From Category: Beauty

Monday, 26 May 2025

Soft, Glowy Summer Makeup
Soft, Glowy Makeup | Not Vicarious

Hey lovelies!

I've been accumulating a whole bunch of new makeup over the last few months and I finally got a chance to try it all. I honestly don't think that there's anything better than just playing around with makeup, taking your time to apply it, and fully slowing down to enjoy the moment; it's like a reward!

I've got to say, I'm really happy with the way that this look turned out. I feel like it would be perfect to wear during the warmer seasons or whenever you want a little soft glam in your day to day life. It definitely channels that glowy vibe that a lot of us love and I think that the pink and pearly champagne colours really make it feel fresh and girly.

Funnily enough, this was the first time in a long time that I had actually made an effort to stray from my usual products and try new ones for practically every step of my routine. I made sure to film the whole process which you can watch here!

It's amazing just how good trying a new routine makes you feel and I thoroughly enjoyed exploring different ways of applying my makeup, especially my blusher. I've never been someone with blush blindness but on this day, I felt like applying a lot more than I usually would and I also extended it further up my cheekbones and ended up loving how it looked!

I hope you try out this makeup routine too and if you need any of the product details, just scroll down to the bottom of this post!


Soft, Glowy Makeup | Not Vicarious

Soft, Glowy Makeup | Not Vicarious

Soft, Glowy Makeup | Not Vicarious

Soft, Glowy Makeup | Not Vicarious


PRODUCT DETAILS:

Saie Beauty Glowy Super Gel - Starglow

E.l.f Cosmetics Power Grip Primer

Maybelline Instant Anti-Age Eraser Multi-Use Concealer - 05

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer - 05

L'Oréal Infallible 32hr Freshwear Liquid Foundation - 130 Cool Rose

E.l.f Cosmetics Halo Glow Setting Powder

E.l.f Cosmetics Halo Glow Powder Puff

Milani Cosmetics Cheek Kiss Cream Bronzer - 110 Hey Honey

Ciaté London Illuminating Blusher - Sweet Kiss

Dear Dahlia Blooming Edition Paradise Jelly Single Eyeshadow - Glitter Vanilla

NYX Cosmetics The Brow Glue

Lancôme Monsieur Big Mascara - Black

Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat Lip Liner - Pillow Talk

Glow Hub Beauty Gen Gleam Collagen Up Lip Glow - Thirsty

Iconic London Prep-Set-Glow - Original

Until next time...

Love always, Stephanie

xoxo

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Thursday, 28 September 2023

Glow Getter or Glow Get Her!

Hey lovelies!!

It's almost October and I just know my skin is going to start hating me if I don't maintain some proper hydration over the next few months. Thankfully I've tried out all sorts of products and I'm wise enough to know that my skin often needs a little more hyaluronic acid than usual in the Autumn and Winter months. Failing that, I often reach for some of my favourite makeup products that give me a temporary glow when I'm in a rush or need a little pick me up on duller days.

Whether you want some glow inducing skincare product recommendations (glow getter), or maybe you've got those locked in and you just want some glowy makeup basics (glow get her), I've listed a few of my favourites below to help give you a head start! 

Skincare/Before Makeup:

- SPF: They weren't kidding when they said this was a must! I use a SPF 50+ sunscreen on my face because I want to protect my skin as much as possible and prevent it ageing from the sun. I highly recommend investing in one that fully protects your skin because you will really see the benefits both in the texture of your skin and, as a result, the way your makeup sits on your face.

- Hyaluronic Acid Serum: I mean kind of a no brainer but it really does give your skin a little extra boost when you add it into your skincare routine.

- Plant Derived Squalane: Makes your face super shiny afterwards but it sure does give you some serious hydration. Definitely a night serum if you're looking to wake up with dewy skin and a more youthful complexion.

- Essence: Very popular in Korean skincare and I've absolutely loved what it has done for my skin, especially this one from Cosrx. It is such a good brand and their essence has really made a difference in the way my skin looks!

- Moisturiser: It says it in the name, it gives your skin moisture! Not only does it do that but it helps to hydrate and protect your skin thereby giving you a much healthier complexion. I have tried quite a few different moisturisers and my favourite one right now is also from Cosrx (featured below).

Makeup:

- Glossier Futuredew: I adore this product! It's an oil-serum hybrid that can be used by itself or as a base for your makeup to make your foundation look that extra bit glowy. This has always been a staple for me come rain or shine!

- Highlighters: Applied to the highest points of your face, highlighters have always been the perfect go-to when you want to make any makeup look shine.

After Makeup:

- Setting Sprays: You wouldn't think this was all that important but a dewy setting spray has done wonders for getting me that beautiful glow when my makeup has looked a bit drab or too matte for my liking.

- Face Mists: Similar to setting sprays, you can easily find a good face mist that can be applied before and after makeup to hydrate your skin and give the products on your face a quick refresh.

Be sure to check out the products I've linked below and let me know of any products you recommend!

Until next time...

Love always, Stephanie

xoxo

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Tuesday, 18 August 2020

Bali Body Gradual Tan & Face Tan Water | AD
Bali Body Face Tan Water | Not Vicarious

Hey lovelies!

I really hope you're not sick of me talking about Bali Body yet because I have so many more goodies to talk to you about! This brand has such incredible products that it's hard not to give them the time they deserve and of course Bali Body Babes are the best! Today's post is all about a couple of products in their self tanning range - the Bali Body Gradual Tan and the Bali Body Face Tan Water - which is made so much more entertaining by the fact that prior to this, I had NEVER self tanned before. Let's just say I was nervous and had a little trouble because of my inexperience.

Starting off with the Gradual Tan, this was a really nice and easy product to apply. I specifically asked for the Gradual Tan over the tanning mousse because I knew that on my first time self tanning, I would need all the help I could get and if the process was simple then I couldn't go wrong!

I first tried this product at the peak of the lockdown because like many others, it was the perfect time to try something new without worrying that it might go wrong and I would have to go out in public looking like a mess! I was pleasantly surprised to find that it all worked out okay and I had very few, minor problems that were mostly caused by me haha!

Bali Body Gradual Tan | Not Vicarious

The Gradual Tan, with its white lotion consistency, applies extremely smoothly but as with other tanning products that do not have a colour guard, it can be difficult to remember where you have applied the tan. With that being said, that is a small price to pay for the great tan that you are left with and it's something that can be easily combated by simply starting from the bottom of your body (i.e. your legs/feet) and working your way up.

I loved the fact that I didn't have to be dark from the get go but instead had the option to build the tan up as I already had the base from the first application and it was perfect for adding more tan to the couple of patches that I had missed on my back...yes I had the typical first timers issue of not doing my back properly!

The total developing time is around 8 hours but because of my plans and the way things generally worked out on the day of application (evening), I ended up leaving my tan and showering it off the day after. This definitely gave me a lot of time to assess how the colour was developing, gradually of course, and it was so cool!

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Gradual Tan was filled with nourishing ingredients such as coconut oil, coffee seed extract and cocoa butter. They all added to the pamper side of my tanning session and made it less annoying if I had forgotten to apply mosturiser to any dry areas of my body beforehand.

Thankfully I picked up some tips from my first time experience with a self tanner:
  • Make sure to moisturise all dry areas of your body prior to application
  • Ensure that the mosturiser has soaked all the way into the skin before you proceed
  • Wash your hands thoroughly after applying the tan to your body
  • When it comes to your hands and feet, use the excess tan for application because wow does it go wrong if you don't...

On that last point, I thought it would only be fitting to let you know about another tanning faux pas I had. I'll keep it short and sweet but I honestly found it quite hilarious how confident I was applying the tan straight from the bottle, to a paper towel, onto my hands and then waking up to find the tan had settled into every crease on my hands in a slightly orange looking fashion and seeming surprised that my "trick" didn't work out well - amateur I tell you! Trust me, this was very much a problem with the user, not the product! If this ever happens to you, just read my Bali Body Self Tan Remover post for a quick and easy solution.

Finally, the self tanner smell of this product was actually quite nice and unusual. I don't know what others are like but this was one that only rubbed off on the clothes I was wearing after application (i.e. my pyjamas). Once you have your shower the only thing that has a very light scent to it is your skin but again, this is the nature of any skin product that has a slight fragrance.

Here are a few before and after photos for you:





Now onto the Bali Body Face Tan Water! This is another really cool product and one that I hadn't heard of before - self tanner virgin over here and all! Just like a toner, you pump a couple of drops of the Face Tan Water onto a cotton pad and apply it all over your face and neck, ensuring that you evenly distribute the product.

Just as Bali Body state on their website, "it's skincare meets self tan" and I have never loved the idea of anything more and this is most likely what made me want to get my hands on it. More importantly, the Face Tan Water with its 4-6 hour developing time can be added into your daily routine at the mosturiser stage; simply add a few pumps to the mosturiser of your choice and watch as your face slowly begins to gain a glowy tan as the hours pass.

My final and probably the most important thing to say about the Gradual Tan and the Face Tan Water is that they DO NOT transfer!! Oh my goodness, I cannot tell you how many times I have looked at the aftermath of people's sheets after they self tan and they are left with what looks like the death of 1,000 cheese puffs hahaha! That being said, I did wear long sleeved pyjamas so if you do ever worry that it might transfer, just grab some clothes you don't mind messing up and wear those to bed.

Overall, I am incredibly happy about my first time self tanning and I was glad that I had the help of Bali Body's range to get me through it successfully. I see plenty more sessions self tanning in the future, yay!!!

XOXO

P.S. Let me know your thoughts on these two lovely products if you've had the chance to try them out. What was your experience like?
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Tuesday, 19 May 2020

In Quarantine | My Mum Does My Makeup

Hey lovelies!

When my mum offered to do my makeup in quarantine, I had zero problems with letting her take the lead and paint my face the way that she thought best. My mum is definitely one of those people who believes in "less is more" so I was highly prepared to have a "no makeup" makeup look but nevertheless, I gave her a variety of products in case she wanted to branch out a little.

To my surprise, she decided to try out a look that was super similar to what I would normally wear and throughout the entire process she took such care in making sure that she picked the right colours and making sure she blended everything in correctly. I must say however that she loved to blame the product whenever something didn't look quite right and it was so funny to watch!

I don't think that I tend to buy cheaply made products but I am starting to wonder if maybe it would be worth me branching out a little and purchasing some high-end products - it could do my makeup routine a world of good! I have no idea what the most perfect routine would consist of but it may very well be that I am missing a few products that would make my makeup look or feel so much better on my skin. Regardless of that, I think that my mum did such an amazing job and who knows, maybe in the future she can try out her "no makeup" makeup look on me!

Be sure to let me know what you think at my mum's first attempt at doing my makeup, did she do a good job? Would you let one of your parents do your makeup in or after quarantine? I want to hear your thoughts!

XOXO



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Tuesday, 5 May 2020

First Impressions: Bali Body Self Tan Remover | AD
Hey lovelies!

Nobody hates a tanning disaster more than me and I've only ever self tanned once in my life so that's saying something! I feel as though once is all it takes to really solidify any opinions you have on tanning and I knew from the start that a build up of tan was one of the things that I wanted to definitely avoid.

So, let's begin with a little storytime for you: I recently tanned my body with the Bali Body Gradual Tan (for which a review will be coming soon) and clever old me thought it would be a good idea to apply the tan straight onto my hands rather than using the excess product and blending it nicely along the top of my hands and along my fingers. I'm sure you can see where I went wrong...and of course for days after I was walking around the house with this uneven tan on my hands that had settled very well into every dry patch it could find on my regularly-washed-in-quarantine-hands.
After about 4 days of having to see my hands look like they had been dipped in mud and seeing them slowly but surely fading in some parts and not others (the dry patches were stubbornly not letting the product go), I decided that enough was enough. I grabbed the Self Tan Remover and Exfoliating Mitt from Bali Body's Vegan self tan range and let the wonderful pair work their magic!

First off, I have to say that the Self Tan Remover is a god send for first timers like me! The fact that this product can work so well both with and without the exfoliating mitt to gently remove your tan with only a 5 minute processing time before you can wipe or rinse away your old tan is what makes it so special. I was not expecting it to work so quickly, let alone remove the stubborn product that was clinging to my dry skin.

What's more, the oh so lovely combination of the Rose Water scent and the key ingredients in the tan remover (Jojoba Seed Oil, Aloe Vera, Glycerin and Cucumber Extract) helped to ensure that even though I was exfoliating the top layer of my skin, I was replacing what was being removed with pure nourishment! I was pleasantly surprised by how easy the entire process was from start to finish and now that the rest of my tan is getting older, I have zero hesitation that this product will be my go-to when renewing my body back to its pale self haha!
Take a look at the video below to see me become fresh and tanless!

Be sure to let me know if you will be picking this product up to solve all of your old tan/build-up of tan issues, I'd love to hear your thoughts on it too!

XOXO
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Friday, 10 April 2020

Take Two: Bali Body Highlighter Sticks | AD
Shop it now: Bali Body Highlighter Stick (3 shades)
Hey lovelies!

I hope you're all doing well considering the circumstances! I am sorry it took so long to get this post up for you but as with a lot of us, it took me some time trying to get used to this isolation thing and what it meant for me and my loved ones.

Now I know that it's been a "hot minute" (as they say) since I spoke about these gorgeous highlighter sticks from Bali Body on my blog but I couldn't let this look and these photos that I took in February go to waste. I promised you a post where I wear all three shades and you're going to get that right now!


So I don't think that it's a secret that I was over the moon when I received these products in the mail because as a makeup lover, the chance to try out something new and exciting is one that I am always ready for especially now that we are in isolation.

 I took it upon myself to try something a little different with the highlighter sticks this time and use the bronze shade 'Sunkissed' as an eyeshadow to give me a tanned glow that perfectly complemented my eyes, making the green pop! Thankfully, due to the formula of the product itself, it's super easy to blend across my eyelids but I definitely recommend applying the highlighter straight to your lids and then blending the colour out with your go-to eyeshadow brush and building it up to whatever 'glow level' you prefer.


As for 'Rose Gold', it's a beautiful shade for highlighting your brow bone and the inner corners of your eyes, which I did in both of the looks I've showcased here on my blog. 'Moonlit' on the other hand is what I tend to use on my cheekbones as I prefer an opal shade that blends well with my blusher and bronzer/contour without adding too much additional colour. The same can be said for highlighting my collarbone as nobody wants to see random streaks on my skin so I opted for the lightest highlighter shade for my fair skin tone.

Remember, if the highlight ever gets too intense just use your beauty blender or foundation brush to tone it down - applying highlighter (powder or liquid) can be a slippery slope but it's all about finding that balance and what works best for your features!

*Gifted but all opinions are my own*
Be sure to let me know what you think of this look and if you've got your hands on these highlighter sticks from Bali Body! If not, feel free to click the (non-affiliate) link below and...happy shopping!
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Tuesday, 25 February 2020

The Bali Body Highlighter Sticks | AD
Shop it now: Bali Body Highlighter Stick (3 shades)
Hey lovelies!

 Ahh this is such an exciting post for me and I can hardly contain my happiness! I have been following Bali Body for a while now and whilst I can't claim to be a self-tan connoisseur, I am a beauty fanatic so you know that the moment I saw Bali Body in my inbox presenting me with the chance to try out the first product in their cosmetic range, I couldn't help but jump at the chance!

 The Bali Body Highlighter Stick is Vegan, cruelty free, universally flattering AND comes in three equally gorgeous shades: Sunkissed (bronze tones), Rose Gold (rosy tones) and Moonlit (champagne tones). The pigment on these highlighters is unreal and the fact that the product is buildable makes it so easy to go from a dewy, fresh-faced look to high-shine nightime glam - all bases are covered for sure!


Now I must admit that when I first tried this product, I was a little scared. I'm someone who dabbles more with powder products compared to cream/liquid products so having to use a liquid highlighter? Well, let's just say I was out of my depth!

Thankfully though, due to the consistency and each universal shade, I was able to quickly pick up the technique and find a way to apply it that suited me. I think that's what I love most about it to be honest; it serves its purpose without causing too much hassle or leaving you wanting to rub it off instantly - definitely a bonus in my eyes after some of the other liquid highlighters I've tried!


Where I applied 'Rose Gold' & 'Moonlit':
  • High points of my cheeks
  • Bridge of my nose
  • Tip of my nose (my favourite)
  • Cupid's bow
  • Brown bone
  • Inner corners of my eyes
  • Temples
  • Collar bone


With a little trial and error, I was able to figure out what beauty tools worked best to give me a seamless finish, no harsh streaks and maximum glow! A sculpting brush with soft bristles was my best friend especially for applying the product on my cheekbones because not only did it blend it to perfection but it allowed me to add just the right amount of highlighter without having to cake it on.

Let's be honest, the last thing you want is a beauty tool that takes away the main purpose of a product but I didn't experience this one single bit! If you're ever in doubt about what to apply it with, use your fingertips so that the product is warmed up and melts into your skin for that effortless glow from within.


Be sure to leave me a comment down below letting me know which shade is your favourite, will you be trying them out? Follow the links to shop the full cosmetic range and get your hands on these beautiful highlighters, you won't regret it!

Stay tuned for my next blog post where I showcase a look I created using all three of these stunning shades. You won't want to miss it since I do my best to capture that flawless Bali Body Babe glow that every girl loves, I'll see you very soon!

*Gifted but all opinions are my own*

Shop: Bali Body Cosmetics

XOXO
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Wednesday, 30 October 2019

Why I'm On Board With Beauty Boxes
Blogtober Day Twenty Two
Hey lovelies!

 Turns out I love myself a good beauty box! This sudden love came about when I was a scrolling through the Beauty section on the Boots website and found this fabulous deal where you could receive the above Beauty Edit Box had you spent £25 on selected beauty products. 

 When I saw this deal and the fact that I could get a variety of products worth £40 for free, especially ones that are either new or highly recommended, you bet that I jumped at the chance! I'll tell you from now that there is nothing worse than buying a product with your own money and it ending up being a complete waste of time...

Fortunately for me, I didn't have to go through that pain but instead I chose the products that I needed and took delight in paying for them knowing that I was going to receive over double of what I had originally ordered - I was LOVING life at this stage hahaha!

 The contents of the box, which you will see down below, had products that were for the most part very new to me. I really believe that opportunities or deals like these can reduce so much heartache and disappointment because you can fully enjoy and test out a product before purchasing it yourself.

Having tried some of these products over the last few weeks, I am glad to announce that I am very happy with everything that has been included. I have even added a separate section in my beauty drawer just for new products to make sure that I get round to using each and every item - such a chore right? (NOT)

 Let me know if you love beauty boxes like these! Are you signed up on any beauty box subscription services? If so, which ones?
XOXO
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Tuesday, 29 October 2019

All I Need This Halloween!
Blogtober Day Twenty One

Hey lovelies!

With a sister like mine, I won't ever need anything else for Halloween. She is so talented and so beyond creative it's genuinely crazy! I love her to bits and I can't help but be in awe of both her skills and her ability to pick something up within a matter of seconds.

I've found that whether it's a look on me, herself or somebody else, she always takes SO MUCH pride in getting every detail right. She can take inspiration from something and immediately make it her own and personally, although I may be a little biased, it definitely turns out way better than the original.

Now I know that this may be a shorter post but I think that the photos and Elena's makeup artistry speak for themselves. I felt this appreciation for my sister/Halloween looks post was both necessary and super effective - afterall don't you want to look like a Halloween bride too?! Because same.

Side-note: If you're looking for someone to do your makeup for Halloween or any occasion for that matter, Elena Pylarinos MUA is always taking bookings so get in contact ASAP!

Let me know in the comment section down below which Halloween look is your favourite! Also, what will you be on 31 October? I want to know!

XOXO









Elena Pylarinos MUA Socials


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Friday, 25 October 2019

Halloween Outfit Essentials With New Look!
Blogtober Day Nineteen
Hey lovelies!

So whether you're a major outfit planner or more of a last minute, slightly less organised individual you will be able to find 5 super easy, super simple Halloween looks in this post to try out this spooky season!

 I really LOVE a bit of online shopping but what I love even more is finding a good deal on the items I want ASAP. Thankfully New Look are always bringing something new to the table and at very reasonable price too!

 The 5 outfits that I have created down below may be a little superficial or not overly imaginative to some of you but I know that there are a lot of people out there who want a Halloween look that is completely fuss-free, easy to put together and very inexpensive.

If any of the above rings home with you then I hope you enjoy perusing the looks below and who knows, maybe you'll find your last minute Halloween costume for this year!

 One important thing for me to add is: feel free to change things up! You can see from the images that I have incorporated a couple of options for the top half of the outfits and some others for the bottom half of the outfits because I know that not everybody will be into the same thing. I have tried to be as diverse with the looks as I can so with that said, let's get spooooooooky!

THE BAT

From Left: 1. Black Velvet Long Sleeve Jumpsuit, 2. Black Halloween Bat Cat Eye Sunglasses, 3. Black Bat Lace Halloween Mask, 4. Black Leather-Look Slim Block Court Heels.

THE PUMPKIN
From Top Left: 1. Brave Soul Bright Orange Halloween Creepin It Real Bodysuit, 2. Orange Glitter Pumpkin Bopper Halloween Headband, 3. Bright Orange Halloween Pumpkin Glitter Glasses, 4. Black Velvet Block Heel Sandals, 5. Black Leather-Look Mini Skirt.

THE SKELETON
From Left: 1. Black Halloween Skeleton Longline T-Shirt, 2. Black Halloween Skeleton Footless Tights, 3. Black Halloween Skeleton Knee High Socks, 4. Black Coated 'Life & Shape' Skinny Jeans, 5. Black Suedette Strappy Stiletto Heels, 6. Silver Halloween Jewel Face Gems.

THE SPIDER
From Top Left: 1. Black Lace Plunge Bodysuit, 2. Black Mesh Tutu Mini Skirt, 3. Black Notch Neck Strappy Bodysuit, 4. Black Spot Mesh Midi Skirt, 5. Silver Spider Web Halloween Hair Slides, 6. Black Glitter Platform Court Shoes.


XOXO
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Wednesday, 23 October 2019

Have We Just Witnessed The Death Of The Nude Lipstick?
Blogtober Day Seventeen
Hey lovelies!

Nude lipstick used to be this must-have product about a year ago but as time has progressed I have seen less and less of it on social media, in magazines and in makeup ads on TV. We are now spoilt for choice when it comes to lipsticks that challenge the lengths and depths of bold colour play and we are diverting at an ever exceeding pace towards the red lipstick.

Red lipstick has almost become a symbol. We are now powerhouses whenever we wear red on our lips, we are effortlessly chic, oh-so-put-together and all in all huge doting fans of this product in its varying hues. We draw on some eyeliner or put the most simple eyeshadow on our eyes and once upon a time a nude lipstick would've satisfied our craving for the "perfect makeup look", but it would seem that we are no longer appeased by it...red lipstick on the other hand? Now that is something we may be onboard with!

You may have seen that in a few of my posts here and here, I am completely obsessed by the look that a red lip product gives me and for some reason I get so many more compliments when I feature it in a makeup look. I'm not sure if it's the bold shade of red or the fact that I don't wear it all that often but it certainly catches the eye of many admirers.

Now if you're sitting there thinking that you could never pull off red lipstick then I challenge you to take a step back, do a quick search of red lipsticks, find the right shade for you and try it on because you may surprise yourself. Personally I think that it's as easy as just finding the right shade for you because what suits one doesn't always suit another.

I think you'll find that the red lipstick is the equivalent of the nude lipstick in many respects and this is primarily due to the variety of shades on offer. A nude lipstick that is too light compared to your skin colour can give you the appearance of a lipless face but a nude lipstick too dark can make you look quite pale. Similarly, a red lipstick too light for your complexion can wash you out whilst a red lipstick too dark can make your features look harsher.

Nevertheless, before you run off to go buy your own perfect shade of red, be sure to leave me a comment down below letting me know if you think that the nude lipstick trend has died and if we have officially entered into a world where red lipstick will now rule all!

XOXO
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