Review: Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquer in #303 Apocaliptic

Hello!

Finally I have tested the famous Rimmel London Apocalips Lip Lacquers! I got mine months ago and I didn’t have the chance to wear it for more that one or two times during winter. During these recent weeks I have used it pretty much and I feel like I can give you a full review on the product.

Color&Pigmentation. First off, the color is called Apocaliptic (woah, hard name to write fast, haha!), #303 and it’s a shocking fuchsia. I had a hard time picking just one color of this product. I loved very much “Aurora” and the very bright red one, “Big Bang”. I decided to go with this fuchsia because it was a shade that was missing in my lip products! I couldn’t be happier with it. The pigmentation is amazing. You can just apply one coat on your lips and they’ll appear just as the color in the tube. Super, I know!

Application. I had to struggle a bit to get it right because it’s very thick. The less you load with product the brush, the easier it gets to apply it. The fact that it’s highly pigmented requires time and precision to avoid smudged edges. I love wearing it straight from the applicator brush (which is similar to a lip gloss one, but a bit less spongy) when I want really bold lips, but I often blot it after applying it for a “soft” look. Plus, if you blot it, it’ll lose its glossy finish that stays on if you apply it with the brush. If you want to avoid the super bold lips you can still apply the littlest amount with fingers just to give some color to the lips. I like this way of wearing it too, but it seems it takes me more time than the other two so I tend to avoid this technique and simply use another lipstick.

Longevity. Depends of what you do with it. It didn’t stay much on my lips while drinking and eating, it does transfer very easily, in fact. It stays on without any problems for three to four hours, though, except for the horrible “ring” and the fact that often it ends on my teeth. It looses a bit the glossy finish after an hour or two.

Packaging. Quite slim and small, sadly. I wish it would come with more product in it. I feel like since it’s very thick I’ll soon finish it up! The best part of it? It closes with a “click” which is quite efficient in keeping the product wet and well sealed.

Store&Price. I bought it at my local drugstore (Acqua&Sapone) on sale for about 8 or 9€. Full price they are about 10€.

Overall: 8/10. I’m very very happy with it. I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about this product and I’m glad I ended up liking me too. The only thing I wished for is longevity. The “ring” really bugs me and I wished it lasted more, even while eating and drinking. This reminds me I should try it with the Lipcote. Concerning the color range, I know it changes from country to country. Here in Italy we don’t a have any peach shades and I wished the nudes were a little bit more pink and less beige. Last week I saw a limited edition with three more shades available: a peach/coral one, a purple/pink one and a very orange red one.

Have you ever tried it? Any thoughts and tips?

Stay beautiful.

L

Review: Essie Nail Polish in Lilacism #37

Hello!

Here are my opinions on the Essie nail polish in the colour Lilacism (#37). I received it in my latest purchase of the MyBeautyBox, as I was talking here. I got this lilac color (out of the three pastel shades available) as a surprise and, honestly, I was hoping to get the light blue pastel one! Thankfully, I ended up liking very much! Keep reading to know why!

Color&Pigmentation. Lilacism is a lilac color, light enough to enter in the “pastel” range. You may already know, but I have never liked purples and lilacs in general. I don’t know why, I just tend to avoid these colors. This polish actually surprised me, though! Watching the color on the bottle I wasn’t very tempted to try it on, but when I did, me liking how the color suited my fair skin came as a huge surprise! I have to be honest, though: I would have liked it better if it was lighter. The pigmentation is very good, but you need two coats to get an even color.

Application. It wasn’t as easy as the red one (Laquered Up, here‘s the review), but it was pretty good anyway. I found the texture quite sticky, but enough liquid to apply the polish evenly. Plus, it dries very very fast. Something I always appreciate!

Longevity. Knowing that the other Essie polish (Laquered Up, here‘s the review) I tried chipped quite soon, I decided to use a clear nail polish as top coat and this “trick” saved the manicure for at least 5 days. I don’t know how Lilacism would have behaved without the top coat, though. :/

Packaging. Squared and pretty heavy. I like the fact that it’s chubby and that it has  a white cap instead of a black one.

Store&Price. I got it in a MyBeautyBox, as I was saying before, but it’s from a limited edition of Spring 2009 so no chances to find it, sadly. You can still have a chance to get it if you decide to buy the July MyBeautyBox here (no international shipping, sadly). I know that Essie has other lovely lilacs shades, though! Essie polishes are around 11 or 12€ each at Sephora.

Overall: 8/10. Never though I could rate this polish as much, but I have to be honest and speak my mind! I really like it and I’m glad that it won’t end in my nail polish box as the “polish I never use”.  Can’t wait to pair it with a nice nail art too! I was thinking of a white/lilac/yellow one which reminds me that I have to buy a white nail polish as soon as I have the chance.

Any thoughts of this polish and on Essie polishes in general?

Stay beautiful.

L

Review: Essence Stay Matt Lip Cream in #01 Velvet Rose

Hello!!!

Here’s the review of my latest lip product purchase: the Essence Stay Matte Lip Cream in Velvet Rose (#01).

Color&Pigmentation. I find that the name suits the color very well. The lip product is definitely a pink, but more specifically a rose-pink. The adjective “velvet” makes me understand exactly what color to expect. Don’t ask me why! haha
The lip cream is extremely pigmented, definitely more than I thought it would.

Application. It has the traditional sponge applicator that I never complained too much on lip glosses, but this, in this case, makes the application more difficult than it should. The texture of the product, in fact, is pretty thick if compared to a lip gloss and I feel like the sponge drags the colour too much. As a result, even if being very careful and precise, lips are not colored in an even way. The best way of applying it I find is with fingers, the middle one is the best for me. If you want to, you can build it up and have a less sheer look, but I suggest to use a lip brush to have an even application. Concerning it’s finish, I’m not sure about the “matt” effect. Yes, it does not set as glossy as you apply it, but it’s not as “matt” as I expected. I think I like it better this way, though!

Longevity. I expected it to last and stay still for at least one to two hours. Well, just after 10 or 15 minutes it tends to create the hideous “ring” of color right where the lips touch. I blotted it just right there, but after some more minutes it would just recreate. To avoid something like that I realized that the product needs to set with your mouth open or, well, with your lips not closed for at least 5 minutes (depending on how much product you applied). Obviously it’s something very unhandy, even for the ladies who have time. Concerning the longevity itself, it lasted about two hours, but the color started to fade and I feel like it can dry your lips a bit. I don’t know how a chapstick would act above (or under) the lip cream.

Packaging. Nothing much to say, very nice and cute. If only the brush was different!!!

Store&Price. I bought it at an Essence counter at OVS, but you can get it whenever Essence is sold (I think that outside Italy you can find this brand in drugstores!) for 2,49€.

Overall 6/10. I really wanted to like this product. I was looking for something like this to use everyday, just to have some pink on the lips. Sadly, the fact that it requires a long process of applying it and setting forces me to use it only when I have time (never LOL). It’s such a shame because the color is stunning, in my opinion!

Have you tried these Lip Creams? Any tips?

Stay beautiful.

L

Review: Debby Nail Polish in #58

Hello, sweeties!

Here’s the review of the Debby Nail Polish in #58!

Color&Pigmentation. It’ the most fuchsia nail polish ever, definitely. If you look closely, it has a little bit of lighter shimmer that appears quite nicely when the light hits the polish. The pigmentation isn’t the perfect one, but I feel like wearing only a coat of polish does enough justice to the color.

Application. I forgot how easy it was. I used to paint my nails qith this polish back in 2010 and, then, as a fool, I completely forgot about it. Now that I re-discovered it, I remember why I used it so much! Its little brush can easily cover the entire nail without painting the cuticles just like many other polishes I have. Plus, it dries slowly enough to get the color even on the nail, but not too slowly that you have to stay still for 10 minutes.

Longevity. It lasted on my nails with no top coat (and just one coat of polish) at least 5 days without chipping.

Packaging. The bottle is round and small, cute!

Store&Price. Debby is an italian brand that isn’t sold outside Italy, unfortunately. Here you can find it at drugstores like Acqua&Sapone and at clothes shops like Coin or OVS. I bought it for 4 or 5€.

Overall 8/10. It’s not a 10 because I noticed that it stained just a little my nails, but apart from that..awesome! I think I’ll use it very often during this Spring/Summer. I know that fuchsias aren’t that much in trend this year, but..I can’t help but feeling that it goes with every outfit and can be used in most of the occasions!

Do you like it?

Stay beautiful.

L

Fashion Crush: Zuhair Murad

Hello!

Since I was a little girl, I used to love watching red carpet dresses and looks in general and, recently, things got worse, haha! The Red Carpet Fashion Award website is basically the first one I check every morning and, if I don’t, I feel like missing a big part of me, haha!

I have my favourite fashion designers, of course, but Zuhair Murad stole my heart in the blink of an eye.
It all started with this dress that Juana Acosta wore on a recent red carpet. (I don’t know her, though, I was just amazed by her stunning dress).I noticed the designer name and since I had five minutes of free time I googled it and ended up surfing his website: http://www.zuhairmurad.com/. I literally fell in love with every single dress on the website. I don’t remember falling like that since Elie Saab or Valentino back in the years.

I searched “Zuhair Murad” on the Red Carpet website I quoted above and I realized that some of my favourite outfits ever are designed by this brilliant man!
HERE are the results!

And THESE are some of my favourites from his website along with the Instagram collage.

Drooling over these stunning Zuhair Murad dresses.

So, are you in love yet?

Stay beautiful.

L

Review: Kiko Nail Polish in #355

Hello and Happy Monday, peeps!!!

Here’s the spring-est (!) nail polish I have ever worn this year! It’s the Kiko Nail Polish in #355 called “Giallo Canarino” (which translates as “Canary Yellow“).

Color&Pigmentation. I got this nail polish because I really wanted a pastel yellow to wear during spring. I used to hate yellow, and I guess I still do, but I have a thing for pastels in general so, I wanted to give it a try. Sadly, the polish on the nails appears darker and way less pastel-y than the product in the bottle (which still isn’t a perfect pastel). A huge bummer because I ended up with real yellow nails when all I wanted was a more subtle yellow. :/ The pigmentation is good, but you need two coats to have a decent cover and this will make them even more yellow!

Application. Not the easiest one. It’s kind of sticky, but I found that it can be solved by shaking it very well every two nails.

Longevity. More than 5 days with no chipping at all, great, uh?

Packaging. Nothing special, just the simple Kiko nail polishes packaging.

Store&Price. It can be bought online here or at the physical Kiko stores for 3,90€, but I got it for free because of an offer through Facebook.

Overall 6/10.  I had to pass mark this polish just because the only thing I really don’t like is the color. I watched my nails and all I wanted to do it taking it off! I really regret getting it (thank God I didn’t pay for it!) and I have no clue on how to use it. I thought about mixing it with a white polish to make it lighter, but I don’t feel like it’s going to work – I never did such thing before – suggestions? Maybe with a nice nail art this yellow could work, but on my nails alone..no, thank you!

Stay beautiful.

L

Review: Kiko Lipstick Rouge A Levres #11

Hello!!!

Meet my new lipstick crush: the Kiko Lipstick Rouge A’ Levres in #11!!! It’s the one I bought months and months ago and that I rediscovered just during these spring weeks. It’s the perfect color to wear for any kind of occasion, I love it, can’t lie!

Color&Pigmentation. I would say it’s a pink-nude lipstick, very elegant and easy to pair with any kind of makeup. The pigmentation isn’t the best (I have to apply about two coast to get the color of these pictures), but I love it anyway because it’s very buildable.

Application. It’s not the easiest lipstick to apply, not very creamy, but it’s a light color so it’s no big deal.

Longevity. Without eating or drinking it easily lasts 3 to 4 hours. It’s not a long-wear lipstick, but it’s not sold to be long-wear either. Of course, if you apply more coats of it the color won’t fade as soon as a lighter application! I find it a bit dry for my lips, but I can easily solve the problem using a good lip balm under it.

Packaging. Basic and simple. And black, which I can’t help but love!

Store&Price. I bought it at the Kiko store and it was on sale for 1,90€, couldn’t miss it!

Overall 8/10. Reading the review you might want to know why it scored such a high mark. Well, with nudes lipstick I don’t expect nor ask for a super longevity or lovely texture. I guess I am too in love with the color to pay attention to those details, haha! Plus, it’s the very first nude lipstick that doesn’t wash me out, a big deal to me!!!

Love it or hate it? Which color do you wear during spring? Which lipsticks are you loving?

Stay beautiful.

L

 

You Tube-r of the Moment: xteeener

Hello!!!

Here’s Christine, xteeener on YouTube!

No, I’m not Asian, but she’s the only Asian beauty guru I can really relate to. There are tons of Eastern beauties on YouTube (Michelle Phan, just to name the biggest!), but I feel like her way of putting makeup on is the one I can really deeply appreciate. I don’t know how to explain it, though!

Anyway, Christine is on YouTube since 2008 and it shows. She’s very experienced and knows how to cut the chace and get to the point in chatty videos.

Her makeup tutorials are medium-long, but she really explains step to step in the most accurate way. Most of her looks can be worn during day or night – she rarely goes too much crazy about makeup looks! Whenever I need a simple (but still great) everyday makeup look I search in her videos to have ideas. She has a casual/chic style, very similar to the way I dress often.

What I like the most about her is that she really cares for her subscribers, I don’t know how I can prove that, but she makes me feel welcome in every one of her videos.
I find her honest and trustworthy, plus she has a sunny personality that never hurts! I feel like she’s one of those girls who really appreciate what life gives her and, thankfully, even if YouTube (I think) is her job she never takes it for granted. Her hauls show that she’s a very responsible person.

Check her videos out?

Stay beautiful.

L

Review: Rimmel Lipstick by Kate Moss #10

Hello!

I reviewed some months ago the Rimmel Kate Moss lipstick in #22 just here, but I got the chance to try another shade too, so here are some swatches and opinions!

Color&Pigmentation. #10 is the reddest red ever, I’ll say. It’s cool tone based and has an almost-glossy finish. The Pigmentation is perfect, I found that you can just lightly press it on the lips and you have a nice color payoff. Awesome right?

Application. Very smooth and I would suggest to use a lip brush to apply it, just to avoid to smudge it on the edges. With such smooth formulas, I find it hard to apply the lipstick right from the tube, just because I won’t be precise enough and that’s something to avoid with these bright shades! The pictures show my application from the bullet and, as you can see, the edges are terrible! X°D

Longevity. More than 4 hours, but I did not eat during that time. I really should test if it passes the drink&eat test!

Packaging. Very classic and nice. Basic too, but I don’t judge just on the packaging!

Store&Price. I received this one as a sample thanks to an offer by Rimmel, but I believe these lipsticks are around 7-8€ at drugstores.

Overall 9/10. Yes, it’s a nine. I need to test it with foods before give it a ten! Nothing else to say about this product. It’s simply a good deal! I wish I could try some more shades, but I can’t find them anywhere!

& that’s it.

Stay beautiful.

L

NOTW + Review: Essie Nail Polish in Laquered Up (#62)

Hello!!!

Here is my weekly mani, trying for the first time an Essie nail polish (Laquered Up, #62). It’s one of the two polishes that came in the box of July I bought for 50% off at MyBeautyBox. It’s in a limited edition that came out in Spring 2009, if the web speaks the truth. In the description of the box, there were three shades reds and three pastel colors, but in the box you would get one from the reds and one from the pastels, with no chance to pick them, though. So I couldn’t decide which one to choose and I let the fate work for me! I was lucky with this red, but not so much with the pastel one because I got a lilac one (it’s called Lilacism, #37) and you know how that I don’t like purples in general. :/

As a fan of polka dots, I was really missing them so I opted for an accent mani with the black polish by Kiko. Doesn’t it remind you of a ladybug? haha!

Color&Pigmentation. Definitely one of the brightest reds I’ve ever seen. Maybe even too bright at first sight. I got used to it wearing it on the nails, and honestly, I couldn’t help but fall in love with it. It’s definitely a warm toned red, with almost a hint of orange. It’s not the regular red, it definitely catches attention. The pigmentation is perfect, just one coat and it was already even and rightfully colored.

Application. I was overwhelmed. I never ever tried any other nail polish so easy to apply as this one. I don’t know if it’s its liquid formula or the brush. I don’t have a clue, but applying it felt relaxing.

Longevity. That’s where comes the disappointment. The pictures are taken on Wednesday morning and I did my nails last Saturday afternoon. Well..you can see that it’s starting to chip and it ended up not lasting enough through the entire week, which is always what I look for in a polish. I didn’t wash more my hands (than usual), so I really blame the polish for the chipping. Which terribly sucks, you know? For a medium expensive polish like this I would expect at least 4 to 5 days with no chipping at all.

Packaging. I love it!!! It’s chubby and so cute!

Store&Price. As I was saying before I got my polish in a box from MyBeautyBox, but it was in a limited edition so I don’t think you can still get it. Try Ebay, maybe? For what I know, Essie polishes are around 11-12€.

Overall: 8/10. It’s an 8 despite the fact that it chips easily. I still haven’t tried it with a good top coat, but I believe it will definitely last longer. I’m going to wear this nail polish quite often, especially during the hot seasons! How can you not love this super bright red?!

Have you tried any Essie polishes? How is the longevity for you?

Stay beautiful.

L