The Transforming Power of Makeup (Part 3)

Way back in 2016 I posted PART 2 in which I showed how I transform my lips almost every day from woe to wow. Well not quite wow, but a whole heap better than they are naturally. Since then I've had heaps more practice so my technique has improved, and so have the available products, although I'm still using three of the six items that were in my original post. While you are probably (hopefully!) not dealing with the same issues I am, some of the hints below might be helpful, especially when applying darker colours which sure need extra attention to get them looking good ♥...

Having had cold sores since puberty, my poor old lips have taken a beating, plus they've been freckled for as long as I can remember. Add to this the accelerated pigmentation issues that come with ageing, well they've sure seen better days. But no need to despair kats - makeup and a few little tricks can fix all that! And so here we go - beware though, some of these closeups are pretty gruesome ha ha ♥...

 So here are my bare lips (and complexion)...

I start the transformation with a face primer (current fave is DB Pore Minimising Primer) and then apply my foundation with an Ecotools Wonder Cover Complexion brush. My foundation for this post was a blend of IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness and Maybelline Dream Liquid Mousse in the shade Sandy Beige. I cover the entire outline of my lips, and immediately there's a major improvement lol...

Next up is concealer all around the outside of my lips to completely disguise the pigmentation. I use Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer in the shade Light Natural. It has a sponge does foot applicator, and it's the best concealer ever - total coverage, easy to blend and it doesn't crease...

Below is the result after I blend it with my middle finger...

Next up I reverse outline my lips with an NYX Wonder Pencil in the shade Light. I take the pencil way above my top lip to where I plan to draw on a new top lip, and a picture-worthy cupids bow. My top lip has always been way thinner than my bottom lip, but we'll fix that later...

And here I've blended the crayon (again with my finger) and pressed on Australis HD Translucent Loose Setting Powder with a powder puff. This is a revamp of their Ready Set Go Finishing Powder - it's just as good, just has a wee bit of shimmer. As you can see this has camouflaged my enlarged pores and significantly reduced the appearance of the vertical lines above my top lip (this powder is a kats-can't-live-without)...

Now that I have my canvas prepared, it's time to start the artistry! Here I've used an OXX Lip Liner (from Kmart) in the shade Aria - it's the perfect match for the lipstick I'm going to add in a mo'. The application isn't perfect at this stage, but I don't let that worry me - everything is fixable, so long as I have the basic outline correct. Incidentally, if my lip liner isn't precisely the same colour as my lipstick, then I apply it all over my lips, but no need to here...

And below I've slicked on Maybelline Made For All Lipstick in my latest shade passion, Plum For Me. Again the application isn't perfect - trust me the camera shows up any and all flaws, so I recommend taking photos if you want to practice your technique, or when you desire the perfect lip for a special occasion...

So we've made it at last. I've used the above photo to point out the areas that need a tidy up (if you're wondering, I do this every time I take a photo for my Instagram LOTD's, which is almost every day). I've filled in the gaps on the left side of both lips using the lip liner, also the right side needed a bit of attention for symmetry, plus a cleanup on the skin with the flat end of a Swisspers Dual Cosmetic Tip dipped in concealer. I also used the pointy end (with concealer) to carefully tweak the cupids bow shape, and then applied another layer of lip liner and lipstick. Voila!...

Here's what I used ...

All this to say there's quite a bit of effort involved in getting my lips to look good, but the result is well worth it, and because I do it at least five days out of seven, it all happens in less than five minutes. By putting a lot of effort into my base preparation, I find I only need to reapply the liner and lipstick after eating. Just as well lol! ♥...

I was thinking about doing another face transformation post - any interest?

Take care of you,
kats xxx

SPOTLIGHT: Favourite June 2018 LOTD's...

Another month of lipsticks, and interestingly more cool hues than warm. I rarely ever pick my lippie first - instead, I choose my outfit and then rummage through my collection for something that will tone in with the theme. Below is the usual pretty broad range of brands, and one in particular that blew me away with its uniqueness ♥...

I slipped a bit with my blogging schedule in August, so there'll probably be another of these posts before September is over ♥...

1. First cab off the rank is one of the Nutrimetics 50th Anniversary nc Hydra Brilliance Lipsticks (full review HERE) - Lobster Bisque. The formula of this range is ultra lip-friendly, and this pale orange beauty is most unusual. I have a few apricot-coloured pieces in my wardrobe, and this blends so well ♥...

2. Always happy to include a cheapie if I think it's ok, and this OXX Cosmetics Lipstick from Kmart - Chocolate - is pretty darn good for $2! Nicely pigmented, reasonably hydrating, love the shade ♥...

3. This third one is another Nutrimetics 50th Anniversary nc Hydra Brilliance Lipstick - Marshmallow. A truly flattering browny red, and just the ticket for the cooler seasons ♥...

4. Yes, it's one more Nutrimetics 50th Anniversary nc Hydra Brilliance Lipstick - Aztec Bronze. Gorgeous, GORGEOUS deep and subdued yet intense Winter red - adore! ♥...

5. So now we're talking REDS! This is Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Lipstick MAT6 - one of the reddest reds in my kit, supernally comfortable for a matte, well it's not really matte, but it's a knockout hue hey ♥...

6. And if you're after fire engine red, this is the go - Covergirl Colourlicious Lipstick in Hot Passion. Covergirl makes fabulous lipsticks - so underrated in the market ♥...

7. Here's one that's appeared before - NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Toasted Marshmallow. Hard to go past these glosses for density, intensity and comfort - love 'em to bits! ♥...

8. Another bargain lippie that's underrated - Lacura (Aldi) Beauty Mineral Lipstick in the shade After Dark. A stunning rose gold case, awesomely moist formula, a steal at $4.99, but no doubt under the Aldi curse of probably-no-longer-available ♥...

9. Oh oh oh, now this was the find of the month - Isabelle Dupont Velvet Matte Lip Cream, shade 602. Came in a LipMonthly bag, honestly quite uncomfortable as it's so drying, but when I fall head over heels in love with a colour, I'll put up with anything! Isn't this just so sensationally different? Needs a clear gloss topper to make it wearable, but I'm crazy about this mauvey pink, and it lasts brilliantly ♥...

10. The last Nutrimetics 50th Anniversary nc Hydra Brilliance Lipstick -  Frosted Grape you'll see today lol. As you can tell I was quite taken with their retro range, and this pink is divine ♥...
11.  NARS Serdem Lipstick in Larkspur. Overwhelmingly disappointing in that the bullet is the boldest purple, but it goes on very sheer. Still, I've included it as it's still such a stunning colour, and exceptionally hydrating ♥...
12. An oldie but still a viable goodie - Chi Chi Viva La Diva Lipstick in Husband Shopping. I have a passion for pinky purples, and this one wears amazingly well, and never disappoints for intense pigment ♥...

That's it for now gals, another round is in the pipeline. Meanwhile, I'm keen to know if you like any of these, hmm? ♥...

Take care of you,
kats xxx 

SPOTLIGHT: 2nd Quarter 2017 Fave LOTD's - Part 1...

Crikey another three months have rocketed by, and here we are in the second half of the year already! Hasn't been long since I posted the first quarter faves, but I'm not falling into that "oh I'll squeeze them in somewhere" trap again lol...

Ok so these are the browns, oranges, reds and corals/nudes - actually hardly any nudes because I so rarely wear them, although next quarter will see a few more than usual...

The first two above are the same lipstick - Maybelline Color Sensational Chocoholic from the Bold range - love these new intense lippies shades, and the formula is super comfortable. The second pic is the same lipstick but topped with my fave Cosmoholic gold lip gloss - this stuff can inject life into anything! Third one is Chocolate by OXX Cosmetics from Kmart. Not the most moisturising lipstick in my kit, but for $2 I had to try it, and I love this rich dairy milk hue...

Next we have Colourpop Ultra Metallic Lip in the shade DM - a gorgeous gorgeous copper and my camera just doesn't do it justice. Glides on like molten metal and really quite comfy. Next is a David Jones one I've had for a while - Moisture Cream Lipstick in Honey Gold. I dig it out every so often because it's quite a unique shade and the only one in my kit that goes with certain pieces of my wardrobe. Last one in this row is Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Mama - I find these very drying, but I simply adore the colour range, and this one has Autumn written all over it...

First on the left is a liquid lipstick by Laritzy called Lola - came in one of my LipMonthly bags, lovely bright colour, but like a lot of oranges, it has a tendency to go streaky unless I'm careful. Next one is a darling by SAVVY called Watermelon. Came in a pack of 8 minis that I bought late last year - totally bummed that I can't buy this shade in a full size. No. 3 is a Vegan Berry Tint by Seraphine Botanicals called Cherry Cream - another LipMonthly find, blew me away because I wasn't expecting a lip tint to have so much coverage, or such a creamy texture - love it!...

And here we are with my precious reds - first on the left is MUD Make-Up Design Lipstick in the shade Red Roulette, a steal from Woolworths for $5. Next is an old fave, Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Fatal Red - holey cow it's just so red!  Actually I thought it was my reddest red until I discovered  the one on the right, Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick in Rebel Red - it doesn't get much brighter and bolder than this hot hot hot hue, and the formula is a dream come true for dry lips...

Moving onto the cherry reds, this first one is NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Cherry Custard. I think I've mentioned before that these glosses are my favourites of all time - so rich, so moisturising, so intense, so perfect. Next is another oldie but goodie - Maybelline Color Drama Intense Velvet Lip Pencil in Red Essential. I've been neglecting these crayons which is a pity as they are a brilliant formula and the colors are all stunners. This last one is by Sugar - Matte as Hell Crayon Lipstick in Poison Ivy - definitely not for the faint hearted...

And lastly we have the less intense corals and one nude. First up is a lippie I've loved for years - SAX Rich Lip Colour Lipstick in Coral. Beautifully moist and I so appreciate the fact that it's a pink coral rather than an orange one. You can still buy SAX cosmetics from their website, or in a local pharmacy if you're lucky enough to find them stocked. The second glossy one is Australis Pout Paste Intense Lip Colour in Make Me Blush. I don't think they make these any more, but I only recently received this sealed one from a friend, and loving it so much I'm really annoyed that I didn't explore them when they were hot off the press - very creamy and of course, super glossy.  And finally the last one in this part - NYX Cosmic Metals Lip Cream in Speed of Light. Totally in love with these liquid lipsticks and I'm so pissed off that my local Priceline no longer stocks them - "if there's no slot for them in the stand, then they're dumped" is what the sales assistant told me. Boo and double boo Priceline!

Well lovelies that's a whole lot of lippies hey? Part 2 will be up lickety split, which will be the Plums, Berries, Pinks and Purples ♥...

Any of these take your fancy?

Take care of you,

kats xxx

P.S. Linking to Ingrid's Monday Makeup Madness Link Up - why not come on over after 6:30am...