MAC Lipstick Dupe?

The lipstick I bought from Sleek recently reminded me of a Limited Edition lipstick I got recently... Keep reading.. (And sorry, these pictures have come out a bit blurry! Bad times :( )

Left - Party Parrot, Right - Candy Cane

Yes, that's right, Party Parrot from the Iris Apfel collection, an instant sell-out! When I got home, I realised it was less pink than it looked when I was at the Sleek stand, and I felt like it reminded me of another colour. So I got this out and had a good old swatch up, and I can report that they are pretty much identical! Sleek Candy Cane looks a TINY bit more pink when swatched, and obviously has a sheen finish, whereas MAC Party Parrot is a matte finish. But if you blot it down a bit to take off the sheen you will have a more matte finish! Yay, I love a good dupe, doesn't everyone?

xo.

KIKO Haul

Carrying on the Birthday haul from when I went to Stratford... I found the KIKO store which I was interested in visiting. I have read about KIKO on a few blogs, and wondered if the Italian make-up brand was worth investigating. I've mainly heard about their nail polishes to be honest, and when I walked into their store I could certainly see why. I wish I had taken a photo now! They have hundreds of nail polishes and it stretches along one side of the shop. I've googled it and found a picture, which is from this blog here. 

Just imagine this, but stretched out and housing 200 polishes. W o w. I was like a child in a sweet shop, and it's safe to say that I spent quite some time browsing and swatching, whilst my boyfriend waited (im)patiently, but to be fair he did behave quite well compared to other shopping trips! Something that I will try and remember to take on nail polish hauls in the future is scotch tape. Scotch tape you say? Yes! They had holders which you could pull out some tape and put on the back of your hand and swatch away on there with no mess. Genius! I don't know why nobodys thought of it before! I've used scotch tape for manicures/nail art before, and I know they are good to paint on, but I didn't even think of it either! They also had bins built into the wall, which was another good idea.. ;) 

I came away with about £30 worth of stuff I think? Which was quite good for me, I was trying to save money to hit Forever 21 and MAC aswell! The polishes worked out at £2.50 each, which is BRILLIANT, considering it's 11ml of polish! I think they were on offer though, because there were signs in the shop window? But the website has them on sale for £2.50 aswell, so I'm not sure! I'll show you what I got though :) 

It was so hard to decide on the colours, I wanted colours I hadn't really seen before but I ended up getting colours I just really couldn't take my eyes off. And really, the colours I bought are pretty similar to other colours in my collection! But these are the ones I settled on anyway, aren't they preeeetttyy?! I also picked up my very first magnetic nail polish, a single eyeshadow and a concealer. On to the swatches!

This is colour 300. (They don't have the names in store or on the bottle but they do on the website, so I'll find the names for you aswell!) Pearly Malachite Green. It's a gorgeous pearly blue/green, it's also got shimmer in too. The picture doesn't really express the vibrancy of this colour. 

Colour 319 Light Dove. This is the only colour I haven't worn properly yet, but it's your typical taupe/mink nude. I wasn't going to get it as I think I do have such similar colours, but it's gorgeous, I had to! Looks nicer in person aswell.

Colour 290 Dark Magenta. This colour has more purple in it, but the camera hasn't picked it up. It's really creamy, but this is one coat and it's still got a visible nail line. This colour doesn't seem so unique, but I picked it up because in the shop it seemed a bit similar to NARS Ratin Jot, part of the new Thakoon Nail collection. It's not as purple unfortunately, but the NARS polish has been on my list for a while, so this has filled my needs for the time being! And at £2.50 I can't complain! 

Colour 375 Bois De Rose. Gorgeous dusky rose, again I have similar, but it's just so pretty, I love it! Don't really think these sort of shades suit my skin tone, but ah welllllll.

 Colour 341 Cobalt Green. Again, the colour isn't completely accurate in the picture. It leans a bit more turquoise, and in store this totally reminded me of OPI Fly (Nicki Minaj collection), and I L O V E that colour! I only have the mini version of it aswell, so obviously I couldn't put this one down, and I now love this one too :) 

Colour 255 Violet Microglitter. Holographic glitter in a dark purple polish, do I need to say more? I was just mesmerised by the bottle! The tester bottle was SO dried out and used up, I've never seen one like it! Cheekily swatched another bottle and fell in love. When it dries, it dries a bit grainy and bumpy, so I just whack a glossy top coat on top and I'm good to go! Worth a look if you like your sparkle!

Magnetic Nail Polish Colour 703 Wine Red. My first magnetic polish, and I wanted a colour that was a bit different, but when I saw a pink one I couldn't not have it ;) According to the website it looks like they have 8 magnetic polish colours, including a gorgeous light pinky silver colour! I like that you buy the magnets seperate to the polish, so you're not stuck with just one in the cap like other brands. Unfortunately they only offer 2 designs at the moment. The polish is £2.50 and the magnet is £1.90, so hardly bank-breaking at £4.40 in total! 

This was one of my first tries, and I accidently smudged my middle finger by holding the magnet too close, oops! I found that it doesn't seem to be too strong a pattern, maybe it's the colour? But then again maybe the colour/formulation isn't great? But it's not too bad for my first try!

 

Single Eyeshadow Colour 121 Matt Dove Gray- £4.90 This caught my eye just before going to the till, it's a colour I don't think I have, or that I would usually be able to find anywhere. Turns out the colour name is the same of the nude polish I bought! So I assume they're supposed to be the same colour! So it's a taupe/grey, matte finish, that's why I was drawn to it. It's really soft and buttery, but had to swipe it a few times for the swatch. I still haven't worn this yet, so I can't comment on wear time or anything. 

Natural Concealer Colour 04 Green. When I swatched this in the shop I saw how straight away it covered redness and brightened instantly. Really creamy and pigmented, I thought it would be perfect for  me and my stupid redness :( So chucked it in my basket. I've used it a few times, and it definately covers redness, I wouldn't say it lasts all day, I end up putting other concealer on aswell. But I swipe this along the bottom of my face under my foundation to help cover my red cheeks and it does help.  This cost £5.50

This was something I noticed when I had moved on from the nail polishes, the prices rise dramatically. The blushers were £7.50, but when swatching them I found them to be horrible! Chalky and not pigmented at all. I think the only products there that really impressed me were the nail polishes. I've worn them all but one so far and I love them! Coverage is great, drying time is alright, the lid is easy to hold, the brush isn't my favourite sort, but I love bigger brushes like Essie's diffusion line and such. They're all pigmented, and none of the polishes I've picked up are watery or runny, or too thick and gooey. So a massive thumbs up from me. I suggest you have a look on the website or if you do visit Westfield in Stratford I urge you to go and have a look around the shop! There's a bright blue that's very similar to Nails Inc Baker Street, and I'm pretty sure this isn't the only dupe available!

Also, on the website at the moment KIKO have a great offer running, click the picture to go there! They also have a sale running, with a minimum of 30% off products, and they even have nail art brushes in the sale! 

xo.

MAC Shop Lipstick Comparisons

L-R; Florida (Cremeblend), Naughty Saute, Viva Glam Gaga, Saint Germain, Revlon Matte - Stormy Pink, Speed Dial, I Like It Like That

Once again, the photos are playing up, these shades lean more blue, and I Like It Like That at the end is more lilacy than brown! Siiiighhh. Anyway, when swatching Saint Germain is a lot closer than Viva Glam Gaga, just lighter and brighter. I found that Revlon Matte in Stormy Pink was also quite similar, not as pigmented and a tiny bit darker, the last two, are a no-go! I swatched Florida for colour reference, but unfortunately it's not showing so well! Not happy! 

L-R; Innocence, Beware! Hue, VIVO Barely There, YSL Rouge Volupte 01, Sleek Barely There, Creme Cup

I figured that Hue would be pretty much the same as I.B! and I was right, although I.B! is more pink than Hue, and a cremesheen, I don't really NEED them both. When swatching, VIVO's barely there lipstick was quite a similar shade, just darker - the lipstick feels like a lipbalm/lipstick hybrid, so maybe this is a cheap alternative if you're looking for something similar. Obviously the other swatches just get darker, but I really don't wear nudes. I swatched Creme Cup as it was the other lightest MAC lipstick that's most similar, but obviously it's a lot more pink. I think Creme D'Nude is more peach based, and Myth.

L-R; Quick Sizzle, NARS Schiap, Topshop All About Me, Lickable, Show Orchid, MUA Shade 3, NYX Addis Ababa, Models Own Deep Fuschia

Ahhh.. isn't it beautiful?! I'm seriously still loving a hot pink lip right now, and I am so so glad I picked up Quick Sizzle, as hot pink and matte lips are beauuutiiiful! But here are the other hot pinks I have that are similar. Right, well..... NARS Schiap is pretty much the same... (Oh the shame) but It's still not as pigmented, and I don't really like the formula so I might sell it! Plus it's not helpful seeing as it's more expensive than MAC, but then again it is a permanent colour if you need it in your life. Topshops All About Me is a bit more red in the flesh. Lickable is Quick Sizzles lighter, glossier, safer cousin. Show Orchid is still a bit more purple/fuschia based, and has a blue/purple iridescence. MUA Shade 3 isn't that similar, but looking at it, I think it's quite similar to Girl About Town. NYX Addis Ababa matte lip cream is also quite similar, but obviously a totally different finish and formula. And Models Own Deep Fuschia is a totally different type of pink! 

Hope that helps if you've missed out at the moment, or don't want to pay the price for MAC. If you know of any other similar shades or dupes, tell me about them, or link me to any of your posts! 

I also promise I will post about some stuff other than MAC soon! 

x 

It's here...

Finally! Viva Glam Nicki has turned up on my doorstep! Let out a little squeal when I opened up the packaging. I love new MAC lipsticks way too much... Viva Glam Gaga is one of my favourite MAC lippies ever, so I was hoping this would live up to that. MAC describe this Satin finish lipstick as bright yellow pink, and I would say they're not far off. From all the different swatches and pictures I've seen on other websites and blogs, I really wasn't sure how the colour truly leaned and how it would come out on myself. 

VGN is a Satin lipstick, a formula I only own two of, Rebel and Pink Nouveau. I really get on with Pink Nouveau, I find it creamy and non-drying, it feels like a Matte when you're putting it on, except it's obviously a bit shinier than a Matte. With VGN, it really highlights any dry skin on my lips, which was a straightaway no no! Anyway I persevered, and was a little disappointed with the colour. I don't know if it's me being so pale or not, but the colour was literally neon! Which is the sort of shade I would expect from Nicki Minaj, but not what I've seen on the web. I suppose at the end of the day, it's the luck of the draw! We all have different skin tones, and different colour lips, some more pigmented than others. But I was just expecting it to be a lot less in your face, due to the swatches I've seen. When I blot it down (a lot!) I do really like the colour, it takes the edge off. Recently I have been wearing a lot of bright pink lipsticks, all blue based though, so maybe I'll experiment and give it more of a go. Who knows, I may grow to love it.

I wouldn't say to not purchase this lipstick, as it looks gorgeous on lots of girls I've seen so far, especially those with a tan! Will look gorgeous in the summer, shame on me for not being able to tan... Suppose I'll have to whack the fake tan out!!

I love that all the money (except VAT) from purchasing the lipstick and Ricky's lip conditioner goes to MACs AIDS fund. All the more reason to buy make up! I'll post a lip swatch tomorrow, but for now I have a swatch on the back of my hand, I would say it is a little more pink in the flesh, the camera hasn't really picked it up as well as I would of hoped.

Have you ordered this lipstick yet? Do you like the looks of it? 

x

Topshop Lipstick - All About Me

This lipstick has been available for a while, and I've had in my possession for a while also. One of Topshops more recent shades, All About Me, is a vibrant blue based pink, with a matte finish. Housed in Topshops typical simple illustrated white metal case, and it's signature sweet smelling scent, this is a colour not for the faint-hearted. 

I don't really have many bright pinks similar to this, my collection plays host to NARS Schiap, MAC Show Orchid, and Models Own Deep Fuschia (Pretty similar, just a bit brighter and more creamy). When trying these against All About Me, they are quite a bit more blue based. I do believe this is quite similar to MAC Girl About Town, but I don't own it, so I can't say for certain, it is definately close, just knowing from knowing the shade off of the top of my head. So if you're not sure about bright shades, but have your eye on Girl About Town, maybe give this a look? 

I now own 8 of Topshops lipsticks, shame I know.. And I do love their finish, all matte and not drying in the slightest. The box itself says matte finish moisturising lipstick, for me having the driest lips in the woooorld, I don't find it moisturising, just creamy and not drying. I also love the satisfying click I get when putting the lid on the case, sounds really sad! I've just had a thought - Because the case is metal, and whenever I hold it, it's always cold, so maybe it will be better in Summer? I could be totally wrong, but it's a thought! 

A definate downside about this lipstick, is the bad thing about Topshops packaging, with it being white, it gets dirty reeeeally easy. It always looks battered after being in your bag once or twice, and I hate it when products looks really used! It can get scratched aswell sometimes. Their packaging is like NARS, where fingerprints just seem to stick like glue, but it's only a small negative to buying it. I also find that this lipstick really stains my lips, which is always a bit annoying, but easily fixable. 

I don't really get away with bright lipsticks, but I seem to just get away with this shade. I think it is definately a bright pink that will suit all skin shades. Will be perfect for summer! Definately a festival colour, when you need to detract from untameable hair ;)! Seeing as I own a fair few of Topshops lipsticks, I obviously recommend them. If you don't like scented products, then steer away. To be fair, they have a smell which I can't put my finger on, a mix of sweets and rose?! (Help me here!) But if this shade isn't your cup of tea, definately try other shades in store, they have some gorgeous colours, and their lipsticks are only £8 which don't break the bank.

x

MAC Lip Swatches

This is most of my collection, I do have plenty of others I didn't get round to photographing. As you can see, lots of them didn't come out too great! They're pretty rubbish to be honest... I don't have the right lens at the moment, plus I did some at the wrong time of day, nice one! But I thought I'd post them anyway, and then try getting round to re-photographing them and adding the others. And when I actually sort myself out and make my blog a bit more functional, I'll add a link, and constantly update new purchases. Everyone loves a good old swatch, so hopefully when they're all decent they'll help somebody! I would love to do this for my nail polishes, but I have well over 200, and I think it would probably take me nearly a year to do it...! For reference, I'm basically a NC/W15 sometimes paler :( 

What MAC lipsticks are on your lists at the moment?

x