Max Factor Elixir lipsticks

Launched a few weeks ago with much fanfare (I love that word), the new Max Factor Elixir lipsticks combine colour and staying power with a unique blend of antioxidants and conditioners to improve the condition of your lips (in seven days, apparently).  I was given seven of the fifteen available shades to try and set a challenge to wear all of them, one every day for a week.  Before that though, I swatched them all for you.

From top: Mulberry, Burnt Caramel, Ruby Tuesday, Bewitching Coral, English Rose, Pink Brandy and Angel Pink.  Just from the tube I predicted that Ruby Tuesday and Bewitching Coral would be favourites...so let's see how they looked, shall we?

Day 1: Ruby Tuesday

This was the one I pulled out the bag first.  It's true love.  It's a classic red that pulls slightly pink on my skin, and I have worn it multiple times since I got it.  It's bright and punchy and lasts really well - I can get about 4 hours out of this without really needing to re-apply, which is highly impressive.

Day 2: Bewitching Coral

Again, this one pulls pink on me, almost fuschia.  I decided to go slightly matchy matchy with the pink in my jumper that day to, I think, good effect.  I love this colour almost as much as Ruby Tuesday and despite it being a classically 'summer' colour, I will happily slap it on all throughout the winter months as I'm too impatient to wait for summer to come round again.

Day 3: Burnt Caramel

I don't think I'm the first one to say this but...Hello, the 90's called, it wants its look back.  Burnt Caramel is a very brown, flat nude that personally I don't like.  I also find it drying, which is odd because I don't get that with the other colours.  I felt old wearing this and don't think it flatters me at all; I imagine though on darker skins this could potentially be beautiful.

Day 4: Pink Brandy

Pink Brandy is make up artist Caroline Barnes' pick of the bunch, and it looked beautiful on her at the launch event.  I initially thought it might be a bit boring but it's actually a really lovely, quite bright pink, leaning slightly towards the coral.  I've tried to show it in day and evening light so you can see the change in colour; it's pretty versatile and this has wormed its way into my day-to-day make up bag as it's so easy to wear.

Day 5: English Rose

If somebody could explain to me who under the age of 86 still wears (and enjoys) the frosted lipstick, I'd be grateful, so that then I can ask them WHY.  Honestly, this range of lipsticks has some absolute gems in it, and then they go and throw in one or two (just wait for the next one) total shockers.  English Rose is a bubblegum frosted pink that just...no.  No.  Good bye please.

Day 6: Angel Pink

Couldn't even crack a smile for my photo with this one.  Such a difficult colour and finish to wear, Angel Pink is a lilac-toned baby pink, again, frosted for maximum effect.  I couldn't even bring myself to wear this one out of the house I'm afraid.  Such a shame that this and English Rose weren't produced with a cream finish, because then they could have worked really nicely.

Day 7: Mulberry

Last but not least, Mulberry.  I actually avoided this one all week because I thought it would be far too dark and Gothic for me; I'm completely comfortable with obnoxiously bright colours but I don't fare well with anything too dark, but I'm completely converted with Mulberry.  It's a lovely, lovely wine colour that can be applied lightly for a stained look or full on, as I've done.  My friend captured me wittering away about it as she was taking the pictures, so I've left it in as visual proof of how much I love this colour.

Overall, I genuinely think these Max Factor Elixir lipsticks are rather brilliant; they're incredibly moisturising and long-lasting and there are some stunning colours in the range.  I must get my hands on Chilli next.  But get thee from my house, Frosts!  Stick to the creamy shades and you'll be delighted with them.  And that, my friends, is a Pixie Promise.

Gelish nails

My nails have had their fair share of the spotlight on here so this week I'm shining the light on Mummy Pixie's nails for your enjoyment.  She has very weak, flaky nails that break if you so much as glare at them, so I've been on at her for ages to try a Shellac or Gelish treatment, and finally a couple of weeks ago, she made an appointment.  She went to a local nail salon in Essex and after fighting her way through the seas of acrylic tips and rhinestone designs settled on a nice lilac colour from Gelish.

 

The Gelish process involves a base coat then several layers (five in this instance) of colour which is then sealed with some sort of magical top coat and then dried and set under a UV nail lamp.  The whole process took around an hour, so longer than an average manicure.

Mummy Pixie was pleased with the result, although felt that there could have been a wider range of colours to choose from, plus irritatingly the bottle design is such that the colour is only visible through a small  porthole, making shade choice quite arduous.  Ho hum, hardly Third World problems, though.  Anyway,  this manicure was done just under three weeks ago; Gelish, Shellac and the like claim to last around 4 weeks, sometimes longer.

My parents went on holiday about 9 days after the Gelish was applied, and within two days of the holiday, and gradually getting worse over the course of the week, this is what MP's nails looked like:

Not great, right?  Her nails aren't particularly fast-growing and they're weak, which is why she tried this treatment.  However she found that the polish chipped really easily (she chipped one nail within 24 hours of application) and it peeled away at the base, near the cuticle.  Now, having only had this done once I am prepared to accept that it might not have been applied expertly and she could get better results elsewhere; does anyone have experience of Gelish or Shellac nails?  I was pretty surprised though to see her nails after the holiday.  She had to wait around a week (her fault, not the salon's) to get it removed, and when she did it was a half hour of chipping and scrubbing away at her nails which haven't exactly helped their state.

So, overall, not massively impressed with the Gelish technique.  At all.  I was going to have it done myself but now think I'll stick to a polish chip 'n' change every three days.  MP paid £32 at her local salon but prices may differ depending on location.  As a parting shot, I was rewarded with this when I initially asked to take her picture.  Parents, eh?

Bioderma review

 It's quite possible that a lot of you will already be familiar with Bioderma; it's often lauded as the make up remover of choice for models and make up artists, and gets universal heaps of praise.  In fact, I don't think I've ever seen a negative comment regarding it...UNTIL NOW!!! Mwah ha ha, I do like to keep you on your toes.  I'd been desperate to try Bioderma for months and had been to Guru Make Up Emporium in Fulham, where I believe they stock it, but at the time got side-tracked by Parian Spirit so didn't buy it there.  Then the wonderful Zuneta started stocking it online but I didn't want to pay £14 a bottle, because I knew I was going to Paris soon so decided to wait and get it there.

Thankfully I did because I managed to pick up a two pack from Monoprix for 18 Euros, roughly £15, which is a much better deal.  Anyway, as you can see from the pictures, the bottles are rather massive, so cost per use is pretty minimal.  The product itself is a micellar, or water-based cleanser.  It's completely odourless and has the consistency of water.  I was drawn to Bioderma because it's suitable for sensitive skin (any skin, really) and is deemed to be the best at removing all types of make up.  Which it does.  Eventually.

I could be wrong in this but I'm sure I have read on numerous occasions that people can cleanse their entire face with just one or two cotton pads soaked in Bioderma.  Me?  Well, here is tonight's pile:

I actually used a sixth after this picture was taken.  Also, I'd like to point out that all I was wearing today was a light dusting of mineral foundation and some mascara, and a tiny smudge of eyeliner.  We ain't exactly talking drag make up here.  On days where I'm wearing more, I can easily go through ten cotton pads before the make up is all gone.  I don't mind so much because the bottle lasts ages, but after the third or fourth round of sweeping away, it does sting a bit, especially around my eyes.  To prove how long it lasts, this is my current bottle which I have used every day for the last 10 weeks.

So in terms of value for money, I can't fault it.  Before using Bioderma, I was completely loyal to the Botanics Soothing Eye Make Up Remover, but at the moment I'm not using a separate eye make up remover, just Bioderma, and I don't find it to be nearly as effective.  I think oil-based cleansers are so much better at dealing with eyeshadow and mascara, and I plan to return to the Botanics one very soon.

It doesn't noticeably irritate my skin at all, and it's undeniably easy to have one product that removes everything, but it's just not as....easy as I thought it was going to be.  I use this to get all my make up off and then I cleanse afterwards, and I like that this doesn't leave a residue on my skin that needs to be washed away first.   

Overall, I'm just a bit meh about Bioderma.  It's good and doesn't interfere with my skin at all, but I think perhaps my expectations were very high in the first place because everyone *raves* about it.  Maybe it's just one of those cult products that people think are amazing because everyone says they're amazing and so that must be gospel.

Would I repurchase?  Potentially, but if I have to buy a Eurostar ticket every time I run out, I might just stick to something I can nab in Boots for £3.

Have you tried Bioderma or other micellar cleansers?  I'd like to know your thoughts.

Very Basic FOTD

Take one sweep of Mac Earthline Technakohl....

 ...add a coat or three of Max Factor Masterpiece Max mascara....

...a generous helping of Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Calliope...

...and mix together with some Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation, Mac Instant Chic blusher and a slightly weary expression and shit hair.

Serve any day of the week, ready in 5 minutes.

OPI duo nails

Sometimes one polish just isn't enough.  I hate to use the term 'accent nail' but I'm going to.  Barefoot in Barcelona is one of my favourite nude polishes, and whilst rooting around my Mum's collection of nail polish, found this other one, Mediterranean Moonlight, so thought I'd wear them together.

I quite like the look...it's a good way of getting more use out of the THOUSANDS of colours I have plus it's fun working out what colours would look good together.  Inspirations always welcome!

Also, don't forget to enter the Trilogy giveaway: you have until the end of the month!

Trilogy Giveaway

It's a Monday, which I don't think is good in anybody's books, least of all mine, but as a sort of compensation, I've got a lovely giveaway for you, courtesy of that beautiful brand Trilogy.  The pixies there have very kindly given me a Trilogy Very Gentle Calming Fluid for one of you to win, and it couldn't be easier for you to enter.

1. Go to the Trilogy Facebook page and 'Like' it

2. Make sure you're a follower of this here blog, via GFC, BlogLovin' or Networked Blogs

3.Finally, leave me a comment telling me what your ultimate trilogy of skincare products would be; basically, if you were to be stranded on a desert island and could only take three things with you, what would they be?  Don't forget to include your email address with your comment so I can get in touch if you win.

Other than that, that's it!  I'll be leaving the giveaway open until the end of the month, at which point a winner will be selected at random.

I've been testing it out (don't worry, you'll get your own brand new one) and it's really lovely; great for skins like mine that don't fare well with a lot of heavy product, and it would also be great if you've got younger skin or a minimal routine and are looking for a natural, light moisturiser to add into the mix.

So, do the three steps as above, then sit back and relax...or actually as it's still Monday maybe that's not possible, but you know what I mean.

FOTN

A very quick and basic face that I wore out the other night.

Face:
Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation - 52 & 54 mixed
Collection 2000 Lasting Perfection concealer in 2 Light
Gosh brow pen in 2

Eyes:
UDPP in Sin
Shiro Cosmetics pigment in Master Sword
L'Oreal Carbon Gloss liquid liner
Max Factor Masterpiece mascara

Lips:
Jemma Kidd lip gloss in Coral

Empties of 2011 Vol 8

I think this is volumw 8, frankly I'm losing count.  I'm loving seeing how many things I'm getting through this year; I've noticed though how few colour cosmetics I use up, and that tends to be the things I buy the most of, so that needs to stop.  Now please.

Favourite things from the photo above are, surprise surprise, Alpha-H Balancing Cleanser - it's so good, I'm getting more - and The Doctor Brand gel, step 2 of the 3 step system which I STILL haven't posted about because I am bad and terrible and need a slap.

The rest of that mish-mash up there are all pretty brilliant products as well, but right now I have one eye on Sleepless in Seattle (can we have a moment to appreciate Tom Hanks please) and one eye on my bed so I can't be bothered to go into more detail than that.

It's just one of those days.

Alphabet Questions

Feeling lazy today so I've pinched this little ABC questionnaire I found on The Nearsighted Owl.  Feel free to do the same.

A. Age: 27
B. Bed size: King, but I want a bigger one.  I sleep like a starfish.
C. Chore that you hate: Emptying the dishwasher.  The water makes me gag.
D. Dogs: I want an Irish wolfhound.  Badly.
E. Essential start to your day: Stretching and teeth cleaning.  And moaning about TFL.
F. Favorite color: Turquoise.  Also the silvery chrome of the buildings at Canary Wharf when the sun hits them.
G. Gold or Silver: Both, preferably together.
H. Height: 5’7"
I. Instruments you play: The piano, since I was seven
J. Job title: Product Manager and Queen
K. Kids: Four please  
L. Live: In London
M. Mother’s name: Mummy Pixie
N. Nicknames: KB. Pixie.
O. Overnight hospital stays: Only when I was a tiny baby with poorly lungs
P. Pet peeves: Oh my goodness, too many to list but mainly people who photograph their food (unless it's for a living)
Q. Quote from a movie: "This whole time you've had EXTRA GLOVES? I'm gonna kill you, Lloyd!" - Dumb & Dumber
R. Right or left handed: Right
S. Siblings: Younger sister who spends her life being frustrated that I'm not as cool as her
T. Time you wake up: 7:15 to snooze my alarm for as long as possible
U. Underwear: never looks good as outerwear
V. Vegetable you hate: Marrows and courgettes and loose sweetcorn
W. What makes you run late: Faffing
X. X-Rays you’ve had: On my ankle when I was at school.
Y. Yummy food that you make: I don't.  Not a big fan of cooking
Z. Zoo animal: The humble tapir

Blog Sale

In light of me moving house in a few weeks, I feel the need to have a bit of a sort out and give some things to better homes.

Rules are:

1. Leave a comment for the item/s that you want.  First come (and pay), first serve
2. Payment accepted by PayPal only
3. Shipping in the UK is free, anywhere else is £1 added onto total
4. I can't think of any more rules.  Do we really need more?  Let's get to the good stuff...

1. Mac MSF in Semi Precious Pearl - LE.  Used x3 time, no dip.  £14 - SOLD
2. Mac Goldenrod eyeshadow - never used. £5

3. Barbara Daly for Tesco Face Lift foundation in Warm Almond.  Never used - £5
4 & 5. Garnier BB Creams, 1 in Light - SOLD and l in Medium - SOLD - used x2.  £4.50 each

7. MUA matte shadow in 9 - swatched x 1. 50p
8. Mini BeneTint, never used - £2 - SOLD
9. Poppy King for No7 lipstick in Intrigue, never used - £6 (RRP £12)

13, 14 & 15. NYX single shadows in Pacific, Eggplant and Deep Bronze - SOLD.  Swatched once.  £1 each
16. Famous by Sue Moxley shadow in a bronze/gold shade.  Used x 1 - £2
17. Barry M Dazzle Dust in 10, a silvery grey.  Used x 1 - £1.50

All used x 1
18. Revlon Midnight Purple - £2.50
19. Barry M Indigo - £1.50 - SOLD
20. Barry M Vivid Purple - £1.50 - SOLD
21. Essie Mint Candy Apple - £3.50
22. Essie Winter Luxedo - £3.50 - SOLD
23. Models Own Goldigger - £2- SOLD

Happy shopping!

Sephora lipstick No.9

A few weeks ago I ran away to Paris for three beautiful days with two beautiful friends.  Of course it would have been highly rude of me to not worship at the altar of Sephora whilst I was there, so we spent a thrilling hour weaving our way in and out of the myriad aisles, swatching and spritzing and glossing with glee.  Somehow, I only made one purchase, but I am thrilled with it.

It's one of their own-brand lipsticks, of which there are HUNDREDS of shades to choose from.  I went for an obnoxiously bright cherry red shade, which I think is shade number 9.  It was 9 Euros though, I do remember that.  It's incredibly pigmented and long-lasting, but in being so is also ever so slightly drying, so make sure lips are fully prepped prior to application.

Welcome to the world's worst picture.  BUT this is the truest representation of the shade I could capture.

Obviously this is with the flash, but without the flash, in indoor lighting at night, the look is softened considerably.

And then I got bored, and drew myself a little (wonky) moustache with my Mac Smolder liner.  As you do.

And then my sister got involved...

And then I ended up looking like this.

Sometimes a great red lipstick just isn't enough, you know?