Luxury Lipsticks || April

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

If you watched my Luxury Makeup Haul on my YouTube channel last month, you will know that I have had quite the splurge lately, mostly on lipsticks. 'Oopusdazy', as Darcy would say.

I don't know what it is about a luxury lipsticks that pleases me so very much but honestly, I think I have a problem. I buy them like money is going out of fashion and I have about three floating around every handbag. It's almost a bit embarrassing!

Before this pricey little problem goes any further, I thought it might be a good idea to review my current top three and plan to do this again in the future. Heaven knows I've got enough to feature!!

This month I have found myself coming back to the same three lipsticks again and again. Armani Rouge d'Armani in 503 (rrp £25), YSL Coral Intuitive (rrp £24) and MAC Candy Yum Yum (rrp £14). 

I look to Armani when I'm having a low key day with just mascara and concealer because it makes me feel like I've added a hint of glamour to and otherwise 'meh' look. I use the YSL number for muted peachy lips when I have done big black smokey eyes and I turn to MAC Candy Yum Yum when I want to be show-stopping (which is surprisingly more often than you'd think. Worrying). 

As you can see from the swatches, both the Armani and YSL lipsticks have a frosted/sheen finish, where as Candy Yum Yum is entirely matte. Personally I prefer to add a little lipbalm over the top to keep my lips from drying and to add some shine, but I know some people love a gloss free lip. 

I'd also like to add, just because I'm anal, that the Armani has a beautifully engraved 'GA' on the bullet. Sadly, mine has sort of smooshed off due to a tragic melting in the sunlight accident but it was lovely none the less. 

All three apply beautifully, last a great amount of time (by 'great' I mean about 4-6 hours, probably more like 8 for the MAC), have gooorrgeous packaging (magnetic seal for Armani that gives a VERY satisfying click and just look at the YSL would you!) and make me feel amazing.

Yes, I know these are frivolous, and yes, I know there are likely to be great dupes out there for these, but to me, they're worth it. It's not just colour on the lips in pretty casing, it's the way they make me feel.  When I wear one of these products I instantly feel more 'together'. I feel like I look like a woman who takes care of herself, even though I'm a busy Mum who more often than she'd care to admit uses dry shampoo and has been known to febreeze her tights in emergencies. 

What do you think? Way too much for a lipstick or worth the money for my sanity? I'd be interested to hear your thoughts!

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Toodlepip!

xx

This month my Ultimate Advertiser is Barbie and Pie. If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE.

Winter Beauty Treats

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

You may have noticed that over the last few weeks there haven't been a great deal of beauty related posts on this blog. The reason for this is fairly simple- I haven't been trying a lot of new products or buying tonnes of new things. I've declined quite a few pr samples on the basis that I have so much makeup that it would be a waste for me to accept more and I have felt that to force myself to write a review would be a little fake.

It's not that I'll never do beauty things again (I've still enjoyed making quite a few beauty related videos on my YouTube Channel) but I've just found that over the last few weeks I have been focusing on a lot more family and lifestyle type of things. I hope you don't mind. This blog is sort of like an extension of my mind and feelings, so if you see a lot of reviews, you know I'm going beauty crazy, and if you see a lot of family posts, you can tell I've been watching too much '19 Kids and Counting' hahaha. 

Saying all that, last week whilst I was running some errands, I popped into Boots and treated myself.

Like a moth to a flame I simply could not let these two beautiful bottles of glittering nail polish stay on the shelf. They had to be mine.

I bought 'Jack Frost' from the Wonderland collection 'Freak Out' from the Mirror Ball collection, both £5 each. I suppose you could say that £10 is quite a splurge for 2 nail polishes but have you seen the sparkle?! Oh my oh my!! I adore the mermaidy blue, purple and green colours in Freak Out and the iridescent blue in Jack Frost was far too wintery and lovely for me to walk away from. They are like liquid magic. Beautiful.

I have worn both of these over a muted grey tone and quite enjoyed the wintery effect. I think I'd like to try them over a black or navy and when that happens, I'll take a sneaky picture and give you a NOTD post- it's been a while since one of those. 

I have also been absolutely loving scented candles this month. I am incredibly fussy when it comes to scent because I am prone to headaches but I have now burnt several Neom candles and have always been so impressed with them. I have particularly loved Invigorate from THIS set. The scent is strong but not overpowering and it leaves a lovely lingering fragrance long after it has been blown out. Also, since they come in such lovely little glass jars, when the candle has burnt down, I save and wash them and use them to hold hair accessories. Upcycling at it's best! 

This year I am struggling to feel as festive as usual so over the next few days you are going to see a lot of CHRISTMASNESS (real word there) from me to evoke my yuletide joy, so prepare yourself for that!

What have you been treating yourself to this winter? Do you have any hollyjolly blog post requests? I'm all ears!

Toodlepip!

xx

This month my Ultimate Advertiser is 21st Serendipity . If you would like to find out more about advertising on this blog, click HERE.    

Lou's Reviews || Diptyque Travel Collection

Aloha Sprinklerinos,

A few weeks ago, I was invited to a very beautiful smelling event with Diptyque. As is customary (and a brilliant perk) of blogger events, we were sent away with a gorgeous little goodie bag of Diptyque products to test and play with.

I don't always feature the products I am gifted, sometimes because they aren't all that amazing or sometimes because they don't really suit the genre of this slice of the web, but these had to be shared. It's love. Super scented love.

This set is The Art Of Body Care Travel Collection which retails for £35.00.

It consists of luxurious body lotion, hand balm, revitalising bath and shower gel and a little pot of smoothing body polish. I have spent a few weeks trying all of these out and have thoroughly enjoyed them. With many beauty or toiletry products it is a matter of, 'do they work? do they do the job in hand?' and if they do then it's happy days. With this little kit it has not just been a matter of functionality but it has been a pleasure to incorporate them into my beauty regime. 

The hero product from this set for me is the hand balm. With a gentle scent of apricot, this hand cream soaks in beautifully leaving no greasy film (urgh, I hate that), my hands feel smooth and plump and most importantly, thoroughly moisturised. I love that this kit supplies it in a miniature which is perfect for popping in your handbag or keeping in the car glove box for quick applications on the go. In times of need I've also used a little bit of it on my face and thought it was lovely, although clearly this is not it's main purpose. 

The other three items in this travel kit have all been above par and I really do feel that the price tag reflects the quality of these charming little pamper products. All in all, I am thrilled with this beautifully packaged back of gorgeousness.

Have you tried any of Diptyque's products? Would you pay a little bit more for luxury?

Toodlepip!

xx