Product Rave: Lime Crime Velvetines in 'Suedeberry'

After nail polishes and blushers, lip products are my third weakness. If I see swatches of a hot pink lipstick or sheer-ish pink that doesn't look like bubblegum then I am all over it like white on rice so when I heard about these Lime Crime Velvetines, my interest piqued.

I've never used Lime Crime before and have only ever come across it once when I was in New York a few years back so it's never really been a brand on my radar in all honesty. I vaguely remember some drama surrounding it a while ago as they apparently had ripped off a smaller brand called 'Beauty of the Earth' or something like that but don't quote me on it. Apart from that, I hadn't really considered it as a 'must have' brand but after seeing a lot of buzz about this number, I figured I may as well take the jump and order it.

If you've tried a Sephora Creamy Lip Stain then you'll understand the consistency of this product because it is very similar. It looks like a liquid lipstick, goes on creamy but dries to a matte finish. It also has some serious staying power and won't actually budge for a good 4-5 hours before it even looks like it's fading.

Being from the UK, we don't have Sephora here but we can get hold of the Lime Crime Velvetines, although only available in two shades here (not sure if they come in other shades in the US), Red Velvet which is a blood red and Suedeberry which is an orange-red. Despite loving a good red lip, I went for the latter because I don't have anything similar in my collection so read on to see swatches:

Pretty, right?

The formula of the product is very creamy and the swatches above are a double tack as well so I did one coat and before it dried, I added another one just to see how vibrant I could get it to go.

Turns out, very.

I hardly put photos of my mug up on here but I thought I'd surprise you all by showing you how it looked on Saturday night, which is when I gave it its first outing on the town. Well, Clapham.

The slight shine you see on my lips is because I forgot I was wearing the Velvetine and ended up putting a bit of clear lipgloss on but you can still see just how vibrant the colour is. I actually used MAC 'Cherry' lip liner as a base and to tidy up the edges because the sponge foot applicator isn't great for precision.

All in all, it's definitely a must-have product and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good red lip but not so much the dodgy fading and crumbling afterwards. As it dries to a very matte finish, you would need to have a good exfoliate and moisturise before you apply it but it's nothing that a sugar scrub or towel and slick of lipbalm can't fix!

I purchased my Lime Crime Velvetines in Suedeberry from Love Makeup for £11.50 and delivery took about 3 days.

Are there any other Lime Crime products I should try? I'm not cool enough for a blue lipstick (I've seen it on there) but eager to here about your faves.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

Models Own Ice Neon 'Luis Lemon' Nailpolish

Lately, I've been going on a bit of a neon trip and am all over those overly bright 'in your face' shades more than I have ever been. From shoes to nails, if it's an obnoxiously loud shade of pink, yellow, pink, green or red then I need to have it in my life in some way, shape or form.

If you follow me on Instagram then you'll have already seen this painjob and probably think I am mad for wearing such a tripped out colour on my nails but who cares?! If you like it, own it!



This is 'Luis Lemon' from the Neon Ice collection by Models Own:

 This photo really doesn't do it any justice so I took the photo below with my phone (Samsung Galaxy S3) and it definitely picked the colour up a lot better:

It's still more vibrant in real life but this is the closest I could get to the colour without adding an Instagram filter so you get the idea of how insanely bright we're talking!

I did have to use white undies because the polish itself is very sheer so I used two coats of 'Floral Street' by Nails Inc. and followed by one coat of 'Luis Lemon' and it was a match made in neon heaven. Not only does the white provide you with a good base but it definitely intensifies the pigment in the polish so it's even more eyecatching.

You can still buy the Models Own Ice Neon collection from larger Boots stores nationwide or online from their website so I would definitely recommend adding it to your stash and pulling it out on days when you fancy something extra. Trust me, you won't regret it.

On a side note, I don't keep this polish in the fridge like you're meant to (or so the brand says you're supposed to). I don't have the patience for that kind of faff. Plus, keeping a nailpolish next to the eggs, milk and beer is a little weird.

What's your favourite neon? I'm going to do a post soon on other neon bits that I have added to my life but if there's something you have that you think I'd like, tell me what it is and where I can get it!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

Products I've Used Up - 003

It's been a while since I've posted a 'Products I've Used Up' post so all of these products have been finished for about 2-3 months now but sheer laziness has stopped me from sitting in front of my laptop to write up the content and edit the photos. Sorry about that!

I've included a speedy review on all of the products which highlights all of the important things that you would all probably want to know but if there is something specific you would like to know that I haven't covered, ping me an email and I'll be happy to answer you.



TRESemme Argan Oil Salon Sleep Straightening Spray - Available from supermarkets, Boots and Superdrug stores nationwide

As much as I love using hair products I always find it quite difficult to comment on whether or not I found they've made a massive difference because my hair has a mind of its own. It is weak at the roots because it falls out A LOT but it is actually quite strong otherwise so you can imagine what a pain in the bumcheeks it is to find products that work. This straightening spray was what I was using on my hair after washes and before blow drying/straightening and although it was nice, it's not at the top of my repurchase list. I found that it left my hair quite lifeless and flat which made it look like I hadn't even washed it. It did the job but that was about it for me.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil Free Cleanser - Available from Kiehl's website

This is a fab face wash for those who have mega oily skin like me and struggle to find something suitable on the High Street. The oil-free formula means that there's no residue left on your skin and it works to help regulate the pH levels instead of working against them. I found that during winter my skin felt a bit tight after using it so I skipped it for a while and used a different cleanser or, on the days I would use it, I'd apply a hydrating overnight masque or night cream to help keep my skin comfortable. I have since repurchased and will continue to do so because if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream - Available from Kiehl's website

Now this product had me split down the middle because as I couldn't get with the gel texture having used cream-based formulas for pretty much the last few years since I started the blog. It was a bit of an alien concept to me but made sense because it doesn't have the emollients that a normal cream would have and therefore end up sitting on the surface of your skin. I have to admit that this is probably the best summer moisturiser that I've used as it kept the shine away for long enough before I needed to blot away excess oil with blotting tissues. The only downside is the smell but the results defiinitely outweigh it and I plan to repurchase it when it gets warmer. Well, IF it gets warmer.

Origins A Perfect World - Available from Origins website

Similar to the Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Gel Cream, this product has me sitting on the fence because I'm not quite sure if it is for me and that's probably because it's main focus is anti-ageing as opposed to oil control. Yes, it is an oil-free formula (something that I always try go for when picking a moisturiser) but it didn't really make any signifcant difference to my face. Yes, it is a nice moisturiser and there weren't any major problems with it but my main concern at the moment is controlling the oilyness of my skin as opposed to fine lines and wrinkles so it was a case of wrong timing.

The Body Shop Moringa Body Butter - Available from The Body Shop website

I'll let you in on a secret, I had never tried a Body Shop Body Butter before I received this one a while ago. Shocking, I know. I think it's a rite of passage that every woman should have, at some point in her life, purchased or used one of these but it skipped past me. I remember always sniffing them when I was younger and always thinking the strawberry one smelt of Calpol but I never purchased them because my Mum used to bulk buy Nivea Soft so that was my go-to. However, once I cracked into this tub, I liked everything about it and now know why it has been around for 25 years and is one of the bestselling scents in the whole range.

There is going to be another 'Products I've Used Up' post going up very soon because I've just gotten through another whole load of makeup and hair products so keep an out for that.

How many products have you used up recently? I'm on a roll so am going to try and make my way through the bits that I have before repurchasing. Well, I'm going to try anyway!

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

*PR SAMPLES*

Updated Makeup Storage & Stash

Now this is a post that I've been slightly hesitant to write because my storage unit and stash are by no means neat and tidy like others that I have seen. Nor is it pretty and have a gorgeous dressing table attached because I just don't roll like that, nor do I have the space for it, so I'm just going to let the photos do the talking. Well, with a few captions from me of course.

I digress.

I've been seeing storage posts pop up a lot lately and I love having an nose around through them because it gives me ideas on how to store my products as well as giving me massive storage envy - Yes, I'm looking at all of you with an IKEA 'Alex'. Anyway, I thought I'd give you all a glimpse (12 photos is not a 'glimpse' but you know what I mean) of how I store my go-to products and what exactly is going on in all ten drawers of plastic.

So, here goes...

This is where all of the magic happens. Seriously, without this I would be a sight for sore eyes.

I bought the unit about 8 months ago from Costco in Watford after my parents saw it and told me all about it. At first I thought it was a great idea but after putting it together and seeing how it started to lean over to one side because it's too full, it might not have been after all. I've lined all of the drawers with an IKEA rubber matting (HERE) so the products don't roll around, if any of you were wondering.

I know I'm going to need an IKEA 'Alex' very soon but I'm hoping that someone will make a MUJI-esque plastic drawer unit as big as the 'Alex' and on wheels. It's not a lot to ask for, is it?

The first five drawers are makeup and the other five drawers are nail polishes, which are in order of colour.

Top:

Brushes in a Muji stationary holder, brush cleaners, face spriz, eyelash and brow tools and my mascaras. At one point I had about 20 mascaras on the go because I couldn't find one that was right for me but I've thrown loads out and down to about 10 so should probably find a smaller pot to store them in. They're currently living in an empty Flying Saucers tub. That's me being creative.

First drawer:

Base products. Foundations, tinted moisturisers, CC creams, BB creams, primers, concealers, powders... If it goes on before your blusher then it'll be in here. This was once an "organised mess" but the former dropped off and left the latter.

Second drawer:

Cheek products galore! I think it's okay to say that I might have a bit of a thing for cheek products but it's nothing compared to the stash that Yinka of VexintheCity has so can't nobody tell me nothin'! The back of the drawer is where i keep all of my limited edition pieces like the MAC Marine Life powder you can see in the top right as well as some very prized Lancome pieces which I refuse to let anyone touch. The rest of the drawer is made up of cheek products from loads of different brands as well as textures. A girl's gotta have options!

Third drawer:

Lips. These are all double and triple stacked so there are probably a lot more in here than I can actually photograph and even remember. The tray on the left is mostly lipsticks (apart from that Carmex - How did that get there!?) and the tray was from Muji. The rest of the products are liners, balms, tints, butters, stains, glosses and God knows what else. If it goes on your lips then it'll be in there.

Fourth drawer:

Eyes. I recently cleared this drawer out and got rid of loads of eye products that I was holding on to for no reason and had no intention of using so this is the streamlined edit. The back are single eyeshadows in boxes that I don't want to remove them from as well as a couple of Lancome palettes. The front right is eye pencils and crayons and the left is eye bases, gel liners and a few single eyeshadows that needed somewhere to live.

Fifth drawer:

Palettes. I prefer to use eyeshadow palettes rather than single ones because there are always loads of options you can work with so I have amassed quite a few over the years. They aren't in any particular order but I keep my Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland Palette and NYC palette at the bottom as they're the bulkiest and everything else just moves around as and when I use it.

Sixth drawer:

Green and yellow nailpolishes.

Seventh drawer:

Neutral, silver and glitter nailpolishes.

Eighth drawer:

Blue and purple nailpolishes.

Ninth drawer:

Pink and orange nailpolishes.

Tenth (and last) drawer:

Red and black nailpolish. And a colour wheel - No idea how that got in there.

And there you have it!

All of the products that I keep in here are the ones that I reach for all the time but there are about 4-5 crates I've got stashed in my cupboard that I probably should go through, however I think that's a whole different story so we'll save that for another day.

I should probably take this moment to say that I purchased pretty much all of the products in here with my own moolah because I know someone is going to be thinking that it's made up of samples for my blog. It's not. Yes, some of the makeup and nailpolishes are samples provided by friendly PRs for review and such but I do actually spend a lot of money on beauty stuff. Probably more than I should but hey ho!

If you've got any good storage solution ideas then let me know because I'm always looking for ways to streamline.

Until next time...
Keep swivelling those hips in your

*ALREADY EXPLAINED ABOUT THE WHOLE SAMPLE VS. PURCHASED BUSINESS SO THAT'S THAT THEN.*

Oily Scalp Be Gone!

Now, the first thing you'll notice about this post is that I've used stock images as opposed to actual photographs that I've taken and that's because I got so carried away with getting stuck in with these products that I completely forgot to take photos. I'm sure other bloggers will agree with me when I say how frustrating it is to come to write about products you've loved using only to find that you forgot to take the photos. These products are so good that I had to make do with stock images because they definitely deserve their time in the spotlight. Well, on my blog anyway.

My name is Amrita and I'm oily.

My face is a constant oil slick so foundations just slide right off by the end of the working day and my hair always looks like it's ready to deep fry some chips a couple of days after I've washed it. It's the biggest pain in the backside of my life and often causes me quite a fair bit of trouble because it's hard to find products that actually work. I'm always told that I'll come to love the oily face situation when I'm older because it'll help keep me young but the oily scalp situation is the worst thing ever. Actually, having oily hair that has a tendency to fall in the shower is even worse. It's just a lose lose equation.  Bad times, right?

I was introduced to the Aveda Scalp Benefits range by a friend of mine who used to work for Aveda and it definitely improved the condition of my scalp and hair.

The shampoo and conditioner combo help to cleanse hair down to the root as well as removing excess sebum and buildup, the latter being where my oily scalp issue comes from. I understand why I'm oily but controlling it seems to be where the trickiness lies but these two products from Aveda made such a big difference because I found my hair didn't look too greasy after two days and it was only around the three or four day mark that I needed to wash it. 

I know some people wash their hair every day or every other day but I've got long-ish hair and it's a ball ache and a half to have to wash/blowdry/straighten it every day so I usually have to wack out the ol' dry shampoo around the third day (sometimes the fourth day if I'm being really lazy). However, I do notice that after I've washed my hair with these badboys, my hair doesn't look too greasy and I don't get a lot of fall out either. Win win.

If any of you suffer from the same problems that I do then I would definitely recommend trying this range from Aveda. It's pricey (£15.50 for the shampoo and £17.50 for the conditioner) but it's worth it and it's reason why I've repurchased them both twice since I first tried it.

You can buy them from Aveda salons, concessions or online from HERE.

On another note, if you've got a suggestion of a good foundation for oily skin then PLEASE drop me a note in the comments box or tweet me - @6inchstilettos.

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

*Originally PR samples but have repurchased twice since*

Bourjois So Laque Glossy Nail Lacquers

I'm a massive nailpolish fiend (if you haven't noticed by now) so when I saw photos of the new nailpolishes from Bourjois all over Twitter and Instagram after the launch of their new products, I knew I was going to have to have a closer look and pick a few up as soon as they were in store. Well, the Bourjois team saw my tweets of longing and kindly sent me 5 of the shades to have a look at and play around with so big thank you going out to them.

I believe there are 6 new shades to the family, all of which have a wide brush to make application a lot easier and swifter, also keeping annoying streaks at bay.

(L-R) 02 Prepp'Hibiscus, 01 Oh So Rose, 03 BCBeige, 04 Amande Defile, 06 Adora-Bleu

All swatches above are shown with 2 coats of polish, apart from 01 Oh So Rose which is actually 3 because I wanted to see how buildable it was - It wasn't at all so it'll be better off as just a wash of colour for a French manicure. So far I've tried Amande Defile and Adora-Bleu, both of which lasted on my nails for 3 days each before there was any wear to the tips so I'm sure they'll be good for at least 5 days but I'll never be able to comment on that because I paint my nails at least every other day.

There are 8 shades altogether, there's a taupe and coral which I don't have but they are as equally nice as these ones and all of them are available now from Boots and Superdrug stores nationwide.

I've been eyeing up a gorgeous yellow nail polish from the '1 Second' range of polishes in the Bourjois family so I think I might just have to use up some of my Boots points and add that to my collection too.

Are there any Bourjois shades that have caught your eye lately?

Until next time...

Keep swivelling those hips in your

*PR SAMPLES*