Hot lips!

How to achieve the perfect 'Trout Pout' without surgery!

I have tried a few lip pumpers in the past; 'Urban Decay's Big Fatty' £9.75, 'Too Faced Lip Injection' £16.75, 'Lancome's Juicy Tubes Plump' £10.99 and finally an American one which I got from a friend 'SkinMedica's TNS Lip Plumping System' $53.

Duwop's Lip Plumper was the first Lip Plumper I have ever tried and it retails at £14.50.

To explain a little about how many lip plumpers work, they contain natural irritants that slightly sting and agrovate the lips. The stinging/ irritation effect prompts the lips to fill with blood and become puffy or a little swollen.

The lip-plumers contain 'Capsacin' which is the chemical in Chili Peppers. The 'Capsacin' effect can also be experienced by eating a very hot curry!

Duwop's is quite small at 3.5ml. It has a sweet and spicy taste to it. The moment I put it on my lips they begin to tingle. Some may like this effect, others may not - but no pain no gain! Once used after 5mins the lips are noticabally plumper.

I do have a little gripe about this product, it is a little sticky like all lip-glosses, and I notice if you use this everyday your lips can become a little dry through all the irritation. Also try not to get any in your eye! It hurts!

This is far smaller than all the other brands I used, but it is MIGHTY! I feel they are all much of a muchness - although Urban Decay's Big Fatty lip plumper has gold sparkles in!

Another beauty tip with or without a lip plumper would be to:

1) Use a highlighting concealer - for example touche eclat around the lip area to bring out the lips.
2) Then use a nude lip-liner around the lips exagerating them a bit.
3) Fill in the whole lip using the nude lip liner.
4) Apply the Duwop plumper on top using a brush. (is not essential)
5)Wait 5mins, add a coloured gloss.
6) Dab sparkly lipgloss on the centre of you bottom lip to give the illusion of thickness.

Instant Hollywood Pout!!! If you try this let me know how you got on.

Illamasqua- get ready to meet your alter ego

Illamasqua is the new most talked about cosmetic brand right now!

Who are Illamasqua? I would like to start off by saying they are a British company! During this financial crisis I feel it is a really good thing to support our own. They say they are inspired by the "illicit 1920s club scene" and "make-up for film and theatre" they also take inspiration from people who indulge in "self-expression".

Their mantra is "make up for your alter ego".

I love the theatrical aspects of their cosmetics, the many different and bright colours; for example they even have a green lip gloss! I am sure I would not wear this everyday, but if I wanted a unique look, I would definitely turn to illamasqua.

In my opinion make up is a celebration of one's alter ego, it is about experimenting and having fun with the way we look and they way we present ourselves to the outside world. Thank gosh there is a cosmetic company to endulge in looks so exotic the ladies at the Boots counter would pass out with pure envy!

Their Lipglosses are £12.50 for 7ml. Check out their colour range at: http://www.illamasqua.com/store/category/lips/inte nse_lipgloss/

My favourite lipgloss is a dark pinky coral called "Indulge". The great thing about these lipglosses is that they feel like lipstick not a gloss. I reccommend to wear these along with a complimenting lipstick for a pure knock 'em dead pout!

They say "Come out of the shadows with high-shine, colour-rich Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss in a wide range of bold colours. Create lips that look full and glossy, without feeling sticky. Draw attention to your lips, and to you". I agree with their statement fully! I have never come across a lipgloss that is this pigmented before.

What I don't like about the products are the actual tubes the lipgloss comes in. I feel that they are quite hard to squeeze as the plastic is so thick. Application with the tube also is not very good because it has a solid plastic applicator, and not a soft one as in MAC's lip glass! Application must be done with a brush (in my honest opinion!). They smell like candy, which is very nice!

The feeling is very smooth but not sticky. This is a real plus!

If you order from their website it only costs £2.50 recorded delivery!

Have a try and let me know what you think also! For my readers outside of the UK, they now ship internationally.

Carmex, your new best friend!

Carmex lip balm, in my opinion is a little miracle worker! It is a must have when you have a cold, or if your lips are chapped. It also makes a nice gloss over lipstick if you are so inclined (or even an undercoat!)!

Carmex contains menthol (which gives that fresh tingling sensation). Menthol is derived from peppermint oil and kills germs and can also relieve discomfort. Active ingredients in peppermint oil are a well known to help with many skin problems, along with Phenol. It also contains camphor which is mild local anesthetics which helps aliviate the pain associated with cold sores. It also contains salicylic acid to get rid of the old dead skin cells!

It also contains aloe butter, vitamin E, and aloe butter which softens lips and also another ingredient, petrolatum which reduces inflamation.

It comes in a little screw lid pot which can fit into your pocket. It comes in the original flavor, strawberry, mint and cherry - It also is SPF 15 so protects your lips from the rays!

I bought the Cherry version after using the original, and I must admit that this has a great smell and flavor and makes your lips feel all juicy!

It costs £2.44 for a small 7.5g jar, and is available at Boots!

I feel that this little product can compete with the high-end expensive lip balms for example L'Occitane, Clinique etc. Not only does it have healing properties, it's in a snazzy little pot, Carmex is cool these days!

There is also quite a sweet family history to the Carmex name the "lip balm was invented in 1937 by Alfred Woelbing, literally on the family stovetop. For the next 20 years, Alfred and his wife made Carmex by hand and poured it into the familiar yellow-capped jars." How endearing!

If you want to know more check out their website: http://www.mycarmex.com.

Also if you are a big fan of Carmex like myself, there is an opportunity to buy official Carmex merchandise at:

http://www.zazzle.co.uk/mycarmex -and all proceeds go to the charity "toys for tots".