Lips

Lipstick Queen Cupid’s Bow Jumbo Lip Pencils: These Pretty and Precise Pencils Hit the Target

May 13th, 2016 by Adia Goss 20 Comments

I love that these $22 Lipstick Queen Cupid’s Bow lipstick/jumbo lip pencil hybrids are so smooth, pigmented and easy to apply, and you can get a nice outline around your lips with them. Lipstick Queen is a new brand to me, but I’m loving the luxe vibe.

I’ve reviewed my share of lipstick/lip pencil hybrids (remember the ones from Glo Minerals?), so I like to think of myself as a bit of an expert on the subject.

DETAILS:
0.07oz

“Inspired by the artful precision of a perfectly applied cupid’s bow, this jumbo pencil is packed with pigment and works just like a lipstick and lip liner together in one. Loaded with hydrating ingredients to keep your pout in perfect condition, these pencils give lips a velvety drama that can be drawn on with one simply stroke. Lips are instantly saturated with rich, plush pigments and a dramatic yet moisture-rich satin matte finish. Naughty, nice and playful, with allow-like precision…just like Cupid himself!”

— lipstickqueen.com

Plush, powerful pigments with intense staying power and a satin matte finish

Contains precious mineral Tourmaline sourced from metamorphic rock in Brazil, known for its energizing and radiance-boosting qualities

Luxurious formulation cushions lips in comfort

Artful precision with one effortless application – glides on with intense color pay-off

Complimentary sharpener included

[Continue reading…]

The Tarteist Glossy Lip Paints by Tarte: Nine Shades From Sweet to Sexy

May 12th, 2016 by Anna Oh 17 Comments

There’s a lot to love about these Tarte Tarteist Glossy Lip Paints ($20), and the best way I can describe them is “trend-in-a-good-way.” The nine shades are hydrating, vegan-friendly, and so pigmented that they’re really just upgraded lipglosses. Every shade rocks. The color palette inspired me to create one of my most colorful illustrations yet!

beauty illustration tarte anna oh tarteist glossy lip paint — A beauty illustration inspired by the Tarteist Glossy Lip Paints

As a range, they’re neutral…with an edge. Among the shades are plenty of rosy nudes, plus a few really, really fun shades. I love how Tarte totally went there with the one called Poison. It’s a black plum that stains my lips a deep purple.

The deep shades look incredible on the lips and also work when patted down to a stain, which helps them last much longer (and there’s also less to worry about when they’re applied that way, for anyone wondering).

Here are pics and thoughts on the colors.

Tarte Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint: swatches

tarteist glossy lip paint hella — Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint in Hella

Hella, a “white nude,” is the only color that’s a little too pale for me. It will settle into my fine lines if I don’t layer it, so I recommend using this one with a nude lip liner.

tarteist glossy lip paint obvi — Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint in Obvi

Obvi, a “warm nude,” is the only Lip Paint with shimmer. It’s a nice flattering color that isn’t too bright or pink.

tarteist glossy lip paint goals — Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint in Goals

Goals! Love that name. This one is a “rosy nude,” and I think it brightens up the face more than the others.

[Continue reading…]

How I Wear Nude Lipstick (A Collaboration With Anna)

May 12th, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 11 Comments

From the top, clockwise: Wet n Wild Velvet Matte Lip Color in Hickory Smoked ($3.49), Colourpop Lippie Stix in Lumiere ($5), and Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick in Nude Thrill ($6.99)

When I first started wearing lipstick, I was a sucker for a red lip, particularly matte red lips, and I still am. If I had to wear the same lip color for the rest of my life, it would probably be something red.

But my tastes have grown over the years to include many other colors, including nudes. A change of pace is nice sometimes, and some nudes are just too good to pass up.

I tend to go for the bolder nudes, like pink nudes, or a nude with brownish red undertones.

To go along with Anna’s favorite nude lippies, here are three of my favorite nudes that I’ve been wearing on the regular (when I’m not going for my signature red).

The first one is one of the Maybelline Vivid Mattes, and Adia did an amazing review of these a little while back, so I’m not going to spend too much time on the particulars. I will say that it’s one of my favorite everyday liquid lipsticks for a few reasons. The color lasts, it’s not overly drying, and it’s truly a universally flattering shade.

Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lipstick in Nude Thrill

It can easily be worn with just a bit of mascara for a daytime look or something like a smoky eye for night.

My second favorite nude is my go-to pink for when I feel like wearing something other than red, but don’t want to wear anything particularly bright. It’s Colourpop Lippie Stix in Lumiere, a dusty mauve.

[Continue reading…]

Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Colour in Fig and Shine Luxe Lip Colour in Sheer Delicate Nude, New for Spring 2016

May 11th, 2016 by Adia Goss 20 Comments

new sonia kashuk lipstick — New lipstick shades from Sonia Kashuk and another gorgeous Sonia K makeup bag!

Sonia Kashuk’s Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Colour and Satin Luxe Lip Colour lipsticks are sooo good!

I’d never tried Sonia Kashuk lipsticks before, and now I’m kicking myself for waiting so long. They’re super pigmented and beyond comfortable (which is actually a hard combo to come by, and from a drugstore brand, no less). After trying these shades, both of which are new for spring, now I want the rest of the range!

The first new shade here is called Sheer Delicate Nude, and it’s part of the Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Colour collection. It’s soft, creamy and has a really pretty gloss to it, and even though it’s semi-sheer, it has a heavier finish, almost like a lip balm, so it’s also highly hydrating.

The texture reminds me a lot of the Palladio lip balms that I mentioned in my post about my makeup bag essentials.

It’s just a really pretty nude. Plus, it’s incredibly comfortable. When I wear it I feel like I’m pampering my lips.

Sometimes with lipsticks I have to layer a lip balm under them (like the Murad lip treatment I reviewed a while ago) to add extra moisture, and I don’t mind doing that, but it is an extra step… With the Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Colours, though, they’re so moisturizing that I can happily wear them alone, which is really impressive. I’m always down for anything that will save me a little time in the morning.

Sheer Delicate Nude and the other eight Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Colours are available now at Target for $11 each.

[Continue reading…]

By Terry Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur Luxe Tinted Lip Balm in Mauve Moon and Corail Stellar

May 9th, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 14 Comments

Wearing By Terry Baume de Rose in Corail Stellar ($58)

To me, few brands are more chic than By Terry. I’ve adored the unquestionably luxe line since the first time I spotted the brand while living in Paris. I still remember the thrill I got from splurging on my very first tub of Baume de Rose lip balm… How decadent it was! The rich, soothing cream never left my college purse until I’d used every last bit on my dry patches, cuticles and, of course, lips.

Later a good friend sent me Or de Rose, a golden shimmering take on the original, except with rose gold packaging, and I am still scraping to get out every last drop.

I jumped for joy and nostalgic excitement when, this past year, By Terry released Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur, a tinted version of her precious cult classic in a range of shades from berries to classic cherry reds and deep maroons.

For spring 2016, By Terry has added two new shades — Mauve Moon and Corail Stellar ($56 each) — the first in the line to contain subtle shimmer, and they’re just as stunning as their predecessors.

By Terry Baume de Rose Spring 2016 — By Terry Baume de Rose in Mauve Moon and Corail Stellar

As a dry-lipped lass, I really appreciate the tinted take on By Terry’s classic lip balm formula, which I clearly love, as I’ve nearly demolished two pots of the original and two pots of the golden shimmering version, and Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur easily lives up to the classic’s standard.

“The much-loved lip balm has now been given the Rose Infernale full-color treatment. This eye-popping palette ranges from chic and cheerful to innocent hushed hues and whimsical high-drama. The ever-luxurious formula pampers and soothes with softening rose flower essential wax, lipo-regenerating shea butter, free radical fighting vitamin E, restructuring ceramides, hydrating and smoothing filling spheres. Lips will lap up this deep-down long-lasting cure.”

—spacenk.com

Just as rich and moisturizing as the untinted version, the tinted rendition also has a wonderful rosy garden scent, which smells like real life roses and green stems.

I adore it but, as a word to the wise, if you’re sensitive to scented lip products, you may want to reconsider, as the rosy scent lingers on lips for a while.

[Continue reading…]

Look Fresh and Organically Juicy With Juice Beauty Spring 2016

May 2nd, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 11 Comments

juice-beauty-spring-2016-liquid-lip--gwyneth — Rocking the organic look with Juice Beauty Cream Shadow Stick in Cove, and Satin Lip Cream in Cabernet as a base topped with Liquid Lip in Gwyneth

Although the day will have long since passed by the time you read this post, I started writing it on Earth Day (long story), and while I’m not exactly the world’s foremost expert on green beauty, I love it, and I love seeing what the brands that specialize in organic beauty products have to offer.

Juice Beauty is a well-respected brand in the world of organic, earth-friendly makeup, and they call themselves “the organic solution.” They incorporate a host of plant based ingredients into their products and make it clear that they want you to look at the list of common cosmetic industry ingredients that their products are formulated without.

Juice Beauty Spring 2016 — New juicy treats from Juice Beauty!

[Continue reading…]

My Favorite Nude Lipsticks for Every Occasion and Budget

May 2nd, 2016 by Anna Oh 22 Comments

ysl rouge volupte 3 beige ultimate maybelline nude lust — An old favorite nude lipstick, and a new favorite nude lipstick: YSL Rouge Volupte, and Maybelline Color Sensational

I’m going to guess that you’re like me and LOVE peeking into someone else’s makeup bag. Well, no need to ask, because today I’m going to share my go-to nude lipsticks. I always have these on hand. They’re my good luck charms, like my Tide to Go (because I’m too lazy to reapply dark lip colors after eating), and these will work for beauty lovers of every budget, yay!

Marcella will also be sharing her nude lipstick favorites in another post, and I can’t wait to see what she picks for hers.

For work: YSL Rouge Volupte “3 Beige Ultimate”

So this one is actually a good luck charm for me. I’ve worn this to every job interview, and so far I’ve had a 100% success rate with it!

I’m half-kidding because I haven’t had THAT many full-time job interviews, but I usually wear a long fitted black blazer with some smart pleated pants with this beauty of a lipstick in my pocket. It’s the YSL Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick in Beige Ultimate ($37). Even at that price point, I don’t think this lipstick disappoints. Heavy golden metal, not-too-sweet-watermelon scent, and amazing pigmentation in one swipe.

Infused with oils, it sits comfortably on my lips, and I barely notice I’m wearing it while talking to friends and interviewers alike. YSL wins the award for my top luxury lip choice.

For play: Maybelline The Buffs “Nude Lust”

[Continue reading…]

A Closer Look at the MAC Chris Chang of Poesia Lipsticks: The Blue and Yellow Can Be Wearable??

April 29th, 2016 by Jen Clark 21 Comments

Chris Chang x MAC Lipstick in Cloud Gait — MAC Cloud Gait Lipstick from the MAC x Chris Chang collection

My favorite part of the MAC Chris Chang collection has to be the lipsticks…or maybe the eyeshadows… Wait, but I love the Cream Colour Bases too! But for now, let’s just talk about the lipsticks. Every color is unique and different in some way and, in typical MAC style, the formulas are spot on.

I started out excited by three of the colors and a little perplexed by two. How on earth am I, or anyone really, supposed to wear a sheer blue and a sheer yellow lipstick?? If they were opaque, that would be one thing, but they’re really sheer, which didn’t make sense to me. They just don’t look right on my lips!

MAC Chris Chang Cloud Gait Lipstick — MAC Cloud Gait Lipstick

Chris Chang x MAC Lipstick in Gold XIXI — MAC Gold XIXI Lipstick

Chris Chang x MAC Lipstick in Chris Chang x MAC Lipstick in Gold XIXI — MAC Gold XIXI Lipstick

I think I figured it out, though. I remember learning from someone on YouTube that most makeup artists keep a yellow lipstick in their kit, and the reason is because you can layer it on top of other lip colors to create a custom hue! Aha! That’s how you can use it. You can use Gold XIXI to add warmth to another lip color, and Cloud Gait to cool it.

Let me show you what I’m talking about…

Here’s MAC DDDevilish Lipstick from the collection:

Chris Chang x MAC Lipstick in MAC DDDevilish — MAC DDDevilish Lipstick

[Continue reading…]