Make-Up Academy (MUA) Lipstick (Shade #11) REVIEW

Today's blog entry is going to be a review on Make-Up Academy's Lipstick in Shade 11, a lipstick that I ordinarily use every day and repurchase often. Personally, I think that MUA should make the numbers on the labels more recognisable. I saw 'Shade 11' as 'Shade II' because it was written like Roman numerals, and consequently spent about an hour in Superdrug searching for "Shade number two". But that's not important.

 

 

 

All in all, it is a very ordinary, effortless lipstick. I mean, when I just want lipstick on, but nothing too special, this'll be the one I pick up. I even wear it to school. The great thing is that it's quite a good match for my lips so it doesn't look as if I'm trying too hard and I don't stick out like a sore thumb.

 

 

 

Shade 11 is actually a very subtle colour, and perfect for a quiet day out. Application is quick and easy and leaves your lips feeling smooth. It does tend to dry out quickly though (within about an hour or two) so I like to add a little something to it. Usually I'll apply my MaxFactor (Shade #610 Angel Pink) to my lips first, then add the MUA lipstick on top. The more product that's on my lips, the less time it takes to dry up. This creates a lovely pink-red which I'm told is very flattering for my skin tone. The pictures below are of the MUA lipstick, with no combination of other lipsticks.

 

 

 

 

You can buy this lipstick here for just £1.00 (price correct April 2013). I'd suggest checking out Shade #13 though; that looks awesome.

Sorry guys for the state of me yet again! So much going on right now! Anyway, just letting you all know that all opinions written in this blog in mine and I am not being paid by MUA, MaxFactor, Superdrug, or any other cosmetic stores/brands mentioned in this article. 100% fun.

Kate Moss for Rimmel London Lipstick (Shade #1) REVIEW

Recently Rimmel London lipsticks have been on offer at Superdrug Derby for around £5 each, so I happily bought a few and gave one to my sister. Today's product review is on Kate Moss Rimmel London Shade #01 (Lasting Finish) but I shall be reviewing the others very soon. So, here's what I had to say:

 

 

It has to be said that I absolutely adore the packaging. At first glance I thought it was smaller than other lipstick tubes, perhaps compared to Max Factor and MUA lipsticks, but it appears I was wrong and there's essentially just as much product inside. The Kate Moss lipstick that I gave to my sister (Shade #107) is the opposite of my packaging - red case with black writing - but it's just as pretty. As far as I've seen, that's as much as the packaging varies.

 

 



 

At the time of purchase, I was just completely in love with red lipsticks and tried to find the darkest one I could find as I was looking for makeup for a funeral. In the shop I swatched a lot of testers on my hand and this did seem to be the darkest one in collection; but obviously it isn't the brightest around. However, it's more than stand out on my snow-white skin.

 

You can see from the swatch on my hand above that your lips would have to be really hydrated before you introduce the lipstick, otherwise they'll appear chapped. You really do have to apply a generous amount in order for the entire lip to be covered, even though it is very pigmented. I find that the biggest problem with the product is that no matter how much I apply, there's always that pink natural-tone line where my lips meet. Sometimes this isn't as visible, like when I'm looking down, so for day-to-day use I suppose it's fine.

For me, though, it's a pretty bold red to wear and so I'd really only apply it for, say, a party or something. But it is nice to add some more colours to my makeup spectrum just so that I have plenty of options for prom. I had difficulty applying it though, and in my opinion you'd need a makeup artist with you just to get this completely right. It's extremely easy to smudge and therefore very difficult to shape your lips without messing up. Maybe you could use a lip-pencil for that, I don't know.

As for the 'Lasting Finish' aspect, it is true to some extent. I was able to drink a couple of mugs of Irn Bru without it rubbing off on the cup so much, but when you eat obviously the colour diminishes and you'd need to reapply at least a little. Without eating or drinking I do think the product would stay looking bright for a good few hours. I might not repurchase one of Kate Moss' darker lipsticks -  although I do love this one - but I have heard good things about the nude colours from fellow YouTubers so that will be my next stop.

Look out for more Rimmel London reviews soon and you can catch Tiegan and I's latest video online at www.youtube.com/teewithmeg. Thankyou!

Please bear in mind that all opinions expressed are 100% mine and 100% honest. These articles are fun for me to make and hopefully informative for my readers to read.I have not been sponsored by Rimmel or Superdrug to make this post. Also, sorry if I look terrible in my pictures - the light was being indecisive through the window and I decided not to reapply my makeup for the photos. But I definitely will next time!

Collection Cover Up Stick REVIEW

A few months ago I bought Collection's cover-up stick in shade #13 "Natural Beige" for £2.99 at my local Superdrug store, and I love it... for all the wrong reasons. 

At the time of the purchase, I knew that Natural Beige was too dark for my skin, but only slightly. If there had been a lighter shade available in the store, I would've bought it - but sadly there isn't much choice for paler people such as myself in many high street stores. In some ways buying the darker shade worked to my advantage; for I like to drag the stick under my eyes and rub the product in with my ring finger in order to hide my dark circles, and this is where the shadows would naturally fall on your skin. So you would want that area to look a little bit darker than the rest of your face anyway; just to ensure that you're looking as natural as possible.

I do try to use it to cover up my spots, but the only thing it really works on for me personally is my dark circles. This is because - with the product being a tiny bit too orange for my pale skin - it doesn't cover blemishes. Usually, it just creates an orange ring around/over the spot that is really hard to remove. I also find that it makes my skin look streaky in the places where I've tried to hide spots, so I am of the opinion that a liquid concealer would work a lot better on my spots. Here's a before and after shot...

Without Collection Cover-Up Stick

With Collection Cover-Up Stick

Sorry for the no-makeup shots guys but I really thought this was needed! So, today I only used the product under my eyes and over the spot that has developed just above my nose. You can see in the bottom-most picture that my skin appears fresher just by adding a miniscule amount under my eyes, and I even look a little less tired. This is great for me when I'm getting ready for a day at school. As for the spot - it does appear reduced, but only slightly. However, I suspect that, had I used my camera for the photos of my face, the spot would appear slightly more visible. I would say that with the Cover Up stick over my spots, you can tell (even with the slightest amount) that I've used a product. And it does make my skin tinge with orange.

Having said that, when I combine this product with my Rimmel foundation and Collection powder, some spots are hardly visible at all. I'd recommend this product for covering dark circles, but not much else. I would suggest paying a little bit more for a liquid concealer if you're going to hide your spots.

I would have taken more photos today guys - if the batteries in my camera hadn't died! Poor planning. Anyway, if you have any questions about this product please feel free to tweet me at @HUNT3RMUNT3R on Twitter. This article is not sponsored and all views are 100% mine.