Quickie Review: Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lipgloss in Black Ruby

I’ve done gone all fancy! After falling in love with a Chanel Glossimer I received as a Christmas gift, I had a hankering to try some more brands of high-end gloss and this little number from Bobbi Brown caught my eye.

 

 

The packaging for the Bobbi Brown glosses is really nothing to write home about. It’s sleek enough I suppose, but there’s something about it that considering it’s price point is a little disappointing. I can’t quite put my finger on it.

 

Here’s a very thin layer of the gloss…

 

 

…and a thicker layer. Bobbi Brown describes this as ‘“crimson with gold pearl’'” which I think is pretty much spot on. The gold sparkles aren’t hugely apparent but they really add to the shine of the product and make it look much more luxurious on the lip.  I would have thought ‘Black Ruby’ would have been a little deeper but I guess this could be described as a slightly blackened red. It’s a beautiful shade and one that'll go well with a simple taupe eye and a slick of eyeliner.



In my opinion, if a gloss doesn’t look better layered you’ve pissed your money away, and I found a perfect pairing for Black Ruby with a 99p liner from LA Colours, of all things! It’s a slightly metallic red-plum shade (the name’s worn off) and this is how I’ve been wearing Black Ruby. This combination got a lot of face time over Christmas!

This is a gorgeous colour and I’m pleased I bought it, but something about this one doesn’t make me want to rush down the to Bobbi Brown counter for more. The shimmer is gorgeous but the sheen of the gloss itself could be more shiny for me. I'd expect something more reflective for a 'high shimmer' gloss. It’s not gritty but I do notice that after wearing it, some glitter/shimmer is left on my lips which quite frankly is annoying.  The gloss is non-sticky, buildable and has a really pleasant mint scent. It’s a pretty darn nice product, but for the price I’d rather spend an extra £3 and get another Chanel Glossimer instead.


Bobbi Brown High Shimmer Lipglosses cost £18.00 and I got mine from House of Fraser.

Quickie review: Chanel Levres Scintillantes Glossimer in Savage Grace

For Christmas, the lovely Rachael sent me a gorgeous package full of the most adorable Sanrio candy (if you think that’s still around you’ve got another think coming!) and this absolute stunner of a gloss from Chanel! I was very touched she sent me something so lovely and was really excited to wear it!

 

 

That double C, though. Chanel makeup just makes me feel damn fancy, there’s no two ways about it! So, the packaging is undeniably beautiful, what does it look like on the lip?

 

 

 

Click to embiggen and see the sparkle! This is one layer of the gloss applied using the doefoot wand it comes with. Chanel describes Savage Grace as a ‘deep shimmering garnet.’ Garnet, Chanel? Garnet is red, homeslices. This shit is pink. And a beautiful pink at that.

 

And just for funsies, here it is layered over MAC Rebel lipstick. If this isn’t a damn gorgeous pairing I don’t know what is!

 

 

One swipe of this leaves a gorgeous colour pay-off and for a gloss, I’m really impressed with how it wears. It’s a fairly thin formula so it doesn’t feel goopy. It’s slightly tacky and I would recommend the finger trick as I got a little on my teeth the first time I wore it, but I wouldn’t say it was sticky. It’s non-gritty and doesn’t have a scent or taste to speak of. I’m much more of a lipstick person than a gloss person but I can really, really see why these are so popular – the formula is wonderful and if the rest of the shades are this gorgeous I think I’m in trouble! Yes, for a gloss it’s pricey but if you fall in love with a shade, I think it’s worth it.

Have you tried any Chanel glosses? Any recommendations?

Chanel Glossimers can be bought from Boots for £21.00

Some Recent Makeup Work/Publications

Thought I would share a few pretties here with you! The latter half of 2013 was quite quiet for me on the makeup front due to other commitments. but I’ve been very lucky that the shoots I have done have all been fabulous and I've come away with lovely memories and a few publications to boot!

 

Model: Abby Munro
Designer: BLACKMIRROR DESIGN
MUAH: Robyn Skinner
Photographerh: Richard Powazynski

 

Published in FJORDE Magazine. Click here to read for free.

 

 

(The model in black and white is our work, as is the blonde model in the bottom-left corner. They’re both Abby!)

 

Model: Abby Munro
Designer: BLACKMIRROR DESIGN
MUAH: Robyn Skinner
Photographerh: Richard Powazynski

Published in Kultur Mag.

 

Finally got some images back from a shoot with an amazing team this summer – everyone involved was so talented, so it's wonderful to see some publications come from everyone’s hard work. Please check everyone linked above out, their work is so beautiful! I was very honoured to work with the team.

Models: Kelly Knox and Labonya Siddiqui
Photographer: Gavin Kemp
MUAH: Robyn Skinner

A really interesting shoot, this one. Inspired by the iconic United Colors of Benetton shoots from the late 80’s and early 90’s, the photographer wanted to explore diversity. Kelly was born without her left forearm and Labonya is a burns survivor so each model brought a different perspective to the shot in terms of how we perceive people's beauty. It was really sobering to hear Labonya’s story and I hope the images go some way to showing that physical differences don’t make anyone less beautiful.  You may have seen Kelly on Britain's Missing Top Model and How To Look Good Naked.  

 

shoot name :: Wrath Reloaded … or the fifth Deadly Thing
photography & set design :: Marco Fazio at mjfstudio
filmmaker :: Patricia Vilani at Suspicious Behaviour
filmmaker :: Paul Sunich at Tracer7Films
art director :: Strawberry Love at mjfstudio
fashion designer :: Marianna Nardin at Blackmirror Design
make-up artist & hair stylist :: Robyn Skinner
art consultant :: Iggy Passenger
set design consultant :: Claudia Parker
construction coordinator :: Urim Mripa at DOT Bespoke
CGI designer :: Marco Vacca
key scenic :: Michal Mackiewicz
assistant photographer :: Debora Palazzo
assistant photographer :: Alfredo Ezquerra Sanchez
assistant photographer :: Laurent Azemi
assistant videographer :: Yhago Maia
model, arms & armour scholar :: Bella White
model :: Elena Miriam Tun
model :: Champ Imi
location and set construction :: courtesy of DOT Bespoke, London (UK)
oxidised finish for backdrop panel :: courtesy of Metropolis by IVAS, San Mauro Pascoli (Italy)

I absolutely loved everything about this shoot! Everyone worked so hard and really pulled it all together! The concept was 'Wrath,' with a baroque influence and references to Caravaggio and Italian art. I loved designing the hair and makeup for this shoot and making sure each character fit the bill and complimented each other and the concept nicely.

Well, that's all I have to show for now, but there's plenty more coming soon! Thank you for looking at my little artistic endeavours and please check out the work of all the lovely people linked here!

Quickie Review and Swatches: MAC Punk Couture Cremesheen Glasses

This is a bit of a 'mixed feelings' review. I both like the products and am quite disappointed at the same time!

Lots of people were excited by the Punk Couture release, especially those with a penchant for unusual or darker lip colours. I skipped the lipsticks (not that I could have got my hands on them anyway!) as I have purples, wines and blacks galore and went for the Cremesheen Glasses instead. Initially I wanted the black shade, Dark Outsider, as I love using these for layering and have misplaced my black Inglot gloss, and the green shade, Jet Boy, as I love green lip colours. On a whim I chucked No Apologies into my basket as well. In for a penny, eh?

Dark Outsider

Dark Outsider Layered over MAC Russian Red

I really enjoy black lipglosses. They do tend to be sheerer, and this one is no exception, but for once that's what I want from a gloss. You might ask why you want a sheer black gloss - well, if you've ever put your clear gloss over a black lip product and ruined it, that's one reason! They're also really fun for changing up red and berry shades.

So while this one is nothing overly exciting, if you like the Cremesheen formulas and don't have a black gloss for layering, I would happily recommend this one.

Jet Boy

^{Jet Boy layered over MAC Russian Red}

Oh, Jet Boy. This is the one I was really disappointed in. As mentioned, I know Cremesheen Glasses aren't big on pigmentation or anything, but I really, really wanted this one to show up more on the
lips in terms of the green sparkles. Compared to how it looks in the tube, it ain't shit. I do like how this one looks over red shades, however, and the grey undertone is really interesting, but what a let down!

No Apologies

No Apologies over a Sleek Matte Me Lip Cream

Again, this one is sheerer than I expected and not as sparkly. Due to the more conventional colour though, this comes off as a really pretty gloss. It still has the greyer undertone but I don't read it as
strongly as with Jet Boy on my skin due to the purple sparkles. I wore this on New Years Eve with a purple smokey eye and have actually worn it to work a few times as well. Again, I wish it looked more like it did in the tube. I really like it but wouldn’t normally pay the price for something so sheer. When it comes to lipgloss I tend to prefer more expensive ones but I still want the bang for my buck.

 

Dark Outsider, Jet Boy, No Apologies

So... would I recommend getting these? I find the formula comfortable, non-sticky and lightly moisturising and it lasts around 2-3 hours on me, which isn't bad for gloss with little tackiness to it, so that's nice.  If you're a MAC collector or like to use sheer tints to change your lip shade, yes, perhaps. If you want over the top sparkle or a really unusual shade on your lips, steer well clear. While I like the products and will use them, I wish MAC had chosen to release these shades in a different formula that offered more sparkle and pigmentation as these are way too expensive for what they offer.  If you like sparkly, unusual lipglosses and don’t want to spend these prices, I can’t recommend Darling Girl Cosmetics enough.

These can be purchased from MAC for £17.50 each.

Quickie Review and Swatches: Lime Crime Velvetine in Pink Velvet

 God damnit, I can’t resist the Velvetines*. Bold matte colours that don’t budge an inch are pretty much my bag. Even when I'm wizened and old, I want to be wearing this sort of slap.  Luckily for us makeup lovers, more and more of these ‘velvet’ products are popping up on the scene, including more budget friendly options. which is fab as the Velvetines sell out pretty often and can be harder to get hold of if you don’t live in the US.

 

 

Oooh, isn’t that lovely? Super bright! For those of you who haven’t used this type of product before, it’s a liquid lipstick that goes on wet and dries very quickly into a budge-proof matte product. And these things really *are* budge proof! If you want a lip colour and are planning on eating, light snogging, swimming (?!) or are going to be without a chance to touch up, these are going to see you through the day. I don't find these that drying for a matte, but I'd recommend prepping your lips beforehand, as I would with all matte lipsticks.

 

 

This is a terrible picture that I took when I was dicking about with my new camera, but as you can tell, this is from Christmas Day. I’d eaten a LOT of food at that point, and it’s still clinging on for dear life. If you need a colour that isn’t going anywhere, this will tick the box. Luckily removal has never been a pain in the arse for me, but an oil based lip remover (or like, pesto) will take it straight off if you're having trouble.

 

 

As per previous offerings, the product comes in a frosted glass effect tube with a doefoot applicator but they’ve changed the design on the lid. I don’t know if the rose design is going to be rolled out across all the colours or just for this shade, but I have to say I prefer the older design which I think is very sweet.

 

In the UK, Velvetines are £13.50 from lovemakeup.

 

Do you like this sort of lip product? What’s your favourite bright pink?

 

* I don't like the way the company owner or the company conducts themselves in lots of ways, but if I use a product from a company I can't really let myself be affected by that, or I shouldn't have bought it in the first place really should I? I’d always recommend Googling any new company you buy from, particularly if you like to support small businesses or like to use vegan/cruelty free products.

2013 Favourite Round Up!

 

Alrighty kids, time to jump on the old bandwagon! It's really hard trying to come up with favourites from a whole year - do you pick the things that wowed you or your staples? The below is a little of both, but mostly the things that I've used the most often.

Benefit Birthday Suit

Eyeshadow or equivalent: Benefit Creaseless Cream shadow in Birthday Suit - I use this all the time as a base for work. It never leaves my makeup bag! For more fun colours, I fell in love with MAC Old Gold pigment, and the limited edition Darling Girl Don't Teal Me You Love Me.

 

One of the bazillions of times I've used the MUA palette this year!

 

 Palette: Most used is MUA Undress Me Too for sure. A dupe for the Urban Decay Naked 2, it's an absolute essential for me - I use it almost every time I do eyeshadow! For £4, the quality is really lovely.

 Eyeliner: My Collection felt tip pen, and the Rimmel Scandalise nude pencil - I use both almost every day, and they're both dead cheap. I should really review both as they're such HG items for me!

 

 

Before and after wearing Missha Signature BB cream

 

Face/base: Missha Signature Wrinkle Filler BB Cream. Even though I got this at the end of the year, it's knocked all the foundations I used in 2013 out of the park!

 

 Highlighter: Boots No 7 Vital Enlightening Highlighter. This was a limited edition from 2012. I will cry when it's gone.

 

Before and after: Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer

 

Concealer: I only got this right at the end of the year, but the Bobbi Brown Creamy Concealer is wonderful!

 

Wearing Sleek Suede blusher

 

 Blush: Sleek Suede is my favourite blusher of all time. I wear it at least three times a week - it's basically perfect.

 

 

 

MAC Subculture Lip Pencil, MAC Nightmoth Lip Pencil, MAC Viva Glam V

  

 Lipsticks/pencils: Narrowing these down is always bloody hard as I'm a total lip fiend! Mac Nightmoth and Subculture lip pencils have been total staples for me this year, as has MAC Viva Glam V which I really need to repurchase.

 

Revlon Adorned

 

 Lipgloss/tar/cream: Chanel Glossimer in Savage Grace which I'll be reviewing soon. Also, the lovely Revlon Adorned. Look at that gorgeousness!

 

The lovely Real Tecnhiques Blush Brush

 

 Brush/tool: Real Techniques Expert Face Brush (duh), Real Techniques Blush Brush and the e.l.f eyeshadow brush. For £1.50 I love these bad boys!

 Skincare: Weleda Skin Food! I have a review of this coming up, but it's basically saved my skin!

 Perfume: Chanel Chance Eau Fraiche. Even though generally I prefer 'brothel madam' scents, I always, always come back to this bottle of gorgeousness!

 Bath/body: Lush Rose Jam shower gel, basically all the Soap and Glory ever, especially the scrubs which I repurchase time and time again. I also like the huge Clean On Me shower gel.

 Hair product: Elnett hairspray. Forever. Won't use anything else!

 

Etude House polishes from the Minnie collection

 

 Nail polish: L'Oreal Confetti Top Coat, Illamasqua Hemlock and Minnie In The Nails polishes from Etude House

 

 Biggest let down: Illamasqua Skin Base. Sorry Illamasqua. I really, really, really tried to love this!

 

And my favourite look from this year... let's be honest, it's got to be drag! I really, really want to do more of this, it's much better than my real face :D

I wish you and your loved ones all a happy, healthy and creative 2014! Please share your favourites with me below as well or leave a link so I can check out your pretties!

Soft purple glitter LOTD with Sugarpill and Madd Style Cosmetics

Happy New Year, everyone! I barely wore any makeup over the Christmas period, so when I got back from visiting the family I thought I’d go for a wee touch of sparkle. Just to sit in my PJ’s and finish off the Quality Street, mind you.

Eyes: Lid, Hi-Fi Cosmetics Between the Stars (now defunct company), Sugarpill 2am, matte vanilla from Barry M Natural Glow palette, warm matt brown from MUA Undress Me Too palette, Collection 24/7 Pen Eyeliner in Black and Madd Style Cosmetics Glitter in  Nymphette
Lips: Stained pink with Australis mint lipgloss on top.
Cheeks: Benefit Dallas, Barry M blush from the Natural Glow palette (soft, soft pastel pink)

I got a new camera for Christmas and have to work out how to use it, so if my photo quality is a bit wobbly over the next few weeks, I do apologise!  Continuing the ‘being useless’ theme, I’m still getting to grips with using the Lit Clearly Liquid base  – it seems a bit of a faff and I’m sure it’s down to me missing something. I’m going to review it soon as it’s a great budge-proof product for adhering glitter!

I love  a bit of glitter at this time of year, but didn't actually wear any on New Years Eve itself! Do you guys like glitter all the time or just for partying?