The Pink Nudes

It's a rare occasion for me to make a bold lip choice. As a result of this fear I have collected a range of pink nudes; the my lips but better kinda shades.

The Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Golden Lustre in the shade 114 is the luxury number - thank you to my friends who know me well and gave it as my 21st present! Whilst it's not as dark as it looks from the bullet, it's definitely the darkest pink in my little collection. However, this makes it perfect for the colder months: it makes your lips wonderfully, yet subtly, stand out when your face is a little paler.

I was all about the Revlon Colourstay Ultimate Suede when they first came out. One of my favourite shades is Socialite, a rich nudey-pink that seems to make lips look fuller.

The Estee Lauder Pure Color in Crystal Nude has made a regular appearance on this blog - it is a trusted favourite. It's the creamiest lipstick of this lot, and almost looks like a gloss when I apply as it has so much shine. I rarely leave the house without this in my handbag.

MAC Patisserie is a lipstick classic. It has a lovely hint of shimmer to it making it the perfect M.L.B.B shade. As Vivianna Does Makeup says, 'When in doubt, reach for patisserie.'

Who doesn't love the Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte by Kate Moss?! This is shade 101. Despite this being a matte formula I don't find it drying, in fact it's very velvety. If you like to do an Instagram pout every once in a while then I think this might be your new shade.

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More Salon Pro Love

A trip back home always means a visit into my favourite Boots. With a lot of points saved up to spend I ended up with a mini-boots haul which I shared on my instagram - oops! As you know from a previous post, I am loving the Rimmel Salon Pro formulas.

I had spotted this shade, Green Dragon, before, and finally decided to add it to my basket. I'm always a fool for a blue or green nail polish and this pistachio-blue shade is just perfect for summer in my opinion.

Now, shall I rave about the formula of these polishes? For under a fiver they really do deserve a round of applause: long wearing, chip proof and high shine. What more can you want from a nail polish. I'm pretty sure you'll be finding me in this shade for a few weeks!

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Manicure Heroes

Instead of boring you with another post dedicated to my love for the Rimmel Salon Pro formulas I thought I would share with you some of my favourite products for the perfect manicure. After all, I do like to keep Monday posts aligned with the #ManicureMonday theme. 

One of my first steps is to use the Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover. A cool tingly gel that you apply over your cuticles, leave a few minutes and then push down. Simple. I then like to buff down my nails to get rid of any ridges. The Nails Inc 4-Way Buffer is my go to tool for this step. Sometimes I just leave my nails after using this as it helps to create shiny, healthy nails. 

After using my chosen polish and leaving it a few minutes to dry I use the Rimmel Finishing Touch Ultra Shine Top Coat. This stuff is a hero product in my beauty books. Infact, it's probably a number 1 in my nail polish collection. It not only provides a seriously good shine but it reaaally helps against chipping. The price is the final bonus. I can't recommend this product enough. 

Finally, I spray my nails with the Mavala Mavadry Spray because who has time to wait around for their manicure to dry? This stuff dries my nails in seconds.

What are your favourite things to help with your DIY manicure?

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Bourjois Rouge Edition

About a month ago, after a lot of hype, and some pretty packaging, I finally purchased the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet and Aqua Laque. So after six months of waiting, and a month of trying, I have finally gathered my thoughts on the two. 

First, lets talk texture. The name Aqua Laque certainly represents the feel of it. Indeed, it's like putting water on the lips. It feels so weird. I'm still not sure if I like it or not. The Velvet on the other hand is a thick, creamy texture that is very easy to apply and blend. I was surprised at how smooth this felt on my lips considering it is a matt finish. 

Now in terms of pigmentation both are totally different. I would describe the Aqua Laque as a gloss. Its great if you're looking for a super, shiny gloss and I love to wear this on top of some of my natural toned lipsticks. This is, then, slightly flawed considering this product is described as a lipstick. But I will give it a thumbs up for the whole wet, shine look. The Velvet formula however is on top form when it comes to pigmentation. What I especially love about it is its stay-proof formula. This thing seriously doesn't budge. More importantly it doesn't dry out, unlike some more pricey matt products.

For under £10 I would have to conclude that the Rouge Edition Velvet is a must have. If you are looking for something that REALLY does last all day (albeit with a top up post lunch!) then this seriously is a makeup bag essential. 

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Rimmel Salon Pro

It's a rare occasion that I keep the same colour manicure for over two weeks. However, the Rimmel Salon Pro formula in the shade Hip Hop has been ticking many buttons over here! Before I rave about the colour I just want to talk about the formula. It contains 'lycra' which is supposed to make this polish 'ultra flexible.' Now, I have no idea what that means in terms of effects, but I can say that the polish is very easy to apply. But ultimately it is the chip-proof quality of this polish which makes it a keeper. I took this photo after wearing it for 4 days. Despite the slight chip on one finger I think that's pretty impressive. Lets just appreciate 4 days of no chips (both hands up emoji here please!). 

In London we have been having a bit of a heat wave so the bright read/orange tones of this have helped me to channel my summer spirit. Also, if you were a fan of Chanel's summer polish Holiday then this is a perfect dupe for that famous shade. At £4.49 these polishes have to be a firm favourite for the DIY manicure. What are your favourite polishes for summer? 

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February Favourites

It will come as no surprise that I have been loving the Max Factor Clump Defy Volumizing Mascara. Wow. Ah-mazing. Length, natural, no clumps, need I say anymore. Big thumbs up and I highly, highly recommend.

I had a slight haul with the new Real Techniques Bold Metals collection. My favourite has been the Tapered Blush Brush. It picks up the product so well and the angled effect helps for application. And of course what's not to love about the colour and shape of these brushes?! I can't wait to burn down my diptique and display them.

Now I have to apologise about this one. I have been using the Rimmel Finishing Touch Top Coat for a while now and have been rather silent on the wonders of it. If you're an avid beauty blog reader then I'm sure you will have heard the famous sec he viche top coat. Admittedly it is one heck of a good top coat but my experience saw quiet a few clumpy incidents which meant it chipped easily and was easy -and addictive- to pull off. However, I would have to say that I prefer the Rimmel. It's price and the effect it gives makes me one happy nail painter…! It provides an amazing shine and has helped my manicures last for a good seven days! I can't rave enough about this top coat. Bravo Rimmel.

Continuing on with the manicure theme I have been praising the Mavala Mavadry spray. In my opinion its genius: spray, speed, go. The past few weeks has seen me go from one nail polish to another and I've loved having to not sit around and wait till they're dry.

This month has seen me return to an old Mac favourite: the Pro Longwear Blush in Rosy Outlook. This is such a lovely light pink colour that I've really enjoyed using as an everyday, natural blush.

What have been your favourites this month?

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January Favourites

So I've finally broken the silence over here. With a very busy few weeks of essay writing, starting my final term at uni and my dissertation (God help me) I feel like I can be excused. Anyway, to start off my first post of 2015 I thought I'd do a favourites.

 

First off is the Aesop Resurrection Hand Balm. My hands have seriously suffered in this bloomin' cold weather. Whilst the most sensible option would have been to invest in a pair of gloves I decided to opt for this. The smell is rather luxurious and its such an intensely rich formula that it absorbs into my hands rather quickly creating an instant result. This hand balm is also good for cuticles and has helped with my nails too.

For Christmas one of my makeup presents was the Chanel Illusion D'Ombre in Emmerville. A gold eye shadow in a cream formula is always a hit in my books. This is so easy to apply and has really good staying power. Can I praise the packaging too?! This really is a little gem.

Along with the theme of dryness, my face went through a patch of disliking my origins moisturiser. After looking through some samples I thought I'd give the Kiels Ultra Face Cream a go. It's a weird one if I'm honest. It's not an overly rich or thick formula yet it gives so much moisturising! This time last year I suffered with bad dry, almost flaky patches on my cheeks. But not this time around. I am loving this cream, day and night.

After hearing a lot of raves from Amelia Liana and Hello October about this product I thought I'd give it ago. The Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liner in East End Snob is my first neutral lip liner, believe it or not. I've never really understood the point of them. However, I have really go into the swing of this. It makes my lips look fuller and acts as a really good base coat for my everyday fave Mac Patisserie!

Last, but certainly not least, is the Nars Satin Lip Pencil in Descanso. I was one very lucky girl this Christmas and under my tree was the Nars Digital World Lip Pencil set. So far this one is my favourite. A lovely, pink-nude everyday staple.

 

What have been your favourites this month?

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AW Purple Polishes

Things have taken a serious turn around in my nail polish diaries. To the friends who know me as blue polish obsessed, you won't believe this post! October saw me turn over a fresh Autumnal leaf as I began to purchase and wear more purple toned polishes. 

I'll admit at first that BarryM Nail Paint in Vintage Violet is very similar, if not just a hint lighter, than Nails Inc in New Oxford Street. These have been my go to shades since October. Whilst the gel effects formula is pretty darn impressive, if your adamant to stick to budget BarryM is the perfect dupe. 

A formula I can never find a fault with is the Rimmel Salon Pro and in the shade Urban Purple I'm always set for the favourite Autumn Winter season. It brightens up those khaki brown uniforms that arise in my wardrobe this time of year. 

Essie Luxedo may trick you here. Whilst it may seem very dark, almost black at first, upon application and in certain lights all is revealed as a dark, deep set red. I find this shade rather sophisticated - a suitable shade for the darker nights. 

What are your favourite AW shades?

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October Favourites

If you've been reading my blog closely this month then I suppose these favourites won't come as a surprise. Personally, I'm proud of the plum theme. Finally I'm moving away from the blues and braving the bold!

Anyway, I haven't stopped used Clinique Even Better Foundation. My face has been suffering with a serious case of the grey and dull at the moment, and this has been such an easy solution. Easy to blend, and excellent (but not too heavy) coverage. A little bit has gone a long way! I suppose I've had a Clinique loving month with also reaching for their eyeshadow in Black Honey. A rich brown colour with that slight hint of red, I've really enjoyed wearing this as an everyday all over shadow or accompanying my Charlotte Tilbury palette on an evening!

Perhaps you will be sick of me talking about the Soap and Glory Archery 2-in-1 brow pencil but WOW I love this. Despite taking me a while to get use to the art of graceful brow strokes this has been my favourite tool to create a naturally defined brow. 

In terms of them plum tones, I've found Nails Inc Gel Effects in New Oxford Street. I love the colour and the formula is seriously long lasting. This colour has geekily got me in the autumnal mood!

I don't need to talk too much about the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Glam Plum Fulham. It does what is says: moisturising and a whole lotta perfect plum. My favourite Autumn lipstick for sure. 

Happy Halloween everyone! What have been your favourites of the past month?

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What I Wore Autumn Evening Edition #6

For a girl who constantly tells you how much she loves staying in, you'll be surprised to hear that I've been socialising the past four Fridays. Crazy, I know. The best part of that for me has to have been the makeup procedure!!

For my birthday two of my beautiful friends got me my first Charlotte Tilbury Luxury Palette in Uptown Girl - I'm eternally grateful for that present. I have been loving using this. The little niche I have found though, with help from this HelloOctober video, is applying the primer shade with my finger all over the lid. For a little Autumnal change I have then gone in with Clinique Black Honey Eyeshadow to create a "reddy-browny"smokey look. 

I have also finally mastered how to use the Soap and Glory Archery 2-in-1 brow pencil. At first I found it so fiddly and felt like I had a water colour brush in my hand! Now, with adopting some graceful skills, I am loving this pencil to create a natural filled in brow look. Obviously a big coating of Maybelline The Falsies to widen out those eyelashes!

On the cheeks is Nars Blush in Sin. This is just such a perfect plum, shimmer blush. I even gave my mother it and she now uses it every day!

Finally the Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Glam Plum Fulham (isn't the name so cool!) has been a monthly favourite. The formula is as it says, seriously moisturising and creamy, and the colour is the perfect bam of plum. 

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Handbag Heroes

In every girls handbag there have got to be those key makeup items we need throughout the day. In my case its four heroes that I need for that afternoon touch up.  

Nars Creamy Concealor if you haven't heard me rave of this the where have you been?! This is radiating, instantly banishing dark circles hero. I love it and seriously need a top up in the middle of my library cries. 

Bobbi Brown Face Touch up Stick because one can never know when a pesky blemish is going to appear. I find this a really easy product for those powder room necessities. 

Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in bronze is my favourite eyeliner of all time. I will never leave the house without it. At the moment I can only seem to find this online boots and super drug don't seem to be stocking it...help me and my bronze lovin' needs. 

Reve de Miel Baume Levres  is a rather fancy lip balm. Its ingredients of honey and soya make this a seriously nourishing balm. I find it solves my dry lips instantly. The packaging is rather heavy for my weak handbag carrying arms but its a wonder-lip product. 

What are your handbag essentials?

Also shout out to my mum for buying me this lovely makeup bag. I have a thing for Frenchies you see!

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Summer Nail Polish Favourites

Now we all know I'm a lover of blue nail polish. But these past few months I've seen a new me in my nail polish grabbing actions. Step aside blues I've been needing pinks and some hot corals.

So, lets start from pinky to thumb. Rimmel's Salon Pro in Cocktail Passion (the nail always contributes to whether I should buy it or not!) 

I wore this Bourjouis 1 second formula in Turquoise in my last video and realised how much I love this shade and formula. The bright turquoise blue colour is the perfect shade to compliment the summer tans whilst the formula is chip proof. And trust me when I say that as my polish usually lasts 2 days whereas this lasts me nearly a week!

Chanel Holiday will forever be on the luxury nail polish wish list, but I suppose who really needs after finding Rimmel  60 Second Formula in Sun Downer.  The brush is fantastic and the colour is so similar to holiday. 

Now I have to have a blue in there somewhere. And who doesn't love Essie Bikini So Teeny. Pale blue with sparkly bits in...this is love in a bottle. Enough said.

Finally Clinique Happy Heart is just the perfect summer heat coral. I will admit that I find this formula a bit of frustrating in terms of chipping so I prefer to use it as my pedicure colour.

What are your favourite summer polishes?

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Orange Is The New Black

If you're a regular reader of Folkes Thinks then you'll know that recently I've 

been slowly introducing a new colour into my makeup palette. Yup that's right, the blue toned polish is starting to be overtaken by  a collection of oranges. What's orange got that blue hasn't...the skill to double as a lipstick shade!

It all started off when the Revlon Colour Burst Matt and Just Bitten new shades were introduced. I went straight for the oranges after being inspired by numerous beauty bloggers recommendations. What can I say, the love for orange on the lips has grown since. The new one is the Rimmel Kate Matt Lipstick in the shade 101: a fab coral colour. I love the Matt range. They have a long lasting finish and the colours in the collection are a winner. I also have shade 110, a lovely nude-pink that I thoroughly recommend! 

In terms of the nail department Clinique Happy Heart was the first of the collection. A lovely feel good shade, but I do think it works best on the toes. The Essie in the shade 'Orange, it's obvious' (probably what I should have titled this post) is a tricky one to find these days. However, as you can see, it's the "pop-in-your-face" of them all. I got in an Asos beauty sale but an ebay search should definitely do the trick if you're keen. The Rimmel Salon Pro in Hip Hop (love the name) is a recent purchase after watching a Vivianna Does Makeup Vlog. It just had to be purchased okay. I love the Rimmel Lycra formulas. They are so easy to apply and have a lovely shiny finish. Rimmel Sun Downer is an absolute dupe for the famous Chanel Holiday shade. Who needs to spend £18 for a polish with this one?!

My Favourite has to be the Kate Moss Rimmel range. I had loved wearing the shade 101 recently. It gives the perfect pop to a natural look or the necessary finish to a smokey eye formula. What are your favourite oranges?

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