MUA Pro Plumping Gloss in Candy Pink

A little while ago, I won a giveaway from the lovely Yu at Let's Make Yu Up!  I won this pretty plumping lip gloss in Candy Pink from MUA, which I was very excited to try out as I haven't tried anything from the MUA range yet! 

Before I start, I have to say that I do not usually veer towards these kind of baby pink cool-toned shades as I don't feel they tend to suit my warmer skintone.  However, it you are going to branch out into uncharted territory as far as lip colour is concerned, high street ranges are a good place to start as it means it is not an expensive mistake if it isn't your cup of tea.

First impressions of this gloss is that the tube and wand are both HUGE!  It feels like you get a lot of product for your money.  I did find the size of the wand a little difficult to manoeuvre as it was very long, but that is mostly because I can be a bit cack-handed at applying gloss unless the wand is very short!  The wand has a doe foot applicator which I tend to prefer to brush applicators, not for any particular reason, it is just a personal preference.

The colour in the tube looks to be a very cool-toned pink and not dissimilar to Viva Glam Gaga.  I don't have Viva Glam Gaga to compare it to but, from looking at swatches, it looks to be a very close match.

When swatched, I was pleasantly surprised to see that the colour was still very evident - this is not a sheer, unpigmented gloss.  In fact, on my pigmented lips, it provides good, semi-opaque coverage whilst still looking very glossy.  

Wear time was up to around two and a half hours which I was amazed with!

I didn't notice any particular scent to this gloss so it is good for those with super sensitive noses.  One negative though is that I did find it ever so slightly drying, but this is probably due to the longer-wear time, so I would advise you to pop some balm on before applying.  I also didn't notice any of the claimed plumping effects which some other bloggers have reported as an intense tingling.

 

Verdict

If you are looking to experiment with some different lip colours, you could do much worse than try out some of the MUA glosses.  Decently pigmented, and with lots of product for a bargain price, this is an affordable way to discover some new shades.  I will certainly be looking to explore more of the range!

4/5

Price - a bargainous £2

Where to Buy - Superdrug

Have you tried any of the MUA glosses?

Review: YSL Rouge Volupte in Rose Paris 27

YSL Rouge Voluptes are highly praised by many beauty bloggers, due to their creamy, smooth finish and gorgeous packaging.  This was a purchase from a blog sale a couple of months ago which I snapped up in an instant.  So what did I think?

YSL Rouge Volupte in Rose Paris is a member of YSL’s permanent collection and features the standout packaging that is common to the YSL line.  The main aspect of the packaging that I love is that they put the colour on the side of the lipstick, meaning that is very easy to quickly identify which lipstick you are after.  I wish more companies such as Mac did this as it always takes me forever to find the Mac lipstick I am hunting for in a morning, and you can guarantee that it is the last one I will pick up!

The colour in the tube looks to be a pinky coral and extremely vibrant.  As with all Rouge Voluptes, the lipstick is extremely soft so you need to be very careful when winding it up and down to ensure you don’t squish it against the sides of the tube. 

When swatched, the colour goes on opaque in one pass and I actually found it almost too opaque!  It is very creamy and glides on easily, although due to its softness and vivid colour, I would recommend using a lip liner to avoid any potential bleeding issues, and you may find it easier to apply with a lip brush for more accurate application. 

The lip swatch below is done with one slick of the tube and it is VERY bright and almost a cross between a bright coral and a neon pink! I tend to blot it down a little after applying so that it is within my comfort zone but it still maintains its vivid, eye-catching brightness.

Lasting power is superb and much better than the other Rouge Volupte Pink Caress that I own (reviewed here).  I apply it first thing in the morning and it is still there 5 hours later after numerous cups of tea and mid morning snacks!  It has even lasted through a two-course lunch!

Verdict

This is currently one of my favourite bright lipsticks and it goes very well with a simple neutral eye.  If you like corals, such as Mac’s Crosswires, and fancy trying something a little pinker, this may be a good option and I could certainly see it working very well on those with darker skintones due to the high pigmentation.  The only negative I can see is that it isn’t a ‘swipe-and-go’ lippy and it does require careful application, but once it is on your lips, it will stay there for several hours.  Highly recommended!

5/5

Price –£23.50

Where to Buy  - Debenhams, Boots, John Lewis, House of Fraser