Red-y for the holidays?

Red, red, red.

Lots of things scare the crap out of me, like curling wands without clamps, crying babies and flying over the Pacific Ocean on my own. Red lipstick was once on the 'scary list' and occasionally lumped in the 'too hard basket'. Red lipstick is tricky, but when it's executed beautifully all bets are off.

It's December, so let's throw caution to the wind just this once. Dust off that tube of red lipstick and scrub those lips smooth for your best pout yet.

Without further ado, here are a few of my favourite red lipsticks working from wicked cheap to super luxe.

Rimmel's Kiss of Life ($12.95 AUS / $4.97 USD) - a rich, matte formula that'll last 'til the end of time.

MAC's Ruby Woo ($16.00 USD / $36.00 USD) - the lip pencil version of this classic red is my personal fave. Be sure to pick up the Keepsake Red Lip Bag before it sells out!

Illamasqua's Maneater ($25.00 AUS / $24.00 USD) - A red you have to work hard for, but it's totally worth it.

Burberry's Fuschia Pink ($30.00 USD / $50.00 AUS) - the motley crew of reds. Pink sentimentality with a cherry red twist.

Which shade of red lipstick do you like to reach for?

Gift Giving: MAC's Keepsake Red Lip Bag

MAC's Keepsake Red Lip Bag

I'm a fan of giving gifts no matter what time of year it is, because the idea of shopping during the holidays stresses the crap out of me. After working over a decade in the retail industry I can assure you that the month of November and or December doesn't bring out the best in some of us. Stores don't make it any better either with their rock bottom pricing on [insert that special item you thought Jane or Matt needed, but didn't even know they really wanted].

Cheap televisions, stinky cologne and riot-inducing toys aside, the cosmetics industry certainly brings their own je ne se quoi -- gift packs with single use samples which can be a b*tch to open and well, after squeezing half the product onto the floor your gift recipient is left thinking, "why bother?" This said kit is then tossed into a drawer, left for dead until Spring 2016 and promptly chucked in the bin with the rest of their dusty castoffs.

My advice to you when shopping for your significant other, loved ones and or friends is to put yourself in their shoes and ask yourself, "would I want this for myself?" Now, I realise this takes a modicum of effort, but isn't this time of year really about the thought that counts rather than obligatory timing?

What I have here today is something for the makeup lover(s) in your life, MAC's Red Keepsake Red Lip Bag; this set also comes in nude and coral if you're uncertain about their level of makeup brazenness. Why does this particular thing make for a great gift? Well, let me breakdown the art of gift giving for both the giver and receiver.

• It comes in a box = easy to wrap/unwrap
• The price point for this gift pack is a few dollars cheaper than purchasing each item individually. Don't forget about that sparkle-laden makeup bag, MAC practically throws it in for free!
• Full-size items on the cheaper
• Options abound for the wearer 

Finally, if you feel like spending a few more dollars on Jane, may I suggest throwing in a pencil sharpener, pencils don't sharpen themselves and a tube of MAC's Prep + Prime Lip, chapped lips and matte lippie isn't a good look for anyone, got it? 

Ruby Woo swatches from left to right: lip pencil, gloss and lipstick

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for MAC's Keepsake Red Lip Bag:

• $89.00 AUS ($12.00 savings) / $39.50 USD ($7.50 savings)

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 10 out of 10 bags — a biased selection on my part because I love me some Ruby Woo.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• MAC's matte lip edit is drool inducing.

Beauty in a tick: Diorshow Fusion Mono in Chimere

Diorshow Fusion Mono

For me Chimere almost embodies two of the best and basic MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pots, Bare Study and Painterly. However, Chimere is a touch more transformative without being too in your face. To boot, I manage to avoid having to fiddle about with two cream eyeshadows. Trust me when I tell you it's my least favourite thing to do when it comes to applying makeup.

Chimere illuminated by daylight

Swatch of Chimere

According to Urban Dictionary, Chimere is defined as "a dream that you cannot touch." Dior's version of Chimere (a metallic tinged pink) delivers a touch of Chandon Rose without even having to take a swig of champagne; but, if you're offering please do hand me a flute -- sparkling wine will even do.

Chimere looks lovely on its own and even plays well with other eyeshadow formulas.

Wearing Chimere on my eyes

And daydreaming about cookies

To create the look above I first applied a chocolate brown shade from Le Metier De Beaute's Silk Road Kaleidoscope Eye Kit to the outer half of my eyelid with an angled eyeshadow brush (I swear this particular brush cuts my work in half). I then blended out the hard lines and carried excess eyeshadow into my crease to create depth. Finally, I dabbed on Chimere with MAC's 239 on the inner half of my eyelids and lined the lower lash line with Chimere as well.

Black mascara and brown eyeliner (tight lined) tied the rest of this look together.

On my lips I'm wearing Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Mirage. Perhaps, my favourite lip formula ATM.

Chimere isn't a creeper, it stays put like a good eyeshadow should.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for Diorshow Fusion Mono in Chimere:

• $50.00 AUS / $30.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 9 out of 10 bags — Easy like Sunday morning.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Working on building up my Fluid Stick collection.

Not sweet enough: MAC's Patisserie

MAC's Patisserie

I swear I'm on a never-ending quest to find the perfect shade of "my lips, but better." But like my skin, my lips are fickle too. There are some formulas out there my lips wholeheartedly embrace, others not so much.

Case in point: MAC's Patisserie, a brownish pink with flecks of golden shimmer.

Swatch of MAC's Patisserie

Seriously guys, it's as if someone is walking around with a magnifying glass only to highlight the fact that my lips resemble the Sahara desert. For whatever reason Patisserie is on a mission to suck what little moisture is left in my lips.

Can you say drought?

In regards to wear time, Patisserie maxes out just shy of lunch -- call it 3 to 4 hours. And in that block of time I grew very self conscious and weary as I knew my lips were being ravaged.

Wearing Patisserie

Patisserie is pretty, but I might have to tuck her away until Spring. Do you ever have this problem with certain lipsticks? Or maybe it's just me.

The Bagful breakdown:

Total amount for MAC's Patisserie:

• $36.00 AUS /  $16.00 USD

Value for money spent (performance and quality):

• 6 out of 10 bags — the hunt continues.

Would another purchase be on the horizon?:

• Fathoms Deep is oh so enticing, but I must be good. Right?