I have too many...Red Lipsticks

To me, cold weather means it's time to crack out the red lipstick. I feel like make up can be a little heavier in the chillier months, probably because it's less prone to smudging or sliding off my face in a tube induced sweat, so I've been digging out my scarlet lippies, some old, some new and thought I'd give you a little look. Yep, this is my saturday night. Hardcore.

First off the bat (and my current favourite) is the Rimmel Kate Lasting Finish Lipstick in 001

This smells kind of like cherries and contains a 'black diamond pigment complex'. I'm not sure what that means, but I really dig this lipstick. It stays put for a long time but doesn't feel like a long wearing product. I got mine from Boots for £5.49


And this pot of loveliness is the Crimson  Rouge by Besame

I wrote about this stuff in a previous post. It's essentially a rouge for the cheeks, but makes a great long lasting lipstick. To apply I just press it onto the lips with my fingers. I got mine from the What Katie Did London Boutique. I've had it for a couple of weeks, use it everyday, and have barely made a dent in it!

This one is New CID i-pout in Scarlet

The i-pout is smooth and creamy and glides on pretty effortlessly. The staying power isn't great, possibly because it's packed with vitamin E, but the built in light and mirror mean you can reapply it anywhere. It feels really hydrating and I love the brightness of the colour. I bought this one from New CID at Debenhams, Oxford St for £15.

Chanel Rouge Allure in Passion

This is the lipstick that started it all! I first purchased Rouge Allure a few years ago. I'd just been offered a job at a magazine so I decided it was time I treat myself to a red lippy and make an impression :)
I bought this from David Jones in Australia, but over here you can get a little Chanel of your own from department stores or larger Boots stores for £24.

Collection 2000 Volume Sensation in Cherry Pop 8

This was one of those impulsive lunch break purchases. Cheap and cheerful, I found this lipstick to be great value at only £2.99 from Boots. The formula is supposed to be moisturising with 40% 'volumising' ingredients. While it definitely is hydrating, I'm not particularly sold on the volumising aspect. This lipstick has an unusual minty/ menthol feeling which I don't personally like too much but minty fans would. I really like the brightness of this one and the pigment is incredibly strong, especially for something so affordable.

Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Lipcolor

This was my first venture into the realm of stay-put lipsticks. While I love the colour of this one, I have found that it doesn't stick around for as long as other long wearing lipsticks (Maybelline Superstay is the best I've tried) and it has a rather chemically smell. I've seen a few mixed reviews about this one, and a lot of people really rate it. I don't detest it but I do find it really drying - perhaps this could be remedied by adding my own balm over the top? This liquid lippy is £8.99.

Lastly, the latest edition to my red wardrobe is Sleek MakeUp Pout Paint in Pin Up

I've done a post about this before and it's truly amazing. I can't believe how intensely pigmented it is and I think it's pretty cool that you can mix Pout Paints together to create a custom colour. Pout Paints retail for £4.99 and you can find them at Superdrug.
So there you have it, that was the best of the reds that I own. I'm hoping to get my paws on a tube of MACs Ruby Woo because I've read so many great reviews on it. Could it be the ultimate red? Hopefully I'll find out soon enough ;)

Thanks so much for reading.

Hannah Rose xxx

P.S. sorry about the mildly terrifying self portrait pics :o

Star Product: Crimson Cream Rouge by Besame

Every now and then I come across a product that I instantly fall for and this sexy little pot of pleasure had me at hello.


I love the polished elegance of fashionistas in the 1940s - they sported a look that oozed ladylike sophistication.
This vintage style is all about pincurls and poise, classic red lips, perfectly groomed brows and of course that all important flush of rouge. Gorgeous vintage make up brand Besame has been around since 2004, but I only discovered it a few weeks ago while exploring the website of vintage boutique What Katie Did.

I had blush on the brain that day and was searching for a cream formulation (I'd never tried one before) when I laid eyes on this loveliness.

BEHOLD! Crimson Cream Rouge by Besame

I ordered it from What Katie Did at around 1pm and it arrived at the same time the next day. This swift delivery set the precedent for what was to become a great beauty day :)

The rouge arrived beautifully packaged in chic black tissue paper tied with a What Katie Did bow.

Gorgeous!

In equally beautiful packaging

But it's what's inside that really counts!



Packaged in a vintage style recyclable tin, this weightless rouge is easily blendable and suits any skin tone. The ultra concentrated formula means you only need a touch to create a gorgeous flush on the cheeks, or dab onto the lips for a perfectly polished pout.

The colour of thec rouge may look a little daunting, but I've been wearing a tiny amount on the apples of my cheeks every day and I'm very impressed by it's staying power - at the end of a 9 hour shift it still looked fresh and natural. Because I'm so partial to a red lip, I've been wearing it on my mouth too.

Besides the  gorgeous long wearing colour, the rouge also has a lovely cherry scent, which makes it a real pleasure to wear. Products that smell as good as they look always get top marks from me!

Want to try the vintage look for yourself? Start with a gorgeous flush of Besame Crimson Cream Rouge available at What Katie Did. It retails for £22, but don't let the price put you off because the rouge will last you a long time. A bit of an investment, but a worthwhile one in my opinion.

Visit the beautiful world of What Katie Did here or visit the London Boutique and get lost in vintage whimsy!

Hannah Rose xxx

P.S. Crimson Rouge is enriched with  olive, grape seed and jojoba oils as well as vitamin E and kaolin clay, so your skin is cared for as it's pretty-fied :)

*The What Katie Did boutique is located at 26 Portobello Green, 281 Portobello Road, London, W10 5TZ