Currently Loving: 4 Lipsticks To Try From RMS Beauty Wild With Desire range - Review & Swatches

When it comes to luxury lipsticks, RMS' Wild With Desire range ticks all the right boxes, from ultra chic packaging to insane pigmentation and clean formulas - they are simply beautiful! Here are my top four shades that you should add ASAP to your payday wishlist.

Back in December, I posted about the Limited Edition Wild With Desire Mini Lipstick Set from RMS Beauty and it quickly became one of my most viewed blog posts of the year (check it out here if you missed it!). Many of you were disappointed by how fast the set sold out and since then, I've received numerous requests to do another post on these lipsticks which focusses on the shades that are available to buy all year round. Always eager to please, I've rounded up four of my favourites to share with you all today.

From L-R: RMS Wild With Desire Lipstick in Brain Teaser, Temptation, Russian Roulette and Rapture

But first, a little background info on RMS Beauty for those who are new to the brand. Founded by celebrity makeup artist, Rose-Marie Swift, RMS Beauty is one of the world's leading cruelty-free, ethical, luxury cosmetics brands that specialise in 'clean' formulas which use only certified organic, raw and natural ingredients. Loved by A-list actresses and celebrities, RMS Beauty is one of those instantly covetable brands where you simply want to purchase every single product that they make! I'm definitely addicted - you can check out my previous reviews and features here.

The RMS Wild With Desire Lipsticks are drop dead gorgeous in so many different ways. Packaged in sleek, silver metallic tubes, the chunky bullets within are surprisingly well-shaped to be applied directly to the lips, thanks to the tilted angle that they twist-up from.

It was truly love at first swipe when I tried these - the pigmentation is quite frankly insane for a 'natural' lipstick and these lipsticks put to shame many other brands whose offerings appear lacklustre in comparison. With RMS, you get an intense colour payoff that delivers a smooth and sexy satin finish. Lighter shades apply easier than the darker ones though (which is almost always the case with lipsticks anyway) and they easily last longer on the lips than virtually all of my other 'green beauty' lipsticks. Any drawbacks? Only one slight niggle really - they're not as moisturising as I was hoping for, but it's nothing that a touch of lip balm underneath can't fix!

Below are four of my favourite RMS Beauty Wild With Desire Lipstick shades:-

 RMS Wild With Desire Lipstick in Brain Teaser*

Brain Teaser is an interesting medium pink colour with a brownish undertone. It feels very 'on-trend' whenever I wear it and really helps to pull together a makeup look that you can either dress up or down depending on your mood and social occasion.   

RMS Wild With Desire Lipstick in Temptation*

The perfect pinky-mauve, it's easy to see why Temptation is one of RMS' bestsellers! Ideal for everyday wear, it's one of those 'throw it into your handbag ASAP' shades that never lets you down. If I ever happen to lose it, I'll be sure to repurchase this shade colour pronto!   

RMS Wild With Desire Lipstick in Rapture* 

Rapture is something of a chameleon shade because it often looks completely different from various angles and lighting situations. Most of the time though, it's a classic brick red that works well for range of skin tones.

 RMS Wild With Desire Lipstick in Russian Roulette*

It doesn't get much more vamp-tastic than Russian Roulette so if you're after a killer deep berry red, this is the shade for you. This is one of those eye-catching shades that always gets a lot of compliments whenever I wear it on a night out, but you will need to use a lip liner with it to prevent any bleeding/feathering. Stunning nonetheless!

Swatches! From L-R: RMS Wild With Desire Lipstick in Brain Teaser, Temptation, Rapture and Russian Roulette

Shop the full range of RMS Wild With Desire Lipsticks* (4.5g, £30 each) at LoveLula.com

Have you tried any of these?

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Foodie Friday: Carrot and Lentil Soup with Salt & Pepper Tortilla Chips (Vegan recipe)

It's been a crazy week with a hectic combination of flu, politics and dreadful weather zapping my energy levels, so this warming bowl of Carrot and Lentil Soup is exactly what I need to help reset my body and mind for a (hopefully!) more relaxing weekend ahead.

I love making soups from scratch; not only do you get to cut down on your plastic waste by avoiding those bulky pre-packaged pots from the supermarkets, but it's also a lot cheaper and you can make a huge batch ready to freeze in individual portions for when you're too busy to cook during the week.

Carrot and Lentil Soup is an all-time favourite of mine and it's even more delicious to make when your taste buds are bored of classic flavours such as Tomato or Minestrone. It's a tasty, wholesome soup, and the added Lentils provide some extra bulk, protein and fibre for a more substantial (yet still very light and easy to digest) meal. 

I've paired my recipe below with some Salt & Pepper Tortilla Chips but you could add Rice, extra veggies, a slice of Sourdough Toast, or simply enjoy it on its own in your favourite bowl.

Ingredients (serves 2 - you can double the ingredients if you're batch-cooking)

• 300g Carrots (peeled & sliced)
• 4 tbsp Red Split Lentils
• 700ml Vegetable Stock
• 1 small Onion (peeled & finely chopped)
• 2 cloves of Garlic (peeled & finely chopped)
• 1 small chunk of fresh Ginger (peeled & chopped)
• 1 tsp Ground Cumin
• 1tsp Ground Coriander
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• Pinch of Salt & Pepper

Method:

• In a large saucepan, add the Olive Oil, Onion, Ginger and Garlic and cook over a medium heat for about a minute. Add the Ground Cumin and Coriander, stirring everything together for a further 30 seconds to allow the spices to infuse.
• Next, add the Carrots, Lentils and Vegetable Stock to the pan, bringing it to a boil. Cover with a lid and then reduce to a simmer for 20 minutes.
• Once cooked, remove from the heat, pour into a blender/food processor and blitz until you have a smooth consistency. Alternatively, use a hand blender if you prefer. If the soup is too thick, you can add a little extra water if needed.
• Serve immediately.

Storage tip: You can keep fresh soup in the fridge for 2-3 days or freeze in batches for up to a month.

To Make The Salt & Pepper Tortilla Chips

Preheat your oven to 190C. Cut up a Tortilla into large triangles/dunkable chip sizes and brush each piece with a little Olive Oil. Spread out onto a baking tray and sprinkle over some Salt and Pepper. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes, until lightly golden and crispy (they will continue to crisp up as they cool).

Do you like making your own soups?

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Organic Haircare: Dry Hair Saviours from John Masters Organics

Making the switch to natural and organic haircare doesn't mean that you have to miss out on luxury products - not when you have some dry hair savours from John Masters Organics in your bathroom!

In the ever-widening world of green beauty, there's one name that stands out from the rest when it comes to all things luxury hair care and that name is John Masters Organics. Founded on decades of innovative formula research and practical, hands-on expertise (the man behind the brand is a world-famous hairdresser to a star-studded clientele list), John Masters has been committed to promoting clean and natural formulas that work for all hair types since the '80s. 

All of their products are free from Silicones, Parabens, Phthalates, Mineral Oils, Synthetic Fragrances and Synthetic Dyes, and everything is made from at least 95% organic ingredients (certified by USDA Organic). The brand's cruelty-free status is approved by PETA and their eco-friendly ethics mean that all of JMO's bottles are made from 100% recyclable packaging (plus all the printing on the bottles themselves is produced with washable soya ink, and all their paper packaging is made from recycled paper).

If you haven't tried anything from John Masters Organics yet and your hair is feeling dry, damaged or dehydrated, check out these bestsellers.

 John Masters Organics Shampoo For Dry Hair* (236ml, £24, link) and Conditioner For Dry Hair* (236ml, £25, link)

This hard-working duo has been a godsend for my dry hair recently, which has been feeling even drier and rougher due to the colder weather and those awful blistering winds! Starting with the Shampoo, it quickly becomes clear that this is a great SLS and sulphate-free formula because it has a gentle lather that's easy to work up in your hands, and it spreads across the hair smoothly without tangling everything up (the latter of which is sometimes a common bugbear with SLS-free shampoos). 

Key ingredients include Evening Primrose Oil which is naturally high in Gamma Linolenic Acid that's needed for keeping your hair and scalp in tip-top condition; Jojoba Seed Oil for essential moisture, something that dry hair urgently requires, and Avocado Oil to further hydrate and nourish for the soft and swish-worthy results every time you use it. I always try to use a shampoo that's free from sulphates these days because I find that SLS really strips the natural oils from the scalp and irritates it, so if you have the same problem, I strongly recommend switching to a different shampoo like this one. 

To complete your dry hair transformation, the matching Conditioner has a beautiful silicone-free formula that's rich in gentle and hydrating ingredients such as Aloe Vera, Avocado Oil, Lavender, Jojoba Seed Oil, Babassu Seed Oil and Vitamins B5 and E. What I like the most about this conditioner, apart from its gorgeous scent, is that it doesn't overload or weigh down my fine hair, yet still manages to keep my parched hair moisturised, smooth and looking shinier than before.

John Masters Organics Vented Paddle Brush* (£29, link)

Investing in a good quality brush can make a world of difference to the health and happiness of your hair, especially if you can be a bit heavy-handed with the styling tools. This Vented Paddle Brush is made from eco-friendly and sustainable bamboo and is fantastic for blow-drying with. It's lightweight so it feels comfortable to use and hold, and the wider spread out bristles glide effortlessly through your hair to remove any knots or tangles in a jiffy - perfect!

Shop the full range of John Masters Organics at johnmastersorganics.co.uk and lovelula.com

Have you tried anything from John Masters Organics?

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Introducing: MoMineral - Loose Mineral Foundation and Mattifying Setting Powder review

Mineral foundation has been a staple in my makeup bag for many years now, and whilst I like to switch things up by using different formats and formulas, I often find myself going back to mineral foundations whenever my skin is feeling fussy, breaking out, or when the weather starts to get warmer and I want something lighter on my face.

Like any kind of foundation though, finding the right one for you takes some trial and error which is why I'm a big fan of makeup brands that offer a good sample service. In fact, I tend to query why a makeup brand doesn't offer foundation samples these days, and it's even more important to have this option available when you're shopping online.

A few weeks ago, a 100% natural, cruelty-free and vegan-friendly, British indie makeup company called MoMineral got in touch to ask if I'd like to review their Mineral Foundation. Instead of sending me any old shade like some brands automatically do, they asked me to try out a sample kit first.

MoMineral is committed to providing a foundation shade for everyone and they offer six different Mineral Foundation sample packs that you can test out. Each one contains a range of shades so that you can find the perfect match for your skin tone. I opted for the Light Neutral set which has five shades and I was really impressed by the variety included. 

I tend to fall into the mainstream 'Light Beige' category, however, sometimes foundation shades can be too orange or dark for me, so I find a good neutral toned one usually works very well for me as I have neither dominant cool or warm undertones in my skin. To understand the differences in undertones and with help finding the best foundation shade for you, I highly recommend watching Lisa Eldridge's video here and then you can choose your sample pack from MoMineral here.

MoMineral Loose Mineral Foundation in Ilu* (8g, £20, link)

The concept behind MoMineral is that they believe that makeup should even out your skin tone, provide nourishment and protection for the skin and enhance your natural beauty, which is certainly something that appeals to me! If you're a fan of 'makeup with skincare benefits', this is a brand for you.

The Loose Mineral Foundation has a smooth, silky and weightless texture which is easy to blend and buff into the skin. It gives a lovely matte finish that doesn't feel drying and offers some sunscreen protection which is a welcome bonus. I found it easy to build up the coverage from a light to a good medium level, so I just needed a few dabs of my regular concealer here and there to cover up some stubborn old acne/blemish marks. This foundation stayed put throughout the day when I used it in conjunction with the Setting Powder below, and it faired well on its own too, with only a minor touchup needed on my T-Zone area after 6/7 hours of wear.

After trying out the sample pack, I found that my perfect shade was called Ilu and it gives me a very natural and 'real' skin finish if that makes sense - very much like 'my skin but better!'. Formulated without any fragrance or glitter, it's suitable for sensitive and acne prone skin types, and with 24 shades to choose from, there's a foundation for everyone.

MoMineral Mattifying Setting Powder in Pure* (10g, £12, link)

A high-quality setting powder can make a big difference to the overall longevity of your makeup and as I have oily/combination skin, it's something of an essential in my makeup routine. MoMineral's Mattifying Setting Powder comes in two shades; Pure - a whiteish translucent shade for fair to light complexions and Safi - a warmer yellow translucent shade designed for tan to deep skin tones.

Made with a blend of Rice and Cornstarch powders, it expertly absorbs any excess sebum/oil from the skin, to create a smooth, flawless and mattified finish, which also helps to minimise the appearance of pores and subtly brightens up the complexion at the same time. I love using this all over to set everything into place and it's great to use underneath the eye area if you're a fan of the 'baking' makeup trend. As with all mineral powder products, this 10g jar will last a long time!

Shop the full range of mineral makeup at MoMineral.co.uk

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