Browsing Category

Brand

Lips YSL Beauty

New YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil, Loveshine + Candy Glaze Shades

March 19, 2025

New YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil, Loveshine and Candy Glaze

YSL Beauty has some new lip launches for spring! As a huge fan of YSL lip colors I was excited to try the new Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss ($40 each). They’ve also added some new shades of the Loveshine Lip Oil Stick ($45 each) and Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick ($42). After putting to these to the test I have some hits and misses.

Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss

YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss

I received four of the new YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss as press samples. The gloss is smooth and non-sticky with stunning colors. These have beautiful packaging with a plush applicator. Pigment is 10/10 on point with perfect coverage and a nice glossy finish. These have Spicy Ginger and Pepper Oils and they have a noticeable spicy gingery scent. Plumping effect is very strong and noticeable within minutes. On me there’s a medium level for a plumping sting but the tingle is INTENSE on my lips with a slight numbing heated sensation.

They’re not as painful as the Fenty Gloss Bomb Heat, Charlotte Tilbury Plumpgasm Gloss or Maybelline Lifter Plump Gloss, but the tingle is still very strong and I found them too strong for my sensitive lips. On a tingle scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the most painful) I’d rate the YSL tingle level 8.5.

02 Lucky Moonstone is a sheer glossy light pink

YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss 02 Lucky Moonstone

44 Nude Lavalliere is a pretty neutral pink

YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss 44 Nude Lavalliere

1 Thunder Stealer is a stunning lilac with gold shimmer

YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss 1 Thunder Stealer

8 Purple Dream is a pretty reddish plum

YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss 8 Purple Dream

If your lips can handle the tingle, I do think the colors and finish are exceptionally beautiful. For me I have tried these on a few different days and I’ve decided these unfortunately are too strong for me. These launch at Sephora on 3/28 (on the app) and 3/29 online.

New Shades Loveshine Lip Oil Stick + Candy Glaze

New Shades YSL Candy Glaze and Loveshine

I’m always excited for new shades of the YSL tinted balms. There are two new shades of the Candy Glaze which is my favorite formula from YSL. It’s on the thicker side but in a good way so the colors adhere well to the lips and they stay put longer than other tinted balms. They added 44 Nude Lavalliere to the lineup which is a pretty cool toned pink and 16 Watermelon High which is a warm rose. I love the colors and finish.

YSL also added new shades of the Loveshine Lip Oil Stick in 213 Pink Trip and 214 Wet Guava. Both are beautiful soft pink neutrals but since they are sheer they both look very similar on my pigmented lips. I pulled a few other pinkish neutrals I have in the same formula. While they look different swatched on the arm, on my lips they look so similar. I think I have a slight preference for Wet Guava if I had to pick just one. Both formulas/shades are all out now at Sephora.

New Shades YSL Candy Glaze and Loveshine

YSL Candy Glaze and Loveshine swatches

Overall love the new Candy Glaze shades. I think the new Loveshines are pretty and will probably show up better on most of you. My natural lips are on the darker side so sheer shades don’t always show up on my lips. As much as I love the colors and finish, I think the new Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Glosses are a pass for me mainly because I can’t handle the tingle.

Available at Sephora.

Press samples sent for the oils and the others were purchased by me.

Chanel

Chanel Camelia Futura Collection – Spring 2025

March 13, 2025

Chanel Camelia Futura Collection Review via The Beauty Lookbook

Chanel’s Camelia Futura collection is one of the prettiest spring launches I have ever seen! I ordered the items online as soon as it launched as I tried to track it down in boutiques and it sold out very quickly. Most of the pieces are still available online but if you have your eye on anything I recommend acting fast. I shared live swatches in action here so you can see the dimension and shimmer better. Today I have a review.

Camelia Futura Powder Blush Trio

Chanel Camelia Futura Powder Blush Trio

The Camelia Futura Powder Blush Trio ($75, Chanel and Nordstrom) is a warm pink with a soft matte finish and it’s stunning! The blush has three colors in a striped pattern with a light warm pink, medium warm pink and soft tan.

The blush trio pulls on the sheer side but you can build it for more color. I do recommend having a well primed face or apply a cream blush underneath if you have super dry skin. The first time I applied it I had a lightly powdered faced and it applied perfectly. On another occasion my base was a more matte and application wasn’t quite as smooth or easy to blend. A few of you told me you had read the blush was less than stellar, but I think if you have a well primed face or normal skin it will work just fine. I really love it.

Chanel Camelia Futura Powder Blush Trio swatches

Chanel Camelia Futura Powder Blush Trio swatches

Les 4 Ombres – Utopia

The new Les 4 Ombres in Utopia ($76, still available at Nordstrom and Saks) is a stunning one! Pigment is medium in coverage for a softer look but you can build it. I recommend applying over a well primed lid or cream shadow so the colors adhere better to the eyes. I really love the duo chrome in the bottom shade, it pulls violet in the flash but also has a mix of taupe, silver and grey.

Chanel Les 4 Ombres – Utopia

I think the colors are so beautiful. I wish they would make this one permanent.

Fluid Enlumineur Iridescent Illuminating Fluid – Halo

Chanel Fluid Enlumineur Iridescent Illuminating Fluid – Halo

The Camelia Futura collection has a liquid highlighter in the Fluid Enlumineur Iridescent Illuminating Fluid formula with a new shade Halo ($56). It has a very similar feel to the Les Beiges Highlighting Fluid in Pearly Glow but Halo is slightly more pigmented and also has a unique color shift to it. It is a really pretty one but if you already own a lot of other Chanel liquid highlighters, I think you can skip this one, but it is very pretty and I am glad I splurged. Also compared next to the Le Blanc Rosy Light Drops below.

Chanel Fluid Enlumineur Iridescent Illuminating Fluid – Halo

Rouge Allure Laque Ultrawear Shine Liquid Lip Colour and Rouge Coco Flash

The lip launches are always a highlight for me – I love seeing what Chanel creates!

Chanel Rouge Allure Laque Ultrawear Shine Liquid Lip Colour and Rouge Coco Flash

There are two new Rouge Allure Laques in 97 Irreelle which is a warm pink with subtle orange tones and 96 Avant-Gardiste which is a shimmering pink. I love the pigment and finish of Irreelle. It’s smooth, opaque and full coverage. Avant-Gardiste is a really beautiful color but it pulls on the sheer side for me so it takes some layering. Lasting power is not super long with these but I do love how they wear on the lips.

The Rouge Coco Flash is one of my favorite lip formulas from Chanel and they launched two very unique colors that sold out almost instantly. Shade 270 Peachy is a pale peach gold with green shimmer. I think it’s so unique. On me it’s not the most flattering shade on it’s own, but I do think it makes for a really pretty topper on top of other lip colors to add a bit of shine.

272 Rosa is one of the most beautiful pink lilac shades with blue shimmer. It’s one I think they should make permanent! Since it sold out quickly so many of you have kept asking if I know who stocks it in store and unfortunately I don’t know. Three stores I called sold out before it even launched online, but I have pulled a few alternatives and swatches for you.

Chanel Rouge Allure Laque Ultrawear Shine Liquid Lip Colour and Rouge Coco Flash

Chanel Rouge Coco Flash Rosa and Peachy

Chanel Camelia Futura lip swatches

Comparisons to the Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix in Icy Amethy$t (reviewed here), Chanel Rouge Coco Baume Shine in Charming Lilac (review here), Dior Addict Lip Maximizer Gloss in Pink Lilac (swatched here) and Holographic Lavender (review here) and the Lisa Eldridge Gloss in Delilah (discontinued).

I actually think the Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix in Icy Amethy$t (reviewed here) is a prettier variation and for a non-shimmer option I do think the Rouge Coco Baume in Charming Lilac from spring is an easier option to wear for everyday.

Lilac Shimmer Lips Chanel, Fenty, Dior

Le Vernis Longwear Nail Colour

Last is a look at the two new spring nail polishes. 361 Pionniere is a pretty warm pink shimmer. This one pulls sheer so three coats are required for full coverage. 363 Utopiste is a shimmering dark black with multi-colored sparkles mixed in, but on my nails the shimmer is subtle and it looks more like a black-grey sparkle on the nails.

Chanel Camelia Futura Le Vernis Nail Polish 361 Pionniere and 363 Utopiste

Overall love. I think the eyeshadow quad and blush are the stand outs for me. I do love the lip launches in this collection, but my heart still belongs to the Rouge Coco Baume Shine shades in the spring-summer launch.

Available now at Chanel.com and all Chanel counters.

Chanel Lips

Chanel Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue – New Shades

March 6, 2025

Chanel Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue

Chanel launched five new shades of the liquid lipstick Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue ($50 each). I’m not usually a fan of liquid lipstick formulas as they tend to look very dry on me but this one has a good glossy clear top coat on one end to seal the color and add a beautiful shine.

Chanel Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue

I picked up three of the five shades and think all three are really pretty.

186 Pink Nude is a soft neutral pink

Chanel Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue Pink Nude

________

188 Caramel Beige is a beige brown neutral

________

192 Coral Pink is a coral pink, this one applies brighter on my lips with the drydown compared to what I see in the tube

Chanel Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue Coral Pink

________

With these I recommend applying a thin even coat first and letting them dry. If you apply too much on the lips, once it dries the product will look a bit cracked/dry. I let it set for a minute and then add the top coat. For me the top coat is essential otherwise the liquid lipstick underneath feels a bit sticky/tacky feeling. The gloss adds a nice smooth shine to the look.

I swatched a few comparisons below, many of my favorites have been discontinued. I included the numbers on them since it appears they launched a shade Intense Nude 194 in this new launch but it’s different from the Intense Nude 152 from a few years ago. These look dry in the swatches but I can assure you the top coat makes all the difference!

Chanel Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue swatches

Pink neutrals can be tricky for me to pull of with any cool undertone but this one is perfect. Overall love for a longwear liquid lip. I still prefer a traditional lipstick or gloss format, but in terms of liquid lip formulas these are my favorite.

Chanel Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue

Available now at Chanel.com. I purchased mine from a boutique.

The new Camelia Futura Collection is live online now too and I will have a review as soon as I can post it!

Fenty Beauty Lips

Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Sticks

March 4, 2025

Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Sticks

Fenty launched a shimmer version of my favorite lipstick formula called the Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Sticks ($25 each). As a huge fan of the regular Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix (non-shimmer version) I ordered these immediately. They are stunning for sure but they are a little outside of my comfort zone.

Formula is thick and creamy with full opaque coverage. They have a glossy finish and the sparkle is intense. They perform just the same as the non-shimmer version, but the shimmers do have a slightly transparent quality so your natural lip (or lip liner) will show through.

The shimmer is indeed “high” and they’re more like glitter on the lips. I saw a few reviews describe this as a glitter explosion and I think that is a perfect description. The formula is still surprisingly smooth without any texture even though the sparkle is very intense. It has been a while since I’ve tried a lipstick with THIS much sparkle and as much as I love a good shimmer, my first impression was that the shimmer is too much but I put all the shades to the test and some are more wearable than others for my lip tone.

I think they actually photograph better than they look in real life and I think these would be super cute for special or going out occasions where you want a fun look.

I do really love Fu$$y and Fenty Glow the best. I love the undertone of C U in Maui but this one is a glitter explosion on my lips. Icy Amethy$t is fun for a more trendy lavender shift kind of shade, I think it’s really fun.

Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Sticks

Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Stick swatches

Wearing each shade below, also wearing:

Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Stick Fussy

Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Stick Icy Amethyst

Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Stick Icy Amethyst

Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Stick Hot Chocolit

Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Stick Flamingo Fling

Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Stick C U in Maui

Overall fun, I’m not sure I can pull them off, but I still think they’re really pretty. I personally prefer the original Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix (reviewed here) but the NEW High-Shimmer colors in the Fu$$y and Fenty Glow are beautiful.

Available now at Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Kohl’s x Sephora and Fenty Beauty.

Bronzer + Blush Natasha Denona

Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Cloudy Cream Cheek Duo

February 12, 2025

Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Cloudy Cream Cheek Duo

Natasha Denona launched a new cheek duo called the Hy-Blush Cloudy Cream Cheek Duo ($42 each, available at Sephora, Ulta Beauty and Natasha Denona). These have an ultra creamy blush with a cream highlighter combined in one compact. The shades are very easy to blend and build depending on how much color you want. I love that they have a nice fresh glow.

The new Hy-Blush Duos are very lightweight on the skin and I love how easy they are to blend with fingers or a brush. Every single color Natasha created is 10/10 beautiful. I love how each highlighter has a different undertone, some are pink, others are gold while some have a peach base.

The creams are all non-shimmer shades and I have to say I was really surprised they all showed up on my skin tone since some lighter shades don’t really show up on me. The highlighters have a smooth shimmer so they’re not ultra frosty and they don’t emphasize texture on my skin.

Lasting power has been pretty good for me but I will say that the weather is warm but not humid yet. It lasted all day through two 30 minute walks without budging or fading. By late afternoon it did look a little dewy.

Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Cloudy Cream Cheek Duo Review via The Beauty Lookbook

Swatches:

Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Cloudy Cream Cheek Duo swatches

Beauty looks, also wearing:

Close ups:

Sweet Cheeks has a light icy pearly pastel pink highlighter with bright baby pink cream

Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Sweet Cheeks

Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Sweet Cheeks

__________

Simply Shy has a light pink highlight with a light coral cream blush

Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Simply Shy

Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Simply Shy

__________

Flustrered has a pink with a bit of gold shimmer highlight and a pomegranate red cream blush

Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Flustered

__________

Fresh Mauve has a beige-tan-peach shimmer with a mauve tan cream

Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Fresh Mauve

__________

Flirty Flush has a rose pink with gold pearl highlight and bright pink cream blush

Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Flirty Flush

Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Flirty Flush

__________

Vamped has a peachy gold highlight with a berry brown cream blush

Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Vamped

Natasha Denona Hy-Blush Vamped

__________

Overall 10/10 love. You can also see them in action here.

Available now at Sephora, Ulta Beauty, Natasha Denona.

Blushes gifted from Natasha Denona Beauty for review.

Hourglass Cosmetics Lips

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm – New Shades

February 6, 2025

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm

Hourglass added four new shades of their Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm ($38 each) and they are incredibly beautiful. Three of them are shimmers and one is a new red. Out of all the Hourglass lip formulas this is probably my favorite, especially since I love a glossy lip.

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm New Shades: Secret, Invite, Wander and Red 0

Above left to right:

  • Secret is a rose with gold shimmer (think MAC Sophisto vibes, but not as frosty)
  • Invite is a medium tan brown with gold shimmer
  • Wander is a light peachy pink with golden shimmer
  • Red 0 is the most perfect wearable red for those who don’t like to wear red

Below also wearing:

Secret

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm Secret

_______

Invite

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm Invite

_______

Wander

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm Wander

_______

Red 0

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm Red 0

Every single color of the new Phantom Glossy Balm is wearable and even though Wander is on the lighter side it still shows up on my lips – the pigment is perfect. The regular non shimmer shades are very soft and almost melty feeling once they’re on the lips. The shimmer version is smooth without texture but they have a slightly stiffer feel which I actually like better.

Since these are glossy balms lasting power isn’t going to be long, but they don’t slide off easily and I really like that the finish is forgiving so it fades nicely. They are nicely hydrating and smooth without feeling thick.

The Hourglass team sent a beautiful press box with the new shades and also included three from the permanent lineup. I’ve reviewed them here, here and here but thought I’d add them here too including Desire (rose mauve), Lure (plum) and Sense (the best nude pink).

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm swatches

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm swatches

Overall love. Every single color is one I think could be universally flattering. I’ve finally found my new holy grail red. I was hoping the peach orange shade Mystic in the Holiday 2024 Duo would be out individually but it looks like it’s only available in the set (still in stock). I might end up buying the set before it sells out since I love peachy coral shades.

Available now at Nordstrom, Sephora, Hourglass Cosmetics and all other Hourglass retailers.

New Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balm shades provided for review.

Bronzer + Blush YSL Beauty

YSL Make Me Blush 24H Buildable Powder Blush

February 3, 2025

YSL Make Me Blush 24H Buildable Powder Blush

There are quite a few beautiful blush launches this season. I’ll be reviewing a few of the new formulas, starting with the new YSL Make Me Blush 24H Buildable Powder Blush ($45 each). I’ll say right up front I’m giving these a solid 10/10 rating. They actually exceeded my expectations.

The YSL Make Me Blush Powders come packaged in a bold statement packaging with the YSL logo and quilted top similar to the All Hours Bronzer, Eyeshadow Clutches and Powders but in a rounded compact.

There are two finishes matte and satin and I love them both. These blushes have a similar soft texture to the Gucci Luminous Matte Beauty Blushes (swatches here and here) in the sense they are soft, easy to blend and layer beautifully, but I find the pigment in the YSL formula to be better – they are really easy to build and layer.

A number of you mentioned you swatched these in store but didn’t find the colors exciting and I’ll agree with you there. Even in the pan the colors don’t look special but they apply much prettier and better on the face. I like the powder version much better than the liquid blush YSL launched (swatched here). As pretty as the liquids are they oxidize/darken on my skin while the powders stay true to color and do not darken on me.

YSL Make Me Blush Buildable Powder Blush

Swatches:

YSL Make Me Blush 24H Buildable Powder Blush swatches

Swatch comparisons:

YSL Make Me Blush 24H Buildable Powder Blush swatch comparisons

I picked up 5 of the shades:

37 Peachy Nude is a medium-dark matte peach, wearing it with the YSL Candy Glaze Flashing Rose 13

YSL Make Me Blush Powder in 37 Peachy Nude

YSL Make Me Blush Powder in 37 Peachy Nude

______

42 Babydoll Pink is a pale pink satin with a white base (this works best as a layering shade for me, on it’s own it is very pale), below wearing it with Prada Monochrome Soft Matte Lipstick 158 Meranti + Huda Faux Filler Gloss in UUU Baby

YSL Make Me Blush Powder in 42 Babydoll Pink

YSL Make Me Blush Powder in 42 Babydoll Pink

______

44 Nude Lavalliere is a mauve pink with gold shimmer, below wearing it with YSL Loveshine in 44 Nude Lavalliere

YSL Make Me Blush Powder in 44 Nude Lavalliere

______

87 Pink Voltage is a bright hot pink, but blends out easily for a more natural look, below wearing it with Maybelline Lifter Gloss 024 Bubblegum

YSL Make Me Blush Powder in 87 Pink Voltage

YSL Make Me Blush Powder in 87 Pink Voltage

______

93 Restless Rose is a peachy gold shimmer, wearing it below with YSL Candy Glaze Flashing Rose 13

YSL Make Me Blush Powder in 93 Restless Rose

YSL Make Me Blush Powder in 93 Restless Rose

Lasting power is great. Shimmers are smooth and don’t emphasize my texture on cheeks. I love that these aren’t fragranced. I hope we will see some of the other colors in the US eventually (there seem to be more options in other countries).

Available now at Sephora.