Review | Max Factor Lipfinity Lip Colour 370 Always Extravagant

My favourite lipstick as of late has been a Max Factor one and to get to know that I was one of the lucky winners in a Facebook competition a few weeks ago for a Max Factor Lipfinity Lip Colour was definitely welcome news :)

 

I went ahead and collected my prize and I got the shade 370 Always Extravagant which I believe is the shade that all winners got. The packaging is very luxurious looking and you can tell right away that you're in for a treat with this product.
 

 

You actually get two products - a lip colour and a clear balm top coat. The shade 370 Always Extravagant is a bright fuchsia based red that's perfect for all skin tones, thus a perfect all-year-round shade.

 

The applicator is a doe foot type for the colour and the balm is just a regular lip balm with a retractable bullet. The actual tubes are very slim and they won't take up a lot of space in your bag if you would want to carry them with you. Well, you can actually get away with carrying only the balm as the colour lasts for ages but more on that in a few.

 

The formula is on the thick side but still very easy to work with. I like the rich pigmentation and although the product dries to a matte finish, it still doesn't feel dry on the lips. The balm is actually there to add shine rather than moisture.

 

It is suggested that you apply the colour first and allow it to dry completely for a minute or so by keeping the lips apart. Then proceed by applying the balm for a glossy finish. You could say that the colour is transfer proof as once dry, it won't even transfer onto the balm bullet.
 

 

Max Factor Lipfinity 370 Always Extravagant just applied without balm (top)
& with balm (bottom)

 

Now I cannot vouch for the claim that this lasts for a full 24 hours but the name Lipfinity is very fitting as on all the occasions that I had worn it, the colour lasted for the whole time and I only needed to re-apply the balm every so often.
 

Max Factor Lipfinity 370 Always Extravagant after 4 hours of wear

I guess this will go down in my favourite lip products list as it ticks all the boxes! And with such a nice variety of shades, you're sure to find one you like!

 

Max Factor Lipfinity Lip Colour is available from various pharmacies and outlets across the Maltese Islands and they retail for €14.70.

 

Review | KIKO Milano Brush Cleanser

It's been quite some time since I last posted a review or a blog post for that matter and so after sorting through some new products that I got lately, I better get back on track with reviews.

 

In last month's collective haul post, I have posted a picture of all the stuff I got from KIKO Milano as soon as I got to know they ship to Malta. I have been meaning to try the brand for a long time but I only became aware that they ship outside Italy last month. Following the post, I got a few requests to let you know what I think about the Brush Cleanser. And well, here is a full review!

 

The KIKO Brush Cleanser comes in a 50ml spray bottle format, all packaged in a small black box. The size is very convenient to carry around in your case if your doing makeup on other people and need to quick-clean your brushes in between clients but it's not exactly cheap at €5.90 so you might want to keep that in mind. One thing to note about the bottle is that it is leak-proof.

 

The cleanser has a floral smell that albeit is not overpowering and fades away quickly. Moreover, the spray nozzle delivers a nice, even mist so you don't have to worry about wasting your product.

 

I like to use this to clean my brushes in between makeup applications mostly and I'm really fond of how deep cleaning it is. It removes almost all traces of makeup from the brush bristles and since the spray dries fairly quickly, the brush will be ready for use within seconds.

 

It is recommended that you spray the cleanser directly onto the brush then wipe the bristles on a tissue paper or towel. I prefer to spray the product on the towel and then gently swirl the brush in it to take away the makeup residue.

 

I definitely like this Brush Cleanser and highly recommend it to makeup artists and ladies in general who like something gentle yet deep cleaning for their brushes. After all, clean brushes mean less breakouts on your skin!

Event | Lilly Mae A/W 14/15 Collection Presentation in collaboration with The Smart Skin Clinic

Last Tuesday, I was invited to attend the presentation of the Autumn/Winter collection from Lilly Mae as well as a live demonstration of anti-ageing treatments by Dr. Joanna Delia from The Smart Skin Clinic at the luxuriously set Lilly Mae shop in the heart of Sliema.

 

 

We were greeted with drinks and some delicious canapés thanks to Dical House and after catching up a little, we were directed inside the shop for a live demonstration of Botox and Juvederm Dermal Fillers injection.

 

Dr. Joanna Delia patiently explained what both procedures entail while she performed both on her models for the night. To be honest, from what we hear about such treatments in media, they make them sound scary and all that but seeing the procedure being performed live in front of me, I kind of changed my opinion on the subject - when you don't exaggerate and when the treatment is properly executed that is. Local anaesthetic was applied before both procedures to give it time to kick in.



Ms. Michelle & Dr. Joanna Delia from The Smart Skin Clinic



Botox was the first treatment to be performed and we were told that it takes three days for the results to show. The injection begins by cleansing the client's face followed by the actual injection of Botox into the muscles of say the forehead to eliminate frown lines. Botox (full name being Botulinum toxin) mimics the action of Acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter chemical which when released, contracts muscles in our body. Botox binds temporarily (effects last for roughly 4 months) to the Acetylcholine receptors on the forehead muscles and contracts them so that frown lines are not visible for that time frame. 

Dr. Delia cleansing her model's face prior to Botox injection

 

Dr. Delia performing a Botox injection on her model's forehead

 

Next up was a dermal filler demonstration. The results of dermal fillers are visible within a few seconds of the treatment being administered and since they are Hyaluronic Acid based, they will plump the skin instantly. Fillers can be 'hard' or soft' depending on where they will be applied. For example, a lip filler would be softer to enable the lips to still look natural. During the presentation, we were shown a filler injection into the naso-labial folds and a lip filler injection.

 

 

Dermal Fillers demonstration

With the treatments' demonstration over, it was time for the models to be all glammed up to showcase the Lilly Mae Autumn/Winter collection. The shop houses collections from world renowned brands Elena Miro, Basler and Marina Rinaldi and the shop mostly targets the needs of women who are on the heavier side with exquisitely tailored garments ranging from casual styles to the more elegant ones.

 

Here are some pictures of the lovely models showcasing new season numbers from the different brands. Their hair and makeup was left in the talented hands of staff from Beauty Inc. Boutique.

 

   

   

   

   

   

 

And that's a wrap! Would you consider having Botox or Dermal Fillers at any point? Let me know in the comments below!

Lilly Mae and The Smart Skin Clinic are located at Tigne Street, Sliema opposite each other.
 

August Collective Haul

August is one of my favourite months of the year - some might think I'm crazy to say such a statement but it's true! It's probably the only month where I don't feel cold (yeah even in out hot summer, I always carry a cardigan with me on evenings out) and somehow it's the only month where I get to enjoy summer properly.

 

Here's what I have been buying to make this month even more fun :)

Starting with beauty stuff, this month I have added some new nail polishes to my collection and I bought most of them from Gozo...and they are mostly Sally Hansen. They were €4.50 each for the Xtreme Wear ones (l to r: 540 Glitter Gun, 740 Carnival and 510 Strobe Flash) and €7.50 for the Fuzzy Coat in the shade 600 Fuzzy Fantasy. I have also purchased the Pupa Milano Gel Top Coat for €6 and a Montagne Jeunesse Sensitive Skin Masque for €2.31. The lady at the counter was also kind to throw in a sample of Max Factor Face Finity Primer which is my go-to primer in the summer months.

 

 

More Sally Hansen products, this time another nail polish from the Xtreme Wear range which was also €4.50 and the shade is 450 Ice Pop. I also bought this Cuticle Rehab pen which I shall be reviewing soon but for now I will only tell you two words...get it! It's the best €9.95 you will ever spend on your nails! I was looking for a good waterproof mascara as I swear by it in the summer and I decided to give this one by Max Factor a go. It is the False Lash Effect Waterproof Mascara and all I can say is that I love it! I use it everyday and it only comes off with makeup remover - no smudging or budging all day! It cost €13.65.

 

Another nail polish which I added to my collection is Orly Rage. I have this in Gel FX form and I love it so much I decided to buy it in polish form for when I'm in a hurry to do my nails. It is a nice rose gold foil that goes with everything and I believe it cost me somewhere around €6 from Ebay.

 

 

More beauty purchases from The Body Shop! I have just used up a body scrub and so I obviously had to get a new one. I settled on the Vineyard Peach (€12.50) variety this time; will see how it performs. I also wanted to try the newly launched Instablur (€14) which is basically a sort of primer that evens out the skin and the likes. Since I had arrived to my fourth stamp on the 'Love Your Body' card, I have had €10 deducted from my bill and only ended up paying €2 for this Coconut Eau de Toilette which has become my favourite everyday fragrance (normal retail price: €12).

 

Sleek MakeUP have launched a new limited edition i-Divine palette, the Arabian Nights Smoke & Shadows (left) and I went ahead and got that along with the Snapshots palette (right). I really like Sleek palettes for their colour pay-off and the clever names they give to their eyeshadows. The palettes cost €9.99 each.

 

 

The last beauty purchases come courtesy of Kiko. I have only just discovered that the brands ships to Malta and I placed a small order to check the brand out as I have heard a lot of good things about it. I only paid €7 shipping as I spent over a certain amount and the order was here in 4 days I think. All was securely packaged and nothing broke on transit. Very impressed!

 

This is what I actually got:

Daring Game Limited Edition Queen of Hearts Eyeshadow Palette 03 Elegant Ebony €14.90
Eyes 207 Brush €9.00
Life in Rio Limited Edition Face Brush Duo €11.80
Brush Cleanser €5.90
Smart Lipsticks in 904 Strawberry Pink, 916 Golden Beige & 911 Watermelon €3.90 each

Whenever I visit Gozo, I always make it a point to visit Pimkie since we do not have one in Malta and I really like their clothes. This time I managed to get my hands on this denim waistcoat which was on sale for €13.99 and I also got this pair of floral jeans from their new collection at €25.99. 

 

From Stradivarius, I got this oversize top and midi skirt which I instantly fell in love with! They are part of the new collection and I really can't wait to wear the skirt but since it's fabric is a little thick, I would have to weather till the weather cools down a little. The top cost €25.95 and the skirt cost €19.95.

From Calliope I scored this creamy yellow scarf for just €2 in the sale section. I really look forward to wearing it as scarves are my favourite winter accessory :)

 

Finally, finally, after years of searching for the perfect pair of silver occasion sandals, Aldo has answered my prayers! I badly needed a pair for weddings (in fact I just wore them for one last Friday) but they either weren't to my liking or they didn't fit. This pair, on the other hand is ace! And best of all, it was on sale for €45!

 

Accessorize really do offer a good sale and for the last few days, they put sale items on 70% off. I treated my self to this cute yellow bag which only cost €10.25 and this pair of daisy print sunglasses which were retailing for just €5.50. I also bought this pair of earrings which are part of their new collection for €9.90.

 



 

Lastly, from River Island, I bought this wallet as I needed a new one and I love the flowers and stripes print on them. They have a nice selection of good quality wallets and  paid €22 for this one and it has enough space for all my cards and the bits and bobs I usually carry in my wallet. I also bought this wine crop top as it was on sale for €14.

 

 

So, as I sadly wave goodbye to August, that is all I bought this month!