TIME FOR SOME DRAAAMMMMAAAA

My everyday aesthetic tends to be light and natural to the point I often get people saying “yeah, but you don’t wear makeup do you?”  I love that healthy effortless look, but every once in a while it feels good to bring the drama. Amiright? And nothing says drama and glamour quite like a bit of sparkle and a red lip (and some contouring, highlighting and matching red nails while we’re at it). So what pickeroos have we here?

The sparkle:
I was having a poke around in Target the other day and I somehow found myself standing in front of the Sonia Kashuk stand. What? How did that happen? Weird. Anyways, I spotted the Showstoppers Eye Palette and my mind kicked into justification mode, rationalizing buying it with thoughts of glamorous Christmas party makeup and various tutorials that it would be useful in. Long story short, I caved. At any rate it’s a beautiful luxurious palette with 4 extremely glittery shades that certainly bring the drama. I think the bronze shade would go particularly well with a red lip. 

The red lip:
I have tried a fair few red lipsticks in my time, but I have to say that I think the Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Always Red has to be the most beautiful, quintessential RED red. It’s a neutral, deep, rich colour and it manages have that luxurious matte, velvety texture without drying out your lips. It's so damned pigmented. Plus, added bonus – it’ll last all day.

The contour and highlight:
Contouring and highlight is pretty well a guaranteed way to amp a look up. The Sleek Contouring Kit (in light) has done me well on the rare occasions that I have decided to contour. It seems that it’s been a bit forgotten about in the beauty world since everyone fell in love with the Kevyn Aucoin Sculpting Powder (which to be fair is the perfect contour colour), but I still think it’s a great choice if you’re looking for a budget option.

The highlighter that comes in the Sleek kit is nice, but I tend to be more into cream and liquid highlighters. If you’re looking for a highlighter that’s intense, but doesn’t veer completely into disco glitterland, then I really recommend The Body Shop’s Lightening Touch in Universal Radiance. It’s an icy light colour, so it’ll give a kick in that respect, and it’s just a bit more sparkly than your Jemma Kidd or Jouer highlighter.

The nails:
Not everybody’s into matching nails and lips I know, but if you are... Barry M’s Gelly Nail Paint in Blood Orange. It’s shiny and long lasting and gosh darn it, it’s just nice! 

L-R: Sleek Contour Kit, Body Shop Lightening Touch, Sonia Kashuk Showstoppers, Sephora Always Red