Review and Swatches: Sleek MakeUP Limited Edition PPQ Shangri-La Collection - Respect iDivine Palette and Jazz Matte Lipgloss

Sleek MakeUP have teamed up for a second time with quirky London fashion label PPQ to create two eyeshadow palettes for their Shanghri-La collection and this time added complementary matte lipglosses.

This Limited Edition set channels a 1960s glamorous Motown vibe inspired by PPQ's S/S 2013 collection.  The respect iDivine eyeshadow palette offers a warm selection of shades perfect for A/W while the Supreme palette is cooler toned.  

The Truly Mattely Deeply matte lipgloss in Jazz is a perfectly retro pillarbox red while Soul is a cool toned baby pink.  While I can't fault the colour or pigmentation of these glosses, I'm not fully on board with the matte texture.  Although they go on creamy, I found it too drying and needed to follow up with balm or gloss over the top.  However, they are extremely long lasting and vibrant.  

Sleek eyeshadow palettes are renowned for their excellent pigmentation, but I found the eight matte shadows a little lacking on bare skin, particularly the lighter ones.  Over an eyeshadow base however they are much more vibrant and durable.  The four shimmer shades are where the palette excels and O'Jays is particularly gorgeous, almost like a warmer NARS Orgasm.  

The collection launched on 26 September and the palettes are available for £7.99 at Superdrug or from Sleek MakeUP's website for £11.99 where they're  packaged with one of the matte lipglosses.   The lipglosses are also sold separately for £4.99 each.

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Liz Earle Special Edition Rose and Lavender Cleanse + Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser

This special edition Cleanse and Polish Hot Cloth Cleanser* was launched in support of The Prince's Trust Tomorrow Campaign on 6th September.

It's the same award winning formula as the original in a prettily redesigned package (to read my review of the original click here) but with added rose and lavender to help relax you during your nighttime skincare regime and promote good sleep.  I definitely prefer the new scent and hope they decide to let this concoction join their permanent line.

For £19.75 you get 150ml, which is 50ml larger the original version.  For every one sold Liz Earle Beauty Co. will donate £2.00 to The Prince's Trust with an aim of raising £100,000 for the cause.  It's limited edition and can be purchased online or from John Lewis while stocks last.

Will you be trying it?

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Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Lip Colour - 35 Chintz

This Rouge Coco lipstick in Chintz lurked around my wishlist for a long time, but I made it mine last time I passed through airport duty free.  Five years ago if you told me I'd one day fork out over £20 on a lipstick you would have been met with hysterical laughter, but such is the lure of Chanel and the madness of a beauty blogger.

Being so pale I struggle with nude toned lipsticks - MAC Creme d'Nude looks comical, and totally freaky on me.  Chintz is a peachy rose nude with a hint of golden shimmer (hello plumping effect!) which is the ideal choice to pair with dark smoky eyes or bright cheeks - I'm loving statement cheeks at the moment.  On darker skin tones it would show up a bit more of a pale nude pink, so I think it's one of those great all-round lipsticks.  If you're looking to make your first Chanel lippy purchase this is a great option.  I chose it over Boy which for me seemed a little too dark.  

The texture is smooth and creamy and the wear time is a couple of hours, but it doesn't do very well if you eat or drink during that time.  

I picked mine up for just over £20 at the airport, but you can get it at Boots or most department stores for £24.  

What's your favourite Chanel lipstick?

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Review: Liz Earle Botanical Essence No15 EDP

Liz Earle's second fragrance, Botanical Essence No15*, launched in John Lewis stores and online (link) on 1st October, just in time for those of you looking to pick up a comforting but fresh and spicy Oriental scent for Autumn.  

The name signifies the 15 botanicals which combine into creating the perfect 'unisex' fragrance:

Bergamot, Cedarwood, Patchouli, Guiacwood, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Cypriol, Siam Benzoin, Damask Rose, Elemi, Cinnamon Leaf, Clove Bud, Pink Pepper, Bourbon Vanilla and Vetiver

Although I love sweet gourmand perfumes like Dior Hypnotic Poison, I'm also a fan of slightly more masculine scents for work, usually a Chypre which contains Vetiver and Sandalwood, as No15 does  - to smell like you mean business! Despite containing a lot of what you would typically think of as sweet, feminine notes, the overall combination is pleasingly androgynous - sometimes a difficult feat to achieve.  You can detect the Bourbon Vanilla, Patchouli and Damask Rose after the 'dry down', but they are not overpowering or girly.  While I think this fragrance is obviously aimed at women, it wouldn't be a complete disaster if your other half spritzed it on by mistake.  Great for saving packing space if you're going away together, too!

The understated and stylish packaging is typical of what we've come to know and love of Liz Earle.  The wrap around box gives it that something extra and the quaint illustrations of the botanicals which contribute to the fragrance bring back fond memories of A Level Biology.  Ok, maybe that's just me then.  

The only drawback to this scent I would warn you about is if you have a particularly sensitive nose it may be a little irritating - I do and it made me sneeze a couple of times.  If so, best to check it out in the flesh at your nearest John Lewis. 

It's £45 for 50mls, and a little goes a very long way.  

Check out Liz Earle's first fragrance, Botanical Essence No1 here.

What type of perfumes do you prefer for the work environment?

 

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Free Benefit Products with November's InStyle Magazine

More about my blogging hiatus later, but for now I had to jump on here quickly to spread the blessed news that there is another Benefit/Magazine collaboration hanging out at your local newsagents.

You can choose from the classic lip & cheek tint Benetint, it's younger, hotter coral sister Cha Cha Tint or Benefit's newest golden-hued Sun Beam highlighter.  

I stocked up on a couple of Cha Cha Tints and a Sun Beam for luck as I have mini Benetints hoarded from its Glamour magazine hook up.  These little 4ml babies last a surprisingly long time and are great for travel, not to speak of great value.  For £11.40 (£3.80 cost of the mag x 3) you get 12mls of product, the same amount as a full size Cha Cha tint which is £24.50.  Nice.

Run, my pretties...

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