Ilia Lipstick Review

Using a combination of waxes, Ilia lipsticks are as natural as lipsticks get and have a super soft, balmy texture. Admittedly you do have to reapply the colour throughout the day, but the hint of a tint shades make it possible to slap on your stick without the help of a mirror.

The nourishing formula is focused more on conditioning rather than colouring lips and is packed full of natural moisturisers including jojoba oil, cocoa butter and vitamin E. The actual name for these lip products is actually 'lip conditioners' for this reason, but they look and give the finish of a very slightly glossy lipstick. With a bold vs soft colour range, there is definitely a shade and finish for everyone in the six-shade collection .

While the lip balm texture and natural credentials are impressive, it is the chic packaging that steals the show. Made in the place as Tom Ford, the recycled aluminum gives the collection a luxury finish.

Ilia lipsticks are £20 each and available online from Beingcontent.com.

Rating: 7/10 - it's really rare that you find a natural beauty brand that offers such a luxurious product. Plus the limited edition lipsticks come in amazing pops of colour!  

Topshop Sisters Of The New Moon Crystal Lipstick Review

Topshop has definitely put the fun back into make-up with the SS12 Sisters of the New Moon collection, most namely the lipstick in Crystal shade. To look at, the lipstick looks like it might belong to Barbie with the bubblegum pink flecked with glitter. However once it’s on lips the finish is wearable with a gorgeous shimmer and hint of pink.

As ever with lipsticks you will need to reapply this one throughout the day and evening, but it’s a fun colour with quirky packaging, making Topshop’s lipstick perfect for the summer and setting off your sun kissed glow. It’s selling out, so you’ll need to be fast though!

Topshop’s Sisters of the New Moon Lipstick in Crystal is £9 and available from Topshop.com.

Rating: 8/10 – Yes you’ll need to give lips a swipe of lip balms after wearing this lipstick and it doesn’t last all day, but it’s a fun lipstick in a shimmery shade! If you can get your hands on it’s definitely worth buying!

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres Glossy Stain Review

Finding the balance between a gloss, a stain and a lipstick is no mean feat, but Yves Saint Laurent might have just nailed it with the new Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres Glossy Stain.

With the colour effect of a lipstick, the finish of a lip gloss and the longevity of a lipstain, this is beauty product is revolutionary and definitely one for your make-up bag, especially if you want to tap into the bright lips beauty trend for summer.

The consistency is like a gloss, but smooth and stick-free. While the glossy finish doesn't last much longer than your standard lip gloss, the colour does and lips are stained for the majority of the day. The formula isn't packed full of nourishing ingredients, but lips don't feel or look dry and cracked at the end of the day. Interestingly, unlike some lipstains YSL's has a fruity, almost raspberry flavour, which definitely adds a little more luxury to this beauty product.

On first glance the beauty product could be mistaken for a nail polish with the boxy packaging, however the wand gives it away. The flat, slightly slanted brush with a pointed tip makes application quick, precise and easy to do while you're on the go.

At the moment there are 18 different shades ranging from statement plums and classic reds to soft, feminine pinks. Compared to standard lipstains, the price is relatively reasonable for what you get, but the key is choosing a shade that you will definitely wear.

Yves Saint Laurent's Rouge Pur Couture Vernis A Levres Glossy Stain is £22.50 and available from Yslbeauty.co.uk.

Rating: 9/10 - As lip products go this is definitely one to invest in if you like having colour on your lips without having to constantly reapply.

Dolce And Gabbana The Lipstick Review

The most appealing bit of Dolce & Gabbana’s The Lipstick is unfortunately its biggest downfall. From the delicate rose scent to the classic streamline appearance, this beauty product is reminiscent of the old lipsticks that my mum used to use.

Unfortunately the formula doesn’t seem to have developed much further. Not only does the colour fade and come off relatively quickly, the lack of moisturising ingredients means this lipstick leaves your pout feeling and looking dry.

Saying that, the range of sophisticated shades and the luxury Dolce & Gabbana packaging is incredibly persuading and means you can’t dislike this product too much. It’s also worth noting that when you first apply the lipstick is does feel creamy, just make sure you’ve got a lip balm at hand.  

Dolce & Gabbana The Lipstick is £23 and available exclusively at Harrods.com.

Rating: 4/10 – There are definitely better lipsticks with significantly lower price points.

Max Factor Elixir Colour Lipstick Review

Launched in September, the Elixir Colour Lipstick is definitely one of Pat McGrath’s best creations since taking the creative reins at Max Factor.

The wide range of shades is inspired by a woman’s wardrobe and there is a colour for every outfit. My favourite is ‘Firefly’ – it gives lips a hint of colour without being too loud.

The true triumph is in the formula though. A mix of shea and aloe butters as well as white tea and avocado leave lips soft and smooth with no need for lip balm.

Max Factor’s Elixir Colour Lipstick is £7.99 and available from Boots.com.

Rating: 10/10 – While you do still have to reapply after eating and drinking etc, this is a great value lipstick that doesn’t dry out your lips.

Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick Review

If you were a fan of Clinique's Black Honey lipstick the first time round, you'll be pleased to hear that the brand have based the entire AW11 make-up collection around the cult classic shade.

Intense, rich and perfect for tapping into one of AW11's hottest beauty trends, gothic luxe, the Black Honey shade is the same as the original formula.

The real beauty of this particular colour is the amount of different shades you can create with it. If you're daunted by the dark burgundy, apply a small amount of the colour to the middle of your bottom lip and use a brush or your finger to spread it across the rest of your lips. You'll be surprised at the pretty cherry shade that's created.

The only downfall of this lipstick is that it seriously dries out your lips, so make sure you have a moisturising lip balm handy.

Clinique's Black Honey Almost Lipstick is £16 and available at Clinique.co.uk.

Rating: 6/10 - cracked lips are never a good look.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Sensuous Rouge Lipstick Review

Nude lipsticks are a key component to the minimalist beauty trend this season.

Achieving the perfect nude lip is tricky though as if you go too pale you can end up looking ill. Enter Estee Lauder's Pure Color lipstick in 'Sensuous Nude'. It's slightly darker than your usual nude lipstick as it has more of a wet-look finish. The flecks of glitter add to this, while the creamy formula coats lips easily and leaves them feeling soft and smooth.

Estee Lauder's Pure Color Senuous Rouge Lipsticks are available online at Houseoffraser.co.uk for £20 each. 

Rating: 9/10 - as nude lipsticks go this is one of the best around.