L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraodinaire Lipsticks

L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraodinaire Lipsticks in #101 Rose Melody (left) & #500 Molto Mauve (right)

I really love the look of wet, glossy, lips in the summer months, so I picked up two of the new L’Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire lipsticks in Molto Mauve (500) and Rose Melody (101). Because I totally needed more lip products. Surprisingly, L’Oreal have gone with the lipstick label here instead of lacquer, claiming they have substituted the stiff, waxy materials you usually find in lipsticks with micro oils. These micro oils apparently reveal ‘the full richness’ of colour pigments and help ‘reflect light for extraordinary depth and shine.’

#101 Rose Melody (top) & #500 Molto Mauve (bottom)

The lightest shade I purchased, Rose Melody, is a pinkie-peach colour and, Molto Mauve a light plum. I did notice the lighter shade was quite sheer, and took a couple of layers to build up some colour. I don't mind this, mainly because sheer lipsticks and glosses (especially light pinks) seem to sit better on my lips. The darker shade, Molto Mauve only needed one to two layers to give it the colour is does in the swatch above. L’Oreal were definitely spot on about the shininess. Both shades have a crazy amount of glittery particles to enhance their vibrancy, but they’re minuscule, and don’t detract from the overall smoothness of the formula.

The one thing I don’t like about these lipsticks is the texture. They’re thick, sticky, and transfer like crazy. But hey, that’s 90% of lipsticks for you. So don’t make the mistake of going out on a windy day with your hair down (like I did). Aside from this, the packaging is very sleek and also has a colour indicator built in on the side. The applicator is a (dare I say) furry sponge that's easy to use and control. They smell amazing; a tropical paradise in a bottle, and give that wet, glossy, finish that seem to be all the rage in summer.

L'oreal's Butterfly Wing Mascara

L'Oreal False Lash Wings Mascara

After hearing Estee from Essie Button raving about this mascara I immediately added it to my wish list. This is just another case of 'the blogger made me do it.' It's a common problem in my life. I had no need for a new mascara but when I heard Priceline had an introductory offer on it for $18 my resolve crumbled.

I've always been impressed by L'Oreal Mascara's. I don't buy them often because they are expensive. They usually range from  $20-30 but sometimes you can get them for under $20 on sale (which is when I buy them).  The new butterfly wings mascara claims to add instant volume and length, giving a 'winged eye-look'. Here's a photo of the wand:

It definitely has an interesting shape. The top sides of the wand slant slightly, which helps catch those pesky small lashes that you always seem to miss. And then there are the arches at the bottom which help stretch out the outer corners. You can see this in the before and after shots:

Wow. Please excuse the post-assignment eyes.

I think this mascara really lives up to its claims. It's been a while since I've been excited about a mascara, and it's nice when you buy one that actually works. I've noticed a huge difference in the volume and length of my lashes when using this, and I love the curved winged look at the edges, it feels very classic and feminine.

Anyone else tried this mascara? What are your thoughts?

L'oreal Nude Magique BB Cream Review

Okay, so there was this three for two deal going on at Priceline and for some reason I thought it would be interesting to try out L'oreal's new BB cream. Truth be told, I've been avoiding western BB creams. There's been a lot of talk about them online, and for those who have been using Asian BB creams for years would agree that the western creams just aren't up to scratch. They're merely a poor excuse for a tinted moisturiser, and are a huge step back as far as personal skincare goes.  L'oreal's new Nude Magique BB cream is no exception; Its' nothing like any other BB creams I have tried , and I'm a little confused as to why they would bother labeling it as such.

The texture is bizarre. It's a very pale coloured liquid containing a whole lot of grimy feeling beads they call 'smart pigment capsules'. Apparently these micro capsules help 'correct skin tone, cover imperfections and refine skin texture'. For a second I thought they had done the impossible and created BB cream that also exfoliates (you never know). Anyway, once you rub it into the skin the capsules begin to break up, dissolve and change colour. Just as a note, I bought the lightest skin tone available, and when I saw how pale the texture of this 'cream' was I thought I would be okay. Yeah, no. I have quite pale skin, and in summer I do tan a little on my face and arms but not enough to match the colour that this BB oxidizes to.

So once I had finally applied this to my face I read the text on the back of the tube: 

'...beyond make-up, beyond skin care...you can have all the benefits of  skin care with the perfecting properties of make-up.' 

It took me a couple of minutes, looking back and forth between the text and my reflection to figure out that this was utter BS.

So what exactly does this so called BB cream claim to offer?

• Sun protection
• 24 hour hydration
• Flaw free complexion
• A nude look

What it actually offers:

• A measly SPF 12 (which might be okay if you lived in a closet)

• No hydration
• A nude look (offers little to no coverage, so I guess they got something right)

• A really bad fake tan

Sorry, couldn't resist.

When you compare the functions of Asian BB creams to this BB...thing, there is a huge distinction to what each offer. Asian BB creams tend to offer a whole range of skincare functions such as

• Whiteneing/ evens out skin tone
• Refines skins texture
• Treats discoloration

• Treats/ reduces fine lines and wrinkles

• Heals and treats acne
• Heals scarring
• Offer sun protection against UV and UB rays
• Foundation like coverage

All in all, this product isn't a BB cream at all, I know some try to pass it off as a tinted moisturiser but without any moisturising properties it isn't really that either. So what is it exactly? I don't want to be a troll but can someone please tell me why this product exists? If anyone, anywhere finds a use for this product please let me know.