- Souffle is a super pale pink cream, this is the only color I found too pale to pull off for a natural look, it’s very pigmented and smooth but on my skin almost feels like pink white-out
- Sugarcane is a baby pink that has enough color to show up, it’s borderline a bit too pale for my complexion, but works if you’re a fan of light pink lips that aren’t too light
- Honeycomb is one of the most perfect beige nudes I’ve ever tried, everyone has a different definition of what they consider nude, to me it’s something that is close to beige or my natural skin color, this one is perfect!
- Meringue is another baby pink with a hint of peach, it’s similar to Sugarcane but just a tiny bit deeper and warmer in undertone
- Sake is a cool-toned mauve, these kinds of colors are hard to pull off for my olive skin, but it has enough pink in it to work, it’s one of the most unique mauve pinks I’ve tried
- Pepper is a classic pinky-brown neutral, I think out of the entire collection, it’s the most classic kind of neutral pink lipstick
- Rhubarb is a soft plum rose cream, it’s a neutral with a rosy kick to it, I think it’s a lovely color for everyday
Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks – A First Look + Swatches of All 34 Shades
March 4, 2016My thoughts by category:
- Formula / Texture / Pigment – The Amuse Bouche are creamy and smooth. The texture is very soft and glides on the lips but there’s enough thickness so you can feel it adhere well to the lips. Pigment is incredibly rich – I can get full smooth coverage with one swipe, but as with most lipsticks I do at least a couple so I can get even application around the edges and then fill in. I like applying these straight from the tube. Some of the darker colors require a lip brush to get the edges precise. For me it’s always hard to apply dark colors evenly around the edges of the lips so I recommend lining with a lip pencil first if you’re dark-lip challenged like me. Texture is super creamy but still lightweight so you don’t get a heavy feel.
- Lasting Power – Lasting power is very good. If you look at my Sorbet review, I have the initial application shot and another lip swatch of the color 5 hours later. Some of the darker berry colors do stain the lips so the color will last longer even as it fades. I had on Eggplant yesterday while swatching and decided to leave it on to see how it would wear. It lasted from around noon until late evening and didn’t budge at all. Colors in general last a long time without budging or bleeding. I did have a tiny bit of smudging with Liquorice – it kept migrating on one side of my lips, but it could be easily fixed with a lip pencil first.
- Color Selection – Color selection is incredible. All the colors are creams (so no shimmer). They are full pigmented creams but don’t look flat on the lips. I think Bite did an amazing job at color selection. There is a shade for everyone in this launch. The only category I can think of where the shades are a bit limited are browns and there are no taupes – but I don’t really wear colors in either category so I’m really thrilled with the selection of neutrals and mauves.
- Overall Feel – These are creamy, lightweight, hydrating and have an incredible slight citrus scent. It smells delicious but they do not have a noticeable taste.
- How it compares to other bold creamy lipsticks:
- Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Cremes by comparison have a more velvety finish. The color selection for the Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Cremes in general is bolder and more edgy in color selection. There were a lot of reds and orange options while the neutral category was limited. The texture of the Marc Jacobs lipsticks is a bit thicker while the Bite Beauty formula is more creamy and luminous. Both are equally good in terms of full coverage pigment and lasting power.
- Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G has a similar full coverage creamy texture, I would say the Bite Beauty formula has a more creamy feel and hydrating texture while the Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks aren’t as moisturizing. Color selection of Bite is a lot better and the shade range has more edgy options.
- Buxom Bold Gel Lipsticks come in a Satin and Matte finish. I’ll compare the Satin Formula which I find creamy like the Bite Beauty Lipsticks. The finish and formula are different between the two. The Buxom Bold Gel Lipsticks in the Satin Finish being gels are more lightweight in texture. I can’t say I have a preference for one over the other, both are really good. Both have a creamy feel, a semi-glossy finish, good pigment, great color options.
- Souffle
- Sugarcane
- Honeycomb
- Meringue
- Sake
- Pepper
- Rhubarb
- Picked Ginger
- Gazpacho
- Persimmon
- Cayenne
- Gingersnap
- Sweet Cream
- Maple
- Spritzer
- Eggplant
- Jam
- Beetroot
- Liquorice
- Tannin
- Sour Cherry
- Black Truffle
- Gin Fizz
- Cotton Candy
- Dragonfruit
- Kimchi
- Radish
- Sangria
- Verbena
- Sorbet
- Fig
- Chai
- Molasses
- Nori
Armani Maestro Glow Nourishing Fusion Foundation and Maestro UV Skin Defense Primer
March 3, 2016Quick thoughts on the Maestro UV Primer – it disappears completely on the skin but makes the foundation apply better and smoother. Not just the Maestro Glow but a number of other formulas as well. Unfortunately both the primer and foundation caused a really bad allergic reaction on my super sensitive skin. Tiny little red dots and bumps form along my cheeks and forehead. I tested both on my face for 4 days to make sure and my skin just got worse. After that I took another week break from both to let my skin heal and tried the foundation separately, hoping perhaps I was just allergic to the primer. No luck. I’m allergic to both formulas – so for these I have to give them a thumbs down which is a shame because the finish and look of both is really really good. It looks like skin but better and even though these are very hydrating and moisturizing I found the formula wasn’t too rich for my normal combination skin and the lasting power was pretty good. I haven’t tried every Armani foundation formula, but the ones I have tried didn’t cause any allergic reactions – however it’s probably been at least 4-5 years since I’ve tried one of the regular foundations and since I haven’t kept up on new launches I don’t know if the formulas of any have changed.
Becca Aqualuminous Foundation (review soon)
By Terry Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur New Shades in Coral Stellar 7 and Mauve Moon 8
March 2, 2016
- MAC Cremesheen Glass in Imperial Light
- Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Lip Lacquer in Uproar (swatched here)
MAC Lustreglass in Love Nectar - Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Lip Lacquer in Pink Steam (swatched here)
- MAC Lipglass in Cultured
- Buxom Full-On Lip Creme in Purple Haze (lip swatches here)
Inside my Saffiano Tote this week:
- Tatcha Blotting Papers (review here for more details)
- Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Powder in 20 (review here)
- Glossier Coconut Balm Dotcom
- MAC Lipliner in Stripdown (swatched here)
- MAC Cremesheen Pearl Lipstick in Japanese Maple (the perfect nude)
- Molton Brown Hand Cream in Pink Pepperpod
- By Terry Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur No. 7 in Coral Stellar (review on this and Mauve Moon tomorrow)
- Maison Martin Margiela Rollerball in Replica Beach Walk
- Smythson x Vahram Notebook
- Truffle Clarity Clutch Mini + Cardcase in Black/Gold (also available in White)
- YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara in Black
- Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo in Conte (swatches of all shades here)
- Bobbi Brown Lip Tint (sold out everywhere)
- NARS Lip Gloss in Angelika (swatched here)
- Dior Addict Lip Glow Lip Liner
- Compartes Chocolate Bar (I should probably ease up on the sweets)
- Marc by Marc Jacobs Rimless Aviators
Laura Mercier Candleglow Soft Luminous Foundation Review
February 29, 2016Above from left to right:
- NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Groenland
- Laura Mercier Silk Creme Oil Free Foundation in Sand Beige (too light for me now, but I used this when I was on the lighter side)
- Laura Mercier Candleglow Foundation in Dusk
- Laura Mercier Flawless Fluide Foundation in Honey
- Laura Mercier Candleglow Foundation in Honey and Golden
- Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Sand
- NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in St. Moritz
















































