GUEST BLOGGER: Sofie's favourites

Hi everyone,

Today, I have a guest blogger for you. My friend Sofie from http://the-knitting-nanny.blogspot.be/ agreed to sharing some of her favorite beauty products. I thought it might be nice to for once hear an other voice on Red Lips and Beauty Bits ;-)

Hi folks!
I’m Sofie, a 22-year-old student from Antwerp. Currently I’m studying theater, film and literature. I really enjoy watching movies or a good play, reading books and taking pictures. I’d like to let you know which my favourite products are:

Have you tried any of these products? How did you like them?

Xoxo

Anine

Mascara review: Maxfactor Clump Defy

It's been a while since I've done a mascara review. The one responsible for this crime has been the Maxfactor Clump Defy mascara. I love this baby so much, I never even thought of using an other one of the bajillion mascaras I still have roaming around in my make up drawer. Ladies and gentlemen; a review.

As many of you might know, Maxfactor is owned by the same company as US-based company Covergirl. They came out with the Covergirl Clump Crusher mascara first, then Maxfactor soon came with the Clump Defy formula. Exactly the same mascara, just a different packaging.

Talking about packaging: I like the size of the tube, not as huge as seems to be the hype lately. The wand itself is curved in a round shape to perfectly fit the lashes.

Quality: As I mentioned in my Beauty discoveries of 2013, this product seems to be the lovechild of the Benefit They're Real and the Maybelline The Falsies mascaras. Perfect for separating, volumizing and lengthening! It is without a doubt my favorite mascara of all time.

Price: €14.99, certainly not the cheapest drugstore mascara out there. I usually try to get them during the sales or with special promotions!

Conclusion: My lashes have never looked so good with this mascara, I can honestly say it is the best I ever used and I feel it is my holy grail product! It seperates, lengthens and volumizes like nobodies business. Don't expect the most thickening formula with this mascara, but when I really want more thickness I sometimes use another mascara on top of this one.

It might be a bit more expensive for a drugstore mascara, but I feel like it is worth it, since it works better for me than any high-end mascara has.


What's your favorite mascara?

Xoxo
Anine

REVIEW: Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer in Big Bang

Hi everyone,

I'm sure everyone has seen and heard about the Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquers. I recently picked up the color Big Bang, as you can see in my London haul! I have been really liking it in combination with a very simply eye look. Some powder, some mascara and eyeliner and this lip lacquer as the cherry on the cake! Simply Gorgeous.

Packaging: I love how the color of the product is visible. Because of this, no way you will buy a wrong color because the packaging is deceiving. It has a handy dope foot applicator, which allows you to apply the product very precise.

Quality: The color has a blue undertone, which is my favorite kind of red lip products, plus it makes your teeth look whiter! The pigmentation is insane, and that's what I love about it. You get exactly what you expect to from this product.

It stays on for hours, stains the lips but doesn't feel drying, even though it has a sort of matte, slightly velvet finish. I do have to reapply after eating or after about six hours.

Price: Normally I would've paid £6.50 for the lip lacquer, but there was a sale going on at Boots and so I actually got it for free (typical girl math, no?). But I do feel that this price is very affordable for a product that works so amazingly.

 Conclusion: Love. I desperately want more colors!


Have you tried the Apocalips Lip Lacquers? Which one is your favorite color?

Xoxo Anine

REVIEW: Rimmel Exaggerate undercover shadow primer

What, a drugstore eye primer? You mean, I can find an eyeshadow primer that is as good as my NARS eyeshadow primer, but costs just a fraction of the price? You'll have to read on to find out!

All hail on deck, the eyeshadow primers seem to finally start hitting the drugstore shelves. Well, in the UK at least they have, since I still haven't seen any drugstore eyeshadow primers in the drugstores in Belgium. I picked up the Rimmel Exaggerate undercover shadow primer on my London trip at the local Boots counter. Well, what's it like??

Well first of all; what does it claim to do?

"Rimmel's unique primer to maximise the colour and wear of your eyeshadow! Makes color waterproof! Apply to lid, let try, apply eyeshadow colour."

Packaging: The packaging looks nice, sturdy, decent and qualitative. It wouldn't break easily. The product has a dope foot applicator, just like my NARS eyeshadow primer.

Quality: The product comes out very watery and colorless, similar to the NARS one, only a bit more fluid.

How does it do the job? After applying, it dries fast and easily. It might give the eyeshadow colors some extra pigmentation, but it is not very noticeable.

Already a few minutes after applying, my eyelids became greasy and my eyeshadows creased a few hours later. My liquid liner transferred immediately to my hooded eyelid and thus, I walked around with very indian warrior-esk stripes on my eyelids. Not really the look I was trying to achieve.

Conclusion: What a let down. I expected too much from this product, just because it seemed similar in packaging to the NARS eyeshadow primer. A real shame! I won't be repurchasing. Maybe if you don't have very oily lids though, this might work for you.

What is your favorite eyeshadow primer?

Xoxo

Anine

Beauty discoveries of 2013

Hi everyone,

Instead of talking about my 2013 favorites, today I will be telling you what my biggest beauty discoveries were this past year.

1. Maxfactor Clump defy mascara:
This all time favorite mascara of mine is the lovechild of the Benefit They're Real and the Maybelline Falsies mascaras. Just perfect for separating, volumizing and lengthening!

2. Maxfactor 3-in-1 foundation:
The first time I tried this, I was disappointed. Every beauty blogger seems to like this, but I had a hard time blending it into my skin, especially around my nose. Then I tried it with the Real Techniques Expert Face brush, and all of a sudden, this miracle happened. This foundation stays put for SO long, longer than I've seen any foundation last on my oily T-zone.

3. MAC blush in Bad Girl Gone Good:
This blush equals gorgeousness. I don't have anything like this blush color, it is so unique. It makes me look Fierce (yes, capital F) in just a few brush strokes. Amazing.

4. Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray:
This setting spray really made my make up look more natural and healthy after application. It also made my make up last a bit longer and made my foundation wear off in a very natural way.

5. NYX lipliner in 836 Bloom:
I never liked lip liners, they seem to harsh for my lips. But this one is so creamy and soft, I like to use it as much as possible!

6. Smashbox Photofinish foundation primer in Light:
I've been using this almost all year round and this really makes all the difference. It influences the staying power of my make up so much for the better!

7. Rimmel Scandaleyes waterproof Kohl Kajal in 002 Sparkling Black:
This kohl eyeliner pencil is so unbelievably creamy! I accidentally picked up the sparkling black, not the normal black color. But I like the subtle glitter in the liner, it adds something special but subtle to the look.

8. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush:
I've been using this brush for almost a year straight now. It is my favorite way to apply any form of liquid or cream make up, especially foundations. I use this all day, every day! Secretly I might go and buy a back up.

What have been your beauty discoveries in 2013?

Xoxo
Anine

NAILS: Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in Lychee

What a mouthful; the Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine Nail Paint in Lychee. From previous blogposts you know I'm a sucker for nude, clean nail looks. That also means I had to try this nail color by Barry M.

This nail look is perfect for a very subtle, but sophisticated look.

The polish applied very smoothly, didn't chip easily and stayed on perfectly for a week. It is true that this polish is thicker and shinier than average polishes, but I wouldn't say it is as strong as a gel based formula.

This nail polish costs £3.99 and thus is a steal! I can't wait to try out more Barry M Gelly Hi-Shine polishes.



Have you tried many Barry M polishes? What is your favorite nude nail color?

Xoxo,
Anine

HAUL: London shopping

Hey everyone,

It is finally time to wake up from my christmas/winter slumber and to get back in action in 2014. As some of you know, I have been to London the days before christmas. It was wonderful to be back in my natural English habitat (I'm a UK girl through and through), and I missed the highstreets/drugstores so much.

As you can imagine, I also went a bit bonkers there, so get yourself a cup of tea, sit back and relax while reading my London shopping haul!

First of all I went into Boots, specifically eyeing the Barry M polishes. I've always regretted not having more of these in my nail polish collection and simply love the colors I picked up; Crush, Prickly Pear and Lychee. Crush is a matte nail polish, the other two are gelly polishes. I've already tried all three of them and LOVE these so much!

I knew I wanted to pick up the powder brush and new make up sponge by Real Techniques, but unfortunately, Estée's or Essie Buttons review of the duo fibre brush set also made me pick these up. I'm very excited to review these!

I found this Rimmel Exaggerate Primer at Boots and was so intrigued by it! For one, because I've never seen a decent drugstore eye primer, and I haven't seen any blogger talking about it yet. But also since I've run out of my NARS one and I'd love to find a cheaper alternative. A review will be coming up soon!

Yes, yes, yes! I have found it! I finally stumbled upon the Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal in 005 Nude. I have been looking for it in Belgium for over two years, but never saw it in any drugstore. It took one visit to Boots and BAM, I'm all set to use this one my bottom waterline for big, doll eyes!

The last make up item I bought was a Rimmel Apocalips in 400 Big Bang (Yes, another Rimmel product! They had a 2 + 1 sale going on!). I love this for a red, sophisticated lip. It takes nothing more than some concealer, mascara and this lip lacquer to achieve a simple, fresh look. Love!

Then I went to Primark for a hectic but strategically planned shopping trip (I was in the company of le boyfriend and so had to do some fast shopping to save him the shopache). I picked up these cute boots in a lovely taupish color and this beautiful tartan scarf. I have been wearing both items every day since I purchased them! In the end I also gave in to this cute pyjama, which is London themed, of course.

Finally, after years of lusting, I picked up two Starbucks christmas-themed mugs. I've been wanting these for so long and will be using them year round, I don't even care if it's a tropical hot day whilst wearing a bikini, I will use the crap out of these! Look at their gorgeousness!

Few, that was a lot of stuff. I might have gone a little overboard, but all this stuff basically is stuff I've wanted and needed for such a long time! I can't wait to try out and review the make up products!

I hope you enjoyed your holidays, and I will be bringing MORE content to you in 2014! I'm excited, are you?


Xoxo
Anine