L'oreal Paris Color Riche Matte Addiction Lipsticks Review

Lipsticks! It feels like I haven't reviewed lipsticks in like forever and for a change its not MAC. Wohooo! Can you believe these are my first L'oreal lipsticks? Nops! Never tried them before. So I was pretty darn excited when I was sent these from L'oreal's NZ PR team.

Matte is my favorite formula in lipsticks so I was quite looking forward to be trying out matte lipsticks from L'oreal. These babies are called L'oreal Paris Color Riche Matte Addiction lipsticks and they come in about 16 colors, housed in sturdy matte black packaging that shuts with a click. I am going to be showing you the 6 stunning shades that I received!

Formula wise, I'd have preferred if L'oreal just called these normal lipsticks or even moisturizing lipsticks because these babies are far from matte. Intense color pay off, bold colors and a moisture rich formula courtesy Camellia and Jojoba Oils. These go on like a dream, there's no dragging there's no dryness. I can put it on without having a lip balm underneath and it still won't dry out my lips. Infact I think it's better that way because even without lip balm these lipsticks are super moist and emollient. If you go generous with layers of lipsticks over lip balm, it'll spell disaster because the lipsticks tend to bleed. So anything but matte right?
The shade collection is stunning with a good mix of red, pinks and nudes. I got a variety of shades to try, mostly bold because that's my style.
The scent of these lipsticks is a bit weird and off putting but thankfully it disappears in a few minutes or maybe my nose gets used to it. It's very similar to the scent that Rimmel lipsticks have, which is one of the reason I don't buy Rimmel's lip products. It's still bearable and goes off soon. The color pay off of Matte Addiction lipsticks makes it worth it!
In my opinion, these lipsticks are a great buy for the lovers of saturated colors and moisturizing formula. These won't dry out your lips.
The lipstick stays for about 3 hours and then needs top up. The darker shades leave a beautiful tint on lips longer after the lipstick has been eaten away.

Here's the low down on shades I tried out-

Institut Age Defense SPF 50+ Broad Spectrum Sunscreen Review

First things first, I'm not a sunscreen person. If I like a sunscreen, its a big deal because-

a.) I can't for the life of me use sun protection everyday! I don't even see sun everyday. It just doesn't make sense to me. Why should I burden my skin with an extra product?
b.) They are a sticky mess. It's so rare to find one that actually sits right. You know the one that doesn't make you ghostly white or doesn't make you look like a sweat ball or the one that doesn't smell like chemical concoction or the one that doesn't transfer onto everything you touch (Phone..eww!!)
c.) Makeup! How do you even put makeup on something that's a hot mess already?
d.) They are expensive. Like seriously expensive for the good quality ones.
e.) Ok that's enough. You get my drift right?

So for me to like a sunscreen, there's these boxes to be ticked. Tough luck right? Recently I found one that is near perfect. It isn't run of the mill and is not very easily available. All part of the fun right?

A few months ago, I was invited to get a complimentary Microdermabrasion treatment at the opening of The Cosmetic Clinic, Manukau (Auckland). Surprisingly I was given a free skin consultation as well. They looked at my skin under a UV light of some sort and obviously saw dry dull and blemished skin. So I was recommended two products from the cosmetic grade skincare they stock- A Vitamin C powder that can be mixed with any skincare product (Genius, isn't it?) and a broad spectrum sunscreen to maybe get me serious about my skincare game for the future.

MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Dangerous Review

SKIN by ecostore Skincare Range Review

You know how much I love natural skincare! & God forbid if its a NZ brand..I just have to try it. When Ecostore NZ approached me to try out their new skincare range, you bet I was excited! I've previously loved their shampoo, conditioner & body wash. Their dishwashing liquid and home cleaning products are a mainstay in our home. Heck! they are pretty much the pioneers of eco-friendly packaging here in NZ (ever heard of renewable sugarcane plastic?). No wonder I have a sweet spot for them.

Ecostore already had a whole line up of bodycare products. They have now branched into Skincare with their new range 'SKIN by ecostore'. The ingredients are sourced from New Zealand's pristine land & water. The range boasts antioxidant rich NZ Marine extract, Grape seed extract and Blackcurrant oil.