KAT VON D EVERLASTING LIQUID LIPSTICK

LEFT - UNDERAGE RED / RIGHT - VAMPIRA

THE AFTERMATH - YOU KNOW THEY'RE GOOD WHEN THEY'RE DIFFICULT TO REMOVE

I've been converted. As much as I love the standard lipstick bullet, liquid lipsticks are a new favourite. In particular, the Kat Von D Everlasting ones are so good that I went back to buy a second shade a day after trying the first. I picked these up in Sephora while in New York earlier this year and I love them.

The first shade I picked up was Underage Red. I only owned one red lip colour at the time, (Mac Russian Red which I love) so decided to get one in a different formula as I was loving red lips. It's a pretty bold red and the formula is very matte and opaque, but not drying and easy to apply. I also love the tattoo-style illustration on the packaging. 

After trying Underage Red I immediately loved it and went back to see what other shades caught my eye. I saw Vampira, and in the tube it doesn't look like much - almost a browny red. However as a lover of dark lips I gave it a swatch and it immediately made me want it. It's the perfect vampy red which has the smallest hint of purple. 

I like to apply this quite thinly as I found when applied thickly, it can become quite heavy and uncomfortable on the lips after a few hours. But I've sussed it, and having a lighter layer (after getting rid of excess before applying) still gives the opaque colour which is long-lasting and more comfortable to wear.

I've now got my eye on the bright purple shade in the range, have you tried these?

KAT VON D EVERLASTING LIQUID LIPSTICK - $20 SEPHORA

THE RESTOCK // the underrated, purse-friendly nude lipstick

The first beauty post on this blog was one titled 'the restock | essentials' and today, after nearly 5 months I finally bring a second edition.

MUA is one of the brands that started my interest in makeup, because of the insanely cheap prices and huge variety. I decided to pick up two lipsticks, each at £1: shade 5 (not too keen, almost a glittery pink...it has since been removed from my collection) and shade 11 (my fave - a pink-brown nude). I can't remember swatching them when choosing the shades, so kind of brought them on a whim. 

Only when I got home and tried out shade 11 I realised how much of a perfect nude colour it is, for mine, and probably lots of other skin tones. I find myself wearing this all the time for a bit of colour without anything too bright or fussy. The formula is so creamy, and admittedly not the most long-lasting, but for a pound, and a more subtle colour, that doesn't really matter. 

As you can see, I've restocked. First ever used up and repurchased lipstick.*round of applause*

BUT notice how the shade is actually slightly different than the original. Slightly more pink and less peach. Regardless, still a lovely shade which I'll happily wear over and over again on lazy make-up days when I can't be faffed with retouching. And for a pound, the repurchase didn't break the bank which makes it even better.

What MUA lipsticks are you a fan of? 

Restocked your must-have beauty product recently?

guest post // favourite lip balms

Hello! Today I will be guest-posting on Laura's blog and I will be writing a post on 2 lip balms. I love lip balm and I have previously tried a number of different lip balms. There are so many different lip balms available in stores it can be hard to choose the best ones.

Carmex is my absolute favourite lip balm to use. This is such a great product as it really does make a change. It can help with dry lips, cold sores, rough skin and protection against the sun. When you use this lip balm, it gives you a tingling feeling whilst it hydrates your lips. This lip balm is available in different ways. In a tube, which you apply directly onto your lips and also in a container, where you yse your finger to apply. 

I would recommend this is anyone!!

More recently, I have ordered a lip balm called EOS which is mainly known over in America. I wanted to try this lip balm because they use natural conditioning oils and antioxidant vitamins. I have the pomegranate raspberry flavour and it tastes SO nice. Ok, so it's not about the taste but that is a bonus. 

Both lip balms are really good and I would recommend them both. EOS is now available to buy in the UK so you do not have to wait for the shipping time, but it does mean it costs a bit more than other lip balms available. Carmex on the other hand is available in most shops like Superdrug and Boots for about £2. 

I love trying new lip balms so if anyone has any recommendations, leave a comment or email me: williams.bethan2@gmail.com I would love to hear from you! 

Thank you for reading and thank you to Laura for collaborating with me, it's been great!

You can visit my blog here.

Thankyou to Bethan for guest posting! Read my guest post over on her blog here, where I'm talking Mac Lipstick Dupes!

wishlist // lips and highlighters

 WISHLIST // LIPS AND HIGHLIGHTERS

Highlighters and Lipsticks...two of my favourite things. And so, I thought I'd share the ones I've been lusting for recently...because I'm always wanting to try more!

mac soft and gentle // the cult that is Mac's Soft and Gentle highlighter is one I've wanted to try for so long! I've only ever tried the Mac lipsticks and am insanely impressed, so I have high expectations from this too!

lips by topshop in the damned // during thursday's twitter #bbloggers chat, I asked for opinions on Topshop make-up as I've never tried any of it. Everyone who tweeted back recommended the lipsticks, and 'the damned' looks like my perfect shade!

nyx soft matte lip cream // I've heard so many rave reviews about NYX Cosmetics and neeed to try them! The Soft Matte Lip Creams sound and look amazing.

topshop glow pot // in the same #bbloggers chat, you beautiful people also recommended the glow pots, topshop's version of cream highlighters...and I love a good cream highlighter.

the balm mary lou-manizer // I've wanted this for so long but never got round to making an order from feelunique.com. I actually think I featured this in a wishlist on the previous blog I wrote on...I need this in my life, it looks perfect for inner-corner highlighting.

bourjois rouge edition velvet in frambourjoise // these seem a similar concept to the nyx soft matte lip creams, but apparently, better according to the beauty world. They're supposed to be super long lasting and pigmented...need.

what's on your wishlist?

making it work | an unloved lipstick

Quite a while ago, I picked up this Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick in the shade 180 Vintage Pink. I'd wanted to try this range for so long, and was so excited to buy this. Only when I got home and tried it on I realised the shade did not suit me. Gutted. I gave it a few more goes but it just wasn't working and so it lived in a Muji drawer for a few months un-touched.

After discovering the world of combining lip-colours to make your own (post here on Hooked On Beauty! shameless plug) I brought out Vintage Pink and decided to experiment.

individual swatches// vintage pink above, rebel below

I chose to mix it with a dark purply/pink shade which I adore on it's own anyway, Mac's satin lipstick in Rebel. The end product is a flower-orchid, glossy purple which I never thought would suit me, but I actually really love it and think it's a shade which can be worn all year round!

What do you think? Any lip combos you've discovered?