The 'Perfect' Nude Lip (Darker Skin Tones)

So, being a dark brown shade with yellow undertones (NC50), I have found it extremly difficult to find a nude shade to compliment my skin tone. I've brought numerous 'nude' lipsticks and lipglosses just to try them out and even asked a MUA @ MAC to match me up with one. The nude she had in mind matched my skintone rather than the beigey nude I was going for. However, I did like it and purchased it. (If your interested, it was 'Taupe' lipstick and 'Spice' lippencil)

I asked her to test Viva Glam 2 on me, as I know it is wearable on darker skin tones after endless youtubing and review reading. The MUA advised me not to get it...but I got it anyway (My money! My rules! Lol) When I got home, I did regret it as I felt it didnt suit me =\ but I've worked with it and hope this post can help you too. So first up...

You need:

A nude lipstick (I used Viva
Glam Gaga 2)

Brown Lippencil (Rimmel Lasting Finsh in Cappuccino)

Lipgloss (MAC Cremesheen in Boy Bait)

AND

Optional: Lipbrush

1) I got my nude lipstick and filled in my lips, but not to the very edge. I then press my lips together to get rid of harsh lines and blend the lipstick more seamlessly towards the edge

2) I then got the lip pencil, which should be a brown shade or one close to your skin tone and defined the shape of my lips. I then gradually brought the pencil more into my lips, going over a little bit of the lipstick, but not too much. Pat lips together, but dont slide.

3) I then put a bit of lipgloss onto my hand and used my lipbrush to apply it to my lips. This helps blend the colours out and gets rid of the 'ashy' look some nudes may give off on darker skin.

Try it out! Hope this help!


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ELF Glossy Gloss's

Recently I've been going mad on the ELF site, basketing nearly anything and everything lol and one of my favorite products has actually been the Glossy Gloss's. I love the colours I have ordered as although I own over 15 lipsticks, I do tend to shy away from them and these lip-glosses are definitely a great alternative. I'm in love with the application which involves brushing the colour onto your lips, ensuring that all the gloss actually goes on to your lips and stays there. I'm currently in love with the 'Muted Mauve' shade as I think it is the best nude colour for my skin tone and complements me really well. The packaging of the glosses is actually very cute and makes it look more expensive than it really is. All in all, I would recommend this lipgloss and hope to get the rest of the collection soon. =)

(From Top to Bottom): Muted Mauve, Berry Blush, Funky Fuschia, Ballet Slippers

(From Left to Right): Muted Mauve, Berry Blush, Funky Fuschia, Ballet Slippers

Ballet Slippers (Left) is a dupe for Mac Cremesheen in Boy Bait (Right)

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Budget buy: MAC Fix+ vs. Elf Mist & Set

The products?
MAC FIX+
£7/30ml £12.50/100ml
Pearl-like finsh on a cylindic bottle with a matte black twist and lock lid, making it travel friendly.
Buy Here:
http://www.maccosmetics.co.uk/product/177/388/Skincare/Fixers/Fix/index.tmpl


ELF MAKEUP MIST AND SET
£3.50/ 60ml
Translucent cuboid shaped bottle with rounded off edges.
Buy Here: http://www.eyeslipsface.co.uk/product~prodID~207.htm


What do they claim to do?
MAC: "An aqua-spritz of vitamin and minerals, infused with a calm-the-skin blend of green tea, chamomile, cucumber, topped off with the fresh, natural, energizing scent of Sugi. Adds radiance, finishes makeup. Spray it on. Skin drinks it up!"

ELF: "Keep your makeup in place all day with a radiance boosting invisible hold. The invigorating mist moisturizes and soothes the skin with key ingredients Aloe, Green Tea, Cucumber and Vitamins A, C & E. The lightweight, comfortable and alcohol free formula improves makeup wearability and prevents color from running or fading."

Do they work?
I have used Fix + for a while now and I am pretty impressed. I've used it before applying makeup and primer, on my brushes before eyeshadow and to set my makeup after application. I do feel like it helps secure my makeup to my face and get rid of a powdery finsh to produce a dewy glow. However, as I have combination skin, the dewy finsh is not always best for me and I do press powder into my T-zone after using Fix+ if needed. All the vitamins help my skin feel nourished and refreshed without a harsh smell.


As I waited for my ELF delivery to arrive, I was becoming sceptical about this spray as I watched a guru's review on it and she said it had an horrible smell.=S This doesn't seem to be the case with mine, so either they've improved the formula, or mine is water (lool doubt it, well shaken it does produce a foamy substance =D) So anyway, to compare I decided to use Mist and Set the exact way i use Fix+. I have early starts at work in the weekend so half my makeup is done on the train there. The first time I used this, I applied it before my foundation at home... when i looked at my skin on the train, it looked flaky and dry! And I have combination skin! Instead of throwing it away, I decided to be the scapegoat and thought maybe I needed more moisturiser. I tried it again another day after applying my moisturiser and while it gave me a lovely glow, my skin felt really tight and dry. This product is definately drying. When i decided to use it again after makeup application to set my makeup....my liquid eyeliner and mascara smudged and ran like a bitch -_-. It had not fully dried but I am always fully confident to use my Fix+ with wet makeup without the fear of smudging. =/


Pros
MAC: 

• Travel friendly lock
• Multi-use 
• Gets rid of powdery finsh
• Doesn't run eye makeup

ELF:

• Cheap 
• No smell,
• Nice glowy finsh when no makeup applied

Cons
MAC: 

• Cost
• Sometimes needs to be powdered down to get rid of oily look

ELF:

• Lid falls off
• Dries out face/ appears flaky
• Smudges eye makeup

What do I recommend?
Stick with Fix+ if you have those extra funds, you wear alot of eye makeup and do not want to dry out your skin. Use Elf as a cheaper alternative that can be used on the everyday occasion.