My review on the different MAC lipstick finishes

Firstly I have to admit, I love MAC lipsticks. I love the colour range and the light vanilla scent. I like the packaging and I know which formulas work for me and which don't. I own quite a range of different MAC lipsticks, and whenever I go in to pick up a new one I make it my mission to try a new finish. Unfortunately it means that I've bought some I didn't like, but I'd rather say I tried it than to buy a finish I know I like and continue wondering how other finishes would work on me. From the picture you may have noticed I don't own a glaze. I'm not a personal fan of sheer glossy lip colour, but I have researched the formula online and have owned one before, so I will share my opinions on it too.

Frost: These are often very shimmery and iridescent. I often find this finish unwearable because I don't want such shimmery lips. I have a Frost lipstick in Angel, which I don't find so shimmery and it's a lovely colour. I find the finish on these to be slightly glossy, but not overly so like a lipgloss.

Glaze: These lipsticks act exactly as the name suggest. They are very sheer, probably the most sheer coverage lipstick finish that MAC offer. They leave the lips looking glossy and last for a few hours (at a push) on the lips.  I didn't find the Glaze lipstick I owned at all drying.

Lustre: I find the finish of these to be very much like a Frost when lightly applied, a slightly glossier version of a cremesheen. The coverage this finish tends to give is sheer, but you can build it up to a medium coverage if desired, especially with brighter colours. These last a few hours on the lips and although I don't personally find them drying, some people do. However I noticed whilst I was researching that Lustres are quite popular with a lot of people because they apply evenly and are easy to wear because of the subtle hint of colour they give. Personally this finish isn't my favourite because it doesn't last a long time on my lips and I prefer lipsticks that give a fuller coverage.

Cremesheen: I believe that this is MAC's most popular finish and I am not surprised as to why! MAC offer a wide variety of colours in the Cremesheen formula, so you're likely to find something you like. I find these lipsticks give a medium coverage that can be built up to full coverage. These are creamy and I don't find them to dry out my lips. These last 2-3 hours on my lips. All in all I find the cremesheen formula very easy to wear.

Matte: As suggested by the name, these lipsticks are matte. They are not shimmery or glossy. Typically this is one of MAC's longest wearing lipstick finishes, and I tend to get about 5-6 hours wear before I need to reapply. These lipsticks do last a long time on the lips, however because they are long wearing they tend to dry out the lips. Some shades are more drying than others and for a more easy to wear matte MAC lipstick, try Please me.

Amplified Creme: These are basically a fuller coverage, slightly longer lasting version of the cremesheen formula. Most of the colours that are Amplified Creme are very bright. I typically get about 4 hours wear before I need to reapply, and I don't find these drying. Amplified Creme and Cremesheen are my favourite MAC lipstick finishes.

Satin: This is another one of MAC's long wearing lipstick formulas. I find I get roughly 4-5 hours wear before I need to reapply. These are full coverage and slightly creamier than the Matte lipsticks but not as creamy as the Cremesheens. I feel as though my lips have to be in really good condition before I wear these, as they do tend to dry out the lips.

Anyway, I hope this helps all of those who are considering buying MAC lipsticks, or those who are considering buying a MAC lipstick  in an unfamilar finish. This was only my opinion, I'm not an expert on them but I own quite a few MAC lipsticks and I thought this would be helpful. I was going to include swatches but the ones I took didn't accurately depict the differences so I will just publish some MAC lipstick reviews in the future and reference them here!

What MAC lipstick finishes do you like? xo

NARS Illuminator in Copacabana review

NARS Illuminator in Copacabana £22 30ml. (I swatched on my wrist but you can also see a little on the palm of my hand).

Firstly I'd like to apologise for my general absence in the blogging world for so long. I've really missed it and I always feel guilty when I am away for a while and come back with just a 'sorry, I was busy' excuse, but I really was busy! In the past month I've spent some time with my boyfriend's parents, gone on short breaks away (twice!), handed in two Open University assignments and moved house (down the road). This weekend I will be seeing my family and friends in Cambridge and I hope to get some blog posts written because for the next two weeks I will be commuting a total of four hours every day to work and back. I will try to get back to everyone who has commented, but if I miss some people then I do apologise. 

Anyway, this post seems completely innappropriate now given that recently the weather in the UK has comprised of rain, rain and more rain. However I bought this just over a month ago and I wanted to give it a good try out before reviewing it. This is the first Illuminator I have bought from NARS, on the website they sell four but I thought Orgasm and Super Orgasm would be too peachy and unnatural on my skin and Laguna would be too dark. Copacabana is a very light silvery cool toned pink with silver shimmer and I think it complements my cool toned fair skin perfectly. I can understand how this could appear very frosty and unnatural on someone with darker and warmer skin, especially if used with a heavy hand. However lightly applied to my skin I think highlights my cheeks perfectly and gives a dewy glow. The liquid is quite runny, yet it is easy to blend. Having said that I find myself working quickly with this product because it dries fast and to get it looking really natural I find I have to really buff it in.

I really like the packaging. It comes in a squeezy tube and it is clear so you can easily see how much product you have left. I also think you get a good amount for how much you pay, especially compared to what other high end brands charge for similar products. I know it is expensive at £22 but you get 30ml, whereas something like MAC's Lustre Drops are £17.50 for 18ml.

Overall I really like this product. Buffed in it gives a really pretty glow and I think the liquid is really well pigmented. I have tried a lot of other liquid illuminators that do not show up properly on my face, but this one definitely does! On the other hand, I can understand why someone would not like this product. It is quite shimmery and I think that those with warmer skintones may find it more difficult to work with because it is such a cool toned product.

Have you tried any NARS products, is NARS a brand you want to try?