There’s a new lipstick launch from Makeup By Mario called the SuperSatin Lipstick ($28 each). They just launched at Sephora in 18 shades and the formula is beautiful! I was fortunate to receive them in PR so I’ve swatched them all.
Formula is super creamy and opaque with full coverage. Texture is super smooth and while they’re called “satin” they pull more on the slightly creamy/glossy side in finish. They feel a little thick when you swipe them on but not heavy. Color adheres really well and has good lasting power as long as your lips don’t touch anything. Since it’s more of a traditional lipstick it’s not transferproof but I have been really impressed with the lasting power. The glossy/creamy finish makes them feel conformable on the lips and slightly hydrating. There is a subtle vanilla scent but it’s very subtle to me.
Color range is pretty good with a mix of neutrals, reds, bolds. I do think the neutrals are a bit tricky to know how they’ll pull on your complexion until you try them. I loved the way so many of his Ultra Suede Lipsticks looked in the tube and swatched on the arm but most of them pulled a lot lighter on my lips. For me most of the new SuperSatin tones are easier for me to pull off although there are definitely a few that did not work for my skin tone.
Quick note that some of the tones looked warmer in the tube but on my lips they pulled a lot cooler/neutral. Most of you already know that I have a darker natural lip tone that almost looks purple sometimes. If you have a more pink or lighter lip color I think most of the light tones will look a lot better on you than they do on me.
Midtown is a stunning neutral light pink beige (but looks like concealer on me)
Flatiron is a light beige
South Shore is a nude pink (a bit deeper than Midtown)
Bronx Baby is a neutral-cool light brown pink
(917) is a neutral-cool pink mauve
Nolita is a mauve pink
Dumbo is a 90s-ish brown rose
Soho is the perfect soft peach
Uptown Girl is a burnt orange
Harlem is a classic red
Chelsea is an electric fire engine red shade
West Village is a fuchsia pink
Broadway is a cool-toned pink
Tribeca is a blue based red
Rockefeller is a classic bold brick red
Forest Hills is a plum brown
Central Park is a deeper brown
Downtown Girl is an even deeper brown
I lip swatched a few of them for the blog but if you want to see them all in action I posted them here on Reels (quick note the last shade featured is Downtown Girl, apologize for the typo!). For Skintone Reference I’m wearing the Chanel No1 de Chanel Revitalizing Foundation in B40 (reviewed + swatches here).
Overall I really like these. Formula gets a solid A+ but not all the colors work for me which is expected. I think it’s rare that anyone would love every single shade in a lipstick launch. I think they have a great range. I would love to see some of the MoistureGlow Lip Serums or Plumping Lip Colors in this kind of full coverage longer wearing formula.
My favorite is Soho. I also really like (917) and I think I can make South Shore work sometimes even though it’s pale, I may need to add a liner. According to many of you Rockefeller is THE winning shade, I didn’t swatch it for the blog but you can check it out on my Reel. I agree it’s a really beautiful classic kind of bold lip with the perfect undertone.
Tarte launched a shimmery version of their viral Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump – Shimmer Glass ($24) and as a huge fan of the formula and shimmery lips I ordered nearly all the shades to try. There are 12 shades total available at Tarte Cosmetics and 8 are available at Sephora. (I picked up all the colors except for the purple one.)
After testing the colors I will say the shimmer is quite intense but there is no texture/gritty feel. They’re very smooth just like the other Maracuja Juicy Lips. Feedback from many of you based on my Lip Swatches here are very mixed. Some of you are LIVING for these 90s shimmer vibes. Some of you absolutely hate it.
I liked some of the shades – mainly the warmer ones or bolder colors. The cooler tones ended up looking significantly more frosty on my lips (almost blue) but I suspect that is mainly because my lip tone is on the deeper side. Colors I tried:
Pearl Shimmer Glass is a white frosty pearl, this one is the most contrasted with my natural lip for an icy white finish.
Soft Pink Shimmer Glass is a beautiful pale champagne pink with some violet/blue flashes, this one pulled very cool toned on my lips.
Peach Shimmer Glass is one of my favorites, it’s a soft pale peach champagne, similar to Soft Pink, but warmer so this one was more flattering on my lips.
Sunflower Shimmer Glass is a yellow shimmer, just like a sunflower, I feel like the stock promo photos with this shade are misleading and don’t match up among all the photos. Most of the stock photos show a very pale yellow shimmer, in real life it’s a true sunny looking yellow.
Coral Shimmer Glass is a beautiful bright coral shade, but this one pulls very frosty. I think I would love it in a non-shimmer version.
Pink Shimmer Glass is a cool baby pink, also very blue on my skin tone, not flattering, but it’s so pretty in the tube.
Rose Shimmer Glass is a beautiful soft pink rose.
Rosy Copper Shimmer Glass was one of the shades in their holiday sets, this is a very pretty coppery shade.
Rosy Mauve Shimmer Glass is a cool-toned mauve, it’s cool but not too cool, I really like this color.
Berry Shimmer Glass is a stunning plum red. Reminds me of MAC Sophisto with a bit more shimmer.
Ruby Shimmer Glass is another pretty one, it’s a soft red shimmer, not too deep, not too warm, just right.
I have all of them swatched on the lips in this Reel. I photographed my favorites along with one I didn’t love (the Pink one) to show how cool-toned it is.
Overall I’ve found a few I really like and have been keeping in my purse the last few weeks. I don’t think they’ll be for everyone – the shimmer is a bit intense, but for some of the shades the shimmer is only intense if you’re in direct sunlight or studio lights.
Top 3 favorites are: Rosy Copper, Peach and Berry. I’m undecided on this level of shimmer/frost. I didn’t like them in the most recent Dior Addict Lip Maximizers or the Chantecaille Holiday lip. I think it depends on the color and how the tones pull on your complexion.
Have you tried these yet? What did you think? More beauty newness coming soon including the new Makeup by Mario SuperSatin Lipsticks, Chanel Beauty newness (just launched online here, here and here) and a tinted lip balm roundup too!
Dior added new shades of the Addict Lip Maximizer ($40) and as a huge fan of the formula I ordered them immediately in 065 Icy Blue, 066 Shimmer Candy and 067 Shimmer Rose Gold. You can see them in action here. Available at Dior and Sephora.
I also added swatches and lip swatches of the three that launched in the fall 049 Pure Copper, 050 Holo Silver and 051 Nude Bloom so I could do a comprehensive post (these are also swatched in action here).
Icy Blue
065 Icy Blue is a sheer milky pale blue. I thought it would be fun to try something a little more trendy. Based on the feedback on my swatch session here half of you love it, the other half do not. I think it’s really fun but it’s not really flattering on my lip/skin tone.
066 Shimmer Candy was the shade I was most excited for but it’s a very frosty pale pink. Almost looks like a pale off white shimmer on my lips giving that 80s/90s vibe but not in a good way. It does work beautifully on top of a bright lip to add dimension.
Shimmer Rose Gold
067 Shimmer Rose Gold is probably my favorite of the three new holiday shades. It’s also very metallic, almost duo chrome but it doesn’t pull as frosty as the pink one.
The three that launched in September are much better and easier to wear I my opinion.
Pure Copper
049 Pure Copper is a stunning bronzey sparkle with different colored flecks. It is very similar to Shimmer Hazelnut so if you already own it you can probably skip this one.
Holo Silver
050 Holo Silver is a clear base loaded with silver and blue sparkles. I love the dimension in this, I think it’s beautiful alone or on top of another lip color. Photos in person do not do it justice!
Nude Bloom
051 Nude Bloom is my favorite. It has a peachy pink base with some ultra fine gold shimmer mixed in. It’s just SO beautiful. I bought a back up just in case it’s limited-edition. If you like Rosewood (more pink rose) I think you’ll love Nude Bloom which is a peachy shimmer version.
Overall love the fall shades Pure Copper, Holo Silver and Nude Bloom. Also really like the Shimmer Rose Gold. If I had been able to swatch or see the other two shades in person I would have passed.
If you had your eye on any of these, I hope you find these swatches helpful!
Refy Beauty is one of those brands that keeps popping up on my radar. I’ve seen so many rave about their brow products so I ordered a few items to try like the Brow Pencil and while I really liked them, I feel like my tried and true brow staples from Benefit or Anastasia Beverly Hills were more my vibe.
I did a poll on stories asking you if you’ve tried the brand and what you loved. Dozens of you told me to try their Tinted Lip Gloss so I ordered all six shades along with a few of the Lip Sculpt. You can find them at Refy Beauty and most of the items also at Sephora.
Here are three things I’ve tried and love.
Tinted Lip Gloss
The Tinted Lip Gloss ($20) is available in six shades and clear. They also launched a limited-edition Red color for holiday but it seems to have sold out. The Tinted Lip Glosses are smooth with sheer-medium pigment, not quite super sheer and not quite medium, but somewhere in between.
They’re described as a lip gloss with the benefits of a balm. They feel very comfortable on the lips and while they don’t last a long time on me they last long enough that I don’t have to constantly reapply. They do not have any scent or taste. I love the glossy finish and every single neutral shade is amazing. A few of them look similar on me as my natural lip shows through.
Taupe, Blush and Rosewood are the lightest options all variations of a neutral pink. Fawn is a beautiful tan beige. Dusk is a beautiful warm pink. Sepia is a cool toned brownish plum. I think it’s hard to pick a favorite but I really love Rosewood, Dusk and Taupe.
Overall really love. They have a metal tip applicator which can get kinda messy when you swipe them over the lips to blend the product. You will have to wipe it clean after use but it’s not a deal breaker. The only thing I would change is the packaging color. Right now they’re all the exact same color. If they had some kind of stripe or tinted exterior (like Summer Fridays or Rhode) it would make it so much easier to grab the shade you want just from looking at the tube (versus reading the tiny print on the back). Some shades have launched at Sephora but you can find all of them at Refy Beauty.
The Lip Sculpt ($26) has so many mixed reviews and after testing some of the shades I also have mixed feelings. These are available in the same colors as the gloss. I absolutely LOVE the colors. Pigment is pretty good. I’m not the biggest fan of the formula though. If you have dry lips (ie if you don’t have lip balm on or a primer) they will tug. I know with any matte kind of formula there will be some level of tugging but these aren’t the easiest to apply because they set quickly. They have a pencil at one end and a setting product on the other side which I do not like at all. It has an odd texture and almost off-white finish.
Cream Bronzer
Last I tried one of the Cream Bronzers ($26) in Tan. I love the color and the formula is pretty good. It doesn’t have the best lasting power for all day wear on my skin type and in Florida weather, but it’s nice for a night out or if you have dry skin. For a cream bronzer I still swear by the Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing Cream or Rare Beauty Warm Wishes Effortless Bronzer Stick for better formula and wear time, but the ones from Refy Beauty aren’t bad.
That wraps up my Refy Beauty review! I ordered the Tinted Lip Glosses from the Refy Beauty website and a few things from Sephora.
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Have you tried anything from the line? What did you think? Hit or miss?
Bobbi Brown launched a new lipstick formula called the Luxe Matte Lipstick ($41 each). This formula replaced the original Luxe Matte Lipstick which I don’t think I tried before so I’m not sure how they compare, but the new one is as flawless as it gets for a matte lip.
To this day I’m still a glossy lip lover but the matte lip formulas keep getting better every year. My top favorite formulas are from Pat McGrath and Charlotte Tilbury and the new Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte formula is better (although I still really love the Pat McGrath ones).
Formula is ultra smooth and non-drying. The best part is they don’t look super dry either. I’d say they’re more of a velvety soft matte. Pigment is opaque and full coverage with a single swipe. The colors are all on point for the holiday season and they have a pretty good range of tones from neutrals, brown tones, bolds and reds.
As a neutral lip lover I would have loved if they made some of their best sellers like Bare, Blondie Pink and Buff in this formula, but I do see how that would be redundant and I can appreciate that they have new shades in this formula. (I think Pat McGrath has the best matte neutrals.)
Sunset Rose is a neutral-cool toned nude pink
Neutral Rose is a dusty rose
Boss Pink is a healthy warm pink
Parkside is a cool-toned brown
Afternoon Tea is a peachy almost orange shade
Big City Pink is a hot pink
Claret is a muted soft red
Ruby is a deep red
Power Play is an electric orange
Traffic Stopper is a bright warm red
Red Carpet is a true red
After Hours is a wine red
They’re not scented and lasting power is pretty good. They’re not transfer proof but I like the wear time and they feel very comfortable on the lips.
Swatches of some of the shades on the lips, also wearing:
Bobbi Brown sent over a selection of their holiday sets and palettes. I am absolutely in love with the Luxe Eyeshadow Duo ($48) in Last Dance. I love the luxe eyeshadow shimmers and especially love the tones in this one! There are a few other shades but it looks like they may have already sold out as I cannot find them anywhere online.
This holiday they have a lot of their best-sellers packaged in bundles at a value price. They make for some great stocking stuffers like the Extra Lip Tint Duo ($35, $70 value), Confetti Crush Lip Trios ($30 for minis, $59 value) and All Eyes Aglow Long-Wear Cream Shadow Set with Moonstone, Taupe, Cinnamon, Mulberry and Soft Bronze + Mascara ($99, $197 value).
There are a few cheek palettes out this season. I tried the Luxe Cheek and Highlight Palette in Rose Glow ($62). At first glance I thought it would be too light for my medium skin tone but much to my surprise it shows up beautifully for a natural glow.
Overall love. I think there are some really beautiful pieces to wear for a fresh look this holiday but classic enough to be able to wear come spring.
Today’s the last day of the Sephora Savings Event! If you had anything on your wishlist today is the last day to save for Beauty Insiders! Use code TIMETOSAVE to take advantage of the 10% to 20% savings depending on your tier.
I hauled some of the new lipsticks from YSL Beauty and think the formulas are among the best they’ve launched. I picked out some of the new Rouge Pur Couture Caring Satin Lipstick ($45 each) and a few of The Bold High Pigment Lipsticks ($45 each, not new but there are new shades).
Rouge Pur Couture
above left to right: N1, N3, N5, N8 and N12
The YSL Rouge Pur Couture Caring Satin Lipstick is one of the best lipstick formulas I’ve tried. They are scented like the fruity lipsticks from YSL but it’s not quite as strong. I posted an Instagram Reel last week with a try-on haul of this formula and you girls seem to LOVE these tones! To me they are like a more pigmented less glossy version of the Rouge Volupte Shines. The new Rouge Pur Couture is creamy, smooth and opaque.
Based on the online swatches and stock photos, these look very different on me compared to what I see swatched online. N8 and N12 pull a lot warmer on me. Out of all of these I like N3 and N5 the best.
Also please keep in mind these may look very different on you if you’re cool or warm, lighter or darker. Neutrals are tricky with undertone and lip tone. I have a neutral golden undertone with pigmented lips.
N1 is a neutral beige nude
N3 is a pinky peach beige
N5 is a light cool pink
N8 is a warmer pink
N12 is a nude with slight mauve tones
A lot of you wanted swatch comparisons to the Rouge Volupte Shine so I pulled what I still have to swatch for you below. Some of them have been discontinued and I don’t remember the shade names but I have listed the numbers. Also added a couple of the Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick.
Swatch comparisons:
The Bold High Pigment Lipsticks
I picked up a few of The Bold High Pigment Lipsticks and really love the formula. It’s a satin almost matte finish (not quite matte). Super opaque and full coverage. Shades are indeed bold and more on the dramatic side. 12 Nu Incongru looks like a soft pink online but it’s a bold cool pink and I kinda love it. 13 Nude Era is a neutral-cool tone beige nude and kinda makes me look like a corpse but if I added darker liner I think I could make it work. 1968 is described as a nude pink but it’s really more of a warm pink almost reddish.
I did a Sephora haul online and in store! I received most of the items (one package is still in transit) and while I won’t have time to test or review them before the sale is over, I’ll share them below. Some of the items have sold out or are only available in store but if you missed out not to worry – I think there will be plenty of great holiday sales coming up soon!
Haul Picks Linked
I’m pretty excited to try the new Huda beauty picks and the Urban Decay moondust shadows! Did you splurge on anything exciting during the Sephora sale? What did you pick out?
The Sephora Savings Event is here starting with early access for Rouge Members! I’m putting together a few updated “best-of” shopping guides and today’s roundup covers the Top 5 in Lips for every category from lip liners, lipsticks, liquid lipsticks, glosses and more. If you’re not a Beauty Insider you can sign up now for free here to get access to the Savings Event. Use code TIMETOSAVE during these dates (exclusions apply):
There are so many good lip liner formulas these days. My top 5 favorites are below.
Huda Beauty Lip Contour 2.0 ($21, color Pinky Brown shown) has the best long-wear lip liner formula. They glide on with full coverage pigment and I love that they’re packaged in a twist up format with a removeable sharpener at the base. My favorite shades are Pinky Brown, Terracotta, Honey Beige and Sandy Beige.
Pat McGrath Permagel Ultra Lip Pencil ($29, color Structure shown) is another great formula with the best colors. Structure is the perfect neutral brown, Nude Venus is a perfect peachy nude, Buff is the best nude pink.
Make Up For Ever Artist Color Pencil ($22, Wherever Walnut shown) is another great classic pencil. The formula can be used on eyes, brows and lips – they are easy to blend with a matte finish. Wherever Walnut seems to be the most popular color, but I also really love Up & Down Tan and Anywhere Caffeine. They launched a really cute Mini Artist Pencil Set ($35) which has their best-selling shades.
Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat ($25, Pillow Talk shown) is my most-worn lip pencil. Pillow Talk is my lips but better shade. I also love Pillow Talk Medium and Iconic Nude.
Sephora Collection Lip Liner To Go ($6, Light Brown shown) is a mini lip pencil perfectly sized for the smallest clutch or pouch. I have a couple colors and Light Brown is my favorite everyday neutral.
Best Lipstick Formulas
Sephora carries so many great lipsticks. Narrowing down my top 5 was really hard as I can list at least a dozen formulas I think are excellent. Here are the best ones I reach for the most.
Armani Lip Power ($45 each, Shade 109 shown) is one of the best creamy opaque smooth lipstick formulas I’ve tried. There are lots of great colors but 109 is the best everyday pink in my opinion. They also launched this in a Matte Formula too (lots of great nudes, I love Shade 111 Matte).
NARS Afterglow Sensual Shine Hydrating Lipstick ($32, Orgasm shown) is my favorite formula for a shine lipstick. Pigment is impressive for a shine formula. They have a comfortable hydrating feel that feels like a balm. My favorites are Orgasm which is a peach pink gold, Breathless a beige nude and Dolce Vita which is a classic rose.
Gucci Care Glow and Shine Lipstick ($47, Sally Soft Honey shown) is another great shine lipstick formula. Pigment is very good with these and I love the glossy finish. Sally Soft Honey is the best everyday pinky nude. Call It a Day is the best mauve (great for fall). I also love Julie Blush for a bright peachy shade.
Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick ($39, Nude Venus shown) is hands down the best matte lipstick formula I’ve tried. It’s smooth, opaque, doesn’t look dry on the lips and the color selection is outstanding. They have a good range of neutrals, reds, bolds, browns – my top 3 shades are Nude Venus (peachy nude), Christy (pink nude) and Divine Rose (rose pink).
YSL Rouge Pure Couture Caring Satin Lipstick ($45, N5 Tribute Nude shown) is a new formula and after trying a few shades I have to say I am REALLY impressed. It has an ultra smooth formula that glides on the lips with absolute perfection. I’ll have a full review on the shades I picked up soon.
Best Liquid Lipstick Formulas
Gucci Transfer-Proof Matte Liquid Lipstick ($47, Grace Cinnamon) is a beautiful formula. Grace Cinnamon is the perfect nude pink shade with smooth coverage and a super lightweight texture.
Urban Decay Vice Lip Bond Glossy Longwear Liquid Lipstick ($27, OG Backtalk shown) is the best long-wear liquid lipstick in the sense that once it sets it does not budge or transfer. OG Backtalk is a really pretty mauve. I also think Text Em is the best rose pink shade ever made.
Tom Ford Lip Luxe Matte ($59, Naked Haze shown) is another exceptional formula. I’ve only tried one shade in Naked Haze which is a great everyday nude pink. I plan on picking up one or two more during the Sephora Savings Event. Texture is lightweight and coverage is smooth and really good.
Dior Rouge Dior Forever Transfer Liquid ($45, Shade 100 Forever Nude) is another great long-wear formula that is also transfer proof. I have this in a couple shades and they really do stay put without transferring. Shade 100 Forever Nude is perfection.
Sephora Collection Cream Lip Stain Liquid Lipstick ($15, Shade 70 First Date shown) is a budget-friendly Liquid Lipstick with an impressive color selection. Formula is full coverage with a creamy satin finish. I love that these feel super lightweight on the lips and they don’t look dry. All Sephora Collection items are 30% off during the Sephora Savings Event.
Top 5 Lip Glosses
I’m 100% a lip gloss girl at heart. Here are the best top 5 formulas I reach for the most.
Lawless Forget the Filler ($26, Cherry Vanilla shown) is the best smoothing lip gloss that plumps without any tingle. I like the darker/bolder shades for a lush lip look. They are on the thicker side but I love the finish. Cherry Vanilla is the best sheer red I’ve ever tried. Juicy Watermelon is the prettiest bright pink. They also launched a few shades in a Jumbo Size ($38 each) and for holiday they have a cute Mini Dreamy Darlings Plumper Set ($27).
Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss ($40, 12 Rosewood shown) is my most-worn lip gloss formula for the color and texture. I splurged on nearly all of the shades and can easily say they were 100% worth the splurge.
Fenty Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer ($21, Fenty Glow shown) is another favorite. It’s been a favorite since the day they launched Fenty Glow. Every color is wearable and super flattering. I love the smooth texture and shine. I think every color is a must-have.
Pat McGrath LUST Gloss ($29, Nude Venus shown) is another great smooth texture gloss. Nude Venus is the best peachy pink color with pretty good coverage. Flesh Fantasy is a pretty beige pink. Divine Rose is a stunning plum pink.
Bobbi Brown Crushed Oil-Infused Gloss ($33, In the Buff Shown) offers hydration, color and shine in one. Finish is very comfortable and they are great for vacation (or beach) no-makeup days where you want a little bit of color to look polished.
Most-Worn Tinted Balms/Sheer Lips/Oils
Last we have a look at the best tinted balms. A lot of these double as sheer lipsticks.
Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump ($24, White Peach shown) is a formula I always have in my bag. Every single color they’ve launched is super wearable. They’re smooth in finish and I love how they feel on the lips. During the holiday season they have a lot of great value sets and limited-edition shades. If you’re a fan of the Maracuja Lip formula definitely check out the 2023 Best of Maracuja Juicy Lips Set.
Summer Fridays Lip Butter ($24, Vanilla Beige shown) is another formula I carry in every single purse. I also have the clear one on my night stand. Each shade has a different scent to match the color name but they aren’t overpowering. Love the cute Mini Lip Butter Set too which I think would make a super cute gift.
Kosas Wet Lip Oil ($22, Revealed shown) is one of my favorite tinted lip oil formulas. It actually doesn’t feel thick like you’d expect from an oil. Every single shade is beautiful. The one I get asked about the most is Revealed which I’m wearing in this post.
Last but not least, I really love the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine ($43, Shade 162 shown) and YSL Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick ($39, 15 Showcasing Nude in hand, 13 Flashing Rose in background). Both have a balm-like formula. The Rouge Volute Shine has more slip with a sheer glossy finish while the Candy Glaze is thicker and feels like a jelly finish. Both are really phenomenal for formula and color.
That wraps up my extensive best-of lip shopping guide! If you’re looking for the best of the best in lip formulas I hope you found this round up helpful. Happy Shopping!
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Many thanks to Sephora for partnering to sponsored this post.
