I recently picked up a few bits from Tom Ford, a brand I had never tried before but have always wanted to because not only are the products - apparently fantastic - that packaging is enough to make any beauty lover swoon. To start out with I grabbed an eyeshadow quad because I’ve heard a lot about the quality of the shadows, a cream colour for eyes as I’m a total sucker for cream eyeshadows and a lipstick which I don’t think I need to justify.

Tom Ford Lip colour ~ Sable Smoke | Tom Ford lipsticks are creamy, opaque and non-drying. Everything you expect from a luxury beauty brand. The shade sable smoke is beautiful warm nude shade which compliments my warm complexion and is perfect for a bronzed, summer look.

Tom Ford Cream Colour for Eyes ~ Opale | I’m a sucker for a good cream eyeshadow. The Cream Colour for Eyes is more of a mouse and a little bit goes a long way. The shade Opale gives an almost wet look to the eye, like the kind of thing you see in editorials, but because the product sets it doesn’t crease or fade but still retains that eye-catching iridescence. This is great on its own for a quick look or makes a great base for other shadows too.

Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad ~ Golden Mink | As you would expect, the shadows in this palette are like butter. They’re the softest, and most pigmented, shadows I’ve ever come across. They blend with only the lightest touch and wear all day without fading or creasing. The two pressed glitters in this palette are great for adding something extra and don’t drop down. The only thing I’m not so keen onion this palette is that the warm brown shade shows up quite cool-toned on my eye even though it swatches like a beautiful chocolate colour. It’s probably just my colouring which makes it look not 100% true but something to bare in mind if you have an olive skin tone like me.

All in all I was very impressed with my first bout of Tom Ford beauty and its a line I’ll definitely be looking to branch more into in the future.

Have you tried any Tom Ford products?

~ Jade xx

Back row: Charlotte Tilbury ~ Glastonberry, Kate Moss x Rimmel ~ 30, Charlotte Tilbury ~ Bond Girl

Front Row: L’Oreal Reds Collection ~ Eva, L’Oreal Reds Collection ~ Liya, Revlon Ultra HD ~ Poppy

If I’m not wearing nude lipstick then I’m either wearing a striking red or a deep berry, I’m far from a pink kinda gal. There’s just something very classic about a red lip which I can’t stay away from and something very effortlessly cool about a berry. A few weeks ago I collected all of my favourite nude lipsticks into post which can be seen here. Today I thought I would do the same thing, but this time with my favourite reds and berries.

Charlotte Tilbury ~ Glastonberry | As the name would suggest this beaut from Charlotte Tilbury is a deep-plum, berry shade. The lipstick itself is from Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution line making it super comfortable to wear despite being a matte and I love the play on words and a nod to Glastonbury.

Kate Moss x Rimmel ~ 30 | Similar in shade to Glastonberry with a slight red hue, however it isn’t matte. I don’t think I need to talk about how much I love the Kate Moss x Rimmel lipstick formula’s anymore than I already have in the past. They’re dreamy. I think that just about sums it up.

Charlotte Tilbury ~ Bond Girl | Another favourite from the Matte Revolution line. This shade is a great sophisticated berry if you don’t want to go all out grunge nor go for a red.

L’Oreal ~ Eva’s Red | This red shade is great for anyone with a warm skin tone like me. It’s a slightly muted, more terracotta red shade which compliments a warm skin tone rather than washing them out like some reds can.

L’Oreal ~ Liya’s Red | Another great red for warm skin tones but brighter than Eva’s Red. The formula of these lipsticks can become a bit drying over time but the staying power is fantastic considering the price tag.

Revlon Ultra HD ~ Poppy | What I like to call my ‘summer red’. Personally, I don’t like to wear this shade on its own because I find the formula to be a bit slippy, which with a bright colour causes a bit of a mess. However, I love it for adding more pout to my matte red lipsticks previously mentioned by adding a small amount to the middle of my lips.

What’re your favourite statement lipsticks?

~ Jade xx

I’m a big fan of Revlon and have been for many years so whenever there’s a new release I always jump at the chance to try it. On a recent Boots trip I picked up a couple of new things from one of my favourite brands to try out.

Revlon are great at producing lip products. From their Lip Butters, to the Colorburst Lacquer and Matte Balms and the Moisture Stains to their Super Lustrous Lipsticks and Super Lustrous Lipgloss' are all winners with their latest release - the Ultra HD Lipsticks  - being no exception to this rule. All of the shades ranging from nudes and light pinks to reds and deep berries are named after flowers such Rose, Sweat Pea, Hibiscus and Iris which being a sucker for shade names delighted me a lot. They’re incredibly pigmented despite the silky, moisturising texture and they stain the lips so the colour lasts even when the gel texture has worn away. The scent is also lovely of a mix of vanilla and mango but isn’t overpowering that you can smell it once it’s on your lips. I chose the shade Poppy to be my summer red as it has a orange undertone and the glossy texture makes it perfect for the summer months rather than I matte, deep red I’m used to wearing during winter. The only problem I have with these lipstick is that the shape of the bullet can make it difficult to apply compared to a traditional bullet shape but that won’t stop me from picking up more shades.

I’m a big bronzer and contour girl so when I saw the Matte Highlighting Palette in Desert Bronze it instantly found its way into my basket. The mix of the lighter and darker bronze shades makes a bronzer/contour hybrid that is neither too orange nor too ashy and is a great all rounder. The white shade at the top has a subtle shimmer and is great for targeted highlighting with your finger or small brush and the powder itself blends so easily you can bronze up your skin in seconds.

What’re your favourite new releases?

~ Jade xx

I’ve spoken before about my long lasting love for the Kate Moss x Rimmel lipsticks - especially the matte formula in 107, a deep berry red, but more recently I've become a nude lipstick girl. Before I always donned a bright, bold lip mostly opting for a red or in the winter months a deep berry but more recently I’ve been going for a more stripped back, subtle look. My favourite nude of the moment is number 03 from the Kate Moss x Rimmel line, it's very comparable to MAC’s Velvet Teddy but without the £15.50 price tag. As it's a more of a brown nude it still gives life to your lips rather than just blocking them out and giving them the awful ‘concealer lips’ look that you quite often get with nude lipsticks - particularly those from the high street. The formula of these lipsticks is great as they're long lasting but not drying which is a rarity for cheaper lipsticks. 

What’s your current lipstick love?

~ Jade xx

I love matte lipstick, I think by now you’ll all know this. It lasts a long time and is a lot less fuss to apply than other formulas. Recently, I got my hands on two of the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution lipsticks in the shades Glastonberry* & Bond Girl* and let me just say, these lipsticks are game changers.

Glastonberry is a beautiful blackcurrant hue which I adore. It’s great for the colder months but also by anyone who wants to pack a punch. It’s eye grabbing, one of my favourite shades to wear - I also love the play on words of Glastonbury. Bond Girl is a dark neutral tone, very Kylie Jenner-esque. This is a very sophisticated shade and if you’re just popping out but have minimal makeup on a swipe of this instantly creates a pulled together look.

The pigmentation of these lipsticks is amazing. One swipe is enough to create a bold lip without having to layer the product - although you can dab the colour for a lighter effect. The packing is divine - I don’t think we need to delve into it too much, it’s rose gold after all. The best thing about these lipsticks though is the formulation. Yes they are matte, but they aren’t the kind of matte that drys out your lips or makes them look dull and flat. These are enriched with Orchid extract to hydrate and protect the lips, 3D pigments which prevent your lips looking flat but rather more full and triglycerides to create a long lasting colour. The shape of the bullet is also very helpful, at first I was put off as I thought it would make application hard but intact it makes it a lot easier. The straight edges make it easy to trace around the edges of the lips before filling it in with colour rather than having to use a lip pencil or a lip brush. They are slightly pricey at £23 a piece but I would say they’re worth every penny.

Have you joined the Matte Revolution?

~ Jade xx

Left to right: meteoric matte, 107, Sloane’s plum

It’s officially Autumn which brings with it my favourite makeup trend, berry lips. During the summer I tend to wear more nude or pink/orange toned lipsticks to suit the season and although I love a good bright lip I always look forward to the day I can begin to wear my favourite darker toned lipsticks again, whether they’re purples, full on reds or something in-between. The key to wearing a wintery lip is a good coverage base, which is hard to wear during summer as we all know that things turn into a big sweaty mess if a full coverage foundation is worn (we’ve all been there, lets not try to hide it) so when the weather takes a dip colder we can begin to put on the fuller coverage foundations, go crazy adding shadow to the eyes and of course lacquering on the perfect bold lip to match. I’ve edited down my favourite three berries, which coincidentally all happen to be from the same brand but are all different shades and different textures, so there’s something for everyone.

Rimmel Apocalips Matte Lip Lacquer ~ Meteoric Matte | Recently released as part of the the new matte line of apocalips this raspberry shade is a matte liquid lipstick which is non-drying and long lasting due to the matte finish. It’s easy to apply because of the doufoot applicator and isn’t expensive at £6.49. This is a good shade if you’re new to the berry trend and don’t want to go all out on the first go or if you have very fair skin this is a good one too as the warmer tone won’t wash you out. A shade similar to this is available in the high gloss formula if matte lips aren’t your thing too, Across the universe.

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Matte Lipstick ~ 107 | This is a classic. A cult loved lipstick which if you haven’t heard of it, you must live under a rock. Out the three this is the most true berry shade. It’s not too purple, it’s not too red, it suits everyone. It’s long-lasting as it’s matte however it’s not completely matte. It does have a slight satin finish so it’s not overly-drying or uncomfortable to wear. Due to the longevity it’s also fuss free as you don’t need to worry that it’s smudged onto your chin during the day either.

Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick ~ Sloane’s Plum | Out of the three, this is probably my favourite of the favourites. This is the most purple of the three and also the most moisturising - as the name would suggest. It’s a very deep purple berry which looks great paired with a smokey eye. Although it’s a very moisturising formula its longevity is impressive and it doesn’t smudge all over your face either. The best way I’ve found to apply it is to put on a thin layer and blot it to create a stain and then apply another layer. 

What’s your favourite makeup trend for the colder months?

~ Jade xx

Recently I re-discovered some old favourites from deep within my beauty stash where products get left behind, mainly because I’ve bought something new and then I end up forgetting about them completely. 

First up is my very first MAC lipstick. Impassioned is an amplified formula so it’s packed with pigment and lasts for hours. It’s a beautiful blue-y toned fuchsia colour which is perfect for summer. I remember I loved this when I got it two summers ago, never not wearing it but somehow it was put in my makeup drawer of non-everyday bits and was left behind completely.

Rimmel's blush in Santa Rose is a great everyday blush colour and a very old favourite of mine. It’s the perfect rose colour that suits almost all skin tones. Since me buying this god-knows-when the packaging for Rimmel’s products have been updated, so it just shows how long this product has been left behind in my discarded pile.

I love to add texture to my hair, to give it a little something extra than just leaving it limp and lifeless. I bought the Bumble and Bumble surf spray a while back now, used it a few times and then forgot about it as I’m always buying texturising serums, sprays and mouses. I like to spray this into wet/damp hair opposed to dry hair as it can be quite crunchy. It gives a lovely beachy look without heat styling and gives great texture and hold when I’ve added heat to my hair. Though, I'm not a fan of the smell as it's rather chemical-y.

It’s quite amazing what you can find in the depths of your beauty stash opposed to continuously buying new products from Boots. 

Have you re-discovered any products recently?

~ Jade xx

Jade and I went into town last weekend and I wanted to get a new lipstick. I wanted one that would go with anything and that I could wear everyday.

I didn’t want to spend too much so I went for the Collection (Collection 2000) lasting colour lipstick in number 8 ‘sweet tart’ priced at £2.99.

I really like this lipstick. The lipstick lasts a while and the colour pay-off is great. As it is only £2.99 I don’t have a problem with having to re-apply a few times. Its that perfect pink colour that gives your lips that extra bit of oomph. The texture is creamy and moisturising and it smells like classic American candy. 

I will definitely be going back to get a few more of these lipsticks and I recommend you do too! :-)

What’s the best drug store lipstick you’ve tried?

~ Lucy xx