Mac Retro Matte Liquid Lipsticks - I'm Still Only Using Liquid Lipsticks

I recently bought a couple more of Mac's Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolours from the Duty Free (the only positive part about the airport experience), so I figured I'd do a post about them, as they are rather lovely.

I've been riding the liquid lipstick train for about a year now and have had no desire to get off. I always get perfect lips with not too much effort, as long as I first line my lips with a neutral shade (my go to being Mac's Boldly Bare). Real lipstick seems like way too much effort now. I also get to fake that my lips are bigger than they are with matte shades.

The mac formula smells like almonds (which is great), and applies slightly drier than the other liquid lipsticks I use (MUA, Sleek, Kat Von D, Nyx), this is not a bad thing, though. Instead of feeling like a thick layer of liquid on the lips that dries to a slightly crusty matte, they apply and dry really comfortably, feeling nicer during the day. They wear really well, the only enemy being greasy food, and then, only the centre of the lips fades away. They retail for £21, so quite a bit more pricey than the MUA and Sleek ones that are my go to, but the formula is nice enough for me to justify it. Also, the range of colours is really good.

From Left to Right: High Drama, Dance With Me, Feels So Grand, Rich And Restless

High Drama

High Drama: This colour applies the most patchily out of the ones I have, but that can be attributed to it being super dark. Two coats does the job, three if you are doing close up, flash photography. Honestly, one looks fine in person if you apply it carefully. This colour is great if you don't have time to do much else to the rest of your makeup; it makes a look. I'm going to be wearing this all Autumn.

Dance With Me

Dance With Me: This is my favourite (possible of all my lip colours). It's a slightly darker, blood red, but not too dark to steal attention from the rest of the makeup, but dark enough to make a big impression on it's own. Again, a tad patchy, but fine for real life.

Feels So Grand

Feels So Grand: This is a perfect daytime red. It's just a bit brighter than a typical red that I would use (I always tend towards darker shades). This is a great standard red, that's not too intimidating. It also applied perfectly with one coat.

Rich And Restless

Rich And Restless: This is a beautiful peach shade that looks incredible with tanned, bronzed skin. England is actually having some Summer at the moment (meaning I'm sweating it out in my room with all the windows open), so this is a perfect shade to wear. It also complements strong eyes really nicely. I would say this needs two coats to look good in person, which very bright shades often need.

Overall, I really like Mac's contribution to the Liquid Lipstick game. They just feel so much nicer during the day and actually layer really well, rather than getting really crusty upon reapplication. They are pretty expensive though, so if you're near an airport, take advantage of that Duty Free, otherwise, see it as an investment piece and get yourself a damn good red.

Liquid Lipsticks - Basically All I Wear Now

So Anastasia Beverly Hills released these liquid lipsticks a while ago and I fell in love. Then I found out it would be hellishly expensive to ship them to the UK. Thus, I instantly started investigating UK alternatives (and by investigate I mean I went into some stores and swatched a LOT).

Now, companies do liquid lipsticks, but many don't do suck-the-moisture-out-of-my-lips-mattes. But Sleek does, and I rejoiced, because they are reasonably priced and come in great colours. They only do six, though, and that's disappointing to me. (The sixth shade, that I don't own, is a bright pink, and as soon as I see it in a store I'm buying it).

I've mentioned the Bourjois ones before in this blog, but since then I've purchased more. These are a pseudo-matte, so they don't come across as matte in close-up, flash photography, but they mostly are in real life. They also feel a lot nicer on the lips than the sleek ones.

From the left: Fandango Purple; Grand Cru; Rioja Red; Hot Pepper; Party Pink; Don't Pink of It; Petal; Birthday Suit.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Hot Pepper

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Hot Pepper

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Grand Cru

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Grand Cru

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Don't Pink of It

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in Don't Pink of It

This is Don't Pink of It with Mac's Boldly Bare Lip Liner, this is my preferred way to wear this,

Sleek Matte Me in Party Pink

Sleek Matte Me in Party Pink

Sleek Matte Me in Petal

Sleek Matte Me in Petal

Sleek Matte Me in Rioja Red

Sleek Matte Me in Rioja Red

Sleek Matte Me in Fandango Purple

Sleek Matte Me in Fandango Purple

Sleek Matte Me in Birthday Suit

Sleek Matte Me in Birthday Suit

The Bourjois lipsticks don't quite have the look I want, but they feel way more comfortable. I also prefer the applicator, it's smaller and softer. They are also slightly less pigmented, but in a good way in that they are buildable, you can also soften the edges with a cotton bud, which you can't really do with the Sleek ones. They are more expensive, though.

The Sleek lipsticks look exactly how I want them to, and I love the colours. The only one I'm not so fond of is Fandango Purple, as it applies a bit patchy. You have to be careful when applying, as it's really hard to fix when you go wrong, but the lines are so beautifully crisp straight from the applicator. They're also a pretty good price.

Overall, they do quite different things. If you are a bit lipstick shy, but want to try them out, the Bourjois ones are perfect. If you love intensity, Sleek is your jam. I love both.

The Sleek Matte Me Liquid Lipsticks sell for £4.99 and the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Liquid Lipsticks sell for £8.99.

Post Exam And New Job Haul - AKA I Splurged And I Don't Have To Feel Guilty

So this bitch now has money due to her new job - as a baker at Sainsbury's, unglamorous and my arms are covered in burns, but moneeeyyyyyy. As a result, this here haul. It's a small one, cos I don't plan on being ridiculous, but these are things I've wanted for a while, that are a little pricier, that I can now afford. 

From Left to Right: Mac False Lashes in 43, Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Don't Pink of it!, Benefit's Porefessional and Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NW20.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Don't Pink of it!

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Don't Pink of it!

This applies really beautifully, the doe foot applicator making it very easy for precision. It's super pigmented and feels pretty great on, like, it's not moisturising and it's a bit sticky, but it doesn't feel crusty, which is nice. I tend to wear it in conjunction with Mac's Boldly Bare Lip Pencil to give it depth - and I over-draw my lips with it too, cos I think it looks hot. This is my go to colour at the moment and I love it.

Mac False Lashes in 43

These lashes are just lovely, they're real natural, being a dark brown colour rather than black and being Mac, they have a super thin, clear band, which is more comfortable (I slept in these babies). They just add a touch of thickness and length, which is great. I'm only wearing liquid liner here, and that was only to disguise the inner corner of the lashes. They're more expensive than the lashes I would typically buy, but I think they're worth it.

Benefit Porefessional

This is what my skin looks like normally, I know, it's horrible.

This is what Porefessional does to it. I've got pretty oily skin, so it mattifies it, which is great. It also smoothes my pores, which I need, and is a great base to a foundation. I also slept in this and it held, which is great.

Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NW20

Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NW20

Mac Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NW20

I love how this feels on my skin. I really don't like how liquid foundation feels on my skin, but because my skin is not great, I feel I have to for coverage. This foundation negates that need. The coverage and wear-ability is great (guess what, I slept in this too). This is perfect for summer, being light on the skin, but also providing the coverage I need. I am so happy with this investment.

And, yes, I'm wearing a blanket. Having the heating on in Summer is for rich people.