REVIEW: Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipsticks

I bought these liquid lipsticks around 9 months ago and have been wearing them non-stop. I bought a few nudes, a few pinks and a few brights. Overall I love the colours and also how long most of them last on the lips even after eating and drinking.

Firstly, the packaging. The boxes they come in are simple and very pretty. They really do live up to the name "colourpop" by putting the small red part at the ends of the plain white boxes. However, the boxes do remind me of the boxes you get medication from the pharmacy in. The actual bottle of the lipstick is very pretty and looks quite high end for the overall price that is so cheap. The applicator is accurate enough to apply straight from the tube and also sucks off the excess while you pull it out, but with some colours the product does not carry enough on the applicator even though it is quite large.

I bought 9 different colours, in order from left to right; Midi, Trap, Solow, Lumiere 2, Bumble, Tulle, Creeper, Avenue and Zipper..

Midi; This is the perfect nude for me as I am so pale. It is a pale pink, fades really well on me and it is opaque enough with only one coat, it has definitely become a staple. It doesn't touch up as well as the other colours, so I usually just take it all off and put it back on after.

Trap; This is a grey toned nude which is still really pretty, I find this tone fairly easy to wear depending on the look I'm going for and it touches up really quite well, if you only add it to the parts of the lip that have no lipstick left on them. I find it's a good dupe for Lime Crime's "Cashmere".

Solow; This is a pale dusky pink colour, which is opaque enough to only wear one coat and wears off nicely through out the day, it has a red tone to it and is a lot darker than "Midi". I do find that this one dries my lips out more than the rest of the colours. This is a really good colour dupe for Lime Crime's "cupid" however the formula is definitely more drying.

Lumiere 2; This one is part of Colourpop's Kathleen Lights collaborations. It is a grey/pink, almost purple tone and for my pale skin is a little more of a night time look. It applies smoother than the rest and personally I find this the best formula as it doesn't sit in the creases of the lips as much.

Bumble; Is a very hard colour to describe, it's kind of a terrocotta, pinky, orangey, red. I do love this colour and formulation, However, it does transfer and doesn't dry completely although it feels dry. I have worn this colour quite a lot and I do find it doesn't transfer as much when I've applied a lip liner underneath and also when I apply as thin a coat as possible. So although it can be a problem, it can at least be rectified.

Tulle; In the tube this colour looks almost the exact same as "Bumble" but once it dries down its quite a dark brown colour and doesn't have the same formula issues that "Bumble" has. I have to admit that I find this colour quite hard to wear and feel it would be more suited to someone with a warmer complexion as I have cool toned pale skin.  From what I have worn of it, it lasts longer than any of the other colours, however it definitely falls into those cracks and is quite drying and can be a little streaky. (DO NOT RUB YOUR LIPS TOGETHER AFTER PUTTING THIS ON, you'll make it worse) 

Creeper; DO NOT MAKE OUT WITH THIS ON!! Seriously though, this transfers like a normal moisturizing lipstick, it is sticky, bleeds a lot and does not dry down properly as you can see from the photo below and that is with a liner. The colour is lovely and opaque but the formula just isn't there, if those things don't phase you then by all means go for it.

Avenue; This colour is my favourite. It is a lovely warm, dark, red which is perfect for autumn and winter. I did actually wear this on Christmas day and it lasted all the way through past dinner. It transfers just a little around the inner lip line, but I don't really mind that when the colour is so good and comfortable. I do find it bleeds a little while drying but is usually fine after applying a lip liner first.

Zipper; Guys... Stay away from this one. Sorry, I know the colour is a beautiful, bright, purple but it just isn't worth the time you have to spend fixing it. It is so streaky, the colour builds up around the lip line and there is hardly any colour right on the center of your lips. I find a lip liner helps but is very hard to find one that matches the colour and you still have to put coat after coat on top of one another to give you any kind of coverage, which in turn leads to you having cracks and build up. Also not a lot of product comes up on the applicator it can be quite a few dips before you cover your lips just once. On the bright side if you have bought this and are stuck with it, it makes a great eye liner if you don't have wrinkly eye lids and definitely wear a primer.

(In this photo the colour isn't as bright as in real life,

however I really just wanted to show you the texture)

I store all mine in a small drinking glass, upright, as I find they dry in the tube quite quickly so I want all the product at the bottom so that it doesn't dry out around the applicator. I remove them by applying a lip balm over the top and then wait for it to soak in and rub my lip together I then take off the excess and then repeat but I wipe it off using cotton pads and "Simple" micellar water, then if I'm taking my makeup off at the same time, I usually do a full cleanse. This may seem eccentric but it is the only way I've found where they don't stain my skin around my lips.

In general, I think they are good for the price and compared to some other brands have decent formulas and colours, however I do think they are a hit or miss kind of product and there are definitely some that I will not repurchase. Unfortunately if you want to purchase any of these in the UK you do have to have a bit of a hunt and please try and be smart about it because the shipping and customs costs can be pretty high.

Lime Crime Venus II Palette

I recently purchased the Lime Crime Venus II palette. It has beautiful packaging and I love every single colour, They are very fine powders, blend amazingly with good pigmentation. Some have a matte with a very slight, almost none noticible sparkle which helps them to blend like; "Mustard", "Marsh", "Mud", "Filter" and "Jam". The only full on sparkly one is "Boot" and the other two "Pigeon" and "Fly"  have a shimmer finish. I personally don't need to use them with a primer but if you want less fallout and even more pigmentation it might be and idea.

 I have been playing around with the colours for a while now but this look is my favourite. This look elongates the eye and would really suit brown and hazel eyes making the colour pop but goes nice with any eye colour.

The only down side to this product is how bulky the packaging is as it would be hard to travel with, but if this was changed to a slimmer box it would not be nearly as pretty and ornate. The writing is also quite hard to read sometimes.

I first started  with my Embroelleysse moisturiser, L'oreal true match in C1 foundation and collection concealer in light and set using Illamasqua's loose powder.

I then blended a pale shadow all over my eye as a base. I applied "Marsh" in the inner and outer corners and through the crease leaving the space in middle, adding "mud" over the top to make it a little more richer, also followed it under the lash line again leaving a space in the middle.

I used "Boot" to deepen up the look on outer corner and crease and then used "Pigeon"to blend out the crease.

I filled the middle space using "Fly" and filled my eyebrows using "Jam", which I can use as it matches my ginger hair.

I applied Illamasqua's liquid liner in "Havoc" half way across on the outer corner  in a slim wing and then used Urban Decay's 24/7 liner in "Perversion"  half way across the waterline. I finished the eye by appling Urban Decay's "Perversion" mascara.

I used Illamasqua's cream pigment in "Mould" as a blush and contoured using a gray/taupe shade powder.  I finished the look with Colourpop's liquid lipstick in "Trap".

This palette was $22.66 and I also had to pay shipping to the UK. Although I bought it from the website direct I had not researched the company at the time, Now I urge you to research Lime Crime and come to your own conclusion on where to buy their products from before you make the decision as they are also available on Ebay and Amazon.

Lime Crime- https://www.limecrime.com/eyes/palettes/venus-ii/

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Lime-Crime-Venus-Eyeshadow-Palette/dp/B018FCT1PO

Ebay- http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/201546088766?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=122&chn=ps&googleloc=9046985&poi=&campaignid=220881786&device=c&adgroupid=13936810266&rlsatarget=pla-148545928386&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=122

MODERN BLACK SMOKEY EYE SHOOT!!

I had to plan a modern styled shoot so looking at catwalks and red carpets and came up with a black smokey eye, nude lip and contoured cheeks.

I applied a base of foundation and concealer in the appropriate places then set with powder after combing through the brows. I used Illamasqua's cream pigment in "hollow" all over the eye as a base then set that with a light beige powder. I covered the lid in brown shadow then blended it out, applying another layer to increase intensity. I pushed black shadow across the lid then blended it into the brown applying more layers to increase intensity. I applied Illamasqua's gel black liner along the top lash line and in the waterline, then added Elizabeth Arden mascara.

I contoured the cheeks using "hollow" and used Illamasqua's "woo" to line the lips and used "obey" lipstick over the top and then soap and glory's "sexy mother pucker" in "nude" as a gloss. 

I paired this makeup with a smooth high pony tail and covered the bobble with a plait. I added a leather jacket, blue jeans and a white T to complete the look.

Photography courtesy of Stuart from FemmeFoto. http://www.femmefoto.co.uk

TUTORIAL; COLOUR MISSION

Everybody loves a smokey eye but it can be rather difficult to do it with colour.

1. First apply your base as normal with your moisturiser, primer, foundation, concealer and powder then fill in your brows. Apply a leaf green colour to the whole of the eye lid and under the lashes.

  

2. Add a dark green across the outer two thirds of the eye lid and under the lashes, blending it into the leaf green.

  

3. To deepen the colour use a dark brown on the outer corner of the eyelid and under the lashes then into the crease a little, blending it into the rest of the eyeshadow.

  

4. Apply a shimmering highlight colour into the inner corner and brow bone.

  

5. Add winged black liquid liner along the top lash line to elongate the eye.

  

6. Now apply a black kohl liner to the water line and the tight line to widen it.

  

7. Add a coat of mascara to top and bottom then another to make the lashes extra full.

  

8. Apply plum coloured lipstick and bronze the face. 

  

If you want to change this look up you could smudge out the liner, apply false lashes or leave out the highlights maybe even change the lipstick and/or eyeshadow colour for a softer look.

TUTORIAL; BLACK MAGIC!!

This is a look that would be good for Halloween, night out or if you like wearing strong make-up you could even wear it during the day.

1. Start off with your normal foundation routine. I use moisturiser, primer then powder, on top of that I use my foundation then concealer on spots and redness and extra powder on oily parts. Then fill in my eyebrows.

 

2. Now buff a dark red or brown cream shadow into the whole of the top and bottom eyelid and don't worry about going too low, it's supposed to be messy. I used maybelline colour tattoo in pomegranate.

 

3. Draw a line of black creamy liner along the top and bottom lash lines and buff in with a fluffy brush, still no need to be neat.

 

4. Go over the liner with a black shadow to deepen the colour.

 

5. Colour waterline and tightline with black eyeliner and add plenty of mascara.

6. Use a dark lip liner to line and fill the lips then go over it in a dark plum or brown lipstick. Make sure you exfoliate lips first.

 

7. Use a black eyeliner/shadow/lipstick on the corners and blend into the lipstick, then use a lighter colour right in the middle of the bottom and top lips and blend. This will give you ombré lips.

 

8. Contour and highlight the temples, cheekbones, nose and jawline.

To make it that bit more magical add black stars to the cheek or add some glitter.

TUTORIAL; BABY DOLL!

The baby doll style stemmed from the 60's and was worn by celebrities such as Edie Sedgwick and Twiggy. The style was thick black liner, cut crease, false bottom lash line, false lashes and nude or narrowed lips.

 

1. Start with a perfect base; moisturiser, primer then powder on top all over the face.

 

2. Now buff in a pale foundation over the powder. I mixed my normal foundation with a white greasepaint to make it paler, then added concealer over any red patches or spots. Add powder onto the T-zone to stop oily skin.

 

 

3. Apply a pale eyeshadow over the whole eye.

 

 

4. Then add a brown liner in an arc shape through my crease. Buff it in to my crease in a window wiper motion following the shape of the liner, you get a better shape if you do this with your eye open. It is better if you repeat this a few times to the true colour of the liner, this will create the illusion of a deeper crease and a bigger eye.

 

 

5. To warm up the brown add an orange colour along the crease with an angled brush to get a line and blend the same way as before. 

 

 6. Leave a space under the lash line and repeat the last two steps underneath.

 

7. Fill the space between the lash line and the new arc with a white eyeliner, then apply it along the waterline.

 

8. Add white highlight into the inner corner and the brow bone.

9. Apply gel or liquid liner along the upper lash line quite thickly.

 

10. Now apply the liner from the last step along the lower arc under the white eyeliner, this will make your eye look bigger and brighter.

 

11. Curl your lashes and apply mascara only on the top lashes. Be extra careful not to get any on the bottom lashes as it will ruin the effect of an open eye.

 

12. Apply pink blush onto the very apples of your cheeks (smiling can help with this) in a small circular motion, repeat until you reach the desired brightness. Then make freckles across the cheeks and the nose using a brown eye shadow, light brown eyeliner or a blonde eyebrow pencil. If a freckle is too dark bounce your finger on top a few times to take off the edge.

 

13. Use the eyeliner to draw in small lashes along the false bottom lash line.

 

14.Block out the lips using concealer, then line a narrow outline covering only two thirds of your lips (leave out the outer corners) with a nude lip liner and cover in a baby pink gloss.

 

15. Finally, touch up the white/pale shadow on the eyelid, give yourself a 'dolly like' hairstyle and that's the look complete.

When you try, you could put on some false lashes or maybe try just a normal nude lip. Next time I would add some false lashes to both the top and the bottom and make the blush a little stronger. For a total look I'd wear knee high socks and small shoes with a 90's spaghetti strap dress.