drugstore lipstick

Wednesday, 16 August 2017

LIPSTICK HOARDER DIARIES: ORANGE-RED STATEMENT LIPS

Orange-red lipsticks

My favourite lip shade has to be the orange-red. Warm, blinding, neon like colours bring my pasty pale complexion to life. You will rarely spot me IRL without it. It's either nude or red. In autumn months I swap for darker burgundies, purples and even almost black cherries, but you will most likely find me with a statement lip. I almost feel naked without it. I work in the office and sadly it's not always appropriate to wear deadly purple shades but I try anyway. This post is directed at my working girls, holiday babes and anyone with the love for statement lips that last. Let's talk orange-reds, the creme de la creme of reds and my still quite contained collection. Are you ready?


The oh so matte


I adore both shades but the formula is truly matte so unless you like that slightly chalky finish, you may not be the biggest fan. I love me a matte lip so matte finish and lasting lips are my go to. Cream matte formulas aren't the most transfer resistant, however these two come as far to it, as any other on the market. My first ever orange red was Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte Lipstick in 340 Restless. Otherwise known as Kendall lipstick, this pure matte goes on pretty stiff and a little help from lip brush is definitely needed. I wrote about it years ago - POST - and I still love it now. The combo of orange and red comes beautifully together. It's a unique shade and I'm glad I've got it in my collection. More true red than orange is MAC x Charlotte Olympia in Starlett Scarlet. Another gorgeous matte with a staying power to prove we were absolutely fine without liquid lippies. I wrote about it many times - POST - and it continues to be my go to for days where I need to boost my confidence. It's so red, but the hint of warm orange is detectable. Love it. 

Kiss-proof liquids


It's not a surprise, I like my lipsticks to be long-lasting. Working long hours in the office doesn't always leave a lot time for lip top ups and if I'm between meetings, I need to know I look my best. Liquid lipsticks to the rescue. My favourite orange-red is Jeffree Star Velour Lipstick in Checkmate. I've shouted about it many time - POST - and I don't plan on stopping. Whilst not all JS formulas are as good, Checkmate is incredible. It's that one lippy I can count on to be on my lips full 12 hours later! The shade is also stunning & my most used JS lippy ever.  If you're about to splurge on a lippy, let it be this one! The newest addition to the family is Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Thrill Seeker. I wore it on a night out in Spain and loved how it looked many (MANY!) cocktails later. This is a true matte, matte that mothers warn their children off kind of matte. It's important to apply thinly as it can turn chalky otherwise. It's a beautiful statement shade that shouts summer & my recent fave. It wears nicely and quite comfortably too. 

The comfy mattes


If there's a one lipstick you should definitely grab this summer, it's the newest launch in premium drugstore. Lancome Matte Shakers - POST - formulas are incredible. From sheer to opaque, any finish is easy to achieve with the cleaver sponge applicator. Shockingly easy to use, shake and apply and boy, apply it does! Super easy to contour the lips with, the formula stays put once it fully dries (about 3 minutes). I recently partied all night long out on my besties's hen do and the Red'y in 5 was the most requested shade. It's a stunning true red with just a hint of warm orange. I personally love it together with Magic Orange (orange-coral), with MO applied over the Red'y in 5 concentrating on the mid lip! Both shades are gorgeous of course but it their barely matte finish and comfort of wear makes them the best lip launch of 2017 so far for me! 

Drugstore picks


High-street beauty has been rocking it lately and couole of L'Oreal launches stole my heart. Color Riche Matte in 346 Scarlet Silhouette is a gorgeous strawberry red. Hints on orange give it a true statement look, but it's also super wearable and almost classic. It'll suit many complexions but I adore statement lips on pale skin. I feel it adds that something extra to otherwise classic look. The finish is creamy and almost satin, but it wears nicely and doesn't bleed. Top ups are needed as it transfers but it makes for perfect every day red! Mostly orange is Lip Paint/Matte in 203 Tangerine Vertigo. Definitely a shade for the brave ones, it's absolutely stunning. It can make your teeth look slightly worse for wear, unless you're sporting pearly whites. I love it and wore it plenty over the last couple of months including to work. It wears comfortably but it's not ultra lasting. It's creamy and doesn't fully set but it'll give you that fuller lip finish. 

From left: Restless, Starlett Scarlet, Checkmate, Thrill Seeker, Red'y in 5, Magic Orange, Scarlet Silhouette and Tangerine Vertigo


What lipstick shade compliments you the most? Do you go statement or muted? Let me know your thoughts! 


Friday, 16 September 2016

LIPSTICK HOARDER GETTING READY FOR FALL: VAMPY LIPS PART 1




Fall is nearly upon us and I, for one, couldn't be happier! I love autumn with its colours, fashion and makeup! There's something magical in changing seasons and autumn makeup is normally the one, we get to experiment in. The looks get darker, more complicated and it means the return of a classic dark berry/purple lip! I tend to rock a vampy lip all year round, but in fall, I feel like it's my god given right to step out with a statement lip.

When I looked through my autumn choices, I knew I'll have to divide this post in two to accommodate all my faves! There's just so many! If you'd like to update your makeup look this fall, have a look with me at the most coveted shades of Autumn '16.

I thought we start with my drugstore options. If you're  unsure if this almost goth chic suits you and your personality, it'a probably the best to start with more affordable choices. I have three here, that won't  break the bank, but offer all the dark berry and purple goodness, you'll want!


This is a deep burgundy shade. It's super pigmented and creamy and it applies well on the lips. You may want to clean up the lines with the lip liner or the brush due to the bullet shape. It stays on for good 3 hours, even longer depending on your snacks/drinks etc. I have a whole post about the Creamy Matte range and it includes the lip swatches if you're interested. At £6.99 it's a great drugstore option.


I'/ a super deep burgundy with a satin finish. The pigmentation is truly amazing and it stays out for 2-4 hours! It's a true stunner and it'll suit any complexion, but it works so beautifully on super pale skin! There's some lip swatches in the post so go check it out! Another great and affordable choice and at £7.99 it won't break the bank either!


It's a great dark red with lots of berry and brown tones. It's satin finish and stays on for good 2-4 hours. Great pigmentation and an easy daytime berry lip choice, as it'all suit most complexions. It's also the most affordable option and at £4.99 guaranteed drugstore hit!

From left: Black Cherry, Divine Wine, Inglot 438, Eugene, Glaston-Berry, Starry-Eyed, Inglot 20
From left: Black Cherry, Divine Wine, Inglot 438, Eugene, Glaston-Berry, Starry-Eyed, Inglot 20
It won't be me, if I also didn't have some more pro and luxury brands for you to choose from and I think I came up with great selection here, including one liquid lipstick. I will focus more on liquid lips and high end in general in part two, but I couldn't not mention these 4 great choices!


Formula reminds me of MAC Retro Mattes and from the swatches you can see why! It's a drag to apply! I didn't use lip brush and couldn't get an opaque finish. However with the lip liner and a brush it works great! The dark red shade is just so pretty and the most vibrant of the choices today. It's super Matte so it wears well too! It's also little cheaper than MAC! Inglot is a professional makeup brand and the prices reflect that. At £13 it': still not too expensive so I recommend trying a shade or two and see what you think!


It's the deepest berry shade I'm showing you today and with hints of purple! Absolutely stunning on the lips! Formula is very long lasting and it applies well on the lips! Super Matte finish will guarantee you questions and looks about your statement lip! It costs £14 a pop so it's quite a standard price point for liquid lips!

MAC Giambattista Valli in Eugene

Ok, so it's little unfair to show you a limited edition MAC that's not available to buy, but the shade's so gorgeous I couldn't leave it out! It' super rich berry purple with Matte finish and superb pigmentation! It stays well on the lips and it just screams fall to me! As per usual with MAC formula is just great, the scent super pleasant and LE packaging also very pleasing! Love it!


The most expensive of the bunch, this dark purple with berry hints has a great pigmentation and creamy formula. I must admit, I didn't like it when I bought it late last year. MY lips weren't in perfect condition then and it looked patchy and awful. However now I learnt to care for my lips, this is a completely different story. It applies well and stays put for up to 3-4 hours (without food) and it's comfortable on the lips. It's still not my ideal formula but for die hard Charlotte's fans out there - it's already a cult autumn shade.

What are your fave autumn lip choices? Do you go mauve or opt in for dark berries and purples? What shades can you recommend? I'll have part two for you very soon (hopefully next week) with more liquid lips choices and different finishes (hello metallic!). I hope you'll have an amazing weekend. I'll be living it up in London with some lovely blogger friends at Smashbox event, so don't forget to check out my Snapchat (i.dorottka) and Insta Stories for live coverage :)

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