Sample Saturday - Luscious Lips - Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick - 420 Rebellious Rose*

Hey everyone, I hope you've all had a good week x I had planned to be a little bit more active on the blog this week but since it was my mam's 80th birthday on Tuesday instead I devoted the week to her, and to family time, so I hope that you'll forgive me. I've got a couple of post planned for next week so I'm going to do my best to try and get back on track.

Today I've really got a 2 for 1 for you, and today's post represents two of my regular features Sample Saturday, and my new Luscious Lips series. Today I'm sharing my thoughts with you on an an Estee Lauder lipstick that I got a few months ago now in a beauty bag from Feel Unique. They've replaced the beauty bag with a beauty box now but it's still a great way to try new things, or to stock up for holidays and nights out.

For as long as I can remember Estee Lauder has been a fixture in my life, I remember my Grandmas dressing table vividly, in it's ornate French style adorned beautiful collectable glass jars of Estee Lauder loose powder, and later on in life my mam's obsession with their Pink Parfait lip colour. Bar a few skincare bits, and the odd perfume (I'm a Beautiful girl ;) though I personally haven't tried that much from the brand. I guess I always associated it with the older women in my life, and whilst it was a reliable, classic heritage brand, maybe I thought it was just a bit boring, and instead I flocked to the bright colours and innovations of its brand mates like MAC, and Bobbi Brown.

For a brand to have been around since 1946 though they must be doing something right, so in an attempt to break down my beauty prejudices and expand my make up horizons, I thought I try one of their lipsticks. 

Estee Lauder have quite a few different lipstick ranges, but this particular one is from their Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick range, and unusually for a sample size the packaging is almost identical to the full size, with the same dark blue, and gold colour way, and the same angular shape.

Every lipstick in this formulation contains multi faceted pigments that create definition, add shape, and fullness, as well as a unique Time Release Moisture Complex which is designed to seal in hydration and keep lips moisturised throughout the day, leading to creamy, smooth coverage, and an 8 hour wear time.

The shade that I got was a colour called Rebellious Rose, which is one of Estee Lauder's worldwide best sellers, described as part rose, part rebel it's a universally flattering, muted rosy coral, with warm undertones. 

As you can see from the swatch the pigmentation is excellent. With a slightly waxy, vanilla scent, it's lovely and smooth, and creamy, with out being too soft, or smooshy, meaning that you can achieve precise application direct from the all be it mini bullet!

It didn't feel drying on the lips at all, and whilst it didn't feel overtly moisturising, it left the lips feeling comfortable and sufficiently hydrated. The coverage was excellent and it had a lovely glossy sheen like finish.

The glossy finish meant that it did transfer a bit onto mugs, food and people, but once the initial sheen had faded, the almost stain like, colour underneath lasted for a good few hours, before fading away completely. I wouldn't say I got the full 8 hours that Estee Lauder claim, but I was still pretty impressed with the wear time, and how it left my lips afterwards.

Despite it being one of their most popular colours, up until a few years this shade would have been a real no no for me. I was super self conscious of the effect of my facial paralysis on my lip shape, and I used to stick to nudes, and unassuming colours to avoid drawing attention to their unevenness. As I say though things change, and I'm trying harder to love what I see in the mirror by embracing darker and brighter lips, and whilst this lipstick isn't crazily bright, it's a lovely universally wearable shade, and I can definitely see why it's one of Estee Lauder's best sellers. Apart from the colour, it felt super comfortable on the lips and the wear time was excellent - definitely a winner in my book!

Estee Lauder lipsticks aren't the cheapest but I definitely think it's a rare case of you get what you pay for, the packaging is classy, and the formulations are first class. Seeing as it's so popular the full size Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in 420 Rebellious Rose comes in a variety of different limited edition packaging options, as well as in the traditional navy blue, and gold, and it is usually priced between £27 and £28.50. You can find it at your nearest Estee Lauder counter, as well as direct from Estee Lauder, Boots, House Of Fraser, John Lewis, and NEXT Beauty. Have you ever tried any make up from Estee Lauder? Let me know your recommendations in the comments x

*This Post Contains Added Automatic Affiliate, Added Affiliate And Non Affiliate Links

Products I've Rediscovered /Shopping My Stash - Part 1 - Eyes and Bits (Pic Heavy)

I've been promising this post and the accompanying video for a while now but it's took quite a bit of planning and photographing. Doing Project 10 Pan has been a steep learning curve for me in many ways but one of the key things that has helped me through it, is shopping my stash. Basically what this means is looking through your own make up collection and rediscovering old products. To be honest I was really shocked by how many products I had used and loved at first but relegated to the drawer when something new came along. Over the last 5 or so months I have rediscovered so many fabulous products I thought I'd show you some of my top finds :) I have quite a few things to show you so I have split it into two posts - first up eyes !


Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Cream Eyeshadow - 06 Ivory Lace

A pretty recent purchase as far as my stash goes, I bought this in Duty Free last year loved it and then relegated it. I first dug this out again when MAC released the Cham Pale collection earlier in the year. I had my heart set on one of the paint pots but shock of horrors I didn't need it. Ivory Lace was similar enough to Chilled on Ice for me to say dupe! Maybe slightly less shimmery, but a great neutral either on its own or as a base, and it doesn't come off :)

Maybelline Studio Secrets Eyeshadow Quad - 60 Spirited Seas

The first item from a swap which I rediscovered - I received this gorgeous eyeshadow quad from the lovely Michelle at Lipstick Rules, at the time we didn't have these in the UK and I have to say they are amazing, the shadows are soooo soft and pigmented. I've particularly used the neutral tones (click here to see a look) but the blue and turquoise are great for a bright look.

Maybelline Studio Secrets Marbleized Eyeshadow Duos in 50 Tantalizing Teal and 80 Sinful Sinnamon

More Maybelline goodies from Michelle - we can now get these duos in the UK but I haven't seen these two - Tantalizing Teal - a bright turquoise / teal, and a shimmery blue and white marble effect great for a brighter, fresher look, and Sinful Sinnamon a gorgeous, burnished pink /copper and a pale pink copper marble, great for a neutral with a twist everyday look as seen below :)

Famous By Sue Moxley - Eye Shadow Shimmer - Shade 2

I purchased this a little while ago when the revamped Sue Moxley range relaunched in Superdrug, The Shu Uemura esq packaging to be honest isn't great the name rubbed off pretty much straight away and it feels a little plasticy, not only that but the label is coming of the back :(. The shadow however is a gem - a lovely shimmery silver taupe - I've worn this a lot over the last few months and it's a lovely shade not the best texture admittedly but it looks gorgeous on it's own on or even applied wet. 

NYX Eyeshadow Trio - TS30A In The Woods

Next up another swap item from the lovely Michelle - I know the reason this was relegated to the back of the drawer - the Urban Decay Naked Palette which contains very similar colours came into my life. This is a gorgeous trio, the colours are so soft and pigmented, and it's great for an everyday neutral look :)

KIKO Sun Mousse Eyeshadow - 04 Light Green

Another swap item, this time from the lovely Lydia, a cream eyeshadow in a lovely golden green colour - I love colours like this and you don't need very much of this one, it's not the longest lasting so I've been pairing it with a powder shadow from Lacura (review coming soon). Here is just a quick look of what it looks like on the eyes on it's own x

Next up a couple of random things that I've rediscovered

MAC Fix + Rose

Next up something that could be a make up item or it could be a skin care item. I bought this from MAC's Rose Romance collection. I tried using it to set my make up but to be honest it just didn't work for me. Where Fix + does work and what I've been using it for is to foil eyeshadows. It works particularly well with baked and mineral shadows but I've also been using it on cheaper shadows such as the Sue Moxley one but particularly on two MAC shades that are nearing the ends of their lives and have gone a little bit crumbly. (Be careful if you use it on shadows that aren't baked though as it can ruin them or you may end up having to scrape a layer off x) Using fix plus to dampen my brush before applying Sumptuous Olive and Idol Eyes, has given the eyeshadow not only a new depth but it intensifies the metallic pigments and make it look super shiny. I've used Sumptuous Olive wet here so you can see the difference when you dampen it down, and here are some swatches of Idol Eyes - the left swatch is dry and the right has been dampened down with Fix +

Boots No7 Trio Concealer

It seems a bit of a funny one to include a concealer in a rediscovered products post but I have. The simple reason is that for the last few months my skin dare I say it has actually been pretty clear, and relatively blemish free and for a while I was actually using a darker concealer whilst my tan faded. So as I got paler and I had the odd blemish (or more than the odd blemish over the last week grr)I dug this product out. I've done a mini review and some swatches of this concealer which you can see here x

I hope you've enjoyed this little look at my rediscovered eye products and bits and bobs next up my rediscovered cheek and lip products which will  hopefully by up on Friday or Saturday, but in the mean time you can watch this video where I talk about some of the products in this post x

Any questions please ask x

Goods and Bads

I'm sorry that I haven't managed to do one of these since before my holidays but hopefully this one will be one big catch up x

Goods

• I had a fabulous holiday - the food and the weather were amazing I really and properly relaxed for the first time in ages
• I bought some gorgeous things, that I am loving using especially my bits from VV's, Lithe pigment, and my Estee Lauder Stay In Place Cream Shadow
• Currently waiting for a few parcels some things for me and some Christmas shopping I've started early this year and I feel great about things already
• I have new make up storage :) - I went to Ikea last week with my mum and we got some new drawer units to house all my make up and nail polishes - we also made a few changes in my room too - It's ongoing but I can't wait to show you when I'm finished - if you'd like to see that is ;)

Bads

• If you follow me on twitter you'll know that my auntie was taken to hospital seriously ill whilst we were away -she has an aneurysm on her aorta :( It was touch and go for a few days but she is stable again and has been allowed home to rest before having serious heart surgery towards the end of this week or the beginning of next week :(
• I don't really feel as though I have any right to complain when I look at her situation but I really haven't been well over the last two weeks - maybe my holidays have caught up with me, or maybe I've been doing to much work on my room but I feel awful and have pains everywhere. My mum thinks I should go back to the doctors but I have to say I'm not keen, apart from the fact all they can do it give me more painkillers, my doctor has left the practise :( , and one of the others is on maternity leave so I would more than likely get a locum and have to explain my illness history from day one :( If I still feel this bad next week I will have to go
• Money - need I say more I have a little bit of savings for Christmas but I really need to get listing on ebay again

Sorry that was a bit if a misery post I will try to be more positive next time - oh and another good more new followers - huge thanks my lovely people I really appreciate it, and all your lovely comments even if I don't always respond xxx

Face Of The Day - More Experimentation

Ok more experimental face of the day pictures - I just had a play yesterday with a smokey eye and a pale nude lip. Again I'm not a million percent happy with the pics taken with the setting that shows up the colour my skin looks scarily shiny and less than perfect hmm where as on the normal setting I look blurred but flawless lol hmm definitely a work in progress

Glowy                                                 

Today I Wore


Models Prefer Foundation - Medium
Laura Geller Balance and Brighten - Regular (to set)
UDPP
ELF Studio Blusher - Peachykeen
Prestige Sun Baked Mineral Bronzing Powder - Pure Shimmer (to highlight, and on brow bone)
ELF Duo Eyeshadow Cream - Black Licorice (lightest shade only )
MUA Eyeshadow - No3
2True Twist n Line Eye Definer - No8 Black
Collection 2000 Big Fake Mascara - 17 Ultra Black
Estee Lauder Pure Colour Lipstick - Vanilla Truffle

Garden Pharmacy, Lloyds and Boots - Collective Shopping

I'm sorry it's taken a little while to get this post up but I thought I'd try and lump as much together as I could :) First of all Garden Pharmacy - I am a big fan of this company even more so when I got an email telling me my reward points total which equalled a lovely discount - they have a really good rewards scheme where you earn points for everything you buy which you can use against future purchases :) So with my discount points I placed a little order including a couple of Estee Lauder items first up Vanilla Truffle lipstick - I looked for this in the airport but I couldn't find it so I thought I'd get it- it is a lovely nude shade not to pale and not too dark

Next up another Estee Lauder purchase the Double Wear Stay In Place Shadow Creme in Ivory Lace - a gorgeous nude, champagne colour - this stuff lasts - countless hand washes and a bath later and you could still see the swatch :)

Because I'd ordered 2  Estee Lauder products I qualified for a free gift set which included a mini Perfectly Clear Fresh Balancing Toner, a mini Double Wear Zero Smudge Lengthening Mascara, and  a full size Automatic Pencil For Lips in 21 Fig

Swatch for the pencil :)

If you know me when I reveal the next item you'll be asking me why - traditionally not a fan of Chanel Nail Colours this one really appealed 493 Jade Rose

I've been wearing a lot of these nude. pinks lately and this one is so pretty I still think they are overpriced tho ;)

I also picked up some more Mavala nail items even though I am going to be trying something new, more on that to come, and the La Roche Posay Effaclar M moisturiser cream which I've heard so many good things about x

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you there is another moisturiser in the picture, in a little order from Lloyds Pharmacy I also picked up the Vichy Normaderm one that seems to be advertised in every magazine you pick up - again something to try and tame my evil pores.

The main thing in my Lloyds order was a perfume - I've gone a bit perfume daft lately and this was another one I looked for in the airport but alas they all seemed to be gone it's the Harajuku Lovers Sunshine Cuties in Love - The original Love is my favourite fragrance but this one seems to be a different maybe less sweet and a bit warmer, and the bottle is so cute

Next up Boots, I ordered something for my godmothers birthday pressie, and added a couple of bits for moi - first of all the Bourjois Bio Detox foundation - this purchase has worried me a bit now tho before it was released I had so much good stuff about it but since then I've head nothing but bad things - eek still I'll give it a go and form my own view x

Lastly I took advantage of last weeks Boots better than half price weekly offer and bought the FrontCover To Go Kit

I love the other shadow palettes by FrontCover that I have and I'm sure this one will be no exception the colours are gorgeous and really pigmented, but the big bonus for this kit is that you can take up to 4 colours out at once and put them in a specially designed compact

A brilliant idea I'm sure you'll agree the only problem is they are pretty tricky to pop out never mind the goods certainly outweigh the bads and this palette is a goodie if you would like any watches please let me know- it's still on sale in Boots although it's back to full price now :(
So that was it my haulage I've got a couple of bits still to come eek including some Nars (smack me now!), Accessorize, ebay and a little bit of ASOS then I'm seriously calming it down. Any questions or if you would like any reviews please let me know xx