❄10 High-End Winter Lip Colours and their Cash-Saving High Street Alternatives.❄

❄High-End Winter Lip Colours and their Cash-Saving Alternatives.❄

One of the things I love about Winter fashion is being able to don the darks. I just adore deep, rich lip colours! So, I've complied a list of stunning high-end lip shades that are perfect for this season. Of course, if you want high-end you have to expect a high price. So, in case you don't want to splash too much cash, for each pricey product I've found a similar alternative with a high street price. For ultimate drama, pair your sultry Winter lips with a matching nail polish, flawless skin, and simple eye make up. Whether you're into the bold and daring or if you like to keep it simple and sweet, there's something for everyone wanting to rock the timeless Winter trend.
All prices are approximate.
Click links / product names for purchase information.
All images via Google Images.

1. Serge Lutens Fard à Lèvres Lipstick - Couvre Feu.

This beautiful berry shade from Serge Lutens is a real stunner. Deep and dark, Couvre Feu sure to draw positive attention your way. Every Serge Lutens lipstick is sculpted to a point for precise and defined application and to emphasise the contour of the lips. You can expect your bank balance to take a hit of around £50 if you buy this product. When you run out you can even purchase refills so you don't have to buy it again and again (although, at about £30 each, they still don't come cheap!).

- High Street alternative: Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick - Va Va Violet (£7.49).

2. Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous Satin Lip Colour - Rouge Noir.

This seductive, vampy shade from Chanel is an absolute classic when it comes to Winter lipstick. Team is with the matching Rouge Noir Le Vernis Nail Colour (approx. £17.50 per 13ml bottle) and who could resist your sultry charms? This little beauty will set you back around £25, but surely that's not too much for such an iconic lipstick?

- High Street alternative: Collection Gothic Glam Lipstick - Revenge (£2.99). Click here for my review of Collection Gothic Glam Lipstick in "Scorned" and "Revenge"!8

3. YSL Golden Gloss - 37 Golden Red.

Not many of us consider going for gloss when it comes to dark Wintery lip shades, usually a lipstick is the go-to product, but this stunning shade from Yves Saint Laurent may be the one to change your mind. This wondrous burgundy shade is sure to be a hit for the Party Season as it's infused with golden shimmer. Plus, on the whole, glosses will keep your lips hydrated better than a lipstick will in a season when many of us suffer from dry lips. It can be yours for around the £22 mark.

- High Street alternative: B. Glossy Shimmering Lip Gloss - Cassis 24 (£6.99).

4. MAC Lipstick - Cyber.

Time for a product from the much-loved MAC Cosmetics! I've included this lipstick as a high-end item, however MAC is not as pricey as a lot of other designer brands out there. In fact, this lipstick will cost you £15, which isn't bad at all! I've chosen this product from their original Lipstick collection, as opposed to a limited edition shade. Cyber is a Gothic-inspired opaque purple hue with a satin finish. Purples like these are a suitably interesting change from the usual reds this season.

- High Street alternative: Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick - 004 (£5.49).

5. Lancôme L'Absolu Rouge Christmas Limited Edition Lipstick - 132 Caprice.

This product HAS to be on this list for two reasons. Firstly, the limited edition glittery packaging is to die for and it's so Christmassy! Secondly, you just can't go wrong with a sexy classic red lip this Winter (or any time of year, for that matter). It's only available in two shades, 132 Caprice, which is the best-selling shade I've chosen, and limited edition Lancôme heritage shade, Etincelle #189. If you're looking for a lip shade that won't let you down, this is definitely one to consider. However, at £25, this collector's edition lipstick doesn't come cheap.

- High Street alternative: Seventeen Lasting Fix Lipstick - Hot Chilli (£4.29).

6. By Terry Hyaluronic Sheer Rouge - #10 Berry Boom.

Some ladies find it a little too daring to go for the shades I've listed above. If you're one of them, why not opt for a red lipstick with a sheer finish instead? Choose a product such as Hyaluronic Sheer Rouge from the French beauty company, By Terry. By wearing a shade such as Berry Boom, you can rock the dark Wintery lips without feeling too bold. This product costs around £25.

- High Street alternative: Avon Shine Attract Lipstick - Passionate Red (£8.50).

7. Illamasqua Lipstick - Pristine.

Let's move on from delicate, sheer colour to the ultimate daring hue... Black lips have become quite popular recently, and celebs such as style icon Rihanna and the beautifully eccentric Lady Gaga have been spotted sporting this shade. Believe it or not, the darkest-of-dark colour can suit all skin tones, you just have to know what to pair it with. For ultimate high-end Gothic glamour I've chosen Illamasqua Lipstick in Pristine, which has a matte finish. This product can be purchased from the Illamasqua website for £16.50.

- High Street alternative: Barry M Lip Paint - Black (£4.49).

8. Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm - Two Ton Tomato.

I've slipped this one into my list of Winter lip colours because, at this time of year, a lot of us suffer from dry lips due to the harsh temperatures. As well as delivering bright colour with a shiny finish, this highly popular product from Clinique conditions and hydrates the lips, too! I've chosen the shade Two Ton Tomato as it's a little brighter than some of the other reds I've shared with you which makes it a little more versatile and suitable for all year round. I also love the fun "crayon" style applicator! Clinique Chubby Sticks are widely available for about £17.00.

- High Street alternative: No7 High Shine Lip Crayon - Statement (£9.00).

9. Shu Uemura Lip and Cheek Tint Color - Magical Red.

I want to share this product from Shu Uemura, a cosmetics company that originated from Japan. The versatile tint can be used on both the lips and the cheeks, and it's easy to build so you can layer it up for more intensity if you wish. It's also really long lasting, so you needn't worry about touch-ups all day! It's available in a range of shades, but I chose Magical Red as I think it's beautifully suited to Winter. At £20 a pop, it's not the cheapest stain on the market.

- High Street alternative: Gosh Long Lasting Lip Marker - Berry Red 3 (£6.99).

10. Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color - Crushed Plum.

For my final product I wanted to chose a shade with a touch more femininity. Crushed Plum by Bobbi Brown is deep, rich and seductive berry shade. The purple-ish tone makes it appear a little more flirty and feminine than some darker reds and purples. It delivers 8 hour wear, a weightless feel, and a creamy moisturising formula. Impressive! There are currently 19 shades to choose from on Bobbi Brown's website, and they'll cost you £19 each.

- High Street alternative: ModelsOwn Lipstick - Plum (£6.00).

So, there you have it! Some of my favorite high-end lip colours that are on-trend for Winter, plus similar products that are readily available on the high street that won't break the bank! Hopefully you've found you're perfect shade, or maybe you've found something new that you'll be donning for the party season.

❄Merry Christmas!❄

By Tuesday T. Bryan.
http://tuesdaytbryan.blogspot.com

High-End Hair Serums & Their Penny-Pinching Alternatives; 8 wonder-products for specific hair do dilemmas!!!

Blow-drying, colouring, styling, products, heat, the sun, and the environment can all cause damage to our hair. There are countless numbers of hair care products on the market to treat all sorts of problems. Oils and serums seem to be the most effective treatments as they instantly provide our damaged locks with deep, intense nourishment. So I've compiled a list of some popular products from more expensive brands that come with a rather sizable price tag, and a cheaper alternative product that delivers similar results without breaking the bank. Each product varies in the hair do dilemma it's said to solve. What will you opt for, a bank-breaker or a money-saver?
All prices are approximate.


1. For all-round goodness.
Liz Earle Botanical Shine Nourishing Hair Oil.

If you're looking for an easy-to-use product with multiple benefits, this may be the miracle product for you. This nourishing hair oil from Liz Earle claims to "condition, smooth and minimise frizz in one luxurious step". This clever little oil could prove especially useful to you if you often dry and style your hair using heat, as it protects against heat damage caused by styling and also reduces blow-drying time. With an RRP of £15.00 for a 50ml pump, it's not the cheapest product on the market, but a little goes a long way as you only need 1-2 pumps per use.

☆Penny-Pinching alternative: Tresemmé Salon Smooth Serum. £4.50 (30ml).

2. Moroccan Argan Oil treatment.
Moroccanoil Treatment.

I'm sure most of us have heard the recent hype about the benefits of using Moroccan Argan Oil for our hair. There's been a huge increase of products containing this "miracle oil", and this one from Moroccanoil comes with a hefty price tag of about £30 for 100ml. Not only does it promise to add a glossy finish and brilliant shine, but it also has the ability to repair damage caused by the environment and chemical procedures. It can used on natural hair, but also on wigs and hair extensions. It's instantly absorbed to give a natural-looking healthy finish without residue.

☆Penny-Pinching alternative: Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Weightless Healing Oil Spray. £6.99 (118ml).

3. For coloured hair.
Kérastase ELIXIR ULTIME Colour-Treated Hair.

If you have coloured hair it can sometimes prove difficult to keep it looking and feeling as lustrous and vivid as appears when first dyed. There are some excellent treatments available, and this "beautifying-oil" from the popular brand Kérastase is used to restore radiance and depth of colour as well as to protect your colour-treated locks. At around £30 for a 125ml bottle, it doesn't come cheap!

☆Penny-Pinching alternative: L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil for Coloured Hair. £8.50 (100ml)

4. To add glorious shine.
Serge Normant Meta Sheer Dry Oil Finishing Spray.

Dull hair is a problem many of us suffer from, and a temporary quick-fix solution is to finish your hair with a shine spray. This weightless finishing oil by Serge Normant not only adds luxurious shine, but it also controls frizz, adds texture, and contains natural botanical oils, vitamins and proteins for extra nourishment. It has a non-greasy look and feel, and can be used on wet or dry hair. A 50ml bottle will set you back approximately £23, so use it sparingly!

☆Penny-Pinching alternative: Avon Advance Techniques 360 Nourishment Moroccan Argan Oil Lightweight Gloss Spray. £5.50 (100ml). Click here for my review of this brilliant cheap and cheerful product from Avon!

5. To restore balance to dry or oily scalps.
j.f. lazartigue Oily Scalp Intensive Sebum Treatment Serum.

A dry scalp often leads to the much-dreaded dandruff, but, with so many products available to nourish and hydrate, you needn't panic! This treatment from j.f. lazartigue restores the balance of your scalp and so fights dryness and excess sebum (the root of oily hair). This intensive treatment is easy to use, it's simply massaged into the scalp and left in - there's no need to rinse. Applying it to the scalp allow the product to work on the roots of the hair which promotes healthy growth. It's also deep-cleaning, purifying, and anti-bacterial. If you often suffer from dandruff or oily hair, this is definitely a product to consider, but be prepared for your wallet to take a hit, as it will cost you around £28.00 for 75ml.

☆Penny-Pinching alternative: BC Bonacure Scalp Therapy Serum. £10.00 (30ml).

6. To protect from sun damage.
Shu Uemura Art of Hair Essence Absolue.

In the heat, our hair is often forgotten as we focus on the protection of our skin, but hair suffers easily from sun damage, too. If you're one for splashing out on hair care products, maybe the whopping £40.00 price tag for 150ml of this Shu Uemura product won't come much of a shock. It promises to protect the hair from damage caused by UV rays, combat dryness and frizz, as well as providing intense moisture and deep nourishment. It's miracle ingredient is said to be Camellia Oil, which is a great scalp-conditioner that also promotes healthy hair growth.

☆Penny-Pinching alternative: Solar Sport SPF 30 Dry Sunscreen For Hair And Scalp. £4.99 (25ml).

7. To protect and add volume to fine hair.
Nioxin DiaBoost.

Fine hair can prove problematic as it's prone to break easily and become dry and unmanageable, often leaving it's sufferers craving more voluminous and nourished locks. A treatment is a great way to provide your hair with intense hydration, which is what this product from Nioxin is proven to give. It also boosts the hair's volume by increasing the thickness of your existing strands, makes the hair more manageable, and strengthens weak hair making it more resilient and able to fight breakages. Daily application is advised to achieve the best results. At around £40.00 for 100ml, all that goodness doesn't come cheap!

☆Penny-Pinching alternative: Joico Body Luxe Volumizing Elixir. £11.00 (200ml).

8. For mature and damaged hair.
L'Anza Healing Strength Neem Plant Silk Serum.

Over time our hair becomes more vulnerable and shows age, just like our skin, but their are products out their to fight signs of ageing and revitalise mature hair. This treatment serum from L'Anza fortifies the hair to make it stronger, causing breakage to reduce dramatically and promoting strong, healthy growth. It also adds glorious, youthful shine without looking oily. This product is not only excellent for mature hair, but it could also be your hair's savior if your locks have been damaged by heat styling and chemical processing. It has added UVA/UVB protection to help combat damage caused by the sun's harmful rays.

☆Penny-Pinching alternative: Weleda Revitalising Hair Tonic. £9.95 (100ml).

So, there you have my list of High-End Hair Oils and Serums. There are many more available, but I'd be researching and writing indefinitely! Hopefully, my findings have helped you discover the product that may resolve your barnet issues once-and-for-all!

By Tuesday T. Bryan.
http://tuesdaytbryan.blogspot.com/

Maybelline ColorShow Nail Lacquer; shades 352 / 3 / 651; review #2 + photos (My 2nd ColorShow review)

I've already reviewed three shades from the massive Maybelline ColorShow Nail Lacquer range, but I recently became the proud owner of three more which I am sharing with you today!

Click here to see my first Maybelline ColorShow review. :)

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Image - above: Maybelline ColorShow Nail Lacquer in shades (L-R) "352 Downtown Red", "3 Tutti Fruity", and "652 Cool Blue".

Because I've published a ColorShow review before, I'm not going to go into a huge amount of detail about anything but the shades themselves. To read about the product in more detail, click the link in bold above.

For brief notes on this product's wear, scroll down to the bottom of this blog and read the description to the right of the final photo, which shows my nails in "352 Downtown Red" after three days of wear. For more details, click the link in bold above.

Let's get started!

The shades I'm reviewing today are "352 Downtown Red", "3 Tutti Fruity", and "651 Cool Blue". I chose these because 352 is a perfect classic red shade for this season's nails, 3 is a more delicate and playful option that can be pulled off all year round, and 651 caught my eye because I've recently been expanding my collection of blue nail polishes.

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Images - right: These photos show each shade after 1, 2, and 3 coats. Click the image to enlarge.

651 Cool Blue: I love this pastel blue shade. For me, a perfect pastel has to be balanced, not too bright and not too dull. This icy hue is a cool contrast to the classic berry and plum shades we usually see in winter, but it's also bang-on trend for Spring / Summer every year. A great all-rounder!
One coat looks a little patchy, but 2-3 coats will give even and opaque colour.

3 Tutti Fruity: If you're looking for sparkly nails this season, Maybelline may have your perfect match. Tutti Fruity is a soft, shimmering purple shade infused with iridescent glitter with an opalescent finish. This sweet, shimmery, "candy-like" shade reminds me of Parma Violets! I used to love those sweets, but sadly they don't taste the same as they used to, so if you've never tried them (who hasn't?!) don't get too excited.
This polish has a semi-sheer finish, so it would take a lot of coats to get a 100% opaque finish, but I achieved my preferred look in 2-3 shades.

352 Downtown Red: (See below for more photos of "352 Downtown Red). If I had to pick a favorite of these three shades, Downtown Red would probably be the one for me! You just can't go wrong with a shade like this on your nails. For ultimate glamour, pair it with simple eye make up, flawless skin, and a matching lipstick shade. This sexy, seductive, ruby shade is reminiscent of red wine. It's shimmer and sparkle free, and has a deep glossy finish. You can't go wrong with a dark red manicure this season. It's a classic, and it will always be a winner!
2 coats gives an "almost-opaque" finish, which I personally was more than happy with, but opt for 3 coats if you desire.

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Image - left: My nails in "352 Downtown Red". Deep, glossy, red wine shades are a classic for Winter nails. This polish is sure to go down a storm in AW13! Here I am wearing 2 shades and a clear top coat.

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Brief notes on this product's wear;
Image - right: "352 Downtown Red" after three days of wear. I am wearing 2 coats and a clear top coat with no touch-ups. As you can see, the signs of wear are very minimal. The gloss has faded a bit and the colour has worn off around a little on the tips. Not bad for a £2.99 nail polish! You'll get even better wear out of it if your nails are in better condition than mine (mine are quite thin), or if your hands are a bit less active (mine hands are busy writing, typing, and looking after my birds both indoors and in my garden).






Click here to view the Maybelline Colorwheel, where you can view the Color Show Nail Lacquer shades, view suggested tips and ideas about what to wear with each polish, share your favorite polish via social media sites, and purchase the Color Show shades.

Click here to purchase Maybelline ColorShow Nail Lacquer from the Boots website.

As I've previously mentioned, if you want to read about this product in more detail and see my notes on summery shades 265, 341, and 186, click the link in bold at the top of this page or click here to see my first Maybelline ColorShow Nail Lacquer review. :)

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By Tuesday T. Bryan.

NEW Avon Always On Point Eyeliner; Black; Review + photos! Unique "self-sharpening" liner is ready when you are...

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"Creamy, smooth liner stays colour-true. With a sharpener in the patent-pending cap, so the tip is always sharp and ready for precise lines." - Avon (avonshop.co.uk)

Today I'm reviewing a fairly new product from Avon. It's an eyeliner called Always On Point, and is named so because it has a sharpener built into the lid to keep it sharp.

I'll be honest (as always), when I first saw this product advertised I thought it was quite pointless. It's very similar to Avon's Glimmerstick eyeliner, a hugely popular product that sells like hotcakes and comes in an impressive range of shades (I own about 10 products from the Glimmersticks range, and I'm not alone in being a massive fan). So, due to the Glimmerstick eyeliner being so successful, I initially thought this product was unnecessary. However, now that I've had the opportunity to give it a whirl, I can see it's benefits and it's differences from other Avon products, which I will explain to you now! :)

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This new product is currently available in four shades; "Black", "Midnight Navy", "Lavender Grey", and "Teal". I own it in "Black", so that's the colour I'll be testing today. The rich formula is highly-pigmented with bold, saturated colour. A little goes a long way!

Let's talk about the product design. The idea of this product is that it never goes blunt due to it's "self-sharpening" ability. It has a screw-top lid with a built-in sharpener. When you think the liner is looking like it could do with being sharpened you simply place the lid on and turn it clockwise until you hear a "click" sound - voilà! See the image on the left for "instructions in photos".The fact that it doesn't require a sharpener makes it ideal for my handbag - this is where I believe us ladies should try to keep beauty products and tools to a minimum, so the sleek, twist-up, all-in-one design that doesn't require tools or brushes is ideal for on-the-go.

Image - left: Instructions for using the "self-sharpening" Always On Point eyeliner. My nail polish is Avon Nailwear Pro+ in Cosmic Blue (click here for my review of two other Nailwear Pro+ shades).

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Image - right: This "self-sharpening" liner makes applying your desired style easier. I always opt for the winged look.

Of course, a sharp eyeliner is essential for precise application. This product's "Always On Point" tip makes applying your desired eyeliner style quicker and easier. When I wear eyeliner I always opt for the winged look (see photo - right). It can also be blended and smudged easily to create different effects without looking messy, although I advise using a smudging tool to do this as the water-resistant formula is difficult to get off your fingers! Avon sell a dual-ended eyeshadow brush and smudger which I own and use successfully, and I also have a good quality smudger from Bobbi Brown. Sadly, I don't have any photos of this product when it's been smudged and blended, but I'll take some snaps and add them to this blog when I get a chance!

The soft, creamy consistency doesn't pull or drag the delicate skin around the eye area. The colour glides on easily and seems to "melt" onto the skin - there's no need for much more than the lightest pressure! It sits comfortably on the skin all day, and it doesn't feel thick or heavy. I also found that it didn't upset my easily-irritated waterlines.

My favorite thing thing about this product has got to be it's incredible staying-power. I applied my make up first thing in the morning and removed it about 12 hours later, and the colour stayed true and showed no signs of wear all day! The gorgeous heavily-pigmented black hue was just as strong at the end of the day as when it was freshly applied - impressive! There wasn't a transfer line or crease mark in sight. I felt confident that my liner was staying-put without showing signs of wear or losing it's boldness, which meant I didn't need to check my compact mirror every five minutes! It also applies really well to the waterline, a hurdle which many liners fall at, however it doesn't last as long as it does on the skin, so a few top-ups throughout the day may be required. All this staying-power, yet it's still easy to remove with make up remover or facial cleansing wipes (you'll find it difficult to remove with water alone as the waxy formula is water resistant!). I'm sure this product will be a make up miracle for a lot of you busy girls who are always on the go!

I'm glad that I had the opportunity to try this product and share my thoughts and results with you, otherwise I'd probably have dismissed it and stuck to the Glimmerstick range! It's a great all-rounder, and the "Always On Point" sharpener-lid is a brilliant bonus, but it's that impressive staying-power that wowed me the most. With Christmas just around the corner, a product with wear this good would be ideal for festive gatherings that continue all day and all night, and it would be great to slip in your clutch! Or what about buying it as a little stocking filler? Thanks, Avon!

Click here to purchase Avon Always On Point Eyeliner from avonshop.co.uk.

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By Tuesday T. Bryan.

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION. Copyrighted material

© Tuesday T. Bryan Photography
DO NOT USE IMAGES WITHOUT PERMISSION. Copyrighted material

Image - left: In this photo I'm wearing Avon Always On Point Eyeliner in "Black". My nail polish is Avon Nailwear Pro+ in "Cosmic Blue". My blouse is from H&M. My hand tattoo is my partner's initial.
A full list of make up products used in this photo and an image of the products themselves can be found below.






Image - right: All the make up products I have used in the photo of myself above. Click the links to read my reviews! Product list:
- No7 Airbrush Away Primer.
- Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation in "Light Porcelain 101".
- Natural Collection Cover-Up Cream in "Fair".
- Avon Ideal Flawless Loose Powder in "Light Medium".
- Rimmel Wake Me Up Instant Radiance Shimmer Touch in "002 Radiant Rose".
- Avon True Colour 8-in-1 Eyeshadow Palette in "The Nudes".
- Avon Always On Point Eyeliner in "Black".
- No7 Extravagant Lashes Mascara in "Black".
- Avon Glimmerstick Brow Definer in "Blonde".
- Avon Colour Style Lipstick in "Russett Dream".
- Lipcote.
- Bobbi Brown travel brushes.