Inevitably, every season there’s at least one makeup trend that’s great in theory but not so easy to pull off in real life. Right now, my big beef lies with the dark plum, brown and berry lip shades that keep popping up in the fall collections. I like dark lip looks (the more vampire-y the better), but I don’t always like having to go through the steps involved to get them, nor am I always up for the maintenance required to keep dark lips looking their best.
It can be exhausting!
I’ve long searched high and low for an easy way to get dark lips looks and found comfort at la casa de Chanel (where else?), thanks to a sexy plum-gold lipgloss sporting the oh-so-clever name, Ironic Tonic.
This Purple and Gold Combo Reigns
A beautiful plum with subtle flecks of gold, Ironic Tonic looks great even after a single layer. It delivers a hint of purple with lots of gold shimmer. I like to think of it as a watercolor dark lip look with the shine turned up to the max.
A quick change artist, Ironic Tonic flashes from purple to gold depending on the light and the angle of view. The gold in it dominates right after application but fades to more purple as time passes between applications. I really like how it looks after about an hour. By then the gold has diminished somewhat and what you’re left with is a sexy, deep flush — like you’ve just engaged in the most excellent makeout session with ya’ boy toy (woot!).
OH, and sidenote, MAC lipglass fans — Ironic Tonic is the plum version of Nymphette, a pink shade with gold shimmer. If you like Nymphette, you’ll probably dig this shade, too.
Chanel Aqualumiere Gloss in Ironic Tonic
Price: $26
Use: To add shine and a plum-gold color to lips
Makeup and Beauty Blog Rating: A+
Low Maintenance and Easy to Apply
Aqualumiere glosses do have a limited wear time (for the full deets, check out this earlier review), but it’s easy to reapply. Ironic Tonic is sheer enough to make liner optional; plus, the brush that comes with the gloss works like a charm. I found one layer was just enough to give my lips adequate ZAP! BAM! POW! And, unlike really dark colors, which I have to constantly worry about, the sheer plum-gold doesn’t stand out when stray streaks accidentally end up on my chin.
Other Ways to Wear It
So far I’ve only worn Ironic Tonic by itself, but I think it might look pretty on top of plum or gold lipstick (try Chanel’s Formentera or Plum Rouge lipstick shades from the fall 2008 release). The combination possibilities are endless.
Things that Make You Go Hmmm…
Last, but not least, I’m thinkin’ whoever named this shade either majored in English Lit or has a weird sense of humor. What, exactly, is an Ironic Tonic? Is it tonic you’d take to cure an excess of irony, or does it bring out more of the irony in life? Hmm…
If you’re in need of some Ironic Tonic, then pay a visit to your nearby Chanel counter or check it out online.
This morning I braved a long line (and a hefty 2-year contract) to get the new iPhone and made the startling discovery that one’s humanity is tested when one is forced to stand in line for long periods of time. In general, I noticed people getting C-R-A-N-K-Y around the 45-minute mark. To make matters even more amusing, the mall that I was at was playing this weird orchestral music with lots of scary drum and string instrument sounds that reminded me of the music played during alien chase scenes in sci-fi movies. Unfortunately, the music riled up the natives even more; if there’d been spears available, I fear things would’ve turned Lord of the Flies.
Despite the line, I managed to get the phone AND still make it to work on time. Now, I’ve just finished a big vat of coffee and feel super hyper… WHEE!
What’s cracking with you today? Are you happy it’s hump day?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
That Chanel gloss is gorgeous. I have a very similar color in a Mary Kay lip gloss I bought awhile ago called Pink Pout. No clue what it’s called pink pout because it’s plum or berry colored with gold shimmer, but whatever 😛 It’s super easy to wear.
Oh my! So pretty! I have to grab it before vegas!
I took my puppies to “play care” today and they did great! Now we are just chillin on the couch! I am also waiting for huricane dolly to go away because my hubby and I have plans to go to the beach on friday….I am praying that we will still be able to make it!
Congrats on your new phone!! 😉
Another one to add to my lust-list. I think I’m going to take some time for myself on Friday afternoon (thank God for Grandparents who love to babysit). So, I’ll check this out… I love my Chanel!
Hi Brittany,
Yeah, don’t you love easy to wear glosses? I’m wearing this one right now, as a matter o’ fact. 🙂
Hi KK,
Aww, did they behave and play nicely with the other pups? I see those puppy day care places all over SF and Marin and I sometimes just want to stop by just to look at the dogs, LOL. 🙂
I hope Dolly goes away too! Crap! Hurricanes scare me. Earthquakes, I can handle…
Hi Tuprnut,
This one seriously came out of nowhere. It was one of those shades that didn’t wow me at first, but once I got it on it was stunning. I hope it works for you! The Aqualumiere glosses are really fab. 🙂
Aww, Grace is going to party with her Grandparents! How fun!
Karen!
Your two Chanel related posts are breaking my heart! I haven’t seen such good colors around for a while. I am now determined to find dupes for them. Wish me luck. 😀 That being said, you look great in dark lip colors. You’re going to rock those colors in fall!
Hi Elena!
LOL, I’m having fun wearing these now. Let’s see, what’s your price range? Maybe I can help you find a color! 🙂
I’m falling in love with Chanel colors for their glosses, but they’re so expensive here I might just die. Haha. The color looks gorgeous on you.
That lipgloss is divine.
Congrats on the iPhone. Which one did you get? You will love it.
I am a new reader to your blog, and I must say I am quite impressed! The formatting of your blog is wonderful and your reviews are amazing (Not to mention your lovely sense of humor)I look forward to becoming a daily vistor! =)
That color is cute! Somehow the name reminds me of that song Ironic by Alanis Morisette (sp? on her last name). Wow, you made it to the iPhone! I just saw the review on Charlie Chris, it sounds promising.
Daos last blog post..Shocking News: MAC increased eyeshadow price!
Hmm.. cheaper the better! 😀 Maybe around $10 for a lippie, $15 max. Have you tried the L’Oreal HIP line? They have some great MAC dupes, though not too much cheaper than MAC, to be honest. I’ve found some nice deals during their BOGO sales, though. What drugstore lipsticks do you normally go for?
My first lip ever ever colour was Origin’s Raspberry Truffle. The website says it’s wine/violet and it was really hot. But I eventually developed an allergic reaction – my lips itched like hell. Anw, my next dark colour was MAC’s Del Rio. It was way too dark, it looked like a cadaver’s lips after a while. I apply it with a light touch as a base these days for my lipglosses and the colour stays on for hours. Then I oscillated to super light lips and that has resulted in a chromeglass from MAC called Metaphysical. Again, cadaver lips. I suck at choosing lip colours haha.
And my resolution to buy only taht Elizabeth Arden lippie just flew out of the window… lol
Karen Bs last blog post..♥ meme
It’s pretty!
The only dark shade I’ve really picked up as of late is BB’s Black Pearl. I haven’t worn it yet though – not in the fall state of mind yet.
That shade is gorgeous! Totally makes me want to run right out and buy it!
That shade is so beautiful! I’ll ahev to check this out
Ironic Tonic looks gorgeous on you! I tried it on a few weeks back and…it looks better in the tube than on me. I’ll stick to MAC Lipglass in Nymphette.