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Chanel Lips

Chanel Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue – New Shades

March 6, 2025

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.

186 Pink Nude is a soft neutral pink

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188 Caramel Beige is a beige brown neutral

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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.

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

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Fenty Beauty Lips

Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Sticks

March 4, 2025

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.

Wearing each shade below, also wearing:

Foundation – Dior Forever Perfect Foundation Stick 2.5N + Saie Super Glowy Gel Warmglow
Powder – Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Powder in Medium
Bronzer – Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer Luminous Bronze Light (reviewed here back in 2017, time flies!)
Eyeshadow – Natasha Denona I Need a Warm Nude Palette (review + swatches here)
Brows – Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil Shade 2.5
Mascara – Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes Mascara

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.

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Lips

Rhode Peptide Lip Shape Review

February 27, 2025

Rhode launched a new lip pencil called the Peptide Lip Shape – The Contouring Lip Shaper ($24 each). I loved the teasers and as a huge fan of neutrals I was very excited to try these. I shared a try-on in action here and I was really surprised by the feedback! The feedback was very mixed and after trying these for nearly two weeks I finally have my review.

The Peptide Lip Shape is a creamy twist up lip product that I’d say is in between a lip liner and chubby stick. The formula is creamy and glides on with a very smooth application, but it has a semi-matte looking finish.

I think the colors are SO beautiful, but only a few work for me. Lighter neutrals are so difficult for me to wear because I have a darker lip tone and while many look SO good swatched on my hand, they end up looking ashy or dry on my lips because of the contrast (ie MAC Crème Cup, Blankety and Myth or Tom Ford Blush Nude look like white out on my lips).

Shades I hauled:

Bend is a peach brown beige
Twist is a neutral light brown
Lift is a light dusty pink
Lunge is a rosy beige tan
Press is a pink mauve tone
Lean is a medium brown
Balance coffee caramel brown

The biggest complaint I saw was about the lasting power and I semi disagree with the rants that came across the comments and messages about these. These aren’t long-wear lip pencils and I think most of you who were disappointed expected this to be like a lip liner. The texture of the Peptide Lip Shape is softer and the pigment/texture isn’t dense like a pencil so it’s more like a lipstick in pencil form. They’re designed to be more like a contour rather than a definer.

That being said the lasting power isn’t the best but they definitely do not disappear immediately. If I wear these all over the lip, they fade the fastest from the center of the lip, but they do linger around the edges a long time on me.

I really love the idea and concept, but I don’t love the formula. I also don’t hate them. I like these best when topped with a gloss. If I were to do my order over I would have only picked up Lunge and Press. I can make the others work with an added gloss but this makes them more high maintenance than I would like.

Swatches:

Below wearing: Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Powder in Medium, Rhode Pocket Blush in Freckle, Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Peach Glamour + Makeup by Mario Master Mattes, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer Caramel, Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes Mascara

So bottom line, if you ask me are these worth the purchase? I would say they’re ok, but there are better formulas out there and I prefer a regular lip pencil than a chubby stick. I do think the Ilia Lip Sketch for a similar concept (chubby stick) is better, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the finish. The Pat McGrath Dramatique Lip Pencils are much better for lasting power, but these also pull matte and I think in general I just feel better with a glossy lip vs something that is matte. Chanel had the most incredible Lip Crayon back in the day, they’ve since discontinued it, but it was the best lip crayon I tried.

You can find the Peptide Lip Shape now at Rhode Skin.

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Lips Skincare

Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Polypeptide Lip Serum

February 24, 2025

Laneige launched a tinted lip balm called the Glaze Craze Tinted Polypeptide Lip Serum ($22 each, Sephora, Kohl’s and Laneige). I’m a huge fan of the Lip Glowy Balms and was really excited to see a new tinted lip product from Laneige!

The Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serums are donut-inspired and each one has a different sweet gourmand scent. I really love the scents they created – they’re sweet but not too sweet. They smell like chocolate to me.

Formula is smooth, non sticky but still balmy/glossy feeling. They feel very hydrating on the lips and the pigment is just perfect for a tinted balm. The colors show up but they still have a natural looking tint to them. I think each color they created is 10/10 beautiful and very flattering.

Sugar Glaze is a tan beige brown
Peach Glaze is a pink peach
Cinnamon Sugar is a mauve cream shade
Chocolate Frosting is a chocolate brown with a reddish undertone

Below wearing:

Foundation – Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5
Powder – Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder in Medium
Blush – rhode Pocket Blush in Freckle
Highlighter – Chanel Jeux de Lumiere Spring 2025
Eyeshadow – Tom Ford Eyeshadow Palette in Peach Glamour
Eyeliner – Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal in Cocoa
Brows – Glossier Boy Brow Arch in Cool Brown
Mascara – L’Oreal Paradise Big Deal
Tank – Aritzia (runs small, recommend sizing up)

Laneige Sugar Glaze

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Laneige Peach Glaze

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Laneige Cinnamon Sugar

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Laneige Chocolate Frosting

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There are a few features of the serums that I’m a little iffy about – none of these are deal breakers for me, but several of you mentioned these in your DMs to me so I thought I’d point them out too. Texture can be a little thick if you apply too much product, but they are easy to blend out.

I’m undecided about the applicator they made for these balms. The Glaze Craze Lip Serums come with a cushiony donut-shaped applicator. It’s soft and squishy and I give Laneige five stars for innovation, but it can be cumbersome to use as it makes precise application challenging. Also the tip can get very messy and a little goopy over time with the product oozing.

There was one shade that seemed to settle and separate into my lip lines on bare lips (the Peach Glaze), but this can be fixed if I apply a lip liner underneath.

Overall I am happy with the purchase especially since the pigment level is exactly what I want in a tinted balm. I love that they’re not too sheer. A lot of you wanted to know how these compared to Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balms and I feel like they are very different. The Summer Fridays balms are a little thinner in texture with just a sheer hint of color while the Laneige serums is thicker and more opaque. If you like the concept of a tinted lip product that is hydrating but want something more budget-friendly, I also recommend checking out the e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oils. While the formulas are not really the same, I have been a big fan of them for a tinted lip hydrator and I think they also have really great colors.

I pulled some swatches to some other balms/oils and a few glosses to compare for color.

Available now at Sephora, Kohl’s and Laneige. Have you tried these yet? What did you think?

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Hourglass Cosmetics Lips

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm – New Shades

February 6, 2025

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.

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:

Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5
Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder in Medium
Hourglass Unreal Liquid Blush in Scene (review + swatches here)
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Strobe Blush in Brilliant Nude (discontinued, but RMS Crystal Slipper is similar)
Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette + Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadow in Ray
Tarte Tartelette Tubing Mascara
Nail Polish is Olive and June Quick Dry in Sandy

Secret

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Invite

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Wander

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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).

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.

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Chanel Lips

New Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Les Perles

January 27, 2025

Chanel launched a limited-edition lipstick in their Rouge Allure line called the Rouge Allure Velvet Les Perles ($52 each). I checked out the colors while I was in Miami and picked up a few shades along with the ones in the limited-edition Duo Set ($120) in store. The set is currently sold out online and I did see it restock once. I am hoping it restocks again or that some boutiques may still have it.

The Rouge Allure Velvet Les Perles formula is a smooth luminous matte lipstick. They have an ultra fine pearl quality to them which gives them a glow while still looking like a matte on the lips. These are so soft and smooth on the lips. They glide on beautifully and you can control the pigment to be more of a blotted blurred effect or layer for more opacity.

I find them very comfortable. They do have a soft matte look but don’t look or feel dry at all. I think they’re very under-rated and they look much prettier on the lips than what you see in the tube.

Every color I tried is 10/10 wearable. I did have my eye on multiple shades although I splurged on the Rouge Coco Baume Shines which launched around the same time, so I tried to limit my picks with this launch.

All the shades are available individually. I purchased:

447 Naturelle – the prettiest light beige neutral
457 Eclatante – pretty coral

Duo Set with:

459 Lumineuse – soft mauve
458 Sensuelle – blue red

Below wearing the shades along with the Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation in BD41.

Chanel also reformulated their Joues Contraste Powder Blushes recently. A number of you asked for a review. According to the SAs in store they have been reformulated to change the ingredients and to improve the pigment. I still own a lot of Chanel powder blushes which I still use and love. They kept a lot of the same colors so I decided to just try one Malice which is a soft coral pink with a tiny bit of shimmer.

I really like it. The powder is easy to blend with very good pigment level. I love the color – peachy coral tones are usually my favorite. I can’t really tell the difference in pigment or formula between new vs original. I would love to compare the original shade to new but I can’t find my original one. Off the top of my head this new one looks more pink-coral to me (I remember this being more peach), but without seeing them side by side I can’t confirm.

I shared a look at the lipsticks in action here if you want to see how they apply on the lips with a sheerer application.

Overall love the lipsticks and I’m really loving the formula. The blush is a beautiful classic coral shade. I don’t know that I’d call it a must-have.

You can find these now at Chanel.com and Chanel Beauty Boutiques.

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Lips Tom Ford Beauty

New Tom Ford Lip Color Lipstick + Lip Pencils

November 11, 2024

Tom Ford reformulated a few of their lip products for the Lip Color Lipstick ($62 each) + Lip Pencils ($46). It seems a number of items are going through a revamp as it appears the Foundation Stick has been pulled (or not restocked) along with a few other items. I hauled quite a few of the new shades and am 10/10 happy with everything I picked out.

It has been a while since I’ve repurchased a Tom Ford lipstick and have to say I am shocked at the prices these days. I don’t know that luxury makeup is “worth” the steep price tags that keep increasing, but I have been really pleased with the performance, quality and colors with this particular haul. If you missed out on the Sephora sale, keep an eye out for upcoming holiday sales. A lot of retailers offer a good discount (flash sale) or gift card events and with Cyber Week approaching I’m sure you will be able to find these at a lower price.

Lip Color Lipstick

Tom Ford Beauty Lip Colors have been reformulated and with nearly every single brand revamping or repackaging I suppose it was only a matter of time before Tom Ford followed. The new formula has a little more slip to it. It glides on the lips better, isn’t quite as opaque, has a tiny bit of shine but still has great color payoff. I think the new formula is a noticeable improvement for a more modern look. The original was a classic for sure but because some of the colors were so opaque (especially the pale ones) they ended up looking a little too heavy.

The new formula looks a little more natural on the lips while still being a true classic lipstick formula. These still have the same classic soft vanilla scent and mahogany + gold packaging (which I love). I am a bit sad they didn’t keep all the shades though.

Shades I hauled below:

Spanish Pink is a nude pink, it’s more wearable and a bit warmer than the original
Sable Smoke is still the same flattering beige nude I remember (unfortunately I don’t have the original anymore to compare)
West Coast is a 90s kind of brown cinnamon sepia shade
Slip is a blue-based baby pink
Runway Rose is a plum pink rose
Casablanca is a mauve pink, the new one seems to have less grey undertone and I can actually wear the new version (the original one made me look a little ashy)
Impassioned is a pretty reddish plum, it’s almost identical to the original, I could barely tell the difference between the two variations

I ordered mine sight unseen and was lucky every single color works for me! Lasting power is just like the original formula and stays put for hours but fades nicely/evenly. These are a solid win for me.

Lip Pencil

Tom Ford revamped their Lip Pencil and the formula is exceptionally good. It’s everything I want in a lip liner! Formula is smooth, creamy, opaque, doesn’t look too dry on the lips and stays on the lips really well. They’re not completely budge-proof but they adhere well to the lips. I do miss some of the shades in the older formula (ones with the brush) but the four I picked are stunning. The colors I bought are all variations of a neutral tone.

101 Close-Up is a nude pink
102 Re-See is a light beige
103 Irresistible is a tan brown
106 A-List is the perfect brown tone

Overall some solid wins even though I’m not too happy about the ridiculously steep prices. Quality is 10/10 and they launched some really beautiful classic colors that you can apply without any fuss or tweaking.

I picked mine up from Sephora and Nordstrom. Available at all Tom Ford Beauty counters now.

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Older Posts

Lips

Chanel Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue – New Shades

Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Sticks

Rhode Peptide Lip Shape Review

Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Polypeptide Lip Serum

Hourglass Phantom Volumizing Glossy Lip Balm – New Shades

New Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet Les Perles

New Tom Ford Lip Color Lipstick + Lip Pencils

Lip Color Lipstick

Lip Pencil

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