Tag Archives: review

Groovy Movies: 1917 Edition

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Groovy Movies: 1917 Edition

Hi! I have always loved going to the movies. To me, there is nothing better than catching a flick on the big screen with your family, SO, or by yourself. And, other than everything, my favorite part of having a boyfriend is having someone to go on movie dates with! Johnny and I have fairly different tastes in movies. While we both never say no to a comedy or horror picture, he is a history buff and loves war movies while I am a huge fan of thrillers and foreign films.

This contrast works out nicely because it exposes us both to movies we might not have watched before. I have seen more than my fair share of war movies now, which was normally not my cup of tea. However, I find myself enjoying them despite the intense anxiety I feel throughout each one!

This past week, we went on a date to see 1917 thanks to a Fandango gift card from my brother and it was just fantastic. So, without giving any spoilers away, let’s discuss:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to this video.

1917 tells the tale of two British Lance Corporals, Schofield and Blake, who must cross into enemy territory to deliver an urgent message during World War I. This message would call off an attack that would ultimately put the British soldiers into a trap by the Germans. If successful, the two corporals on a race against time could save up to 1,600 of their troops – including Blake’s brother.

From beginning to end, 1917 created a sense of tension that could be cut with a knife. It was filmed as one continuous shot, which really made you feel like you were on this quest with the soldiers. And, because it was one continuous shot, having a less tense “break” during the film was impossible. There was constant movement as the men pushed forward into enemy lines, which left me holding my breath for booby traps the entire time.

I liked how the plot of 1917 was simple. It was a journey set to the pace of a race and it made me so committed to the main characters because all I wanted was for them to make it safely. Running at just under two hours, I was exhausted by the end of the film from all of the emotional blows. Surprise attacks, devastating losses, and the potential for saving so many lives kept me on the edge of my seat bracing myself for the next metaphorical punch in the gut.

Not only was the film shot brilliantly (It almost made me feel like I was in a first person shooter game.), but the actors were sublime. I never once stopped rooting for Schofield and Blake and surprise cameos by Colin Firth and Benedict Cumberbatch made the viewing even more exciting by putting familiar faces into the mix. No part was unimportant which made each scene powerful, especially when it showcased the brotherhood amongst the soldiers.

I would highly recommend 1917 and easily grant it the coveted ten out of ten stars. Because this film was more of a journey than intense battle sequences the whole time, it is sure to be a hit – even with those who don’t care for war movies. I absolutely loved it and the Golden Globe for Best Picture and Best Director don’t lie!

What were your thoughts on 1917? What is your favorite war movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: IMDB

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm In Striking Spectaculaire Swatch

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Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm In Striking Spectaculaire Swatch

Hello everyone and welcome to a swatch of the Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Striking Spectaculaire! I have actually used this product before and wasn’t too thrilled with it so I gave it to my sister. And, she definitely gave me back the exact same one in her hand me down haul to me! Don’t get me wrong, I love a balm style lip product just as much as the next gal. The Clinique Chubby Sticks, for example, speaks to me. But this one… Ehh, not so much. Take a look and let’s discuss:

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I used to use this lippie by Revlon as a quick fix for when I didn’t feel like applying a full red lip and it would always leave me wishing that I had applied a full red lip! When I think of matte lipstick, which is what I prefer, I think of a budge free finish to keep me worry free about the lippie ending up somewhere on my forehead halfway through the day.

I actually think this paranoia stemmed from the ColorBurst Matte Balm, because I vividly remember having it smear throughout my shift at work. Despite having a matte formula, this product felt and moved like a gloss once it was on my lips. The color also didn’t spread evenly and I can recall deeper lines on my lips having intense color while the more smooth areas had a very faint hue. Not a good look!

It really is too bad because the Striking Spectaculaire color isn’t awful, by any means. I actually quite like the dull but bright red. However, severe flaws in the formula left for a product that was not going to last you through lunch or merely even drinking from your coffee mug. Lil Red will just not stand for this and you shouldn’t, either! Unless you’re into reapplying your lippie constantly, that is. 😉

What is your favorite tinted balm? How do you add color to your lips? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipstick Swatch In Fig

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Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipstick Swatch In Fig

Hello! We have been swatching many a shade from a makeup hand me down haul from my sister and so far I have been less than impressed. Yes, the lipsticks have been good. But, the colors have just done nothing for me. That slight disappointment got completely turned around when I gave an Estee Lauder lipstick in Fig a try, though! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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When it comes to darker colored lipsticks, I tend to shy away and immediately reach for a tube of my signature red. And that’s definitely how the last two lippie swatches on lifewithlilred left me feeling! Thankfully, one of these hand me downs was a knockout because this rosewood hue is simply charming.

From deep purple and brown undertones in previous posts, those shades were not the best for the Lil Red color palette. My skin tone responds best to true red or deep pink undertones, which is why this lipstick in Fig works so well for me. The burnt pink hue with the slightest touch of red blended in makes for a shade that doesn’t turn me into a washed out pale princess with blackberry stained lips.

Not only will this shade be lovely during the grey months of early spring and late fall but the application and quality of this lipstick is a ten. I liked how smoothly it applied without being too glossy while the color was rich but not too deep to be overpowering. I can see myself rocking this shade, for sure, and it is universal enough that it would look stunning on every skin tone.

How do you alter your makeup throughout the seasons? Who do you get your hand me downs from? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

NYX Butter Lipstick Swatch In Lifeguard

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NYX Butter Lipstick Swatch In Lifeguard

Howdy! Today we are going to be swatching a lipstick shade called “Lifeguard” from my personal favorite brand, NYX. This lippie is from their “Butter” collection and I’ve gotta tell you – it really was as smooth as buttah in its application! This lipstick is another hand me down from my sister and, similar to yesterday’s post, I don’t hate it but don’t love it either. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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Despite being a lover of all things dark and disturbing, dark lipstick is just something I can’t get down with. I have my signature shade of Pure Red by NYX, I like nude lips, and I enjoy some shades of light pink. All of these colors compliment my hair, complexion, and personal makeup style without going overboard.

Believe you me, I am interested in trying different shades but I also know myself well enough to know which colors work and which don’t. And, through extensive trial and error, I have found that dark lipstick looks like BUTT on me. It’s just too overwhelming against so much brightness around my face from my hair, pale skin, and five nose piercings. The look always ends up too vampy or out of place and I crawl back to my go to shades with my tail between my legs.

Am I mad about this? No. All colors can’t look good on everyone! But, do I wish that I could pull off a darker lip? YES. I actually really like the shade being swatched today! The rich scarlet color is so pretty and glam and it would be the perfect shade to spice up a date night with.

And, we can’t forget how easily this lipstick applied as well as removed once I was through. It definitely lives up to its namesake of the “Butter” collection because it glided on and off like a dream and it felt SO smooth and creamy. This is especially nice in the winter time when chapped lips are upon us and a matte lipstick can feel so heavy on already dry skin.

Like yesterday’s lippie, I loved the idea of it – just not the color. But that’s okay! I got to try something new FO FREE and I know that if I find a shade that I like in the Butter collection that I would purchase it in a heartbeat!

How do you keep your lips hydrated during the winter? What is your favorite dark shade of lipstick? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Ciate London Glitter Flip Liquid Lipstick Swatch In Infamous

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Ciate London Glitter Flip Liquid Lipstick Swatch In Infamous

Hello everyone! Am I a huge makeup girl? Yes and no. Don’t get me wrong, I love my go to shades and I enjoy wearing makeup. However, I am not the most adventurous when it comes to purchasing new colors or products for myself. My sister, Kristen, is the total opposite. She loves experimenting with different hues and always seems to be able to find a use from most of the goods that she receives in her monthly subscription box.

But, all of them can’t be winners, which is where her blogger little sister comes in. Kristen is kind enough to bestow her hand me downs onto me for swatching purposes on lifewithlilred. And, sometimes, I even end up with a new lippie or eyeshadow that I love but would never have purchased for myself otherwise. It’s a great working relationship!

Today, we are going to be looking at Ciate London’s Glitter Flip Liquid Lipstick in a shade called “Infamous”:

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When you’re a blogger, you have to make things work. For example, my apartment is probably the worst place possible to photograph makeup. The lighting absolutely SUCKS at chez moi, which is not the best for taking pics of swatches because the color never ends up accurate in photos beneath the yellow lighting. So, I had to improvise.

While originally snapping a pic of the swatch on my wooden kitchen table, I noticed that it was reflecting the overhead light making for a blurry picture. Especially considering that this lipstick has glitter in it. I began trying to take a picture in multiple different locations but the color just wasn’t being captured how I wanted.

That’s when I had the brain blast to photograph the swatch while placing my hand over my boyfriend’s black faux leather jacket. The inky hue absorbed the light instead of bouncing off the lipstick heart and it finally showed up in pictures how I was actually seeing it.

I thought this was a fun little tip to share because, as bloggers, the lighting in our pictures is what makes them. And, when your only option is poor lighting, it’s crucial to come up with hacks that work – including one that I made up off the top of my head!

Now, let’s actually talk about Infamous by Ciate London. Do I love this color? Not necessarily. The deep berry is just too harsh against my pale skin. I also have really pink undertones and, along with my red hair, it’s all a bit much. But, that’s not to say that this color wouldn’t look good on other people and there’s a lot that I did like about this lippie.

If you notice the last picture, the swatch looks faded. I actually just took that pic after washing my hands and that was the remnants. It also stayed on my hand all throughout the night and I can still see some of the color after my morning shower. Talk about long lasting!

And, who doesn’t love a little glitter?! When it comes to makeup, I love the pixie sparkle as much as the next one. But, I don’t like when it goes overboard and you end up looking like you had a craft aisle mishap. Infamous has the perfect light dusting of glitter which gives you a subtle amount of sparkle without blinding everyone you smile at.

I don’t think that I would wear this shade BUT I am not turned off to the brand and wouldn’t mind trying it in a hue that is more flattering for me. I’m still glad I got to share it with all of you, though, as well as a little blogging photography hack!

Which lipstick shades look best on you? How about a shade that you avoid? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Balm Cosmetics Nude Beach Swatch In Bootylicious

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The Balm Cosmetics Nude Beach Swatch In Bootylicious

Hello! I recently acquired a new eyeshadow from my sister by The Balm Cosmetics in a shade called “Bootylicious”. So, needless to say, I was intrigued – and I’m sure all of you are too! As ridiculous sounding as it is, Bootylicious is a shade that is right up my alley. I never go too crazy with my eye makeup. In fact, I’m perfectly content with my love for colors in the bronze, brown, and copper family, which is why Bootylicious is perfect for me. And, a little glitter never hurt anyone, either! Check it out:

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^^^ The top heart is the eyeshadow wet and the bottom is applied dry. The first photo has the flash off and the second is with the flash on.

Because I am not the most adventurous when it comes to eye makeup, I rarely buy it when I’m out and about. I have my handful of shades that I’m comfortable with and I stick to them. So, it is always such a treat to get a new hand me down from my sister because I definitely would not have bought it for myself.

Despite never going eyeshadow crazy at Sephora, the warm cinnamon shade that is Bootylicious is actually one that I might have purchased. I love the cute as can be packaging, the hint of sparkle, and the inviting hue. It’s a fair bit darker than any of my copper tones that I normally wear, making it perfect for the winter weather. But, it is not so dark that it isn’t appropriate for spring and summer too.

This eyeshadow applied so easily and it stayed locked in place all day, which is always a relief because there is nothing worse than little dots of eyeshadow falling on your cheeks! My sister hit the nail on the head with this hue for me and I’m surprised she didn’t want it for herself. But, hey, I’ll gladly take it! 😀

What is your makeup style? What is your favorite eyeshadow shade to sport? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

December 2019 Finishes

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December 2019 Finishes

Good morning and we interrupt the normal scheduling of the Holiday Haul to bring you the last monthly finishes post of 2019! December was an excellent month for using up some long term products that I’ve been working on and I love being able to start something new after a two or three month run. So take a look at my empties and let’s get to it:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

Softsoap Body Wash: I never understood why people spend a buttload of money on body washes when there are brands like Softsoap available for three dollars a bottle. I loved the pomegranate and mango scent, the moisturizing beads, and how it lathers so well. This body wash was so invigorating to use during my morning shower and it took me over one month to finish the bottle.

Garnier Micellar Water: We all know that I love my Garnier micellar water and I’ll be using it for forever, I reckon. The big bottle, which costs about twelve dollars, lasts me three months while the smaller one for around seven gets used up in one. Talk about a great value!

Clean & Clear Cleanser: I liked the Clean & Clear Morning Burst cleanser a lot. It always helped wake me up in the morning, it lathered well, and my skin would feel so fresh but not overly dry after using it. It took me at least two months to finish one bottle and I would happily use it again.

Provence Beauty Serum: This serum was a TJMaxx purchase and it lasted me a little over one month. I loved how the serum’s consistency was very liquidy because one dropper full was enough to cover my whole face and neck. Sometimes, you have to use a lot more when the consistency is thicker. The faint scent of orange in the serum was nice and it always seemed to rejuvenate my tired skin in the morning.

SkinLab Moisturizer: I absolutely love the SkinLab moisturizers and have been using them pretty exclusively for the past handful of months. The Detox Cloud moisturizer was a thicker texture but it never felt too heavy and still sat well under makeup. It is the ideal moisturizer to use during the winter months when dry skin can be a problem and it took me one month to finish one jar.

Laneige Sleeping Mask: This mini jar was a sample from Sephora and I was surprised that I was able to get at least six uses on my full face and neck from such a tiny container. I didn’t love this sleeping mask but I didn’t hate it. To me, it didn’t pack enough of a super hydrating punch but if the freebie option for it was available again I would probably go for it.

This was the perfect month of finishes to end the year on because every product was successful in their own ways. This is Lil Red’s last post of 2019 but I’ll catch you all tomorrow in 2020 for more of the latest and greatest!

Which products did you use up this month? How are you ringing in the new year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bath Bomb Blitz: Lush’s Golden Wonder Edition

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Bath Bomb Blitz: Lush’s Golden Wonder Edition

Hello! I was so excited for my weekly bath time extravaganza this past week because I got to use part of my Christmas gift from the darling Kate of Live In The Nautical. Kate knows my affinity for Lush products and always treats me with bath and body care goodies during gift giving occasions. For Christmas, I was presented with the Golden Wonder holiday themed bath bomb and it was a sparkling, shimmering delight! Check it out:

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The first thing I noticed about the Golden Wonder bath bomb was the glitter! Just touching it left bright gold fairy dust on my hands and this made me so happy because the sparkly bath bombs put me in a mermaid state of mind, despite being in freezing cold Ohio! I was imagining a tub full of liquid gold during my first glance at Golden Wonder but it was so much better than that.

As soon as the bath bomb hit the water, it exploded with bursts of gold and green. Shortly after, the gift box shape broke in two and out came shooting stars of yellow, orange, pink, and blue. But the best part? The tiny jelly stars that were peppered throughout the water that gave ultimate hydration once rubbed on your skin.

I love when bath bombs put on a show and Golden Wonder definitely didn’t disappoint. I was mesmerized by the assortment of colors, the movement of the bath bomb, the swirling glitter, and the rich blue hue that my bath water ultimately ended up as. After watching the bath bomb fizz away, it was so nice to sink into the warm water and I ended my bath time feeling like a million bucks. Thanks, Kate!

I would absolutely recommend the Golden Wonder bath bomb and will rate it with an eight out of ten. It was festive for the season and being surprised when the box broke open and the colors came rushing out made for an exciting bath bomb show. 😀

What is your favorite Lush bath bomb? What is your favorite bath bomb color? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

November 2019 Finishes

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November 2019 Finishes

Hello everyone and welcome to the last day of November here on lifewithlilred! This month felt like it went by SO quickly with all of the holiday shopping, Thanksgiving, and working my little tail off to make up for the days I took to myself for the holiday. Despite November passing by in the blink of an eye, I managed to use up a lot of products that I am here to discuss today with all of you. Check it out:

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Would I Use Again?

  • Jergens Ultra Healing lotion: YES
  • Solimo Shea Butter & Oatmeal body wash: YES
  • Bath & Body Works Blueberry Crumble hand soap: YES
  • Rusk thermal heat serum: YES
  • SkinLab Moisturizing Gel Cream: YES
  • Sunday Riley Good Genes Lactic Acid Treatment: NO

Why/Why Not?

Jergens Lotion: I have been buying Jergens as my lotion of choice since moving into my apartment. It’s fairly inexpensive for a big bottle, it smells great, and it leaves my skin feeling so well loved. I do a weekly all over use after my Wednesday night bubble bath and my skin definitely thanks me for it – especially during the cold winter months. It takes me close to two months to finish a bottle and I always have to restock whenever I do my grocery shopping!

Solimo Body Wash: I don’t love this body wash and I also don’t hate it. It smells fine, it’s moisturizing, and it lathers well but it’s kind of boring. During my morning shower, I like something really invigorating and this just doesn’t do it for me. My mom purchased a ton of these body washes off of Amazon and gave me a few so I’m not mad about that but it also isn’t my go to choice. It took me over one month to finish one bottle.

B&BW Hand Soap: I love, love, love my Bath & Body Works foaming hand soaps! The Blueberry Crumble scent smells exactly like, well… blueberry crumble and it is amazing. The B&BW foaming soaps are so nice because they make my hands feel seriously clean without drying them out. It takes me over three months to finish one bottle because a little goes such a long way and I always look forward to using one up so I can start a fresh one with another delicious scent.

Rusk Serum: The Rusk thermal heat serum is a must in my hair care arsenal and I use it whenever I straighten my hair. It is definitely a salon worthy product and my hair never feels dry or damaged despite my 450 degree straightener. Combined with my favorite IGK Mistress leave in conditioner, my hair has never looked shinier or healthier and I highly recommend both products. It took me over four months to finish one serum bottle.

SkinLab Cream: I always enjoy a good gel moisturizer and this one by SkinLab is my favorite. It feels so light but it is so crazy hydrating, which is awesome, because sometimes the really light gels don’t leave your skin feeling completely moisturized. This product absorbs quickly, sits amazingly under makeup, and keeps my skin dewy and glowing. It takes me one month to finish one jar.

Sunday Riley Treatment: I received this sample as a freebie from Sephora and was only able to use it four times. Granted, that isn’t a lot of time to see if you like a product or not but I was unimpressed. However, the reviews for it on Sephora’s website are for the most part very positive so, maybe if I had a little more, I would have liked it better. So, do with that information what you will!

Overall, November was a very successful month for empties. I love when I can finish up products that I’ve been using for a while and am ready to start fresh in December with some new skin care and bath and body goodies!

Which products did you use up this month? What are your thoughts on any of the products above? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Groovy Movies: Doctor Sleep Edition

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Groovy Movies: Doctor Sleep Edition

Hi there! This past weekend, my sister, boyfriend, and I headed off to the movies to see Doctor Sleep, the sequel to Stephen King’s The Shining. We are all avid fans of Mr. King so we were definitely looking forward to an afternoon viewing of Doctor Sleep. I am not proud of this, but I never got around to reading the book. Believe you me, I’m just as ashamed of myself as all of you!

However, this allowed me to see the film with no preconceived notions of how it should be because I really didn’t know too much about it. This was a good and a bad thing so, without giving away any spoilers, let’s discuss:

^^^ And, as always, I have no rights to this video!

Danny Torrence is all grown up, an alcoholic, and is still shining despite his efforts to stifle it through his addiction. And, can you blame him after his traumatizing stay at the Overlook Hotel as a child? But, what does it mean to shine, you might ask? Well, the shining is kind of like your intuition working on overdrive. You might be able to tell someone where they lost their watch. You could see people who have been dead for years. Or you can communicate with others telepathically. It all depends on the person who is shining.

To shine is an amazing gift and there are those who want to harvest in on that power by tracking down the shiner, killing them, and inhaling their “steam”, which is released through fear and pain. With this group of baddies on the prowl, the shining population is dwindling down leaving some with hardly any shine at all and a handful of mega powerful minds whose shine is impossible to dim.

Cue Danny Torrence and his new friend, Abra, a teenage girl who he meets through telepathic communication. The shine hunters are on to them but can they turn those chasing them into the prey? Watch Doctor Sleep and find out!

Okay, so let’s get to the good things about watching Doctor Sleep without reading the book. Let me start out by saying that this flick was close to three hours long, so not knowing anything about the story line helped keep my attention for most of the film. It made every new development exciting but, as with any long movie, I found myself wondering throughout the viewing just when the hell it would be over so I could go pee.

Had I known where the plot was going and would ultimately end up, maybe the jitters of mentally begging the movie to finish up would have gone away. I also wish that I had a better appreciation of who the characters were and where they were coming from. Don’t get me wrong, the cast was cool and the baddies were badass. But, I think I would have liked them all a bit more if I had a book description to compare them to.

Do I have a problem with long movies? Absolutely not. I could watch the Lord Of The Rings on repeat for days. But, I do have a problem when movies are long and they don’t necessarily have to be. For example, a healthy half hour could have easily been shaved off of Doctor Sleep and the movie would have still been good, if not better. The beginning and ending were exciting but the middle was so drawn out that it made me wish that the grand finale would just hurry up and finish.

My sister happened to read Doctor Sleep and commented that the beginning and ending were very true to the book but it strayed hard in the middle. I can’t comment on this but just going off of what she said, the movie rendition could definitely have been shortened.

I am still happy that I saw the movie in theaters and I had a fun outing with my favorite people but it wasn’t the best film that I’ve seen, by far. In fact, the more I think about it the less I like it. But, it was still good by my standards and I will rate it with a six out of ten stars.

What were your thoughts on Doctor Sleep if you have seen it? What is your favorite Stephen King book or movie? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Featured Image By: IMDB