Lips

Giving Lips an Attitude Adjustment With Flushed, Heartbreaker and Temptation: New Gel Lip Colours by Laura Mercier

May 14th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

Laura Mercier Gel Lip Colour in Heartbreaker — Heartbreaker

To quote the great Rachael Ray of 30-Minute Meals, “YUM-O.”

Whenever I get one of Laura Mercier’s Gel Lip Colours on my lips, my tummy rumbles because they taste so good! I’m tempted to bite into one like it’s a big butterscotch popsicle.

They taste and smell like butterscotch to me, also known as “one of the fine flavors of my youth.” Seriously, I used to walk to the corner store and get candy from those Brach’s Candy tubs, and I was all about the butterscotch, mah!

Laura Mercier Gel Lip Colours in Flushed (top) and Heartbreaker (bottom) — Gel Lip Colours in Flushed (top) and Heartbreaker (bottom)

This summer, as part of her New Attitude summer collection, Laura is adding four new limited edition shades to her sheer, smooth Gel Lip Colour line in Heartbreaker, Flushed, Temptation and Clementine. The lightweight, moisturizing formula conditions lips while it hydrates them.

Laura Mercier Gel Lip Colour in Flushed — Flushed

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Resist Red Lipstick Mediocrity With Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Defiant Coral

May 9th, 2014 by Karen 12 Comments

I love the name of this Estee Lauder Lipstick — Defiant Coral.

Like it hangs out with a bunch of ruffians in front a 7-11 past curfew or, I dunno, stands up in the middle of a boring staff meeting and yells, “KISS THIS!” to the boss on its way out the door.

LOL! Oh, Defiant Coral, you rebel, you. 🙂

Defiant Coral is one of the new Sculpting Lipsticks in Estee Lauder’s permanent line, which are called “sculpting” because the multi-faceted pigments in each of the 21 high-intensity statement shades is supposed to make lips look more defined, shaped and curved.

Full coverage with 6-hour wear time

Time-release moisture complex helps capture and seal in moisture

Lips feel continuously moisturized throughout the day

— esteelauder.com

They sound pretty expensive for Estee Lauder at $30 a pop, but they remind me of Guerlain’s pricier $51 Le Rouge Gs in terms of how they feel, look and perform.

I mean, I don’t think the packaging is as sexy as the silver bulleted Rouge Gs — although the navy and gold is elegant in its own way — but Defiant Coral’s smooth creaminess, rich hydration, opaque coverage and 5-6 hour wear time is like something out of the Rouge G line.

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I’m Inspired by Muse: The New Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss in Muse

May 2nd, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments

Oh, happy day!

Hourglass Cosmetics recently added three new shades to their Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss line — coral Muse, dusty rose Canvas and vibrant pink Ballet. Muse in its lipstick form has been one of my favorite Hourglass products for a while, so yay! Happy dance. 🙂

I’ve been deeply enamored with the Extreme Sheens and their bomb-dot-com, hella moisturizing formula. Not only do they shine like diamonds, but they also smell like cupcakes!

That’s like a triple rainbow all the way across the sky.

Pink guava Origami and warm coral Nectar have been my go-to purse gloss jams this spring, but now they face serious competition from Muse…

A potently pigmented coral, Muse is essentially the glossy version of the brand’s Femme Rouge Lipstick and Opaque Liquid Lipstick of the same name.

BAM! — it jumps right out at you.

Muse in Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss form begins bright and bold, slowly fading to a matte reddish pink stain over the course of 2-3 hours.

Very pretty. 🙂

Because Muse packs a lot of pigment, keeping it inside my natural lip line can be a challenge when applying, especially if I’m rushing, so I like to prep my pout first with a lip liner to keep it corralled.

With a steady hand and some patience, though, you could probably skip the liner. Just know that it’ll take some time to apply, because the color’s REALLY INTENSE.

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The MAC Alluring Aquatic Lipsticks, Lipglasses and Lip Pencils Are off the Port Bow

May 1st, 2014 by Karen 23 Comments

Dear MAC Makeup Sirens of Alluring Aquatic…

Hey, ladies! I know y’all are busy reclining on the rocks and beguiling sailors with your songs and whatnot, but when you have a spare minute, ideally some time before your new 32-piece Alluring Aquatic summer collection arrives on May 15, can we schedule a quick conference call?

I’d like to discuss a major issue I have with the five Lipsticks, five Lipglasses and two Lip Pencils in the collection — specifically, I wish I could wear each and every one of them, like, all at the same time.

Four of the five MAC Alluring Aquatic Lipsticks

Frankly, I am jealous of the hydra, your mythical multi-headed pal, because he doesn’t have to choose among the pearly nudes, neutral pinks, plummy bronzes and vibrant violets. It’s totally not fair!

I, being a mere human (sigh), am relegated to wearing a single lip look at a time. ‘Tis a Greek tragedy of epic proportions.

But it’s not my fault! I have a weakness for nude lips, particularly in smokey eye looks using eyeshadows in unexpected colors, like the shimmery blue, green and plum Extra Dimension Eye Shadows from the MAC Alluring Aquatic collection.

I love the femme fatale look of glistening eyes and glossy nude lips, and I can totally get that by lining my lips with light nude What Comes Naturally Lip Pencil before filling them in with Lustre Lipstick in Siren Song (a pale sheer beige) or Frost Lipstick in Pet Me, Please (a light shimmering mauve).

A layer of either the seductively sparkly Clear Water or creamy nude Peachstock Lipglasses on top, and I, too, feel like a magical creature of the sea.

Oh! — and the pinks in this collection? Both neutral pink Matte Lipstick in Enchanted One and creamy rose Cremesheen Lipstick in Mystical are neutral enough to work with both warm and cool skin tones and perfect for a day at the office, whether you spend said days on sea cliffs singing enchanting songs or pushing paper at your desk (damn those TPS reports!).

MAC Alluring Aquatic Lip Pencils in Half-Red (left) and What Comes Naturally (right) — Lip Pencils in Half-Red (left) and What Comes Naturally (right)

I like both of the lippies worn either by themselves or with a touch of light bronzy pink Water Deities Lipglass or plummy bronze Seducing Sound Lipglass on top, which makes them even more alluring.

And how about those big parties at the Parthenon? Well, when I need enough drama to party with Zeus and Athena, vibrant violet Cremsheen Lipstick in Goddess of the Sea, deep violet Lipglass in Modern Lure and soft burgundy Lip Pencil in Half-Red perfectly accompany shimmery statement eyeshadows.

Yes, MAC Makeup Sirens, I believe that you gals know where to find me, since I can hear you singing your songs of makeup seduction practically every single day. Have your people call my people, and let’s set up a time to talk.

Sooner than later, yeah?

MAC Siren Song Lustre Lipstick — Siren Song Lustre Lipstick

MAC Mystical Cremesheen Lipstick — Mystical Cremesheen Lipstick

MAC Pet Me PleaseFrost Lipstick — Pet Me Please Frost Lipstick

MAC Enchanted One Matte Lipstick — Enchanted One Matte Lipstick

MAC Modern Lure Lipglass — Modern Lure Lipglass

MAC Clear Water Lipglass — Clear Water Lipglass

MAC Peachstock Lipglass — Peachstock Lipglass

MAC Water Deities Lipglass — Water Deities Lipglass

MAC Seducing Sound Lipglass — Seducing Sound Lipglass

MAC Alluring Aquatic Lipstick swatches from the left: Siren Song, Mystical, Pet Me Please Me and Enchanted One — Lipstick swatches from the left: Siren Song, Mystical, Pet Me Please Me and Enchanted One

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$19 Buxom Full-On Lip Polish: These 100 Lovely Ladies Love High-Shine Lips

April 30th, 2014 by Karen 23 Comments

I’ve always had a weird fascination with those personalized name tchotckes — like the little license plates, key chains, bottle openers and refrigerator magnets you always see at the airport on display in front of the periodicles stores.

I don’t know why, but I just love those little things, and the spinning kiosks, too. You twirl them around, looking for your name, and then voila! — there it is! Hopefully.

I’ve always gotten a big kick out of that… 🙂

Imagine my delight when I came across this new line of Full-On Lip Polish lipglosses ($19 each) from Buxom on all its spinning display glory at Sephora yesterday.

Of course I had to stop.

“For kisses that’ll keep them coming back for more, try this sheer, high-shine lip polish. It creates the look of fuller, more voluptuous lips with a refreshing tingling sensation and gentle plumping effect. Vitamins A and E help keep lips soft, supple, and protected, ensuring your smoothest moves ever.”

— sephora.com

Each of the glosses has her own name, so you can walk up to the display, twirl it around, and look for the gloss that matches your name.

How cute is that?!

The sheer, shimmering, glistening $19 Buxom Full-On Lip Polishes have been around for a while, but the brand just recently expanded the collection up to 100 shades (!).

Yes, I did find one called Karen, and I may or may not have giggled fiendishly when I saw that she’s a sparkling pink.

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Sky High Glimmer for $49 With Tom Ford’s Two New Sultry Lip Shimmers in Solar Gold and Moonlight

April 28th, 2014 by Karen 11 Comments

Tom Ford Lip Shimmers in Solar Gold (left) and Moonlight (right) — New from the Tom Ford Summer 2014 collection: Lip Shimmers in Solar Gold (left) and Moonlight (right), $49 each

To wear whilst yacht/mansion shopping, and/or counting your gold bars, two new lipsticks from Tom Ford.

These new Lip Shimmers might be best suited for the die-hard Tom Ford Beauty fans among us, and other lovers of super sheer, glimmering $49 lipsticks.

Both sultry shades are new for summer 2014 and limited edition (including the gorgeous packaging).

Warm, glimmering Solar Gold and cool-toned frosty white Moonlight are packed with Vitamins C and E, as well as shea butter, to nourish and moisturize yo’ dry pout.

In terms of texture, fragrance and wear time, I do detect the faintest hint of vanilla when I wear these lightweight, slick, non-sticky lipsticks, but the formula only lasts about an hour on my lips.

Tom Ford Moonlight and Solar Gold Swatches — Swatches of Moonlight (left) and Solar Gold (right)

Tom Ford Lip Shimmer in Moonlight — Lip Shimmer in Moonlight

Tom Ford Lip Shimmer in Solar Gold — Lip Shimmer in Solar Gold

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The New Tarte LipSurgence Lip Glosses in Exposed, Blushing Bride and Park Ave Princess

April 25th, 2014 by Karen 6 Comments

Wearing the new Tarte LipSurgence Lip Gloss in Exposed

For the lip-lovin’ lady who has everything as it pertains to pigmented lip products, say hi to the new Tarte LipSurgence Lip Glosses in Exposed, Blushing Bride and Park Ave Princess — the sheerest of the new LipSurgence Lip Gloss line.

These three — nude rose Exposed, mauve pink Blusing Bride and shimmering golden nude Park Ave Princes — are joined by the six slightly more pigmented shades we looked at earlier this week (Tipsy, Blissful and Fearless; and Flush, Natural Beauty and True Love).

The question of the day: will you be able to see a difference among these three shades?

Hmm… Maybe. Up close. If you have a good eye. I think up close I can see a difference among them in the swatches, but I have to look very closely.

Nude rose Exposed looks slightly warmer and more pigmented than mauve pink Blushing Bride does to me, while Park Ave Princess looks like the sheerest cupcake in the batch. That one is basically just a barely-there nude tint with lots of golden glitter.

From across a room, I don’t think I’d be able to tell any of these three apart, at least not on my pigmented lips. The differences among them may be more apparent on less pigmented puckers than mine.

Don’t get me wrong, though, I’m not knocking them at all for being sheer, because they were purposefully designed that way — for natural-looking lips and high shine, which they do deliver. Like the Urban Decay Naked Glosses, they aren’t made for full-coverage color.

Of course, there’s a catch 22 there. Being as sheer as they are, they’re also pretty dupable in terms of color (Tarte gets extra credit, though, for being cruelty-free and for using so many veggie-based ingredients). Exposed resembles UD’s Beso, Blushing Bride looks like Rule 34, and Park Ave Princess reminds me of an uber-sheer NARS Orgasm gloss.

Similar to Chanel’s Glossimers, when I wear these, with their thick, non-sticky formula, it definitely feels like I have something on my lips. They aren’t so lightweight that I completely forget when I have them on.

As for finish and wear time, it’s a two-part saga. They begin with a patent-leather shine that slowly softens down to a subtle satin over about an hour, and then hang on for another 2-3 hours from there.

I like how easy these are to wear (I’m kind of a nude gloss enthusiast, it’s true!), and if you like your glosses super sheer and shiny like I do, you might like ’em, too. 🙂

As a side, you can also layer these on top of nude lipsticks or lip pencils — ya know, for an added twist and a little extra value.

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The New Tarte LipSurgence Lip Glosses in Tipsy, Blissful and Fearless

April 24th, 2014 by Karen 8 Comments

Wearing the new Tarte LipSurgence Lip Gloss in Tipsy

Here’s batch two of the new Tarte LipSurgence Lip Glosses in Tipsy, Blissful and Fearless. I think these could be of interest to all card-carrying members of the CAPLGLN (Coral and Peach Lip Gloss Love Nation).

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Glosses in Tipsy, Blissful and Fearless

Tipsy: a sheer coral
Blissful: a warm peach
Fearless: a shimmery pinkish coral

What’s with the funky doe-foot?

It’s curved to fit the contours of your lips, and the pointy tip makes it precise.

Is the doe-foot hard to use?

Not at all. It’s very precise, actually, particularly around the Cupid’s bow — very, very handy when I’m in the mood to wear an overdrawn lip look (where you apply your lip products outside your natural lip line to make your lips look fuller).

Tipsy and Blissful look kind of similar, yeah?

Sheer coral Tipsy and warm peach Blissful do look somewhat similar, yes. On my pigmented lips, they’re tough to tell apart. I do see a slight difference between them, though, if we’re going to split hairs… I think Blissful is a tad more pigmented.

Any dupes?

Off the top of my head, both Tipsy and Blissful look similar to Urban Decay Naked Lip Gloss in Streak.

Tell me all about Fearless, ma!

I love the name and the golden glitter. 🙂 It’s the most distinct shade in this batch — like a sheerer version of NARS Super Orgasm Lip Gloss with larger pieces of gold glitter.

What’s the glitter sitch on that?

Surprisingly, the glitter flecks in Fearless aren’t gritty, considering the size of the pieces (see them in the full-face shot?). This is classy glitter; not “klassy.”

Formula, flavor and finish

The thick, non-sticky formula starts super shiny but wears down to a slight shine over about an hour, and then will last another 2-3 hours after that. In other words, they’ll last through a glass of Two Buck Chuck (it’s 5 o’clock somewhere), but won’t make it through a tuna fish sandwich. As for flavors, yup, it’s a vanilla buttercream flavor and scent.

Meow or hiss?

Meow, although these three shades here may not be flashy enough to really stand out at a big event like your wedding or prom, but for everyday natural — sure.

Where can I find ’em?

At Sephora stores and online for $19 each.

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Glosses in Tipsy, Blissful and Fearless

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Gloss Swatches in Tipsy, Blissful and Fearless — Swatches in Tipsy, Blissful and Fearless

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Gloss in Tipsy Lip Swatch — Tipsy Lip Swatch

Tarte LipSurgence Lip Gloss in Blissful Lip Swatch — Blissful Lip Swatch

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