What's On My Face: The Office Edition

Max Factor’s Instant Complexion Enhancer CC Cream (£9.99) | Paul & Joe’s Limited Edition Pressed Powder UV (£28) | MAC Powder Blush in Supercontinental | Maybelline’s Mega Plush Volum’ Expess mascara (£7.99) | Benefit Browzings Brow Shaping Kit (£23.50) | Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant (£25)

Every morning I’m faced with the same old predicament: get up and apply some makeup or have an extra ten minutes in bed.  You can guarantee I choose my bed every time.  However, I’m not brave enough to go to work barefaced so have to try to make myself look presentable with a limited amount of time and a few products.

When I don’t have time to sit and blend in my foundation, the Max Factor’s Instant Complexion Enhancer CC Cream comes in really handy.  It’s more like a tinted moisturiser than a foundation so doesn’t need as much work.  It’s light and refreshing yet gives me good coverage.  If needs be I top up with a little concealer.  I forgot to photograph it but no prizes for guessing which one I use (Collection’s  Lasting Perfection concealer - review here).

I have to add powder when I need my makeup to last all day and my current dusting of choice comes from Paul & Joe’s Limited Edition Pressed Powder UV.  It contains finely milled glitter which adds a sheen to my face - the perfect pick me up for when I’m at work.  Onto blush and my usual office choice is MAC Powder Blush in Supercontinental, a bright yet natural coral shade.  It’s perfect for giving me a bit of a flush whilst not being too OTT or girly.  Unfortunately it was a limited edition from a collection last year so you will find it hard to hunt it down.  I’m using it sparingly!

Now for the eye area.  I tend to keep my eyes really simple whilst at work because as you nine-to-five girls know, too much tired eye-rubbing will leave you looking like an office zombie.  I apply a good few lashings of Maybelline’s Mega Plush Volum’ Expess mascara to keep my peepers looking wide awake.  I didn’t get on with this mascara at first as I found the formula rather runny and hard to work with but I persevered and glad I did.  I fill in my browns using the amazing Browzings duo from Benefit.  As you can see, the wax (left) is my favourite but I stick to the powder (right) during the day for a subtle look.

Finally, the lips.  Whenever I wear bright lipstick during the day at work I’m often asked if I’m going out afterwards and I get sick of saying “no I just like fancy a change!”  Can’t a girl wear a bit of bright lippy if she pleases?  Jeez!  Most days I opt for a touch of lip balm to keep my lips soft but glossy.  I make sure I keep it on my desk and top up during the day, especially in the colder weather.  My all time favourite lip balm is the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Skin Protectant.  If you don’t have this in your makeup bag then why not?  It cures an array of ailments and I love how soft it makes my lips feel.

And there you have it.  This whole routine takes around 10 minutes and is so fool proof it can be done when half asleep.  I plan on doing a few more What’s On My Face posts so let me know other ‘faces’ you would like to see.

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MAC Girl About Town Lipstick

 MAC Girl About Town Lipstick (£15)

It’s been a while since I’ve done a MAC lipstick review so I thought I’d spoil you all on this Sunday evening and show you which shade has been gracing my lips of late.  

Girl About Town is bright fuchsia pink shade from MAC’s permanent lipstick line.  It had been on my wish list for some time and when I came to the conclusion that I didn’t have a shade like this one in my collection, I decided to treat myself.  It’s what MAC call an ‘amplified’ formula which means that although it’s very pigmented, it’s also very moisturising and won’t dry your lips out.  The colour has cool blue undertones to it which help to make your teeth look whiter too - another perk!

I find myself reaching for this when my makeup is missing something and I need a bit of zhuzh.  It not only brightens up my lips but my whole face too.  I really like the name.  Girl About Town is playful and reminds me of going out on the town with my girlfriends for a cocktail or two...or three!  I smile just thinking about this shade :) And for that reason my friends, I deem it a very worthy member of my MAC collection.

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PS.  I would just like to add that is my 100th blog post!  I can't believe I've wrote 100 posts!  Thank you to everyone who reads and follows Something Kinda Cloughton.  You have no idea how much I enjoy writing it and your support means so much to me   ♥ 

NARS Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Paris Follies

 NARS Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Paris Follies (£19)

Although I’m more of a lipstick girl I am partial to a nice slick of lipgloss now and again.  Sometimes you just need a bit of shine don’t you?  My favourite at the minute has to be the NARS Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Paris Follies.  It simply sounds delicious don’t you think?

This colour actually applies a little more transparent than the red-toned fuchsia shade we see in the tube.  I was initially a bit disappointed when I first applied it but the shade quickly grew on me.  On the lips the colour is a lot more natural, giving that just bitten flush with a super glossy finish.  I like how the formula isn’t too thick or sticky as that’s what puts me off wearing lipgloss normally.  I can’t bear lip-lash (wind meets hair meets lips - we’ve all been there!)  The short bristle brush makes application really easy and I prefer it to the regular doe-foot sponges which usually come in glosses.  I think it feels a lot cleaner.

I’ve been wearing this gloss a lot on the days where I don’t want naked lips but a lipstick feels like too much effort.  It’s long-wearing which makes it great for work because I quite frankly don’t have time to touch up my make up when doing a 9 till 5.  Seriously, what’s not to love?  This also comes in 18 different shades so I think it’s about time I added another to my collection.

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Dr Bronner’s Magic Peppermint Organic Balm

 Dr Bronner’s Magic Peppermint Organic Balm (£3.99)

One of the indicators that Winter is well and truly on it’s way: chapped lips.  First it’s the tingling, then the burning sensation and before you know it your pout is in full on flake mode.  Not a pretty sight and something your rich but unforgiving lipsticks love to accentuate.

I’ve been counteracting this seasonal change with Dr Bronner’s Magic Peppermint Organic Balm.  As a big fan of Dr Bronner’s products, especially his 18-in-1 castile soaps which I reviewed here, I just had to pick this up when I saw it.  It’s moisturising yet really light, a similar texture to Vaseline but a lot thinner.  The peppermint flavour is really refreshing and medicinal so you can feel it working.  As the tin says, you can also use this all over your body.  I rub it into my dry elbows and around my cuticles and apparently it can even be used on tattoos to brighten them a little.  I don’t have any tattoos so can’t put this one to the test for you but I’d be interested to know if it worked.

Personally, I love this style of packaging but I know there’s a of people who finds pots of product unhygienic with the whole dipping your finger in and out malarky.  If you feel that way too then don’t fret as the balm also comes in a stick version too.  Everyone’s a winner!  

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MAC Neon Orange Lipstick

 MAC Neon Orange Lipstick (£14)

MAC’s All About Orange collection is now available in stores and wow, there’s so much love for it!  I thought the colour orange would be something that most people would shy away from but it seems a lot of people are feeling rather brave and embracing it.  And why not?  It’s such a gorgeous collection.  How are we supposed to resist?  I’ve already reviewed the Sweet & Sour lipstick, a peachy, cutesy orange which I’m obsessed with, but here’s a little something on the opposite end of the orange spectrum for you.  

Neon Orange is a super bright shade which really packs a punch.  Probably not for the faint hearted, this colour screams ‘look at me‘ whilst staying classy and remaining very wearable.  If I’m being honest I don’t think neon is the right word to describe this colour.  Looking at other MAC lipsticks, I would say the likes of ‘Show Orchid’ or ‘Candy Yum Yum‘ were truer neon shades.  I think this is a very, very bright orange but I know that doesn’t sound half as good for a lipstick name so I can see why MAC went with what they did.  The amplified formula means that the colour applies opaque to the lips in one or two slicks and is very rich.  Despite being so pigmented I find it still leaves a trace of gloss which feels really moisturising.  There’s nothing worse than when you love the colour of a lipstick but it really dries your lips out.  

I know there’s a lot of comparisons currently being made between this and MAC’s cult shade Morange but I haven’t tried the latter so I can’t comment yet.  Morange is on my lust list so I shall give you my two cents on the matter once I’ve tried it out.  I’m in no rush though because Neon Orange is fulfilling all of my ‘loud orange lipstick’ needs right now.  I wore it one night last week to help change my outfit from day to night and it instantly picked me up.  My face looked brighter and even my teeth looked a little whiter.  The things a little bit of lipstick can do eh?  Amazing!  Another fabulous offering from the All About Orange collection!  

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MAC Sweet & Sour Lipstick

 MAC Sweet & Sour lipstick (£14)

A newly released MAC collection will have any make-up lover’s heart racing but a collection which includes seven, yes seven, brand new shades of lipstick will just about give us a cardiac arrest.  The much anticipated All About Orange range has finally launched and I’ve bagged myself a few beauties.  Inspired by the colour which is sweeping Korea, Asia and soon to be the rest of the world, this collection includes a gorgeous mix of powder blushes, nail polishes, lipsticks, glosses, an eye-shadow quad and as the name suggests, is all about the colour orange!

Being the lipstick lover that I am I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the new shades so picked up several of them.  I also grabbed a blush too but I’m going to review everything in individual posts so it doesn’t get too long.  First to catch my eye was Sweet & Sour, a creme sheen formula lipstick with a simply divine unique colour.  As you can see this isn’t a bright, ‘in your face’ orange so is definitely one to try if you’re a bit colour shy.  The shade is described as a ‘soft peach cream’ which fits the bill perfectly.  It does have orange undertones but it definitely airs more on the side of peachy/light coral.

As the formula is a cremesheen, the lipstick isn’t too pigmented.  Therefore, you can give lips a quick slick for a more sheer effect or build up the color with lots of layers for something a little more bold.  I went for it and applied a generous amount.  It lasts around two to three hours as it’s quite a glossy finish so top ups will be required throughout the day.  My lips looked fresh and my whole face was brightened by the colour - as was my mood!  Orange just reminds me of my bright sunny summer days (nothing like the weather today!)

I am in love with this lippy as I don’t have anything else like it in my lipstick collection.  I’m more of a pinks, purples and reds kind of girl so having some orange on my lips is a nice change.  I can’t wait to try out the rest of the collection so watch out for the rest of my reviews which will be coming soon.  Unfortunately, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Sweet & Sour is already sold out on MAC’s website.  That’s just made you want it that little bit more hasn’t it?  Don’t fret - you may be able to pick it up in the shops but I would be quick as this is a limited edition collection and they don’t half sell out fast.  Eek!  Maybe I should go and buy some more?

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MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick

 Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick (£14.00)

The launch of the new MAC Viva Glam Nicki 2 lipstick has had me burrowing into the depths of my lip product drawer to find an old favourite of mine, Ms Minaj's first Viva Glam offering. Released in February last year, this shade is a must have for bright lip lovers and Nicki fans alike.  And the best part?  The full price of all Viva Glam lipsticks goes to the MAC Aids Fund which helps people suffering with aids worldwide.  Finally, a lippy you can purchase and feel guilt free!

I really love the colour of this lipstick.  It’s a bright, fresh, pink with yellow undertones that make it look a little more peachy than Barbie pink and it works well with most skin tones.  The formula is satin which means it’s long wearing and is supposed to be moisturising however, it’s not the case for me.  I wore this last week when I was out all day attending the One Direction concert (my lips had to look kissable for Harry!) and although I didn’t need to top up the colour much, when I did reapply it towards the end of the night I noticed my lips had really dried out.  That’s nothing a little vaseline in between top ups won’t solve but it is a little disappointing.  Still, it wouldn’t put me off wearing this shade because it’s too lovely not to wear!

I’m really debating buying the Nicki 2 lipstick which is in shops now but I’m a little scared of the lilac colour and I really don’t know if if it will suit me.  I have nothing like it in my collection so it would be very unique but I don’t know how wearable it is.  I think I need to go into MAC and have a little play (any excuse!).  What about you?  Do you love the Nicki Viva Glam lipstick?  Are you going to purchase the new one?  Let me know!

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Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada lipbalms

Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada lipbalms (€19 - bought in airport)
(L-R Cherry, Raspberry, Papaya, Passion Fruit, Tutti Frutti)

I bought these Ágatha Ruiz de la Prada lipbalms at the airport in Portugal back in April and have been meaning to blog about them ever since.  Designer lipbalms, who'd have thought it? I first came across them back in 2007 when I went on my first ever girls holiday to Magaluf (whoop whoop).  I went for the Raspberry flavour and it was divine.  It lasted me for years and I've literally just ran out.  When I saw the full set this year I just knew I had to have them.

The five flavours in this set are Cherry, Raspberry, Papaya, Passion Fruit and Tutti Frutti.  I love the packaging: it's very bright exotic and just reminds me of holidays.  I've been told they all smell gorgeous too but can't vouch for this myself thanks to my broken nose.  I know they taste delicious though and they leave my lips super soft.  My only gripe with these lipbalms is that the lids are sometimes a little hard to get off.  I spent so long trying to get the Papaya lid off and then just give up because it wasn't budging.  I popped it in the fridge for a while and it seemed to do the trick but it's not ideal.

The colour of the Passion Fruit balm is a bit questionable but it doesn't show up blue on the lips.  It's more of a clear, 'vaseline-style' balm, in fact most of the shades are.  I know the Summer holiday season is over and done with now but if you're jetting off for some Winter sun and see these on your travels, I definitely recommend you buy!