Lips

All You Need Is (the Summer of Lip) Love: Coming at You From San Francisco, the New Marvelous Moxie Lipsticks, Lipglosses and Lipliners by bareMinerals

April 18th, 2013 by Karen 54 Comments

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick, Lipgloss and Lipliners — The new bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in Never Say Never ($18)

Go ahead, poke fun at me for saying “hella” all you want, babe, but I’ll always, always own that sh*t.

It’s just something I picked up growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area.

I also learned not to wear shorts with a tank top when I visit SF in July (because it can get downright cold!), and I automatically drop my “the’s” when referring to BART trains and MUNI. (SF Lingo 101: we say, “I took BART,” or “I took MUNI,” instead of saying, “I took the BART.”)

Yep, I’m a Bay Area girl through and through. 🙂

We may not host the headquarters of as many makeup lines as Paris and New York, but we’ve got some pretty bangin’ beauty brands reppin’ the Bay, like San Francisco-based bareMinerals.

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipliners, Lipsticks and Lipglosses — Cheeseball!

And just like San Franciscans did back in the day, fans of bareMinerals this year can look forward to another summer of (lip) love, with a massive new launch of Marvelous Moxie Lipsticks, Lipliners and Lipglosses.

Next month, the brand is adding a total of 46 new permanent collection lip products, all priced from $15-18 each.

I KNOW!

Seeing as how I change my lip color, oh, about every five seconds, I’m really excited. 🙂

This afternoon I made out with nine of the new products, and based on that, we have some pretty playful pigments and creamy textures to look forward to, and coverages varying from super saturated to soft and sheer.

Here we go! Bring on the summer of lips…

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipsticks in Light It Up, Never Say Never and Speak Your Mind

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Setting a New Gold Standard for Lip Luxury That Actually Includes Gold, the Hourglass No. 28 Lip Treatment Oil

April 16th, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

Hello, obsession. 🙂 Well, to be more precise, “the luxury lip treatment obsession I’m keeping on call for when Bruce Wayne shows up at my doorstep and offers to fund my lavish cat lady lifestyle, no strings attached (’cause he’s nice like that).”

Gold. Luxury. $42.

This new No. 28 lip treatment flat-out exudes luxury, and it wants to share that luxury with your lips.

Like, literally.

Hourglass outfitted it with a 24-karat gold-plated tip!

Recently added to the company’s permanent line for summer, it contains a blend of vitamins and 28 cool plant compounds and essential oils.

Oh, yeah. And then there’s the gold tip.

Gimmicky? Why, yes. Yes, it is. But it sure is bright and shiny! — and it feels like love on my lips. Cool, refreshing (and mildly addictive).

Of possible interest to germaphobes and Purell enthusiasts, Hourglass also says the gold-plated tip is anti-bacterial (interesting).

Something about it reminds me of The Hunger Games…but maybe that’s just because Cinna’s been on my mind. I can totally see him pulling one of these out of his man purse to moisturize Katniss’s lips between events (more on that in a sec).

Hourglass claims that their proprietary blend of 28 plant-based essential oils and vitamins helps to condition lips, reduce wrinkles and improve overall lip shape and volume.

“Like No. 28 Primer Serum, this product is enriched with 14 essential oils: Bois De Rose, Lavender, Geranium, Petitgrain, Lemon, Rosemary, Vanilla, Clove, Amyris, Orange, Ylang Ylang, Eucalyptus, Cedar and Rose Geranium; 10 lipid-rich plant oils, including Hazelnut, Kukui Nut, Rose Hip, Borage, Olive, Green Tea, Cherry Pit, Sweet Almond, Jojoba, and Evening Primrose; and is fortified with 4 Vitamins, A, B5, C and E. The 28 ingredients create a protective barrier for lips.”

— From the official PR

I’ve been swiping the clear treatment, which has a light sheen to it, on my pout throughout the day and right before bedtime, and my lips have felt a little softer lately.

The medium-weight, comfy formula has a slightly sticky feel and a strong lavender and eucalyptus flavor and scent. The formula lasts on my lips from 1-2 hours, and I’ll wear it by itself or layered atop a nude lip liner.
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In Daydreams, I See Oceans of Shimmer: The Glossy, Glittery Glossimers From the New Chanel Revelation Collection

April 11th, 2013 by Karen 46 Comments

Chanel Daydream Glossimer — Starring in a reverie near you, Chanel’s $29.50 Daydream Glossimer…

“When in doubt, Chanel it out.”

Wouldn’t that look great on a t-shirt? Or a bumper sticker? Or maybe tattooed on a Chanel addicted beauty fanatic’s inner wrist (in sans serif font, of course)?

This, my friend, is my new makeup mantra: “When in doubt, Chanel it out.”

It occurred to me earlier this week — a revelation of sorts — as I was trying to figure out to wear to that work lunch I went in the city last Tuesday.

I was stumped and rutting around through my makeup drawer. Couldn’t figure out what I wanted to wear, and then I remembered the quad and blush from the spring 2013 collection and spotted one of the new Glossimers from the new Chanel Revelation collection.

“When in doubt, Chanel it out.”

Oh, babe! The spring collection’s glosses, and that Taboo nail polish, are fodder for daydreams. Think glossy, glittery lips and rich, interstellar indigo tips that twinkle like little stars.

For the season, Coco’s crew positioned the Glossimers as essentials for your makeup kit, like must-have purses and shoes — wearable, flexible, because they can go with so many different outfits and looks. The collection includes a mix of 10 new and re-promoted glosses, some of them on the sheer, subtle side, like sheens, and others sparkly metallics.

The new Chanel Collection Revelation collection of Glossimers ($29.50) and Taboo Nail Polish ($27)

Chanel Ocean Shimmer 171, Rose Sauvage 172 and Daydream 174

Chanel Collection Revelation Swatches — From the left: Ocean Shimmer 171, Rose Sauvage 172 and Daydream 174

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Get a Long-Lasting Luxury Lip Gloss Look for a Penny Less Than 9 Bucks With Sonia Kashuk’s New Luxe Lip Gloss

April 9th, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

Sonia Kashuk Ultra Luxe Lip Gloss in Prettiest Pink ($8.99) — In the category of “Favorite Drugstore Lip Gloss,” I’m currently crushing on Sonia Kashuk’s Ultra Luxe Lip Gloss in Prettiest Pink ($8.99)

Lucky number nine!

That’s how many shades Sonia Kashuk crafted of her new $9 ($8.99 to be exact) Ultra Luxe Lip Gloss. Partial to pale pinks? Check. Nudes? Got ya covered. Rich plums? Right here.

Right now I’m hooked on Prettiest Pink and Polished Plum, both of which, like the other colors in the line, are unscented and unflavored. Every time I swipe one of their brush applicators across my lips, I’m blown away by how evenly they apply, and I think the pigmented, non-sticky formula feels fantastic (and lasts from 2-4 hours). It’s juiced up with papaya extract, glycerin and antioxidants to make it hella hydrating, too.

“This next-generation lip gloss formula delivers beautiful, buildable color with instant softness and multi-dimensional shine. This lightweight, gel-like texture glides on comfortably to leave lips feeling kissable and moisturized — never sticky. Shades range from subtle nude to bold brights. Infused with Glycerin, Fatty Acids and emollients to hydrate lips and Papaya Fruit Extract, a natural skin softener, this multi-tasking gloss enhances skin’s elasticity and protects lips with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.”

— target.com

Sonia Kashuk Ultra Luxe Lip Glosses in Polished Plum on the top and Prettiest Pink on the bottom ($8.99) — Sonia Kashuk Ultra Luxe Lip Glosses in Polished Plum on the top and Prettiest Pink on the bottom ($8.99 each)

Sonia Kashuk Ultra Luxe Lip Gloss Swatches in Prettiest Pink on the left and Polished Plum on the right

Sonia Kashuk Ultra Luxe Lip Gloss in Polished Plum

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Straight From Strutting Down Catwalks in New York and Paris, the Limited Edition MAC Fall ’13 Forecast/Lips Palette Now Hopes to Sashay Along a Boulevard With You

April 8th, 2013 by Karen 43 Comments

MAC Trend Forecast Fall 13 Forecast/Lips — The forecast calls for lips! — MAC Fall 13 Forecast/Lips, that is ($40)

If any brand’s got their finger on the pulse of makeup lovers like me, it’s got to be MAC. Especially when it comes to [INSERT ANY MAKEUP CATEGORY HERE OR] lip palettes. They’re hands down one of my favorite lip palette lines…and I don’t even consider myself a big lip palette fan!

It’s the colors they choose to put together — they just have a knack for it — like does this one go with that? Why yes, MAC, it does, and I can’t even figure out how/why!

Take their new $40 Fall ’13 Forecast/Lips palette, for instance, and its six fashion-forward fall shades. None of the colors, all of which have MAC’s preternaturally pigmented Amplified lipstick finish, seem wasted or like they’re merely taking up space.

The colors that come with the chic limited edition set stalked New York and Paris fall fashion week catwalks, and now they’re looking for love on all of our faces. 🙂 From colors for work lunches (I’m thinking any of the neutral colors on the palette’s left would do well) to drinks at a stylish lounge (any of the shades, really), this palette has it covered.

MAC Fall 2013 Forecast Lipstick swatches from the left: Au Naturale, This Is Autumn, Style Apparent, Rich New Mood, Red Statement and Fashion Noise

MAC Trend Forecast Fall 13 Forecast Lips Au Naturale — Au Naturale, a light neutral flesh shade with an Amplified finish

MAC Trend Forecast Fall 13 Forecast Lips This Is Autumn — This Is Autumn, a warm midtone flesh shadw tih an Amplified finish

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MAC Added a Pinch of Pastel, a Spoonful of Sparkle and a Dash of Cream to the MAC Baking Beauties Collection

April 5th, 2013 by Karen 20 Comments

Now where’d I put my KitchenAid…?

Don’t let me catch you dipping into the frosting again. 🙂 These products aren’t for tummies. They’re for eyes, lips, nails and cheeks.

The recipe calls for pastel colors and 24 cups of sugar. Definition: it’s sweet, sweet, sweet.

Step into the kitchen! Here’s a taste of 10 of the 24 pieces from the MAC Baking Beauties collection, which comes out of the oven April 18 in North American MAC kitchens, stores and online (and internationally this May).

Ya know, I’m lovin’ the idea of this release (because I’m a sugar fiend). Cupcakes and I — we roll deep! But I don’t know… From what I’ve seen so far, these pieces seem more Splenda than C&H.

I was expecting ecstasy with these — the same visceral, intense reaction I get when I bite into a real life red velvet cupcake with cream cheese frosting (yum!) — but I’m actually on the fence. A lot of these colors look similar on my NC42 skin.

MAC In For a Treat Pearlmatte Face Powder, a champagne base with a matte coral flower and mint leaves on the pan ($29)

Like In For a Treat Pearlmatte Face Powder and the pretty design (the white edges are an overspray, but I don’t think the design in the center of the pan is). It has all the makings of an award-winning dessert! Normally, I’d want seconds of something like this, but I find myself craving more oomph! Less frost and more coral.

MAC Pink Buttercream Pearlmatte Face Powder, a light silvery pink base with dark pink flowers and periwinkle leaves ($29)

MAC Pink Rebel Lustre Drops, a blueish pink with golden pearl ($21)

MAC Lavender Whip Lipstick, a light cool lavender with a Cremesheen finish ($15)

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Vibrant Orange and Coral Storm the Stage in the MAC Hayley Williams Collection

April 5th, 2013 by Karen 25 Comments

I can’t guarantee you’ll go completely American Idol on that @ss when you wear the new MAC Hayley Williams collection and blast Paramore’s The Only Exception…but I think the chances of it happening are quite high, especially if you like orange and coral on your lips, tips and lids.

MAC has long loved collaborating with musicians, and the new four-piece online exclusive with Paramore lead singer Hayley Williams is their latest duet.

It’s also the most wearable one I’ve seen in a while.

I mean, well…Nicki Minaj Viva Glam 2 doesn’t exactly epitomize wearable. I know, like, one person who can pull off pale violet lips without looking totally and completely cray.

This collection sure seems more like music for the masses, and I like it. It sings with rock-n-roll brights, but still manages to stay chic.

And that coral eye shadow? Beautiful! It really surprised me when I got it on my lids.

Today I took the stage — also known as the hallway outside my office — with a sparkly fake microphone to put three of the four pieces to the test.

MAC Daydreaming Eye Shadow, a frosted mid-toned coral with a veluxe pearl finish ($15)

Daydreaming Eye Shadow ($15): Man, I thought this bright reddish coral had “zombie girl!” written all over it, but the red relinquishes the spotlight on my NC42 skin. I get more of an orangey pinkish coral from it, and the veluxe pearl finish hits all the right notes to keep things interesting. I’m not usually into colors like this, but I’m feeling this one, especially with thick cat eye liner. No fallout or patchiness, and it only takes one or two layers. Daydreaming is my favorite piece from this release.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A

MAC Sounds Like Noise Lipstick, a bright true orange with a matte finish

Sounds Like Noise Lipstick ($15): Like a songstress belting out the blues at a gin joint, this bright orange matte has a story to tell. It’s trickier than I expected, but there’s pigment there. I have a tough time getting it to put down smooth color — apply, blot, then reapply — but a liner should help with that. I like the color, but I’d probably like it more if MAC remixed it into an Amplified Creme… Now that would top the charts!
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+

MAC Lightscapade Mineralize Skinfinish, a soft, candlelit beige with multidimensional shimmer ($29)

Lightscapade Mineralize Skinfinish ($34): A shimmering beige that whispers on my skin like a breathy intro to a naughty Maxwell slow jam. On me, I think its true potential gets kinda lost, but it should really sing on lighter and medium skin tones.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B

MAC Hayley Williams swatches from the left: Lightscapade Mineralize Skinfinish, Daydreaming Eye Shadow and Sounds Like Noise Lipstick

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I Can’t Think of a Better Way to Mourn the Loss of the Chanel Aqualumieres Than With the New Guerlain Gloss d’Enfer Maxi Shines

April 3rd, 2013 by Karen 19 Comments

What’s a Chanel lip gloss lover to do when she still feels a throbbing hole in her heart where the Aqualumiere Glosses once lived?

The lightweight, shiny Aqualumieres have been gone for years, and yet I still shed sparkly tears whenever I think about them…

Oh, the sweet, sweet misery!

R.I.P., Candy Glow. *sniffs*

Next time I get all emo for an Aqualumiere and feel the urge to pour a 40 on the ground (or in my case 6 ounces of chai latte), I’ll just grab one of these new splurge-worthy Gloss D’Enfer Maxi Shines from Guerlain.

For a polished chrome shine a mirror would envy, just whip out the flat flocked applicator (ergonomically shaped for easier application), and slick your lips with one of 20 available shades, which vary from shy girl quiet sheerness to HAAAY BOO! — we’re going full-on drag-caliber opacity tonight.

What’s more, these glosses look and feel exactly like the Aqualumieres!

Well, darned near. Same crystal ball-like finish, same smooth, non-sticky texture, lightweight formula and two-hour wear time.

Heck, they could almost pass for identical makeup twins.

Almost.

Guerlain’s Maxi Shines do have a rosy scent and flavor the Aqualumieres didn’t have, but I like it. It’s not overpowering. I think it’s quite elegant, in fact.

Guerlain Gloss D'Enfer Maxi Shine Swatches — Top row: 400 Gold Tchlack, 460 Rose Splatch, 402 Browny Clap, 463 La Petite Robe Noir and 468 Candy Stripe; bottom row: 467 Cherry Swing, 471 Prune Zip, 420 Rouge Schebam, 441 Tangerine Vlam and 421 Red Pow

Guerlain Gloss D'Enfer Maxi Shine in 421 Red Pow — Guerlain Gloss D’Enfer Maxi Shine in 421 Red Pow

Guerlain Gloss D'Enfer Maxi Shine in 471 Prune Zip — Guerlain Gloss D’Enfer Maxi Shine in 471 Prune Zip

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