My Current Favourite Dior Lip Products - Dior Addict Lip Maximizer 010, Rouge Dior 365, & Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil 020 Review + Swatches

My Current Favourite Dior Lip Products - Dior Addict Lip Maximizer 010, Rouge Dior 365, & Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil 020 Review + Swatches

Wednesday 31 January 2024

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 I have loved the aesthetic, quality and longevity of Dior Beauty products for years now and so I thought I would put together a post of my current favourite Dior lip products as there are just so many different formulas, finishes and colours to choose from.

Starting with the Dior Addict Lip Maximizer (£32.00 for 6ml), and I remember having the original of this, and there are now 36 shades to choose from, which is wild, but goes to show how popular they are. You can get Glittery, Iridescent, Shiny and Holographic finishes and my current favourite is the shade 010 Holo Pink, a soft delicate pink shade with pink holographic shimmer running through it. This iconic Dior gloss has a hydrating formula that plumps the lips without leaving behind that stingy, sometimes painful feeling that some lip plumpers can do. Ingredients include Cherry Oil, which is also in the Dior Addict Lip Glow Oils, and Hyaluronic Acid to keep the lips hydrated throughout the day. A part of my Autism is that I can sometimes have sensory issues, including how something feels on me, and I don't like anything heavy, thick or greasy, and that's why I love the Lip Maximizers so much, because I find them very comfortable to wear. This adds a delicate shimmer to the lips, whilst smoothing them out, and helping them to look fuller and super glossy. The packaging is of course divine - with the Dior letters entangled in a Logomania typography and is too pretty to put in a drawer! I may have already ordered one of the new shades 056 Frosted Pink, but oh well, we deserve all of the treats!

I am pretty sure that the Rouge Dior Couture Colour Lipstick is a fairly new release, although there are 68 shades to choose from and two finishes - satin and velvet. At £39.00 (?!?) per lipstick, this is not one I will be collecting many colours in. I opted for 365 New World which has the satin finish, and one thing I do love about Dior, is that the colour on the website is more or less the same as what you get sent. Often it can be so difficult to buy makeup online as they don't end up looking the same online as in real life, and my nearest makeup store is an 80 mile round trip, so it is good to know whatever I order from Dior, I aren't going to be disappointed with the colour. The shade 365 New World is a pretty warm coral full of tiny gold specks of shimmer running throughout it. The creamy texture of the satin finish smoothens the lips and adds intense radiance and softness, so it is a very comfortable lipstick to wear and lasts a good amount of time for a lipstick. I just wish it wasn't so expensive, as I would love to buy more shades as there are so many beautiful ones to choose from. The lipstick case is gorgeous - sleek, shiny and elegant, and features the iconic cannage pattern and a silver-coloured CD band at the front. The casing is secure too, so it isn't going to come off and get lost in your handbag - it is the little things that are important.

Because the weather has been so horridly cold throughout December and January, I have been reaching for the Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil (£32.00 for 6ml), and I have really been loving the shade 020 Mahogany, a reddy-brown colour that adds some warmth to the lips colour-wise. Obviously with it being a lip oil, it isn't very pigmented, but I like that this adds just a hint of colour. These glossy lip oils protect and enhance the lips, with the formula being infused with Cherry Oil to instantly nourish, soften and revitalise the lips. The Lip Glow Oil can be worn alone or with a lip liner and/or lipstick to add shine and fullness to the lips, whilst also keeping them looking and feeling super healthy. There are so many lip oils on the market now, but I feel this is one of the originals, and the originals are often the best, and I definitely reach for this one a lot. Texture-wise, it isn't greasy or sticky as you might expect with a lip oil, so once again, I personally find it comfortable to wear without wanting to take it off straight away. The packaging is chunky, but classic and the soft sponge applicator is quite big too, so it makes it easy to get coverage on the lips.

Top to Bottom: Rouge Dior 365 New World, Dior Addict Lip Maximizer 010 Holo Pink, Dior Addict Lip Glow Oil 020 Mahogany

You can find Dior Beauty online here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn x

If you liked this post, be sure to check out my review of the Dior Diorivera Summer Collection here.

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The One/Size Secure The Sweat Day 'Til Dawn Primer + The One/Size Secure The Blur Makeup Magnet Primer Review

The One/Size Secure The Sweat Day 'Til Dawn Primer + The One/Size Secure The Blur Makeup Magnet Primer Review

Monday 29 January 2024

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 I first discovered One/Size beauty in Sephora in Orlando back in March 2023 - I love to try new brands and new products, hence why I first ever started blogging over ten years ago, and so I picked up a couple of items, and I loved them that much that I got home and tried out a couple of other things from the brand, and everything I tried, I loved, simply because the products worked, they did what they claimed to do. I had been trying to get the One/Size Secure The Sweat Day 'Til Dawn Primer and the One/Size Secure The Blur Makeup Magnet Primer all last year and when I went to Orlando again in December 2023, they were still sold out in store. That is the one downside to finding products that work, they are often hard to actually buy! However, a few weeks ago I realised they had finally come into stock on the Sephora UK website, so I immediately purchased them to try.

I think the most recent primer is the One/Size Secure The Sweat Day 'Til Dawn Primer, although I know there is another primer soon to be released. This one retails for £34.00 for 30ml, which I personally feel is about average for this level of brand, and if something works, I am always happy to pay the money for it. The packaging is a pink and red squeezy metal tube and the product itself is a gel-cream hybrid. This formula is sweat-proof and waterproof, as well as being aluminium-free, but it is important to warm the product up in your hands first, then pressing it into the skin, and allow it to rest for a few minutes or so. This bit is important, because it needs to get deep into the skin to work properly before you go applying further products. You only need a small amount, and this is going to absorb any excess sweat and oils, so great for those with oily or combination skin, and will tighten the pores, mattify the skin and make your foundation last all day. I kid you not, I am in no way exaggerating, or trying to 'sell' this product. If you have oily skin and struggle with your makeup moving around during the day, you need this primer to keep it in place. If you have dry skin, this is not going to work for you. I think this would be a great staple to take on holiday and to use during warmer weather, because of the mattifying, but also because it feels quite cooling and refreshing on the skin. Another two excellent base products I love from One/Size for keeping makeup in place, and keeping the skin oil-free are the Ultimate Blurring Setting Powder and the On 'Til Dawn Mattifying Waterproof Setting Spray, which worked wonders for me in the hot Floridian sun.

If you have more regular/combination skin, where you aren't super oily, but still want some mattifying of the skin, then the One/Size Secure The Blur Makeup Magnet Primer (£34.00 for 35ml) will be the best option for you. This comes in a baby pink and red squeezy bottle, and in all honesty, it can be a little difficult to squeeze the product out, but it does work, you just need a little force. This is also a gel texture, but more solid than the Secure The Sweat formula. This is also a blurring and mattifying formula that helps to minimise the appearance of pores, evening out any texture on the skin and helping to control shine whilst gripping the makeup to keep it wearing well all day long. Even though this is a mattifying primer, I don't find that it dries me out, or settles into fine lines whatsoever. I have quite textured skin, so I like that this helps to really smooth out my skin because then my foundation applies much better and I don't get any residue or pilling when applying this underneath foundation. You use it in the same way as the other primer, warming it up in the hands and then pressing into the skin, and be sure to wait a few minutes for it to settle into the skin to be able to do its job before going in with foundation. I am so glad I have gotten to try out both of these primers, and I tend to use this one for regular makeup days, but I know the Secure the Sweat will be my go-to during the warmer months.

You can find One/Size Beauty online at Sephora UK here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn x

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The Essence Cosmetics Chilly Vanilly Collection Review + Swatches

The Essence Cosmetics Chilly Vanilly Collection Review + Swatches

Friday 26 January 2024

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 I ADORE Essence Cosmetics - they are very affordable, they are fun, the products work really well and they always come out with cute collections like the Essence Cosmetics Chilly Vanilly Collection. The only downside is that, apart from the core products, it can be quite difficult to get your hands on collections like this if you live in the UK, like myself. I do tend to use websites such as BoozyShop, which is a European website that does get most of the Essence collections in stock, but you have to be so fast before they sell out. It is definitely a labour of love being a UK Essence fan, but they are just one of my long-time favourite brands, and you can see the last post I did before I got ill, on the latest releases back in 2022 here. There are so many Essence posts on this blog, but let's get into the Chilly Vanilly collection...

I can no longer link every product unfortunately as they are out of stock on this particular website, but I will do my best, and try and find them elsewhere. Starting off with the Essence Chilly Vanilly Brightening Under Eye Cream (3.10 Euros for 10ml) (my keyboard doesn't have a Euro symbol!). This whole collection is very aesthetically pleasing, with rose golds, nudes and whites. The Under Eye Cream provides the skin with nourishment and hydration, refreshing and softening the eye area, adding some brightness and removing any puffiness and dark circles under the eye. I have tried similar, much more expensive versions of this product, as I do get super tired, with having AuDHD, as I don't often sleep well, and I must admit this one works just as good as the £30+ versions. A little bit goes a long way and you can feel that instant cooling sensation and the apricot colour works really well at disguising dark under eyes. Hallelujah! 

We then have the Essence Chilly Vanilly Lip Mask (£2.84 for 9g), which is perfect for this time of year, to keep your lips soft and nourished. As it is a lip mask, the formula is quite thick, so you only need a small amount, and it does have a very light sweet vanilla scent to it, so if you don't like overpowering fragrance in your lip products, then this will work really well for you. The formula is creamy and smooth and as well as keeping the lips moisturised, it also helps to protect them due to the thickness of the product. Super handy to keep on your bedside table or to pop in your handbag.

Sticking with the lips, we have the Essence Chilly Vanilly Lip Glaze in 01 Home is Where Vanilla Is (2.69 Euro for 4.3ml), a shimmery pink gloss, that feels a little like a lip oil too. You get a hint of pink to the lips, and it is also infused with that yummy, sweet vanilla scent that is obviously the key ingredient throughout this collection. The sponge applicator has a really great angle to it, ensuring quick and easy application, even without a mirror. The formula is enriched with oils and vitamins, which you can tell straightaway, which is why I mentioned that it feels a little like a lip oil, as it is super nourishing and hydrating, as well as adding a glossy, fuller look to the lips.

The final lip product in this collection is the Essence Chilly Vanilly Colour Intensifying Lip Balm (2.95 Euro for 3.2g), in 01 So Vanilly-licious! The Balm itself has a marbled effect, with none of the colour going onto the lips, however, this is a lip balm that works with your skin's natural pH level, quickly revealing a soft shade of pink that is perfectly tailored to your own skin tone. This is one creamy lip balm, as it doesn't drag or pull on the lips, because the formula is super softening and hydrating, infused with Vitamin E so applies effortlessly, giving you that instant healthy feel and pop of pink. (And yes, it does of course have the vanilla scent to it, but not overly so.).

Moving on to one of my favourite products in the collection, we have the Essence Chilly Vanilly Face & Body Highlighter Stick (£3.80 for 12g), which comes in cool packaging and has been created to contour the face, assuring smooth application. This creamy highlighter can be used anywhere you desire, and reflects with a light pink shimmer - it is always hard to show the true potential of shimmery products on photographs, but this really does pack a punch! I don't find the formula greasy or wet, it dries down quickly without drying out the skin. You can apply it to the cheekbones, upper part of the cheeks, the centre of the face, under the brows, in the inner corners of your eyes to really make them pop, on your shoulders, collar bones, arms, legs, wherever you need a hint of shimmer.

The largest item in the collection is the Essence Chilly Vanilly Giant Sponge, which you can buy in the UK for £5.00, but when I looked at my BoozyShop Order Confirmation, I paid just 2.67 Euros, so that is obviously half the price! This pretty, marble effect large beauty sponge is soft and smooth, whilst also being rather dense. You aren't going to be able to use this for smaller areas of makeup application, but I mainly bought it for the Summer months, to apply tanning products or shimmer to the body. I am pleased to say, this one doesn't smell of vanilla, and whilst I personally wouldn't use this for face makeup, I am happy to have something that isn't overly huge for the body, but I can apply detailed shimmer to places.

The final two items, which are such a bargain, are the Essence Chilly Vanilly Liquid Eyeshadows, (2.49 Euros each for 1.2ml). There are two shade options - 01 Not So Basic Vanilla, a slightly sheerer champagne gold, and 02 Vanilla Vibes Only!, a slightly more intense champagne gold. I am not fully sure why they brought out two shades, with both of them being very similar, but I love them both so I am not complaining, just being observant. The 02 shade is very metallic, which I adore, and they both have a double-sided soft sponge applicator so they are super easy to apply and you can either blend them out, or go full on shimmer and glam, with them only taking 30 seconds to dry down so that they don't budge or smudge during the day. I'm surprised they didn't have a champagne gold and even a rose gold, but hey, who am I to question their releases. You can pay ten times this amount for a very similar product, and so I would highly recommend picking these up.

Top to Bottom - Lip Glaze, Face & Body Highlighter, Liquid Eyeshadow in 01 Not So Basic Vanilla, Liquid Eyeshadow in 02 Vanilla Vibes Only!

You can find Essence online at BoozyShop here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn x

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The Victoria Beckham Beauty Future Lash Mascara & Satin Kajal Jewel Liner Review + Swatches

The Victoria Beckham Beauty Future Lash Mascara & Satin Kajal Jewel Liner Review + Swatches

Wednesday 24 January 2024

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 The Victoria Beckham Beauty line has been around quite some years now, and from the very beginning, it has always been more a prestige line, with regards to pricing and packaging. I have tried a few different products over the years and I have never been disappointed - I think the only reason I haven't bought more in the past is because I don't live anywhere near any shops that stock it, so you have to kind of take your best guess at what shades or products will work for you. I recently picked up two products - the Victoria Beckham Beauty Future Lash Mascara and the Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Jewel Liner in the shade Sequin Green.

There are two mascaras available from Victoria Beckham Beauty, the Vast Lash Mascara, which wasn't in stock when I placed my order, and the one I have been trying, the Victoria Beckham Beauty Future Lash Mascara, which is only available in Black. The Mascara retails for £32.00 for 4.8ml and is packaged in a weighty, glossy black tube. This Mascara has a curved, fine, natural bristle wand and so it makes it easy to apply to each and every lash, no matter how fine or short your lashes are, lifting the lashes to give a fluttery appearance. I find it very long-wearing, without smudging or flaking, and the formula is suitable for contact lens wearers, which I can attest to as I tend to get quite sensitive eyes due to my lenses. As with the majority of Victoria Beckham Beauty products I have tried, they seem to very much care about the ingredients that go into their products. For example, the Mascara has a water-activated Instant Removal Technology that ensures effortless removal with simply warm water, and so you aren't going to be scrubbing at that delicate eye area, and the formula also includes a plant-based C2 Complex, which has ingredients such as Shea Butter, Niacinamide, Pro-Vitamin B5 and Vitamin E to nourish, condition and strengthen each and every lash, to prevent breakage and boost volume. When applying the Mascara to the lashes, the formula feels almost silky, not at all drying, but not wet either, and so there's no roughness to the lashes. I personally have very fair, short, fine lashes and so I find I have to give my lashes a few coats of the Mascara, but I don't mind that as it means I have more control over the amount of product I'm applying. It feels very weightless on the lashes when you are wearing it, and I never get any clumping of the lashes, just lengthened and lifted lovely lashes.

I see so much coverage and love for the Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Eye Liners, which at £30.00 each, they are a little expensive, but so many people say how amazing they are, I just had to try one out for myself. There are three formulas to choose from - Shimmer, Matte and Jewel, with a total of 16 shades. I went for the Jewel finish in the shade Sequin Green, as it isn't a shade I already own in any brand of eyeliner. You can choose to have a sharpener added at no extra cost, which I did, so that I can sharpen it correctly. Again, the product itself feels quite weighty, with sleek black and gold packaging. The Liner also comes with a smudger at one end, to be able to work out the product to create a smoky eye or a more gentle eye line. I'm 39 years old and so I am trying to be more aware of products I'm using around my eyes, as I don't want anything to be tugging or pulling on that delicate area, and the first thing I noticed when using this was that it was so effortless - the tiniest amount of pressure gave me immediate results, and I didn't need to go back over the same area as it gave me excellent coverage straightaway. The formula is very creamy, and once applied where you want it to go, it dries down so that it doesn't smudge or budge during the day. As I went for a more colourful shade, even though it is still very wearable as an eyeliner, I can apply this all over the lid for extra shimmer and colour, and blend it out using the smudger, therefore kind of getting two products for the price of one. Sequin Green is a khaki green with golden sparkle, but now I want to try more of the shades! Once again, the Liners are safe for those who wear contact lenses and the formula has been made with skin-caring ingredients such as Panthenol to hydrate and defend against environmental damage, Chamomile, a soothing antioxidant, Vitamin E to protect against free radicals, and even Mineral-Based Silica Pearl, which means the glitter is ocean-friendly with zero micro plastics but still plenty of high-shine sparkle!

Would I recommend these products? Absolutely! Yes, they are more expensive than a lot of makeup on the market, but they are in no way the most expensive either, and I think you absolutely get what you pay for, and having those added skin-caring ingredients, really makes these products worth the money.

You can find Victoria Beckham Beauty online here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn x

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The Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipsticks - NEW SHADES - Review + Swatches

The Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipsticks - NEW SHADES - Review + Swatches

Monday 22 January 2024

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 One of my most viewed blog posts was a review of the Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipsticks, which you can find here, and it was written nearly 2 years ago, and I have since had 30,000 views, which to a micro beauty blogger like myself, that is so exciting to see! So, when I recently saw they had three brand new shades, I had to grab them all! Say hello to Rogue, Upbeat and Unafraid...

I had to order them online at Superdrug, as my town no longer has a Superdrug store, nor a Boots that stocks anything other than No7, but that was fine as they were doing a 3 for 2 deal, so I managed to get all three for £23.98, making them £7.99 instead of £11.99 each. (Two years ago they were £11.00 each, so it is good to know inflation hasn't hit the beauty shelves too hard!). I often find that Superdrug tends to get a lot of the drugstore brand's new products before Boots does, but overall I find the Superdrug website not the best to browse through.

Anywho, if you know, you know, when it comes to this lip product, the Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipsticks are one of the best on the market, even beating a lot of high end in my personal opinion. They have excellent longevity, and for those of us with dry, fine lines, or thin lips, you don't have to worry, because these are not going to be drying on the lips, nor will they look cakey, and in fact I find them to give a nice natural glossiness to the lips, rather than a dried-down matte look.

They come in rectangular packaging with a neat, narrow sponge applicator so you don't even have to use a lip liner to create an accurate, polished look. The formula is vegan and enriched with Vitamin E and Aloe, which is what makes these so comfortable to wear and there are plenty of gorgeous shades to choose from. But, enough about that, let's get down to business and discuss the three new shade additions. Firstly, we have 145 Rogue, which at first I thought was going to be more coral than it is on the lips, I would say it is more of a rosy-toned coral, but either way, I think this will work really well on a lot of skin tones and will be great all year round.

The shade 155 Upbeat looked a little scary to me at first when I saw the packaging, as I thought it was going to be that bright Barbie-style pink that makes your teeth look yellow (remember MAC's Snob?), but it isn't, hallelujah and is much more wearable than the packaging makes you think. It is more of a muted pink, but still pink without bordering on that nude-pink idea that tends to always look more nude than pink. It is a very wearable colour which I think is going to be adorable for Spring - anyone else excited for the temperature to be anything over freezing?

Top to Bottom - 145 Rogue, 155 Upbeat, 170 Unafraid

Finally, we have 170 Unafraid, which is also darker in real life than the packaging suggests. I expected this to be more of a wine/burgundy colour, but without doubt, it shows up more purple on the lips, and because of that, it isn't something I would probably reach for very often. I am quite fair to light skinned, with (highlighted) blonde hair and so a burgundy would have usually have worked for me, but this purple shade, not so much. And that is absolutely fine, because we all know by now, that makeup is different for everyone, and it is great to see more varying shades available for different skintones.

You can find the Maybelline Superstay Vinyl Ink Liquid Lipsticks online at Superdrug here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn x

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The Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream Review

The Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream Review

Saturday 20 January 2024

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 *This post contains a gifted item

Everyone seems to be in their Drunk Elephant era at the moment, and so as not to disappoint their fans, they have just released the Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream*, which is a winner to keep your skin nourished and protected during this awfully chilly weather we are having in the UK at the moment.

The Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream comes in the same circular pot packaging as their Protini Polypeptide and LaLa Retro Whipped Creams, except this time we get a pop of neon coral, which I just love. If you have tried a Drunk Elephant moisturiser before, you will know you just pop off the lid, and then press down until the right amount of product comes out, you can then swipe it off and press it into the skin - so no having to constantly put your fingers into tiny jars and ensuring no product is wasted.

This is a buttery, rich lipid cream that soothes very dry, sensitive and fragile skin, providing it with a barrier-replenishing blend of lipids, ceramides, natural minerals and potent antioxidant compounds. All in all, making for an excellent cocktail of skincare-loving ingredients that are going to rehydrate and repair the skin whilst also doing that excellent job of keeping it healthy. I have quite touch-sensitive skin that can get quite red, and I have noticed since I have been using the Bora-Barrier Repair Cream that my redness has lessened, which is always a bonus. As it is perfect for even those with sensitive skin, it contains no fragrance, no essential oils and no silicones, just all the goodness, including shea butter, which is excellent and rich when it comes to moisturising the skin.

As with most moisturisers, it is recommended to apply both morning and evening, once you have cleansed and toned, and I prefer to apply serum before moisturiser, although I know everyone is different. I then push down on the top of the tub and take the cream, pressing it into my face and neck, so that I can wake up with happy, healthy skin that is protected and repaired, with no thanks at all to this cold, miserable weather we are having. That's when the pop of neon coral really comes into its own, to brighten up my mornings!

As soon as you take the cream between your fingers, you can feel the thickness and quality of it, and it melts into the skin instantly, to straightaway provide that nourishment, without feeling heavy or greasy on the skin. I find that one pump of the tub is enough for my face, and so I usually go 1-2 pumps for both the face and neck. This is definitely not for those with oily skin types, as it would be too rich, so the Protini Polypeptide Cream would be great for oilier skin tones, which you can find here.

The Drunk Elephant Bora Barrier Repair Cream officially launches on 1st February 2024, retails for £62.00 for 50ml and is available online at Space NK here. Love Drunk Elephant? Check out my previous post on one of their products here.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

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What Lip Products Does Taylor Swift Wear On The Eras Tour?

What Lip Products Does Taylor Swift Wear On The Eras Tour?

Wednesday 17 January 2024

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What Lip Products Does Taylor Swift Wear On The Eras Tour? That is the first question I searched online for after watching The Eras Tour at the cinema. Her makeup didn't budge, not after 3 hours of dancing and singing, did that gorgeous red lip move. The answer? Taylor Swift wears the Pat McGrath LiquiLust Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick in the shade Elson 4 and the Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick in Elson 083.

I remember at the time, people in the US were struggling to get either lip product as they were completely sold out, but lucky for me, Sephora UK had the Pat McGrath LiquiLust Legendary Wear Matte Lipstick in Elson 4 in stock, so I of course ordered it right away! This lipstick comes in a sleek tube with a tapered teardrop applicator that lets you line, fill and blend the product into your lips, which I find really useful for such a bold colour. The formula is ultra velvety and wear time is LONG, without any smudging, budging or transferring. It has a very lightweight, whipped texture which glides onto the lips effortlessly and smooth. Even though it is a matte texture, it isn't drying on the lips, and so if you have fine lines, you don't have to worry. If it is good enough for Miss Taylor Swift, it is good enough for you...

With regards to the Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick in Elson 083, I actually got this at a bargain price, just £8.40 including delivery from the Pat McGrath website. They were having an offer on that particular lipstick (in all of the shades) and even though I was on holiday in Orlando at the time, I immediately ordered it, as I have many Pat McGrath makeup products and they are incredible quality so I couldn't pass it up at that price! The lipstick comes in a luxurious, glossy black bullet case with a gold love heart on the front. This smooth matte lipstick intensely saturates the lips, and the formula is just as smooth and lightweight as the liquid version. It has a unique oil-infused powder formula which is great for preventing dry lips, especially during the cold weather we are having at the moment. As it is a regular lipstick, without an applicator like the liquid version, it is recommended you go in with a lip liner first to get that crisp, neat line before applying the lipstick, but once it is on, it stays on.

In my personal opinion, I think Taylor Swift wears the Pat McGrath LiquiLust Legendary Wear Lipstick in Elson 4 during the Eras Tour performances, just because this one has extra staying power compared to the MatteTrance Lipstick. I could be completely wrong, however after wearing both, I think it is the liquid version. Both versions are a blue-toned red, which means that the colour shouldn't make your teeth look yellow, which some red tones can do.

The top swatch is the LiquiLust and the bottom swatch is MatteTrance

The Pat McGrath LiquiLust Legendary Wear Lipstick retails for £32 and is available online here, and you can find the Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick for £36 online here. These do sell out very quickly, so at the time you are reading this, they may be out of stock, but I know they are planning a restock at the time of writing this, so it is always worth signing up to the website.

Do you love a bold red lip? Or prefer something more neutral? Let know in the comments below!

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

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Where I've Been and Why I'm Back... Surgeries, Cats, ADHD, Orlando and Taylor Swift

Where I've Been and Why I'm Back... Surgeries, Cats, ADHD, Orlando and Taylor Swift

Saturday 13 January 2024

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 Well, it has been a while. Over 18 months to be exact. In September 2021, I went into hospital for my fourth endometriosis surgery, which I spoke about here. Even when writing that post, I didn't know just how poorly I had been and what a long journey it will and is continuing to be to get back to good health. In July 2022, I had my stoma reversal surgery, which seemed to go well at the time. But unfortunately I had issues afterwards and I still have those problems today, so it has made life pretty tough. The mental effect the 2021 surgeries had on me, is something I am still dealing with today and last week I had my first appointment with the mental health team as I was diagnosed with complex trauma.

Me December 2022

So it has been two and a half years since that surgery, where they didn't realise until five days later they had perforated my bowel, and I still haven't began working again, which has also had a negative affect on my mental health as it gets quite lonely being home so much on your own. A few things happened in the past 18 months, I got a new cat called Ruby, and my goodness she was the naughtiest kitten I ever owned, but my goodness she is the sweetest and she gives me so much love which I am beyond grateful for.

The Day We Got Ruby

February 2023 I was diagnosed with ADHD - even as a little kid I always felt different and I won't go into it all, but I realised when I was strolling TikTok whilst in recovery from the various surgeries, and videos kept coming up and I resonated with them like I have never resonated with anything so much in my life. So I had an assessment and got a diagnosis. It hasn't been easy - I have tried a couple of different medications which has been a trial in itself and you go through a period of loss for what could have been if you had gotten an earlier diagnosis. I also have an assessment for Autism this week, which was recommended to be done by the ADHD doctor.

My Orlando Family (Friends) March 2023

I was lucky enough to have a three week holiday to Orlando in March 2023 - it was my first trip since December 2019 due to Covid and surgeries. I had the best time and it was amazing to see my friends again. I did end up going in December 2023 for two weeks, and it wasn't all that great unfortunately - the weather was cold - 13 degrees, which is unusual for Orlando. Plus, I got sick, and I am pretty sure I had Covid. But, I got to see my friends again and I don't want to sound ungrateful, I know I am super lucky to be able to go twice in one year. Plus, on the way home I was sat next to a childhood favourite in upper class, Manchester United player Phil Neville. 

I also got to visit Kiawah Island in December 2023 and we had a house on the beach. I felt very special.

Magic Kingdom December 2023

The first things I picked up as soon as I arrived in Orlando December 2023

2023 was the year I discovered Taylor Swift - yes I know she has been around a long time, but until I saw The Eras Tour at the cinema, I was never truly introduced to her, and wow! What an amazing, hard working and talented lady she is, so I am thankful for her, and her wonderful music.

My second visit to watch The Eras Tour, my third was in Orlando in December

I started 2024 hopeful, as I am having bereavement counselling (for my Mum) next week, I have my ASD assessment next week, and I am seeing a mental health team for the various traumas I have suffered throughout my life. I am awaiting a colonoscopy to see what they can do with regards to my bowel, and I am back on a waiting list to see the gynae team as my endometriosis is starting to get bad again. One thing that kept me going over the years, when I had bad endometriosis, and couldn't go places with friends, was blogging, and I have really missed it these past 18 months. I have still been buying ALL of the makeup and skincare, and I still get around 500 website views a day, even though I haven't posted in so long. I have hit 1.3million views which is wild to me, and I am so thankful to everyone that reads, or interacts with my website or social media accounts.

Ruby recently. She just HAS to be near me at all times.

I am 40 in March this year, and times have changed when it comes to social media. Last week I bought a book called Making TikTok Videos for Dummies I kid you not. I have created all new social media accounts - Instagram and TikTok is makeup.kathrynsloves and I hope to be able to create some product videos on there whilst also continuing to write blog posts. My first post is going to be the Lip Products Taylor Swift Wears on the Eras Tour, so I will have that up as soon as possible. I have had to buy new backgrounds, new lighting etc etc as I got rid of everything whilst having a huge clearout.

Me December 2023. No makeup, no filter, dressing gown. Can you get any less glam?!

Thank you for continuing to support me, even whilst I haven't been around.

All the Loves,
Kathryn xxx

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