MAC Viva Glam Nicki

 MAC Viva Glam Nicki: mac cosmetics (£13.50) 

Im sure you'll be hearing alot about this over the next few weeks as its literally just been on pre-sale in the UK. But I've been waiting patiently for the release of MAC Viva Glam Nicki from the moment I read the press release about the collaboration on Temptalia. It came this morning and I literally swiped it on my lips as soon as I opened the box, From the initial shade description sounded too perfect to be true, and boy was I happy when it came. MAC Viva Glam Nicki is a bright mid toned pink with a yellow undertone. The yellow undertone means it does look more coral toned than your average bright pink lipstick. It's nice to see a pink thats not blue toned, Having warm toned skin I find it hard to find suitable pink lipsticks that flatter me. The finish is satin, although unlike alot of MAC satin lipsticks I found this to be much creamier than most, still full coverage in one swipe just not as semi-matte as I'd have hoped! As with all MAC Viva Glam lipsticks 100% of the proceeds (that's every penny from the sale) goes towards the MAC Aids fund. Its so refreshing to see a company give all of the money to charity from sales of a product rather than just a percentage. I'm going to be buying another tube of this as I know I'll be wearing it alot, plus its the same as donating to a charity and getting more than just a lipstick in return!

To my knowledge I don't think its actually on general sale yet, I bought mine during the presale using a code someone generously sent me!

mua lip balm in great lips and hot lips

mua lip balm in great lips(nude) and hot lips(pink): superdrug (£2)* 

(will add lip swatches when i get home!)

Another product from the MUA and Love Hearts range, this time the Im reviewing the MUA Lip Balms. I have two shades, Great Lips and Hot Lips. Great Lips is a peachy toned, almost nude shade. However on my (pigmented) lips it doesnt give any colour. It would probably work well over a nude lipstick for a glossy finish but gives very poor colour on darker lips. Hot Lips is a blue toned mid to dark pinky-red, It probably leans more pink in the pan. On my lips its a juicy dark pink, but like I mentioned before my lips are quite pigmented so the colour may differ depending on your natural lip shade. Its not a colour I would go for as its a bit dark but it is very flattering and gives a lovely juicy pout.

The packaging is nice, its cutesy and fits MUA's target audience (I'm guessing younger girls, 12-17 mainly because of the price point). Personally I don't like lip balms in a dippy pot like this, I don't like putting my finger in products as its unhygienic. You could use a lip brush though if your as fussy as me! However that is not much of a issue though if you aren't as picky as me! My only major issu is that they have a very synthetic vanilla smell to them. I'm really funny about the way a product smells and tastes on the lips.

Overall the MUA Love Heart Lip Balms are OK. They obviously aren't intended to be something that is super pigmented and for the price I think its acceptable for them not to be opaque. A pretty average lip balm but the packaging is cute, but not something I'd choose. The formula is sheer, but build-able, It feels very smooth and non sticky. They wear around a hour or so before needing reapplication.I think they would be best used over a lipstick as a gloss, but without something underneath its barely noticeable. They are pretty fun though and some of the other shades in the range like Sweet Kiss and Sugar Lips look very pretty in the pan, but I highly doubt they'd be pigmented either.

Tresemme Heat Defence Serum

Tresemme Heat Defence Serum: (£4.38)* 

Personally, I've never seen the importance of using a heat protector, I'm one of those people that tends to just dry and style their hair using heat and not think about the damage. I actually rarely use any styling products on my hair apart from Morrocan Oil and a tiny bit of hair spray. I always feel like too many products weigh down my long and fine hair and can leave it looking flat and greasy. However Recently I've been much more open to trying out haircare products,and been surprised at the incredible difference in my hair since updating my "hair care routine".

Tresemme Heat Defence Serum claims to protect hair up to 230C, smooth and fight frizz, help damaged hair from previous heat styling as well as seal in shine. I use a Babyliss Conical Wand on 220C (the highest heat) normally to style my hair so this product is perfect for it. Last week I had a massive hair disaster with my hair dryer which resulted in my hair looking like a dry, frizzy, unmanageable mess. I've noticed if I dont dry my hair properly using a hair dryer attachment and a rounded brush it looks terrible. So to try and counteract this, I dampened it a bit and added a few pumps of the Tresemme Heat Defence Serum and then blow dried it straight using a round brush. The Heat Defence Serum smoothed out all my flyaways and ends, and left my hair looked so soft and shiny without weighed down. I've never used a heat protectant or a hair serum before so I dont have the prior knowledge to compare this to another product. However I've really enjoyed using it and probably will keep this in my hair routine for the time being. Its not done anything bad to my hair so far! I tend to apply this to the ends and mid lengths of my hair while its wet before I dry it. I have also tried using it as a serum to add shine after I've styled it, which worked well at keeping my hair sleek.

Tresemme Heat Defence is £4.38 and you can purchase it from Boots, Superdrug and all major Supermarkets

Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid Makeup

Estee Lauder Invisible Fluid Makeup: John Lewis (£27)*

A few weeks ago I was invited along to Estee Lauder HQ for a event to launch their new foundation, Invisible Fluid Makeup. I generally wear Estee Lauder foundations because I know they work well on me and give the kind of coverage I like. I've been using Double Wear for as long as I can remember and I've also used (and liked) Double Wear Light and Maximum Coverage. As a full coverage girl I wasn't sure how I'd feel about even trying this one, I was worried.

Invisible Fluid Makeup is unlike any of foundations I've tried out in the past. It has a very "runny" and wet texture, and really needs a good shake before application to get the ingredients mixed up as it doesn't contain anything to hold it all together. Also it doesn't contain any SPF, which is a godsend as this means you don't get the dreaded ghost face in night out photos! I find the finish to be not cakey in the slightest! It feels very light, as if you arent wearing a foundation at all. Personally I think it dries very matte and luminous, its not dewy but does have a very "glowy" feel to it. This is because it does have light reflecting particles which can even out the skintone and give a fresh glow. Invisible Fluid Makeup Foundation is incredibly easy to blend, It is a "apply and go" foundation- It needs very little work to look good. I've been using a Real Techniques Buffer Brush to apply this all over the face then stippling it in the areas I need more coverage.

I find the coverage very adaptable, For instance I've seen alot of people say "If you like Double Wear this isnt for you" and I have to completely disagree. I love Double Wear's matte and full finish, but find it cakey and unwearable if I apply too much. Invisible Fluid Makeup can be applied lightly or layered for a fuller effect. Either that or I'm applying more than I should, but I find 2p piece sized blob (its runny remember!) enough to give me great coverage that I like without the heaviness of Double Wear. Im not saying its like double wear, because its NOTHING like it, the coverage isnt the same or comparable. It is light to medium, buildable coverage, but its not light as in sheer.

Talking to a lady from Estee Lauder, she showed us how the foundation has pigments that help the foundation adapt more to your skintone. Picking a shade would be quite easy and there is a little leeway if is wrong. Id say 2W2N is a pretty good match for me, its yellower than I'd normally pick but it does blend down into the right shade and doesn't look unnatural or odd! There are 16 shades in this foundation launch, which is odd for a foundation that claims to be adaptable, but I do think the shade range is pretty good and there are some darker and paler tones in there.

Would I buy this? 100%! I would never have probably never have picked it out myself though, the name suggests alot lower coverage than it actually is. However I think the coverage is amazing and adaptable, I'm still using concealer under my eyes and on spots alongside this, but I tend to put concealer on even if I use Double Wear. I've been using it every day for the past few weeks and I've had alot of compliments on my skin. I can see myself continuing to use this until another foundation inevitably comes along. Im a bit of a foundation tart!

(My skin for reference: I have oily/combo skin, relatively good skin in terms of breakouts and spots, slight scarring on my chin. I have a very uneven olive and warm toned skin but with very pink toned cheeks. Im a MAC NW/NC15 without tan and generally wear foundation this colour then darken/bronze up with bronzer!)