Ellen Tracy Thick Stick Lip Color Review

Ellen Tracy, more prominently known as a designer label that decided to dabble in cosmetics- and this is why she shouldn't have. The Emma Tracy Thick Stick lip color pencils looked beautiful at first. From the small and travel friendly packaging, the colours stood out and are actually very reminiscent of a cross between the Revlon Balm Stain, and Nars Velvet Lip Pencil. When swatched they were balm-like, glossy with slight shimmer, and the pigmentation was subtle but still visible (for some). At this point I appreciated that they were not a lipstick, but more of a tinted lip balm. When applied to the lips they were undeniably soft, with very minimal amount of colour pay-off. Upon application they were soft at first, but after a few seconds of being on the lips, the product had seeped into dryer parts of the mouth, and clung to them like icing to a doughnut. The lighter shades in this set were very similar in not only shade, but pigmentation- they were basically the same colour three times over, and did not compliment darker skin. The two red shades were slightly more manageable and pleasant, as they provided more pigmentation and definition to the lips. Overall these name-less bad boys are relatively moisturizing on the lips, but have a very unflattering formula with poor colour pay-off and shade range. They are pretty to swatch, but have no stain power or benefit- harsh but true.

Purchase the pricey, and disappointing set here..

Kiko Smart Lip Pencil Review + Swatches

It's safe to say that 2014 was the year of the lips. Everything from lipstick colours and plumpers to more controversial trends, such as Kylie Jenner's pout. I'm always on the hunt for reasonably priced, good quality lip liners- but aren't we all? Kiko to me, is almost like a slightly better European version of ELF Cosmetics and has unbeatable prices for the quality provided. I roamed the Kiko Store in Guildford like a sex addict in Ann Summers, where I found beautifully pigmented shadows, vibrant lipsticks and most importantly, cheap lip liners. The colour range is very broad from dark plum purples to bright cherry reds, and amongst all the choices I might have even found a dupe for my holy grail MAC 'Soar' lip liner. I spent a total of £10 for four lip liners- bargain or what? Lets see what I think of them...

First off, I have to mention that these bargain liners are 1) ridiculously pigmented and 2) glide on the lips like cocoa butter to the skin. They don't quite have the stain power of MAC lip liners which I often like to wear alone, but are fantastic for applying underneath lipsticks. The formula is almost too smooth to believe and one that thing that makes these liners stand out, is that they are £2.50 each- yea you read right. You can't really go wrong with a price tag like that and considering the variation of shades in this range; well, why not?

My Chosen Four

Smart Lip Pencil '710 Rouge Noir', £2.50

A deliciously rich plum/ purple shade; something we could definitely see Rihanna sporting all year round. I chose this dark vampy shade because it swatches beautifully against the skin and seems to be a tone that will suit every skin colour. It's creamy and highly pigmented BUT be sure to moisturize your smackers before hand, because I did find that this colour in particular clings to the dryer parts of your lips- creating an uneven application.

Smart Lip Pencil '706 Classic Red', £2.50

So, I'm usually more of a deep red kind of gal, but with it basically being a New Year and my skin starting to appear even paler- I opted for a bright red colour that would be a match made in heaven for MAC's infamous 'Ruby Woo' lipstick. It has a very bright blueish tone that will make your pearly whites sparkle and your skin glow. This would look divine on a paler skin, but who's to say it won't look fab on a deeper complexion?

Smart Lip Pencil, '712 Rose Mauve', £2.50

Whilst in the Kiko store I came across two potential Kylie Jenner lip products, this being the lighter one. It has a more pinky tone to in comparison to the other one and again, glides on perfectly giving that 'your lips but better' vibe. This cheap and cheerful liner has the potiential to be my new favourite and it could possibly be a dupe for MAC 'Soar' lip liner. Scroll down to see them up both swatched!

Smart Lip Pencil '704 Brick Red', £2.50

Now we're still on that Kylie Jenner lip hunt, and that's when I found another shde a bit darker than the '712'. When swatched on camera this colour has a very orangey tone to it, that I hoped would in fact be more neutral and brows. It is still gorgeous on, but gives your 'my lips but better' look a more peachy tone- a bit like a darker, matte version of 'Peachstock' by MAC. This is actually going to be a gorgeous everyday colour for the summer and will look very complimentary with a peachy or nude on top. What do you guys think?

(left to right) 710, 706, 712, 704.

(left to right) 710, 706, 712, 704.

(left to right) MAC 'Soar' Lip Liner, Kiko '712' Lip Liner.

Overall I am very pleased with these bargain lip liners. They have great pay off and will without a doubt, become staples in my make-up bag! Have you guys tried anything from Kiko? If so what do you think? 

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Rimmel Apocalips Matte Lip Velvet Review

We have ALL had that moment where even though we don't need to, we get the urge to purchase yet another perfect red lipstick; unless you're a straight male of course. It doesn't even matter if we already have it, we just need a new one. This moment for me was meeting my boyfriend's extended family. Red lipstick may not seem like a big decision, but for me after one tall glass of Captain Morgans and Coke- hello joker, goodbye white long line blazer. I needed something rich in pigment, matte (my preferred finish) and smudge-proof. With all of this in mind I roamed my local Superdrug and came across Rimmel's matte version of their Apocolips Lip Lacquers- finally a reasonably priced take on the velvet lip trend of 2014. Don't have £13 spare to spend on Lime Crime Velvetines, or even a pricey £26.50 for the luxurious Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro? Then go ahead and try this bad boy. It retails at a reasonable £6.49 and what makes this even more exciting is the fact that it is almost always on offer! When I purchased these little gems it was 2 for £1- now everything in Superdrug is 3 for 2! What are you waiting for?

I have to say, Rimmel isn't my usual go-to when it comes to daily visits in Superdrug, what with their clone mascaras and orange toned foundations, but these are truly something else. The packaging first off, stems away from anything Rimmel have done before in all it's matte galore! The formula is so unbelievably moisturising that it knocks the MUA Luxe Velvets straight out the park and the applicator was simply made to manoeuvre around any lip shape or size!

Rimmel Lip Velvet 'Burning Lava' £6.49

Above all the choices of red lipstick available I purchased this one. It claims to be a 'weightless liquid colour' with a 'velvety smooth finish' and I can safely say; it is everything and more than that. I am so pleased that I purchased this red for the occasion of meeting Josh's family, it's stain power is beautifully strong and vibrant. The liquid formula didn't completely set but wasn't uncomfortable or sticky on the lips and surprisingly (unlike the MUA Luxe Lip Velvets) didn't dry out on the lips but in fact kept them moisturised throughout the evening. 'Burning Lava' is a beautiful red that is somewhere in between a deep and brick red- a perfect red lip for this Autumn/Fall. 

Rimmel Lip Velvet 'Meteoric Mauve' £6.49

This colour has already become a favourite of mine, it is absolutely stunning on the lips and is going to be a fabulous dark berry shade for the Autumn/Fall. Applies beautifully on the lips; smooth, creamy and leaves the lips looking not only moisturised but velvety. I wouldn't say that these provide a matte finish, but more a velvet one. I've actually worn this colour on quite a few occasions since purchasing and it has lasted longer than 5 hours but of course, needs re touching after a meal. The packaging in comparison to the original Rimmel Lip Lacquers is more chic and structured, and is also matte. I will definitely be purchasing more of these and recommend this product to everyone that loves a good matte lip; Rimmel provide both striking and every day colours in this range and cater to all different races. 

Wearing : Rimmel Apocalips Matte Lip Velvet 'Meteoric Mauve'

WARNING: Although I found this formula to be lightweight and sustainable, it has been said to bleed on a more mature or dry lip.

SOME TIPS ON HOW TO PREVENT BLEEDING: (in regards to makeup of course)

• Ensure that your lips are moisturised.
• I know its a pain in the arse, but using a lip liner before applying your fab shade will help to prevent bleeding.
• That old school, Marilyn type of blotting. A complete no brainer, it can stop lipstick from being too heavy for the lips and also stop it transferring onto our pearly whites.