My Lips But Better | Beauty

It is a phrase that so many beauty bloggers cringe at and yet use in abundance to describe their favourite nudeish-pink lip shades. My lips but better, is the only possible way to describe the two above lip products; Dior Addict Lip Glow Balm and Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in 'Boy'. One is a baby pink balm that changes to literally the colour of your lips and the other is a nude that is so similar to my own natural lip colour, while still giving that little something extra. These two lipsticks have been staples in my lip wardrobe for quite some time now and they truly epitomise the my (your) lips but better phrase...

Spring/Summer Lips | Beauty

The weather seems to be turning around as of late and it has been rather sunny in the UK amidst all the rain that is to be expected all year round here. Because of this, I've been digging through my make-up stash for my favourite spring/summer lipstick shades, as well as a lip balm (or two) to help combat the dreaded chapped lips that I seem to get in both winter and summer!

To start with, I've been reaching for my favourite scrub, LUSH Bubblegum Lip Scrub. It smells divine and it really works well for my lips to get rid of any dry patches. Plus it tastes good too! I've had this little pot now for maybe a year (do lip scrubs even have an expiry date?!) and it's still going strong and works perfectly at night or just after a shower. Alongside a lip scrub, I'll sometimes use a regular lip balm and my favourites at the moment: Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine and Dior Creme de Rose. I've tried plenty of lip balms in my time and these two are definitely the best for me personally, they both work to smooth my lips right before applying my lipstick/gloss of choice.

Following what I like to call the 'lip prep stage', I then apply my favourite lip product of the moment and lately I've been switching between three. The first is my favourite nude and it's the very popular L'Oreal Collection Privee lipstick in Cheryl's Nude. This is the perfect nude for me, even though I don't feel I have the same skin tone as Cheryl Cole whatsoever. Either way, the formula is just so creamy and the colour is great for everyday wear and it's quite subtle. I even like the old school play-doh smell that these lipsticks have, is that weird? Next is a higher end option, but again, a very wearable everyday shade and it's YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in number 13. First lets address the obvious, isn't YSL packaging just to die for, it looks and feels so luxurious and the lipstick itself really reflects this. This is a much pinker shade and although it;'s from the shine range, the colour pay-off is great. I've been reaching for this a lot over the past few weeks.

The final lip product is the boldest of the lot and one that was very much out of my comfort zone before I bought it and it is Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet in 06 Pink Pong. This is one of those lip products that definitely requires super smooth lips beforehand so that's where the scrub will work wonders. I just love the colour of this lip product and the lasting power is incredible, it does not budge at all! It's also a matte finish, which worried me at first but it's not drying in the slightest. These lip creams (is that what you'd call them?) are definitely worth checking out, even despite the very limited shade range.

May Favourites '14 | Video

It's a video! Now isn't this a nice little surprise. I decided that I wanted to jump over to YouTube and see how I get on making videos and so far, I'm really enjoying it! My first video was a 25 facts which you can see over there in the side bar. But for my second video I thought I'd do a slightly late May Favourites. So for this month's favourites we have it all, from a nail polish that has been on my nails pretty much all month, to a cult favourite that I was a little late to the party with. It's a mixed beauty bag in all, with some added fashion favourites thrown in for good measure. Hope you enjoy! 

dior creme de rose | smoothing plumping lip balm

Dior Creme De Rose Lip Balm - £20 (Debenhams)

After reading copious amounts of reviews and praise for this little pot of Dior goodness, I finally had to give in and buy it for myself. Dior Creme De Rose is said to be a smoothing, plumping lip balm that has the scent of roses (state the obvious Emma). It comes is pot form, which I tend to prefer over stick balms, and inside is 7.2g of what I can only describe as stuff dreams are made of. The only slight downside to the packaging is the fact you are paying £20 for what is essentially a plastic pot; I just expected something a little nicer, but it's not a big deal for me and the simplistic design is nice.

This lip balm left my lips feeling soft, smooth and slightly glossy, which for a lip balm, is all you could really ask for. It has a nice consistency and the smell is lovely and very present, while not being too overpowering. As for the plumping side of this product, that's something I didn't really see, but that's alright as I think that would have actually put me off the product anyway.

After using this product religiously for a few weeks now, I can quite happily say that it really is an amazing lip balm. It is totally worth all the hype it gets and although it does come with a hefty price tag, it's worth it for the luxurious feel and way it leaves your lips looking; I'll definitely be repurchasing this in the future!

Have you tried Dior's Creme De Rose lip balm? What are your thoughts?

Emma xo

beauty | dior addict lip glow

Dior Addict Lip Glow - £22.50

Normal blogging will resume now! I'm really sorry about the apparent on-again, off-again hiatus I've been taking lately, I've been working, getting home late and just generally neglecting all technology, but from now on, I'm going to make a conscious effort to return to frequent blogging. And with that being said, I welcome a little bit of Dior into my life in the form of the Addict Lip Glow; cue the very necessary 'oohs and aaahs' over the very pretty packaging...

This lipstick/balm/glow(?!) or whatever you want to class it as, is supposed to change from each individuals lips to another to give you the perfect pink shade and I can vouch for this product in saying that it really is the most perfect, subtle, pink. It actually amazes me because looking at it in the bullet it's very pretty, but it does resemble a lip balm...a very expensive and very sheer lip balm at that and for the steep price tag I personally wouldn't want just another lip balm. This has quickly become one of my everyday go-to lip products, especially if I'm in a rush out of the door or really can't choose another lip colour - it's perfect - and what's even more great about it is that it lasts for absolutely ages on the lips and is super moisturising too! 

I'd highly recommend this product, especially if you like beauty products that are quick and easy to apply. In my mind this is totally worth the rather hefty price tag. 

Have you tried this? What are your thoughts?