Refy Beauty launched a new lip product called the Lip Stick ($28 each, available at Refy Beauty and Sephora). This is an innovative liquid lipstick in a unique twist up pen + roller ball type applicator. I was thrilled to partner with them to share a try-on of all shades on Instagram here but also wanted to share a blog post with more thoughts + swatches here.
These are a satin finish liquid lipstick with a sponge tip applicator. These are hydrating and creamy with a soft texture. The pigment is unique in the sense that you can achieve an almost entirely different color with 1-2 clicks of the pen vs 3-4 clicks. More clicks result in a deeper more opaque color.
The applicator tip has a pointed end so you can apply with precision around the edge of your lips. Formula is truly incredible. They’re smooth and apply easily just like you’d expect from a liquid lipstick but they don’t look dry. Lasting power is very good – they will stay put without migrating for hours, however they aren’t budge-proof or transfer proof.
Shades in this launch are bold and pull very dark. The colors are darker than shades I usually wear but I think there are some beautiful shades like Ruby or Maple I can wear for a more glam look. I hope they consider expanding the shade range because the formula is SO good – I am a huge fan of the tones in their Lip Sculpt and Lip Gloss line (review here) and I think shades like Oat, Blush, Taupe, Rosewood would incredible in this particular Lip Stick formula.
If you’ve been curious about these I hope the swatches help!
The Archival Lip Essentials Gift Set has three full-sized lip items with a new mauve shade called Archival. The set includes a Signature Lip Lightweight Lip Blush, Signature Lip Sheer Lip Liner and the Tinted Lip Oil.
The pencil and lipstick both pull very cool toned on me. I wasn’t sure they would work for my skin and lip tone since most cool colors look greyish on me, but they work! And the gloss really pulls the entire look together.
The Merit Signature Lip Sheer Lip Liner is very different from any other liner on the market. It’s almost like a glossy crayon in lipliner form. Unique for sure and nice for those who like a minimalist look. I love that they glide on the lips and have that glossy finish. Lasting power isn’t quite as long as a matte, but I think they’re really interesting.
The Lip Blush has a very lightweight feel, it’s a subtle kind of lip product but pigment is still very good. Texture is smooth even though it’s matte. This is very different from their other Signature Lipsticks. I tried their lipsticks a while ago when they launched and wasn’t a fan. They felt a little to waxy for my taste, but I might give them another look since so many of you love them. The new Lip Blush in this set is almost like a diffused matte lip tint instead of a regular lipstick. I’m still a glossy lip lover at heart, but I do like the texture and finish of the Lip Blush.
Lip Oils are nice for a subtle tint. These also pull on the sheer side for me but I really like them on top of a lipstick to add dimension and shine. They are very thin in texture so they’re not sticky. Also since the texture is thin they won’t have very long lasting power, but they do stay on longer when you pair them with a lipstick or liner.
I shared a demo of the lipliner and oils in this post here back in April. I don’t think I did a blog post on these so I swatched the shades I have so you can see the new Archival tones next to some of the existing colors.
Mini Flush Blush Balm Trio
I’ve had such mixed feelings about the Merit cream blushes because they’re usually too dewy and sheer for my skin but so many of you asked for a review on this year’s Mini Flush Blush Balm Trio Set. This year has definitely been a transition year for me with our move, aging and skin changes and it’s been noticeably more dry. I’m still in the process of finding a dermatologist since we moved, but since it’s been more dry I can wear more creams.
I think these are so cute but I still think they are too dewy and creamy for my taste. They’re fun for a pretty flush of color and if you’re into cream blushes that blend to a sheer tint or like that dewy look then I think you’ll really like them.
There are four shades of the Prada Light Glowing Lip Oil Stick available in the US (I think other countries might have a few more shades). I picked up the tinted ones and love the formula. They’re smooth, comfortable, hydrating and feel ultra luxurious on the lips. The pigment is very sheer though and gives the lips a barely there tint. You can definitely bring out the color with a coordinating lip pencil, but on their own they are so sheer, I don’t know that the lack of pigment justifies the steep price tag. The formula is also very soft. While I didn’t experience any breakage due to the softness, they have shifted from the base a little after application so there are dents on the sides of the lip balm from the packaging.
U016 is a light pink
U018 is also a light pink, but slightly deeper
U019 is a soft brown
I am happy with the splurges although given my darker lip tone I would have skipped U016 if I had known how sheer it would be on my lips. If you prefer something with more pigment the Hydrating Lip Balm has better color payoff (I really like the Shade Guava). Or I would recommend opting for any of the YSL tinted balms like the Candy Glow or Candy Glaze (also still spendy but not quite as expensive).
Since these are balmy oils and sheer the lasting power isn’t going to be long with these but they are easy to reapply without a mirror.
Light Glowing Highlighter Powder
I did a poll on whether or not you were interested in the new Light Glowing Highlighter Powders and most of you were turned off by the steep price tag. I do think the price is outrageous but I was really impressed with these highlighters. The colors are just SO beautiful with the perfect amount of glow. I love all three and think the texture and pigment is SO stunning, I nearly forgot about the sticker shock after swatching these.
1 Champagne is a light cool champagne on my golden olive skin, if you have light or fair skin tones I think this won’t look as pink on you as it does my skin
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2 Pink is a stunning soft cool pink
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3 Deep is a soft bronzed shimmer, it’s a skin but better tone on me
I am still struggling with some texture and dry patches on my face so it did emphasize my texture a little bit, but with a lighter hand and good blending I really love how they look on the skin. Are they worth $90? I don’t think so, but I am still very happy with the splurge. Below wearing the following lip and cheek combos, also wearing:
Light Glowing Highlighter Shade 1 Champagne and Glowing Lip Oil Stick 016 Rose, quick note, I applied the highlighter with a heavier hand to show the color, but for normal makeup wear I would combine this with a regular blush or bronzer and apply the highlighter just as a softer highlight
Last we have a look at the Prada Dimensions Multi-Effect Eyeshadow Palettes. These are super finely milled palettes with an ultra smooth texture. They remind me of the eyeshadows from Surratt and Cle de Peau with the soft powdery almost creamy texture. I think the color combinations are SO beautiful but I have very dry eyelids so this kind of texture tends to look dry on my eyes if I pack the color on. Each palette has a good mix of finishes. I think the tones are beautiful and well thought out.
I had such high hopes for Peony but the colors match my skin tone so closely I cannot see any color payoff on my eyes. Pansy shows up better but still gives a very natural eye look. Primula has the best color payoff. I really wanted to love at least one of these for an everyday look but in the time I’ve had them I haven’t reached for very much.
Based on the feedback I’ve received from most of you it appears I’m in the minority with my eyelid area being dry, so if your eyelids are normal or oily I think these should wear very well on you.
06 Pulp has a rosewood matte, shimmery champagne, satiny yellow beige and sheer reddish pink matte
07 Peony has the most beautiful mix of soft neutrals, I really wish these showed up on my skin tone
08 Pansy has a dusty rose pink, soft satin tan, light warm pink, shimmery champagne with a duochrome shift
09 Primula has a dusty caramel tan, deep brown, brick brown and brown with green shift
Overall really love the highlighters, lip oil sticks are really pretty but so sheer I don’t know how I feel about the splurge. Eyeshadows aren’t bad, but the formula and colors aren’t something I am super in love with.
Valentino Beauty launched a new plumping gloss called the Puffer Lip Gloss ($38 each, Nordstrom and Sephora). I received a couple shades in PR but also picked up three as the shades looked really pretty in store.
These are sheer to medium in coverage although some of the shades have more coverage than others. The plumping effect is pretty visible and the tingle and stinging sensation is strong although I didn’t get numb lips and I was able to wear these without issue.
On a scale of 1-10 for tingle I would rate these a 7.5 to 8 for stinging. They’re not quite as strong as the YSL or Charlotte Tilbury ones but still strong enough that I feel them. If you have sensitive lips I recommend proceeding with caution.
I think the colors are really pretty. Out of the shades I tried there was only one I wasn’t a huge fan of (mainly because it was so sheer).
00R Dazzling Mermaid is a sheer sparkling holographic shade, this was almost clear on my lips
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300R In My Glowing Era is SO beautiful, I wish it had a little more pigment, but I love the iridescent pink shimmer and glow in this
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302R Extra Pink is a bright baby pink cream, I think it’s a flattering one and really pretty, I am now on a mission to find a lipstick this color since most baby pinks pull too pastel on me, but this one is perfect
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103R Don’t Be So Nude is a peachy nude rose with a tiny bit of shimmer, this pulls sheer so it’s almost like my lips but better, I would LOVE this in a pigmented gloss or lipstick form
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122A Warm Up is a pretty milky brown toffee shade, it also has a tiny bit of shimmer but the shimmer isn’t really visible on the lips
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Overall I really like them. Since they do sting/tingle I don’t know how often I will be reaching for them although if I apply a lip primer underneath it acts like a buffer in between my lips and the product.
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
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.
1 Thunder Stealer is a stunning lilac with gold shimmer
8 Purple Dream is a pretty reddish plum
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
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.
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.
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.
I picked up three of the five shades and think all three are really pretty.
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
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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!
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.
Available now at Chanel.com. I purchased mine from a boutique.
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$$y and Fenty Glow the best. I love the undertone of C U in Maui but this one is a glitter explosion on my lips. Icy Amethy$t is fun for a more trendy lavender shift kind of shade, I think it’s really fun.
Overall fun, I’m not sure I can pull them off, but I still think they’re really pretty. I personally prefer the original Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix (reviewed here) but the NEW High-Shimmer colors in the Fu$$y and Fenty Glow are beautiful.
