MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer Review - Atomic

A short while back, I had a little MUA Cosmetics Lip Haul and picked up some new lip products in varying formulas and shades. I love matte lips and this summer I really enjoyed wearing coral and orange shades. I love the idea of wearing a bright orange lip throughout autumn as it reminds me of Autumn leaves and bonfire night. 

The MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer retails for £3.00 at Superdrug and MUA Online. The Velvet Lip Laquers are billed as being long lasting, kiss proof and with intense colour.

Now, I can confirm they have intense colour, although in terms of being long lasting... well, take a look for yourself.

I don't think I've ever had a lip product peel on me before, so this is a new unexpected problem. The above images detail what happened when I pressed my lips together, which really doesn't bode well for being long lasting. Can you imagine wearing a bright orange lip on a night out and without even realizing, lose a lot of it just by pressing your lips together? I for one, can't think of anything worse. Which means that if this happens in my flat, it's highly likely to happen in an environment where I don't have a mirror to hand to fix it. 

In this case, there' only one place the MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer is headed... the bin. I'm actually really disappointed. I was expecting so much and feel a little let down. Oh well... at least it was only £3 right?

Em xxx

The Under £10 Hot Pink Matte Lip Edit

When I'm in the mood for a statement lip, there's only usually one colour I find myself reaching for - Hot Pink. I don't know if it's the barbie lover in me or the fact that I'm often a little afraid of wearing a traditional red lip, but there's something about pink that keeps me coming back.

I wanted to share with you 3 different products that all may be similar in colour but are all different in price and formula.

1. NYX Matte Lipstick - Sweet Pink £6.00

At £6.00,The NYX Matte Lipstick is the perfect hot pink traditional drugstore pick. It glides on easily and provides an even finish. Although this product doesn't dry out the lips, I would recommend exfoliating your lips before wearing matte shades as if you have any dry patches, you may find they show up more prominently as the day goes on.

2. MUA Luxe velvet Lip Lacquer - Criminal £3.00

At 3.00 the MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer is the cheapest of the bunch, and offers great value for money. It has a doe foot applicator, and applies like a gloss. The product feels velvety soft when applied, However, the downside is with this product, it takes quite a good few minutes to dry and become matte. If you're looking for a starter bright pink lipstick, then the drying time may be worth waiting for as at £3.00 this is a bargain and worth adding to your collection.

3. Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet - Pink Pong £8.99

At £8.99 The Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Lipstick is remarkably the most expensive of the three. What I love about the rouge edition velvet line is how easy they are to apply, the fact that they are incredibly long lasting and how they fade evenly and naturally without leaving the dreaded dark line on the outside of the lips. Pink Pong is remarkably similar to the Criminal MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Laquer, but 3x the price. I find the Bourjois Pink Pong lipstick has a longer staying power and a slightly deeper colour.

3 matte lips, 3 different formulas and 3 different prices... which would you choose? Let me know in the comments...

Em xxx

Save or Spurge #1: U.D Electric Palette Vs. MUA Poptastic Palette.

 

I've started a new series on My Pale Skin called 'Learning To Love Colour' and I'm hoping to break out of my 'boring make up' shell and experiment a little more with make up looks and be a little more daring. I recently picked up the Urban Decay Electric Palette, and had fun experimenting with it.  The Electric Palette is a thing of beauty, but if you're not sure if colour is right for you, then why not try out a dupe for a fraction of the price?

For today's Save or Splurge post, I'm seeing how the MUA Poptastic Palette measures up in comparison.

Splurge

Product: Urban Decay Electric Palette

Price: £38.00

Shadows: 10 

Save

Product: MUA Poptastic Palette

Price: £4.00

Shadows: 12 

Now the MUA Poptastic Palette isn't a like for like dupe of the Electric Palette as some shades differ, but it does offer a selection that are fairly close.

As you can see, the shades aren't perfect carbon copies but they do come fairly close... although with a downside. The MUA palette shades feel a lot different - the shades are much chalkier, have a coarser level of glitter throughout and do give a fair amount of fall out. I also found that they applied unevenly where as the Electric Palette shades apply so much more smoothly with barely any fall out.

One of the big differences I noticed between the two products is in the application and blending. The shades in the Electric Palette are more pigmented and blend out with minimal effort to create smooth transitions, where as with the Poptastic palette, you will have to work that little bit harder to get the colours to blend.

There's quite a big difference in price between the two palettes, with the Electric Palette coming in at almost 10x the price... which leaves me with the question - Is it 10x better?

Packaging - Yes. The Electric palette has the most satisfying magnetic 'click' when it closes, it feels a lot sturdier and well made. The Poptastic palette feels cheap and flimsy in comparison.

Colour - I'm not sure if I can say the colours are 10x better, but they are richer.

Application - As a colour newbie, I did find the Electric Palette much easier to apply. There was less fall out, and they blended more easily. However, does that justify a 10x price increase? I'd say that it depends on what look you're creating. If you're after a really smooth bright eye look, you'd find it a lot harder to get the same look using the Poptastic palette. If all you're after is a simple pop of colour, then I'd save and pick up the dupe.

Both of these Palettes have positive and negatives, and are both welcome additions to my collection. However, if you're really looking to add colour to your life and I had to recommend just one palette, in this instance I'd say to splurge and pick up the Electric Palette as it's worth every penny. 

I'd love to hear your thoughts on these palettes! Have you tried either? let me know in the comments.

Em xxx

MUA Lipstick Haul!

I popped to Superdrug on my lunch break yesterday and ended up coming out with 2 Lipsticks, 2 Lip Lacquers and 1 Lipgloss! As far as hauls go, this has to be down there with the best value for money, as this lot came to the grand total of £9.00! 

Each product is slightly different in colour, texture & formula and I'm really looking forward to trying them out! 

I picked up The MUA Luxe Lip Lacquers in Atomic & Criminal for £3 each. I also thought I'd try out a  £1 lip gloss tube in Let's Meet and of course, a lipstick haul is not complete without a matte so I picked up Pouty Pink & Totally Nude also at £1 each! 

I've not a clue what to expect with any of these products, but with all of them at £3 and under... I feel like i'm onto a winner. I'm looking forward to trying them out and seeing what looks I can create with them.

Have you tried any  of these products? I'd love to hear your thoughts on them! Let me know in the comments.

Em xxx