Wednesday, October 26, 2016

MAC Nude Lipsticks

G Beauty: MAC Nude Lipsticks

G Beauty: MAC Nude Lipsticks

G Beauty: MAC Nude Lipsticks

G Beauty: MAC Nude Lipsticks

G Beauty: MAC Nude Lipsticks

G Beauty: MAC Nude Lipsticks
G Beauty: MAC Nude Lipsticks


HOLA. Today I'm writing all about my favourite MAC Nude lipsticks. Incidentally, they are also all of the MAC Nudes that I own. So there's that. 

I'm a fan of the nude lip, mostly because it goes with everything and doesn't offend too many geriatrics. They're easy to wear and you can easily make your lips look fuller without having to do much work. Also, how weird does a face full of makeup look without lipstick? Nudes are the best for adding that little bit extra, without detracting from the rest of your makeup. On a daily basis, most of us aren't looking to wear bold colours and tend to opt for nudes for ease. 

The standard MAC lipstick comes at £15.50, with limited edition packing at £17. This may be out of a lot of peoples price range, it's hardly in mine, but in comparison to other high end lipsticks - £15.50 isn't fairing too badly. I am definitely one for buying at the airport, where they retail for £12.90 (I think), which makes it a little bit more pleasant at the checkout. You can also sometimes find 10% off deals on websites like Debenhams, but I have a feeling that they have a little bit less of a range on the website. I did also once get Lady Danger at an outlet store, I think I paid £10 for it there? The MAC website is pants for sales/discounts I'm afraid! 

I've become a massive snob and don't look anywhere but MAC for lipsticks anymore. I love the huge range of colours and formulas and the quality is great. Matte, Satin and Amplified are my favourite formulas at MAC. I'm yet to be let down by the lipsticks and they look so pretty in my lipstick tower! The only annoying thing with owning as many as I do, is that it's not always easy to find the lipstick I'm looking for! First world problems...

Whirl - Matte

Out of the pictures, Whirl is the one under the fancy packaging. I'm not sure why it was under the Brooke Candy collection, but I took it as an opportunity to get the lipstick shade. I am a HUGE sucker for MAC limited edition collections... Anyway. The lipstick is a matte formula, which makes it much more long-lasting and pigmented than some of the other formulas. They can be a little drying on your lips, especially if you're prone to dry lips, but they are comfortable to wear. I used to prefer non-matte formulas, but I am ALL about the mattes now. 

The colour is really lovely, a dark-ish nude brown. If you're looking for something a bit darker than Velvet Teddy, then I would recommend Whirl. I really enjoy pairing it with a matte orange and brown smokey eye, as the colours complement each other. I never really thought this kind of nude would suit me, but with the right makeup - it looks lovely. I like to think it's quite 90s as well. 

Faux - Satin

Faux is one of my oldest MAC lipsticks actually, and I still love it to bits. The colour is probably the most like my natural lip colour, well maybe it's a little bit pinker. If I'm in a rush and am just wearing makeup for the sake of wearing makeup, then this is the lipstick I opt for. As it is a satin formula, it's very creamy and very comfortable on the lip. It is less long-lasting than the matte formula, so you do find yourself reapplying it much more. But it is less drying on the lips! As the colour is near enough my natural lip, I don't tend to worry/care if it comes off too much. 

The colour is your classic light pinky nude. It goes with pretty much every single makeup look you do, as it is such a neutral colour. Like I said, my lips but better! It does have a little bit of a shine to it as well, but it's not too obvious at all.
Velvet Teddy - Matte

I feel as though I don't really need to write anything here! I was not a fan of VT when I first tried it, but now it's one of my most worn lipsticks. It's a light brown nude that goes with absolutely everything. As another matte, the formula is very pigmented and long-lasting. I'm a huge fan and you'll quite often find me wearing it on my Instagram. Velvet Teddy is also good for overdrawing the lip line, to make your lips look a little bit fuller. I use a NYX lip liner, but I know a lot of people swear by Soar from MAC.


Twig - Satin

Twig seems to be a mix of a dark pink and brown nude. It's weird but it's pretty. Don't you think it looks like a mix of Mehr and Whirl? Twig is a satin like Faux, which means it's pretty creamy but still pigmented. I went though a bit of a phase of loving Twig around Christmas time last year. 

The colour is seriously easy to wear, I tend to think of it as a darker version of Faux. Which, from Faux, makes Twig a better version of my natural lips but a bit darker. As it is a pinky but brown nude - it goes with everything. If you want something a liiiiiittle bit bolder than your standard nude lip, but still something that is quite neutral and doesn't retract too much from other bold makeup, I would recommend Twig.


Mehr - Matte

If you follow me on Instagram, you will know that I LOVE Mehr at the moment. Even if it does make me feel like I'm 'meh-ing' like a sheep any time anyone asks what colour lip I'm wearing! Although it's a little bit bolder than Faux, Modesty or Velvet Teddy - it is still my go to nude of the moment. Another, matte, making it comfortable to wear. I've actually been using it with a lip liner as well, to add a little bit more dimension to my lips. I've been using MAC lip liner in Edge to Edge, which is a dark nude pink - similar to Mehr itself. I've been over-lining my lips a little with that, adding Mehr on top and then a little bit of highlighter in the middle! Et voilĂ . 

Mehr is a dark pink nude, one that I have found to be really easy to wear. I have a feeling that it just happens to suit me and my blue eyes, and I get a lot of compliments on it. It goes with most makeup looks, except for orange ones perhaps. If you like your nudes to be quite pink, but don't quite want a bright pink lip, definitely check out Mehr.

Modesty - Cremesheen

This was my first ever MAC nude lipstick! And it will always have a special place in my heart (I need to get a life). The formula is really creamy and it's a little bit more sheer than the other lipsticks in this post. It is really comfortable to wear on the lip. If you're someone who doesn't really like lipsticks, but want something just to wear - I would recommend Modesty. It's perfect for everyday wear, that doesn't dry out your lips, looks natural and finishes off your makeup. 

The colour is pretty much exactly the same as Faux, a light pink nude. Again, it's a pretty colour that looks natural. It goes with every makeup look, as it doesn't clash with any colours but also doesn't detract from any bold makeup you wish to have. If I'm going for a "no makeup" makeup look, then this is the lipstick I go for.


And that's it! That's my review of all of my MAC Nude lipsticks. Let me know your favourites and if any of these are your go-to nudes!

Thank you for reading.

Gweni xxx


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Sunday, October 16, 2016

Travel Exclusives Part 1

I was sent a very exciting package this Summer, from World Duty Free. I was treated to four travel exclusives and am writing about two in this post. I may or may not have taken a million photos and have had to split this into two blogposts! Oops.

Smashbox Warm Neutrals

G Beauty: Travel Exclusives

G Beauty: Travel Exclusives

G Beauty: Travel Exclusives

G Beauty: Travel Exclusives

G Beauty: Travel Exclusives

This product has definitely been used the most out of my little package, and I love it to bits. The colours really suit my blonde hair and blue eyes, I'm not sure if Caroline did that on purpose but thank you if so! It has a mixture of both shimmer and matte eye shadows, that are very pigmented and easy to blend. I expect nothing less from Smashbox.

As a travel exclusive, the design is very compact and easily fits inside my makeup bag. It comes with a little mirror inside as well as an eye shadow brush. Although I don't get much use out of the brush, I find the mirror to be very handy. I recently completely forgot all of my eye shadow palettes, apart from this one, on holiday so I've actually experienced the palette as a travel palette.

As a warm neutral palette, this is great, I was able to do a pink, orange, matte and a smokey eye out of the shadows. I enjoy a golden bronze look during the Summer, so this palette worked well for me.  I quite often wear orange and have enjoyed pairing it with a coral blush and a muted brown nude lip. However, as a beauty blogger, the range wasn't quite wide enough to fit my beauty needs for a week. Not a problem though, it just means that I have to remember to pack my other palettes next time! The palette does come in other shades as well if you're not a fan of warm neutrals. 


L'Oreal Festival Fun

G Beauty: Travel Exclusives

G Beauty: Travel Exclusives

G Beauty: Travel Exclusives

G Beauty: Travel Exclusives
G Beauty: Travel Exclusives

G Beauty: Travel Exclusives

This travel exclusive comes with a little pink bag, an eyeliner, a mascara and a lipgloss. I've had a little bit less use out of this. Mostly because I don't have any eyelashes to apply mascara to and I haven't found a reason to wear glittery lipgloss yet! 

The bag is a perfect size to put into your handbag, as a mini makeup bag. Due to my trich, I never leave the house without an eyeliner and lash glue, and these two products can get a bit messy. This is where this little bag comes in! It's really fab for fitting all your little bits and bobs in and fits nicely into whatever bag you're using.

As for the products themselves, I wouldn't be able to give much of a review on the mascara apart from that it seems to work nicely on my bottom lashes. I really like the eyeliner it comes with, its great for lining my waterline and if I wanted to do a smudged liner look. The lipgloss is a really lovely consistency and I really need to find a reason to wear it soon!.


Stay tuned for Part Two of the travel exclusives from World Duty Free! I very much enjoyed these two and looking forward to sharing the next two exclusives.

Thank you for reading.

Love, Gweni xxx


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This post contains press samples but all opinions are my own.


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Monday, October 10, 2016

Matte Makeup Favourites

Matte Makeup FavouritesMatte Makeup Favourites

Matte Makeup Favourites

Matte Makeup Favourites


Matte Makeup Favourites


I know strobing and highlighting and all that jazz is in, but I am still really quite partial to a good matte look. As much as I love my highlighters, I do love a flawless base - especially with a bold lip or eye look. I thought I'd go through some of my favourite products to create my matte looks! 

For my base, my two favourite products are the Benefit Porefessional or my MLA Primer (Full review here). Both give a similar effect, but I would say that the MLA primer is more mattefying. The two products have different formulas, the MLA primer is more of a gel and Porefessional is more of a silky feel. I prefer the porefessional for the formula and I also feel like it soaks up oil better than the MLA primer. Usually it depends on what my day is like as to what primer I go for.

After my skin is primed, I head to foundation. My number one bae will forever be Estee Lauder Double Wear. It's a full coverage foundation and gives a pretty matte finish anyway, but really matte in combination with the rest of these products. It lasts all day and has a lovely finish, will forever love Double Wear. 

Then it comes to concealer, I pretty much rely on my NARS creamy concealer. I pop this under my eyes and sometimes on the bridge of my nose if I feel like contouring my nose. Although I haven't tried many different concealers, I do really like this one.

I will then set all of my makeup with the MAC Mineralize Powder Skinfinish Natural. This powder leaves your skin looking really flawless and you really don't need much at all. I actually stopped using it for a while and have come back to it, and I am now loving it more than ever! I also love using this powder if I'm topping up my makeup midday, or if I've been wearing makeup all day and then going out in the evening. It soaks up all of that worn makeup grease and leaves it all matte and flawless - yay!

As for contouring and highlighting, I do really like my contour kits. The light powders in the Smashbox Shapematters and the ones in the ASB contour palette are lovely. I use them under my eyes, middle of my nose and a little on my forehead. Then I will either use the grey toned powders in the kits or just Benefit Hoola to contour. I've really come round on Hoola, used to hate it, but paired with the right brush and it is really lovely on the cheekbones! My favourite brush to use is my Glamher Booth Sculpting Brush (review here), I find a lighter brush is best with Hoola. 

If I'm going hardcore matte, I'll add some matte eyeshadow as well paired with a winged line. I love the Natural Matte Shadow palette by Too Faced, Smashbox Full Exposure and the matte shadows in the Urban Decay Naked palettes. I am also a fan of using contour powders in the crease. 

If I want to mattefy myself even more, a good liquid lipstick or a Matte/Retro Matte lipstick from MAC doesn't go amiss. I'm really enjoying the Colorkill liquid lipsticks and the Kylie lip kits. I don't really like mattefying my lips too much as I always feel like it makes them look a little bit too one dimensional. But it looks great on some people so hey, whatever floats your boat! 

Hope you enjoyed this post, you can shop all of the products below as well! 

Love, Gweni xxxx


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Shop my favourite Matte Products!


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