husband is German and although he lives in this country (after snaring him I couldn't allow him to leave me and go back.. good god no!)  all of his family are still in Deutschland which means aside from lots of lovely trips across there we often have delightful packages sent to us.

 This month my gorgeous Mutter-in-Law sent us some Ricarda M skin care cream which is a top seller in Germany and all my husband used when I first met him (he has lushy skin!)

 I'm going to do a full review of this which will mean it replacing my Elemis pro collagen (can you's hear the palpitations? can you's feel my anxiety?) but I have faith and got to keep things fresh, skin gets bored and lazy if it gets used to a product. That's my experience anyway. Plus if it's a total disaster I can always opt for divorce ;)

Love anything that comes with a spatula!

Got some nail loving for you now... This Pro Strong kit was about £30 from QVC and I attribute the fact my nails don't bend or break easily to this delightful little set... These are treatments so if you are wanting sustained protection  then whip out your nail envy and use alongside. For me Pro Strong means bye bye to soft, brittle and peeling nails. Oh and they all sink in over polish so no interruptions to your summer manis... bonus!

Another little restock of the Nails Inc Express Nail Polish Remover... I'm a big fan of these removing pots as they are so handy plus I hate the feel of claggy cotton wool, espesh when it leaves its dirty fluff behind...Seriously BAH!

 I have the Leighton Denny remover pot too and I actually far prefer his formula as it leaves nails looking nourished and healthy BUT the actual shape of the pot is a tad awkward in comparison to the Nails Inc one. 

I can't vocalise my love for Baker Street enough (you are all thinking.. "urgh yes you can and have... shaaaadup already!"...sorry!) so when I saw on QVC that the were selling it alongside Caviar Top Coat and a funky lil magnetic number I justified it to myself and ordered... My current Baker Street is a almost a third used, practically unsightly! 

L-R Caviar Top Coat, Magnetic Polish in Whitehall, Baker Street

Those of you that read my Nails Inc Sprinkles Post will be aware that Nails Inc Royal Botanical Gardens was catapulted into an all time favourites category (high praise indeed!). I loved it so much that I decided to buy the complete spring/summer set from Nails Inc which included this polish too (yes another duplicate but if you think something is UH-MEZZIN then it pays to have plenty!)

 I think these colours scream sunshine and ice creams... there's a coral, a minty green, a sky baby blue and a peachy pastel... What is not to love? I mean really!

Those of you that didn't read my spinkles post you can catch it HERE and it includes swatches of Royal Botanical Gardens too

L-R St James Park, Chelsea Physic Garden, Royal Botanical Garden, Kensington Palace Gardens

So that was May and wasn't May canny? Anyone else tried these products? Or is there anything that has grabbed your attention?

Love reading all your lushty comments and I reply to all. If you need something answered quickly then tweet me... all links at top of the page :)

Taaaaaraaaaaa

k

xxxxxx

Porcelain Face Of The Day

Happy Holiday Weekend Folks :) Hands up who got burnt yesterday? Don't even think about telling me if you went a golden shade of bronze as you'll turn my blue eyes a monstrous green! I didn't even get so much as a tan line to prove I'd been outside all day, I swear the sun actually bleaches me!!! I was definitely dealt the short straw when Melanin was being dished out like!

And as I'm the lilliest of whites I was in no way prepared for the tropical weather we stripped off to yesterday, so rather than getting messy and applying wash off tan frantically and basically having a 'right faff on' I decided to tap into my natural skin tone and WERK the porcelain! THINK VINTAGE... That was my creative inspiration anyway (that and having no inclination to waste time fakey tanning!)

So for my face of the day or FOTD (as it is affectionately known in blogland) I totally ditched the bronzer and the corals and thought I'd Gwen Stefani it instead.

And here is my little lot of magic pots...

So my ace of base was as ever pretty simple. Mally's Primer followed by Perricone No Foundation Foundation which leaves skin all light and fresh and glowy... Unfortunate as I am my skin ain't perfecto so a quick dab of Benefit Fake Up over pesky (time of the month!) blemishes and a quick dusting of Bare Minerals Mineral Veil to set it,  helped to create a flawless finish

In no particular order...  Mac Brush, Mally Eye Bright & Poreless Primer, Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, Perricone No Foundation Foundation & Benefit Fake Up Concealer

Now I must tell you I'm a HD Brow girl... Always. Its a must for me. My next appointment is Wednesday and its a week longer than I'd like to wait but hey ho... So warning my brows aren't what they could and should be!!! Mally Eyebrow Pencil to the rescue though... the crayon end to draw, fill in and define, then sponge end to intensify colour. Its Holy Grail people... BELIEVE.

The last week this bad boy has allowed me to leave the house with head held high!!

Now that the brows are visible, it's a simple eyelash curl, nude pencil in the waterline and lashings of mascara job...  and done. Romeo done.

Mally Mascara & Brow Pencil, Rimmel Scandal Eyes Pencil in Nude. And lash curlers.

Lips were lined in Mac Liner in Cherry (not pictured as couldn't find it... was later recovered under the seat in my mam's car, no panic!) before drenching them in Rimmel Apocalips. Colour unknown as sticker has come off the bottom. HASHTAG PROFESSIONAL BLOGGER! (mega lolz!)

Flush of colour with Benefit Posie Tint then a beautiful blusher highlighter combo from The Body Shop. Of course (of course) Benefit High Beam to finish. Would be seriously rude not to.

Aaaand the finished product is.... 

TAAAAADAAAAA

All completed with a bit head scarf, some fred perry and some high waisted skinny jeans.

Should of done an outfit of the day too but as ever I was in a mad rush and didn't even have time to zip up me sandals :)

So what do we think?? For me this was a brave decision... I do love a spray tan and pinky coral shades!!

As ever love love love your comments and I read and reply to each and every single one

ByezeBye 

k xxxx