Rimmel Apocalips in Celestial | Review

Months and months and months ago we all kept hearing about Rimmel's new lip offerings in the liquid lipstick gloss world, the Apocalips collection.

Since Rimmel is a UK brand, naturally it was released in the UK months before anywhere else and the rest of us were left watching everyone else rave about it for what felt like years.

Finally about a month ago I was wandering through WalMart, as you do, and stumbled across them on Rimmel's display. Nonchalantly they were just sitting there as if they've been there for months just waiting for me to have a closer look.

I only picked up one shade, Celestial. It seemed like a safe bet, nothing too crazy but it looked like it would give a nice colour pay off. Also as a side note, I expected these to be a lot bigger but they're actually just a little bigger than a credit card!

The one thing I kept hearing was that it was really drying on the lips...I didn't find this to be true. Although for the record, I'm pretty much slathered in lip balm at all times so that could have had something to do with it. Anyways, the colour was really nice and rich and the applicator is pretty neat! It's like a regular doe-foot applicator but with a little divot in the centre sort of like a cupped hand just holding more product for you.

Now, application with this divot-foot can turn into a hot mess if you slap it on all willy nilly so I would suggest using a steady hand! But otherwise, it goes on smoothly and evenly - Celestial is like a purple-y/pink shade which could also probably pass off as a neutral so that's a plus. It also definitely has a smell but I can never describe what it is...it's the same smell as Rimmel's Kate Moss lipsticks in the red tube...sort of citrusy but not really? I don't know.

My only gripe with these is their staying power. I just don't find the Apocalips to be very long-wearing. If you're someone who likes to reapply your lip stuffs throughout the day then it probably won't be an issue; my problem is that I only reapply when I remember to so I can go hours and hours without realizing my lips have worn off...which isn't always a good look.

All in all these are a strong 7 out of 10 for me.

Have you tried Rimmel's Apocalips? What's you're favourite shade? They have a nude colour which looks pretty but I was too apprehensive to take the jump!

YSL Glossy Stain in Pêche Cerra-Colla | Review

My fiance Rob has to go to Montreal once in a while for work and the last time he was scheduled to go in June his boss told him to bring me along since I speak french and Rob doesn't. I pretty much jumped at the chance before you could say "A free trip to Montreal? Oui, s'il vous plait!"

When we got to the hotel Rob started looking for a restaurant online and exclaimed "Oh hey, Sephora's only a few blocks away, we should go!". This is why I love him, ladies and gentleman.

The Sephora we went to was beautiful so it was hard not to throw everything in my shopping bag BUT the things I did pick up are really great. So, throwing in Yves Saint Laurant's glossy stain seemed appropriate since it's a french brand or at least that's what I told myself!

I bought YSL's glossy stain in #27 Pêche Cerra-Colla, although the packaging only displays the number, sadly. As you would expect, the packaging is GORGEOUS, almost worth its hefty price tag in itself but thankfully the product is excellent, too.

What I didn't expect, however, was the texture. Yes, it's a gloss. But it's also a stain that claims to stay glossy for hours on end. Two things that don't seem to make sense together but somehow YSL pull it off.

I find the best way to use this is to put in on in layers. It feels almost waxy on the lips (and only slightly uncomfortable but you get used to it) but when you put on a second - or even third, if you're so inclined - coat that waxy feeling goes away and you're left with a pigmented glossy shine that lasts for hours. It also doesn't have any recognizable smell that I can tell, so that's nice.

The #27 Pêche Cerra-Colla is a peachy coral and in the middle of a hot June day it seemed like the perfect choice! I don't regret choosing the shade at all. I think really it's wearable all year round, actually. I definitely picture myself using this in the fall and wintertime, too.

I would rate YSL's Glossy Stain an 8.5/9 out of 10. Pretty damn good!

Have you tried YSL's glossy stains? Or better yet, have you found a good dupe for them?

Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine | Review

My husband had the glorious idea of taking a little road trip to test out his new GPS and suggested we go to...wait for it...SEPHORA! A new Sephora just recently opened about 40 minutes away from where we live and he figured it would be the perfect place to go. This is why I love this man.

Needless to say I spent way more than I intended to but sometimes you need to do that for yourself, right?

I got a few things that I plan on posting about eventually, but today I'm going to review one of my purchases.

The Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine.

I've heard a lot about these, mostly because they come in a range of really nice colours, they're non-sticky and super moisturizing. I'm happy to report that all of these things are true.

I know there's a big focus on red/berry lips these days with the wintery season and all but I seem to always go back to pinky neutrals. I can't help it! Jasmine is a really nice choice if that's what you're after. It looks slightly beigy in the little pot but when it's on the lips it's a light pink/nude colour which I think would look fabulous on a lot of different skin tones.

It comes in a little pot which some people would argue with since you're constantly having to dip your finger into it and possibly spreading germs around but what can you do? It also only has 6g (0.21 oz) which is quite small. The packaging is a little deceiving since it gives you the sense that there will be more product inside but again, I'm not complaining.

Like its name suggests, this is a lip BUTTER and thank god for that! Frankly, I'm tired of all these companies coming out with lip products that include the word "butter" into it, placing that shining beacon of hope that it will be thick and moisturizing without the stickyness that gloss normally brings (ahem - Revlon Lip Butters, anyone? No thank you, you crooks!) but I can attest that the Korres Lip Butters do exactly that.

I believe it was somewhere around the $16-$18 mark and although it's a bit of a splurge as far as balms go, I've seen a ton of them on eBay for a few bucks cheaper. So with that said, I would recommend the Korres Lip Butters whole heartedly!