Getting lippie: Sweet Tooth by L'Oreal...

I'm back with my third nude liquid lipstick from L'Oreal's Les Chocolats liquid lipsticks line and wasted no time in putting it to the test with all-day wear tests. Will it be third-time lucky, or have I pushed my luck too far?

Getting Lippie: Dose Of Cocoa by L'Oreal...

After instantly falling for the first shade of L'Oreal's Les Chocolats liquid lipstick I got, I had to get my hands on another one right away. Can we get another fantastic formula, or was the first time a one-off?  

Getting lippy: Candy Man by L'Oreal...

A nice go-with-anything nude lip shade AND a cocoa fragrance?! Do I really need to say any more to explain why I was excited about getting my hands on this?

Thought not - now let's see if the quality lives up to my excitement when it got it's UK release...

Miss Baby Roll mascara by L'Oreal...

Ah - mascara. One of my top three makeup products [concealer and highlighter are my other two], so my head is pretty easily turned whenever I come across a new one...

And... Well, there's not else to add to this story. I saw a TV ad for Miss Baby Roll, so decided to look out for it in Boots, then picked it up when I saw it on offer. Money well spent, or was it thrown away? Only one way to find out...

No angels here: Miss Manga Black Angel...

I love the big, doll eyed look, and the original Miss Manga mascara delivers the results I want for the look. Miss Manga Punky has a richer colour and the formula is more voluminous in comparison, but I found that the shape it gave my lashes too full-on for my tastes.

But now there's a new Miss Manga mascara on the block...

Little Miss Anarchy? Miss Manga Punky mascara by L'Oreal...

I surprised myself by really enjoying L'Oreal Miss Manga Mascara, so I was really excited to come across their new Miss Manga Punky edition when I went to rebuy the original one.

Am I a Punky girl, or will I remain a little Miss?

FOTD: Supreme remix, with I ❤️ Makeup...

I'll be posting a review for my latest I ❤️ Makeup palette- Makeup Geek - in a few days, so thought that I'd give a little preview of what it can do...

I've posted before about this No7 70's inspired cosmetics poster image from their Decades of Beauty cosmetics range, and how I recreated the eye look using Urban Decay eyeshadows. 

Well since I bought the Makeup Geek palette because the colours in it reminded me of ones that I'd find in Urban Decay palettes, I thought I'd have a go at reattempting the eyeshadow look from the No7 campaign and it's look-a-like from my old blog post.

Best of both worlds: L'oreal L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick by Color Riche [exclusive to Boots]

When oil meets colour.. L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick by Color Riche.

Colour intensity of a lipstick

Magnifying shine of a gloss

Softness of a balm

I was never really a fan of L'Oreal products in the past - their mascaras were too wet, the hair dyes always looked different from the box, the lipglosses were too sticky, and he lipsticks always seemed to smell weird... But now I've tried several products of theirs [makeup, skincare, and haircare] this year and have loved them all, but  L'Extraordinaire Liquid Lipstick is vying with Miss Manga mascara as my favourite thing by them that I've tried so far.


I have two shades and the quality of the formula is great on both of them; this is a liquid lipstick, so you get the strong colour and good staying power of a traditional moisturizing lipstick [3 to 4 hours], minus the drying feeling you can get from a lipstick. As a liquid you get added shine and a soft feel, minus the sticky and slippy feeling I've experienced with past L'Oreal glosses.

It's the best of both worlds. I will be checking out the other shades in the range as the two shades I have are both highly wearable, and have pulled of the product's three claims successfully.

Nude Ballet

A nude shade that doesn't look overly pink, brown, or peach, but must have some in the undertone because it's not that sickly beige, elastic-band shade I usually get on my lips. A lovely go-with-everything shade that now permanently lives in my handbag. 

Fuchsia Drama

A cheerful bright pink shade, that is ideal for this time of the year. This is  little bit different to Nude Ballet as layering the product really changes the look; a light sweep of the wand gives a bright-not-not-too-loud sheer pink, whilst two swipes dials up the intensity and brings out the purple undertones...

***

£8.99

Results of the Trial for February 2014: Part II - Age Perfect Extraordinary Facial Serum by L'Oreal...

As I previously stated, I've spent the past month testing the new Age Perfect Facial Serum by L'Oreal for the Boots review panel. I've been impressed by the moisturizing abilities of this product, so  I thought that I'd also put my thoughts and before/after pictures up here so that people who are curious about the products can read my opinions on the results for themselves.

Read my verdict on the Age Perfect Extraordinary Moisturizer here.

Before I started using Age Perfect Extraordinary Oil-Cream and serum

What L'oreal say about Age Perfect Extraordinary Facial Oil:

With age, skin can become thinner, dehydrated and lose its natural radiance. It can feel dry and look dull, lacklustre.

A new lease of life for your skin.

L'Oréal Paris Laboratories have specially formulated a refined blend of 8 Essential Oils. Age Perfect Extraordinary Facial Oil is a replenishing treatment in a luxurious oil to indulge your skin and transform its touch. Skin looks smoother and more radiant, as if renewed.

Thanks to its delicate aromatic scent, a feeling of calm and comfort envelops your senses for a moment of true pleasure.

Impressive results

Replenishes, smoothes, brightens

Instantly gives your skin a renewed look of radiance and striking smoothness.

Drop after drop, the skin looks more toned and a healthy look is restored.

Experience an extraordinary sensation

Age Perfect Extraordinary Facial Oil is weightless and non-greasy, suitable for all skin types. The dry oil luxuriously bathes skin in complete comfort and care.

A precious secret for smoother, radiant skin, that looks as if renewed

8 Refined essential oils

Lavander, marjoram, romarin, geranium, rose, chamomile, orange, lavandin

A new ritual

Age Perfect Extraordinary Facial Oil is ideal for everyday use, alone or to complement your day and night regime, on a cleansed face and neck.

Apply 2-3 precious drops of the Facial Oil on your cheeks, forehead, neck and decolletage. Massage onto the skin with your fingertips in circular motions.

Allow the oil to absorb thoroughly before applying your day or night cream if needed.

[Avoid contact with the eye area]

My experience and opinion:

L'Oreal's Age Perfect Extraordinary Oil Serum is a simple, but effective moisturizing treatment. It's not a serum that will help with lines and wrinkles and it didn't seem to have any skin firming effects, but if you are looking for skincare that improves the look and feel of dry and dull skin then this will help. 


This serum isn't heavy on my skin and adsorbs quickly, so my skin doesn't have that greasy feel after application. As it is a fantastic hydrater and quick to absorb, it is great for wearing under makeup. 

I've been using this twice daily both under moisturizer and alone for over a month now and not only does my naked skin look noticeably more radiant, it hasn't flaked at all. As my skin is so dry that it often flakes I'm delighted with the results. My fine laugh lines also seem a bit fainter, though I haven't noticed any definite change in the appearance of my forehead lines - sometimes I do think that they've grown fainter, but I can't say for definite. Using the serum and matching moisturizer together smoothed away the vast majority of my patches of dry skin and left a slight dewy sheen to my skin within the first week - as I do have severely dry skin I prefer to use the serum under moisturizer. 

Based on my results after using the serum alone for periods of time; I would say that if you have oilier skin, then you could probably skip moisturizer. Since using this I haven't suffered from additional breakouts, or had any itches or rashes on my dry and sensitive skin. 



Whilst the moisturizer isn't on my must-own list I'll buy and use the Age Perfect Extraordinary oil again, as I think it actually moisturized my skin more then the moisturizer did. This also offers the best value for money - after a month's worth of twice daily usage the serum bottle is still almost two thirds full, whist the moisturizer is over half empty and I've begun to be able to see the bottom of the jar.

After I started using Age Perfect Extraordinary Oil-Cream and serum

Results of theTrial for February 2014: Age Perfect Extraordinary Facial moisturizer by L'Oreal...

As I previously stated, I've spent the past month testing the new Age Perfect moiturizer by L'Oreal for the Boots reiew panel. I've been impressed by the moisturing abilities of this product, so  I thought that I'd also put my houghts and before/after pictures up here so that people who are curious about the products can read my opinions on the results for themselves.

Before I started using Age Perfect Extraordinary Oil-Cream and serum

What L'Oreal claim Age Perfect Extraordinary Oil-Cream will do; Over time your skin progressively loses nutrients that are essential to its vitality. Your skin becomes drier, thinner and can lose its natural radiance.
How to Use

The Power of Extraordinary Essential Oils

L'Oréal Paris has selected the essential oils of Lavender and Thyme, renowned for their anti-ageing and anti-oxidant properties. These have been combined with the precious extract of White Jasmine, known for its soothing properties.

An Extraordinary oil-Cream the Texture

A silky-soft cream, enriched with oil micro-pearls, that delicately melts into the skin. Non-greasy and non-sticky, it fuses the comfort of a cream with the pleasure of an oil.

Thanks to its delicate aromatic scent, a feeling of calm and comfort envelops your senses for a moment of true pleasure.

Visible results

Nourishes, Brightens, Anti-Fatigue

Instantly, skin is nourished with a renewed look of radiance. Day after day, skin is replenished with moisture. The signs of fatigue are reduced making your features look and feel relaxed. Skin looks more toned and a healthy-looking glow is restored.

Apply daily on a thoroughly cleansed face and neck.

In the morning, place a small amount of cream on the tip of your fingers and apply in small a movements to re-awaken a more luminous complexion.

In the evening, apply more generously by delicately massaging into the skin.

My experience and thoughts

L'Oreal's Age Perfect Extraordinary oil-cream has proven to be a simple, but effective moisturizer. It doesn't battle against wrinkles or give you a facelift, but if you are looking for a moisturizer that delivers effective moisturizing results and brightens up your skin somewhat, this cream is affordable and isn't greasy or heavy on your skin.

I've been using this twice daily for over a month now and not only does my naked skin look noticeably more radiant, it hasn't flaked at all. As my skin is so dry that it often flakes I'm delighted with the results. My fine laugh lines also seem a bit fainter, though I haven't noticed any change in my forehead lines.

As I mentioned above this isn't heavy and adsorbs quickly, so my skin doesn't have that greasy feel after application. As it is a fantastic hydrater and quick to absorb, it is great for wearing under makeup. Plus this moisturizer is suitable for both daytime and evening, so you don't need to buy two separate tubs. 

Since using this I haven't suffered from additional breakouts, or had any itches or rashes on my dry and sensitive skin. 


I do think that I would like to shop around for something that both hydrates my skin AND smooth all of my fine lines, so whilst this moisturizer isn't on my must-own list I'd sill consider buying Age Perfect Extraordinary oil-cream again when/if my skin goes through another excessively dry patch for pairing with the matching serum [review on it's way] - as when I used the moisturizer alone I felt that the moisture boost was lessened a bit.

After I started using Age Perfect Extraordinary Oil-Cream and serum

FOTD: Pink Lady

I'm not usually one for doing FOTDs because I...
A) Am not a expert, so don't feel confident telling others what to do
B) Tend to go for simple, uncomplicated looks
B) Like to give my looks an unpolished/incomplete, grungy edge, so it tends to look messy and severe to most people.

However I recently tried a pink/purple semi-permanent hair dye [review coming soon], and when I first did it I felt inspired to put in more then my usual effort with my makeup. Since I'd gone full-on with my hair I did full-on makeup to go with it, with shades of pink on my eyes AND lips.

Then - since I'd already gone OTT - I also added a bold bit of contouring and highlighting, which is not something that I usually do as my skin is so fair that the contouring never looks natural.

Going two-tone: Intense Ombres by L'Oreal...

This is more of a friendly warning, than a review: be careful of which L'Oreal Ombre kit you choose...

I went to my local Boots to buy a Wild Ombre hair dye, but when I got there all I could see on the shelves were the Colored Ombres, Feria's Extreme Ombres, and boxes of something that L'Oreal called Intense Ombres. Since L'oreal have repeatedly changed the packaging on their various hair colouring kits over the years, I assumed that's what had happened here and that the Intense Ombres is the same product as the Wild Ombres, so I bought the light brown to dark brown shade and went home to use it...

... Of course I now know that the Intense Ombres is the stronger version of the Wild Ombres kit, which IS still in production [my local Boots must have been out of stock]. If I'd known then that I'd picked up a stronger concentration of formula I'd have picked the kit for dark blonde to medium brown hair, rather then the one for medium brown to dark brown hair that I did get.

I read the instruction sheet that came with the kit several times and I also watched a good half-dozen videos of girls using the kit over on YouTube, so I'm confident that I applied the bleach in the correct manner... But nevertheless I ended up with one shade of blonde on my hair, rather then the gentle gradient from dark to light blonde the box promises [and the girls on YouTube achieved]

Did I pick a faulty kit, or was the concentration of bleach simply too strong?

Either way the finished look has grown on me a lot as the light and shadows soften the bleached tone a bit, and the look goes with my preference for undone, slightly messy makeup very nicely, but I bought the kit as it was advertised as ombre, not the dip-dye effect which I ended up with.


I'll simply say that the kit is a very reasonable price and it was very easy to use alone, so if you're feeling adventurous go for it. Just be careful which kit you select.

***
£6.99