REVIEW: MAC Viva Glam Riri

I've been loving my summery lippies lately, but as an exception I've been loving the MAC Viva Glam Riri lipstick. I picked this up on a whim, and it's a very atypical color for me. The sheen on this lipstick is very unique and it's exactly that that drew me in.

Usually I tend to opt for a matte lip when I go red, but this lipstick is the exception. This red lipstick has slight blue undertones with a hint of gold shimmer and has a frost finish. This means it's very comfortable on the lips, but has a nice wear time of six to seven hours.

Use: On a daily basis I use this patted into the lips for a cute red tint, that gives a Snowwhite-like effect as if you've just bitten a blood red apple. Fully applied it's quite the eyecatcher and especially holiday appropriate.

Pro:

- Beautiful matte packaging

- Great staying power (up to seven hours)

- Versatile in use  

- Very comfortable and creamy on the lips

- A unique shade

Con:

- The packaging gets dirty easily

- It's quite full on and because of the finish, it might be too out there for some

Price: €18.50, which is the same price as the MAC bullet-shaped lipsticks. Because this is a Viva Glam lipstick, all the money goes to the MAC aids fund. This lipstick is limited edition but is still available online and in most Belgian MAC stores.

Conclusion: I find this color very unique and comfortable to wear. You can use this patted into the lips for a cute red tint or full on applied for an eye catching effect. It's a true staple in my lipstick 'collection'.

Do you own any MAC Viva Glam lipstick or any similar lipsticks?

xX Anine

REVIEW: Real Techniques Duo Fiber brushes

One of the most addictive thing to buy in the beauty industry probably are brushes. Why? Because it's so easy to justify to yourself. "Oh, but I nééd this weird shaped brush, it'll totally change my make-up application."

Nevertheless, I really did need some duo fiber brushes, to apply my very pigmented cheek and face products. Since I saw a lot of bloggers rave about the Real Techniques Duo Fiber brushes, I picked them up in London a few months ago. Keep on reading for my detailed review!

The idea of duo fiber brushes is that they aren't densely packed at all, so they are very light and pick up a very small amount of product. This is perfect for applying very pigmented blushes, to give yourself a light bronzed look without contouring too much or just to blend all the face products.

Claims: "Create buildable color and add texture to look pixel perfect for any occasion and in any light with this first and only duo-fiber set. A true multitasker - duo-fiber bristles work with cream, liquid or powder for an unbelievably air-brushed finish. The ultra-plush, synthetic bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free."

The Duo Fiber set consists of three 'limited edition' brushes:
- The face brush
- The contour brush
- The eye brush

Use: I use the face brush for applying my pigmented blushes. It works so well, it makes my stand-out blushes apply beautifully without looking like a clown. For highlighter, I tend to use the contour brush. This one's perfect for applying those very shimmery highlighters right on the cheekbones. And lastly, with the eye brush I like applying a light wash of color in the crease.

Packaging: I usually like the Real Techniques packaging, but these white handles tend to get to easily dirty. A black packaging would avoid this.

Price: £20, a very reasonable price for three brushes, in my opinion.

Conclusion: I really couldn't live without the face brush anymore, which I use on a daily basis for my pigmented blush. The contour brush comes in very handy, but I believe the eye brush isn't a must-have item. It's easily replaceable and doesn't make thàt much of a difference. The bristles are soft, easily washable and they do not shed at all. Lovely. 

Let me know if you have any brush recommendations for me!

xX Anine