Swatched, MAC Look In A Box. Pretty Natural Lip Kit.

I only recently realised I don't own any MAC nude lip products (I know, what the hell!?) so I had been thinking I should just go in and get them to pick the perfect nude for me. While I was still undecided on what I should do Mac released their Look In A Box collections (prefect timing right?), when I saw there was a nude lip set that contained not only a lipstick but a lipglass and pencil I was sold. Now please meet my first MAC nude lip products from the Pretty Natural Lip Kit, swatches included!

Lip Pencil in Subculture

Lipstick in Pretty Natural over pencil. This lipstick is a cremesheen formula.

All topped off with Feeling Fine Lipglass. This Lipglass has superfine glitter in it.

What you get; Lipstick in Pretty Natural (cremesheen), Lip Pencil in Subculture and Lipglass in Feeling Fine.

Here's the full set. This Look In A Box retails for $89.00 AUD and is available from  online Mac Cosmetics Australia or in store, selected Myer and David Jones.

What do you think of this nude lip kit by MAC? Did you pick this one up? or any of the other Look In A Boxes? Let me know below :)

Until next time beauties,

Shannon.

In between blogging you can connect with me on Instagram and Facebook.

These thoughts and opinions are completely my own, This post is not sponsored, nor were these products provided to me.

L'Oreal Color Riche Collection Exclusive Pure Reds. Review and Swatches.

I missed out on the L'Oreal Color Riche Collection Exclusive Nude's collection so when I heard the Pure Red's collection was about to land on our shores I was constantly dropping into Priceline to see if they had arrived yet. (Oh yeah they know me now too) Luckily (and some times not) Priceline is right next door to work!. Funnily enough I found the lipsticks in Target, go figure. So after much in store swatching and pondering which ones I loved the most to start my L'Oreal lipstick collection with I give you Blake, Doutzen and Laetitia. Let's get into this!

The skinny for L'Oreal Paris 

The Collection Exclusive Reds, each shade has been chosen to specifically complement every woman's skin tone. Finding the perfect red has never been easier.
Colour Riche lipstick is formulated with the purest and finest colour pigments, along with the unique combination of Omega 3 Oils and Vitamin E for smooth colour and comfortable wear.

How it sized up

Packaging - The packaging is a nice in between of luxe and less. It looks incredible with the sleek black python / panther / burnt wood (I'm really not sure) print with a bold emblazoned band running around its center. The tube has a nice weight to it, is well balanced and doesn't feel cheap.

BLAKE, A gorgeous blue based red that isn't too bright,

Price - The L'Oreal Color Riche lipsticks retail for $21.95 AUD. I managed to snag these during a Target 30% off sale bringing them down to roughly $16  AUD. I feel this is an excellent price point for these fab lippies.

Longevity - I applied my colour for work at 1pm and left it on til 10.30pm. It didn't fade or wear away (and I tend to suck on my lips when I'm concentrating) and applied really smoothly with a brush. It only wore off a little bit in the center when I had dinner which made me need to reapply Blake to my lips. I didn't use a lip liner with this and I had no feathering around the edges of my lips. This would have keep on lasting if I didn't have to take it off. In saying that it removed fairly easily with makeup remover but left a bit of a stain behind.

DOUTZEN, A flaming orange that is so flattering.

Feel / Finish - With a semi matte finish it feels a touch drying on the lips but not uncomfortably so. I didn't feel like I needed to apply a gloss or balm over the top. The semi matte finish is a nice in between and doesn't catch on any dry patches on the lips. Nor does it emphasis cracks in the lips bonus! I talk a lot in my jobs and the colour didn't crack or separate.

Opacity - A applied the colour with a brush which didn't take long to build up full opacity. No sheerness here! Just bold color. I applied two layers for full impact.

LAETITIA, A blue based plum red, pulls more red then purple.

Overall

I really enjoyed this lipstick and got quite a few compliments on it. I kept double taking myself in the mirror as I hardly wear red lipstick. It felt comfortable all day and the color lasted really well. I would absolutely recommend you check out the L'Oreal Color Riche Collection Exclusive Reds lipsticks and their fantastic range of colours.

L'Oreal Color Riche Collection Exclusive Pure Reds in Blake after 9 hours wear.

How Blake wore after 9 hours with one re application after eating. Only a little feathering around the edges but the colour is still good.

Last I saw the L'Oreal Color Riche Collection Exclusive Pure Reds collection is available at Target and I would assume Priceline in Australia. These do not seem to be on the L'Oreal Paris Australian website yet.

Tell me which lovely ladies did you pick up from this collection!? How do you feel about them? Leave me a comment below.

In between blogging you can find me on Instagram and Facebook.

Until next time,

Shannon

These thoughts and opinions are completely my own, This post is not sponsored, nor were these products provided to me.

UPDATED Chi Chi Glamorous Eye Shadow Palette Swatches

Welcome to the first post on S.M.B for 2015! Sorry this took so long the weather here has been so bad and I have no other lighting options to take the photos. All photos seen in this post were taken in natural light.

Since my last blog post of swatches of the Chi Chi Glamorous Eye Shadow Palettes my collection has doubled. Chi Chi has also recently release 5 new palettes bringing the total number of different palettes available to 16, that's a lot of choice! So with all the new additions available her are some swatches of the new palettes I now own. You can find my previous Chi Chi swatches and post here.

Here is an updated list of the palettes available.

• Nude
• Bronzes
• Bases
• Brights
• Classics
• Sultry
• Rich Gems
• Smokeys
• Elegants
• Metallics
• Naturals
• Taupes
• Mattes
• Sun Kissed
• Pretty
• O.M.F.G

These palettes are available from Target or Myer in Australia or their website for $22.95 AUD. Which is awesome for the quality you are getting! Target and Myer also frequently has sales on Chi Chi.

Sorry this post is going to be long due to all the photos! better get a cuppa and a comfy seat.

A collection of naturals in mostly cool tones in pearl and matte finishes.

A collection of bronzes, golds, browns and wines

A collection of gem stone shades with rich metals

A collection of very wearable metallic shades including browns, blues, purples and golds.

A collection of all the brights you will ever need plus a smokey anchor

I hope you're as impressed by these palettes as I am.

Note: Palette description has been taken from the Chi Chi Cosmetics Website.  To look or shop these palettes follow this link.  - I am not sponsored by Chi Chi.

In between blogging you can find me on Facebook and Instagram

Until next time Beauties,

Shannon

These thoughts and opinions are completely my own, This post is not sponsored, nor were these products provided to me.

Chi Chi Glamorous Gel Eyeliner Collection Swatches and Review.

Chi Chi Glamorous Gel Eyeliner Collection

These gorgeous liners from Chi Chi for there Holiday Collection are some of the best liners I've been able to play with, the colour selection is fantastic an they are a definite need for your Christmas list!

Colours are in order as stated on the box. See below. 

The official word from Chi Chi on the liners:
This collection of fashionable, highly pigmented and waterproof Gel Eyeliners are in a long wearing smudge-proof formula that allows you to create bold lines of intense colour in one easy stroke. Colours include Lo-Cal Chocolate (rich matte brown), Midas Touch, (light metallic gold), Caribbean Queen (turquoise green), Black is Black (the blackest black in a matte), Diamonds in the Sky (black with very fine silver glitter), Matte White, Boys Boys Boys (baby blue matte), Dream Lover (metallic cobalt blue), Beauty School Drop Out (shimmery purple) and Hopelessly Devoted (Hot Pink)

I found these liners to be very pigmented, very hard to smudge once dry and waterproof. The pack comes with 10 colours! That's right 10 gel liners for $30, and they're amazing! hard to believe but check out my Instagram for a video on how they are smudge and water proof. These liners apply very smoothly and don't drag on the eyelid. The colour is buildable so you can choose your intensity and the tip doesn't snap off during application. I have quite oily lids and this liner stayed on and didn't transfer onto my lid. I wore the "Dream Lover" eyeliner all day and I decided to clean the house, in a heat wave, so I was sweating (sorry, tmi?) and this liner did not budge or smear or transfer and stayed as colour intense as when I put it on. I highly recommend that you use an oil based eye makeup remover to take this off. I am impressed by these liners and can't wait to incorporate these colourful liners into my looks.

Dream Lover Gel Eyeliner

Just applied

"Dream Lover" eyeliner after a few hours wear, cleaning and sweating.

The colours in the pack are;

• Lo Ca Chocolate
• Midas Touch
• Caribbean Queen
• Black Is Black
• Diamonds In The Sky
• Like A Virgin
• Boys Boys Boys
• Dream Lover
• Beauty School Dropout
• Hopelessly Devoted

The Chi Chi Gel Eyeliner Collection is exclusively available as a holiday pack for $30 AUD. This pack is available from Myer in Australia or on their website here.

Packaging 5/5 - Nice and simple yet effective at showing the product.
Pigmentation 4/5 - Needs a few goes over to get colour intensity (could just be me)
Longevity 5/5 - This stuff stays on. 'Nuff said.
Application 4/5 - Easy to apply but takes some building.
Texture 4/5 - Glides on easily and doesn't drag on the lid.
Value 5/5 - It's $30 AUD, just do it you won't regret it.

I would love to hear if you decide to pick these up and play!

In between blogging you can find me on Instagram and Facebook

Until next time,

Shannon


These thoughts and opinions are completely my own, This post is not sponsored, nor were these products provided to me.

First Impressions Maybelline Super Stay Better Skin Foundation

"The vitamin enriched formula improves skin's appearance leaving it feeling energised & looking healthier as if renewed."

I heard about this new long wear foundation that can actually improve your skin a couple of months ago via Instagram. I love Instagram it alerts me to all these amazing new products! The Maybelline Super Stay Better Skin Foundation promises "Instant even tone", "Better looking skin in 3 weeks"and "All day wear non-transfer". The Better Skin Foundation is available in 8 shades. It's a lot to live up to!

The official word from Maybelline Australia is this;

Our 1st vitamin enriched longwear foundation with Actyl-C.
For Flawless coverage now, smoother, more even skin in 3 weeks

Why You'll Love It

ACTYL-C FORMULA - improves skin's appearance after 3 weeks leaving it feel energised and looking healthier.
ALL-DAY WEAR - Longwear formula ensures your foundation lasts all day

• Flawless coverage
• Hydrates & smoothes skin
• Evens skin tone
• Reduces redness
• SPF 14

For Best Results.

Apply to the center of the face with fingers, brush or sponge and blend ouwards

Freshly applied foundation in natural sunlight

After trying this foundation for a few days I am pleasantly surprised. It gives me good coverage and feels really comfortable on the skin all day, I tested this out during full days at work to really see what its worth. I have shade 020 Cameo which was a nice change as I normally have to get the lightest colour, and I could have but I wanted to warm up my complexion a little bit. I am so happy with my colour choice.  It has a "flawless" dewy finish and does actually lasts all day without oxidizing on me. I found there was no wear off or creasing which was a fantastic bonus. I love that the Better Skin has an SPF of 14 in it as I like having that little extra coverage during the day. It feels a little thick when you apply it but it blends and smooths out nicely. One pump covers my entire face and partly down my neck. I could build it up if I wanted to.

Swatches of Better Skin. Left is with flash, Right is in natural light.

The bottle itself is well presented with a pump top, which I prefer, for easy amount control and hygiene. It's cute with its dark blue pump that matches the colour of the Better Skin label. You get a decent 30ml of product in the little glass bottle and you have a recommended 12 months from opening to use it. 

Here are some looks I did using the Maybelline Super Stay Better Skin Foundation.

Maybelline Better Skin Foundation in natural light

Maybelline Better Skin Foundation in natural light

Maybelline Better Skin in natural light

I hope this review helps you in your decision if you want to try this product.

If you have any comments or questions or if you would like to request something please leave them below.

In between blogging you can find me on Instagram, @shannonmichellebeauty , on Facebook or follow me on Bloglovin'

Until next time,

Shannon

These thoughts and opinions are completely my own, This post is not sponsored, nor were these products provided to me.

Dragonberry Lipsticks. Worth The Hype?

As you may have noticed Dragonberry lipsticks have been sweeping Instagram. These lipsticks are available from the Dragonberry boutique, which is a clothing store in Australia, at a steal price of $10 AUD each (I manged to get them on sale for $5 AUD woo!). There are currently 16 shades available. These are;

• Velvet Crush
• Queen of Hearts
• Cosmo
• Bramble
• Malibu
• Bondi Blush
• Sherbet
• Pretty In Pink
• Bombshell
• Midnight
• Hummingbird
• Bubblegum
• Ruby
• Sweet Pea
• Pegasus
• Peachy Keen

When I was out shopping I picked up six shades for myself. Sherbet, Bramble, Queen Of Hearts, Pretty In Pink, Peachy Keen and Velvet Crush. 

L-R Velvet Crush, Peachy Keen, Bramble, Pretty In Pink, Sherbet, Queen Of Hearts.

I find these lipsticks are super creamy and opaque. For their price point it is extremely good value,  I know a few people believe the packaging is cheap but at $5 - $10 what were you expecting?. I think these are a great way to add to your lipstick collection without having to spend a lot of money.

After trying these for a few days I feel they are worth the hype. I wore "Queen Of Hearts" for 6 hours and didn't need to reapply the entire time. During these hours I had lunch, drinks, lots of talking and thinking (when I concentrate or think I tend to suck on my lips) and it barely moved. It applied so easily and barely needs any building, it applies opaque and just glides on. It felt really comfortable on the lips and didn't feel drying but actually quite creamy. At the 5-6 hour mark it did start to feel dry and like I should reapply but for a lipstick that kind of life span is awesome, it only really wore off on my inner lips. I would absolutely recommend these lipsticks! I want more!

Just applied lipstick in "Queen Of Hearts".

After 6 hours wear. Only wore off on inner lips.

After 6 hours wear.

Here are the swatches, these are in the same order as the lipstick tube photo above.

Each colour has three swipes from the tube.

These are available in store and online. Dragonberry They are currently online for $10 AUD each. They do ship internationally for a flat rate of $15 AUD and can take between 2 - 4 weeks. Postage within Aus is $4 AUD and should arrive between 2- 5 business days of shipping. Orders over $50 AUD post free!

Let me know what you think of these lippies, have you tried them? Leave your comments below!

In between blogging you can find me on Instagram @shannonmichellebeauty

Until next time,

Shannon

These thoughts and opinions are completely my own, This post is not sponsored, nor were these products provided to me.