Happy new year, lovely ladies! I hope you took some time off to chill out or go wild over the Christmas break - whatever floats your boat. I had a very busy December, trying to get everything done before my last-minute trip to Sri Lanka, so I still owe you a couple of posts that were supposed to go up in 2016. Today we'll take a look at Sleek MakeUP's Rockstars Collection that includes two eyeshadow palettes, two lipsticks and two strobing souffles, all of which I was lucky enough to have been trying out during the holiday season. 

The i-Lust eyeshadow palettes both include six shimmery, almost glittery shades. 'Diamonds in the Rough', my favourite of the two, is perfect for that Greek goddess kind of look, with four powder and two cream eyeshadows that can also easily be used as highlighters. When applied, the pigmentation is subtler than expected and I did notice some glitter fallout as well, but they are super silky, blend beautifully, and are just lovely to wear all over the lid or in the inner corners. I'll definitely be digging this palette out again once summer rolls around. The bronzy shades are right up my alley! 

If the first palette is perfect for the lovers of neutrals, the second one, 'Hidden Gems', is all about the colours. The shades, which are all powder, range from deep green and purple to blue and red, in addition to the festive classics - silver and gold. I have to admit, I normally find it really hard to pull off the majority of similar tones, but these turned out to be surprisingly wearable when I actually applied them to my eyelids. The fact that they blend out easily helps a great deal at toning them down and using them as accent colours in combination with neutral shades or black, for a fun smokey eye. 

And now the best part of the collection if you ask me - Lip VIP metallic lipsticks. I wasn't sure if I was going to like them, because I'd never gone for a metallic finish before, but I love them! The purple iridescent glitters add an interesting twist to your look, yet are still subtle enough to not freak out the general public.
'Scandalous' is the perfect ruby red, while 'Superstar' is a dark purple. One thing I'm head over heels with is the shape, which doesn't only look super cool, but also makes the application a dream! When it comes to darker shades, it's hard to apply them precisely without the help of a lip liner, unless you have amazingly defined lips naturally, but with these, lipliner is not essential. Not at all.
The formula doesn't disappoint either. It's a bit hard to describe it, though. Upon the application, it feels matte, but just the right amount of matte, if you know that I mean. It doesn't drag, but it also doesn't slide around like creamier lipsticks tend to do. However, once applied, it feels a lot more moisturizing and creamy. It's a bit shiny and doesn't settle, which is the reason why I can't say it's particularly long-lasting, as it does rub off while drinking or having a meal. 

Do you love glitter? If your answer is yes, go grab the Strobing Souffles. 'Pink Opal' will float your boat on condition your skin's fair, with a slightly cooler undertone, while 'Smoky Quartz' is designed for the warmer skintones out there. These whipped cream highlighters have a very unique consistency. Souffle really probably is the best way to describe them, as they're neither liquidy nor what we know as creamy.
They blend out easily, but do have a considerate amount of pigment, so you really need just a tiny bit of the product. As mentioned, it's all about the glitters when it comes to these two. They are quite in your face and for me personally, a bit over the top for highlighting the cheekbones, the nose and the cupid's bow, but I did find another use for them. I wear them on my eyelids instead! The effect is gorgeous. You can easily use them to transform your everyday neutral matte look into a fun, party one by just applying the product on top. 

If you would like to see some of these products in action, check out this 'Get Ready with Me/First Impressions' video I filmed back in December. Sleek has really caught my attention with some of their products I've been trying out recently and I can't wait to tell you more about the rest of them in the next few weeks. I found some proper gems amongst them! 

It took me about four months and hundreds of visits to the drugstore to find this product. Well, this shade to be exact. My housemate wore it all summer long, and apparently the rest of London did too, because it was sold out EVERYWHERE. In stores, online... you get the idea. I still can't believe I managed to finally score it a couple of weeks ago! But don't ask me where. I took the last one. Sorry! 

Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lipcolors have been around for quite a while now, but me being on a bit of a spending ban these past two years, I tried not to pay attention to them or any other product for that matter. I actually forbade myself to buy new makeup unless I either run out of an essential or really, really like something. And that's what happened with this beautiful number. 

The shade I fell in love with and have been wearing non-stop for the past month is called Seduction. It's the perfect nude shade that goes with any makeup look. It's creamy, but dries matte, and is extremely comfortable to wear. It doesn't last all day, so re-applications are needed, but it lasts long enough and doesn't apply unevenly even if you put on several coats, which is a huge plus in my book. 

Lastly, I have to say a few words about the packaging. Isn't it gorgeous? A sleek, glass-looking tube you can see the shade through and a doe-foot applicator that is actually great. It really lets you be precise, which I guess is especially handy when it comes to darker shades. One thing to note if you have a sensitive nose, though. The product is quite strongly scented. Think vanilla and something else thrown into the mix...

For some reason, I'm crazy excided for fall this year. Usually I would be sitting in the corner and mourning the best season of them all - summer, duh - but not this time around! I'm actually looking forward to foggy crisp mornings, hot sugary drinks, cozy nights in, and amazing fall shades. Not only the ones you can spot in nature! 

I've always had a soft spot for bold burgundy and violet lip numbers, and fall is just the perfect season to rock them, don't you agree? But that's not to say the nudes get to take a time out. They're still very much in front of my makeup drawer, especially if they're matte!

To find out which exactly I'll be carrying in my bag this upcoming season, watch the video below! There's some nude and some bold options, and I made sure to include hand and lip swatches as well this time so that you can see them in all their glory. And remember, don't skidaddle before telling me what you'll be wearing on your lips this fall! 

Any fellow near-blind ladies out there?! I can't see a thing without my glasses or contacts, and if you're blessed with less than perfect eyesight yourself, you'll know that applying makeup can be a slightly tricky business, especially first thing in the morning. I'm actually ashamed to admit the amount of times I got so close to the mirror my brush handle ended up hitting the mirror while the other side poked me straight into the eye... Please tell me I'm not the only one! Anyway, I've been wearing glasses and contacts for the past ten years, and I think it's safe to say I managed to figure out some great application techniques and tricks that help bring out your features despite the specs and make your eyes feel comfortable all day long when you're wearing your contacts.

As mentioned, if you're short-sighted, applying makeup without your glasses on can be an interesting process. First things first, I noticed that it's a whole lot easier for me to apply makeup with short-handled brushes, as I can get closer to the mirror and actually see what I'm doing. I also find that light, neutral shades on the eyelids work best. I mean, if you're feeling the smokey eye, obviously go for it, but with my glasses already creating shades around the eye area, I prefer brightening things up and leaving bolder shades for my lips. Large frames, which I personally am a fan of, also bring attention to the under eye area, so concealer is a must, and I also like to add a bit of eyeshadow under my eyes for some definition. When I'm wearing glasses, I never focus on creating gorgeous, layered eye makeup looks. The frame usually runs straight through that bit, so I rather apply a single shade and pop on some mascara. Speaking of which, curling your lashes beforehand is a must! If I don't do it, my lashes always end up hitting the lenses, and I'm sure you agree it's the most annoying thing ever. For the same reason, I also stay away from super lengthening and volumizing mascaras. For additional definition, a thin eyeliner on the upper lid works way better. And now my favourite part - the eyebrows. I always make sure mine look perfect, and I suggest you add some definition to yours too, especially when you're wearing glasses. Trust me, it makes all the difference. Moving away from the eyes, a nice, soft blush is your friend too. It instantly brightens up and lifts up the face, adding some much needed colour to the neutral eye zone. 

When you're wearing lenses, you can go with pretty much whatever look floats your boat, as there's no frames to disrupt your face, so to speak. But what you have to be more careful about are the actual products you use. Breathable daily disposable contacts like Focus Dailies by FeelGoodContacts are a good place to start. You'll avoid itchy, dry and bloodshot eyes, as using a brand new pair every day will prevent you from putting in an already used pair that potentially contains particles of makeup you wore the day before. Eye drops can be a life saver as well! I make sure to have some in my bag every time I'm on the go, especially if I'm wearing heavy makeup, which tends to make its way into my eyes by the end of the day. If you're wearing powder products, it's bound to happen, which is why cream products are much kinder to the eyes, along with hypoallergenic products and products suitable for sensitive eyes. Having said that, if you can't stay away from all the amazing powder pigments like I can't, just make sure you at least close your eyes during the application. And definitely, definitely stay away from applying eyeliners in the waterline. Oh, and avoid flaky, clumpy and fiber mascaras. They're the worst. Just two weeks ago, when I was trying out a new mascara, I had a 'contacts meet mascara fall out' situation on my hands, and it wasn't pretty...

That's it from me today! I do hope there's someone out there who will find my tips helpful. But really, out of curiousity, how many of you are wearing glasses or contacts? Let me know in a comment below!  

You know me and my love for sheer, buttery lipsticks. Nine times out of ten, they're the ones I choose over the bolder options, purely out of convenience, and the ones I've been reaching for this winter are Essence's Sheer & Shine numbers. Well, I've been reaching for one of them, but more on that later. 

As always, let's start with the packaging. In my opinion the sheerness of it looks a bit cheap, but I love that each shade sports a differently coloured cap, which makes it very easy to find the shade you're looking for. I really do appreciate when companies do that, because there's nothing I hate more than having to flip around every single lipstick when I'm in a hurry. Speaking of cheapness... When I first saw these, I had a feeling the caps would start breaking and falling off after a while, but lo and behold, this is some high quality plastic we have over here! Even after four months, the packaging still feels sturdy and that satisfying click you hear when you close it hasn't disappeared either. 

To my disappointment, the formula is not exactly buttery or moisturizing, but it is by no means uncomfortable to wear or drying. If anything, I would describe it as a bit waxy. Sorry, that's as good as my explanation gets in this case. I really don't know what other word to use. Another thing I find hard to describe is the scent. It's almost that kind of an old lipstick kind of scent, but with a bit of vanilla thrown in? Sounds about right in my head. I can't say that I'm a fan, but I'm not a hater either. I'm... Switzerland. 

The result they give is exactly what the name suggests - they are sheer with a shiny finish, but they aren't too shiny. I would say they're almost frosty, as they do all contain glitter. Having said that, some of them have bigger particles, resulting in a full-blown frost effect, while others don't contain as much and come off creamier, which I prefer. Due to their sheerness, they're not long-lasting by any means. I have to re-apply them very frequently, but I'm personally not bothered by it, because most of my on-the-go lipsticks share the same quality and I guess I just got used to it by now.

My First Love

I currently have five different shades in my posession, but since two of them are very recent additions I haven't managed to photograph just yet, I'll be introducing you to my oldest three only today. Number one in the queue is '01 My First Love', which definitely wasn't my first or second or third love. It's that concealer type of a shade I've never been a fan of and I really can't imagine it suiting anyone to be completely honest. It's just way too light and way too frosty. The only time I wore it was when I took this photo and then it went straight to the 'get rid of it' pile. I just can't... Maybe I'll cut it up and use it to tone down some super bold colours whenever I decide to get creative again and mix up some new shades of lippies for myself. 

Sparkling Miracle

The second shade, '07 Sparkling Miracle', is a lot better, but it hasn't sweeped me off my feet either. It too contains a lot of glitter, so it's rather frosty, and comes off a lot lighter on my lips than it looks in the packaging. I expected  a berry shade, but it's more of a toned down fuchsia if you ask me. 

Hidden Secret

 And now the hidden secret... Get it, get it? I know, I'm lame. If you didn't get that, the shade is called '04 Hidden Secret', pretty much. I didn't expect to like it, because it looks very brown in the tube, but oh my lord! This is literally the perfect beigy nude for me. I love it so much I already got myself a backup! 

Have you tried any lipsticks from this collection yourself? I'd love to hear your thoughts in case you have. 

It's been two months since I last wrote a beauty review here or my blog, so I thought it would be time to finally write another one! Today I'll be talking about essence's liquid lipsticks. Liquid lipsticks have been all the rage for about a year now, with Bourjois and Anastasia Beverly Hills taking the centre stage, but I just couldn't justify spending my precious money on them, knowing I probably wouldn't wear them very often. I only tested out the ones available in my online store (it's in the job description), but that doesn't mean I didn't or don't want to try more. I mean, I'm a makeup addict after all!

I got really excited when I saw that essence was coming out with what it looked like a budget version of Bourjois liquid lipsticks, and luckily, I got my hands on two lovely, bold shades - 04 show off! and 06 make a statement. But before you get too excited, I need to let you know that these are not proper liquid lipsticks. At least not in my book. They aren't long-lasting and don't stain your lips, which are the two main characteristics of liquid lipsticks, so I think pigmented thick glosses would be a more appropriate way to describe them. 

As mentioned, they are very pigmented. One swipe is more than enough. In fact, I would keep away from adding extra layers and rubbing your lips together too much, as the product doesn't really settle and tends to move around and gather in certain areas when there's too much of it on your lips.

The gloss isn't too sticky and has a comfortable waxy smooth finish, but as with all heavy lip formulas, it tends to wear off unevenly, with the product disappearing from the middle of your lips first and leaving a line inside the edges. I don't see it as a huge problem, though, because the fact that it doesn't stain your lips means that you can quickly touch it up. When it comes to staying power, I would say it's average, lasting a couple of hours before the gloss wears off. 

Packaging is not something I normally pay a lot of attention to, but I just have to mention it this time. I think it's freakin' amazing. Not only is it functional, showing through the actual shade of the product, but it's also inceredibly sleek for such a cheap product. Essence have really been stepping up their game recently when it comes to their lip products, don't you think so? 

MAC's Candy Yum Yum is a lipstick that has been a part of my professional makeup kit for almost two years now. I tried it on when I first got it, decided it didn't suit me, and never again used it on myself up until a week ago. I've had an urge to rock a bright pink lip ever since I saw Hilary Duff's Sparks music video, and since this is the only truly bright pink lippie I own, I decided to give it a second go. I'm so glad that I did, because I love it! I have no idea why I hated it the first time around. To see how I created the whole makeup look, check out my 'Get Ready with Me' video below.

A few months ago Burberry came up with a very clever twitter campaign, where people could nominate a friend to receive a free sample of their new Burberry Kisses lipstick. I was lucky enough for Sara to think of me (thanks again, girl) and a few weeks later, I had my very own mini lippie in the shade '05 Nude Pink' pop through my mail slot. 

I'd never owned or even swatched a Burberry lipstick before, so I was very excited to finally have the opportunity to test one out. As you can see, the sample is literally a mini version of the full size, which sure made a good first impression on me. There's no doubt, the packaging is gorgeous, but how about the lipstick itself?

I do love the formula, which is the kind I usually gravitate towards when it comes to my every day lipsticks. It's buttery, moisturizing, and has a shiny, sheer, your-lips-but-better finish. It's great; however, would I actually spend my money on a full-sized product? No, unless I had loads of it lying around. This is not a cheap lipstick. It costs about €35, which is to be expected. I mean, it carries the name Burberry after all, but it would have to be pretty darn special for me to spend that kind of money on. My L'Oreal Caresse Lipsticks (review here) and many other drugstore products have the same formula, while being much cheaper, so I'll be sticking to those until I become a millionaire, haha. 

Like I said, the lipstick itself is great, but not great enough for me to justify the price tag, especially when there are plenty of similar, affordable options around. Have you tried any Burberry lipsticks before? What are your thoughts?

You know when you discover a product you love so much you eventually end up getting it in every single shade? It's happened far too many times to me, especially with lipsticks, and I think it's happening again. I currently own three shades of Wet n Wild MegaLast Matte Lipsticks, but there will be many more joining the collection, that's for sure.

What I love about these is that they're matte yet moisturizing, and last ages on my lips. They survive meals - yes, really, even the moist ones - and when they do eventually wear off, your lips stay stained evenly, so you really don't have to worry about checking yourself in the mirror every five minutes when you're wearing one of the bold shades. Woohoo! 

I'm getting a lot of wear out of Mauve Outta Here right now, as I believe is the perfect transitional shade for the warmer months ahead of us. Have you tried any yourself? If not, you can get them here, in my online store, for €3,95 a pop. And between you and me, there's plenty of MAC dupes in the collection. Sugar Plum Fairy is basically MAC's Rebel, for example. Just a whole lotta cheaper. 

Hello lovelies! How have you all been? It's been a while since I last wrote on here, but I think I'm now officially back? I don't want to jinx it again, though. Let's just keep our fingers crossed that this post marks the end of my unexpected blogging break. I'll be updating you on everything that has been going on in my life for the past month, don't worry, just not today. It's been a crazy stressful ride, and it requires a lengthy explanation I will be writing up or possibly filming in days to come. Today I'm here to talk about a more lighthearted topic - makeup. More specifically, The Hot Shop's Matte Lipstick in shade number 10 from Born Pretty Store.

If you feel like you've seen this packaging before, you might not be completely wrong. It screams Topshop, doesn't it? And the fact that the 'brand' is called The Hot Shop leaves no room for coincidence. I think it's safe to say someone had zero imagination when trying to create a dupe. 

Dupe or not, I can't make any comparisons, because I don't own any Topshop lipsticks. No, scratch that. I actually do own one but never wear it because it doesn't suit my skintone at all. Or so I thought when I tried it on a few years ago. Maybe I should dig it out of the drawer and give it another go. Anyway. The Hot Shop lipstick is presented as matte, but I wouldn't say this is 100% true. When you first put it on, it has a slight shine. Having said that, the shine eventually fades and you are left with a proper matte finish. The pigmentation can't be faulted. The colour payoff is great. You don't even need to layer the lipstick to get the bold effect and once it rubs off, you're left with a nice even stain. Unfortunatelly, it doesn't last a whole lot of time on my lips like matte lipsticks usually do. Although it does stain your lips, as already mentioned. The main con for me would be how the formula feels on my lips. It's one of those annoying ones that start to dry out your lips as the time goes by, which I am not a fan of. 

The drying out part aside, I think this is a decent $6,68 lipstick. I don't see myself wearing it on a regular basis, as it's quite bright for every day and, like I mentioned, a little bit too drying  for my taste, but it's definitely a nice addition to my collection. I feel like I'll get more use out of it once spring arrives.

P.S. If you're planning to get anything from Born Pretty Store, you can use the code ' SANH10' and get a 10% discount. 

Kylie Jenner and her nude lips. She definitely brought back a trend that took the beauty world by storm. I myself have never been a fan of true nudes on me, because they simply don't suit me, but I've definitely grown to love slightly darker neutral shades as of recently. I'm not sure if these can be even classified as nudes, but they're my version of nude, so this is what I'm going to call them. 

Essence 'Natural Beauty' Longlasting Lipstick: This one is my old favourite. I've repurchased it two times already and I feel like I'll be repurchasing it until I die. It's the perfect on-the-go shade with a slight pink undertone that seems to go great together with every single makeup look I wear. It has a permanent place in my handbag, not only because of its 'my lips but better' shade, but also because it's extremely comfortable to wear due to its creaminess. 

Milani 'Nude' Color Statement Lip Liner: Telling you that I'm obsessed with this product right now is probably an understatement. I've been wearing it ALL THE TIME during the past month. It's just perfect and I'm so glad I have it in my possesion. I almost gave up on the search for the perfect nude lip liner, as I could never find the shade I was looking for. I hate how pretty much all of them are either full on pink or brown, but this one is right there in the middle. Love! So, we've established that the shade is awsome. How about the formula, you ask? It's flippin' amazing as well. It feels creamy but looks matte, so you get the best of both worlds - comfort and staying power. 

NYX 'Tack' Color Lip Balm: I wasn't sure about this one when I first got it (I won it in a giveaway), because it looked burgundy in the tube, but once I applied it on my lips, I knew that it was a keeper straight away. A lip balm consistency makes sure your lips are nice and moisturized during the cold months, while the pigmentation leaves you with a nice dark pop of neutral colour. You can apply one coat if you want it to look suble or layer it up for a stronger effect. I personally also love wearing it over the Milani lip liner. Match made in heaven! 

How are you feeling about the nude lip trend that is currently going on? Love it or hate it? What are your favourite nudes? 

It's no secret that Essence is one of my all time favourite drugstore brands. I've been using their products for ages and have tried plenty of them, so I hought I would share the selection of my top 5 with you today. I'm really glad that the brand was launched in the UK as well recently, as I can't imagine my life on the island without some of their gems. Find out which in the video below! 

I love sheer lipsticks. They're my on-the-go essentials, as they're great for fuss free touch ups, and I especially love wearing them during hot summer days, when my makeup goes down the au naturel road. Wearing bold lipsticks while your face is melting off? No, thank you. A recipe for disaster. So, without further ado, here are my favourite sheeries - yup, made up a word again - for this time of the year, following the order of the swatches below, from left to right. 

Maybelline Baby Lips 'Pink Shock' Lip Balm: I totally followed the hype of these and bought tons of them while visiting California last year. Before even trying them out first, haha. I gave a lot of them away in my giveaways, but kept four of them for myself. You know, one for every season. And yes, I'm serious. The summery one, Pink Shock, is very moisturizing and offers quite a bit of coverage. It functions perfectly as a shiny fuschsia pop of colour on your lips. 

Clinique 'Woppin' Watermelon' Chubby Stick: Lovely light pink shade. I bought it as a part of the three for two offer on my flight back from Dubai two years ago and have been wearing it ever since. I remember I was dying to get my hands on some Clinique Chubby Sticks. They just took the blogging world by storm and were without any drugstore competitors. Of course, there's now plenty of chubby sticks on the market, but the Clinique ones are still my favourite. They are extremely buttery, have a buildable coverage, and just feel and look lovely on my lips. Unfortunatelly, I'm running low on the Woppin' Watermelon, which means that this will be my last summer with it. Oh, well. This just gives me another excuse to pick up a new shade at duty free next week. :D

Makeup Academy 'Shade 4' Lipstick: This baby is the sheerest one in the bunch. I put it on when I want my lips to look only slightly more pink than my natural lip colour. I don't think it works best with my summer tan, so it's usually reserved for late spring/eary summer days, but I thought I would mention it anyways, because it's a total bargain! It costs only one pound, despite having the formula comparable to much more expensive lipsticks.

L'Oreal Caresse 'Dating Coral' Lipstick: My current favourite lipstick. I rediscovered it in my drawer about a month ago and I now carry it everywhere with me. I feel like it really compliments my skintone at the moment, and I just love pairing it with the coraly pink blush from the Makeup Revolution 'Sugar & Spice' Palette I've been obsessing over recently. By the way, the lipsticks from the L'Oreal Caresse line are the bomb, so if you haven't checked them out yet, I would highly suggest you do. They feel like butter on your lips! I have four of them.

Revlon 'Juicy Papaya' Lip Butter: The main reason why I love this one is because it's the only peachy shade that actually suits me. I have a very prominent yellow skin undertone that 'comes out' especially when my skin turns darker, and a lot of light (peachy) shades end up looking terrible on me. This lipstick is again one of those I prefer wearing when I'm a bit paler, but it also looks great with a tan. 

Are you a fan of sheer lipsticks as well? Which are your faves?