Wednesday 21 November 2012

Lip of the Day: MAC's Scarlet Ibis

In the autumn and winter, I love a red lip pretty much more than anything, but the high-maintenance nature of it often puts me off when I am in a rush in the morning. However, I had a little bit more time on my hands today so I thought I would put on a lipstick I got last month on a trip to Manchester: MAC's Scarlet Ibis. This shade is a bright orange-toned red with a matte finish. It's pretty bold even for the bravest lipstick-wearers. 

Damn girl! That colour is ridiculous!
Scarlet Ibis came out as part of the Iris Apfel collection in January and was one of the only shades from that collection I wanted but I was never able to get my hands on it. When I saw it re-promoted in the Marilyn Monroe collection I jumped at the chance to grab it. However, to be honest I am not crazy about it; I think this was a case of liking the idea of the product more than the product itself. MAC's matte formula was one I had never tried and although not terribly drying was not incredibly flattering either (as you can see). Additionally, it is a little bit too orange for my taste! I think I prefer a more blue-toned red like Revlon's Cherries in the Snow.
In any case, this lipstick is pretty and I guess the packaging is nice? I wasn't too keen on the Marilyn Monroe collection to begin with as I thought it was a bit gimmicky and lacked any products of interest. I will still certainly wear this from time to time, perhaps more during the summer? Not sure, but hopefully I will get enough use out of it to eventually make a dent in the product. I got enough compliments just walking around today that perhaps I will try it again soon! xx

Wednesday 14 November 2012

Three High Street Lipstick Finds!

This is a bit pathetic, but one of the first things I wanted to do when I got to the UK was try out some of the makeup brands that we can't get in the states, and for the most part I have not been disappointed! I got these lipsticks pretty late in the game but am nonetheless impressed with their formulation and relatively inexpensive price!
(from left to right) Natural Collection Rose Petal, 17 Belle, 17 Beehive

The lipsticks I decided to get are all pretty neutral but nonetheless I think the colours are lovely! I was drawn into Boots whilst on the hunt for some lipsticks and came away with Natural Collection's Moisture Shine Lipstick in Rose Petal and 17 Mirror Shine Lipsticks in Belle and Beehive. 
  • Natural Collection Moisture Shine Lipstick in Rose Petal: A creamy nude-pink that is fairly opaque on the lips
  • 17 Mirror Shine Lipstick in Belle: A very glossy sheer neutral pink with some rosy undertones
  • 17 Mirror Shine Lipstick in Beehive: A glossy nude peach with a touch of pink.

Immediately when I swatched the Natural Collection lipstick I thought of MAC's Hue lipstick, and I think it's a pretty darn close dupe! As for the two 17 lipsticks, I had heard quite a bit about Beehive but had only heard essiebutton talk about Belle in her drugstore lipstick video - and I will pretty much go out and buy whatever she has so that lipstick was as good as sold! The pigmentation is more concentrated in the Natural Collection lipstick, but I am so impressed with 17's formula because while it may not be the most pigmented, it feels just gorgeous on the lips. My lips are quite dry and I could not get over how moisturising these lipsticks were.


(from left to right) Natural Collection Rose Petal, 17 Belle, 17 Beehive

Of the three colours, I have to say Beehive is by far my favourite. I literally could not stop looking at it in the mirror when I put it on! If anyone is familiar with 17, you will probably have noticed that they changed the packaging of their lipsticks from the former blue metal bullet to a black case with a special feature. The lipsticks are called "Mirror Shine" and now the packaging comes with a mirror in the tube. Kind of cool, eh?


Personally, I prefer the look of the old packaging as the mirror makes this tube kind of awkward to close but it is a nice gesture I guess? Overall, I am really impressed with these three lipsticks and am certainly glad I purchased them!

Welcome to Damn Beauty Blog!

Hi! If anyone ever reads this I will die of shock - but I have wanted to start my own beauty blog/YouTube channel for some time now and seeing as I have the proper equipment for one-half of that aspiration, I thought what the hell, I'll do it!

My name is Julia and I am a university student from the United States currently studying in England. I have an insatiable appetite for beauty products and 9 times out of 10 would spend my money on makeup and skincare over food. Enjoy! xx