Featured Blogger #3

It's that time of the month again my friends, featured blogger timeeeeee! The observant amongst you may have noticed that I magically skipped Novembers FB, on purpose of course, I was just testing you see;) I feel like a meany not giving somebody the chance to be featured so to compensate I'm going to do two featured bloggers this month. Today is the turn of Rachel from Lost In Lipstick. Her blog has amaaaazing photography, genuinely helpful reviews and has quickly become a new favourite of mine. I recommend you pop over to Lost In Lipstick, you definitely won't regret it! And so, in true Rachael (confused by the spellings yet?) I pestered her to answer my questions so that you guys could learn a little bit more about Rachel and how she blogs! Over to you!

In less than 50 words tell us a little about yourself and your blog.
As I work in a school, I don't wear much make-up day to day but I love make-up and beauty. I love applying make-up and wear more at the weekend, even if I'm not going out! I love nothing more than soaking in the bath with lots of products and candles. (I actually think that's 51 words, sorry!)

When and why did you initially start blogging?
I'm a beginner really. I started my blog in September so I've only been blogging for 3 months. I had been reading beauty and fashion blogs for quite a long time and watching videos on YouTube. I began by commenting on videos and blog posts offering my opinion and sharing tips. One day I wrote a long comment on a YouTube video and I just decided from there that I was going to start a blog. It actually took me a while to think of a name because there are so many blogs out there!

Do you have any tips or ideas for someone wishing to start a successful blog?

Rachael informs me that my blog is successful as I have over 60 followers in 3 months but I'm no expert. Blogging isn't about followers for me. Obviously it's nice seeing people want to follow my blog, but it's not the be all and end all of blogging. Don't beg for followers. If your blog is worthy, they will want to follow you. I just do what I think and feel is right. You need to be unique and blog about things that you would want to read about. I try to keep my blog clear and well organised. I hate reading blogs where everything is all over the place. Content is very important. I don't have a fantastic camera but I take my photos in daylight and it helps. Also, there is nothing worse than reading a blog and the blogger hasn't checked their post before publishing. It doesn't take long and you look like you look like you care about your blog.

What do you think you've taken from blogging and what do you hope to learn?

As I've only been blogging for 3 months, I have so much to learn. I would love a better camera but it's just not an option due to money and I would love to make some great blogging friends but there is time. In three months, I have learnt so much about make-up. I am loving my blogging journey so far. There are lots of lovely bloggers out there and the community is so friendly as a whole.

What are your 5 favourite products right now?

This is a tough one! I would have to say: Collection Lasting Perfection Concealer as it's amazing for £4/5, Liz Earle Cleanse & Polish (I would choose everything Liz Earle if I could!), Revlon Colourburst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait, MUA Undressed Eyeshadow palette and Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick by Kate Moss in 101.

Who are your 5 favourite bloggers right now?

In no particular order (I feel like I should be presenting The X Factor saying that!)

Cupcakes and Cashmere

Fleur De Force

gh0stparties

Couture Girl

milkteef

I read a lot of blogs and these change on a regular basis!

Where can we find you?

twitter - @lostinlipstick

Instagram - lostinlipstick

Facebook - Lost In Lipstick

bloglovin' - Lost In Lipstick

hello cotton - Lost In Lipstick

Any final words of wisdom?

Take inspiration from everything!

December Empties

Sanctuary Luxury Bath Float
I believe this was part of a set as the size is so small, but I can't say I've ever seen a full size in store. I'm really not a picky person when it comes to bath gels so this was nothing special for me. I wouldn't repurchase purely because I'm constantly changing what I use.

Impulse New York Mini Body Spray
I've been trying to use this up for so long it's unreal, why do aerosols always seem to last forever? This is the scent I used to use when I was 9 or 10 and so for that reason my 15 year old self will not repurchase! It's a nice fresh mix of florals and fruits and a perfect handbag size though!

Clean & Clear Morning Energy Brightening Facial Scrub
Probably my favourite item in this post, I absolutley worship this scrub! It's pretty much a gel with abrasive particles in so it's a lot softer and less agitating in comparison to most other facial scrubs. At first I doubted its brightening claims however I do feel as though it makes me look much more awake and gives the appearance of healthier, glowy skin. I will 100% repurchase!

Clearasil Rapid Action Gel Wash
From best to worst now! I didn't get on insanely well with this product, it's not the best suited for my skin. It has a crazy high alcohol makeup and dried my skin out terribly. I'd say this would maybe work for those with breakouts or acne but even then I think it would agitate the skin so much. I just can't seem to make this work - a no repurchase for me I'm afraid!

Rimmel Max Volume Flash Mascara
I absolutley loved this all the time I was using it. It's quite a dry mascara and it coats the lashes well, some might think it was quite a clumpy mascara although I can't comment because I'm kinda a fan of insanely defined lashes. I loved the way it looked and thought I'd never go back to another however, after falling in love with my Maybelline falsies I'm not sure any more. Perhaps I'll repurchase!

Leave your empties post links below, I'd love to see what you've been using up!

L'Oreal Everpure No Sulphates Shampoo And Hair Mask

After my rather wonderful encounter with L'Oreal's extraordinary oil I decided to try their even more recent line, the 'Everpure' line which features sulphate free (yes L'oreal even went to the trouble of changing the spelling throughout different countries) haircare at a low cost.

If you don't already know, sulphates strip the hair of moisture, colour and generally just any signs of life. Sulphate free products aren't incredibly available on the market at the minute unless you buy from salons which can cost a fortune. L'Oreal hopefully will lead the way in sulphate free haircare, just has others have done with ingredients such as Argan oil. But less of the background talk, let's get on to the products themselves!

The shampoo ideally should be used for people who use dyes, I myself do not so I can't fully test the colour claims. However, as a general everyday shampoo it works very very well. I'd say it's slightly better than the average shampoo, although nothing that will change the way you wash your hair. It lathers as any other would and adds noticeable moisture to the hair. It's not marketed as a volumizing shampoo yet I find it to be considerably better than those specifically designed to add volume and body to the hair when blow dried.

The mask is the better product out of the two for me. A little goes a long way in adding moisture and shine even to hair as long as mine. Did that just rhyme? I think it did. Hair masks in general seem to do nothing but good for hair, but this one goes above and beyond others I've tried. I would definitely recommend the mask to you guys. I think I'll stick to my Daniel Galvin shampoo though!  

The Everpure line also includes a conditioner and UV protecting spray.

Natural Collection Lipstick Comparison

This is the last you'll hear of these lippies for a while I promise!

As you'll probably already know I recently delved in to the Natural Collection's lipstick offerings. I had mixed views on the lipsticks and so figured I would do an overall summary kind of post for anyone wanting to see how the shades fair against each other and which are the nicest in my opinion!

The photo shows the swatches as Apple Blossom / Sorbet / Autumn Sunset, in order of how much I like them. Apple Blossom has pretty much no use to me as it's far too 'concealer lips' and the only thing I find it remotely useful for is as a skin base to neutralise the shade of my lips when wearing colours like Kate Moss 103. Sorbet is very very pretty and a perfect everyday shade, perhaps for those who are in high school. Autumn Sunset is (as you can see in the photo) very similar to Apple Blossom but slightly more orange toned with a frosty finish. Sorbet & Autumn Sunset are part of the 'Sheer Natural' line which I find to be great for light washes of colour and long lasting moisture. The 'Moisture Shine' collection which Apple Blossom belongs to is very drying in my opinion, however this line does have a much better choice of shades.

Overall I would most certainly purchase Natural Collection lipsticks again as they're fantastic quality for the price. I would however try to buy from the 'Sheer Natural' line only as I much prefer the formulation.

Current Wishlist

1 / 2 / 3 /4 / 5

Yet again there's neon yellow in my wishlist, surprise surprise! *rolls eyes* No but seriously I've wanted that bracelet for a freaking year and it's just gone on sale and sold out -______- impressed is not the word. Perhaps I'll drown my sorrows with a Panja, some sparkly nail polish and the Topshop geek tee that everyone and their cat has by now. Alternatively I could finally take the plunge and buy the poppy cami because lets face it, I've been wanting a cami style top for the longest time but fear it will make my boyish figure look well... boyish?