Lipstick Archives - Page 6 of 46 - The Beauty Look Book

Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in Bestie | Sephora Exclusive

December 20, 2016

For the holiday season I’ve partnered with Sephora to feature one of their exclusives the Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in Bestie ($20 for 0.20 oz/6 ml) with my real life bestie Laura. She’s been a long-time friend and I literally do not know what I would do without her. We met during our college days in San Diego and were roommates one summer during a study abroad trip to Oxford. We became fast friends and even with all the changes in our lives, careers, relationships and moving, we’ve kept in touch for over a decade. No matter how busy we get, every year before Christmas we have a tradition of getting together for a girl’s day including a fun present exchange, lunch, shopping and girl talk. This past weekend the first stop for our girl’s day out was Alfred’s Tea Shop in Los Angeles. It’s the perfect place to hang with a bestie and I thought it fitting we showcase the Tarteist Quick Dry Lip Paint in Bestie there as well.

This particular color has special limited-edition packaging and is part of the Sephora Holiday Kiss Collection. The formula is quick-drying, full coverage, transfer proof liquid lipstick and stays put for an impressive amount of time which I find fitting for the color name. Friendships that stand the test of time are something I find hard to come by the older I get so I really value those who stick by you no matter what life throws your way.

For those not familiar with this product, the Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint is one of the latest lip launches from Tarte. It comes in 20 other shades but Bestie is the only one with special-edition packaging on the twist-off cap. It comes with a slightly beveled sponge tip applicator and is easy to apply with precision around the edges. Bestie is described as a “deep nude shade” and since the color “nude” pulls different on everyone depending on lip tone and complexion, I found it interesting to see that on me it pulls the tiniest bit mauve depending on the light while on my friend Laura it pulls more true to the tube which is a deep nude with a hint of warmth. I have more medium olive yellow tones while Laura is a bit lighter than me with more pinkish tones (she wears Armani Designer Lift in 4.5 while I’m usually a match to Luminous Silk in 6).

For formula reference, the Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint dries to a matte finish, has full coverage and is super opaque. You only need a tiny bit to cover the entire lip and once it sets it does not budge or transfer for hours. There’s no detectable scent with this formula. For a quick comparison the other lip formulas from Tarte:

Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paints have a more whipped velvety feel and on the lips it feels like it never really sets as it does not dry down in texture. The coverage is the same in the sense it covers the lip entirely and offers full rich color. For those who love the original, no need to worry, Tarte says they’ll keep the original “living on.”
Tarteist Glossy Lip Paints offer full coverage with high gloss shine. All three formulas offer rich color with full coverage.

Bottom line is the new formula = long lasting. Also if you found that the original line was limited for medium shades in the neutral territory, the new formula has a lot more options for those of use who are nude lip obsessed. For both me and Laura it lasted on the lips from early morning to late afternoon (even lasted through lunch, a few macarons and drinks). Also unlike many other liquid lipsticks – the Tarteist Quick Dry Matte formula did not dry out my lips and by the next day my lips were not peeling like they do with most others.

Both of us wearing Tarteist Quick Dry Lip Paint in Bestie:

Below you can see a swatch and a close up of the sponge tip applicator. It has a slight bevel in the center to mold to the curves of your lip, tip has the perfect shape that allows you to get the color right along the outer lines for precise application.

Bottom line is I highly recommend the formula of the Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint. I’ll be checking out the other colors when they launch in stores at Sephora – although I may order a couple more sight unseen as the color Bestie is one of the most perfect nudes I’ve ever tried. Do note that the one shown in this post is a Sephora Exclusive and also limited-edition. I think the bright pink and orange packaging on the cap is fun and festive. I hope you enjoyed this post! Have you tried this formula yet? What’s your favorite liquid lipstick of the moment? If you have any fun holiday traditions you share with your bestie let me know in the comments!

Photos by Jessica Alexander Photography.

Many thanks to Sephora for partnering to sponsor this post and thanks to all my readers who support the brands that help support this blog which allows me to do what I love.

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Lips Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Lips and Boys – 25 New Shades for 2016

November 29, 2016

Tom Ford just launched 25 new shades and 25 repromoted colors of their clutch-sized Lips and Boys Lipsticks ($36 each for 0.07 oz/ 2.07 mL). As the ultimate lipstick junkie I was beyond thrilled when a press box arrived at my door containing all 25 new shades in a drop-dead gorgeous black lacquer box. I’m so excited to be able to share swatches of the new colors with you today. This year Tom Ford Beauty added a new soft velvety matte finish formula for the Lips and Boys and they do not disappoint. For those new to Tom Ford lip colors this is a great way to start with the line as the full-sized lip colors are $50+ each. This is the third year that that they’ve launched the lips and boys minis and I think it’s one of the most fun launches during the holiday season. I’m still waiting for them to launch one named Andrew for my husband, but for now there are lots of other shades to play with.

I’ve been a huge fan of Tom Ford lip colors since the initial launch. My first one was Pink Dusk as it was the only wearable neutral in the original lineup for me and to this day it remains one of the best neutral pinks. The lipsticks are expensive but I find the textures to be excellent and usually find at least several colors I fall in love with from each seasonal launch regardless of formula (sheer, ultra rich, shine, foiled, etc.) The $50+ price tag is still not something I am happy about but I still buy colors with each launch and have been happy with most of my purchases. Formulas are always good, but when I buy sight unseen sometimes colors just don’t work for me as I hoped. Below I’ve swatched and photographed the new Lips and Boys in the order they came presented in the press box. For skintone reference I’m wearing the Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation Concealer in Bisque with Laura Mercier Candleglow Setting Powder #2 on top. As always colors are all swatched on bare lips. If you think you see a darker line around the outer edges of some shades – it’s just my natural lip color showing through. I have pigmented lips. Row 1 includes:

Douglas (shimmer) is a medium baby pink shimmer
Bradley (satin) is a peachy flesh nude with a sheen
Alexander (satin) is a pale nude pink, note that Tom Ford launched another shade called Alexander in 2014, this year’s is different
Ashton (satin) is a medium mauve plum rose
Thomas (matte) is a cool-toned matte pink rose

Row two includes:

Christopher (matte) is a matte mauve brown
Ben (matte) is a matte deep brown red
Evan (matte) is a matte peach nude, but on my pigmented lips it pulls mauvey, if you have regular colored lips this will probably be more true to what you see in the tube
Dominic (matte) is a cool toned blue red matte
Travis (shimmer) is a brown shimmer, this one has a slightly sheer finish and slightly patchy on me

Row 3 has:

Graham (shimmer) is a semi-sheer golden shimmer, it has a transparent finish so my natural lip color shows through
Aaron (shimmer) is a warm coppery brown shimmer
Snowdon (shimmer) is a peachy pink rose gold shimmer
Dylan (matte) is a bright matte warm orange red
Jack (satin) is a deep plum, note there was a previous color called Jack from 2014 which was more purple, this year’s is more mauve plum

Row 4 colors include:

Anderson (matte) is a matte neutral pink, it pulls cool-toned on my complexion
Jared (matte) is a hot fuchsia pink
Logan (shimmer) is a shimmering iridescent fuchsia
Cristiano (matte) is a bright orange matte
Mitchell (satin) is a muted neutral plum

Row 5 colors are plums:

Nicholas (matte)
Ryan (shimmer)
Inigo (shimmer)
Jon (shimmer)
Elliot (shimmer)

All side by side:

It’s really hard to narrow down my favorites because there are so many amazing colors. Out of the entire collection there are only two that I’m not crazy about. Alexander 2016 is too pale for me but I have a hard time pulling off nudes. If you are like me in coloring but want a good Tom Ford nude that won’t wash you out, check out Revolve Around Me Ultra Lip Color. Travis also came off a bit patchy but it can be smoothed out if layered on the lips a bit more. Other than those two, all the others performed really well in terms of pigment and texture. The shimmers this year have a smooth finish in the shimmer, no chunky sparkles or frost. If I could only pick six of the new colors, I would say my favorites include Elliot, Snowdon, Mitchell, Evan, Douglas and Bradley.

To recap, new shades include: Alexander, Bradley, Jack, Ashton, Mitchell, Graham, Douglas, Snowdon, Aaron, Travis, Ryan, Inigo, Jon, Logan, Elliot, Anderson, Thomas, Jared, Cristiano, Dylan, Dominic, Evan, Nicolas, Ben and Christopher.

Repromoted colors include: Julian, Collin, Cary, Ian, Addison, Flynn, James, Richard, Patrick, Michael, Justin, Giacomo, Rafael, Luciano, Leonardo, Jake, Austin, Eric, Hiro, Roberto, Alejandro, Tony, Joaquin, Drake and Alex. I have my picks from the past two years swatched from 2014 here and 2015 here.

The Tom Ford Lips and Boys are available now at Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Net-A-Porter and all other Tom Ford Beauty counters.

Many thanks to the Tom Ford Beauty team for making my lipstick dreams come true. Lips and Boys provided courtesy for review.

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Eye Makeup Highlighters Holiday Gift Guide Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Beauty Winter Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes and Lip Foil Picks – Holiday 2016

November 12, 2016

Tom Ford Winter Soleil 2016 - The Beauty Look Book

The Tom Ford Beauty Winter Soleil collection has been on my radar for weeks now and I finally caved and splurged on the Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes in Warm and Cool ($155 each for 0.45 oz / 12.8 g) and four of the Lip Foils ($53 each for 0.1 oz / 3 g). I’m getting this post up quickly for those who are Sephora VIBs in case you want swatches to help you decide on purchasing decisions for the sale so I haven’t been able to do extensive testing. This is going to be more of a first impressions post but having used Tom Ford beauty products for years I can pretty much tell how they will perform right away. Everything is cased in the white and gold packaging with a glowy shimmery feel for holiday.

Up first are the Lip Foils which are ultra shimmery lipsticks. They have ultra fine mica to give them a reflective look and feel making them almost like foil. If you don’t like frost I’d recommend you try to see if you can swatch before buying sight unseen as these are pricey. I find adding a clear gloss or balm on top helps soften the foiled look (I do it with a lot of MAC Frost Lipsticks). I swatched these at the counter and wanted all six of the colors but limited myself to four.

Private Life is stunning warm gold foil, Spanish Flame is a peachy metallic, Venus Rising is a cool pink frost, Seadragon is the most stunning metallic plum I’ve ever seen. Pigment is excellent and smooth with easy to build color. Texture is smooth but since these are very metallic they look frosty on the lips. They have a comforting smooth feel on the lips and while they aren’t hydrating they don’t dry out the lips. My heart belongs to Venus Rising and Seadragon but as I know shimmer might not be your thing these won’t be everyone.

Tom Ford Winter Soleil 2016 Lip Foils - The Beauty Look Book

All four shown on my bare lips, for foundation I’m wearing the Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation in Bisque reviewed and swatched in this post here.

Two sets of comparisons, note that the Lips and Boys I have were from previous years so some of the shades you might not be available anymore.

Set 1:

Dior Diorific Matte Lipstick in Golden (review here)

Tom Ford Lips and Boys in Rory (from 2014, review here)
Tom Ford Lip Foil in Private Life

Tom Ford Lip Color in Guilty Pleasure (review here)

Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer in Skinnydip (review here)

Tom Ford Lip Color in Spanish Pink

Tom Ford Lip Color Matte in First Time (review here)

Set 2:

Tom Ford Lip Color Shine in Quiver (on lips here)
Tom Ford Lip Foil Venus Rising

Tom Ford Lips and Boys in Ansel, Jake, Jude, Drake, Daniel (from 2015, on lips here)

MAC Frost Lipstick in Plum Dandy

MAC Frost Lipstick in “O”

Up next are the Soleil Eye and Cheek Palettes which I completely love – 100%! It’s hard to pick a favorite as both are very good. The texture of the blush and highlighters are silky smooth and buttery soft. The blushes have a lovely natural looking glow on the complexion while I find the highlighters to be more shimmery. The pigment is soft but impressive. Eyeshadows have a mix of shimmer and glitters and are also incredibly soft and well pigmented. They apply on the lids effortlessly for a lovely glow. Both are on the glowy shimmery side.

Both are cased in white and gold rectangular compacts that have an almost clutch-like look to them. They are well made even though they are plastic and have a magnetic closure – for some reason I really like the way the compacts close.

The Soleil Eye and Cheek Palette in Cool has a cool pink blush, cool light pink highlighter, glitter light pink, glitter light lilac, shimmery violet grey, deep plum shimmer. If I were forced to pick just one I would pick this one which surprised me as I usually prefer warmer tones.

Tom Ford Beauty Winter Soleil 2016 Eye Cheek Palette Cool - The Beauty Look Book

The Soleil Eye and Cheek Palette in Warm is simply stunning. It only has 1 glitter eyeshadow color. Shades in this are a yellow gold, warm tan gold glitter, soft sandy champagne tan, satiny brown and a soft champagne highlighter.

Tom Ford Beauty Winter Soleil 2016 Eye Cheek Palette Warm - The Beauty Look Book

Palettes next to each other so you can see the undertone difference:

Tom Ford Beauty Winter Soleil 2016 Eye Cheek Palettes - The Beauty Look Book

As many of you might be wondering how the shadows in these holiday palettes might compare to existing Tom Ford Eye Color Quads I pulled three to compare including Orchid Haze, Seductive Rose and Nude Dip.

Tom Ford Orchid Haze, Soleil Eye/Cheek Cool, Seductive Rose, Soleil Warm, Nude Dip

All of these made a significant dent in my wallet but I’m thrilled with everything. If I had to narrow down my picks I would skip two of the lip foils in Private Life and Spanish Flame simply because I have similar shimmery colors in my current stash.

I think both palettes are must haves but I am a die hard Tom Ford Beauty fan and love all things glowy that come in pretty packages. These fulfill all of my makeup dreams in terms of palettes and while I do think they should be priced at lower price points, given the price tag of their quads I think it does make sense. I think my readers are split in how they feel about shimmer. I do think everything in this collection is more on the shimmery and glowy side, but I really love the palettes and the lip foils can be toned down easily with clear gloss.

There are a few more items in the Winter Soleil Collection including 2 more Lip Foils in Creme Conque (gorgeous light pink) and Aperture (stunning bronze), Soleil Blanc Dry Oil Spray, Face Protect Broad Spectrum SPF 50 and a Soleil Brush Kit. All are very spendy and as I already have the Soleil Blanc perfume I decided to stick with it (although I haven’t tried the spray, I forgot to check at the counter).

The Winter Soleil collection is limited-edition. You can find all items at Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Net-A-Porter, Sephora, Selfridges and other Tom Ford Beauty locations. If you’re a Sephora VIB don’t forget you can save 20% off your orders with code 20VIB through 11/14.

These have been out for a few weeks now, did you check out anything yet?

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Christian Louboutin

Christian Louboutin Silky Satin, Sheer Voile and Loubilaque

November 2, 2016

Louboutin Lipstick and Loubilaque Review - The Beauty Look Book

Christian Louboutin makes the most expensive lip products on the beauty market to date. After featuring the signature Louboutin Rouge Lipsticks in all three formulas and the Rouge Loubilaque, an overwhelming number of you have asked me to test out some other shades, in particular some of the neutrals. I ordered six colors sight unseen, split into a few orders as it took me a long time to decide which ones to try (there’s no counter near me to swatch/see). One was gifted to me (You You). The Christian Louboutin Beaute line is all about luxury and the price points of the products are extremely high so I wanted to make sure I picked ones I would actually wear, and wear on a regular basis.

What I have to swatch and feature for you today:

Silky Satin Lip Colour in Belly Bloom ($90 for 3.8 g/0.13 oz) is a medium peachy cream
Silky Satin Lip Colour in Tres Decollete ($90 for 3.8 g/0.13 oz) is a natural pink peach nude
Sheer Voile Lip Colour in You You (gifted, $90 for 3.5 g/0.12 oz) is a sheer plum
Sheer Voile Lip Colour in Rose du Desert ($90 for 3.5 g/0.12 oz) is a natural rose pink
Loubilaque in Akenana ($85 for 4.7 ml/0.16 oz) is a beige pink with shimmer
Loubilaque in Bikini ($85 for 4.7 ml/0.16 oz) is a medium bright pink cream
Loubilaque in Altareva ($85 for 4.7 ml/0.16 oz) is a beige pink that’s slightly deeper in color

Louboutin Lipstick Belly Bloom, Tres Decollete, You You, Rose du Desert - The Beauty Look Book

Up first are the lip colors. The Silky Satin formula is a smooth medium to full coverage lipstick formula and it’s flawless in terms of application. It’s among the best formulas I’ve tried and has a beautiful natural sheen. The two colors I picked turned out to be similar, had I seen these in person I would have picked different shades, but I’m not disappointed with either one. Belly Bloom is a medium peach cream. Tres Decollete is pinky peach cream on me (looks peach in the tube but pulls a bit more pinkish on my lips).

For the Sheer Voile formula I really love the Rouge Louboutin option. It has a lush glossy finish and feels smooth and hydrating on the lips. I felt Rose du Desert would be a good safe color and it is. It’s a natural sheer pink rose that one can wear everyday. The color itself isn’t really unique and for something that looks so natural I think you can opt for one of the YSL Rouge Volupte Shines which seems affordable by comparison. I will say that I don’t have anything quite the same in color among my glossy sheer lipsticks. Had I been able to try this one I would have skipped it because it’s just so SO natural on me. You You on the other hand is a color I find really special as plums like this are hard to come by for me. Most turn fuchsia but this one has the perfect balance of plum and brown in it. I suspect I would have liked the brighter or deeper options in the sheer formula.

Up next are the Loubilaques and I picked the 3 lightest colors. Akenana is the most natural beige pink color on me. There is some shimmer in it but on the lips it’s a natural kind of shimmer. I love these kinds of colors so this one is a win for me. Bikini is a neutral-cool pink that has some brightness to it but is still natural. Altareva is similar to Akenana but it pulls a bit deeper and peachy in color with some brown tones in it.

The formula has been reviewed in the Rouge Louboutin Loubilaque post, but for a quick recap, these are scented with a lipstick/makeup kind of scent. The pigment is medium to full in coverage with a smooth finish. They come with a sponge tipped applicator. Texture is lush and while it’s not too heavy you can definitely feel it on the lips. They have a very cushiony kind of feel on the lips. If you’re not into any kind of scent or fragrance for lip products you will probably find the scent too strong for you. I don’t mind it and have had no issues.

Louboutin Beaute Loubilaque Akenana, Bikini, Altareva - The Beauty Look Book

For those curious about the Louboutin lip products I hope you found the swatches in this post helpful. So many of you have asked whether or not the price tag is worth it for these lip products. I really cannot say yes or no. The Louboutin Beaute line is all about luxury and and opulence. As anyone can tell from the price and packaging, it’s not really about being practical. These are packaged as decorative objects almost like ornaments. If you want my own personal take, there are tons of lipsticks at price points I don’t think are justified ie Tom Ford, Cle de Peau Beaute, By Terry, even Chantecaille. Yet I’ll still indulge in some. A $90 lipstick or $85 lipgloss isn’t for everyone. I would say it’s not really for me, heck even a $50 lipstick from Tom Ford is a huge ouch to the wallet. That being said I like what I splurged on.

For the Louboutin lipsticks I’m pleased with the ones I bought even if I did end up picking colors that are similar to each other. I like the quality, colors and finishes. I don’t have any regrets but if I were able to see everything in person I would probably have tried to pick shades that were a bit more distinct and different. I 100% love the Loubilaques – I’m more of a gloss person anyways so these fit my personal taste more than lipsticks, although the Silky Satin Lipstick formula is excellent.

You can find Christian Louboutin Beaute at Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Net-A-Porter and Christian Louboutin.

Have you tried the lip products yet? Did you splurge on any? What were your thoughts? P.S. If you were interested in the perfumes they recently launched, for holiday they have a Perfume Trio Set with minis you might want to check out.

Belly Bloom, Tres Decollete, Rose du Desert, Akenana, Bikini and Altareva all purchased by me.
You You was gifted.

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Lips MAC

MAC Liptensity Lipsticks

September 23, 2016

MAC’s latest is the Liptensity Lipstick ($21 each for 3.6 g/0.12 oz) which is an intensely pigmented lipstick with a satin finish. The pigment in these lipsticks is so good they are what I’d consider one-swipe wonders. If you’re like me and love the rich pigment and saturated color of matte lipsticks or liquid lipsticks but hate that dried out matte look, the Liptensity lip colors will give you that full coverage without looking fake or dry. There are 24 shades total, all with a satin finish and no shimmer. The range is quite impressive and they seem to have covered a large number of colors from neutrals, corals, plums, reds, pinks and some bold edgy colors. I lip swatched the ones I could see myself wearing and every single color performs well.Texture is smooth and creamy. They have a full coverage without feeling thick although they aren’t necessarily weightless. There’s no hydrating feel but they did not dry out my lips and feel comfortable once on. Lasting power is among the best I’ve tried and they stay put for a long time without fading as long as you don’t touch your lips.

I split the colors by color group for swatches. All except the last category have also been lip swatched (I just couldn’t bring myself to put on blue lipstick lol). In the photos I’m wearing the Prolongwear Foundation in NC35. (Still testing the formula to see if my skin can handle it.)

Neutrals include:

Driftwood which is a pale mauve nude pink
Doe is a light medium neutral beige brown
Toast & Butter is a medium brown
Medium Rare is a soft creamy pink
Smoked Almond is a medium peachy rose

By request I’ve brought back larger lip swatches but will also have side by sides at the bottom. Not sure that I will keep doing the individual lip swatch photos as they take up the entire page! I also feel self conscious that enlarging the photos allows you to see every imperfection on my skin 🙁

Next up are the reds and oranges. They’re similar with slight variations in undertone:

Lobster is an orange red
Habanero is an orange
Fireworks is a bright red
Life’s Blood is a blue-based red
Mulling Spices is a a deeper red

Next up are the browns and plums. These surprised me the most because they go on the lips different from what you see in the tube. These have a vamp feel.

Dionysus is a plum red
Cordovan is a reddish plum
Double Fudge is an intense brown
Burnt Violet is a deep vamp plum

Up next are the pinks and mauves. Even though I’m a neutral lip lover at heart I really have a soft spot for Claretcast and Marsala.

Gumball is a bubblegum pink
Eros is a cool-toned bright pink
Post Modern is a warm bright pink
Claretcast is a fuchsia mauve
Marsala is a mauve plum

Last but not least are the bold edgy colors. These are shades I could never feel comfortable wearing but arm swatched for reference.

Ambrosial is a vibrant fuchsia plum pink
Galaxy Grey is a grey lilac
Hellebore is a purple
Blue Beat is a navy
Stallion is a deep black

One last roundup and lip swatches side by side:

An impressive lipstick launch. The formula performs well and I love the sleek colorful packaging. The caps match the lipstick color and the lip product is one that fills the entire tube. I love that the tips are beveled which makes application easier than the flat top ones you see from some other brands. Most MAC lipsticks make my lips peel by the next day as they are a bit drying. I lip swatched all the colors in a single day and by the next day my lips were fully in tact without any peeling or dry patches. So while they aren’t necessarily moisturizing I do think they have a non-drying formula. If you have dry lips with patches you might want to consider using the MAC Prep + Prime Lip or Dior Addict Lip Glow Pomade as a base first. Both will smooth out the lip without making them too emollient where the lipstick will slide off.

Out of the ones I lip swatched I’m really hard pressed to pick a favorite because they are all good. If I had to narrow down my picks to 5 it would be: Doe, Postmodern, Claretcast, Smoked Almond and Burnt Violet.

Bottom line definitely worth checking out. You can find them now online at MAC and Nordstrom. (I spotted them yesterday at my local Nordstrom counter.) At this time I do believe they are limited-edition.

Have you checked these out yet? What colors did you end up getting if you bought these?

Many thanks to MAC for sending me all the shades to play with!

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Uncategorized

Edward Bess Ultra Slick Lipstick

September 16, 2016

Edward Bess’s Ultra Slick Lipstick ($35 each for 13 oz/3.6g, made in USA) have been a long-time favorite. The first one I bought was Pure Impulse which today still is my holy grail pinky nude. Over the years some shades have come and gone, a few new ones have been added but Pure Impulse is one of the originals that stayed. I ordered mine sight unseen many years ago and couldn’t be happier I discovered his line from a photograph in a Bergdorf Goodman catalog. At that time it was the only store that carried is makeup and had I not seen it, I might have just missed out. Today you can find his line at a few more stores. I’d recommend visiting his website edwardbess.com to stay updated on the latest store openings. For online I usually buy his products from Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman (both owned by the same parent company). Products are also available at Net-a-Porter. If you’re in Paris, Colette carries his products in store.

A quick peek at the counter in Bergdorf Goodman:

The Edward Bess Ultra Slick Lipstick is a medium to full coverage fig-scented lipstick. All his shades are creams, as of today there are 13 total. I find there to be a good range from light to deep, from natural to bright so there’s bound to be at least one you will like. I have stuck with a few classic neutrals for years such as Pure Impulse, Tender Love, Demi Buff and Night Romance. Edward has been kind to send some over the years and he has a keen eye for matching color to skintones. If you are ever able to meet him in person I highly recommend you do so. It will be a memorable experience!

As many of you may not have immediate in person access to his product I ordered all of his shades to swatch and review for you as a reference. Having played with the line in person on numerous occasions I knew that most of the colors are colors I would wear anyways and his lipstick is so so good I think everyone should own at least one. If I were forced to wear one brand of lipstick the rest of my life it would be Edward Bess’s and you can quote me on that.

Texture-wise these are creamy and feel very comforting on the lips. I usually wear them alone without a lipliner although Natural Lip Definer is a classic that works with most of the neutral lipsticks I own, not just in his line but in other brands too. You can find it swatched and compared to a ton of other lipliners here. They are fig scented but it’s the best kind, not too sweet and not fake. Lasting power is good as long as you don’t eat or snack. Coverage is medium to full.

Onto the colors:

Colors as I see them described below. All are creams so there’s no shimmer. The finish has a slightly glossy sheen but I’d say they are more satiny and creamy. They feel amazing on the lips and are among the few that don’t make my lips peel by the next day.

Nude Lotus is a true light pale flesh nude, this is too pale for me to wear alone but it looks amazing layered over brighter corals like Island Blossom
Naked Blossom is a peachy light nude neutral
Pure Impulse is my perfect neutral nude
Island Blossom is the prettiest coral peach that’s bright but not garish
Deep Lust is a classic mahogany brown, looks good on everyone I’ve seen it on!
Midnight Bloom is a classic red
Desert Escape is a neutral medium pink brown (the original one used to be more brown)
Rose Demure is a cool-toned rose mauve
Demi Buff is a pinky neutral with a hint of brown
Tender Love is a medium rose
Night Romance is a classic raspberry shade (this is my mom’s favorite and the only other lipstick she’ll wear is by Estee Lauder so for her to like one this is a big deal)
Blushed Orchid is a cool-toned baby pink
Endless Dream is the best bright pink I’ve ever tried, bright but still refined

Swatched on bare lips:

One last look:

The Bergdorf Goodman Rewarding Beauty Event is happening now through the 18th online and in stores. If you’re interested in other Edward Bess products you can click on the tag at the bottom of this post to see previous reviews. I’ll link a few below:

Black Sea Hair Hero (the most fun review I’ve ever done)

Deep Shine Lip Gloss

All Over Seduction

Flawless Illusion Foundation

Threads of Silk Powder

Daydream Bronzer (in my Summer Bronzer Edit)

Bottom line a winner in all aspects: color selection, texture, packaging (classic!), scent and lasting power. If you’re new and want to know where I think you should start for the Bergdorf Goodman Rewarding Beauty Event, I’d say:

Pick one lipstick color
Daydream Ultra Luminous Bronzer is my holy grail bronzer, it’s not orangey, isn’t frosty and gives life to the face
All Over Seduction is my holy grail cream highlighter, I like Afterglow because it has more color on my skin, but Sunlight is also very good
His Retractable Buff and Blend Brush is really good and super soft
If you like neutral-ish kinds of lips, Natural Lip Definer will go with a lot of colors

As you can tell I’m a true Edward Bess fan. His products have never let me down and I love that in a beauty world that is constantly pumping out new innovations that he’s kept a very well-edited line of classic staples that will help you look like you but make you feel like a more polished version of yourself without changing a lot.

You can find Edward Bess at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, Net-a-Porter, or online at Edward Bess.

Pure Impulse, Demi Buff, Endless Dream, Tender Love, Island Blossom, Rose Demure, Naked Blossom gifted by Edward. All other shades purchased by me.

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Rouge Dior Lipstick Collection – The Natural Nudes Reviewed

September 14, 2016

This month Dior introduces a newly reformulated version of Rouge Dior ($35 each for 3.5 g / 0.12 oz) designed by Dior Makeup’s creative director Peter Philips. There are 50 shades total in two finishes: 35 classic luxe satins and 15 new long-wear mattes. The new formula is split into five different categories: natural nudes, pretty pinks, passionate corals, legendary reds and extreme/pastels covering a wide range of color options.

If you’ve followed Dior launches for a while you know that most of the line has been reformulated over the years. It’s been a couple generations of reformulations since I’ve tried the Rouge Dior formula because I’ve gravitated towards the glossy formulas like the Addict Fluid Stick, Rouge Dior Baume and Rouge Dior Brilliant. As one who likes glossy moist lipsticks I have to say the new Rouge Dior formula does not disappoint and I was completely blown away by how incredibly smooth, hydrating, pigmented and comforting the formula looks and feels. They have Hyaluronic Acid to plump the lips and Mango Butter to nourish and protect. The color payoff is very good while still looking natural.

When it comes to lipstick, I have tons that I can recommend. It’s one thing I really like to experiment with, but for others so many factors come into play for finding the right one. Color options, coverage, finish, packaging, price and scent matter. Most of my friends are not into the matte lip look, they want something that has medium to full coverage with a bit of shine, moisturizes and preferably under the $40 mark. Most are ok with a bit of scent as long as it’s not too sweet or floral. The Rouge Dior fits the bill on all counts. There is a bit of scent to them but it’s not strong and fades within a few minutes.

A quick look at the color range:

For my last post on the Skyline Fall 2016 collection Dior offered a special promo code on their website for a limited time. Out of curiosity I placed an order for some items to see what it would look like in person. If you want to see the full haul let me know and I’ll do a separate post. But first a look at the packaging and presentation. Orders come in a gorgeous gift box tied with a bow (which in my excitement removed and untied immediately). There are always samples online at Dior.com, promos vary every week or so and you can always see them at the checkout page. With any $100+ order you get a deluxe sized sample (mine was the Sauvage Cologne) and 2 complimentary smaller samples come with every order.

For my review I have a look at nine of the Natural Nudes in the satin formula. I had a serious OMG moment when swatching these because as a nude and neutral lip lover I always find at least one shade doesn’t work for my pigmented lips. It’s happened with Tom Ford, Charlotte Tilbury and a number of other brands. The OMG moment is because every single one of these colors is just perfect. There are a few I wouldn’t really call “natural” or “nude” but compared to the other colors in the launch they are all relatively natural.

Top Row: Premiere, Grege 1947, Rose Montaigne, Bal, Hasard

Bottom Row: Saint Germain, Promenade, Dolce Vita and Rendez-vous

A closer look at all the colors and descriptions as I see them. All of these have flawless coverage. It’s similar in effect to their nail polishes in the sense that they glide on and have a naturally glossy finish. They feel instantly comforting without being thick or heavy. While they do feel moist they don’t feel like they will slide off the lips.

Premiere is a cool-toned medium pink with a bit of brightness, I rarely can wear cool-toned blue based pinks because it makes my skin look sallow but this one is just stunning
Grege 1947 is a medium beige pink cream
Rose Montaigne is a lovely light pink, this is the most natural looking on me and had the least coverage, but still covered my lip entirely
Bal is a warm pinky rose neutral
Hasard is a light ballet pink
Saint Germain is a stunning medium rose neutral nude
Promenade is a warmer neutral nude
Dolce Vita is a muted orangey color with a hint of copper
Rendez-Vous is a neutral reddish color with a slight hint of plum

Closer looks at Premiere, Grege 1947, Rose Montaigne, Bal, Hasard

Saint Germain, Promenade, Dolce Vita and Rendez-vous

Swatched below on bare lips. For skintone reference I’m wearing the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation in Y315 set with NARS Powder Foundation in Punjab. All of the lipsticks apply nicely on the lips without emphasizing lip lines or creeping into crevices. Lasting power is very good as long as you don’t eat snacks. If you feel like your lips are dry and want to add a base, I’ve had good luck with the Dior Addict Lip Glow Pomade. It’s supposed to be a color reviver formula to adjust like the stick version. On me it just stays clear but I’ve been using it as a lip oil treatment which is easier to use and less messy than the Creme de Rose Balm.

Swatches side by side:

My top 3 favorites: Grege 1947, Saint Germain and Rendez-Vous, also Bal comes in close 4th

Since these had a naturally glossy satiny sheen some of them may look shimmery as the flash reflected off the surface. Even the colors that have some shimmer are very natural and soft in effect. To show the difference I have a couple shades to show with versus without flash:

For quick reference, other new colors that are part of the Rouge Dior launch:

Rouge Dior Brilliant ($35 each) in Miss #047, Premiere #060, Red Smile #080
Rouge Dior Contour Lip Pencil ($31 each), 7 new shades in Miss #047, Premiere #060, Red Smile #080, New World Matte #365, Sydney Matte #644, Euphoric Matte #756 and Mysterieuse Matte #994

Bottom line the satin formula is perfect. Just absolutely perfect. The rest of the week will be a lip-heavy week for posts as I have quite a few lipstick formulas going through testing and are ready for review. You may want to wait and see reviews on others if you’re trying to decide on one lipstick formula for fall, but I will say the new Rouge Dior is brilliant. I did not test the last round of formulas so unfortunately I am not able to compare the old vs new. The last Rouge Dior I bought was probably at least two years ago and I no longer own it so cannot compare it either. However, based on my experience trying other reformulations I can say that Dior does seem to improve the formula, texture, pigment and lasting power with each new generation of products.

I’m thoroughly impressed with the Natural Nudes shades. As one who finds a lot of “nudes” end up washing me out, I am really quite pleased to find a new line of easy to wear shades that don’t need any tweaking. I’m set for now although the formula is so good I have to admit I’m a bit interested in some of the plum-reds which I think could be nice for fall. I’ll have to go investigate this weekend.

You can find the Rouge Dior at Dior.com and all other Dior counters. Have you had a chance to look at these yet? If yes what do you think? How do they lineup next to the previous formula?

Eight of the Rouge Dior Lipstick shades were provided courtesy of Dior for review. One shade Rose Montaigne was purchased by me.

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