Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick in 536 Lucky: Review + Swatches

Today I am reviewing the Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick in the colour 536 Lucky. I receive this as a mini sample size lipstick as part of a Dior offer at Debenhams (purchase two or more Dior products and receive a free mini lipstick). It has 1.4g of product, full size having 3.5g of product and retailing for £24. The lipstick is so cute but does not have the same sturdy feel as the full size (which I've come to expect with the sample sized packaging). You pull out the lipstick (from the silver knob) and voila, there's your lipstick.

I feel like the lipstick doesn't snap securely shut like the full sized lipstick does. Therefore I'm afraid that the lipstick will become loose in my makeup and bag, so I just keep it in the cardboard box it came in. I do like the (slightly) translucent packaging but once you pull the lipstick out, you aren't able to stand it up as the knob is domed. In my opinion, it doesn't feel as luxurious as the YSL lipsticks, but the Dior lipsticks are still pretty and chic.

Dior describes this as Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick as "Radiant Colour, Hold and Shine. Dior Addict fashion lipstick goes to the Extrême, with radiant colours, a perfect hold wet-look texture, and audacious, sophisticated Dior styles. At the heart of this new soft, sensual texture lie 4 specialist waxes, acting in a targeted manner to correctly combine these extremes in a single formula. This veritable technical feat achieves perfect hold, comfort, and shine in an astonishingly fine film. Dior Addict Extrême is available in 12 shades of pure radiant pigment, from nudes to the boldest shades, exploring all the facets of Dior elegance. A new style means a new dress code: the Dior Addict case plays on transparent, vibrant black - black as in perfection, mystery and timelessness."

I would say that the Dior Addict Extreme lipsticks are a bit like the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine in that it is also sheery had a glossy finish. The lipstick sits nicely on the lips and doesn't highlight the dry chapness of your lips. I would say it's quite moisturising and provides good colour, even if it isn't opaque. The sheerer kind of lipsticks are my favourite kind and I tend to gravitate towards them. The lipstick lasts so-so on the lips, I think it has a tendency to wear off on the inner parts of your lips leaving the dreaded bold lipliner look, but if you touch up every now and then or rub your lips together, it should reduce the likelihood of that happening.

The colour 536 Lucky is a warm red pink colour and as far as I can see, there's no shimmer in it. In the picture to the right, you can see that you can build the lipstick to a stronger colour (top swatch) or you can just apply one thin layer and have a sheer glossy look (bottom swatch). The picture below is what the lipstick colour looks like on the lips.

I don't think the lipstick has a fragrance to it, so if it does, it must be very subtle. If you're a fan of the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine, I think you may be a fan of this, so I would recommend checking it out at your nearest Dior counter. It is pricey, so if you aren't willing to fork out £24, I wouldn't say you're missing out entirely. I was intrigued to try out a lipstick from Dior (I purhased a full size Dior Addict lipstick along with a blush for this freebie) and now that I own one, I don't think I would be getting another. I think I may prefer the YSL lipsticks a little better (as well as preferring the YSL packaging). If you don't own a YSL or Dior lipstick and you were interested in getting a high end lipstick, I really would advise you to go to the counter and check them BOTH out before picking one over the other. (You can read my review on the YSL Rouge Volupté Shine in 6 Pink Devotion here or in 3 Violet Incognito here as well as checking out the swatches).

So my thoughts on this lipstick? Hyner. If there wasn't the YSL lipsticks, I would have prolly loved these as my guilty high end treat. As this is not the case, I will happily use them but not quite covet them quite as much.

My final(ish) verdict:

❤❤❤♡♡ (3 out of 5 hearts) ^^

Have any of you tried out both the Dior and YSL lipsticks? If you have, let me know your thoughts and which one you preferred. Hope you enjoyed this review and as always, until next time..

- Diem xo

Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher in #6 Grapefruit Jelly: Review + Swatches

Don't be fooled by the picture advertised for the Etude House Lovely Cookie Blusher in #6 Grapefruit Jelly (pictured right). It looks like it peachy pink colour, as the name grapefruit would suggest. However, I feel like this colour of this blush is very different to what is on display here. Etude House is a Korean beauty brand which can be found in quite a few East/South East Asian countries, but not so much over in the UK. There are a few Asian beauty stores here and there, but for the most part, access to Asian beauty brands are usually found online.

I would describe the colour as a peachy, orange, apricot coral colour, I don't really detect any pink tones in this blush at all. This blusher is matte and I picked this up from eBay (click here for direct link to item) for less than £4. (I think my new love in makeup are blushers). The blush comes with a small fluffy powder puff with a pink bow on the top.

The blusher itself is a velvety soft finely milled powder with a texture similar to the MAC sheer tone blushes. It feels smooth on the skin and does not produce much fall out when the swirling the brush in the pan (yay for non wastage). The powder may appear chalky if heavily layered on, but looks nice when blended into the skin. I think it's a gorgeous colour that blends into the skin beautifully. It lasts pretty much all day but it may be slightly patchy if you have super dry skin.

There is a slight fragrance to it, nothing offensive, nothing noticeable. The packaging is super cute if not bulky as I won't be using the puff so there will be empty space between the powder and the domed lid. If I had room in one of my UNII palettes, it would live there, but I don't, so it will have to be a loner until I finish up an entire blush, would seems highly unlikely as I've still yet to hit pan on any blusher I own. I think this is a very nice blusher and I would be interested in the other shades of this range, but I have too many blushes and I'm on a makeup low buy (which I'm failing miserably at).

My final verdict:
❤❤❤❤♡ (4 out of 5 hearts) ^^

To summarise, this is a really nice blush and is a bargain, perfect for those who are interested in expanding their makeup collection and slash or interested in Korean/Asian makeup beauty products. Hope you enjoyed reading my review.. And until next time..

- Diem xo

Revlon Baby Stick in Pink Passion: Review + Swatches

I will be reviewing the Revlon Babystick in Pink Passion today. I haven't much about these in the "beauty blogger" world but I have seen a couple of videos on YouTube featuring this (both were American). I saw this in my local Boots and it said it was Limited Edition and I picked it up when it was £4.99 (apparently it was £2 off the £6.99 RRP). It is available in three shades: Pink Passion, Sunset (Red Orange) and Tahitian (Peach Pink). So I checked out the tests and swatched them on my hand and the Sunset and Tahitian shades did not show up on my light/medium skin. So I wouldn't waste time and money on those, however, the Pink Passion shade is actually really nice. Pink Passion is a hot pink colour with no shimmer in it. It feels creamy and is pretty moisturising. It has a light chemically(?) smell to it, but nothing you can detect on the skin.

You will find negative reviews on this product because of Sunset and Tahitian being pretty much useless, but I really would try out the Pink Passion as it actually does have pigmentation to it, as you can see in the picture below.

The top swatch is a few layers, the middle is just one layer, and the bottom is blended out so you have an idea what it would look like.

The Baby Stick is apparently for lips and cheeks, but I have only used this on my cheeks as most multi purpose products are often better for one area. I also have an allergy in some lip products so I try to not use brand new products on my lips in case my allergy flares up.

I think this would be best for those who have dry to normal skin, as it is a cream product rather than a cream to powder finish. I think it gives a very natural flush to the face and is suitable for fair to medium skin tones as you can sheer it out or build it up for a stronger look. It has 2.8g of product, which isn't very much for a blush, but the packaging is so small and cute - baby stick being a fitting name. The miniature size makes it perfect to pop in your handbag and slash or to travel with. Plus, it's in a stick form, so no need for brushes, just some antibacterial hand gel on your hands to clean them, and you can just blend it out with your fingers.

For those of you who are worried that the stick may remove some of the makeup, although I have found slight transfer of my foundation onto the stick, I don't think it removes much of it for it to be noticeable. I also think it works fine on top of powder as well as before.

I actually really like this product, and have always wanted to try out more blush sticks, I may have to check out some from different brands. So although other two shades are complete rubbish, do check out Pink Passion.

Therefore, my final verdict:
❤❤❤❤♡ (4 out of 5 hearts) ^^

I hope you found this review useful, don't be put off by all the negative ones out there, those only apply to the Sunset and Tahitian shades. Your best bet is to go in store, and check out the testers yourself!

Until next time..

- Diem xo