New in | NARS Audacious Lipsticks

You know you have beautiful friends in your life when an after work Mecca swatch session becomes a mental note for future birthday gifts. This was the case for me when one of my work pals turned up with that familiar eggplant shade of shopping bag and handed me makeup heaven from MeccaCosmetica. Inside contained the new Nars Audacious lipsticks. Two of them in fact. You can imagine the internal silent squeals at my desk. They happened. Anyway she knows how grateful I am and all the feels so let's crack on with the beauty.. crack..?

Barbara & Fanny

Nars' most recent launch of their Audacious lipsticks and liners created quite a kerfuffle in the beautysphere I must say. I'm not sure if it was because they got a total revamp in packaging, stamping the lot or if a new Nars launch is just that exciting. I think it may be a little of column A and a little of column B. The range was launched with 30 shades each named with a womans' name so added excitement points if one of them is yours! There's nudes, oranges, reds, pinks, vampy, they've launched them all so there's something for everyone.

On an Instagram trawl I'd spotted the shade Fanny but we all know that sometimes in photos colours can look a little off, especially for lipsticks and blushes. Not in this case; I flipped over almost every lipstick I thought was close in colour until I found her- Fanny; a beautiful deep raspberry shade I would say but not too wintery, it's definitely wearable in all months.

Barbara

The second shade she chose was Barbara-a beautiful brown toned nude, right up my alley! Apparently she wanted to get my Anita which we'd both admired in store but was told that Anita was a popular gal and sold out. Doesn't bother me, Barbara is a beautiful lady! I was worried it was going to be too nude on my pale skin but no issues whatsoever, it's perfect.

L- Fanny, R- Barbara

These lipsticks glide on, feel super comfortable on the lips and are easy to reapply. They retail for $44 each from MeccaCosmetica.

Rimmel 'Moisture Renew' Lipsticks

You may have seen my previous post on Rimmel's Kate Moss lipsticks and the glowing review I gave them.. Well I'll do my best not to repeat myself but if you were looking for a disappointing product review I'm sorry you won't be finding that right here. 

The Moisture Renew Lipstick line from Rimmel is their most recent addition to their lip product range if I'm not wrong. This time, endorsed by Georgia May Jagger. Whatever shpiel these have alongside them, it doesn't matter you've already sold me Rimmel! I first bought these in the older packaging which was still the metallic purple tube but a bit different as you'll notice in my photo. I had Notting Hill Nude as well as Nude Delight, both purchased on recommendation from UK bloggers and I think it's Notting Hill Nude that is said to be a Tom Ford dupe.. Well you don't have to tell me twice! Notting Hill Nude was actually the colour I chose for my 21st party which I think I've mentioned before, so that is high praise let me tell you. These lipsticks are exactly as the name suggests, moisturising and they do feel renewing. They glide on, last for a good while and don't leave your lips feeling dehydrated and that icky end of the day I want to take my lipstick off really desperately feeling. Ya know?

L-R: Nude Delight, Notting Hill Nude, Vintage Pink, As You Want Victoria & Sloane's Plum.

When they relaunched this line with more shades and new packaging, I dabbled. Then dabbled some more. I wore the brighter shades to work and got so many compliments on them. They do have a sheen to them and they're easy to apply.  I think I only reapplied after eating lunch despite talking the whole day. (Retail life..) By the end of the day I wasn't desperate to take my lipstick off and put balm on to soothe my lips, rather it still felt comfortable and hydrating. 

For the price of these, the quality is beyond. Regardless of the price, this line of lipsticks is really good. The shade range is a beautiful mix of wearable neutrals and pinks to bold orange, red and plummy wine colours so there's something for everyone! Available from priceline and the like and of course, ASOS plus if you've got student discount you'll be laughing! 

Have you tried this range? Any standouts? 

Rimmel 'Kate' Lipstick Range

If I had to choose only one drugstore (or more affordable) brand to be able to purchase lipsticks from, it would hands down be Rimmel. All of their ranges are amazing quality, price and shade range. A few years ago now they collaborated with supermodel and style icon, Kate Moss; not my ideal celebrity endorser but I get it, she fits the whole 'London look' that is Rimmel's brand phrase. Regardless when these launched I was intrigued by the range and more importantly just liked the look of the colour selection. I'd tried a few Rimmel lipsticks before this and 'Asia' was a firm favourite, which I think is all thanks to Sammi from thebeautycrush. Anyway, Kate Moss launched her line, I bought a couple and was not disappointed. Like Rimmel's standard lipstick line, the formula was great, they felt nice on the lips and I was sold.

I can't recall exactly how long it was between launches but they then launched Kate Moss the Matte range (in the red packaging) and I was like well blow me down, that's even more up my alley Rimmel! So off I trudged to Priceline and handed over my money in exchange for affordable lipstick goodness. I say handed over my money, let's get real these are spare change compared to prices of MAC and the like which to be honest have extremely similar quality. Not sure which was te first shade I bought in the range but as you can see from the photo, it obviously wasn't the last! I used to be a purely matte-only lip lady so I got a lot of use from these. Plus ASOS stocks Rimmel so whenever I was already making an order or they had them on offer, one would quite often find it's way to my shopping cart. If you haven't tried these yet then I think you should pry yourself away from your phone, laptop or any technological device and pop to your nearest Priceline to have a look at these. (Ok I'm not really telling you what to do or how to spend your money but I definitely recommend these if you're looking for some more affordable lipsticks!)