Payday Treats | New Lisa Eldridge Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss in Sorcery & Decade | Review & Swatches

Need a payday treat? The new shades of Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss from Lisa Eldridge have me swooning and falling back in love with juicy, shiny lips after what seems like a lifetime of matte lipsticks!

I don't think there's a beauty blogger on the planet who doesn't love Lisa Eldridge so it was a bit of a no-brainer to see how hugely successful her own cosmetics brand has become since its launch four years ago. The legendary makeup artist and creative director extraordinaire, Lisa Eldridge is someone who I have fangirled over for a long time and I just love her makeup tutorials on YouTube. 

I've dipped my toe in the range before and tried a few things such as the iconic True Velvet Lipsticks and the sell-out Cinnabar Eyeshadow Palette, but oddly enough, it's been the launch of a couple of new shades of her Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss that have got me flustered lately.

As soon as I saw them on Lisa's Instagram, I added two to my shopping basket immediately because the shades looked so beautiful, and boy, are they even more gorgeous in real life! These substantially chunky lip glosses come packaged with their trademark gold caps and embellished with Lisa Eldridge's brand signature. 

The whole makeup line is 100% cruelty-free, fragrance-free, paraben-free, alcohol-free, silicone-free, and suitable for sensitive skin. Whilst it's not a green/clean beauty range, there are some key natural ingredients included in the formulas, and the vast majority of products are suitable for vegans (just check the ingredients online first if this applies to you).

What attracts me the most to Lisa Eldridge's cosmetics is the performance and quality of the products which are truly top tier as you would expect from a world-renowned makeup artist. It's clear that a lot of time has gone into the development of everything that Lisa launches and you know she wouldn't produce anything that she wouldn't use herself or on her celebrity clientele of famous faces.

With this in mind, let's get back to the glosses. I picked up two of the new shades of Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss in Sorcery and Decade. This range is a gloss and lip care hybrid thanks to the inclusion of Wild Mango Kernel Butter, Acai Berry Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, and Vitamin C.

Gliding on super smoothly, these non-sticky lip glosses feel like silk on the lips and each shade offers a different level of pigment. 

Sorcery, pictured above, is a cool-toned earthy rose with a touch of mauve. This is the one to opt for if you love that 90s Indie girl vibe (think Drew Barrymore) and it has a light natural level of pigment so you get a lovely wash of colour along with lots of beautiful shine. I find this shade leans a little pinky on me and gives me that 'my lips but better' finish which I absolutely love for everyday wear.

Decade is another cool-toned gloss that has an insanely rich chocolatey syrup thing going on that's a stunning mix of brown and berry tones. As you can see, this shade offers a medium level of pigment and can be built up with a few layers if you want to have a more statement lip.

I'm so impressed by the quality and performance yet again of these lip glosses; they are by far the best I've ever tried and are such a pleasure to wear as they're so moisturising and non-sticky with no sickly sweet or perfumed fragrance. In my view, they are worth every penny!

Lisa Eldridge Gloss Embrace Lip Gloss in Decade & Sorcery (4.5ml, £18 each) are available from lisaeldridge.com

Have you tried anything from Lisa Eldridge yet?

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3 Products To Try From Madara - Fake It Natural Self Tan Milk, Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter & Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss - Review & Swatches

 

Madara is one of those amazing green beauty brands which has a massive range of products, from organic skincare to makeup and everything in between! I wanted to focus on three of their hidden gems which I don't see many bloggers talking about; the Fake It Natural Self Tan Milk, Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter and Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss.

Madara Fake It Self Tan Milk* (150ml, £27, link)

After an unseasonably warm weekend with lots of sunshine, Spring most definitely feels like it is on its way, so I've been switching up some of my regular body lotions with gradual self-tanning formulas. These products are a super-easy way to add some much-needed colour and glow to my skin after such a long winter, and they're brilliant for people who find traditional self-tanning products a bit daunting, or perhaps only want a hint of sunkissed colour because it's virtually impossible to go wrong with them.

Madara's Fake It Self Tan Milk gives a beautiful non-streaky, healthy-looking glow to the skin and is recommended for light to medium skin tones which is perfect for me. It looks and feels like a normal body lotion and has a lovely hydrating formula thanks to added Hyaluronic Acid and Jojoba Oil that makes this ideal to use if you have dry skin. 

As with all gradual self-tanners, you'll see the best results by applying a generous amount with a tanning mitt to freshly exfoliated skin so I always do this after a shower. Massage in well, enjoy the fresh scent and by the morning, you'll see a subtle, natural-looking tan with no orangey undertones.

Madara Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter in Naked Chromosphere* (13.5ml, £25, link)

If you've only used skincare from Madara, you're really missing out because their range of organic makeup most definitely deserves a spot on your vanity table. Perhaps one of the most underrated of all of their products is the incredible Cosmic Drops Buildable Highlighter which is available in three different shades. 

This gorgeous liquid highlighter is vegan-friendly and certified natural and organic by ECOCERT. Not only is the packaging very sleek with a long dropper applicator, but the formula of this highlighter is like pure liquid gold as it's crafted from a blend of ultra-fine minerals and a silky Hyaluronic Acid and Aloe based serum.

Best of all, it's so easy to work with as you can customise it to exactly what you want thanks to its buildable nature. For a subtle glow, add a drop directly to your moisturiser or foundation, or for a more 'hey, look at me!' megawatt finish, use a beauty sponge or your fingers to dab it directly onto the tops of the cheekbones for a stronger highlight. The golden shade you can see above is called Naked Chromosphere and I will be literally covering myself in it come Summer!

Madara Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss in Scandal 76* (4ml, £19, link)

I couldn't resist trying out one of Madara's Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Glosses, and again, I feel this is such a hidden little gem in their organic makeup range. More natural based lip glosses can struggle against their mainstream counterparts, but Madara has managed to tick all the boxes with theirs and this product is very similar to lip glosses that I own from Ilia. 

Like the liquid highlighter above, this Glossy Venom Hydrating Lip Gloss does what it says on the label. It delivers a high-shine, ultra-glossy finish which doesn't feel sticky/tacky and it's wonderfully hydrating, so another good choice for those who have dry lips. It's worth remembering that this is obviously a lip gloss and not a liquid lipstick so you'll only get a wash of pigment here (as shown above), but when layered over a lipstick, it really does add a desirable vinyl-like slick of extra colour so it's very versatile. 

Available in a wide range of vegan-friendly shades, I love the vampy blackened purple hue of Scandal 76 for those times when you want to dare to be different and come out of your comfort zone.

Do you have any favourites from Madara?

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New In Beauty: Tropic Beauty Boost Sheer Foundation, Mineral Foundation, Kiss Me Quick Lipsticks & Lip Glazes - Review & Swatches

Tropic are killing it with the new beauty releases this year, and their latest makeup products for base and lips have been in daily rotation on my vanity since they arrived! Let's take a closer look at what's new.

Hot on the heels of their customisable Colour Palette (read my review of that here), Tropic has brought out a whole new range of base and lip products for you to fall in love with. From lighter foundation options for the Summer to delectable nourishing lipsticks and lip glazes, there's something for every makeup junkie to get excited about! And as always, everything from Tropic is certified cruelty-free and vegan-friendly.

Here's what I've been loving lately:-

Tropic Beauty Booster Sheer Foundation* (30ml, £22, link)

If you hate the feeling of thick liquid foundations on your skin, this Beauty Booster Sheer Foundation is a brilliant alternative that you'll instantly love the moment that you try it. Not to be confused with a tinted moisturiser, Beauty Booster offers a light-medium level of coverage in a weightless-feeling liquid base. The pigment here is combined with a serum formula that contains SPF35 and it gives the skin a gorgeous dewy finish that looks particularly fresh, brightening and youthful so it's great for perking up dull or tired complexions.

I've been applying it with a damp beauty blender sponge and I love how easy it is to achieve a really natural, healthy-looking finish - very much like 'my skin, but better'! Available in six shades, I have Warm Beige which is perfectly suited to my light olive skin tone.

From L-R: Tropic Beauty Booster Sheer Foundation in Warm Beige and Tropic Mineral Foundation in Warm Beige

Tropic Mineral Foundation* (6g, £24, link)

For those who prefer mineral powder foundations, Tropic's bestselling Mineral Foundation has been re-packaged for their new collection. Like the Beauty Booster above, it comes in six shades and Warm Beige was another perfect match for me, without any hint of orange. Instead, it gives me a lovely natural finish on the skin which I'd say is the equivalent of light-medium coverage - a quick sweep over the face will blur any small imperfections, whilst another buildable layer delivers a more even coverage. SPF25 is included in the silky-soft formula and I really like how well this wears throughout the day, without any dry patches forming around my nose or mouth like some other mineral foundations have a habit of doing. Another bonus is that refills are available to cut down on plastic waste.

A word on the packaging though - whilst I like the compact pot with its inbuilt mesh to stop the powder going everywhere, it is a little tricky to get it out onto your brush. You have to push down in the centre to bring the powder up and be quite firm with pressing it into your brush, so a small kabuki is your best tool to apply it.

Tropic Eco Artist Kabuki Brush* (£22, link)

Need a new kabuki brush in your life? I have been seriously impressed with all of Tropic's Eco Artist Brushes so far that I've tried out, and their Kabuki Brush is no exception. This brush is short and compact so that it fits in perfectly with the Mineral Foundation pot above and the smaller size makes it ideal for travelling with as it doesn't take up much room in my makeup bag. A fluffy and dense head of vegan-friendly synthetic fibres allows you to bluff and blend foundation into the skin effortlessly, whilst the sturdy wood base fits nicely into your hand.

Tropic Kiss Me Quick Lipsticks in Go Go Goji, Plum Pout and Fresh Fig* (5g, £20 each, link)

There is something rather alluring and addictive about opening up a fresh new lipstick and these Kiss Me Quick Lipsticks have had me well and truly smitten since they arrived. The white and gold packaging is not only stylish, but they have been specially made to accommodate Tropic's new refillable lipstick cartridges which makes it easy to switch up different colours and to replace your favourite shade when it runs out.

Formulated with a seriously hydrating blend of plant based ingredients such as Candelilla Wax, Olive Squalene, Babassu Oil, Shea Butter, Mango Seed Oil and Jojoba Oil to name but a few, these lipsticks are ultra-nourishing and plumping with a glossy finish. Due to this, they aren't as long-lasting as I'd hoped for, but with a lipstick this beautiful, I don't mind whipping it out of my bag to show it off as I reapply!

There are currently eight shades available and I have the following three to tempt you with:-

Tropic Kiss Me Quick Lipstick in Go Go Goji

An easy way to wear a subtly brighter shade in the Summer months and perfect for holidays, Go Go Goji is a lush pop of coral pink that's incredibly flattering on a range of different skin tones.

Tropic Kiss Me Quick Lipstick in Plum Pout

Aptly named, Plum Pout is a juicy plum-pink that looks equally amazing on pale, tanned and darker skin tones. I love wearing this one for dinner evenings and nights out.

Tropic Kiss Me Quick Lipstick in Fresh Fig

Oh, Fresh Fig! My new favourite everyday lippie, this is the perfect 'my lips but better shade' as it's just a touch darker than my natural lip colour. I think this is going to live permanently in my handbag from now on!

Tropic Lip Glazes in Sugar Plum and Candy Pop* (5ml, £14 each, link)

For an even glossier pout, Tropic's Lip Glazes will be calling your name this Summer and they smell good enough to eat with a sweet and fruity scent. Available in three shades, these Lip Glazes are super moisturising with a beautiful shine finish and have much more pigment to them than I was expecting. There's no stickiness and they glide on easily. Use them on their own or apply over lipstick for some megawatt shine!

Tropic Lip Glaze in Candy Pop

Candy Pop is like a classic bubblegum pink and candy floss pink, all swirled together! As you can see, this is a really juicy and glossy wash of pink.

Tropic Lip Glaze in Sugar Plum

Although it looks darker in the tube, Sugar Plum translates to a much sheerer colour when applied to the lips and has a subtle shimmer that I love. A great shade to wear all year round.

Shop the full range of Tropic makeup at tropicskincare.com

What do you think of the new collection? Anything that's caught your eye?

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New In Beauty: Alex Steinherr X Primark Skincare review

Launched last month, Alex Steinherr's collaboration with Primark has caused a big buzz in both skincare guru circles and amongst budget-conscious beauty shoppers. But is it any good and which products are worth trying?

Alex Steinherr is a well-known beauty journalist, and many of you will know her from her former job as Glamour's Beauty Editor. She has amassed over 184k followers on Instagram alone, and I had the pleasure of meeting her at a blogger event a few years ago (she was so nice!). This woman loves her skincare and even back then, lots of people were talking about whether she was going to bring out any of her own products in the future.

Well, after two years of research and development, Alex has created a skincare range with Primark which I must admit surprised me, as she's better known for creating sponsored ads for luxury brands such as La Mer and Elizabeth Arden. Although it seems like a strange fit at first, Alex wanted to create a high street skincare range which was affordable and accessible to everyone. In addition, all of the products are fragrance-free, cruelty-free and don't contain any animal derived ingredients, so they're suitable for vegans to use as well - nice one Alex!

The 20 piece skincare collection features some of Alex's favourite active ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Squalene and Niacinamide, and instead of focusing on traditional skin types, the collab is split into five different ranges based on your skin's 'needs' instead, such as Maximum Moisture, Pore Balance, and Plump & Glow etc. This allows you to mix and match everything to create your own skincare routine and with prices starting from £3, with nothing over a fiver, I was keen to see what they were like. I managed to get my hands on five products to try out, so here are my thoughts.

 Alex Steinherr Primark Sleep Spa Sleeping Face Mask* (50ml, £5)

With the weather turning colder, I've been reaching for a lot more moisturising products to use in the evenings, and the Sleep Spa Sleeping Face Mask caught my eager eye. Although it's described as a face mask, think of it more as a hydrating cream/treatment that you leave on overnight. It contains Hyaluronic Acid, Willowherb and Chamomile extract to moisturise and revive tired and stressed skin, but there's also Dimethicone which is higher up in the ingredients list, and I strongly suspect it's this that gives the mask its silky feel on the skin. I also sadly suspect that it may be the cause of a lot of clogged pores that I started to get after using this mask just twice a week, as I generally avoid silicones in my skincare, so if you're the same, you may want to give this one a miss. 

 Alex Steinherr Primark Pore Balance Super Detox Clay Mousse Face Mask* (100ml, £5)

The Pore Balance range is an interesting one that my fellow oily/combo skin ladies will enjoy, and I'm happy to say that I got on with the Super Detox Clay Mousse Face Mask a lot more than the Sleep Mask above. Enriched with Kaolin Clay, Charcoal, Niacinamide and Raspberry Leaf, it promises to purify and balance the skin, whilst also unclogging pores and helping to prevent future breakouts. The pump dispenses a greyish-green coloured mousse that feels much lighter than traditional clay-based masks and was easier to spread onto the skin (2-3 pumps was enough for my whole face). It was fully set within around 20 minutes and wasn't a hassle to remove. My skin felt very clean afterwards with no redness or irritation, though I did notice that it wasn't as powerful at drawing out impurities as some other masks that I use, it still did a great job for this price point.

Alex Steinherr Primark Pollution Solution Daily Skin Starter* (34ml, £5)

Daily Skin Starter from the Pollution Solution range is a primer that contains AHA (Lactic Acid), Peach Flower and Lychee extracts, and these work together to create a brightening, smooth and supple canvas for makeup to adhere to. It also has something called 'an anti-pollution active', but it doesn't go any further to mention what this actually is on the packaging? Anyhow, as a makeup primer it works very well and kept my makeup looking fresher for longer, so if you're in the market for a budget-friendly primer, Daily Skin Starter is definitely one to check out - it's a real bargain at just £5.

Alex Steinherr Primark Plump & Glow Plumping Lip Gloss* (4.3g, £5)

For an enviable pout just like Alex's, the Plump & Glow Plumping Lip Gloss is a quick and easy way to subtly achieve bigger lips. Formulated with key ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Cactus Flower and Dragon Fruit extracts, this gloss glides on smoothly and has a gorgeous tinted sheen to it which makes the lips look younger, fuller and juicier! It does have a tingling sensation when you first apply like like most lip glosses of this nature, but I didn't find it irritating or bothersome, and I loved the overall effect.

Alex Steinherr Maximum Moisture Supreme Sheet Mask* (1 mask, £3)

Last but not least, I was very keen to try the Maximum Moisture Supreme Sheet Mask because it's been hyped as the 'jewel' of the whole collection, and is apparently Alex's personal favourite product. The mask features 'a potent blend of humectants that help to increase hydration levels in the skin', which sounds great, but the ingredients are a bit disappointing with silicones cropping up again. There are some good ones though such as Glycerin, Amino Acids, Red Algae and Lotus Flower extracts, and I liked how the mask was completely soaked in essence as some cheaper brands can be on the dry side. My main bugbear though? It just didn't really do anything for me. My skin felt very soft immediately after I removed it and massaged in the rest of the essence, but 30 minutes or so later, it reverted back to its original state and it felt like I hadn't used anything at all. Strange!

Overall thoughts?

From the products I've tried above, I've found some hits and misses, as is often expected from such a large budget-friendly skincare collection. I love the fact that it's cruelty-free, fragrance-free and suitable for vegans, but I was hoping that some of the formulas would have slightly better ingredients for general skin health. However, if you fancy trying out some of the products, everything is cheap as chips so if something doesn't work for you, it's not the end of the world (or your bank balance!). 

Find Alex Steinherr's collection exclusively in selected Primark stores.

Will you be buying Alex's collection?

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Introducing: Phase Zero Liquid Lipsticks, Lip Glosses & Lip Toppers - Review & Swatches (plus DISCOUNT CODE!)

If you haven't heard of Phase Zero before, it might be because it's not available to purchase anywhere, except on Love Me Beauty. That's right, a beauty subscription box has recently dropped one of the most exciting makeup launches of the year so far, and everything is cruelty-free and super affordable!

In the often over-saturated world of beauty subscription boxes, Love Me Beauty was one that managed to stand out, as they were the first in the market to let their subscribers choose the products that they wanted to receive. I subscribed to them almost five years ago and really enjoyed the variety of brands that they offered, so I was thrilled when I was added to their press list (you can read my previous reviews of Love Me Beauty here).

Last month, I received a very exciting email from them detailing a new makeup launch called Phase Zero, and a brand new approach to their subscription business. They have now gravitated towards a business model that's akin to Beauty Pie, where for a small subscription fee of £5 per month, cosmetics fans will be able to purchase Phase Zero makeup at affordable factory prices with 77% off the full RRP.  

Currently, Phase Zero have released a range of lip products which include Liquid Lipsticks, Lip Glosses and Lip Toppers (all £3.50 each at the factory price), in a variety of classic and on-trend shades and finishes. I have to admit that I had no idea what the makeup was going to be like, but I was pleased to see that they had made everything cruelty-free, so I was curious to try it out!

The packaging is simplistic in chunky clear plastic topped with sleek white lids, but the typography gives it a cool and contemporary feel. I received an assorted package of their lip products, and having tested them out for a few weeks, they've managed to exceed all of my expectations. Everything has a sweet vanilla cupcake type of scent and there are some definite winners in this new range. 

Let's check out some swatches!

 Phase Zero Lip Topper in Prosecco Kiss

The Lip Toppers have been designed to be worn on their own or over any lipstick of your choice to give your lip look that 'X-factor'. Prosecco Kiss is definitely one that can be worn on its own, as you can see above, it's much more pigmented than I thought it would be! This is an incredible metallic rose-gold with the most beautiful foil type of finish. It feels comfortable on the lips, isn't sticky or drying, and is surprisingly long-lasting. I don't have ANYTHING like this in my makeup collection!

 Phase Zero Lip Topper in Holograph Girl

Holograph Girl is another unique Lip Topper, but this one is definitely on the sheer side as it features holographic glitter in a clear lip gloss base, which you can see in the swatch above. It looks particularly pretty over brighter shades like hot pinks and would be perfect to wear at Summer festivals and parties. 

Phase Zero Lip Gloss in Baby Pink

Moving onto the non-sticky Lip Glosses, Baby Pink is a classic light milky baby pink that makes the lips look fuller and poutier in just two swipes. A really easy to wear, every day, no-fuss, goes with everything, pink gloss that you can apply without a mirror. 

Phase Zero Lip Gloss in Goth Gloss

You'll certainly need a mirror for Goth Gloss though, as this darker burgundy/aubergine shade is a bit tricky to apply without one! I found it a little patchy when worn on its own, but this looks absolutely killer when swiped over a dark berry lipstick and has a tiny hint of shimmer.

Phase Zero Lip Gloss in Postbox Red

Postbox Red is one that surprised me as it pulls considerably brighter on my lips than I was expecting, and offers an almost full-coverage red with a huge amount of mega-watt glossy shine. If you're looking for a juicy bright red lip gloss, this is the one you're after! 

Phase Zero Liquid Lipstick in Pink Suede

Now for the Liquid Lipsticks and these are really, really good. These all dry down quickly and apply so smoothly, with a gorgeous velvet-matte finish. Plus, they're long-lasting and don't feel drying on the lips at all - winner! Pink Suede is one of those covetable, modern classic pale nudes that has just the right amount of pink in it.

Phase Zero Liquid Lipstick in Chai Latte

At first, I wasn't sure if Chai Latte suited me, but when I paired it with a smokey eye, it started to grow on me. It's very Kim K and needs a good contour and glowy base to make the most out of this straight-up pale nude.

 Phase Zero Liquid Lipstick in Gingerbread

Yes, yes and yes! Gingerbread is my kinda shade that I would happily wear every day, regardless of whether I'm going out or staying in. It's just beautiful! The most perfect blend of 'my lips but better', with a slightly darker, reddy-brown undertone thrown into the mix.

Phase Zero Liquid Lipstick in Classic Red

Classic Red is just that and it's one of those reds that I imagine would look amazing on all skin tones. The comfortable formula of Phase Zero's Liquid Lipsticks is really appreciated here and it applies so nicely.

Overall thoughts?

If you love makeup and buy it on a regular basis, the new Love Me Beauty will be right up your street, and the quality of Phase Zero has really impressed me so far with these gorgeous lip products. I also like the fact that if you don't want to subscribe, you can still purchase Phase Zero at the higher RRP if you'd prefer, although even with the minimum 3 month contract, it would probably still work out cheaper to sub for this length of time, buy the products at the factory prices and then cancel. Either way, it's fantastic to find a brand new range of cruelty-free makeup at affordable prices and I'm very excited to see what they launch next!

Exclusive reader discount code: use EVELYN5 to get £5 off your first purchase!

Phase Zero* is available exclusively online at lovemebeauty.com

What do you think of Phase Zero? Will you be subscribing?

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Beauty Box: Love Me Beauty - August 2017 review + 20% Discount Code

Moving on from the changes that Love Me Beauty introduced last month (check out my previous review here for all the info on those), I was really pleased to see them add a whole bunch of new products to their online shop for this month's picks.

If you're new to Love Me Beauty, they're a beauty subscription service which lets you choose the products that you want to receive every month, so if you've been disappointed by the 'surprise' element of other boxes in the past, this one should be much more your thing! 

In exchange for the monthly fee, you'll receive 60 credits to spend on whatever products you want from Love Me Beauty's online shop and there are lots to choose from. If you spot extra products that you want, you have the option of purchasing additional add-on credits so you can really go to town treat yourself! In addition to the products that you pick, you'll also receive a free makeup bag with your order every month instead of a traditional box, which is a nice little extra.

Here's what I got in August's Love Me Beauty bag to give you an idea of the products that are currently available. These are all focused on luxury makeup and fragrance minis, but there are also makeup brushes, skincare, bodycare and nail polishes to choose from as well.

 Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Dolly (1.5ml deluxe mini - 15 credits)

Buxom are one of those make-up brands that I've been wanting to try out for a while now, but for some reason, I just never got around to picking up any of their products. Needless to say, I was very happy when I saw that Love Me Beauty had added some of their items to the online shop and I just had to try some! This Full-On Lip Polish in the shade Dolly is one of the brand's bestsellers and features their unique plumping formula to give you a big sexy pout. It subtly tingles and feels cooling when you apply it, and guess what - it works! Dolly is a sheer, shimmery lip gloss in a light mauve shade - very pretty and it doesn't feel overly sticky - I love it!

Buxom Full-On Lip Polish in Dolly

 Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Cathedral (1.2g deluxe mini - 20 credits)

Is there anything cuter than a miniature lipstick?! I absolutely adore these Studded Kiss Lipsticks from Kat Von D and I'm thrilled to add a new shade to my growing collection. The formula is truly amazing; they're richly pigmented, go on so smoothly, feel moisturising and they stay put for hours. This shade Cathedral is definitely a new favourite of mine - a stunning medium pink with a subtle touch of a brown undertone to it.

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Cathedral

 Kat Von D Lock It Translucent Setting Powder (1.4g - 20 credits)

I've heard a lot of great things about this Kat Von D Lock It Translucent Setting Powder and it has a lovely silky feel to it. It features a clever kind of 'micro-blurring' technology which helps to give a flawlessly diffused finish to the skin so that you're 'selfie-ready' at all times. I've used it twice so far and I'm seriously impressed it. This powder works amazingly well for setting concealer underneath the eyes, and it helps makeup stay looking fresh for longer when applied all over the face.

 Buxom Lash Mascara in Black (6ml deluxe travel size - 15 credits)

If you're in the market for a new mascara, why not try out this one from Buxom? For just 15 credits, you get a deluxe travel size of their bestselling Lash Masacara which adds intense volume, whilst separating and defining the lashes for a super glam, wide awake, fluttery finish. The curved rubber bristle brush really manages to grab every single lash without clumping - brilliant stuff!

Kat Von D Eau de Parfum in Saint (4.5ml travel size - 10 credits)

Perfume fans can pick up travel-sizes of Kat Von D's hugely popular Saint and Sinner Eau de Parfums for just 10 credits each. I have Saint which is a sweet, floral blend of Jasmine, Vanilla, Musk, Mandarin, Caramel and Plum. It's a lovely Summer fragrance and perfect for everyday wear.

Love Me Beauty* is £10 plus £3.95 P&P per month - lovemebeauty.com

Special reader offer: Use my discount code beautywolfgirl20 to get 20% off your first box!

Do you subscribe to Love Me Beauty? 

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Green Beauty: Trying Out Tropic Makeup - Review & Swatches

Tropic do some amazing cruelty-free, vegan skincare and pampering products, but what's their makeup range like? I've been testing out a couple of pieces from them over the past month, and [spoiler alert] it's pretty damn good! These are my favourites from what I've tried so far.

 Tropic Sculpting Palette in Vintage Rose* (£24, link)

I can't get enough of these 3-in-1 palettes which seem to be everywhere at the moment. In the green beauty world, it can sometimes be difficult to find some key on-trend products, but Tropic have got this one nailed! The slim, matte black compact fits nicely in my hand and when you open it up, you'll find a large mirror and three pans of powder products; a bronzer, a blusher and a highlighter - all of which are enriched with Vitamin C, Carrot and Pomegranate Seed Oils.

This sculpting palette is available in three different colourways, and I decided to try out the one called Vintage Rose which I've really been enjoying using lately. All of the powders are finely milled, silky soft, nicely pigmented, easy to blend and work with, and I love all three of them! The bronzer is a warm and flattering walnut brown which is great for contouring with; the blusher is a gorgeous peachy, dusky pink that brightens up the whole of my face instantly, and the gold-toned highlighter adds that finishing touch to make the tops of the cheeks 'pop', but in a subtle, glowy way. A great product to have in your makeup bag, and one that comes in handy for travelling with.

Tropic Sculpting Palette in Vintage Rose swatches

 Tropic Colour Click Lipstick in Peach Perfect* (£14, link)

Whenever I try a new makeup brand, I always have to see what their lipsticks are like. Tropic's Colour Click Lipsticks come in that addictive and satisfying 'clickety click' packaging (seriously, I can't stop playing with it), which ensures that the lid isn't going to fall off in your handbag. There are currently seven shades available and I couldn't resist playing it safe and opting for a peachy pink.

This shade is called Peach Perfect, but it definitely leans more pink than peach on my lips as you can see below. It's one of those pretty, everyday shades that you can reach for when you're in a rush in the morning and don't have the time to scour through your lippie collection. It's lovely and moisturising thanks to ingredients such as Camelia, Jojoba, Avocado and Argan Oils in the formula, and it applies smoothly. It doesn't last that long on me because it's so creamy, but it's an excellent choice for anyone who has dry lips and needs a more nourishing lipstick.

Tropic Colour Click Lipstick in Peach Perfect swatch

Tropic Lip Glaze in Pink Champagne* (£14, link)

As we're well and truly into Spring now, I've been reaching for a few more lip glosses and I was excited to try one from Tropic because their Lip Glazes won a Green Parent Natural Beauty Award in the Best Buy category last year. Whilst there are only three shades currently available in the main collection, you can also pick up Limited Edition sets with other colours in them, but to try them out, I went for Pink Champagne from the permanent line.

Pink Champagne is a sheer nude gloss with some subtle shimmer that gives you a super shiny finish. Texture wise, it applies smoothly and has a slight tackiness to it, which keeps it on the lips longer than most other natural lipglosses that I've tried, but it's certainly not obnoxiously sticky or anything like that. It tastes a little fruity and contains Vitamin E, Wild Mango Butter and Strawberry extracts to keep lips feeling more moisturised. I love dabbing a bit of this in the middle of my lower lip to make my lips look fuller or applying it all over for an easy, fuss-free look.

 Tropic Silk Lip Liner in Stripped & Silk Gel Eyeliner in Film Noir (£14 each, link)

I wanted to try some liners and I'm so glad that I did because these are both amazing! The Silk Lip Liner in Stripped is one of those perfect shades that goes with a lot of lipsticks that I wear on a regular basis, and the highly pigmented formula is seriously long-wearing too. I've used it as a normal lip liner and also all over my lips (see the swatch below), and both ways work really well. As the latter, it gives a completely matte, full-coverage finish that stays put for most of the day and only requires a tiny touch up after eating and drinking, although it does feel quite drying. I'd love to see these lip liners available in more shades please Tropic as it's a scandal that there's only this one in the makeup range!

The Silk Gel Eyeliner in Film Noir is equally impressive with a highly-pigmented, bold black finish. Like the lip liner, the eyeliner is also long-wearing and it lasted on me all day without moving or smudging one bit. It applies smoothly like you'd expect from a high-quality gel eyeliner, and it works very well for both tight lining and in the lower waterline. Both of these liners feature a handy built-in, twist-up sharpener so that you don't need to faff around with finding a pencil sharpener.

Tropic Silk Lip Liner in Stripped swatch - all over lips

Swatches!

Have you tried out any makeup from Tropic?

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