Tuesday T. Bryan: lips

Showing posts with label lips. Show all posts

Wednesday, 20 November 2013

†NEW Collection "Gothic Glam" Lipstick; 2 shades; review + photos†

Apologies for being MIA recently! I've been working on some new writing ideas that I could be sharing with you very soon! I've also been testing some new products, one of which I'm reviewing today.

This product is Gothic Glam Lipstick from Collection Cosmetics. It's available in three vampy shades, and I'm reviewing two of them, 02 Scorned and 03 Revenge.

"Deeply intense lip shades which lock in colour all day, and will transport your look from glam, to Gothic Glam in seconds!"

- collectioncosmetics.co.uk

Collection Cosmetics, formerly "Collection 2000", is well known for it's extensive range of cheap and cheerful make up products. They don't sell anything that will break the bank, so they're great for girls on a budget, and there are shades for all ages, skin tones, and styles.

Image - above-right: Two new vampy lipstick shades from Collection Cosmetics, perfect for AW13.
Image - below-left: Here I am wearing Collection Cosmetics Gothic Glam Lipstick in "02 Scorned".

"02 Scorned."
© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
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I don't often buy products from Collection Cosmetics, but they have recently been my savior! Let me explain... If you've read my blog before, or even flicked through my images, you'll probably know I'm a sucker for red lipstick. Now that AW13 has rolled around, it's time to work that sultry dark lipstick trend. I was on the lookout for the perfect shade of maroon lipstick, but I didn't want to opt for something high end to share on my beauty blog, there's no place here for those expensive price tags, I wanted something that would please the Penny Pinchers! I stumbled upon these lipsticks unexpectedly; Collection Cosmetics are available in loads of stores, and I came across mine when doing my supermarket shop! As I said, there are three shades available, but there were only two of them left (and, since swatch-sampling the other shade at a later date, I'm sure I've purchased my favorite two!).

Image - below-right: Here I am wearing Collection Cosmetics Gothic Glam Lipstick in "03 Revenge".

"03 Revenge."
© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION. Copyrighted material

Firstly, in my opinion, the packaging could do with jazzing up. A simple way to make cheaper make up seem more expensive is to update the packaging to make it appear more like designer brands'. There are loads of brands out there who have sleek and stylish signature packaging whilst still being very affordable.

Let's move on to the product itself. As I said, these colours are out just in time for Autumn, and suitably the formula is moisture rich, a must have for harsh winter temperatures. My lips instantly felt softer, smoother, and deeply nourished, and that feeling continued throughout the day!

(Image - below: My freshly applied lipstick transferred onto my coffee mug. Luckily, the mug came off worse, and my lipstick did not appear to have been effected.)

As for wear, this lipstick rates pretty highly! Especially for such a well-priced product. The moisture lasted for approximately 3-4 hours before my lips started to dry out, and the colour lasted longer than I did! Just make sure you touch up the colour on corners of your mouth after you eat and drink if necessary, as liquids can sometimes cause dark lipsticks to run, and check your lips with a small mirror regularly to make sure your colour hasn't smudged. When the lipstick was freshly applied it did transfer onto my coffee mug, although it didn't appear to effect the way on my lips, the appears that the mug came off worse (see image - left).

I just want share a few tips about application in regards to these shades. We're working with dark colours and a moisturising formula, so ideally use a liner first and apply the lipstick with a good quality lip brush - I'm currently using MAC and Bobbi Brown brushes (a lip brush will almost certainly be necessary when the "new lipstick shape" wears down). To add depth to the colour, carefully blot the first layer and reapply. Blot again for a matte finish (see below for more details).

These products have a smooth, shiny finish. If you'd prefer it matte, just blot the final layer to absorb some of the moisture. If you want a glossy look, finish you lipstick with a slick of gloss.

Dark shades like these are best paired with flawless matte skin and simple neutral eye make up, and maybe a little blusher. For this review, I paired both shades with light, earthy eye shadow and winged black eyeliner, and I added a flush of healthy colour to my cheeks using Rimmel WAKE ME UP Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch in 004 Radiant Rose (click here to read my review, it's fabulous stuff!).

"02 Scorned."
© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION. Copyrighted material

Now for the exciting bit. Let's talk colour! I am dying to share my photos of these shades with you, they're stunning...

02 Scorned: Sultry purple hues are another great choice for AW lipsticks. This deep berry shade is quirky, mysterious and sexy. Also, purple lip shades can create the illusion of whiter teeth!

(See photo above for a photo of this shade paired with my chosen make up.)

03 Revenge: For me, the best thing about AW is knowing that, whatever happens, the deep red lip will be on-trend. Vampy and seductive, you can't go wrong with a stunning maroon or burgundy lipstick (as long as you choose the right one and apply it properly!). You're sure to have the lads weak at the knees when you're sporting a ravishing shade like this!
(See photo above for a photo of this shade paired with my chosen make up.)

So, has my review convinced you to try these out? At prices this good, it's definitely worth giving them a whirl!

Click here to purchase Collection Cosmetics Gothic Glam Lipstick from the Collection Cosmetics website.

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Saturday, 19 October 2013

❄No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour in 3 new winter shades + No7 "Perfect Lips Kit"; review + photos❄

Today's beauty review features 3 gorgeous new cool Winter nail shades from No7, plus some comments on the free gift I received, the No7 Perfect Lips Kit: click here to view the No7 offer on the Boots website!

❄I must warn you in advance; I may have gone a little overboard with the "snowflake symbols"...❄

I've always been a huge lover of No7 beauty products. It's brilliant quality. I find the results rival (and often beat) those of designer brands, without the expensive price tag! I was drawn to these beautiful new nail colours at my local No7 counter, and the free gift offer was impossible for me to refuse! So I bagged myself 3 nail polishes and was delighted with my free Perfect Lips Kit.

Let's discuss the nail colours first. I chose 3 light shades; Metallic Lilac, Winter Tale, and In The Stars. Dark, seductive shades are always a winter winner, but the lighter, icy shades shades I bought are sure to go down a storm, too! They're shades are great if you want to go against the flow while still looking fantastic. Shades like these are also ideal if you're not one for bold colours.

❄Image - right: These 3 cool new shades from No7 are sure to turn heads this winter.
Shade names (L-R); Metallic Lilac / Winter Tale / In The Stars.

As the name states, No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour is from the Stay Perfect range, which is formulated to deliver long lasting results. If you've read my previous No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour review (click here to view), you'll know I'm a huge fan of these polishes. They really do "stay perfect"! I always find myself removing the polish to change my manicure before any obvious signs of wear appear. Below you will see photos of Metallic Lilac when first applied, and again after 5 days of wear - it looks almost as good as the day it was applied! Click on the images to enlarge them.

❄Image - below-left: I took this photo straight after applying 2 coats of Metallic Lilac to my nails. I love the show-stopping metallic sheen!
❄Image - below-right: My nails in Metallic Lilac after 5 days of wear with no touch-ups. My manicure looks almost identical to when I first applied the polish! Now that's staying-power.

❄Metallic Lilac:❄This shade is an icy cold lilac with a cool metallic sheen. The gorgeous "frozen" finish looks breath-taking in every light! It's opaque in 2-3 coats and has a glossy, high-shine finish. Any lady can pull off this chic colour.

❄Winter Tale:❄A pale, pastel, purple-grey. It's shade (and the shade's name) is perfectly fitted to the icy temperatures, but pastels are a sure-hit in the Summer, too, so you can rock this beauty all year round! It's sleek, simple, and sophisticated. Non-metallic and non-glittery with a high-gloss and high-shine finish. Opaque in 2-3 coats.

❄In The Stars:❄Super-fine iridescent glitter encased in a clear high-shine polish with a super-glossy finish. Build up the coats to intensify the results. Wear alone for a subtle wintery look, or use as a top coat to add some snowflake sparkle to your usual manicure. Like many glitter polishes, this shade has fabulous staying-power, but, unlike many glitter polishes, this one is dead easy to remove!

❄Image - below: My nails after 1, 2, and 3 coats of (L-R) Metallic Lilac, Winter Tale, and In The Stars.

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
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❄Image - below: My nails after 2 coats of "Winter Tale" and 1 coat of Avon Opal Top Coat on my ring finger. Click here for my Avon Opal Top Coat review!

Now let's discuss the free gift I received with my No7 purchases; the No7 Perfect Lips Kit. It includes 2 full-size lip cosmetics and a lip brush worth £25, all presented in stylish gift wrap.

Contents:
No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick - Classic Rose,
No7 High Shine Lip Gloss - Smile,
No7 Lip Brush.

❄Image - right: The No7 Perfect Lips Kit, which I received free with my purchases. The products are great, and I love the chic gift wrap it comes in, too!

No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick - Classic Rose: Some long-lasting lip products leave the lips feeling dry and uncomfortable, but not this one! This leaves the lips feeling hydrated and looking healthy, and the colour lasts for up to 8 hours. Classic Rose is a sophisticated earthy pink that's sure to flatter any woman's lips. I applied mine with the No7 Lip Brush (see below).
❄ Click here to read my review of No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in "Cherry", my all-time favorite shade!
❄ Click here to purchase No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick from the Boots website.

❄Image - above-right: No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in "Classic Rose".
❄Image - right: No7 High Shine Lip Gloss in "Smile".

No7 High Shine Lip Gloss - Smile: A collagen-boosting gloss that provides the lips with deep moisturisation, gorgeous colour, and a brilliant high-shine finish. The well-pigmented formula contains added vitamins to protect and care for the lips whilst giving fabulous colour. Smile is a subtle nude pink with the tiniest touch of shimmer, a great daytime lip shade for any girl!
❄ Click here to read my review of No7 High Shine Lip Gloss in "Coral Kiss", one of my favorite shades!
❄ Click here to view No7 High Shine Lip Gloss from the Boots website.

❄Image - right: Why not combine the 2 products for a dramatic, sultry, glossy look? First apply No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in "Classic Rose" using the No7 Lip Brush, then top with No7 High Shine Lip Gloss in "Smile". Gorgeous evening glamour!

No7 Lip Brush: This lip brush is perfect for helping with precise lip colour application. The dainty brush has super-soft bristles that hold a great amount of product and allow you to successfully colour all areas of the lips precisely. It's also useful for blending lip colours together. I love the sleek and stylish brush design. It's easy to clean, and the brush head protector keeps the bristles in good shape.
❄ Click here to purchase the No7 Lip Brush from the Boots website.

❄Image - below: No7 Lip Brush / No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick in "Classic Rose".

If you haven't checked out No7 yet, click below to visit their website now! There's something for everyone and new shades and products released regularly. You won't be disappointed!
Click here to view No7 products on the Boots website: http://www.boots.com/en/No-7/

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION. Copyrighted material

By Tuesday T. Bryan.

Friday, 6 September 2013

Avon Plump Pout Lip Gloss; 4 shades; review + photos

For many years I never wore lip gloss, I was always a "lipstick only" girl, but this is the wonder-product that converted me.
Trust me, tiger, it's fabulous.♥

"A gorgeous gloss that inflates lips to maximum fullness and enhances your natural lip colour. Feels lusciously moist and tingly fresh. Dermatologist tested." - Avonshop.co.uk

The consensus is that we find full lips very desirable. Plumping lip products are everywhere, and I bet the vast majority of us have several in our make up bags. Luckily, I'm blessed with naturally full lips, so this product doesn't make my lips appear larger. However, it does make the lip surface appear more even.
Like most other lip-plumping products, this gloss gives a "tingling" sensation as it's working, and it has an invigorating minty-fresh scent to match! I think it feels and smells very pleasant and refreshing, unlike some similar products such as Too Faced Lip Injection, which I find gives a harsher sensation.
The consistency is bang-on perfect. It's quite thick, so it holds on to the lips well and provides great staying-power, but it has zero stickiness. It's also ultra-moisturising, so my lips look healthy feel kissably-soft all day!
The lid contains an application wand tipped with a lip brush. It holds the product well and allows for easy, precise application. I like to apply 2 - 3 coats for maximum coverage.

***

Listed below are four of the shades currently available + photos and descriptions. Click the images to enlarge...

Plumping Pearl; Gives the lips an elegant pearly shine, with tiny iridescent flecks of shimmer. This subtle shade goes with all colours, and it's perfect for anytime, anywhere. It's a great go-to lip colour, especially if you're in a rush! See below for 2nd image (end of blog).

Pink Pucker; This is a soft, nude pink shade with a pearly shimmering finish. Again, this gloss goes with everything, so it's a perfect all-round lip colour. Looks nothing like it does on the models in the Avon brochure photos, though! See below for 2nd image (end of blog).

Rose Pucker; An earthy "twig" red. Very sexy and sophisticated. Great for day and night. This shade is perfect for Autumn. This one is my favorite of the four shades, I can't get enough of it! See below for 2nd image (end of blog).

Plumpaccino; The natural bronze hue combined with the cool, tingly freshness reminds my of iced coffee! You can rock this shade all year round, but it would look fab teamed with a golden tan, so keep it in mind for the Summer!

Click here to purchase Avon Plump Pout Lip Gloss from avonshop.co.uk.

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION. Copyrighted material

By Tuesday T. Bryan.

Image - below; A snap of myself wearing Avon Plump Pout Lip Gloss in "Plumping Pearl". I'm not ill, I've just unsaturated the image. I look tired.

Image - below; Another snap of myself. In this one I'm wearing Avon Plump Pout Lip Gloss in "Rose Pucker". I look happy, probably because I was just about to go to Coffee#1 - their Double Macchiatos are rude.

Image - below; Myself wearing Plump Pout Lip Gloss in "Pink Pucker". The nude pink shade pairs well with my pink top. I have hamster cheeks here.

Friday, 4 January 2013

No7 lipsticks; reviews + photos; Moisture Drench | Stay Perfect | Wild Volume

No7 is one of my all time favorite make up brands. I love every cosmetic I own from them, and I own a lot. This review is about two shades of No7 Moisture Drench lipstick, and one shade of No7 Stay Perfect lipstick. I really wanted to share my thoughts on No7 Wild Volume lipstick, but it seemed a bit pointless seeing as they no longer sell it, so I've just done a "mini-review" at the end - I'm sure you'll be able to find it online somewhere!

So, my No7 Moisture Drench lipsticks are great. They really do moisturise my lips without drying them out afterwards (a problem I have frequently encountered with moisturising lipsticks). They also aren't "messy"; I've used similar lipsticks that are so packed with moisture that they are a pain to apply, they go everywhere when you eat and drink, and you're afraid to touch for fear of them smudging. Another thing I like about these is that they are fairly compatible with Lipcoat, an absolute must have for me being such a lipstick-junkie, whereas other moisture lipsticks will reject it. They are brilliantly bold and super glossy resulting in some really eye-catching colours.
120 Siren is my favorite of the two shades I'm reviewing. I absolutely 100% adore this colour. It's probably my favorite red lipstick of all time, and I have more red lipsticks than you could imagine. It's shiny, completely opaque, and super bright (probably not for you if you're a little shy of bright colours). If you're a red lipstick lover, this will make a gorgeous addition to you're make up bag!
75 Sugar Plum is a "dusky plum" shade; it's much more suitable if you're not so into bright colours, but it's still very bold and gorgeously glossy! I think this one is beautifully suited to fair skin tones, but I'm sure it would look fab on all of you.
No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick is available for £9.00 from Boots stores.

I own No7 Stay Perfect lipstick in "80 Cherry". It's a gorgeous rich shade of red; it's darker than "Siren", but it's still beautifully bold. It has a matte finish and it's sparkle-free, so if you like it shiny just use a little clear gloss over the top. It's is a very "sophisticated" shade, perfect for day or night.

It has such a silky soft texture, it's absolutely divine It really does stay put for hours, but I do like to touch it up throughout the day just to maintain that boldness. However, if you use Lipcoat over the top it doesn't need touching up at all! You don't need to worry about the colour transferring, bleeding or smudging, but be careful when applying it as these long lasting cosmetics can be a pain to correct! It doesn't dry out your lips like some similar cosmetics do, it actually gives quite a moisturising feel and makes my lips look healthy and hydrated. A clear winner, I'll defiantly be buying more shades!
No7 Stay Perfect Lipstick is available for £9.00 from Boots stores.

No7 Wild Volume lipstick in "25 Plum Blush": I'm so disappointed these lipsticks aren't sold anymore. The shades are amazing, they're really moisturising, the lipsticks last ages, they have good staying power, they're volumising (not that my lips need it) and they are vanilla scented - what more could you want?? I have it in 25 Plum Blush; I don't know what it is that I love so much about this shade, it's not usually what I'd go for, but I just adore it. It has a super-shiny finish which does reject my Lipcoat, but I'm still in love with it! No7, please bring these lipsticks back!
As previously mentioned, No7 Wild Volume lipstick is no longer available, but you may be able to find it online somewhere!

In the webcam photo below I am wearing No7 Moisture Drench Lipstick in "Sugar Plum" and Avon Nailwear Pro+ in "Golden Vision".

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
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By Tuesday T. Bryan.

Friday, 28 December 2012

Revlon ColourStay Overtime & Maybelline 18h SuperStay - lip colour reviews + photos

To give my lipstick staying power, Lipcoat is an absolute dream (it defiantly needs a review soon). And I pretty much hate lip gloss, the vast majority of them anyway, particularly the "wet look" ones that look like they're melting off your lips.
However, I quite like lip colours that are almost "a cross between lipstick and lip gloss". I understand that sounds quite vague, so I'm writing a review of two of the cosmetics I place in this category. These are Revlon ColourStay Overtime Lip Colour and Maybelline 18h SuperStay, both in two stunning shades of red. The photos just don't show how amazing these colours are. Click the photos to enlarge them and you'll get a better feel for what they're like.
(I've had both these products for quite some time, as the photos show!)

Revlon ColourStay Overtime Lip Colour in "On-Going Flame":
This colour is incredible. It's one of the most classically beautiful shades of red I own, and I own a lot. It's completely matte, so if you like a bit of sparkle this one probably isn't for you. You can also layer the colour; if you only apply a light coat it looks a slightly "pinky-red" colour, or you can apply a full coat to reveal a gorgeous bold red (see the "swatch photo" below for the colour variation).
I also like how quickly the colour dries. Some of these products take ages to dry before you can apply the top coat, which can be a real pain as you're meant to keep your lips apart while it dries, however this is not the case with Revlon's ColourStay.
The glossy top coat is great, too. It's completely clear with no shimmer or sparkle, and it gives a lovely shine to the red. It's non-sticky which is always a winner (I think sticky lip glosses were what made me dislike lip gloss so much).
It has incredible staying power; I apply mine in the morning and take it off before I go to bed, and even after 18+ hours wear that fabulous red is still as good as when I first applied it. You will need to touch up the gloss top coat after you eat, though.

Maybelline 18h SuperStay Lip Colour in "538 Crimson Crystal":

Now, if you're a lady who prefers some sparkle, you have to try this colour. It's the ultimate party shade of red - bright, bold, and packed with hot pink shimmer and has a bronzy undertone. You can layer this colour just as you can with Revlon ColourStay, but this is slightly less opaque so you will need to apply a bit more (again, see the "swatch photo" above for colour variation). I always wear two or three coats before applying the top coat.
Unlike the Revlon's product which drys quick as a flash, this product is pretty slow drying which is quite disappointing.

This colour does actually dry out my lips quite a lot, but this is where the top coat comes in. It's a fantastic moisturising balm which instantly hydrates your lips and gives a healthy looking shine. I prefer it to the Revlon ColourStay gloss top coat by far. I do find myself needing to reapply the top coat a lot throughout the day which can be irritating, but at least you'll never run out as can buy the top coat separately.
This product has some epic staying power, too. It does me proud on my 18+ hour days just as Revlon ColourStay does, however I do find it starts to flake a little if you don't keep reapplying the moisture top coat, especially after eating and/or when I've had it on for about 10 hours.

So, all in all, two great products in two gorgeous shades of red, both with amazing staying power. I love them. If I could combine the two, I'd take the Revlon product and replace the glossy top coat with Maybelline's moisturising top coat!

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
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By Tuesday T. Bryan.

Saturday, 8 December 2012

Trying my hand at "Ombre Lips" using eyeliner!!!

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(Yes, I do have my teeth whitened...)

I've always though Ombre lips look really artsy. I've never been much good at them, but I saw a way of doing them on the internet somewhere the other day which used eyeliner and lipstick, so I gave it a try. Here's how you do it...

1. Cover your lip area lightly with concealer or foundation (I don't actually know the benefit of this, but I did it anyway. It's probably just for "staying power". I used foundation).
2. Line your lips with a black eyeliner pencil. The line needs to be fairly thick. I used Avon Colour Trend Double-Ended Kajalstick in "Pitch Black" ("Silver Star and Pitch Black").3. Smudge the liner slightly inwards towards the center of your lips.
4. Apply lipstick all over your lips, using less over the liner and more in the center of your lips. Darker opaque colours work best. I used Avon Ultra Colour Rich Lipstick in "Red 2000".

- I'll take this opportunity to say that I really like all of the Avon Ultra Colour Rich Lipstick shades, I have loads of them, but "Red 2000" is so gorgeous. I am mad for red lipsticks, especially matte shades, and this one is a winner. It's a gorgeous classic block colour, but probably not for those who are shy of bold lipsticks! The consistency is great, too; it's really moisturising, but not so much that it gets messy. It's got great staying power, too (so try not to smudge it!).
I'll have to do a review of all my red lipsticks one day. It will defiantly be a long one, I've got so many... I love them!

- The Avon Colour Trend Double-Ended Kajalstick is great, too. It's a new product and there are 3 shades, but I only have "Silver Star and Pitch Black". The other 2 colours look very bright, and I prefer neutral colors for my eyes. I only used the "Pitch Black" end for my Ombre lips, obviously! Application is easy; it doesn't drag and it stays on well, and it's soft enough to smudge if you want to. I do prefer Avon Glimmerstick eyeliners (which I'm dying to review), but this is a lovely product, especially for the tiny price tag.

So, Ombre lips. I've done them before, but this is the first time I've used eyeliner, and now that I have I'm excited about trying out some other lipstick/eyeliner combos. I think the combination of black and a bold matte red is stunning, and I have to use it in one of my upcoming photo shoots! Defiantly not an everyday look though, not with the black liner. Give it a try!

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION. Copyrighted material

By Tuesday T. Bryan.

Image - below. I had no eye make up on, that's why I'm covering my eyes! The pink varnish is Barbara Daly Make-Up in "Liquid Lane" (I've already got a review for it lined up!).

Tuesday T. Bryan