Worth The Hype: Charlotte Tilbury Rock 'N' Kohl Eyeliners

L-R: Elizabeth Violet, Barbarella Brown, Marlene Midnight and Eye Cheat

Charlotte Tilbury. Where do I begin?

I love Charlotte Tilbury.

Her brand is so chic and beautiful and even though it is expensive, you do get what you pay for.

I feel like she knocks it out of the park in all aspects of her line, from her base, to eyes, to lips to cheeks.

This is the first of my Charlotte Tilbury posts, but let me assure you, there will be many, many more.

I will try to space them out a bit so this blog doesn't turn into a CT fan page.

I have four of the Rock 'N' Kohl eye liners to bring you today, in the shades: Barbarella Brown, Marlene Midnight, Elizabeth Violet and Eye Cheat.

L-R: Barbarella Brown, Marlene Midnight, Elizabeth Violet and Eye Cheat

Barbarella Brown is a dark, rich, chocolate. This is my newest addition and my current favourite.

It applies evenly in one neat swipe and my favourite way to wear it is with a bronzey shadow on the lid and then I smudge this heavily into my lash line to create a hazy, smokey look, but due to the fact that is brown not black, its softer and totally day time appropriate. It also lasts well on the water line.

Marlene Midnight is a dark, dark navy. It really annoys me that I could't get a decent swatch of this. I just couldn't get the lighting to work, but please trust me that this is dark navy not black.

This was my first eye liner and I love it.

I don't really subscribe to the whole 'which colours suit what eye colours' thing, I think you should just wear what colours you like, but genuinely, I love this with my brown eyes.

It makes the whites of my eyes look whiter, clearer and makes my eyes really stand out.

Marlene Midnight looks beautiful and lasts well on the water line, whilst adding some interest as it appears almost black, but then you see these flecks of navy poking through.

Elizabeth Violet is a dark, plummy purple.

This does last very well, but the only thing I would say is that on me, for some reason this doesn't work too well on my water line. On the upper lid I love it and I wear it a lot, but I can't get a proper opaque line on the water line, however, if you wanted that, I could imagine it layering well over the Eye Cheat.

Eye Cheat is a nude colour. This pencil has good staying power on the water line and it's so pigmented you only need one or two swipes.

When you have tired, blood shot eyes, this does a lovely job of neutralising the redness and opening the eyes up.

Bottom Line : These pencils are long lasting, apply very evenly and smoothly.

They smudge well, and when they set (which is fast, so apply to one eye, smudge it, then apply to the next ) they don't move.

They do require quite regular sharpening as they are a creamy formula, but this is where the texture does become a little problematic as its hard to sharpen them to a nice point.

You can see my pencils are looking at bit rough around the edges.

I have tried putting them in the freezer and then sharpening, but I don't want them to dry up and start flaking. I have two sharpeners; CTs own and the Urban Decay one, but if you have any suggestions I would love to know!

Lastly these do suit contact lenses wearers- I am one, and a deal breaker for me is irritating, crumbly eye liners that fog up my lenses. I don't have that problem here.

The Rock 'N' Kohl Eye liners cost £19 and you can pick them up here

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Liz Earle Healthy Glow Cream Blush. Swatches and Review

L-R: Nectar and Blossom. 

I have tried quite a bit from the Liz Earle make up range an although I'd say all in all its a very good line, the Healthy Glow Cream Blushers are the best thing about it. 

I have two shades here and you can see the one of the left has been very well loved. 

These creams melt beautifully into the skin, but because they aren't a cream to powder formula, they're actually incredibly easy to blend.

L-R: Nectar and Blossom

The problem often faced with cream blush, is that it is assumed that one has to make a compromise. In order to have the very natural pink kissed cheeks, you have to accept that the product wont last very long on the skin.

Don't get me wrong here, that is a genuine problem with cream products, but the reason these blushers are fantastic, is that they are genuinely long lasting. 

Maybe if you have oily skin, you're results may differ, but on my normal to dry skin, they look as prominent in the evening as they did first thing in the morning. 

I love both of these shades, but I'd say my new addition, Blossom, is possibly my favourite as I can literally wear it with anything. 

It warms up your face when you're wearing a nude lip, but it also compliments a red.

If you had to get one from the line, I would suggest this one. 

These blushers have been very aptly named, they really do give a healthy glow to the skin. 

If you do buy these online, I feel its fair to warn you that these are quite small- but don't be alarmed as they are pigmented so you won't need a lot. Start with a small amount, and then build up if needed. 

I have had Nectar for over a year and I have yet to hit pan. 

These blushes cost £16.50 for 2g.

You can buy them here

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Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets. The Good and the Bad.

I know these liquid lipsticks have been out for a while, but as I use them so regularly, I wanted to vocalise my thoughts on them.

The shade range is lovely, there are brights and bolds, but they have also more recently introduced some more muted nude colours, so there is a good little selection for everyone.

I'm sure you know the deal now, they are a liquid lipstick that applies smoothly on the lips and then after a minute or so, it dries down to a matte, velvet finish.

I love all of mine, bar one. I will come to the dissapointing one, but for the most part I really do enjoy these.

I can envisage myself buying more and to be honest, even though they are more affordable, that's not my reason for buying. They are good lipsticks regardless of the price.

I wouldn't call them one swipe wonders, you have to go over a few times to get a more even coverage, but who cares?

No I don't think they are as good as say, the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestros (Which I can do a review on if you're interested) but once you have got your even coverage, they wear beautifully and they aren't super drying.

They are a matte formula, so I would be lying if I said they were moisturising, but they are comfortable and in no way sticky.

Here are the swatches:

L-R: Peach Club, So Hap'pink, Hot Pepper, Pink Pong and Grand Cru

Spot that mess on the end! The first four are gorgeous, I think Peach Club might be my favourite, but just look at them.

Lovely, even swatches.

Now onto the disappointment. Here's a close up:

What even is that??

The mess on the end is Grand Cru.

I genuinely tried so hard to get a decent swatch for you, but its basically impossible. I removed it several times, and those two smudges are all I could get.

Isn't it such a fail, especially when you see it next to Pink Pong.

Honestly people, please don't waste your money on this shade. I'm sorry if you have it, and you love it, but for me, it's patchy, lumpy and totally awkward to apply. In the lip swatches it took me an age to get a somewhat even cover, and trust me, it looked so much worse in real life.

To be honest, now I have this post up, I might bin it...it doesn't work at all for me, and I really can't see my friends enjoying it.

If it works for you, great, but I don't have time to spend hours applying one lipstick.

Also, I'm not the only one who has had this problem...I've read a lot of other reviews where people have said it was patchy on them. Such a shame as its a lovely dark red.

Peach Club

So Hap'pink

Hot Pepper

Pink Pong

Grand Cru

 Bottom Line: These are a great liquid lipstick formula, they are easy to wear, easy to layer and build up, plus they don't fall off your lips the moment you have a cup of coffee.

I get so many compliments when I wear Pink Pong, its such a beautiful shade and looks great when paired with a flawless base, mascara and nothing else.

Please don't go there with Grand Cru....look how patchy it is when swatched and when on the lips.

Just not worth it.

They come in 12 shades, and are available at Boots for £8.99.

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SMASHBOX: Step -by- Step Contour Stick Trio. Swatches and Review

This is my first Smashbox purchase.

I have been intrigued by this brand for a while, but for some reason held off on purchasing anything.

I saw a while ago that they had a released a powder contour palette but I wasn't super interested as I had just got my hands on the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder.

A side note, even though I love Aucoins offering, if you are interested in buying your first contour product- check out the Smashbox version as it offers three powders- an ashy, grey based contour, a warm bronzer and a matte highlight. All for £35, which is still pricey, but the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder is £35 alone...just worth pointing out. 

L-R : Contour, Bronze and Highlight

ANYWAY. 

I love cream products so when I saw Smashbox had come out with a cream contour set, I had to give it a go. 

The shades appear almost identical to the powder version, but in (I feel) a much easier pencil form. 

Both sets costs £35, but bare in mind with the powder trio, you also get a brush, you don't with the pencils.

L-R: Contour, Bronze and Highlight

 I have to say I think these little sticks are fantastic. 

They just melt into the skin in such a natural seamless way, its quite hard to get it wrong.

The contour shade creates a natural shadow and due to its emollient texture, its easy enough to buff in with a blending brush, so you don't end up with grey stripes down the side of your face. 

The bronze is a warm, flattering shade that doesn't lean too orange.

The highlight is slightly more unusual....it is matte, so with this stick, you're not going to end up with super dewy, glowy skin. But don't let that deter you. 

It ever so slightly lifts the skin, and creates the illusion that your cheekbones are higher, without adding shimmer.

I love that I have now added a matte highlight to my collection because it is perfect to use at this time of year. 

I err on the side of caution when it comes to using highlighters during the warmer months, as the sun can be unflattering and can pick up shimmer and it just makes it look so obvious that you're wearing a highlighter. You won't have that problem here. 

But hey you can always add a glowy highlighter on top if you're looking for that dewy look.

The swatches after a little blending

Bottom Line: I highly recommend these sticks, I am by no means a contouring pro and to be honest, I don't like the super sculpted look...I don't think I've ever contoured my nose...it just looks too much.

But if thats what you like, then you do you.

You don't even have to use all three at once, I like adding a touch of the bronzer and just finishing there.

Its obviously not an everyday option, you do need to take an extra bit of time buffing in, but if you have the time, check these out. Just swatch them. I guarntee you will be impressed by the texture.

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Nars Audacious Lipsticks

L-R: Anita, Lana and Barbara

These are a fairly new release for Nars, and the first lip product of theirs I have tried. 

I know this is such a bold statement, but these are some of my favourite lipsticks of all time and I really one hundred percent recommend them. 

At least give them a swatch. 

I believe there are 30 shades (which is mind boggling) but I think I want at least 25....I currently have 3...

If you want nudes/peaches/pinks/brights/darks/vampy/girly, you WILL find one here. 

Today I will be showing you my three loves: Barbara, Anita and Lana. 

Lets start off with the formula.

They are a dream to apply. Due to their great pigmentation, they are literally one swipe wonders. 

The formula is creamy, with enough slip to create an even coverage, but they don't slide around all over your face and leave you paranoid that you have lipstick crawling up your face towards your eyebrows. 

I would describe the finish as Satin...at least my three anyway, but I assume there are more matte/more sheeny lipsticks in the range.

They stay put. 

This is a big thing for me as I always end up with the awkward wearing away thing where I am left with a rim of lipstick around my mouth, but nothing on the inside..it drives me up the wall and it looks awful. 

Not with these. I honesty can't rate this formula high enough. 

On to the swatches:

This is Barbara (my first purchase)

It is described as a 'Tan Rose' which I think is pretty fair. 

 This is a great one to add to your collection as it pairs well with a smokey eye, but as its muted (but not deadening) that you can wear it during the day.

A good nude to have that I would imagine would suit most. If you very porcelain though, I would recommend swatching before you buy as it is on the darker side of nude, which isn't always the most flattering. 

Anita : An 'Antique Rose'. Probably my favorite. A suit all you can wear day and night. 

Both Barbara and Anita work super well with Charlotte Tilburys 'Pillowtalk' liner and also Rimmels 'East End Snob'

Lana: 'Vivid Orange Red'

This colour speaks for itself. This is such an uplifting shade, it is bright and awakening but not garish.

Your skin will look brighter, and teeth whiter...kinda a win win. 

(Looks perfect with Estee Lauder double wear lip liner in 'Coral' - thank you Sali Hughes for that)

Here are the swatches side by side- you can see the differences more clearly when Barbara and Anita are next to each other:

L-R : Barbara, Anita and Lana. 

The Bottom Line: If you are a lipstick lover- add this to your list. You will love the formula.

If you are new to lipstick and you are starting to build your stash- there are enough safer, more muted shades to pick from, and if you are looking to splurge on one high end lipstick, choose these.

Next on my list: Anna, Jane, Juliette...Vera...Audrey...

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