Chanel launched a new lipstick called Rouge Allure Velvet Nuit Blanche ($50 each at Chanel.com) in a black and white case. The lipsticks are designed for each hour of the night featuring Margo Robbie as their beauty muse. I’m late to the game trying these but I’m really happy I did. I managed to snag Shade 07:00 in the second restock after it sold out. I am really hoping they restock again!
The formula is an ultra smooth velvet with a slightly luminous kind of finish so it’s not flat or drying. This Rouge Allure Velvet formula is exceptionally smooth, truly beautiful and pure luxury. Colors apply flawlessly. You can wear these blotted for a soft diffused blurred matte or apply with a heavier hand for full coverage.
The Chanel team sent a 4 piece boxed set which I don’t see on their site, but all the Rouge Allure Velvet Nuit Blanche shades are available individually.
00:00 is a warm dusty red
01:00 is a burnt orange
02:00 is a brighter orange red
06:00 is a plum
07:00 is a sheer barbie pink
As a neutral lip lover you can probably guess my favorite is the one I bought shade 07:00. It’s the perfect bright sheer pink. The formula on this one seems to be different from the other shades. 07:00 is sheerer with less pigment and it also has a more glossy finish on me which I love.
Even though I don’t wear bold reds or oranges I can appreciate these for more dressy occasions where you want to wear a statement lip. Nobody else does it quite like Chanel for a classic luxury lip.
For her lip liners and lipsticks she now as a shade called Pillow Talk Fair which is a cool-toned baby pink. I really love the Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk Fair which pulls a slightly bit deeper but the K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick is too pale and contrasted with my natural lip tone to work for me. It has a beautiful creamy formula that performs just as well as her other lipsticks. The shade is just too light and for me. For those who find her original Pillow Talk warm I think the new Pillow Talk Fair will be much better for you.
I’ve swatched all the Pillow Talk shades I have in the Fair, Original and Medium. I added Icon Baby to the mix by popular request. I really love that shade (reviewed here) but several of you aren’t a fan of the sparkle and glitter texture. It does not bother me but some were hoping that Pillow Talk Fair would be the same as Icon Baby without the shimmer. Swatching them side by side I think they’re very different.
I still like the original Pillow Talk the best for her lipsticks.
Charlotte Tilbury’s new Pillow Talk Big Lip Plumpgasm Plumping Lip Gloss is going to be either hit or miss for you depending on your pain tolerance for the tingle. I’d rate it an 8 out of 10 with a very strong sting that doesn’t go away. Some plumpers tingle for a few minutes but then the tingle fades. These are very strong on me and as much as I tried to love these, I just can’t. The tingle is as strong as the Fenty Heat and Maybelline Lifter Plumping Glosses on me and I cannot handle it.
Colors are really beautiful though. I found it really interesting on my arm swatches (above) they pull really warm and almost orangey looking. In the tube and on my lips they pull more neutral.
I wish these were in a lip gloss vinyl/lacquer formula instead of the plumpers but I know plumpers are popular so I do see these being very on trend.
Collagen Lip Bath
I’ve saved the best for last because I think I love the Collagen Lip Bath more than anyone else. These give the illusion of fuller lips but it’s not really a plumping gloss, it has a high shine with a cushiony feel that makes them look super lush and glossy.
Rosy Glow is actually my favorite which I don’t have anymore because I’ve used it up multiple times (so I’m re-ordering as one last Sephora haul). I do really love the new Pillow Talk shades along with the Original.
Pillow Talk Fair is a pale milky pink but it’s one I can wear without looking like I have white-out on my lips. Pillow Talk Original is a nude pink. Pillow Talk Medium is a deeper rose nude. Pillow Talk Deep is pretty sheer but with some layering it gives a really pretty chestnut brown look.
I added swatches next to Refresh Rose, Peachy Plump and Walk of No Shame.
Overall I think these are beautiful additions to the Pillow Talk lineup. The KISSING Lipstick did not work for me shade-wise and the Plumping Lip Glosses are a no-go as they’re too painful for me to handle.
The others are solid A+ material.
YSL Beauty revamped their cult classic Rouge Volupte Shine into a new formula called the Loveshine Oil Lipsticks ($45 each). It seems they’ve kept a lot the same with the formula. They’ve revamped with new packaging and new ingredients including Fig Pulp for sensitive lips.
I hauled quite a few of the shades as I loved the original and was very curious about these new ones. Their marketing and rebranding is genius! Most of the shades look like they are new, but they’ve kept a couple of the originals including 44 Nude Lavalliere and 150 Nude Lingerie.
The Loveshine formula is quite sheer with a glossy balm-like finish to them. Lasting power for colors isn’t really going to be long unless you layer on top of a long-wear lip liner but the hydration does seem to linger long for soft supple lips.
Overall these new Loveshine lipsticks perform the same as the Rouge Volupte Shine to me. The pigment of the newer formula seems to be sheerer than the originals with a lot of the lighter neutrals pulling very similar on my lips. I found that I really loved the darker brighter shades I had ordered and if I were to do my haul over I would have picked all the brighter colors instead.
I wasn’t able to get photographs edited and posted on the lips here because of time, but I wanted to get swatches and a review up before the Sephora sale ended for those who have been asking. I did post a try-on reel here which I’ll also link below.
201 Rosewood Blush is a sheer rose pink (looks warmer in tube, but cool on my lips)
202 Peachy Glow is a taupe rose nude (also pulls cool on my lips)
203 Blushed Mallow is a cool mauve
204 Melted Honey is a sheer pale beige
205 Nude Self is a berry rose
207 Scenic Brown is a berry brownish shade
209 Pink Desire is a pretty warm brighter pink
44 Nude Lavalliere is a cool-toned pale pink
150 Nude Lingerie is a warm peachy pink
Quick note that my arm is ultra fair right now which makes everything look warmer than they do on my face. I’ve had some interesting conversations with some of you about skin tone and tans – and a number of you are my skin twins with winter skin tone vs summer skin tone. A lot of colors (foundations included) are straight up orangey on me now. With most of my foundations I have to do a bit of mixing with the elf Halo Glow Filter or Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filters in lighter shades. I also have to do a LOT of blending into my neck area. I haven’t been this fair in skin tone since I left San Diego, but since I tan easily I suspect I will be back to my most-of-the-year-round color very soon.
Feedback from some of you about these new Loveshines is mixed. There are a lot of you who are COMPLETELY obsessed with this sheer effortless swipe and go kind of vibe. I love it too, but a part of me wishes the pigment were maybe 10% to 15% more intense. I think the undertones and colors are SO beautiful but I wish they showed up better on my lips. Then there are a handful of you who have messaged me that you bought some and returned them because they were so sheer they did not show up on you.
I love what I hauled, although I might have skipped a couple of the shades due to similarities in my selections. I can think of an occasion to wear every shades I picked up. I would say my top three: 209 Pink Desire, 150 Nude Lingerie and 205 Nude Self.
Guerlain launched their Terracotta Le Teint Foundation last year (reviewed here). This year they’ve added a Terracotta Concealer ($47) to the lineup and it has a beautiful formula. It’s what I would call a classic concealer formula – not too creamy, not too thick, not too matte, not too radiant. Formula is just right.
I used their shade chart to order Shade 3N since I use 3N and 3.5N in the foundation. It’s a good match but I wish I had purchased 2.5N for more brightening under the eyes. There is added fragrance and it’s pretty strong just like the foundation but it didn’t irritate my skin and seemed to wear just fine without any issues.
Below the 3N Le Teint foundation all over blended with the 3N Concealer
The only downside is applicator is difficult to pull out of the container. On one hand the design seems to ensure product will not leak. But it is difficult to pull out and takes some tugging (I have to be careful otherwise product goes flying everywhere).
I shared a quick look on my Instagram stories and had a number of questions about this and how it compares to other formulas. This is a classic formula with a satin finish and very good coverage and blendability. It doesn’t cake or crease. A little goes a long way and it’s easy to work with. Formula is VERY good in my opinion, but I still prefer the Natasha Denona concealer formula which is creamier, has better packaging and better for multi-tasking. This one also has fragrance in it but it’s not noticeable to me.
Comparison swatches below which I know are all over the place in terms of color. I am still in my winter skin tone so most of my matches look orangey on my skin but in a few weeks I will have my tan back and most of these will match better:
Terracotta Powder Blush
Guerlain also launched a new cheek product called the Terracotta Powder Blush ($55). These are soft silky satin blushes in beautiful colors. They have a soft texture with a little bit of a glow. I picked out two to try in 01 Rose Clair/Light Pink which is a soft pink and 02 Corail Clair/Light Coral a soft peach. Both show up well even on my medium skin tone.
They do not swatch the best on the arm or hand so I did not include arm swatches but they apply beautifully on the skin. They meld into the skin beautifully, last long. Colors are easy to build up pigment wise without looking cakey or powdery. If you like their bronzers I think you will like these.
They are heavily fragranced and while the colors are beautiful and very wearable (at least for the 2 I bought) I do think they can be easily duped from other brands like the ones from Gucci or Armani. That being said I do think the lasting power of these Guerlain ones is better.
KissKiss Bee Glow Oil
Guerlain launched lip oils and I am 100% in love with these. The KissKiss Bee Glow Oil ($40) comes in six shades and they have a color-reviving formula. They swatch sheer but once on the lips transform into a soft tint.
These are heavily scented with a strong honey scent but it’s pleasant to me and I love them. They’re thick and smoothing and give the lips a beautiful glazed look. On me they feel slightly plumping and they feel very hydrating.
Colors will most likely look a little different on everyone since they react to your pH. Lasting power is pretty good. They feel thick for an oil but it’s comfortable and adheres well to the lips.
The question so many of you have asked is how the Guerlain KissKiss Bee Oil compares to the Dior Lip Glow Oil and I have to say I have not really been a HUGE fan of the Dior ones. I think the Dior Lip Oil is a nice formula but in my experience all the colors look identical on my lips (clear). For me they just did not live up to the hype and the Dior formula feels like something that is going to slide off my lips (even though it is thick) and they feel sticky.
The Guerlain oils feel thicker and more cushiony but the texture isn’t tacky feeling. They also don’t feel like they’re sliding off my lips – it’s like a glossy hydrating cushion that stays put. The color reviving quality is stronger so more of a tint shows up on my lips with the Guerlain oils.
Last I have a quick look at the KissKiss Bee Glow Lip Balms ($40 each). These are color reviving balms with a sheer wash of color but transform on your lips. I did quick swatches of these on my arm since the way they will look on my lips most likely won’t be the same for everyone. These are highly under-rated. I think the Guerlain KissKiss Be Glow balms rival the Dior Addict Lip Glow in formulas for hydration and color. I love both formulas. If you’re looking to try something new I highly recommend checking out the ones from Guerlain for better hydration (I think Honey Glow is my favorite).
I think the balm + oils layered in coordinating colors create a really pretty combination!
That wraps up my Guerlain roundup! Absolutely obsessed with the new Lip Oils and I will be keeping one of the balms in my purse at all times. Concealer and blushes are nice but not must-haves. I do think the formulas and colors are excellent, I am just not sure I would call them game changers or super unique.
Westman Atelier launched their first lipstick formula called the Lip Suede Matte Lipstick ($50 each) and I could not have been more excited to try them. They’re currently available at Westman Atelier for an exclusive early launch. Available now at Sephora and Nordstrom.
The Lip Suede Matte Lipsticks are cased in a twist up glossy tube with a magnetic closure. The packaging is beautiful but the magnetic feature makes these difficult to store next to each other (same as the issue I have with the Baby Cheeks). Based on a poll I did most of you store these alternating (one right side up, one upside down, etc.) if you own more than one shade.
I think the packaging is beautiful (magnet issue aside) but I received dozens of messages from you about the packaging being bulky and unflattering. I love the unique look but can see how many find it too big. The ratio of product to packaging does seem excessive but I also see how it fits in with the brand aesthetic.
The Lip Suede Matte Lipstick formula is a lightweight cushiony matte which feels more like a satin. I like that it’s a soft matte. They’re smooth and glide on flawlessly. On me they are one swipe wonders although I give them a couple swipes back and forth to cover the entire lip evenly.
Formula is a classic lipstick – I don’t find it hydrating but I don’t find them drying either. There’s a very soft scent to them, almost vanilla-like and almost crayon-like but I have to smell them really closely to detect the scent. On my lips I don’t notice anything.
Lasting power is ok. They stay put as long as I don’t touch my lips to anything but they’re not transfer proof. They do start to look a little dry on the lips after several hours due to the matte texture.
Overall I have mixed feelings. I love the colors except for Rue which looks like death on me. Formula is really good for a matte but I still prefer Pat McGrath, Lisa Eldridge or Charlotte Tilbury for their matte lipstick formulas by far. At $50 a pop I don’t know that I would say they’re worth the splurge. It seems incredibly steep for what you get. That being said it seems like the prices of everything have gone up to insane levels. I do like these a lot more than the Hourglass mattes I reviewed a few weeks ago but I don’t think I’d call these a must-have.
If you’re curious about these and like matte lipsticks I would say maybe wait until the Sephora savings event which will bring the price point down if you’re a Beauty Insider.
The Unlocked Soft Matte Lipstick is a soft blurred matte lipstick with full coverage. They’re very opaque with full coverage and according to Hourglass they’re infused with a primer for smooth application. I found they did indeed apply smoothly but there was some tugging and looked dry on my lips. Granted a matte finish can look dry, but these felt like they sucked all the moisture from my lips making them feel a little tight.
Most of the colors I tried pulled very warm on me. The matte finish made these look a little muted/faded on me, but it could just be the colors I picked out. They swatch beautifully on the hand. On my darker pigmented lips I did not really like any of these shades. Poppy is pretty and right along the lines of a shade I would wear, but in real life it emphasizes my lip lines and looks very dry.
I do think they are long-wearing but they felt so dry & uncomfortable on my lips I couldn’t leave them on long enough to see how long they would last.
Magnolia is a pale warm nude pink
Tulip is a cool-toned pink
Tigerlily is a burnt orange
Peony is a warm brown beige
Foxglove is a very warm berry
Poppy is a muted coral (not shown above because I dropped it and the entire tube was smashed)
There are seven new Shape and Sculpt Lip Liners. As a neutral lip lover I picked up the four lightest colors. Formula is very long-wearing. Application is relatively smooth. Shades pull very warm and I’m not sure the colors aren’t unique enough to justify if you already own a lot of neutrals.
Shade 1 Expose does not show up on my lips, but these days I feel like most of the new lighter neutral pencils do not
Shade 2 Flaunt is a warm pink rose beige
Shade 3 Tempt is a deeper brown pink
Shade 4 Undercover is a darker terracotta brown rose
Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm
Last we have a look at the new shades of Phantom Volumizing Glossy Balm. I love this formula although in the hot summer months they can get a little melty in the tube. They’re soft, glossy, hydrating and have a slight cooling sensation. Hourglass added the 2 shades from their Holiday 2024 Duo Set and I’m thrilled they’re permanent! These are very balmy so the lasting power isn’t super long, but this is a formula I don’t mind reapplying. Just an FYI price for what you get is pretty high. A number of you have told me to me these were not worth it for you because you used them up in a matter of a few weeks with daily use and re-application. I kinda agree, but I like these enough to splurge on. New Shades include:
Crave – warm pink
Rouse – plum brown
Reveal – bluer-toned pink (cooler version of Crave)
Wish a pretty coral color
I swatched these next to some of the other Phantom Glossy Balms I own:
Overall the matte lipsticks are a miss for me. I think there are better matte lip formulas out there like from brands like Pat McGrath, Lisa Eldridge, Charlotte Tilbury and Armani to name a few. That being said I usually do not like or wear matte lips and I have seen a lot of positive reviews on these – I might be the only one who does not love these.
Lip liners aren’t bad. The colors don’t really jump out to me, but formula is long-wearing and I think they could be neutral staples if you don’t have a lot of lip pencils.
I love the new shades of Phantom Glossy Balm. I think they’re fresh, flattering and perfect for year round – they have me looking forward to warm weather months.
I have a mini review today featuring two things I bought recently. Valentino Beauty launched a few items in white and gold limited-edition packaging and I picked them up over the past few months. I picked up the Rosso Valentino Satin Lipstick in 100R Roman Grace ($45) and Eye2Cheek Blush + Shadow in 03 Rosa Emozione ($52). Both shades are part of the permanent lineup so if you can’t find the white packaging edition know they are still available in the classic red + gold.
Eye2Cheek Blush
It’s been a while since I’ve played with Valentino Beauty (review + swatches from several years ago when the line first launched here). Over the holiday I started playing with some of the Eye2Cheek shades in 04 and 08 which many of you really loved. I forgot how silky smooth they are! You can use them on both the eyes and cheeks, but since I have mostly pink and coral shades I’ve been using them as blush.
These have a very fine soft powdery texture. They’re so soft and silky they almost feel creamy to the touch. Finish has a very fine pearl sheen to most of them, but a few have a more noticeable shimmer. Shade 03 Rosa Emozione is a beautiful baby pink with gold shimmer. It can double as a highlighter since it’s shimmery. I think it’s beautiful!
I bought the Rosso Valentino Satin Lipstick in 100R (shade in permanent packaging here) a few months ago while traveling and it’s the perfect neutral nude mauve pink for me. It has a satin finish so it has a little bit of a sheen to it. I think I tried this in a mini several years ago and I’m not sure why I didn’t wear it more often. I really love it now. The case is refillable for both the red and white packaging.
I did a few swatch comparisons below which I will say look a little off but I suspect it’s because my body has completely lost its tan. These rose mauve lips all look so darker on lighter skin tones because of any brown or mauve undertone they may have. On my face/lips they don’t look as dark.
Overall really love. I think the Valentino Beauty line is really under-rated and I suspect it’s because of the packaging. So may of you have told me the packaging colors are a bit clashy looking and the plastic has a cheap look and feel. I have to say I agree. The packaging is actually well-constructed and sturdy but there’s something about the plastic in red that makes it kinda unappealing. The white plastic is the same material but somehow looks more elevated. That being said the actual products perform really well.
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