Getting Into Gloss | Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss

So, it appears I have a new found love for lipgloss. In particular, the Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss in Distinction. Housed in the same click open case as their lipstick counterpart, the design sets them apart from other lipglosses available on the market and provides a sleek and sophisticated appearance overall.

The gloss itself is thick, but applies smoothly to the lips with a medium but buildable coverage. There is some slight tackiness to it, however it doesn't feel overly sticky and seems to prolong the wear on the lips. The colour range is impressive, boasting 11 shades in total and consisting of reds, nudes, pinks and plums. Distinction looks rather dark on the wand, but once on the lips it translates into a medium plum that has the ability to deepen in colour depending on how many layers you apply.

In all honesty this is probably my favourite lipgloss formulation to date. While they're not cheap (they retail at £26, Distinction was a Christmas gift) they contain everything you could want in a lipgloss; smooth application, decent pigmentation, a hint of shine without looking wet and feel hydrating on the lips. Not really a once a week purchase, but they make a great luxurious splurge or a nice gift for the beauty lover.

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Currently Loving #2

It's been a little while since I put up my first "Currently Loving" post. In fact, it was way back in October. Since then I've indulged in more products that is probably healthy for my bank balance, but I've been careful about what I've bought instead of caving into blogger hype (still avoiding the Naked 3, fyi).

I'll start off by mentioning my newest lipstick addition, from the Chanel Spring collection. Radiant orchid is said to be the colour of 2014, and the Rouge Allure Velvet Lipstick in L'Adoree is the perfect definition. It's a very unusual shade, but not so much so that it looks strange on the lips. The matte finish was something I was weary of, however it's the best matte formula I've ever tried. I love the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils, but I do find they tug at the lips during application. Chanel's offerings just glide on, however, making them easy to apply - particularly when you're on the go.

Next up is the The Body Shop's Rainforest Volume Shampoo. As mentioned in my "2014 Beauty Resolutions" post, I've been trying to avoid shampoos containing SLS. Prior to trying this I was using the L'Oreal EverRiche Nourishing & Taming Shampoo, but I felt it just made my hair oilier than it was already. This one however smells amazing, and although I haven't noticed any volumising effects it's certainly doing the job of cleaning it.

I couldn't not mention my Inglot palette (review here) in this post. I've been using it constantly over the past few weeks as the quality is just beautiful. It's definitely one of my favourite eyeshadow purchases and I might even make up a second when I'm in Florida this year. 

Last but not least is the Yves Rocher Comfort Cream Foundation. I bought this after reading it was a favourite of makeup artist Linda Hallberg (seriously, her makeup is flawless), and Yves Rocher actually had a buy one get one free offer on at the time. It's a great medium coverage foundation that doesn't sit heavy on the skin. The shade range is slightly limited, however. I have the shade Beige 100 and I think anyone with paler skin than myself could struggle for a match.

Have you bought anything recently that's weaselled its way to the top of your list?

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Mavala Nail Colour in Nice

Mavala Nail Colour Cream in "Nice" - £4.00

Mavala is a nail care brand that I haven't really explored too much. I've given their nail polishes as gifts before, but have never actually treated myself to them until recently. After finding out that your Debenhams rewards can expire (who knew?) I popped in to my local to hunt down the cheapest items. Mavala polishes come in at £4.00 each in a 4ml bottle, so I decided to pick up two and use my £5 reward. 

One of the shades that caught my eye was "Nice." I've seen many a post about Chanel's famous "Holiday" polish and as I'm quite adamant about not spending such a ridiculous amount of money on one nail colour, this was the perfect alternative. "Nice" is a bright red-orange that really stands out on the nails. It's the perfect summer colour and one that I would definitely take on holiday with me.

The formula of this really makes it a winner. It can easily be a one coater and dries quickly, ideal for those paint-your-nails-and-go days, and the glossy finish means there's no need for a top coat unless you want to prevent chipping. While the size of the bottle is small, they won't break the bank if you're picking one up every now and again.

Have you tried any Mavala polishes? What colours would you recommend?

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