L.A girl matte flat velvet lipstick review & swatches!

Hi all,

I am here today to have a little talk about the new L.A girl matte lipsticks. Something I really love about these lipsticks is that they are cruelty free, I didn't know this until I really looked into the L.A girl brand. Its a fantastic thing to really have on a brand!

There are 26 shades in this collection. Below is a swatch of the range I found online (sorry if its a bit blurry!)

Below are the two colours I purchased. I am starting with just two at this stage and plan to eventually purchase a few more as I go and build up my collection , of course I will branch out to there other lip products soon enough also!

Although these two shades below look very similar on there outer lipstick case they really do swatch completely differently. I find that if my lips are already a little bit dry these do dry it out to the point of being uncomfortable which is a bit annoying but its fine as I normally wear a good Chapstick when I don't have any lipstick on. Other than that for something of this cost there really isn't any down side, there is not much to lose when it comes to this brand. You will find at least one or more shades in this stunning collection of 26 so why not?!? I have found ALOT of places in New Zealand but also worldwide stock this brand so it seems very accessible . 

I had heard of the L.A brand previously and to be honest had never looked into it as much as I really should of . Upon going into my local discount/outlet make up store I noticed there display because it had a super gorgeous eye shadow pallet which had the exact shades I was after (more to come on that one!) . I was scanning around and noticed a serious lack of lip products, to me this was so odd as they had foundation in liquid and powder plus numerous other goodies. So I went back home and found out about the matte lipstick products, this brand makes, which as to that day lipstick products are my new thing, whoop whoop!

The product description on the website is:

Introducing our hottest new lip color -Matte Flat Velvet Lipstick.

These 26 bold shades are rich in pigment and filled with moisture in a flat velvet finish. With added shea butter to hydrate lips and a soft, smooth application, your lips will feel as gorgeous as they look!

I find this to be pretty true! I am at the moment not finding these lipsticks as hydrating as I would like but it is winter here!

Today I tried the Matte lipstick shade Snuggle. It is beautiful!

I had my reservations towards trying this brand as its a new brand to me so I wasn't sure what it was like quality wise. The price is great , I spent $9.52 NZ on each lipsticks from the discount store here in NZ , let me know if you would like the link if you are in New Zealand!

It was also a new type of shade for me. Its a browny/nude/pink type colour which I have only ever stayed in the pink sort of range that is fairly close to my own lip shade.

I loved this so so much. I put it on at 7.30 am and found it was harder to use on my cupids bow as it doesnt have as sharp of an angle that im used to so far. Eventually and slowly I got there putting this on my lips without a lip liner. As it was the first time using this I wanted to not use lip liner to see how it lasts and if there are any issues I need to be aware of. I probably shouldnt have picked a work day for that haha!

It turned out well my friends. The texture is lovely and smooth but I found it wasnt to creamy, I would say that this is because the formula is designed to be a matte lipstick rather than a standard lipstick. I have previously found other brands lipsticks that are matte to be creamy also.

I had not read any reviews when it came to how long this would last and if it had good staying power so I was quite unsure what to expect, sometimes I think that that is actually the best way to use a product.

The second lip colour I purchased was the shade Hush, I wear this one more compared to Snuggle which I thought would be the other way around for me based on online swatches but OMG I love love love this colour alot. It is up there with one of my go to colours and I have been carrying it around in my hand bag. I found that this was just as easy to apply once getting used to the lipstick shape .Also both of the lipsticks have this sultry type of vanilla/hazelnut scent, I have never come accross this scent before but oh my its yummy

Snuggle

Hush

The top shade is Hush and the bottom is snuggle

You can find out more about the L.A girl brand and also all the different shades here

Have you tried this brand? What's your favourite shade? Have any budget brands you love?

Let me know!

I'm on Instagram! Follow here

That's all for today everyone, I hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed writing it! Happy weekend!

xo

Felicity

Essence long lasting lipstick review

Hi all!,

Today its a very windy and wet day so I have been lucky enough to have a 'me' day with blankets and heat and a nice dose of T.V before the work week begins again! Today I thought it would be great to do a little review on some Essence lip sticks that I am really enjoying right now!

The following are the Essence long lasting lipsticks - I will have them linked down below.
If you follow my blogs or Instagram you will know that I am obsessed with affordable beauty products and am always discovering what I like and dislike when it comes to colors, consistencies, longevity and in general what works for my skin shade and type. All in all as most people will know this is a process.

When I was little and I thought of lipstick all that was in my head is the gloppy thick lipstick that got on your teeth and looked disgusting when it left its mark on a cup you were drinking out of. I do not know why at such a young age I thought lipstick was disgusting and unusable but I did. So then I had never ever thought of actually using it on myself as an adult.

Then one lovely day when stalking out the Essence stall at my local farmers instead of my eyes passing by the lipsticks the packaging caught my eye. It was nice and sleek, just plain black with a pop of color which was the shade of the lip stick. My mind started swirling and the little light in my brain went ping! I decided then and there I needed these in my life, I needed to try them, I must have them.

Before this time I had tried a few lipsticks when I felt brave but hated the consistency and the shades of the ones I looked at and never really knew where to look, since I didn't want to spend a lot of money to begin with (I hate wasting money!) .

So these were perfect. Essence have a few different types of lipsticks, Liquid , sheer and shine and long lasting . At least so far! I am aware that they have recently done some matte lipsticks but I have a feeling that is a part of the long lasting lipstick brand they have currently going. Unfortunately I have not seen this in New Zealand as yet. I very desperately want the matte lipsticks in my life!

So today I really wanted to talk about these ones that I adore, I have not actually been able to go a full day without wearing one of these. There is always at least one in my handbag.

The product description: longlasting love… you simply have to fall in love with the longlasting lipsticks by essence. the lipsticks provide your lips with intensive color for several hours without drying them out. you’re sure to find whatever you’re looking for – from bright pink to intensive red and chilled-out berry to subtle nude shades. the essence logo on the texture and the matt, black packaging with a ring of color to match the actual color of the lipstick are true eye-catchers!







Top: 07 Natural Beauty
Middle: 11 Nude Love
Bottom: 13 Love me

I have tried these colors that I have with and without lip liner as I had heard some horror story's of wearing lipstick without lip-liner and I can safely say these are completely fine with or without.

I was very tempted to get the full range of colors they have but didn't want to risk having something I am never ever going to use so I just went with the colors I feel I would use that will complement my skin (at least in my option) . As my goal is to use these a lot , not just every once and while for a special occasion. Whats the point of having makeup just sit there, right?!?!


I find the 07 Natural Beauty color is my favorite out of what I have so far. It is very close to the natural color of my lips so its perfect for the days I just need a little pop to my lips!

This range I find is not drying at all on me, I have no issue with it being on my lips. It doesn't cause any type of irritation to me . I have sensitive skin in general but nothing from the Essence brand has caused any irritation which is great!

 This range is very creamy to begin with when putting it on and is very easy to smooth over my lips and to get in to place even in the little curves on my lips where I have had issues with other products not being able to do so.

It is a great thickness, not to thin that its sheer but not thick enough that you really really feel it on you. Once it is on your lips and it drys a little (around 30 seconds for me) you do not notice that is it there, you can go about your normal day without a worry.

I have never had it get on my teeth ,maybe that is magic, maybe its the formulation, maybe its just my lips being fabulous . But its just great for that reason alone, I am determined not to be the lipstick on teeth person.

Is it lasting? Well yes, in a way. Depends what you class as lasting really. If I didn't eat or drink at all yes it would last ,I think it would actually last a whole work day if I did not do so. But I eat and drink. I do try and be as careful as I can but its not that easy! If I drink out of a cup yes it definitely transfers , out of a straw for the most part it does not transfer which is great!. Eating it does transfer but maybe I am just messy?

In general I think the formula of this product is wonderful ,especially for the cost I really would have expected it to not work out well for me but it's great.

They have made some really wonderful colors and I think a great range to suit every skin tone. The colors are vibrant and consistent , they don't look patchy .

The colour pay off is just amazing and I find it's very pigmented. Just what I need!

To view these lipsticks online click here.

These are lipsticks that I know I will fully use up and need more of. I plan to continue to support the Essence brand by buying and using these as its such a great company with great values. I cannot wait for more colors and different formulas to come out!

Do you wear Essence lip products?

Know of great budget beauty products that are available easy for purchase?

If you have any questions or thoughts do let me know!

Please also see my Instagram , I post heaps!

xo

Felicity