NARS Dolce Vita - an obsession

I have the lot in the lip department.

Dolce Vita Lipstick?

Or maybe the Lipgloss?

How about the Velvet Matte Lip Pencil?

This is described as infinately wearable, suits all, MLBB shade, the ubiquitous rosy brown.

Swatched on my arm

From bottom to top, lipstick, lipgloss, velvet matte lip pencil.

And on my lips - lipstick

lipgloss -

Velvet Matte lip pencil

All of these are products which I frown at myself in - I like the pencil but maybe matte is a bit ageing on a 45 year old lip? The gloss is well glossy, but a bit more pigmented than I would normally go for and can feel a bit gloopy. And the lipstick, on a good day it looks fabulous, just what I want, my lips look like my lips 20 years ago, but on a bad day - well lets just say that it looks as if I have been at the pasta sauce with abandon.

philosophy lipglosses

I am not usually a fan of anything on my lips which has a scent or a flavour, Lancome Juicy Tubes I gag at the smell, hence I have never been able to wear.

However I have a soft spot for philosophy not just the fragrances but the makeup and in particular the lipglosses.

These have cake flavourings, so Red Velvet Cake is a chocolate cherry, Vanilla Birthday Cake, and Coconut Frosting, and you know what these do exactly what they say on the tube, they really do smell and taste of what they are meant to, and I love them, very glossy, and suprisingly moisturising, lasting well through a cup of tea and a snackette.

Swatched from bottom to top, Red Velvet Cake, Vanilla Birthday Cake, Coconut Frosting

On the lips they are very sheer.

From top to bottom Red Velvet Cake, Vanilla Birthday Cake and Coconut Frosting.

If I am honest these are more than a year old and maybe even 2 years old, do I care? Not a jot.

By Terry Laque de Rose SPF15

I need a lip colour to cheer my soul today, and this one in my stash caught my eye.

Although frighteningly vibrant in the tube and swatched on the hand, it is extremely sheer and infinately moisturising, the shade is #5 Rose Infinale, and was bought for me by my OH as a wedding anniversary present. It is currently £28.50 (which is an eye popping price for a lipgloss) from SpaceNK

I am afraid I cannot show it on my lips as they are not playing ball and remain pursed and old looking, but it is lovely and as a present even lovelier.

Lanolips Lip Ointment v Clinique Superbalm Moisturising Gloss

When I deleted my blog for the millionty ninth time, I didn't realise that my computer had cleverly stored all my photos, so here is a blast from the past old photos, new words, same sentiments.

So Lanolips, at first glance they seem right up my street, sheer in colour, a gleam rather than a gloss in finish, moisturising.

From L-R Apples, Rhubarb, Dark Honey, Rose

My major gripe with the Lanolips is that they do not work on my lips, I love the colours which are very neutral, and can really be applied without a mirror, bar the Apples which without a mirror makes me look like I have been eating a jam doughnut. It is such a shame, I apply, admire, and then get this slightly fizzy feeling which always denotes a reaction to an ingredient of some sort and I end up with bitty lips.

And whilst I am criticising Lanolips what on earth is this?

Surely in the 21 Centuary we have moved forward enough for the slanted tip to be the norm?

Which segues neatly into my beloved Clinique Superbalm

That's more like it. I have been using Clinique Superbalms for years and they never let me down. I have worn these in all weathers and they give a bit of protection and moisturisation with and added gloss, for it is a gloss rather than a sheen or a gleam, and it is sticky, and I do find that as I get older I reach for these less because frankly I am fed up with getting my hair in my lipgloss.

From L-R Pink Grapefruit, Raisin, Raspberry, Grape



I have swatched these on my arm below

On the left are the Clinique Superbalms and on the right are the Lanolips.

From bottom to top :

• Pink Grapefruit v Rose


• Raisin v Dark Honey


• Grape v Rhubarb


• Raspberry v Apples

Lanolips are currently £8.16 for 12mls from Boots and Clinique Superbalm is currently £13 for 15mls from Boots