Lipstick Courage

We’ve all had days where we wake up feeling a little less than desirable. Sometimes your hair isn’t doing exactly what you want it to, or sometimes you feel that crater of a zit brewing on your chin just to remind you how attractive you truly are - How do you save the day? 

I’m going to let you in to my secret; lipstick. 

I’ve recently discovered my love for MAC Lipstick. I’ve loved MAC for a while now and quite early on in our courtship I bought the MAC Chromacake in Landscape Green (that’s another story) but since that purchase, my forays into the world of MAC have been predominantly lipstick based. 

Ruby Woo came first and I remember exactly when, where and why I bought it. During my last year of University, we had our Great Gatsby themed Summer Ball - I went for a Jordan Baker type flapper girl, sporting mainly black, white and red. Ruby Woo with her super matte, reddish-blue tint worked perfectly for the occasion and the look I was going for. On a trip to London with my boyfriend at the time, I popped into MAC on Foubert’s Place off Carnaby Street and my first, real, grown-up MAC purchase was complete. 

Faux came next, from a slightly more comfortable-to-wear range, Satin by MAC. A mauve-pink toned lipstick that’s ‘my lips but better’. Perfect for those days where I don’t want to wear a lot of make up and I just need a little something-something. Faux gave me the courage to wear less make up whilst at the same time inspiring me to do more of what I want with my aesthetic - I know that sounds silly but this is where my ‘Lipstick Courage’ started.
Putting on this lipstick seals the deal for the day and just makes me feel ‘ready’. It might seem petty to some, but if doing something small like wearing a slick of lipstick makes me feel ready to take on the day, why the hell not… 

A little more daring with my next MAC lipstick, friends Hayley and Nikita chose me Taupe for Christmas. A little darker than Faux with more brown tones, Taupe inspired me to go for darker eye makeup and just generally makes me feel a little more badass. The perfect colour for grungier winter days, long sleeves and messy hair. 

I like the idea of having a lipstick for a particular occasion - like Ruby Woo for The Summer Ball. 

When this year’s Valentine’s Day rolled around, I got a little bit carried away, so it seemed only right to continue on with the theme and choose a lipstick from MAC. Craving, which MAC describes as a burst of plum in their Amplified range, when you first apply is fairly strong and really pigmented; I like that I can choose to wear it like this, or when it’s just dabbed on with a little less precision Craving works really nicely as a hint of pink for a perky pout. My friend Canadian Christine came with me when I picked this one out, and she has one of the opinions that I have learned to always trust; she’s golden that one. 

But now that I’ve wittered on about my favourite lipsticks, I hope that you understand the idea of Lipstick Courage. The idea that, on a day when you’ve been wearing just your sweats and not a scrap of make up, you can put on a little lipstick and suddenly feel a whole lot more comfortable watching The Voice with your boyfriends Mum (who you’ve only just met), even if you don’t look dramatically different. It’s amazing how much something small, like putting on lipstick, can change your attitude and confidence for the better. 

Occasions when it is appropriate to let your Lipstick save the day:

1. You spent too long on your hair, then it rained. 
2. You woke up feeling a little ‘meh’ - no rhyme or reason. 
3. You’ve just remembered that you’re still not Rita Ora. 
4. It’s only Tuesday.
5. You’ve got too much month left at the end of the money. 

Mangaminty-ify your Skin!

Good evening and welcome back. If there is one shop that I can smell a mile off, it’s Lush. You know that smell - the sweet, telling smell that a Lush store is nearby?  I am a homing pigeon for Lush stores. 

I will always be a massive fan for Lush’s KARMA range; the perfume stick, the atomiser, the soap, the bubble bar...the list is endless and so is my love for this signature scent. My boyfriend always says, anyone wearing or whenever he smells KARMA, it smells like me. And I’m okay with that. The patchouli and orange blossom perfume has become ‘my smell’ and I couldn’t have chosen better – a great scent at a great price!
However, this birthday I had an extra little cash so I decided to branch out and see what else I might enjoy. (After picking up a few KARMA necessities, obviously!) Firstly, was DIRTY; the soap for men for James; he loves the smell and it always makes you feel so tingly-clean. Then I reached the fresh face masks...

Restore your radiance with a fresh concoction of fruits, butters , clays and essential oils.

Yes, yes that’s what I need. I’ve been so stressed recently with post-University worries that my skin has been breaking out left right and centre. The stress of needing to find a new house, moving into that new house, affording rent, trying to get a new job, dealing with housemates, receiving all final grades etc is taking its toll on my face and that’s making me even more stressed, so I needed a fix.

“A multipurpose mask with a mixture of gentle yet effective ingredients to clean, calm and clear the skin – now in a self-preserving formula!”

MASK OF MAGNAMINTY does exactly what it says on the tin. Having bought it on Thursday, I’ve used it three times since and the skin on my face is near enough clear; so much better. Having clearer skin is such a weight off my shoulders, I don’t have to think about it when I’m putting make up on in the morning or throughout the day when I’m worrying if my make-up has rubbed off and everyone can see how bad my skin was. If you feel panicky about your skin during the day, MAGNAMINTY is the answer. This version is the self-preserving edition which means some of the ingredients are different so that Lush don’t have to add in any harsher preservatives which wouldn’t be any good for the skin. 

Easy to apply, the mask is branded as a ‘face and back pack’ as it can be smoothed over the skin anywhere you like. On my first use,  I applied quite a generous amount over my full face and a little on the backs of my shoulders where I’ve been getting a few little breakouts – since then I’ve applied it twice more to my t-zone and fully across my forehead and my skin has thanked me for it. I feel more comfortable in my skin and that makes the day easier. I know you might think that sounds silly, but when you start the day by having to pile on the war paint to hide blemishes on your face it can take a toll on your mindset – waking up with clearer skin just starts the day off right for me!

The mask is made with peppermint oil to stimulate and cool, along with marigold oil and chlorophyllin (which gives it that greeny-healthy colour) to treat the skin. Evening Primrose seeds and aduki beans gently exfoliate the skin when you remove it, which in my case has been after my skin has soaked up as much goodness from the mask as it can. Usually I apply mine and then get in the bath, after about 20 minutes I wash it off. According to the Lush website, there’s also “mineral rich Kaolin to nourish and antibacterial honey” to stimulate the blood cells just under the surface of your skin to leave it looking bright and refreshed. 

My skin looks clearer and feels smoother and with a layer of light moisturiser before bed (after cleansing and toning) and the regular application of this facemask, I believe I’ll be having completely healthy, clear skin in no time. 

Don’t let the colour put you off –  think about all those green juices and how good they are for you. Green is good!

Mask of Magnaminty - Buy It Here!
Next time, I think I'll try: Cosmetic Warrior, Brazened Honey or Love Lettuce. 

Til next time, stay safe. 
BarGirl. ♥