Currently Trying

 I've been a bit naughty and bought a couple of new beauty bits recently, and I've been trying them out over the past month or so. I haven't really bought any beauty product for a while, but after running out of a few bits I decided to try something a bit different. Some of which I'm loving, and some of which I'm not completely sold on. 

            

After months (possibly even years) of deliberation, I finally took the plunge and purchased the Nuxe Rêve de Miel lip balm. At £9.50 a pop, I had to find out whether it was worth the price before I picked it up. I really wish I'd bought it earlier as it is hands down the best lip balm I've ever used. It feels so luxurious to apply, and isn't at all sticky. I like to apply it when I do my skincare routine before I go to bed, and by morning, my lips are like new. I'll will definitely not be switching back to cheapy chapsticks! Speaking of not cheap, I had a bit of a skin crisis and went browsing the internet for anything, and I mean anything. I found a couple of blog posts about the Estée Lauder Clear Difference Advanced Blemish Serum, with people noting that it has completely altered their skin. On a whim, I bought it and to be completely honest, I won't be repurchasing it when mine runs out. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't expecting it to work miracles, but I hoped it would do something. I'm used just over half of it, and I really don't think it has done anything for my skin. It feels nice to use, but if there are no visible benefits I don't see the point. 

Another product I'm not too sure on is the Aveda Botanical Kinetics Toning Mist. I bought this after Viviannadoesmakeup mentioned it on her Youtube channel, and I was sure I would love it. But I don't think I do. I'm not too keen on the smell - it's very 'botanical'. As long as a product doesn't smell like vomit, I don't usually mind what it smells like - but I really do not like this particular scent. Similar to the Estée Lauder serum, I'm not sure it actually does anything. I'll keep trying it, but again, I don't think I'll be repurchasing. Something I will most definitely be repurchasing is the NYX HD Studio Finishing Powder. This is the first loose powder I've ever tried, and my oh my I love it. Besides being one of the messiest products I own (seriously it gets everywhere) it wears well and looks flawless. It minimises shine in the most natural of ways, and most importantly keeps things exactly where they should be. 

Have you tried anything I've mentioned? What are your thoughts?

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Alternatives To A Festive Red Lip

Every year when Christmas rolls around, I whack out my MAC Ruby Woo lipstick, and pretty much adorn a red lip throughout the majority of December. But I know that there are others out there that either hate wearing red lipstick or a simply to scared to where anything that bold. So after sharing my favourite festive red lipsticks on Sunday, I thought it only fair to share some that were less bright and... festive. We all know how much of a lipstick hoarder I am, so you can imagine how hard it was for me to whittle it down to a select few. It was waaaay easier for my other post as they all had to be red which limited me slightly! I wanted to get it down to five so that there were five reds and five alternatives. But after a lot of thought I realised that there was no chance and eventually managed to select six. Instead of going for lots of bold lipsticks, I thrown in a couple on the more natural side and a sheer lipstick for those of you who don't feel comfortable with a bright lip. 

I'll start off with the brights. Not everyone wants to wear red lipstick, so the MAC (Satin? Amplified? God knows!) lipstick in 'Red Balloon' is a good option. Don't be fooled by the name, it isn't at all a shade of red - it's an absolutely gorgeous shade of fuschia pink, and I tend to wear it all year round. Often you can find that fuschia lipsticks fall on the cooler side, but this shade is quite a warm with red undertones. To say it isn't a matte lipstick it has incredible staying power. I've worn it before (without a lipliner) and it has lasted over 8 hours with minimal touch ups - so it's perfect to wear whilst eating your Christmas dinner! If MAC isn't really in your budget, I've found that Revlon's 'Fuchsia Shock' is a good dupe. 

Another similar sort of shade is the Rimmel Lasting Finish lipstick in 'Heartbreaker', but it seems to be getting harder and harder to find it anywhere! I managed to get one of my friends hooked on this shade and she wears it almost everyday and has used up multiple lipsticks! I'm still on my first lipstick as I wear it less often than she does, but it doesn't mean I don't love it any less! It is a gorgeous shade of pink, and is a perfect alternative to a festive red lip! 

If you're looking for a pink but aren't wanting anything too bright and you're wanting to treat yourself this Christmas, the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution lipsticks just scream luxury. They do have more shades if this one isn't for you, including a few reds! I actually wore the shade Amazing Grace last christmas, and that is the shade I am sharing with you today. It a gorgeous brown toned pink as is one of my favourite neutrals in my collection at the moment. Because it's a matte lipstick, it is a great one to wear whilst eating or sipping drinks as it clings to your lips - not in a bad way, but it one that gives it incredible staying power! 

If you prefer to opt for a sheer lipstick, or are simply scared of bold lips, the Revlon lipbutters are incredible! I included the shade 'candy apple' in my red lips edit, and a few of you agreed with me in that the formulas are spot on! They are perfect for daytime wear, and even if you've already planned your makeup, I'd highly recommend adding some into your makeup collection!

Last but not least! I have the Nars Audacious Lipstick in Anna. It is a gorgeous cool toned pink and again is incredibly well lasting. I have mentioned these lipsticks tons of times already on my blog so I won't bang on about them too much. The formula is amazing and they come in sooooooo many different shades!

What makeup will you be wearing this Christmas?

Thanks for reading!

Love Charlotte x

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