/

Betty Boop

MAC Betty Boop RED Lipstick 

It would appear that the new MAC and Betty Boot collaboration has landed – for lovers of the thirties jazz-inspired flapper girl, this is very exciting news indeed. However, some disappointment may ensue on discovering that this lovable icon and her dazzling Pantone red lipstick has not been themed very well.

Although the exterior packaging has that Betty Boop flair, the actual MAC Betty Boop red lipstick casing is classic MAC, a combination of black, embossing and silver. Now, this only saddens because of how often MAC spices up their packaging with these rather frequent and exciting collaborations.

MAC Betty Boop Red Lipstick

Boop-Oop-a-Doop

Just take a peek at a few of their latest collaborations, the James Kaliardos lipstick got a regal gold font embellished with signature and stars and Caitlyn Jenner mixed up the original silver lipstick shaft with gold casing and personalisation once more. Pretty much every MAC lipstick collaboration has its casing jazzed up one way or another.

I’m pretty disappointed that there is no sign of Betty Boop on the actual lipstick casing, only the packaging (which we all throw away eventually). Why theme it so heavily when marketing, when the casing looks no different? Maybe I am being overly fussy, but it seems a shame to those that invest and collect these themed beauty products.

The new lipstick is available exclusively online and has been developed by Pantone to recreate Betty Boop’s signature red lip.

What do you think of the new Betty Boop lipstick? Does the packaging bother you at are you not as fussy? 

Stephanie xox

Please follow me on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook for more updates from The LDN Gal

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

You may also enjoy:

/

2-vert

Suitcase Essentials for your next holiday

I recently got asked by Age UK on behalf of the Joe Blogs Network, what would my suitcase essentials be if I were to go on holiday.

As I am off to Australia for Christmas, this question could not have come at a better time, and it got me thinking (and far more excited) about what I will need to be taking.

Obviously, it is dependent on the holiday, are you going on a weekend city break? A week or two away somewhere sunny? Or are you venturing away for longer?

You have to think about the climate, what season is it going to be? Are you going to be sweltering or freezing?

3876813_travel-in-style-with-these-20-pretty-passport_cbcc2c5d_m-vert

So, what do I need to take on holiday with me?

These are my (rather thorough and expansive) suitcase essentials this summer:

♥ All documentation – Passport (ensure that it is valid for the duration of your trip!), travel and insurance documentation, personal identification, visas, health insurance documentation/European Health Insurance Card (if travelling in Europe), driving license, student card (can come in handy for tourism attractions) and all relevant emergency numbers  (bank, travel insurance provider, contacts at home, etc.).

♥ Travel money – Currency of country, money for when you return home, debit and/or credit card (secure wallet to keep it all in).

♥ Clothing and accessories – Clothing (remember a jacket for the chilly evenings), underwear, tights, sleepwear, swimwear and accessories, specialist sporting clothing (if your off skiing for example) shoes (limit them, they are unnecessarily heavy), bags, belts, jewellery and watch.

♥ Sun protection – Sunscreen, after sun, sunglasses and insect repellent.

♥ Beauty essentials  – Makeup, makeup/wet wipes, nail varnish and nail file.

♥ Hair care essentials – Hairbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, hairbands, straighteners, curling tongs, tweezers, shaving gel and razors.

IMG_7012edit-vert

♥ Personal care essentials – Toiletries (shower gel, body lotion, toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash) at 100ml if carried in hand luggage, antiperspirant, perfume, towels (often provided), female hygiene and sanitary products and any relevant prescription medication (painkillers are a must).

♥ Camera – For all your memories, remember to bring your chargers if needed and the relevant plug converters/travel adapters, batteries can come in handy too.

♥ Mobile phone – Bring your charger and relevant adapters and ensure it has credit or the relevant data and internet plans beforehand. Ensure to remember your headphones!

♥ Laptop – To keep a record of your adventures online, to update your blog and contact family members back home if you are going on longer ventures.

♥ Actual diary – Pack all relevant stationary too.

Fleur-de-lis-leather-handmade-cowhide-laptop-diary-travel-liner-genuine-leather-loose-leaf-a6-vintage-vert

Double check to ensure you are within your luggage allowance, baggage restrictions are very specific. Do keep some space for all the goodies you plan to bring home with you!

Keep your valuables in your hand luggage. Although it rarely happens, suitcases can go missing or get damaged in transit.

You can view Age UK’s own tips here.

What do you always pack? Are you off anywhere nice this summer?

Stephanie xox

You may also enjoy:

/

mac_ladydanger002-horz

This beautiful MAC lipstick was gifted to me for Valentine’s day by my adorable friend Paulina. In Poland, it is customary to share gifts with all your loved ones (not just your significant other) so she lovingly selected a Mac shade for all the ladies in her life and Lady Danger was mine.

The Lady Danger lipstick, was cleverly chosen by Paulina for me for its name and shade (I am not entirely sure if I cause, or if I am always in said danger mind). The Lady Danger lipstick is described as a ‘vivid and bright coral-red’ and has a matte finish. It is very bold and very pigmented with warm and bright undertones of red and orange. I find the red dominates but the subtle orange hint makes it a unique shade in my collection (Ruby Woo is my go to shade for the classic red lip) of red lipsticks.

MAC-Lady-Danger3-crop

Like I find with all MAC lipsticks, Lady Danger has a lovely creamy texture, stands out (makes for a vibrant daytime look) and is long-lasting, having worn it myself throughout the day or night (around six hours depending, when it does wear it leaves a flattering coral stain behind). As Lady Danger is a matte formula, you have to be sure to keep your lips buffed and moisturised with balm before application as dry flakes can show easily with this shade, and this is never a good look.

Lady Danger offers a rich coverage, warm colour and intense shade. As I have quite large lips I can find application a tad awkward but I feel investing in a lip liner may solve these issues (if anyone could recommend me one, that would be fabulous). I find Lady Danger the perfect alternative to the classic red lipstick and it applies wonderfully on all skin tones, including my pale one!

Do you like Lady Danger? Which is your favourite MAC shade of lipstick?

Stephanie xox

 

You may also enjoy:

/

Processed with VSCOcam with f2 preset

Measurable Difference Face AND Body Bronzer REVIEW

After dancing the night away I awoke and felt pretty shoddy (no hangover thankfully, just pain from wearing my ridiculous high heels and dancing to hip hop for over four hours). After an hours note taking for one of my up-and-coming university essays, I decided to lift my spirits and venture into town to do some shopping. This either means buying makeup, clothes or stationary and sometimes it can be all three, oops.

Thankfully for my bank balance, I went with just makeup and clothes (I got an adorable black embellished playsuit but it is too big on me so must sadly be returned tomorrow) this time. Yet again I purchased all of these items from my beloved TK Maxx, I am in there so often now for beauty products it is verging on ridiculous.

Along with the playsuit, I bought three Hello Kitty lipsticks (I have a scary obsession with the brand, most find it strange) and the Measurable Difference Face & Body Bronzer, which I just adore.

Measurable Difference Bronzer 2-horz

SO, HOW DO I FEEL ABOUT THE Measurable Difference Face AND Body Bronzer?

The ‘bronzer’ is actually not bronzed at all! It is a lovely delicate shade of pink and multi-purpose so “can be worn on the face, legs, and body”. As my Mac Pink Swoon powder blush is on its last legs, I felt this could be the perfect (and less costly) alternative.

I applied the bronzer with my Nanshy blush and bronze brush as advised and found it to subtly added colour, giving me a perfect summer-kidded glow. To create a more defined look, Measurable Difference advises you continue to build upon the colour until you are satisfied.

As I am quite pale I rely on my bronzers and blushers to brighten my complexion and this pigmented bronzer highlighted my face wonderfully, it also leaves your skin with a bit of a shimmer which is always nice, especially on those dull and dreary days.

Look out for it in TK Maxx stores or buy it online here.

What is your favourite bronzer or blusher? Have you used Measurable Difference makeup before? 

Stephanie xox

You may also enjoy:

/

Soap & Glory Fabulipstick in Perfect Day review

I have always adored Soap and Glory products and have used them for numerous years, stocking up madly at Christmas time on all their gorgeous limited edition boxes.

When I discovered that Soap and Glory had really worked on their cosmetic range I was desperate to try some of their new products. I chose the collagen boosting, super-colour Fabulipstick in Perfect Day*.

The packaging a mix of pretty pink and cheeky black, a 1950’s British pin up boldly clutching onto her oversized prize (Fabulipstick of course!). The casing is black with pink print, the body gold as you remove the lid, a very glamorous looking item. What I noticed instantly was the delicious smell, probably down to the addition of shea and monoi butter.

So, what did I think of the Soap & Glory Fabulipstick in Perfect Day?

It has a creamy matte texture yet applies like a dream, with a luxuriously rich dark beige colour and a warm rosy pink finish. It is one of those shades that works day and night, utterly versatile and extremely wearable, with enough oomph to make a bold impact in the evening. I think the shade would compliment any skin tone and managed to look good on someone with one as pale as mine.

I found the lipstick really did make my lips look plumper. However, I am not entirely sure if it was down to the collagen boosting ingredients or the amazing colour!
I can only put the moisturisation and long-lasting nature of the colour down to the vitamin E in the Fabulipstick. After a few days of wear my lips continued to feel in a great condition with a lovely softness.
The colour of the lipstick is just perfect, a staple shade for any lipstick lover. It is long lasting, offering colour for hours and a subtle shine. The Fabulipstick is also available in the shades Naked Beige and Red My Lips, here is to hoping they bring out more!

Soap and Glory products are only available from Boots online or retail stores and the Fabulipstick costs only £9! Get your hands on one now, your pout will love you for it!

Have you tried the Fabulipstick? What is your favourite Soap and Glory Product?
Stephanie xox

Please follow me on Twitter | Instagram | Facebook for more updates from The LDN Gal

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

You may also enjoy: