The Rouge Velvet

Well, tonight, farewell to 2020 and hello to new, fresh vibes of 2021. Right?

Not so fast.

Before we all set to preparing a foot-long bucket/too-hard-to-sustain-New-Year-initiatives list, let's look back on a most challenging year.

Indeed, the events of 2020 were most unfortunate, starting with the Australian bushfires to the dampened world's economy that the coronavirus pandemic hit hard, and that lost millions their jobs.

Not only this, but the ambient atmosphere around towns also dried out wills, and mental health issues were - really - exposed this year.

But in the end, the coronavirus pandemic and how we reacted to it brought me invaluable lessons for life.

Affliction is a good man's shining time" - Edward Young (English Poet)

Virtual Reality is more than "a thing": our life after Rona

Wake up, make the coffee, slide on a Shirt to look presentable for this morning's Zoom call.

The number of jobs turned "remote" this year is incredible, not only that, but people are more productive working in a flexible pattern.

We now very much live on our computers and phones. The transition was so smooth that we didn't feel it.

Instead of an office cage, we are now home-caged, phone-caged, and computer-caged. Same same, but different.

Coronavirus and Mental Health: It is okay to break down completely

Mental health took a huge toll in 2020.

The anxiety of going out and having to see people on every corner of London vanished for me, but the idea of having to stay at home for months on end, locked down made it difficult to go through some days without completely losing my mind.

Indeed, a great part of us wanted more time to themselves, but when we were given all the time in the world - and paid by furlough for millions in London, we suddenly had more than we could productively use.

From an office cage, the golden home cage started suffocating us in its turn.

I found another way to make my lockdowns productive, resetting my life - and I believe you can do that too.

Manifestations, Donations, Humanity: We are more human than I thought

We started the year on a hot foot, the Australian bushfires wiping out a great part of the Australian landscape.

People mobilized and wondered how to donate to help with the Australian bushfires.

During the year, people finally woke up from racism-infused sleep, to start protesting for the Black Lives Matter movement - which should be way more than just another 2020-introduced movement, if you ask my opinion, but it's a start.

People mobilized and wondered how to donate to Black Lives Matter and how to manifest their support.

When the coronavirus pandemic hit hard, youngsters were among the first to offer to go food shopping for the most fragile among us.

A real solidarity wave was born.

Despite the fact that people are afraid of losing their gains and possessions, this year shed light on the good within people.

The human race needs to find a purpose for itself

Complete lostness, that's what we felt after a week or two of lockdown.

What happened to the baby us that could play with a can of food or two and a pan?

I am pretty sure I am not the only one who decided to find my life's purpose during the pandemic-triggered lockdown.

It must have come as a shock, being truly bored and lost as to what humanity really wants to do with themselves.

To shut the little voice up, we decided to learn how to bake bread, how to make hand sanitizer when the shortages happened, or how to make a face mask with fabric or with a bandana.

We remembered that nature is soothing and suddenly became bikers.

We listened to Toosie Slide.

We listened to WAP.

We learned how to cut men's hair at home and came to understand that hairdresser is a craft not all are gifted with.

And then we started getting divorces and splitting up because we were too bored with ourselves to keep it inside and initiated fights just to have something to do.

But the most important thing I've learned during the coronavirus pandemic?

When there is a will, there is a way

This year was a reset year, and most of us suffered through it without understanding that it was the opportune moment to learn a new craft that could change our lives.

That is what I related in a previous article, with the only life tip that helped me get my life on track.

Even powering through mental health issues proves that when there is a will, there is a way - big up to those of us who did.

If you are still in a lockdown, still on furlough, remember to take some time to sit down through a difficult introspection to find out what it is you really want from life.

It may not be the moment to put your plan into action.

But you can craft it.

And then craft it some more.

When the time comes, you will be ready.

Conclusion

There you have it! The 5 priceless things the coronavirus pandemic brought me this year. T'was the day before a whole new year - let's make it count!

Further back this year, between the first and the second lockdown, I was browsing the Internet on a quest for totally blue and totally green eyeshadow palettes, knowing very well that I wanted the Melt Cosmetics Smoke Sessions palette when it comes to green eyeshadows but didn't want to cash out a fifty. Especially when we know just how often I reach out for my makeup these days.

At some point, I came across palettes that ELF released for spring this year, called Bite-Size that you can get from Superdrug or Boots over here in London and that retail for a teeny tiny £3.

I'll admit that I had planned to get maybe three; the green, blue, and berry ones but you know as well as I do the appeal of a low price point. I ended up getting five out of the eight available, leaving aside some nudes and some that didn't review well online.

After years of buying and buying just to review, I made a smart choice to buy only what I would be sure to take on photoshoots. Smaller is better and lighter in my makeup kit.

ELF | Thoughts on the Bite-Size Eyeshadow Palettes

Cruelty-free and vegan, those palettes were released to fill in a gap in the "ultra-pigmented, blendable" mini eyeshadow palette world. At £3 each, you'd be half-witted to get only one, which is why they've been created and set at a price that affordable.

► MORE ON IT'S AZAMI: THE BEST TWO RED LIPSTICKS FROM MAC ◄

I've used them quite a couple of times on photoshoots and I've been very pleasantly surprised about the quality of the eyeshadows. I thought the Açai You palette's matte light blue let down a little bit when I used it on a model, as it became patchy the more I tried to pack it on to make it opaque.

I didn't experience any other let-down from the other palettes but I guess that the mattes had better be applied on top of a colored eyeshadow primer like the ones from P. Louise (that I own and will write about soon, btw). And I am in love with Hot Jalapeño, an exquisite one in terms of color pattern.

Honestly, they're really cool lil palettes.

SHOP THE ELF BITE SIZE PALETTES HERE

For so long, I found it extremely difficult to understand my place in society. Where I am from, school doesn't teach you to learn about yourself and rather tries to set you on a path according to marks and grades that should define your abilities and your success.

I refuse that. Not too long ago - this year, actually, and it's thanks to the Covid-19 situation the world has been going through, I found what I wanted to do in life; I found my verb.

Today's post is to help you ask yourself the right questions and help you find your place, your meaning, and your trajectory if you are lost and can't seem to get out of the darkness that is the feeling of not belonging anywhere. Let's find your verb together - or at least try, shall we?

Right in the middle of this years' first lockdown, maybe around March or April, I couldn't stop thinking about makeup, about how I love colors and had been hating doing makeup and the world revolving around it, including writing on this blog.

It was all a product of the success pressure I was putting on myself, to be honest.

It is normal to want to succeed in a field you love. But all that unhealthy pressure was killing my vibe, my passion, and my soul.

One day, I had a lil' illumination.

I asked myself "What do you like to do in life?". In other words, what makes me vibrate to the very core? What is your verb?

And the answer that came with it was straightforward, like that game we play of saying a word that makes us think of another word, and so on.

My verb is "Share".

I love sharing, but I can't really be fuc**ed to see people every day. I love creating and showing people new realities, which is why I kept doing makeup, for the dream and unrealness. But social mingling has never been my cup of tea, however good at it I am.

I prefer staying on my own.

Further questions I asked myself after finding that my verb was to share, were: do you want to work on your own? Do you want to do art for a living? What do you like to do? What is challenging enough for your soul to grow?

And most importantly, what is a viable way for you to share?

That is how I decided to write for a living, after years of blogging and writing. I decided to keep makeup on the side, as it's a beautiful way to make a living, but not too viable at the moment.

And guess what? I'm thriving.

I used to be depressed, lost in dark thoughts because I wasn't able to find something that I like doing. Because I was working long hours doing stuff I didn't like, just to make money.

Thanks to finding my verb, I am also a social media manager for two brands now, Silk & Lace, and Hartwell Countrywear. I write, I make money, I work from home, or from libraries or coffeeshops or anywhere I feel like writing from, really. I don't have to see people every day.

And you know what?

All the impulse buying I was doing before is gone. I'm not stressed anymore. Well, I mean, I have targets I set for myself so obviously, I feel a bit of stress.

But it's easier for me. If I don't work on the freelance side of my job, I don't eat. But being in public, having to talk to people when I am having a bad day, this is gone.

So here it is. The only life tip I feel you need to get your life on track. So answer those questions sincerely:

What is your verb?
Do you want to do something creative or something that doesn't involve art?
Do you want to see people?

And then add your specifications, what you enjoy doing into the lot. And then work for it.

In the end, no one is forcing you to do anything. Keep in mind, also, that this way of thinking allows you to do many different jobs in your life. You are not stuck with just one job for all your life.

Work, to be happy and feel fulfilled.

Long overdue, a detailed blog post about the Inglot bullet Matte Lipsticks on It's Azami - innit?

Last year, when I was still living in Paris, I applied for the online Inglot Pro discount, and from there, I just got all out with the gel eyeliners that I talked about a few days ago... and with the classic, bullet matte lipsticks. When I moved to London, I had maybe 30 of these and I decided to clear out my stash during the first lockdown. The reasons? I didn't know if I would keep doing makeup and I wanted more space, and I wanted to keep makeup products that I would use.

Here are 10 Inglot Matte Lipsticks that made the cut.

Inglot | Matte Lipsticks Overview

The first time I tried an Inglot matte lipstick was when a new friend of mine gifted me two shades of hers, that I reviewed here. At the time, I was pretty obsessed with all the MAC Retro Matte lipsticks, because they're kind of transfer-proof in a bullet lipstick, and I had never come across such a formula before.

When I first wore the two beautiful nude matte lipsticks that girl gave me, I became crazy because of their beauty, and their transfer-proof quality reminding me of the Retro Mattes - big time.

Inglot | Matte Lipstick Swatches and Thoughts

Vitamin E, Macadamia oil and Avocado oil are part of the Inglot matte's formula and I have to say that the "dryness" of each lipstick depends on the color. Some really drag your lips, some are smoother to apply - all are really, really opaque and full-on color.

I have kept a range of colors going from nudes and pinks to reds and darks - but I didn't like the very dark ones because, well, having to apply a super dry dark lipstick is just too much pressure for me and I just can't be asked.

► MORE ON IT'S AZAMI: 4 MAC Matte Statement Lipsticks ◄

However, if you take to using MAC's Prep & Prime for the lips or Inglot's lip primer, you'll find these that much easier to apply and they will still dry down on the lips and turn transfer-proof after some time. So if you don't mind drying lipsticks, or actually love them from the bottom of your heart like I once did, do consider these as they'll make your matte dreams come true.

About two months ago, I started working as a Social Media Manager for a countrywear brand called Hartwell Clothing.

What started as a strictly professional relationship morphed into a job that I now consider to be so much more than a job, given the fun I have in not only working with a fashion brand, but also with the most creative, kindest, and fairest people around, and... I can work from home.

So that I can do my job to the best of my ability, the couple running the Hartwell Countrywear brand has gifted me two items to get the feel of the brand and the fabric; a blouse and a shirt.

Got them, tried them on, it wasn't long before I felt that a Hartwell Clothing review was in order on It's Azami. I verily think that Hartwell is the next big thing in countrywear fashion.

What is Hartwell Clothing?

Hartwell is a UK-based countrywear brand run by Monica, a fashion designer of many years, and Laurence, an ex-advertising executive. They both paired up to create Hartwell in 2018, a brand that was to brighten up the countrywear game with never-before-seen prints inspired by both flora and fauna.

The brand currently offers a large panel of print designs and ranges, from their famous Lydia and Layla shirt ranges to travel skirts and blazers, all more beautiful and elegant than the next (or the previous, depends on how you see it).

If you are not based in the UK, Hartwell ship abroad and also have stockists all around the world - that's how popular the brand is getting.

Hartwell Clothing: An up-and-comer that delivers

I have been gifted two tops from Hartwell; the first is the Zoe Dragonfly shirt, a 100% Oxford cotton shirt with a slim fit that I adore. I mostly wear casual clothes and when I received it in the mail, I became crazy, straight away thinking that it was my new go-to date shirt.

We will all appreciate the fact that for once, I am doing a fashion post and a post where I actually put up photos of myself. Yes, Hartwell deserves that much - and more.

What I love in the Zoe Dragonfly is the mix of colors that make up the dragonflies, almost watercolor-like, muted, magical. I love how thick the fabric is - one of those shirts that doubtlessly last you years.

The second top I have gotten is the Grace Flowers blouse, which I love even more than the first one, for a simple reason: I rarely wear white. I fell in love with this blouse as soon as I saw it worn on Monica, the designer and I chose to combine it with simili-leather pants I've gotten from Zara between the first and second lockdown here in London.

I've always loved flowery prints, but this time what I love above all is the detail put into the collar - and this blue. I have never seen such a blue as the one on the Grace Flowers blouse before and I am simply stunned because not only do I feel lucky to have gotten these to wear day after day, but I work for a brand that I believe in strongly because of the quality and their work and production ethic. Hartwell just deserves more.

So yeah. What's even better is the never-ending creativity of Monica - I know that the upcoming collections are to die for. Come follow us on Instagram so you don't miss anything you might regret!

Although I happen to buy way less makeup than I once did - I remember the numerous times more than half of my paycheck would morph into cosmetics orders straight onto my doorstep, there is still the occasional product that I have to have.

As a makeup artist (and a hoarder but let's not linger on that), I technically own more than enough makeup for any of my models and myself for another ten years.

Even if my hoarding quests have somewhat slowed down, I know that many a makeup junkie travels to London with the intention of emptying the Superdrug and Boots shelves. So, here you go - all the affordable - and less affordable spots for you to go makeup shopping around London.

THE EXCLUSIVE SPOTS TO FIND TRENDY MAKEUP IN LONDON

Superdrug: The Classic Drugstore Makeup Spot

Of course, I'd mention Superdrug and Boots first. Those stores are actually one of the reasons I moved to London, or, as I'd better put it: they're one of the reasons that made me feel excited to move to London. Drugstore all the way, and three for two offers are regulars in Superdrug.

In Superdrug, you can find brands such as Maybelline, Revlon, Barry M, Gosh, Revolution, Rimmel, and bigger branches also carry Winky Lux and B.Perfect makeup.

My favorite Superdrug stores are in the Strand (WC2N 5LH) and the one close to Marble Arch, in front of Primark.

Boots: The Trendy Drugstore Makeup Spot

Love Boots because of the Boots card and the very frequent offers they have going on, which are quite different from Superdrug's.

Boots offer a mixture of high-end and trendy brands such as Urban Decay, Estée Lauder, Clinique, Fenty Beauty, Morphe or Chanel, and on the other hand, smaller/indie brands such as Lime Crime, Wet'n'Wild, Makeup Obsession, Barry M, XX by Revolution, Milani or Rude Cosmetics.

Boots' own brand, No7, offers a large range of very reasonably priced products that I am yet to try. At the moment of writing, I can't come up with any valid reason why I haven't tried No7 yet after more than a year in London and lots of pounds spent on makeup.

Kryolan: The Pro Makeup Spot

I know there's a Kryolan store in Covent Garden because I used to go past its street all the time when I used to work at MAC Covent Garden, but I have never actually been inside.

I remember Kryolan as a rather expensive, but professional and very colorful brand from when I used to live in Paris.

I own three gel liners and two holographic pigment pots from Kryolan that I adore. It's just that I have so much makeup that I haven't used them that much. But yeah. There's Kryolan in London.

Self-standing stores: The Classic Makeup Spots

I don't see the point in stopping very long on the self-standing store category, except for all the brands that we don't have in France, where I come from.

MAC Cosmetics and Kiko Milano are staples in cosmetics in France, however, Inglot, Charlotte Tilbury, or Pixi have stores in London when they are only available online for French people.

Poundland: The Great Value Makeup Spot

Poundland has had their own makeup range, Makeup Gallery for a few years now. I have tried quite a number of products, lipsticks, lip liners, and eyebrow pencils and they're good, given the £1 price point.

They recently reformulated the lipsticks and given the whole range a good glow up. When you feel like treating yourself to some unplanned makeup, get one of their stunning lip pencils or creamy lipsticks. Thumbs up to their nail polish formula, too.

Poundland also sells branded makeup such as Rimmel, MUA, or Maybelline, but you never know what you're going to find as restocks vary greatly and the shelves get emptied fast.

My favorite Poundland to go to is the one on Portobello Road.

Savers: The surprising makeup spot

A bit like Poundland, but not quite, Savers sells many more branded products for less, without the £1 price tag. You can find one on Camden High Street or in the West 12 Shopping Center in Shepherd's Bush.

There, you can find Rimmel along with the Sunkissed brand - which I'm yet to try! and lots of fake nails and eyelashes.

Non-beauty shops: the Vibrant makeup spots

For some time now, many non-beauty shops have had their own range, such as H&M Beauty and Topshop, or Urban Outfitters that stocks interesting brands like BH Cosmetics or Lottie London.

Victoria's Secret stocks its own branded line that some people love and some hate - I honestly don't feel like spending £15 just to know if their liquid mattes are good when it's kind of the price of a MAC matte lipstick.

Primark needs no introduction; and while you're on Oxford St/Tottenham Court Road, you'd do good to check them out. Their lip products are very honest, and they've improved their eye products' formulas greatly over the years.

Department stores: The High-end makeup spots

I don't really shop that much in department stores mostly because of the price point.

Selfridges stocks lots of trendy makeup brands such as Zoeva, Pat McGrath Labs, Lime Crime, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Morphe... as well as the very high-end spectrum of makeup brands, as do Debenhams, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, and Space NK.

In those department stores, you can find all the high-end brands that Sephora stocks in France like Givenchy, Lancôme, and Yves Saint Laurent.

TK Maxx: The versatile makeup spot

Definitely one of my favorites, TK Maxx stocks stuff that you don't expect. The last time I checked in one of the Oxford Street stores, I found Estée Lauder lipsticks next to Jeffree Star liquid mattes and some Nip+Fab blushers.

You never know what you're going to get, which is why I'd rather go to the Long Acre TK Maxx next to Covent Garden, which stocks a lot of makeup... and a lot of everything else, to be frank. TK Maxx has provided me with my Maybelline Colossal Waterproof mascara for less than £4, numerous Profusion Cosmetics and Technic palettes, and a Bellapierre palette for less than a tenner when it retails for £50.

TK Maxx is also where I get a lot of my candles. As a candle lover, if you don't get at least one when you travel to London, sorry, but you've wasted your trip.

Pak's Hair and Cosmetics: The unexpected makeup spot

A little gem in the midst of Peckham Rye, Pak's Hair and Cosmetics is first and foremost a hair product supplier.

Alleys upon alleys, rows upon rows of conditioners and gels and wax. One shelf is dedicated to makeup, with brands such as Nicka K, RK by Kiss (Ruby Kisses), Sleek or L.A. Girl. That is where I bought the full range of Saffron metallic eyeliners which I love and don't believe I have published the review of yet. Anyway. Awesome gem of a shop.

In conclusion...

Hope all of this helps for your next trip to London. The city is so big that as a tourist, you often end up buying the same things from Superdrug or Selfridges when so many other options and brands are available!

It might be more difficult to shop for makeup now because of the Covid-19 situation, but nothing prevents you from checking out those sources to plan your next makeup-based trip.

Becoming The Burn Out Brand felt natural, in the midst of the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic.

At the beginning of 2020, I met a great man with whom I started a relationship; a person who taught me how to love healthily, how to listen to myself and how to discipline myself when it comes to mandatory tasks.

I was lucky enough to be on furlough all throughout the first lockdown in London, which lasted from March to September, meaning I had plenty of (paid) time to try and work out what I wanted to do with my life. With makeup, most substantially. Little did I know I would become The Burn Out Brand.

My feeling towards makeup is very much mixed lately. I very much love painting and creating on people, caressing the skin with a precise stroke of brush and playing around with texture and shapes remains as satisfying as it ever was.

However, the human interactions accompanying the creation; finding new people to paint on, unique faces, and teams is tiring and exhausting. Above all, finding paid work in makeup lately is complicated and it seems like all I get in my inbox are messages from students or brands wanting the best... for free.

As such, makeup is disgusting me more and more. During March, I was already thinking of throwing away all of my makeup kit - a lot of makeup, a lot of products, a lot of money... and dead dreams.

The birth of the Burn Out Face Charts

I moved to my second flat in London in April after shortly working as a lettings agent and some day back then, I woke up and felt the urge to draw a face chart. If you are not aware of face chart making, it is the art of creating a whole makeup look with actual makeup products on paper.

I am quite good at creating face charts, but far from the best and always felt like I was bad at drawing. The truth is, I never really put my heart and my patience into it and could easily have been a very good drawer if I'd only made a tiny bit of effort.

That day I woke up, I felt like I could try and draw a minimalist face chart on paper with felt-tip pens, just to indicate colors and shapes. I went from my bedroom to the kitchen, sat down, and tried. Drew a few faces, took a photo of them, retouched them a bit, and posted them.

The Burn Out Brand Logo

The logo of The Burn Out Brand stems from a makeup look I did years ago on the burnout theme. I drew it, redrew it, and loved it so much that in the midst of the first lockdown, I chose to get it tattooed on the sternum area, beneath my bosom.

The first logo was the actual makeup look created years ago and when I got tattooed the design without all the colors, The Burn Out Brand became more minimalist. A few months ago, I touched it up again digitally to make it smoother in the lines. If I have to be honest, my favorite logo will always be the middle one; the touch of imperfection is stunning there.

The Burn Out Brand lives on

Once I got my Burn Out design tattooed, I felt that maybe, someday, someone would like to get that kind of tattoo from me. So I set myself on a tattoo apprenticeship quest. Those are so difficult to find, wherever you live, that once I found one, I did not let go. I was... so shocked that someone would believe in me and my ability to draw one day something acceptable enough to ink it under someone else's skin.

However, a month or so after starting the apprenticeship, I felt that I didn't belong in that world and stopped. I just didn't feel like it was making me happy, as happy as those drawings do.

Before long, people loved the designs I started creating. They're educative and entertaining and unlike anything I've ever seen on Instagram, the King of modern advertising. They are definitely bringing and keeping people around and I can say that if I hadn't started to do those face charts, I would be totally out of the makeup world today.

So I don't know what's going to happen for Azami/The Burn Out Brand in terms of makeup. Now that I've started writing on It's Azami again, I am also drawing the products I review and that's a fresh take on art that makes me happy to come back to drawing faces when I want to create a face chart.

I just want to feel free and appreciated for the art and entertainment and expertise I put out, no matter what I do. Until I do, I will remain on the verge of burnout - hopefully with great art along with it.

I've always loved MAC, from the moment I first laid eyes on their lipsticks to the last minute I spent working for the brand. I haven't been part of the company for more than a year now and although I did re-apply to work there between the first and the second lockdown here in London, I don't think I will ever work in a MAC store again.

Despite the atmosphere and the creativity emerging from makeup artists discussing day after day after day, I did feel like MAC was lacking some innovation regarding the recurring shades in the limited edition collections.

On the other hand, what MAC does in the shape of classic products, MAC does well. This is why I own that many of their lip pencils (and those are only the classic ones - I didn't include the Pro Longwear lip liners!) so without further ado, let's examine those and make you fall in love with them as I am.

MAC Cosmetics | Lip Pencil Features (£15.50 for 1.45g)

About the pencil itself, there's not much to say; it is but a classic pencil shape to sharpen so you get the freshest result on your lips. They're designed to shape the lips or color them in as they're creamy enough even to fill in the lips and be worn as lipsticks.

MAC Lip Pencils in Beet, Nightingale and Heroine

MAC Cosmetics | Nude Lip Pencil Swatches

I used to sell lip pencils very easily when I was working at MAC because I actually believe they help greatly in making a lipstick longlasting and shaped up to perfection.

The only lip liner colors I only ever dislike in makeup are the ones that look like you are not wearing anything so you'll rarely find me reaching out for Boldly Bare or Subculture (or Dervish, its pink counterpart, that I don't even own for that reason).

Among those nudes, the ones I wear most often are doubtlessly Spice and Whirl - I even believe I have several of each. By the way, I had written this amazing review about the Spice lip liner and lip gloss combo so if you want to see how beautiful they look paired up, it's right here.

MAC Cosmetics | Pink & Purple Lip Pencil Swatches

My absolute, definite, most favorite shades among those are Beet and Nightingale. Once again, I stocked up on those shades before I left MAC and I think they are the most brilliant lip pencil colors MAC offers.

That's the interesting thing about MAC; how they created cult, classic colors that are at least a bit different to any other brand's staples. Thought and work went into the creation of the simplest shades and they are flattering on so many skin tones that I guess that was made MAC famous down the line.

MAC Cosmetics | Red Lip Pencil Swatches

Oh, how many Cherry and Ruby Woo lip liners I sold... The former looks perfect with Russian Red while Ruby Woo gets without a doubt most of the time paired with... Ruby Woo.

As a muted colors die-hard fan, I find Half Red pretty interesting to work with too. I especially love those versatile shades that allow you to blend them in unexpected combinations. Half Red with Blankety (one of the prettiest nudes ever)? Auburn with Down to an Art? Beet with New York Apple? That's the kind of creativity I breathe for.

► MORE ON IT'S AZAMI: Poundland | Makeup Gallery Pout Products ◄

Indeed, those lip liners are as creamy as they go but do wear a lip balm or better yet, a lip primer underneath as I find that as any lip liner, they will dry your lips in a matter of hours. There's kind of no secret, either you want them hydrating, or you want them long-lasting, right?

If you don't want to splurge this very moment, I would recommend getting one or two of the Barry M lip liners (for instance, the shade Russet is a dupey dupe of Spice - I didn't tell you anything) although they are a tad more drying. But at least you can find out if the color suits you, for less. Reminds me I need to write a lil post about those Barry M lip liners!

SHOP THESE HERE

One of my absolute things to shop for in TK Maxx is the candles. Although I am very much used to the stores on Oxford Street, Charing Cross Road, and Long Acre, I have found that the best TK Maxx to shop candles from is the Greenwich one, in the South of London.

Even if the travel itself takes me more than one hour for a single trip, the quantity and the diversity of the candles there is so stunning that they keep me coming back. On my last trip there, I got four new candles and thought to drop a line about the first one I tried and was stunned by: Smoked Woods & Bergamot, by Makers of Wax Goods.

Makers of Wax Goods

A 6-year old Californian company, Makers of Wax Goods strives "to make well-crafted, premium candles. All candles are designed in California, aesthetically driven by nature, textures, and life's leisurely enjoyments. Each fragrance is selected for quality and for a unique aromatic experience".

Not only that, but all the candles created by M. of W.G. are 100% vegan and cruelty-free, designed from a wax blend of coconut, palm, and paraffin. What is important to me is that the oils used in the candles are essential, natural, and synthetic oils, which leads me to believe that the team carefully selects which oil will give the best fragrance to the candle.

They seem to keep away from using only natural oils just because they are natural, only to deliver candles that smell like... nothing in the end so I am more than happy with a mix of natural and synthetic if it means falling in love with my candles over and over again.

Makers of Wax Goods | Smoked Woods & Bergamot Candle

What M. of W.G. says about it:

Bergamot balances leafy greens, eucalyptus, and smoked woods with black pepper.

Let's start maybe with how beautiful, sleek, and expensive this candle is. All matte black, I have to admit the color attracted me from the get-go, as I tend to either go for very cozy vanilla/pumpkin/marshmallow/cinnamon/cocoa scents or on the contrary very strong, woody scents and that's usually the color the strong scents revolve around. The lid is simple wood; you can already smell the wood through it.

I was expecting some kind of very strong candle, almost head-turning. In reality, this is one of the best scents I have ever had the opportunity to smell from a candle. Not only was the scent wrapping me like a cozy blanket, but it wasn't too overpowering either. In case you have never smelled a woody candle, the scent can sometimes be so intoxicating that I start to have a headache.

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The best part is that I let it burn for one or two hours, already starting to smell it after a few minutes. I blew the candle around 9 pm and it was still smelling three hours later! So I checked. Among the four candles I got from TK Maxx that day, two were from DW Home and two... from Makers of Wax Goods, the other one being Vanilla Bourbon & Toffee (which is just as exquisite).

All in all, I'm very happy and excited to know this candle brand, such a great discovery that wouldn't have happened without TK Maxx for me - once again! Would 1000% repurchase again, and the link to the website is safely stored in my Favorites tab.

How weird it feels, writing about those two MAC Cosmetics lipsticks when I know how long I have waited to get them. A year of working at MAC in the Champs-Elysées in Paris and in Covent Garden in London triggered me to buy the latest collections, always - forgetting about MAC's staples.

I am in my red lipstick phase and, please rejoice with me; I have fulfilled one of my lifelong goals last week by getting myself a high-end lipstick for the first time ever. My heart set on Givenchy's Deep Velvet lipstick in 37 Rouge Grainé in its limited-edition Christmas packaging. Now the dilemma sounds like "should I keep it as a present for myself or should I use it now as I've waited for it enough?".

Anyway - although a precious color, it is but a red lipstick so let's dive into the MAC Russian Red and Viva Glam 1 lipsticks for a minute.

MAC Cosmetics | Matte Lipstick in Russian Red

As an ex-MAC makeup artist, I will always recommend wearing a lip primer underneath MAC's matte lipsticks, and for good reason, as I think they are a tad drying. Not too much, otherwise who would wear them?, but still drying.

I am personally a fan of wearing my lipstick the Asian style, with a gradient from the inside out of the lips so the "drying" effect is actually more a side effect of the lipstick living on my lips and giving it a natural finish than a proper downside.

Russian Red was popularized back in the 90s by none other than Madonna and was since then sported by many a celebrity. The color has always made me dream and upon seeing it on my sister to whom I gifted it, I have decided it would join my collection at some point. I love how deep the red is, very classic - the kind of color/name combination that transports me to another place and another century.

I do not regret it, but to be honest, this lipstick color has something to it that doesn't quite suit me. Too bright for a girl who only wears mascara and has shaken off every rule of makeup, starting with "wearing foundation"?

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MAC Cosmetics | Matte Lipstick in Viva Glam 1

I have wanted Viva Glam 1 since the day there was a Theme Day back in the Paris flagship store I used to work in, and every single makeup artist had to wear Viva Glam 1. Not only did I realize that I looked absolutely bomb with it on, but also that everyone looked stunning in Viva Glam 1.

The Viva Glam range was created with the MAC Aids fund in mind - every time you buy a Viva Glam lipstick, all the earnings go straight to that fund. By the way, I've just learned that the first campaign of the Viva Glam range starred RuPaul, no less!

I never bought any Viva Glam lipstick, always prioritizing other brands and colors over them but a few weeks ago, I decided to get out of my bed and get Viva Glam 1 - the best decision ever.

I feel particularly amazing when I have this color on; a kind of deep red that caresses the burgundy part of the color spectrum, but not too much. I happen to know dark colors look great on my lips and Viva Glam 1 compromises red and dark stunningly.

All in all, I'm pretty happy with my purchases in terms of quality but I mean - I'm a die-hard MAC lipstick fan - always been, always will be. I'm also wearing Whirl quite often lately and I'm wondering if I should get myself Mehr or Velvet Teddy as I have been eyeing them. Oh hey, that's probably my cue to make a blog post with all of my MAC lipsticks!

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