STILA STAY ALL DAY LIQUID LIPSTICK REVIEW

Well hello there!

For today's post I am coming at you again with another product review and this is for the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks. These claim to be long lasting and have a matte formula, and they retail for £16. I have a few minis of the lipsticks (I love collecting minis), and I thought it would be a good idea to test these out and see if they live up to their claims.

Packaging

The packaging is pretty basic but I like that, has a gold lid and all of the text on the bottle is gold. It has a clear tube so you can see the colour you are getting which I also like. It does have a sweet scent so if you do not like scented products you might not like this.

Application
When I first applied this formula I noticed straight away that it is quite liquidy, making it much easier to mess up the application (which I did). However it is very pigmented which is obviously a good thing, I did not need to dip back into the product to make it fully opaque. It is a very smooth formula and feels really nice to work with. It does dry down fully matte and does sink into the lines of your lips which is normal for a matte formula. It also is completely transfer proof when full dried down.

Longevity
They were not kidding when they say 'Stay All Day' because I come home and the product was still on my lips! Amazing! It did wear off a tiny bit around the inside of my lips but I think that might have been from me eating. It also went the tiniest bit patchy but I could only notice that when I looked up close. It felt comfortable the whole day as well, almost forgot I had it on! Toward the end of the day it did become non transfer proof but I think they may be from eating and the oils from the food breaking down the product.

Opinion

I am so so impressed with this formula you guys, I completely agree with the long lasting claim considering I had it on for like 11 hours and it had only faded on the inside of my lips. This is a super matte formula it felt super lightweight and comfortable. If you have not tried this matte liquid lipstick formula and you are looking for another long lasting product, you need to get this! I need to buy more shades and in the full size.

So that was my review on the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks!
Thank you so much for reading,

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MY GOALS FOR 2018!

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A bit of a different post from me today, it is not about makeup for once. I want to share with you my goals for 2018, I know this is something you are supposed to do at the beginning of the year but I didn't really have any to be honest. These goals are going to be for everything and not just blog related so I hope you enjoy.

1. Join the gym - now I know this is pretty cliché for someone to say but I am being serious when I say I have never been to the gym in my whole life. I have been quite lucky where I have a fast metabolism so I don't really put on a lot on weight, but as I am getting older I am definitely noticing I am not as toned as I used to be.  I have been saying for months I need to join the gym so I actually need to do it now.
2. Drink 2 litres of water a day - at the moment at work I will drink 1 litre but for some reason I stop there and do not fill up the bottle again. Drinking water is really good for your skin so I just need to remember to drink a second bottle.
3. Maintain a healthy diet - I found out recently that I have IBS which is not great but I have learned that I used to eat whatever I want whenever I wanted to, and now I can't do that. Never used to eat healthy foods but now I find myself getting used to/trying new good foods and I want to continue eating good. I eventually want to slowly start cutting out all unhealthy foods which is going to be very hard for me but it will all be worth it. 
4. Reach 30,000 blog views by my blog anniversary (6th November) - at the moment  I am currently on 18,650 so I think that is quite a generous goal and would make me so happy. 
5. Have 100 subscribers by the end of the year - not sure if you all know this but I did actually start a YouTube channel about a month ago. I am loving doing it at the moment, I like to physically show and test products out sometimes as there is only so much you can say on a blog post. 
6. Reach 1,000 followers on my blog Instagram page - I only started up my blog Instagram page on the 24th February and I already have 450 followers which blows my mind so hopefully we can get to 1K by the end of the year.

So those are my 2018 goals, I will do a catch up post at the end of the year to see if I did accomplish them.

Thank you so much for reading,

Want to see more from me?

Twitter: alixholdenx
Instagram: alixkateblog
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MY SPRING/SUMMER MAKEUP WISHLIST - COLLAB!

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I have an exciting post for you today because it is my first collab post! It is in collaboration with Luci Barker, she will be sharing with you her Spring/Summer Clothes Wish List, which you can read here. Spring/Summer makeup is all about pop of colour, glowy skin and lightweight products and below are a few that are on my wish list.

L'Oreal Infallible Primer - Luminising

Ever since L'Oreal come out with this new Infallible collection I have been wanting to try their primers, and this one is going to be perfect for glowy skin! 

Nyx Ultimate Brights Palette

I have wanted this palette for the longest time, the bright colours look amazing and I have heard lots of great things about it!

Mac Prep and Prime Fix + Goldlite

This is the new Fix + by Mac, and they have shimmer in them. How stunning will that look spritz over your face with the sun shining on you...ahh...

Jeffree Star Highlighter - Eclipse

As you know I love his highlighters they are my absolute favourite, this is a pink toned highlighter that again I have been wanting for a long time.

Cover FX Glitter Drops - Mirage

These are super expensive but I know that these glitter drops will look absolutely amazing on the skin, not just on your face but all over the body as well.

Too Faced Born This Way Concealer

I have heard so many good things about this concealer because it has a good coverage and it is also hydrating at the same time, which is a must for me because I have dry under eyes.

Tarte Shape Tape Hydrating Foundation

I know this is a really really raw subject for the beauty world and I will not buy this until they expand the shade range, but I do want to try this. This is a hydrating foundation that is supposed to good for dry skin which is why I would like to give it a go.

So that is My Spring/ Summer Makeup Wish List, what's on yours?!

Thank you so much for reading,

Want to see more from me?

Twitter: alixholdenx
Instagram: alixkateblog
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APRIL FAVOURITES

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I know I say this every time but I cannot believe we are yet again at the end of another month, time is going too quickly. I feel like January lasted forever and now it's flying by month by month. The April weather has been up and down, we have had the hottest days to the cold rainy days and in terms of my monthly favourites I do have a few to share with you.

My first favourite of the month is the Urban Decay All Nighter Concealer, this is the best concealer I have ever tried for covering up blemishes. I have done a full first impressions on my YouTube channel which you can watch here. I do not like this for under my eyes as it is thick and I have dry under eyes, but the coverage is next level for blemishes. It is very pricey for the amount of product you get in it as it costs £20 for 3ml but it is so worth it if you want the fullest coverage.

My second favourite of the month is the B01 Spectrum brush, I love all of the Spectrum brushes because of how soft they are but I have been using this one in particular every day for a few weeks. It blends out my foundation so smoothly, and it does not leave any streaks which is something I absolutely hate. If you are looking for a new foundation brush I would definitely recommend this one, because even for thicker foundations it does the job beautifully.

My next favourite is the Jeffree Star liquid lipstick in Christmas Cookie, I hate to even mention this because it's limited edition and I can never buy it again which makes me want to cry (please Jeffree bring this shade back permanently). This is the perfect nude shade for when you just want your makeup to look put together. The formula of his liquid lipsticks are what makes it part of my favourites because it just lasts all day, I don't know how he does it but even if I've been eating it will still stay on. It is the most comfortable and lightweight lipstick I have ever tried and it is never drying, I don't know how he does it.  If you have never tried his liquid lipsticks before, you need to!

My last favourite of the month is the Nivea Light Moisturising Day Cream, if you have been watching my tutorials on YouTube you would know I have been using this all the time. I put this on before my makeup everyday as my skin gets super dry in places and this also has SPF15 which is really good for your skin. It is a super cheap moisturiser you can get in Boots and I advice people to wear SPF as much as you can because it does protect your skin.

So those were my April Favourites!

Thank you so much for reading,

Want to see more from me?

Twitter: alixholdenx
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RENAISSANCE ILLUMINATE HIGHLIGHTER PALETTE REVIEW

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I have another review for you today and yes it is another Makeup Revolution product, who would have thought?! I picked up this Renaissance Illuminate Highlighter Palette in the shade Radiant Rose, they do have 2 other shades I believe but I feel like this was the most suited to me. This palette retails for £8, and you can buy these here.

Packaging

It comes in this rose gold cardboard box that has a pretty pattern on it. I think they also have little eye shadow palettes with the similar packaging so it is not the first time we have seen it, but it is very different to the standard plastic packaging. When you open up the box and take out the product you are greeted with this gorgeous baby pink pouch which feels like velvet and is very soft. The palette actually feels nice and heavy which gives it that luxurious touch that you would get with a product 4/5 times the price. It opens up with these little ball handles which feels very fancy to do if I must say, and it does have a mirror inside (result!). Then I am presented with 3 beautiful shades, a pale icy shade, a light pink and a darker pink. It has a triangle pattern imprinted on the highlighters which looks very cool.

Application

I used the lightest shade on my cheekbones and the middle shade very lightly as blush topper. After using this a few times I can confirm that to me these are definitely highlighters you need to build up in order to get the full opacity. Once you do build it up omg do these look stunning, the lightest shade is perfect for pale skin tones. It is not a powdery or chunky highlighter in the slightest, it looks beautiful and just melts into the skin. It gives it that sort of wet and natural look.

Swatches

In order:

Lightest Shade

Middle Shade

Darkest Shade

Swipe Over All Shades

Longevity

I wore these over a period over 8 hours, and when I got back home it still looked pretty blinding. It looked as if I had just applied, if not looked even better because it had really melted into my skin. I couldn't tell whether the middle shade had lasted all day as I only used a tiny bit over my blush to make it pop a little more.

Opinion

So after using this a few times I have come to the conclusion that this is a really good highlighter palette, for me I will probably be using the lightest shade the most. If I do fancy using a blush topper that's when I will use the middle shade. The formula of this is definitely one of their best highlighter formulas to date, just because they are not powdery, they do not kick back and the product just melts into your skin. It also lasts all day long which tops off how this good this is. Even if you have tonnes of their highlighters already, just go and swatch it and try it out because to me I 100% think this is one of the best formulas from their brand. I will definitely be wearing this time and time again, I have had a couple of people ask me what highlighter it is I'm wearing when I have this on, so when that happens you know it's good. 

So that was my review on the Makeup Revolution Renaissance Illuminate Highlighter Palette in Radiant Rose.
Thank you so much for reading,

Want to see more from me?

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MY MAC LIPSTICK COLLECTION

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I have tonnes and tonnes of lipsticks in all formulas and since discovering the amazing formula and quality of Mac lipsticks, I thought for today's post I would show you what Mac lipsticks I have. I don't have as many as a lot of people purely because Mac lipsticks are now even more expensive they are £17.50!

Pink Pearl Pop

I don't really wear this shade, my auntie gave to me because she does not use it. It is a cremesheen lipstick and is a bright pink shade. 

Velvet Teddy

This was the first Mac lipstick I ever bought and I got it with the shade scent packaging which I love. It is one of my favourite nude lipsticks and perfect for anytime of day. It is a matte lipstick and is a browny nude shade.

Bosom Friend

This is the other lipstick my auntie gave to me as she does not use it. I have only worn this once and I only use it to lighten up the lipstick I have on, this is way too pale for me to wear on its own. It is a cremesheen lipstick and is a really pale nude shade.

Creme In Your Coffee

I used to wear this quite a bit but for some reason I don't reach for it anymore. This is a another cremesheen and it is a darker browny nude shade.

Brave

This is my other favourite Mac lipstick and as you can tell I have worn this quite a lot. I love the formula of this because it's not drying and its not too shiny. This is a satin lipstick and is more of a pink/browny nude shade.

So those are all the Mac lipsticks I have in my collection, I have not got a lot at all but I thought I would share the shades I have. I do want to get some more but the price keeps going up, if I see a really nice shade I will probably pick it up. Mac lipsticks are really good quality as they are super full coverage, pigmented and long lasting, so you do get what you pay for.

Thank you so much for reading,

Want to see more from me?

Twitter: alixholdenx
Instagram: alixkateblog
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BLOGGERS HOLY GRAIL MAKEUP PRODUCTS

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Everyone has their holy grail/absolute favourite makeup item that they just can’t live without and I am always super nosy when it comes to knowing what makeup products people are obsessed with. So I thought it was a good idea to ask a few other bloggers what their holy grail item is and why.

Nina Louise – Anastasia Beverley Hills Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette
This palette is an essential in my collection. It contains 14 beautiful warm neutrals and berry tones which add a stunning pop of colour. It's definitely the perfect eyeshadow palette for creating burgundy smokey eye looks. It's mostly a matte palette, with 11 matte shades and 3 metallic shades. It also comes with a dual-ended soft blending brush which actually does a fab job. I’m really enjoying using pinks, reds and oranges at the moment and that’s pretty much exactly what this palette has to offer! I would definitely recommend this palette to anyone that loves using warm tones na enjoys creating some neutral looks but also throwing some pops of colour in there. It’s one of the most pigmented palettes I own, you merely have to tap the shadows lightly and you’ll have picked up plenty. It’s super pigmented and creamy and if that’s what you look for then it’s definitely worth every penny. None of the shades have been patchy and I’m yet to experience any issues with blending which suggests that the palette was created with high quality in mind. It's a really versatile palette as it can be used for daytime and nighttime looks If you're more adventurous with shadows, however, I would suggest maybe going for the subculture palette. You can read my more detailed review here! Thank you to Alix for letting me share my thoughts on her fabulous blog.

Her links: TWITTER|FACEBOOK|INSTAGRAM|PINTEREST

Views Of Venus – Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette
My Holy Grail makeup item is the Urban Decay Naked 2 palette. It probably seems cliché for a blogger to talk about Urban Decay, but I honestly use this palette every single day without fail. I find it really versatile; the paler colours and golds work well for a standard day at the office, but then there are some great darker colours that are great for a smoky eye look on a night out. Although £39.50 may seem steep, I truly think it’s worth it, for the adaptability if nothing else! It’s great if you team your eyeshadow with a primer and setting spray, to make sure the look lasts for as long as possible!

Her links: 

Blog: viewsofvenus.com
Twitter: twitter.com/viewsofvenus
Insta: instagram.com/viewsofvenus

Luci Barker – W7 Delicious Eyeshadow Palette
My all time favourite product is the W7 Delicious Eyeshadow Palette. I couldn’t be without it. It’s the perfect dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette and there are lots of different colours to create lots of different looks. This palette is super versatile as you can create neutral looks with the orange and brown shades or there are a few pink, berry toned shadows that would be perfect for the autumn as well as a couple of perfect transition shades that will bring any look together. There’s even a couple of shimmery shades, to highlight the brow bone or use to create a halo eye ... what more could you want?
The pigmentation of the shadows is what really sells the palette, you can use the smallest amount of product for even the brightest and boldest of looks, which also means that the shadows will last ages before hitting pan! I would even go as far to say that the pay off from these shadows are better than a lot of the high end makeup brands palettes and for just £9.95 you just can’t beat it. The palette also has a pretty big mirror which makes it travel friendly and because of all the looks you can create with just the one palette, you also wouldn’t need to take any other ones. I really recommend this palette whether you’re on a budget or you just can’t justify paying over £40 for the ABH one, this will be right up you’re street!!

Her links:
Blog: www.lucibarker.co.uk
Twitter: twitter.com/LuciBarker_
Instagram: instagram.com/lucibarkerblog

LuLu Loves

I think when it comes to your personal favourites, every blogger out there has their own selection of holy grails that they simply couldn’t live without. The type of products that you always reach for and purchase back to back because you know they are both worth the money and you can trust them. These products can range from high end to drug store and something I have found is that you don’t always have to spend a lot of money to get the ideal beauty product. Sometimes the best ones are found right under your nose for the cheapest price.  Picking my ‘go to’ products was pretty easy for me. I have a selection of products that I always find myself repurchasing and I am still on the hunt to find anything better. I still like to trial and test new products, but if I want an easy guaranteed ‘good makeup day’ I most definitely reach for these.  

Skincare - Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream

As a sufferer of dry skin, this cream works wonders. It does exactly what it says on the tin, it really is ‘magic’. I have never found such a hydrating and nourishing moisturiser that is thick enough to tackle my skin. Although it is quite pricey, it is definitely worth every penny. 

Face - Too Faced Born This Way

I had been on the hunt for a new foundation for months when this was recommended to me and I can honestly say I haven’t looked back since. I finally found a trustworthy foundation that gives a flawless buildable coverage, doesn't dry my skin out and lasts all day.  

Eyes - L’oreal Ultra Thin Super-liner
This eyeliner has been a holy grail of mine since 2012. I have pretty much convinced myself that it is the only reason I can do a winged eyeliner because anything else I try I just can’t get on with and I end up in a mess. Super easy to use and doesn’t smudge, what more could you ask for?

Lips - Matte Lipstick

I was definitely part of the matte lipstick hype and I was obsessed with the look of a matte lip. I tried so many different brands and this has got to be my absolute favourite. The colour range is fab, the consistency is perfect and they are so affordable. 

Her links:
Blog - www.lululovesblog.co.uk
Twitter - www.twitter.com/LuluLovesxx
Instagram - www.instagram.com/lululovesblog

AlixKate

The makeup item that I cannot live without is concealer, recently I have tried the Urban Decay All Nighter liquid concealer. I have been using it non stop since I tried it because it is so so good for covering up blemishes. I would not be able to wear makeup everyday without this for sure, my skin is really blemish prone so it makes me feel more confident when I have a full coverage concealer on. 

Big shout out to all the girls that were involved in this post, I really enjoyed doing something different and I hope you enjoyed reading! Make sure you check out these girls socials as their blogs are amazing!

Thank you so much for reading,

Want to see more from me?

Twitter: alixholdenx
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