Semi-Recently, Maybelline came out with a collection of matte lipsticks. Just from swatching them in the store, I was blown away at the quality and texture of these lipsticks. For matte lipsticks, or just lipsticks in general honestly, these babies were unbelievably buttery and smooth.

I’ve always had a love for Maybelline lipsticks. Even their regular line of lipsticks have great pigmentation and texture, and are not drying on the lips what-so-ever. For someone with exceptionally dry lips (..like I mean my lips are pretty much ALWAYS chapped) it is really important for me that a lipstick has a non-drying formula. Which is why I actually tend to stay away from most matte lipsticks.

But since I’ve been obsessed with Maybelline lipsticks for so long, I decided to trust their brand and purchase a few of these bad boys to try… and OH MY LORD am I glad I did.

These lippies are unlike any other mattes I’ve ever experienced. Not only do they not drag across your lips like most matte formulas do (cough, MAC’s Ruby Woo cough), but they actually glide on smoother than most of my regular lipsticks. They almost feel like you are applying a very soft, light layer of butter on top of your lips. Not in the greasy sense, but in a smooth application sense. And the best part, they aren’t drying AT ALL. Like I mean AT ALL. I’ve had no problems throwing these on, even when I have a little flakey-ness on my lips, because they don’t accentuate the dry spots at all. It just glides right over them and sits beautifully on the lips.

When I first applied these lipsticks, I actually didn’t think they were as matte as I liked them. However, with the amazing formula and price, I honestly didn’t care. They still gave off a gorgeous, almost velvety finish, which I was perfectly fine with. However, as these lipsticks wear on your lips, they actually get more matte as they settle! So if you swatch these in the store, and they don’t seem that matte to you, be patient, as the formula actually dries to be quite matte.

I think there were about 8-10 colours available at my London Drugs, but I only picked up four of the colours. They also had some great reds and pinks, but these four were the ones that caught my eye the most.

From left to right the swatches are : Mesmerizing Magenta, Lust for Blush, Daringly Nude, and Touch of Spice.

My favourite out of the bunch has got to be Touch of Spice. It is such a beautiful darker brown nude colour, and actually makes a great Kylie Jenner lip colour.

Have you tried the new Maybelline Matte Lipsticks? If you have, what do you think about them and what’s your favourite colour in the collection?

Until next time !

1. Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation : I honestly didn’t even think that I would like this foundation when I purchased it. I bought it purely to try out for review purposes. I have a friend who uses this foundation and has oily skin, so I wanted to try it out and see how it fends with dry skin. Yet some how it just… worked. Now I pretty much use this foundation every single day. I’m not going to lie, I think Covergirl has really been killin’ it with their foundations as of late.
2. Chantecaille Anti-Glycation Primer : I got gifted this product quite a while ago, but never really enjoyed using it. Honestly I don’t even know whether my foundations applies any smoother after I use this primer, but I mainly use it as a little bit of sun protection for my face, and just as an extra bit of moisture incase I had any dry spots. I think if anything, at this point I’m just trying to use up this product, but I have been using it almost everyday in January so I thought I would include it here.
3. False Lashes : Been getting back into the falsies game lately, and I’ve been loving these ones that I purchased from China. They don’t even have a brand on them anywhere, but I think you can definitely find similar looking ones on Ebay for cheap. I’ve definitely been leaning more towards the lashes that wing/fan out and get longer towards the end. I find that it gives your eyes an even more almond / cat-eye effect, and I’ve been obsessed pretty much.
4. Vice 3 Palette : K SERIOUSLY THIS PALETTE THOUGH. Man it is just such perfection. It’s got all the colours that I feel comfortable using (purples, golds, browns, bronzes, burgundies), and then also have a few that I could experiment with (blues and greens). Not to mention they all have such amazing pigmentation it blows me away. I didn’t use anything else for SO long after I bought this palette; I just never had the need to. It’s just… perfect. I don’t even know how else to explain it, I’m so in love.
5. Tapered Kabuki Brush : So earlier on, in January, I wrote about a new, super affordable brush set that I recently bought, and I’ve been trying them out ever since. I’ve been adoring their tapered kabuki brush for setting underneath my eyes and around my nose areas in those pesky, hard-to-reach places. The point just fits so well in the contours under my eyes, that I haven’t been using anything other than this to set.
6. Flat Top Kabuki Brush : When I want a super flawless foundation application for a night out downtown, I’ve been loving the flat top kabuki brush from the same affordable brush set I mentioned above. I feel like this would actually be a pretty good dupe for the Sigma flat top kabuki brush, but since I don’t own the Sigma one, I can’t tell you guys for sure. But honestly, this brush has pretty much ruined the relationship I had with my Real Techniques buffing brush, which was my old favourite foundation brush. It just swooped in and took over, and now I don’t even touch my RT buffing brush (I’m sorry baby, we had a good run).
7. Tapered Precision Brush : Next up for brushes, is the mini version of number 5 on this list. It is the tapered precision brush. I’ve been using this to buff colour underneath my eyes, into my lower lash line. Works like a charm. I also use it sometimes to contour my nose.
8. Round Precision Brush : UNNNFFF. I can’t say enough good things about this brush. I’ve been using this one as a blending brush for my crease, and my dear lord, it works so well. I will usually use this to deposit and blend a transitional shade into my crease, and then again to blend out whatever other colours I had to my lid as well. It just works. It’s amazing. Buy the brush set guys. It’s $10 for 9 brushes. Just go buy it please.
9. Flat Angled Precision Brush : This particular brush, I’ve been loving for depositing a darker shade into my outer v and crease area. I found that it fit perfectly into the outer corner of my eye, so I use it for just that purpose.
10. Maybelline Touch of Spice Matte Lipstick : Definitely my favourite shade out of their matte lipstick line, I’ve been obsessed with Touch of Spice lately. It is one of those plummy, pinky, nude-y Kylie Jenner lip colours that everyone has been obsessed with lately. I remember seeing a few swatches on the internet comparing Touch of Spice and Mac’s Twig and they looked pretty similar, but don’t quote me on it, since I don’t actually own Twig.
11. Josie Maran 100% Argan Oil : I was using a lot of this oil when my skin was so dry that it started to become flakey and patchy. I got this as a 500 point perk along with a couple other Josie Maran products to try out. Despite the fact that it’s a small sample bottle, it’s actually going to take me a LONG time before I get through this bottle, since I only use, literally, a drop or two each time. And now that my skin has been quenched, and does not have dry patches anymore, I’ve laid off it for a while, as to make sure my skin doesn’t think it has too much oils and dry itself out even more. I think I might pass this along to Ryan to try to see if it does anything to help with his Eczema.
12. MAC Melba Blush : Last but definitely not least, is my newest MAC blush addition… MELBA ! I’ve actually wanted this blush for years and years now, and I finally went out and bought it. And ohmylord it is everything I’ve ever imagined it to be and more. It is a matte, peachy, warm, neutral blush that just gives your skin the nicest warm tone to it. What I love about this blush, is that you can wear it with pretty much any look since it doesn’t add too much crazy colour to your cheeks, but instead just warms it up and makes it look lively. I’m OBSESSED. I probably wore this almost every time I wore make up since I’ve purchased it. I can’t pick any other blush up.

So that concludes my January Favourites ! I hope you guys found this a good read, or maybe it gave you a few suggestions of new products to try !

Let me know down below what your favourite products of January 2015 are, or if you also write a blog, link me to your post ! 

I’m already thinking about what I want to include in my February favourites, but I haven’t actually tried out very many new products this month so I have no idea ):

Until next time my lovelies,

Lately I’ve really rekindled my love for nude lipsticks. I think it started with the wide spread phenomenon that was the “Kylie Jenner Lip Combo”. I went into MAC one day and practically demanded the MAC girl to show me what Kylie Jenner wears on her lips, AND FAST. Of course she told me about everyone’s love for Soar, and Twig, and Whirl. But then she went on to explain, that Kylie has a very fair skin tone, and that the exact lip combo that she wears will look different on me, because I am slightly darker.

I pondered that thought for a moment, before asking, “sooooo, what do I do then?”

She continued. She was very close in skin colour as me, both being asians with a yellow undertone in our skin, so she showed me this other lip combo that she created that looked like the infamous KJ lips… but on us !

And that’s how it began. I used to never wear nude lip colours, 1) because I can never seem to find the right shade of nude that didn’t wash me out. and 2) because I was all about the bright lip look.

But lately, all I seem to be able to wear is a variety of different nudes; Pinks, browns, mauves.. you name it.

So here is my collection of nude lipsticks that I’ve been obsessed with. It wasn’t until after I started working on this post before I realized I had missed one form my collection. BUT honestly, it doesn’t even matter because that lipstick is my least worn lipstick in my entire collection. If you were wondering what it was, it’s the Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick in Nude Delight

Line em’ up!

So from left to right, let’s talk about each lipstick a little bit.

Rimmel Lasting Finish in Airy Fairy : This lipstick used to be a huge cult favourite on youtube, which is why I purchased it many years ago. But like I said, I was all about the bright, bold lip colours most of the time, so I really didn’t put this lipstick into much use. This nude is definitely more of a pink nude. Great pigmentation, and quite moisturizing on the lips as well. This is a great one for just throwing into your purse to apply through the day for a natural wash of colour.

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate in #14 : Although this one is from the same brand and technically the same line as the previous, for some reason this lipstick is a bit creamier and more pigmented than the last. Beautiful honey brown-beige nude, it is such a classic colour. This one however, I would use a mirror when applying just because of how pigmented the lipstick is. And although it is a nude, it’s a tad bit darker than the the everyday nude, and needs a little extra attention when applying.

Essence Long Lasting in Barely There! : This one is the newest in my collection, I picked this up purely because it was cheap. I didn’t swatch it in stores or anything, but for $2.99, you can’t really go wrong. Definitely not as pigmented upon first swatch, as some of the other lipsticks in this collection. But give it a few more strokes, and it’ll turn up just fine. This is another one that I would throw in my purse for easy application because of it’s slightly sheer colour. Plus if it gets ruined in my purse, I wouldn’t be heartbroken, because it didn’t cost me much to begin with. I really enjoyed how this one looked on top of MAC‘s Stone lipliner, as you can see here.

Wet N’ Wild in 915B : In the picture of the tube, and the swatch, this colour has shown up to be quite a dark rose-y colour, and I know y’all must be thinking “what the f*? that’s not a nude Angel…” But I swear it is (or at least was) a nude when I had first purchased it. The reason it looks as dark as it does, is because most of the time that I wear this lipstick, I wear it on top of a darker, purpley lip liner. So after many uses, applying and reapplying, the lipstick has kind of been stained by that lip liner (oops!), creating the colour that it swatched as down below. However, prior to the staining, this lipstick used to be a very classic mauve nude colour with a touch of plum in it. If you ever get the chance to swatch it, or even just look at it, definitely give it a try. It’s ridiculously affordable, and the pigmentation and consistency of these lipsticks are superb. Not even just for the price, but for a lipstick in general.

Maybelline Matte in Daringly Nude : Here’s another recent discovery that I’ve fallen in love with. Not just this lipstick in particular (although great) but they entire Maybelline Matte lipstick line. What’s great about these lipsticks is that, despite the matte finish, these lipsticks are not drying nor hard to apply at all. They are actually one of the creamiest and smoothest lipsticks I have ever put on my lips. The pigmentation ? Amazing. The consistency ? Buttery as f* . I can’t say enough good things about this line of lipsticks. I fully recommend these. The nude I have is a true nude with a pink under tone. Very wearable, very beautiful and very natural. Definitely worth checking out.

Maybelline in Truffle Tease : This one is a part of Maybelline nude collection, which I think came out decently recently (HA THAT RHYMED). The formula is the same as their regular lipsticks (which are some of my favourite in the drugstore); moisturizing, pigmented, and slightly glossy. Applies like dream. This specific one is a tan nude with a little bit of pink. Very gorgeous. Something about this lipstick reminds me of the lighter version of the KJ lips that she wears sometimes. It’s a mix between this and this colour that she wears I’d say.

Maybelline in Crazy for Coffee : Another Maybelline one… Told they’re my favourite. This one is definitely not your typical nude. It’s quite a bit darker, and is a brown nude. I think this is quite classic as well, despite the darker shade. I know back in my mom’s younger years, she used to wear darker brown nudes all the time, because that’s what was popular in her days. I think this is a gorgeous colour and a great lipstick. Definitely still wearable for everyday but is just a little more unique that your typical nude.

last but not least…

MAC‘s Viva Glam II : MAC describes it as a muted pink beige which I think is a pretty good description for it. I find that it also actually has a brown undertone in it, which I find seems to look really good on my skin tone. It’s a satin finish, and it is super creamy and ridiculously pigmented (as MAC lipsticks usually are). I will link the MAC page for it here so you guys can go check it out on the website if you’d like. This is what I wear on top of Absolutely It which is one of their Pro Long Wear lipliners, for my perfect KJ lips.

I think there is a great range of different shades of nudes in this little collection. From Browns, to neutrals, to tans, to pinks, to mauves. As I said, it’s an obsession. And I definitely do not need 8 different nude lipsticks, but YOU KNOW WHAT.. they make me happy, so don’t judge me. Plus you’ll see from the swatches that they all quite different…. (at least to me they are)

I hope you guys found this post helpful and was able to find some new nude lipsticks to try out !

Until next time boos,

I hate getting sick. But for some reason I’ve just been getting sick so easily this past little while. I swear I just got better from a cold about 2 weeks ago and all of a sudden I’m sick again ) : . Pretty sad start to a new year.

One thing I hate about being is of course how I look. That sickly colourless skin, the dark under eye circles, the whole lot. So being the first day of school for me, and being someone who thoroughly enjoys looking fabulous almost all the time, here’s my make up of the day (MOTD).

I started off with my CoverGirl Ready Set Gorgeous foundation that I’ve been loving lately. It applies and blends easily, leaves a matte finish but isn’t drying on my exceptionally dry skin. I wasn’t sure if I was going to like this foundation for that specific reason, because my friend who also loves it has oily/combination skin. But I decided to give it a try anyways because I needed to try some new drugstore foundations, and I ended adoring it.

To cover my under eye circles I used the Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy duty concealor. This stuff really is HEAVY DUTY. It is truly a full coverage concealer, which is something you don’t usually find at the drugstore. This tube has lasted me AGES. you literally need the littlest drop of this concealer for your under eyes. I even use this concealer to highlight my under eye / cheek bone area, which means I use a little more than you would just covering up your dark circles, and it still has lasted me a lifetime. For the price, this concealer is amazing and definitely worth checking out.

On my eyes I used my Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette. On days that I just want a super neutral look, this is always the palette that I grab. I LOVE matte eyeshadow looks, so this palette really is right up my alley. Today I used Faint (which is the medium brown colour) in my crease and outer V and then W.O.S. (a matte light pink) all over my lid. Oh and of course Venus (which is the only shimmer eyeshadow in the palette) in my inner corner and on my brow bone as a highlight.

And then you can see my little Anastasia Beverley Hills Dip Brow Pomade in Medium Brown in the corner there which is the only product I use for my brows now. I’ve only got two words for it. HOLY. GRAIL.

For my bronzer, I used the NARS Laguna bronzer from my Virtual Domination Palette. I originally thought that this palette would be limited edition palette, but to my surprise, they still have it for sale on the Sephora website. So if your looking to try some NARS products, definitely give this bad boy a try. I think it is well worth the money and I’ve used it pretty much every day since I’ve purchased it.

For a cheekbone highlight, of course I went with my trusty Hard Candy Baked Bronzer in Tiki. Amazing highlighter and I think it only cost me under $6 to buy.

And of course I had to moisturize my terribly chapped lips with my Blistex Lip Medex. This is the only lip repair treatment that works on my super chapped lips in the winter; my tried and true.

Lastly, I of course had to wear my brand new MAC blush in Melba which I had purchased just a few days ago. If you want to see a close up of it and a swatch, check out my Itty Bitty MAC Haul post. It was my first time trying it on the cheek today and I am already obsessed. Dare I say that it even trumps my ex-all-time-favourite, The Balm‘s Frat Boy blush? What I love about this blush is that it is matte, and it warms up your cheeks beautifully, while looking super natural. The Frat Boy blush has a bit of a sheen to it, while Melba is completely matte. And if you’ve met me, you’d know I love me my matte make up…

And of course I finished off my eyes with my good ol’ L’oreal Line Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner, and my Maybelline The Colossal Volume Express Mascara.

Hope you guys enjoyed this MOTD post. Think I might do some more of these just because I can give you guys my thoughts on the products that I’m wearing, and not just show you guys it on my face.

Let me know what your favourite everyday make up products are! I’m always looking for new products to add to my collection.

More soon,