Lipstick review: Lime Crime Velvetine

This is the first post in a new series I am calling 'the battle of the reds' so if you, like me, have a small obsession with finding the (legendary) perfect red, read on soul sister...

***shade red velvet

First impressions...
Lime Crime and I didn't get off to the greatest of starts if I'm honest, Doe Deere really got on my tits. I'm no unicorn Doe, I'm a badass she-warrior. So yeah, Miss twinkle-sparkle-fairy-dust really put me off. That being said, when I heard about the Velvetine, I was so intrigued I had to try it - I mean an opaque lip-stain?!- that really is genius.
The packaging is a little cutesy for my liking (though I did appreciate all the purple tissue paper Doe, cheers).

So what is it?
Technically not a lipstick, but instead a lip stain masquerading as a lip gloss (confusing I know). It's also vegan friendly - props.

Sounds like nothing I've heard of before, is it any good T?
(I hear you say). Firstly, I LOVE (!!!!!) the colour. I know we all have different ideas on the perfect red, but for me, this is pretty much spot on (blue-based, blood deep and m m m-matte). The second good thang is this sucker's staying power, I mean, I went to sleep in the damn stuff and it didn't budge (and showered with it the next day). When they say stain, they mean stain (though it does come off quite easy with a good cleanser). The colour doesn't bleed and the wand makes it easy to get a pretty clean line without the need for pencil, spot on.

Bad bits
Don't be fooled by how thin the formula feels when it comes out of the tube, this stuff dries heavy on your lips and quick, it's almost a little sticky atop the old chaps.

So, as far as the perfect red goes, this ain't quite it in my opinion, but if you can put up with lips that feel a bit like you've just made out with a used mint on a hot day* (and I sure can) it's pr-retty close. 

Have you tried the velvetine or any other Lime Crime before? Let me know...

*gross I know, sorry.

Ain't nothing controversial about The Next Day

So, David Bowie's new video has caused quite the stir hasn't it?! Personally, I've been too distracted by the off-the-chain makeup looks to worry about the scandalous priest consorting with the scantily-clad woman.

Stuff I love....
Lazy smokey eyes
Glowy skin
Plasticy (yep that's a word) skin
The red lipstick used (I'm a sucka for a matte)

This is my bread and butter, everyone has artistic makeup styles they are drawn to, pinup, fantasy, drag-inspired, but to me, anything sort of subtle/etherial/sightly careless wins. I love these looks, love.

Illamasqua: paranormal

My favourite new bit of art from Alex box...

Burnt orange and pinky-reds, yeeees.

As for the collection, the palette looks nice but I'm not blown away, not your best Illamasqua.

My three favourite brushes

*Disclaimer* this post is mostly about brushes, aaand a little bit about a sponge and some magic H2O too.

This is a picture of my dresser (well, the ledge above my fireplace) though I have tonnes of brushes, these three are the only ones I really use on myself. Introducing my favourite brushes, the MAC 116, 217 and 210.

The perfect powder brush

Foundation, bronzer, blush, this brush handles them all like a trooper. Personally, I cannot stand massive powder brushes, they're sloppy and you simply don't need that much powder everywhere on your face all at once, it's aging and dated. This brush sweeps perfectly across the tzone, is round enough to help you pick out your apples and narrow enough to cut a contour. Plus its fluffyiness makes blending much less of a chore, winner winner.  

The easy blender

The 217 really needs no introduction. An already infamous brush in the so-called blogosphere, and rightly so. Years ago I remember watching my first Pixiwoo video where I saw a 217 used for concealer, maddness. I went and bought one the very next day. This brush is also blinkin' good at its original function too, a stellar eye brush. 

The precision guy 

Lip brush, eye liner, point cover-up,...need I say more?**

** The MAC 263 is also good alternative, I know some people struggle with a pointy brush for eyeliner, but it's all about personal preference. Also, my bush-man eyebrows mean I have less use for an angled brush.

The beauty blender 
My pink sponge replaced a LOT of my brushes a year and a half ago and I've never looked back. I just lost my sense of humour with stray brush hairs, and nothing blends like this baby, trust me. I use it for my foundation, cream blusher, brzoner, highlighter etc. It will change your makeup bag, trust.

Bioderma

I use this on my face everyday, and given the choice I'd probably wash in it. 'Nuff said.

Throw in a pair of tweezers and I present to you the perfect capsual makeup tool kit.

How to: Lips from the 1920s to the 1950s

 My guide to getting the right shape for the decade. 

1920s 

Lips were the most important part of a ladys made face in the 1920s. The style is an exaggerated cupid's bow and lipstick would stop short of the natural lip-line. Think deep matte reds, heart-shaped, and you've got it.

1930s

A more exaggerated and enlongated cupid's bow became the look of this decade, known as the 'Crawford smear'.

1940s

Lips become more balanced and symmetrical in the 40s, lined and bold but not over-exaggerated.

1950s

Just like the 40s, but over-line those bad boys for a fuller look.

Good friends let you do it on their face.

I need to find more people that are happy to let me mess with their faces...

Looks/Inspiration *clockwise from the left.

1. David Bowie mets an Alex Box creation from the forest of darkness, but you know, a diet version.

2. It's disco, you clown. 

3. A perfect base, nude lips and bold liner. 

4. Making colours that don't work, werk (ahem) and, LIPS.

Check out the gorgeous Gabi over on Marie Claire Brazil.