COLOURPOP UK Haul: Impressions and UK shipping (basic starter kit for dark skin)

Woop woop finally guys, finally I have some ColourPop in my life! 

As I said in my Blogger Beauty Box post.
 February is my birthday month and I went into full "treat yo'self" mode.
I just decided to get myself a few little things here and there and let the parcels roll in all month.

I have been waiting a long time to get my hands on these.
As I am pretty sure like many bloggers have.

I remember seeing a woman on youtube, who had pretty much every colour in early 2014 I believe.

I promptly sent it to my friend like uhhh yes, we need some of that sexiness ASAP and waiting for it to become available in the UK....

Unfortunately ColourPop still don't deliver to the UK.

(They have our spelling of colour but you don't deliver here?!)- woe is me yada yada, you get it I just couldn't wait any more.

So as the clock struck midnight on February 1st, I took the plunge and placed my first order.

The only way to get it to the UK is to use a courier service.
As you can imagine.

I have had a lot of time to check out courier websites and ColourPop, reviews, swatches and hauls and compile a list of things I wanted to try.

I decided to chose things that would be the foundation of collection.
A basic starter kit for dark skinned folk, if you will.

I went through my original list and cut it down ruthlessly, to things I really wanted and that would fit that brief.
Making sure I stuck to a reasonable budget.

This is also important to keep your overseas shipping costs down.
I am happy to say there are many products on the website, that cater to several skintones.

This time around, I mainly chose lip products as I will get more use out of them.

The products on the website are between $5 and $8 for individual items, which is incredibly affordable against the pound.

At this time this is an equivalent of £3.47 to £5.55.

I also signed up for their newsletter which snagged me a $5 welcome discount.

I am really into grungey tones and the colours I chose work well with this.
I chose liquid lipsticks and matte lipstick formulas as I love a matte lip!

Colourpops strength definitely lies in their liquid lipsticks. 
From the selection I picked up I am most impressed with the liquid lipsticks and highlighters.
 That is not to say however I don't like the matte lippie stixs, I just don't think they are the second coming.

*Each product type in order of favs*

Ultra Matte Lip $6 each

Lax -vampy darkened brown berry

Limbo -neutral chocolate brown

Tulle -dusty pinkish mauvey brown

Chilly chilli - orange pinkish brown

The ultra matte liquid lipsticks are very forgiving and not as drying on me as other formulas.

Chilly Chilli seems to have a more watery formula than the others and has started to separate on occasion. However hasn't leaked yet and I am keeping it at an angle to be safe. 
It isn't streaky thankfully just a lot more watery.

I also luckily haven't had any issue with the LAX formula.
Which has had reports of being patchy. My one applies great.

Tulle is also interesting pink tone, that warms up in tone the longer it is on my lips, making it a little darker and more appealing to we wearing it more often.

I tested out the ultra matte lips thoroughly and found that they are pretty much immovable unless you eat greasy/ oily foods. I had them on for at least 6 hours
. Then I saw some transfer and rubbing off in the middle of my bottom lip.

Which makes sense as you remove them with oil based products. 

On myself however I didn't require a touch up as the area that rubbed away was small and not visible to anyone else.

Matte Lippie Stix $5 each

Ellarie - deep browned berry red

Bichette - dark red

Pitch - 60% dark chocolate and a splash of milk

They have a vanilla scent to varying degrees, similar to the famous MAC scent.
Browns/ neutrals are my my jam but surprisingly I wasn't blown away by Pitch.
It is nice to have in my collection but yeah.

In terms of the texture, I would say they are very creamy and moisturising and take a fairly long time to become matte.

I would describe them as semi matte as it took at least an 20 minute before I noticed that the sheen had settled to a matte.

In future I would be more interested in the colour pay off which is good rather than the level of matte.
Bichette is a really beautiful statement red and Ellarie looks even more striking with a lipliner.
Both stain the lips when wiped off.

Highlighter $8 each

Avalon - warm golden peachy bronze

Butterfly beach - mid tone silver/ gold flecked iridescent combo

The highlighters are just beautiful and super pigmented. 

I chose 2 stunning  pearlised shades. 

One gorgeous peachy warm toned bronze shade and a mid toned light iridescent gold tone.

They have they same texture as the ColourPop eyeshadows.

The highlight texture is so different to the touch, just like that of their eyeshadows and it is encouraged to apply with the finger. 

However they can be applied with a highlighting/ fan brush.

I really like the fact that ColourPop display the pigments on a variety of skin tones.

 Although limited to 3, they are far ahead of most companies that don't display on models of different ethnicities or solely showcase the product on a Caucasian model. 

At least you can see how the product changes tonality and work from there on how it will look on you.

Shipping

Shipping was very easy and quick, it was 9 days from ordering to delivery at my house.

A simple breakdown of ordering to delivery:

Ordered from ColourPop website - 1st Feb (midnight)

ColourPop dispatched to Borderlinx - 2nd Feb

Borderlinx hub received and  processed the shipment - 5th Feb

After a clarification email to ensure postage was correct and releasing my order, shipment was then released on the 5th feb (evening) .

Final Arrival - 9th Feb (Morning)

*please remember that Americans add their VAT at checkout.

It isn't inclusive like here so budget for that.

Although ColourPop is inclusive of VAT, Borderlinx was not and VAT was added at checkout.*

My Borderlinx experience was very easy.

From signing up, to the explanation on how the service worked and receiving my individual overseas address.

I found out about this courier service myself and saw a first hand review from The blushing giraffe.  

There wasn't a sign up fee and my sign up was done in seconds.
I also picked up a few presents for friends that will not be shown on here, that put my delivery price up a little.

My postage etc came to $40. Making each individual item (shown) about $7 (approx £4.87) including postage each.

I wasn't charged customs fees luckily, as I would have been fuming.

Thankfully I have never been charged. Fingers crossed. 

You will also find that Borderlinx has many discounts for shipping once you sign up too.

For an alternative shipping company checkout Jasmine talks beauty post, who always gives thorough info and reviews.

Colourpop is also available from individual sellers on Amazon and eBay, if this whole process sounds like a palava and you are absolutely desperate to try something. 

However I am not willing to be swindled, shegged and scammed by opportunists who target beauty lovers and tack on astronomical mark ups. 

So just be prepared to be absolutely ripped off. 
In my most deepest desperation I won't pay silly prices like those being bandied about. 
Not paying £35 for a $5 product!
So it worked out cheaper for me per product to order from the USA and also allowed me to choose from the full selection of products on the website.  

So that was my ColourPop haul!
My starter kit that caters to POC, especially darkskinned people such as myself.
Products that I know will suit me and that have surprised me with their versatility too.
I have been so excited to really test out these products and am really loving the their liquid lipsticks and highlighters.

Have your got any ColourPop products?

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays

Makeup Revolution haul: dupes, highlighters and thinking outside the box

Ok so I have finally, Fi-nal-ly done a Makeup Revolution haul! 

Not a lipstick here and an eyeshadow there.

A proper haul! 

Makeup revolution has been on my radar for the longest time and I just hadn't got around to ordering a proper haul.

So after honing my long list of goodies I was ready to order. 

That epic Christmas discount didn't disappoint either.

So the packaging is super basic but black is classic and luckily it seems sturdy enough, so no issues there from me. 

My heart was set on the Radiance highlighter palette for the longest time. 

So that was first to go into my basket. 

I am a fan and it's super affordable.
I am all about the glow, that delicious thing that makes me glow to the gawds!
The glow is necessary when artfully done!
Having said that I am not trying to have Tim Peake spot me either lol .
So this is a good one as this
palette is more of a subtle highlight trio, for a more finely milled finished natural glow.
However it is very buildable if you want a stronger finish.

Peach Lights was also a no brainer for me and that was swiftly added to the basket.

It is slightly cooler in tone but not ashy because of that iridescent peach tone which my skin really picks out.

As soon as I clocked the Baked bronzers, I knew they would make amazing highlighters for me as well other deeper skintones! 

I picked up Rock on world and it is beautiful. Just beautiful. 

Great pigment and easy to blend.
The quality is so buttery soft and it is pretty much a dupe for Global glow MSF by MAC. With a much cheaper price tag.
Rock on world appears more bronze in pan but they are pretty much spot on.
I am SO impressed with this bronzer and obviously need more!
Lightly layering rock the world with peach lights is also stunning giving lit from within effortlessly ethereal look.

 Baked Blushers Hard Day,  Make Love Instead and All I think about is you, were must haves for me.

 I wasn't sure about these once they arrived and actually planned to return them as I thought they might be too ashy for me on seeing them.
I am so glad I didn't! If they hadn't of worked out I could always give them to a friend. But luckily for me they did.

As with my Kiko haul, I am switching up the product purpose and will actually be using the baked blushes as highlighters primarily.
I have to say they work amazingly well. 

After swatching them I was impressed but after leaving them to become accustomed to my body temp and body oils etc for a few minutes they looked even better.

Unexpectedly I picked up the Agonise Eye Dust.
I have strayed away from eyeshadows for a long while.
So haven't really purchased anything new but this gorgeous colour caught my eye.

 I think it is deceptively simple but can be transformed into some awesome looks and would absolutely kill!
There was a bit of fall out which can get glitter everywhere but if handled correctly it is so beautiful.

And finally Lips!
What is a makeup haul of mine without a few lip products?

I have heard about the softness of the amazing Lipliners and can attest to that.
I grabbed  Rebel and Cherry Red.
Although they are a little cool toned than I would usually go for.
They aren't ashy and are great for changing the hues of warmer toned lipsticks especially.

I LOVE deep lipsticks.
 I wear them all year round.
So obviously I grabbed this beautiful brown berry toned #Liphug in Still missing my baby.
The finish is creamy on the lips but has low shine and excellent coverage. Liking it a lot.

The Atomic Lipstick Make Me Tonight is very deep and vampy which I adore but it does need to be built up for solid intensity and lasting power.
However for the price it is bloody excellent. I does have a gel like slip texture to it which is different too.

I also picked two Salvation Velvet Lip Lacquers in Vamp and Rebel.

A comfortable inbetween of matte but not moisture depriving.
So far Vamp is my fav (big surprise).
It comes out as a deep purple with grey smokey undertones and the colour pay off is good but it will not last whilst eating etc.
So definitely carry for reapplication.
You can remove with a wet wipe but to minimise tugging oil is best.

So that's it guys.
 I am VERY happy with everything I got.
 I love that everything I got is of a quality much higher than the prices paid for it.
They are already becoming firm staples and go to products.
They are super affordable and with discounts often being added even more so.
So I will def be going back for a few more key products.

What are your favourite Makeup revolution buys so far?

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays

Shaking up AW15: Kiko haul

Kiko is one of those beauty brands that is soooo affordable and is amazing quality yet I find I don't shop there enough. 

I may not shop there as often as I would like but I do have a great collection of solid great performance products.

I absolutely love the Regents Street branch and could honestly
just stay in there for hours gazing at the products.
Although it doesn't have the biggest space it's very cleanly layed out
and just on the right side of overwhelming -if there is such a thing!

Whilst meeting up with friends for dinner,
I dropped in and picked up a few items and I am really loving them.
As I don't often wear bright colours on my eyes,
I actually bought these eyeshadow shades to use them mainly as blusher.
Although less bright in real life,
they are very pigmented. So a very light hand is needed and a very small amount of product does the job.
They might be colours usually associated with spring or summer
but if you have been reading the blog for a while I am sure you know I wear whatever takes my fancy whenever
it takes said fancy!

Here are a few things I picked up:

Infinity Eyeshadow 207 Mat Papaya
Infinity Eyeshadow 208 no longer on site but is in store
Ultra Glossy Stylo 809 Red Ruby
Ultra Glossy Stylo 814 Glam Magenta
Smart Lipstick 923 Peony Purple
Nail Laquer 536 metallic quartz green

No surprise that there are 3 lipsticks!

I absolutely love a bold lip,
it might be my signature eyebrows and bold lips. 

Sounds good.

I also grabbed a gorgeous metallic fresh green to contrast with my khaki collection and am very happy to have this stunner in my collection.

What were your last Kiko buys?

Smooches

Stephanie aka Wednesdays Girl

xoxo

Don't forget to come find me and  Follow @GirlWednesdays