Ruby & Millie Hot Gloss: The Great Kiss Off 2010

Because I would never ask another to do something I wasn't prepared to do myself, I threw my lips into the firing line this weekend and gave a couple of prods a good going over (cough) for The Great Kiss Off and here, my loves, are the results.

So what are you reviewing for us today, BeautyLover?
Well, BeautyLover, since you ask, it's Ruby & Millie's Hot Gloss in Juicy

Tell us about its fabulousness...
I really like it! As a regular wearer of plumping glosses and the like, they usually don't have a lot of effect on me but this bad boy - wow, you certainly knew you were wearing it. There was a distinct warming sensation and almost cinnamon taste that came on strong and lingered for ages, which created a visible plumping effect. The colour isn't the strongest but it looks great layered over a stain or a matte effect lipstick and even better with a strong, dark matte eye. Plus, I always enjoy a pen applicator gloss.

And how does it handle itself in the smooching stakes?
Ok, so here's the deal - this shizz is going to get you kissed but if you're wearing a lot of it, the kissee is not going to thank you. Boys cannot handle the effects of plumping glosses, FACT. So my advice is to larp it on for the 'come hither' section of the evening and then coyly remove and replace with a lovely soft balm that won't leave him in physical pain.
That's a job for you and you alone.

Me likey.
Oh, and Ruby & Millie is on 3 for 2 at Boots.com right now! GO, GO, GO!

MAC High Tea: The Great Kiss Off 2010

Today's self-sacrificing volunteer is the ever smoochable Alison Ruane of London Town.
She's going to be telling us all about the wonder that is...

So what are you reviewing for us today?
MAC High Tea (lustre finish)

Tell us about its fabulousness...
My current (and enduring) fave is MAC’s Lustre in High Tea. As with all MAC’s, it comes in a pleasing bullet shaped case, tastes deliciously cocoa-ish and works both for the office and after hours, particularly if you’re going heavy on the smokey eyes. I love MAC lipsticks and am coveting the ever popular Russian Red, but the man in the Brixton concession told me it is sold out everywhere (and let’s face it, if you can’t get something in Brixton, where CAN you?)

Ms Ruane has been very coy and not given us a kissing review but I intend to force her to test it out on Saturday on the first viable male specimen. All in the name of investigate journalism, mind.

Philosophy

So, I had all these grand plans for January features and because I accidentally had a life and a job, they fell by the wayside somewhat. But one of the most important features I wanted to talk to you about was cleansing because, you know, fresh start and all that.

Since I got to the US, I've been using Cetaphil face wash and by and large It's been fine. What hasn't been fine is my inability to find a half-decent eye-make up remover. Now, I realise I wear more eye make-up than most on a daily basis and between the Urban Decay 24/7 pencil, primer, Bad Gal Waterproof pencil, Mac shadows and either Jemma Kid lash tint (on a yoga day) or Maybelline Colossal mascara, I'm asking a lot of a make up remover but still - I HATE panda eyes. It's so wrong. So far I've tried and seen off removers from Clarins, Bliss, Simple and various other drugstore brands that have failed miserably but at last, I think I've found a winner. Which also helps you understand why I started here with the Cetaphil reference that is seemingly unrelated in anyway... Seriously, people pay me to write and I don't even make sense to myself...

Sorry. So, I'm visiting London this weekend and TWO of my friends asked me to bring back Philosophy's Purity Made Simple cleanser. Now, I've never used it. Lame, I know. I HEART Philosophy's body products, the Kiss Me gloss and all their seasonal goodies but their face products never worked for me. I know lots of girls that swear by Hope is Important and look amazing but it made me break out. We just weren't meant to be. But inspired by the purchase request of two ladies with amazing skin, I picked up a bottle of the cleanser and, at the same time, the Just Release Me eye make-up remover. In the bottle, it reminded me a little of the Boots Botanics product I loved for many, many years but obvies was more expensive. Prettier though. I'll never be rich.

Anyway, I'm pleased to report that the Purity left my skin soft and clean and lovely, so I was happy about that but FUCK ME (sorry for the swearing but it's necessary) the Just Release Me eye make-up remover is AMAZING. It took off EVERYTHING with just a couple of swipes. I thought it had removed my eyelashes at one point, I can't remember the last time my lashes were so bare. And yet, it's super gentle. Definitely witchcraft.

I will be rebuying this bad boy and I suggest you do the same.

Blistex Cherry Lip Balm: The Great Kiss Off 2010

Hurrah!
We have our first entry for The Great Kiss Off 2010!
Today's review comes from the very beautiful Ms Annalisa Woods, recently of Copenhagen (and leaving lots of broken hearted boys in London that will no longer benefit from her dedication to Kiss Off Research).

Here's what she has to say:

So what are you reviewing for us today, Ms Woods?
Blistex Cherry Lip Balm

Tell us about its fabulousness...
It NEVER, ever, ever fails. (taking all effort not to burst into an All Saints rendition there!) It's by far the best balm for soft lips, no matter how dry and cracked and gross my lips are, this works like a charm. It also gives lips that "come hither" shine rather than the "if you put your lips on mine my gloss will trap them there forever" gloopy, shine.

And how does it handle itself in the smooching stakes?
Every time I've had this on when I've kissed a guy they have commented on how soft and sweet and goregous my lips are. NO LIE.It's a sure fire way to guarantee that the guy that just kissed you will want to kiss you for evermore. Fact. And you can't argue with fact.

Well dang me, she's right. You cannot argue with fact.
I think I'll be stocking up on this when I mosey on over to London this weekend.

If you have a surefire smoocher, email me at beautymecca@gmail.com with the name of the product, some general info about why you love it and how it copes with the kissing.
It's all for the greater good, ladies!

Marc Jacobs Lola Again

Wow, I have been SHODDY in January.
Honestly, though, it's been a mad month - I Heart Hollywood came out, I finished I Heart Paris, work kicked off manically, boys were pains in my arse and well, loads of other stuff. Like... the WWE Royal Rumble was last night. And uh, I've been drunk a lot.

Anyway, I just wanted to let you know I haven't forgotten you AND two other things:
1. The Great Kiss Off 2010 will begin TOMORROW. If you don't know what I'm talking about, I suggest you rock on back to some of last February's posts and check it out. Basically, lots of lovely ladies email me and tell me which are the best lipsticks for snogging and which are the worst. It's not just a cunning ploy to give me an awesome pick up line, honest.

2. Remember when I loved Marc Jacobs' Lola perfume but wasn't convinced of its summeriness? I was correct - I spritzed this morning out of contrariness and I SMELL AMAZING. No shit.
It's just awkward how turned on I am by me right now.

LatestInBeauty.com

How is it still days from payday?
My credit card hurts, my shopping itch needs scratching and quite frankly, I've had enough of January to last me a lifetime.

Happily, I can still grab a treat because I've just discovered www.latestinbeauty.com (I love beauty prods but I know my finger isn't exactly on the pulse, OK?). So, you join up, then pick a skincare, fragrance, make-up, hair and body product samples and and the website sends them to you! As Alexander the meerkat said ad nauseum before I left the UK, simples! is that advert still on? I sort of miss him... all you pay is a single English pound, a golden nugget if you will, for P&P costs. Ahh, how much easier is that than having to go round Selfridges looking confused as to what to buy and yet affluent enough to afford the products once you've used up the free samples?

Loads.
Fact.

Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Palette

OK. I'm speechless.
I have nothing to say except that this is BEAUTIFUL and I WANT.

Oooh.

Ahhh!

OOOH!

The original shipment sold out within hours at Sephora when it launched last week but apparently they're taking phone orders for it tomorrow from 6am.
Better set that alarm...