I featured six of the Armani Lip Magnets back in October of this year and many of you asked for more swatches of the colors that fall in the neutral zone. For those who haven’t tried these yet the Armani Lip Magnets are a unique weightless non-drying liquid lipstick that offer beautiful long lasting coverage. I’m more of a gloss or sheer lipstick kind of person for texture and finish. Even though liquid lipsticks last a lot longer most formulas tend to look dry, too opaque, flat or darken drastically on my lips. The Armani Lip Magnets are hands down the best in formula for a natural looking liquid lipstick that dries down to a soft matte finish without that dried-out look. Unfortunately for those who only wear light neutrals or nudes all the colors pull on the dark or deep side. Even the ones that fall in the “natural” category are all rather deep. The color in the tubes can look a little bit misleading in my opinion. Some of the shades look like they could be true neutrals but once you see them on the applicator and swatch you’ll find the colors are a bit on the deeper spectrum of color. Still there are some lovely shades to chose from. I’m not opposed to having a rosy lip or coral pop of color on the lips even though I tend to gravitate towards lighter neutrals. The formula is so good I think it’s definitely worth a try. I do hope Armani expands the color range into lighter territory – the formula is so unique and the perfect liquid lip texture/finish for the person who just doesn’t like the dried opaque feel or look of the traditional liquid lipstick. You can read my original review on formula in this post here. Quick take: it’s long-lasting, unscented, has a unique applicator for precise lining and the ability to fill in the lips, has full coverage, feels weightless and is non-drying.
I bought five more shades to review, I searched a number of websites and it appears 506 and 507 are on backorder until January at most retailers. You may still have luck finding it at your counters.
503 is described as a reddish peach, on me it’s a bright coral
504 is probably the lightest and most neutral out of the current lineup, but it pulls peachy and
505 is a medium-bright rose pink
506 is a soft natural rose (also reviewed in the original post), depending on your lip color it may pull more pink or rose, on me it’s a slightly deeper rose
507 is the perfect mauve plum for me, most mauves are either too red, too grey or too purple, this one is PERFECT!
The Lip Magnet lip swatches lined up side by side:
My favorite for color is still #506 with #507 tied for my perfect plum. Formula-wise these are among the best I’ve tried in liquid lipsticks because they have a soft matte finish, they don’t dry out the lips, they have a nourishing feel but don’t have any slip, they last a remarkably long time, they don’t budge and coverage is perfect. For those who don’t like scented lip products the fact that these are unfragranced is a huge plus. If Armani expands the formula to include a few lighter shades I would be thrilled. Bottom line a winning formula.
Marc Jacobs Beauty just launched new liquid lipsticks called the Le Marc Liquid Lip Creme ($28 each for 0.19 oz/ 3.49 mL). There are six colors total all in the neutral category with full smooth coverage and no detectable scent. These are liquid lipsticks formulated with Brazilian Cupuacu Butter and Collagen to help give the lips a fuller look with a nourishing formula. My biggest rant with most liquid lipsticks or matte liquids is that they tend to emphasize my lip lines and give them a dried-out cracked look. I often have to add a bit of gloss or balm on top to soften the overall look. The Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Cremes have a satiny sheen and creamy finish so they don’t ever look dried or cracked on the lips. These come with a sponge-tip applicator. I like that there is a little clear window at the base so you can tell what colors they are without having to look at the labels or open them up.
The colors are all smooth and full coverage. They’re all creamy so no shimmers. Lasting power is impressive and they stay put really well for hours without budging or fading:
Yours to Try is a yellow nude which is not a flattering color on me but it’s has a flawless finish and no streaks, the formula is excellent and very smooth with opaque coverage, the color however has too much yellow for my already yellow/olive toned skin
Fawn Over Me is a peachy nude which is more wearable on my lips, with nudes I often worry how smooth they will look on my pigmented lips and this formula is flawless and streak-free in coverage
Truth or Bare is probably my favorite, it’s a medium dusty rose pink
Shush Blush is a described as a deep pink, on my complexion it almost pulls coral
Slow Burn is a neutral cool nude rose
Hot Cocoa is a brownish cinnamon shade
Several of you have asked for a roundup or comparison of liquid lipsticks and I’ve been working on one for the past few weeks – stay tuned! I’m still testing a few more formulas 🙂 Some quick thoughts on how these compare to a few other brands:
The Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Creme colors (with the exception of the lightest one) are all easy for me to wear and incorporate into everyday looks
Anastasia Liquid Lipsticks (Crush lip swatched here with a bit of clear gloss) have similar coverage and pigment intensity, but they dry to a cracked-looking finish (I need gloss on top) while the Marc Jacobs ones do not ever look dry
Armani Lip Magnets (reviewed here) are among the best liquid lipsticks for texture, coverage and lightweight feel but all the colors run dark or deep, the Armani has a more weightless feel compared to the Marc Jacobs and the Lip Magnets meld with the lip texture in a more natural way
Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks (Lolita and Lolita II swatched here) all tend to darken on my lip after drying, they also pull a little dry in finish, the Marc Jacobs lip cremes have a creamy feel, don’t darken or shift in color and feel more nourishing on the lips
Christian Louboutin Loubilaques (three nudes swatched and reviewed here) are more of a lip lacquer but with a liquid lipstick feel, these are a lot more glossy and lush-looking in finish by comparison
Tarte Quick Dry Matte Lip Paints (Bestie swatched here) have a distinctly matte finish
NARS Lip Covers from summer (swatched here) have a similar concept in pigment and satiny finish but have a thicker creamier feel, the Marc Jacobs Le Marc Liquid Lip Cremes almost feel weightless when comparing the two formulas
If you like liquid lipsticks I think you’ll like these. Even though there are only six colors I think there’s a good variety to pick from. They’re neutrals that still have a pop of color so they’re bound to show up and look like you’re wearing lipstick. I haven’t been the biggest fan of liquid lipsticks just because they make my already-full lips look even bigger with the super opaque matte coverage but these have a nice satiny sheen that doesn’t make them look huge. My favorite is Truth or Bare. Have you tried these yet? So far they’re only available online but I suspect they will show up in stores in the spring. If you haven’t what are your favorite liquid lipsticks? Let me know if you have any review/comparison requests for formulas in the comments and I’ll do my best to include them in the upcoming roundup.
For the holiday season I’ve partnered with Sephora to feature one of their exclusives the Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in Bestie ($20 for 0.20 oz/6 ml) with my real life bestie Laura. She’s been a long-time friend and I literally do not know what I would do without her. We met during our college days in San Diego and were roommates one summer during a study abroad trip to Oxford. We became fast friends and even with all the changes in our lives, careers, relationships and moving, we’ve kept in touch for over a decade. No matter how busy we get, every year before Christmas we have a tradition of getting together for a girl’s day including a fun present exchange, lunch, shopping and girl talk. This past weekend the first stop for our girl’s day out was Alfred’s Tea Shop in Los Angeles. It’s the perfect place to hang with a bestie and I thought it fitting we showcase the Tarteist Quick Dry Lip Paint in Bestie there as well.
This particular color has special limited-edition packaging and is part of the Sephora Holiday Kiss Collection. The formula is quick-drying, full coverage, transfer proof liquid lipstick and stays put for an impressive amount of time which I find fitting for the color name. Friendships that stand the test of time are something I find hard to come by the older I get so I really value those who stick by you no matter what life throws your way.
For those not familiar with this product, the Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint is one of the latest lip launches from Tarte. It comes in 20 other shades but Bestie is the only one with special-edition packaging on the twist-off cap. It comes with a slightly beveled sponge tip applicator and is easy to apply with precision around the edges. Bestie is described as a “deep nude shade” and since the color “nude” pulls different on everyone depending on lip tone and complexion, I found it interesting to see that on me it pulls the tiniest bit mauve depending on the light while on my friend Laura it pulls more true to the tube which is a deep nude with a hint of warmth. I have more medium olive yellow tones while Laura is a bit lighter than me with more pinkish tones (she wears Armani Designer Lift in 4.5 while I’m usually a match to Luminous Silk in 6).
For formula reference, the Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint dries to a matte finish, has full coverage and is super opaque. You only need a tiny bit to cover the entire lip and once it sets it does not budge or transfer for hours. There’s no detectable scent with this formula. For a quick comparison the other lip formulas from Tarte:
Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paints have a more whipped velvety feel and on the lips it feels like it never really sets as it does not dry down in texture. The coverage is the same in the sense it covers the lip entirely and offers full rich color. For those who love the original, no need to worry, Tarte says they’ll keep the original “living on.”
Tarteist Glossy Lip Paints offer full coverage with high gloss shine. All three formulas offer rich color with full coverage.
Bottom line is the new formula = long lasting. Also if you found that the original line was limited for medium shades in the neutral territory, the new formula has a lot more options for those of use who are nude lip obsessed. For both me and Laura it lasted on the lips from early morning to late afternoon (even lasted through lunch, a few macarons and drinks). Also unlike many other liquid lipsticks – the Tarteist Quick Dry Matte formula did not dry out my lips and by the next day my lips were not peeling like they do with most others.
Below you can see a swatch and a close up of the sponge tip applicator. It has a slight bevel in the center to mold to the curves of your lip, tip has the perfect shape that allows you to get the color right along the outer lines for precise application.
Bottom line is I highly recommend the formula of the Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint. I’ll be checking out the other colors when they launch in stores at Sephora – although I may order a couple more sight unseen as the color Bestie is one of the most perfect nudes I’ve ever tried. Do note that the one shown in this post is a Sephora Exclusive and also limited-edition. I think the bright pink and orange packaging on the cap is fun and festive. I hope you enjoyed this post! Have you tried this formula yet? What’s your favorite liquid lipstick of the moment? If you have any fun holiday traditions you share with your bestie let me know in the comments!
Many thanks to Sephora for partnering to sponsor this post and thanks to all my readers who support the brands that help support this blog which allows me to do what I love.
Tom Ford just launched 25 new shades and 25 repromoted colors of their clutch-sized Lips and Boys Lipsticks ($36 each for 0.07 oz/ 2.07 mL). As the ultimate lipstick junkie I was beyond thrilled when a press box arrived at my door containing all 25 new shades in a drop-dead gorgeous black lacquer box. I’m so excited to be able to share swatches of the new colors with you today. This year Tom Ford Beauty added a new soft velvety matte finish formula for the Lips and Boys and they do not disappoint. For those new to Tom Ford lip colors this is a great way to start with the line as the full-sized lip colors are $50+ each. This is the third year that that they’ve launched the lips and boys minis and I think it’s one of the most fun launches during the holiday season. I’m still waiting for them to launch one named Andrew for my husband, but for now there are lots of other shades to play with.
I’ve been a huge fan of Tom Ford lip colors since the initial launch. My first one was Pink Dusk as it was the only wearable neutral in the original lineup for me and to this day it remains one of the best neutral pinks. The lipsticks are expensive but I find the textures to be excellent and usually find at least several colors I fall in love with from each seasonal launch regardless of formula (sheer, ultra rich, shine, foiled, etc.) The $50+ price tag is still not something I am happy about but I still buy colors with each launch and have been happy with most of my purchases. Formulas are always good, but when I buy sight unseen sometimes colors just don’t work for me as I hoped. Below I’ve swatched and photographed the new Lips and Boys in the order they came presented in the press box. For skintone reference I’m wearing the Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation Concealer in Bisque with Laura Mercier Candleglow Setting Powder #2 on top. As always colors are all swatched on bare lips. If you think you see a darker line around the outer edges of some shades – it’s just my natural lip color showing through. I have pigmented lips. Row 1 includes:
Douglas (shimmer) is a medium baby pink shimmer
Bradley (satin) is a peachy flesh nude with a sheen
Alexander (satin) is a pale nude pink, note that Tom Ford launched another shade called Alexander in 2014, this year’s is different
Ashton (satin) is a medium mauve plum rose
Thomas (matte) is a cool-toned matte pink rose
Row two includes:
Christopher (matte) is a matte mauve brown
Ben (matte) is a matte deep brown red
Evan (matte) is a matte peach nude, but on my pigmented lips it pulls mauvey, if you have regular colored lips this will probably be more true to what you see in the tube
Dominic (matte) is a cool toned blue red matte
Travis (shimmer) is a brown shimmer, this one has a slightly sheer finish and slightly patchy on me
Row 3 has:
Graham (shimmer) is a semi-sheer golden shimmer, it has a transparent finish so my natural lip color shows through
Aaron (shimmer) is a warm coppery brown shimmer
Snowdon (shimmer) is a peachy pink rose gold shimmer
Dylan (matte) is a bright matte warm orange red
Jack (satin) is a deep plum, note there was a previous color called Jack from 2014 which was more purple, this year’s is more mauve plum
Row 4 colors include:
Anderson (matte) is a matte neutral pink, it pulls cool-toned on my complexion
Jared (matte) is a hot fuchsia pink
Logan (shimmer) is a shimmering iridescent fuchsia
Cristiano (matte) is a bright orange matte
Mitchell (satin) is a muted neutral plum
Row 5 colors are plums:
Nicholas (matte)
Ryan (shimmer)
Inigo (shimmer)
Jon (shimmer)
Elliot (shimmer)
All side by side:
It’s really hard to narrow down my favorites because there are so many amazing colors. Out of the entire collection there are only two that I’m not crazy about. Alexander 2016 is too pale for me but I have a hard time pulling off nudes. If you are like me in coloring but want a good Tom Ford nude that won’t wash you out, check out Revolve Around Me Ultra Lip Color. Travis also came off a bit patchy but it can be smoothed out if layered on the lips a bit more. Other than those two, all the others performed really well in terms of pigment and texture. The shimmers this year have a smooth finish in the shimmer, no chunky sparkles or frost. If I could only pick six of the new colors, I would say my favorites include Elliot, Snowdon, Mitchell, Evan, Douglas and Bradley.
To recap, new shades include: Alexander, Bradley, Jack, Ashton, Mitchell, Graham, Douglas, Snowdon, Aaron, Travis, Ryan, Inigo, Jon, Logan, Elliot, Anderson, Thomas, Jared, Cristiano, Dylan, Dominic, Evan, Nicolas, Ben and Christopher.
Repromoted colors include: Julian, Collin, Cary, Ian, Addison, Flynn, James, Richard, Patrick, Michael, Justin, Giacomo, Rafael, Luciano, Leonardo, Jake, Austin, Eric, Hiro, Roberto, Alejandro, Tony, Joaquin, Drake and Alex. I have my picks from the past two years swatched from 2014 here and 2015 here.
Lip products are among my favorite things in the beauty world. Something as simple as a nice lipstick or great lip balm can give that little pick-me-up boost. Lip products are great whether you need to feel a little more polished or if you need a bit of soothing hydration. I’ve done quite a few roundups on lip treatments, primers, favorite lipliners and versatile glosses in the past but thought it might be time to do an updated version for fall. I’ve teamed up with Nordstrom to roundup some of my favorites. I’ve picked out a wide range of options as I know everyone has different tastes and preferences for formula, texture, packaging and scent. There are a couple new items that I’ve tested and have been really excited about – so if you’re looking for new lip basics to add to your routine, I hope you enjoy this post!
Up first is the MAC Prep + Prime Lip which is my favorite lipstick primer. It’s a smooth easy to use primer that helps reduce lipstick feathering. It also smooths fine lines and really does make lipstick go on smoother. It’s oil-free and fragrance free so those with sensitive noses don’t need to worry about scent. While it doesn’t add hydration I find it works to help lipstick adhere better – especially if you wear matte lipsticks. If you’re more of a glossy finish/shine lipstick kind of person, this won’t really help the lipstick adhere as those have a lot of slip in them. But for regular cream, satin or mattes this is a must.
Next are lip treatments that come in tube format. There are quite a few good potted balms but I prefer a sponge tip or squeeze tube as I find it’s less messy on the fingers. I have very sensitive lips and some balms like the one from Kiehl’s and C.O. Bigelow (along with a number of drugstore brands) make my lips go numb and swell – I’m not sure what the ingredient is that causes sensitivity for me, but the ones below are super sensitive lip approved.
The Clarins Instant Light Lip Confort Oil in Honey is probably my favorite lip oil. This one is clear so it won’t add color but truly does add instant comfort. As far as oils go this one is easy to to apply, doesn’t migrate off the lips and is great for everyday wear. Sometimes I’ll add a bit of liner on top smudged on the lips for color. (Some of my favorites listed below.)
The Dior Addict Lip Glow Pomade Color Reviver Instant Oil-Gel Care has been in frequent rotation lately. I’ve read it’s hit or miss on whether this will change color like the regular Addict Lip Glow (ones in the stick). For me the stick version turns my lips bright pink and this one in the tube doesn’t add any color but I’m willing to overlook it because it adds the perfect amount of moisture to my lips. It has a beveled tip to mold more to the round curves of your
lips. It’s smooth and isn’t sticky. I would say this is my go-to lip treatment of the moment.
Armani Prima Eye and Lip Contour is a multi-purpose product. When used on the lips it smooths, plumps and helps create a base to help lipstick stay put. The texture is very unique, it almost has a whipped velvet texture but blends like a cream. Once on the lips I can feel the plumping effect immediately but there’s no tingle. It’s creamy but feels matte. It’s incredibly unique and while extremely pricey does prevent lipstick feathering. It is slightly scented but in a soft sweet way and it’s not noticeable after a couple minutes. Over time with use the lip texture and surface becomes more smooth.
Diptyque Nourishing Lip Balm has been on backorder for a while but Diptyque repackaged their lip balm in a squeeze tube. I’ve been using it for almost a month now and it’s a thicker balm that adds a veil of hydration on the lips. If you don’t like thicker products you may find this too thick in which case I’d recommend an oil, a stick balm or the AmorePacific Moisture Bound Lip Treatment (which I’ve run out of and don’t have to show in this roundup).
Hourglass No. 28 Lip Oil is one of the most luxurious lip oils I’ve tried. It comes with a gold-plated applicator which adds a soothing cooling effect to the lips. It is scented with an herbal kind of scent. I find it to be like a spa treatment for the lips but if you can’t tolerate any kind of scent you may want to see if you can try before buying. It contains:
14 essential oils: bois de rose, lavender, geranium, petitgrain, lemon, rosemary, vanilla, clove, amyris, orange, ylang-ylang, eucalyptus, cedar, rose geranium
10 lipid-rich plant oils: hazelnut, kukui nut, rose hip, borage, olive, green tea, cherry pit, sweet almond, jojoba and evening primrose
vitamins A, B5, C and E
Next are some tinted balms that I’ve been playing with. Clarins and Dior are my favorite but many of you have been asking about Burberry and the new ones from Armani. I’ve had the ones from Burberry for ages but don’t think I’ve ever swatched them all.
Armani just launched a new lip treatment called the Him/Her Lip Care. There are 5 options total (4 tinted, 1 clear). I bought three of the shades and on my lips the color is pretty much clear but I’ve swatched them below to show you the colors. They are medium thick and you can
feel them on the lips so they’re not weightless. They do make the lips softer and the tints give a very slight hint of color.
Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfectors are my favorite tinted balms of all time. They do have a scent to them which is like a soft sweet vanilla scent but it’s not overpowering. The colors are sheer but have enough pigment to show up on the lips. I love the slim sleek packaging and they feel great on the lips.
Burberry First Kiss Fresh Gloss Balm which are pretty much clear on the lips. They come with a special applicator that gives the lips a cooled effect. Texture is very smooth and emollient. These are a hybrid gloss and balm in one but the color is very very sheer. If you’re a low-key kind of person when it comes to lips and just want comfort and shine these are great to add moisture. Color-wise though the pigment has little to no payoff except for the red and plum versions. Scent is almost non-detectable – I have to try really hard to detect a scent in these.
Dior Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm in Coral is my favorite stick balm of the moment. The color will react and change depending on the chemistry of your lips. This one gives my lips a healthy very natural flushed glow. It’s an easy no fuss kind of balm and since it adds the perfect amount of color for me it’s great for on-the-go or for days where I don’t want to think about what makeup to wear because it works with everything.
Swatches of my picks from Armani Him and Her Lip Care. The other two tinted ones were almost a taupe and taupe purple greige. There is also a clear version. There is a very soft skincare like scent to them but it’s faint.
All the Burberry First Kiss Fresh Gloss Lip Balms swatched. They go on the lips very sheer and all look the same on me so I did not lip swatch them. The last two Crushed Red and Sweet Plum give my lips a very slight hint of color, but effect is very slight.
All the Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors reposted as I’ve reviewed them in depth before. Love every single one of these!
For color you all know I love my nude lipsticks, but for those who find nudes and beiges boring, the next best thing for me is a soft mauve because it’s one of those shades I think is a universally flattering color.
Many of you have been asking for my thoughts on the NARS Velvet Lip Glides. I picked up four shades and will review them soon, but the shade in Bound is hands down my favorite. It’s the prettiest soft mauve pink cream that is great for everyday wear or even for nights out.
Another classic is Chanel Glossimer in Wild Rose. It has a soft silver shimmer and to me it’s the most classic mauve pink rose color you can find. If you’re new to Chanel Glossimers and want to know which one I’d recommend starting with, Wild Rose is it!
To extend the wear of your lipstick or lipgloss adding a good liner can help a lot. I am rather lazy when it comes to lipliner so I usually skip it. I have accumulated dozens of pencils but the ones I find most versatile include the MAC Lip Pencils. For me my favorite shades are Boldly Bare, MAC Dervish and MAC Whirl. For those wanting a more mauve pink color Kevyn Aucoin Hyacinth is the perfect in between. As far as neutral nude rose pinks Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk is as perfect as it gets in my opinion.
(MAC Stripdown added for comparison purposes to show how pink/mauve the other shades are.)
Swatched on the lips:
One last look:
If I had to pick three to stick with, it would be the MAC Prep+Prime Lip for primer, Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfectors for tinted balms and the Dior Addict Lip Glow Pomade for everyday moisture. Although I’m a lip balm/lip oil junkie and it would be very difficult for me to just stick with one for the rest of the season or even the rest of my life. If you can’t take any scent whatsoever, the AmorePacific MoistureBound Lip Treatment is among the best for very dry lips. If you can tolerate a little bit of scent the Clarins Lip Oil is also a very good one for instant relief.
That rounds up some of my favorites and thoughts on some newly launched items. I’m really liking the Armani Him and Her Balms although the color doesn’t really show up on my lips the formula is really good and I like the sleek packaging.
What are your favorite lip treatments and primers? I know there are quite a few other primers and clear lipliners people like to use to help extend lipstick wear but the MAC one is so good I haven’t looked into others for a while. If you have a favorite let me know! Always love trying new lip products.
Many thanks to Nordstrom for sponsoring this post. Press samples include the Clarins Lip Oil, Clarins Lip Perfectors, Armani Prima Lip Care.
MAC’s latest is the Liptensity Lipstick ($21 each for 3.6 g/0.12 oz) which is an intensely pigmented lipstick with a satin finish. The pigment in these lipsticks is so good they are what I’d consider one-swipe wonders. If you’re like me and love the rich pigment and saturated color of matte lipsticks or liquid lipsticks but hate that dried out matte look, the Liptensity lip colors will give you that full coverage without looking fake or dry. There are 24 shades total, all with a satin finish and no shimmer. The range is quite impressive and they seem to have covered a large number of colors from neutrals, corals, plums, reds, pinks and some bold edgy colors. I lip swatched the ones I could see myself wearing and every single color performs well.Texture is smooth and creamy. They have a full coverage without feeling thick although they aren’t necessarily weightless. There’s no hydrating feel but they did not dry out my lips and feel comfortable once on. Lasting power is among the best I’ve tried and they stay put for a long time without fading as long as you don’t touch your lips.
I split the colors by color group for swatches. All except the last category have also been lip swatched (I just couldn’t bring myself to put on blue lipstick lol). In the photos I’m wearing the Prolongwear Foundation in NC35. (Still testing the formula to see if my skin can handle it.)
Neutrals include:
Driftwood which is a pale mauve nude pink
Doe is a light medium neutral beige brown
Toast & Butter is a medium brown
Medium Rare is a soft creamy pink
Smoked Almond is a medium peachy rose
By request I’ve brought back larger lip swatches but will also have side by sides at the bottom. Not sure that I will keep doing the individual lip swatch photos as they take up the entire page! I also feel self conscious that enlarging the photos allows you to see every imperfection on my skin 🙁
Next up are the reds and oranges. They’re similar with slight variations in undertone:
Lobster is an orange red
Habanero is an orange
Fireworks is a bright red
Life’s Blood is a blue-based red
Mulling Spices is a a deeper red
Next up are the browns and plums. These surprised me the most because they go on the lips different from what you see in the tube. These have a vamp feel.
Dionysus is a plum red
Cordovan is a reddish plum
Double Fudge is an intense brown
Burnt Violet is a deep vamp plum
Up next are the pinks and mauves. Even though I’m a neutral lip lover at heart I really have a soft spot for Claretcast and Marsala.
Gumball is a bubblegum pink
Eros is a cool-toned bright pink
Post Modern is a warm bright pink
Claretcast is a fuchsia mauve
Marsala is a mauve plum
Last but not least are the bold edgy colors. These are shades I could never feel comfortable wearing but arm swatched for reference.
Ambrosial is a vibrant fuchsia plum pink
Galaxy Grey is a grey lilac
Hellebore is a purple
Blue Beat is a navy
Stallion is a deep black
One last roundup and lip swatches side by side:
An impressive lipstick launch. The formula performs well and I love the sleek colorful packaging. The caps match the lipstick color and the lip product is one that fills the entire tube. I love that the tips are beveled which makes application easier than the flat top ones you see from some other brands. Most MAC lipsticks make my lips peel by the next day as they are a bit drying. I lip swatched all the colors in a single day and by the next day my lips were fully in tact without any peeling or dry patches. So while they aren’t necessarily moisturizing I do think they have a non-drying formula. If you have dry lips with patches you might want to consider using the MAC Prep + Prime Lip or Dior Addict Lip Glow Pomade as a base first. Both will smooth out the lip without making them too emollient where the lipstick will slide off.
Out of the ones I lip swatched I’m really hard pressed to pick a favorite because they are all good. If I had to narrow down my picks to 5 it would be: Doe, Postmodern, Claretcast, Smoked Almond and Burnt Violet.
Bottom line definitely worth checking out. You can find them now online at MAC and Nordstrom. (I spotted them yesterday at my local Nordstrom counter.) At this time I do believe they are limited-edition.
Have you checked these out yet? What colors did you end up getting if you bought these?
Many thanks to MAC for sending me all the shades to play with!
Clé de Peau Beauté launched a new lip product for fall called Radiant Liquid Rouge ($48 each for 5.5 ml/0.18 oz). These are luxurious lip lacquers with medium-full rich coverage and a glossy sheen. The texture is smooth and once they set on the lips they thicken a bit into a more gel-like finish. I picked up four shades at the counter, neutrals/natural shades of course in 11, 12, 13 and 14. For those curious about the other shades in the lineup, Bubbly Michelle has the entire collection for fall swatched (8 lip colors total).
The Radiant Liquid Rouge comes with a sponge-tip applicator in a very sturdy tube. I’m not entirely sure what the base packaging is made of but it feels like it could be glass. The colors I picked are suitable for everyday wear if you like natural colors. They do have a soft perfumed scent but it’s not too strong. Lasting power wise they stay put relatively well for a liquid lip lacquer and fade evenly. They have a hydrating feel to them although I am not sure they have any skincare properties in them.
11 is a peachy beige cream. It does take a bit of blending and swiping on my pigmented lips to smooth out. I apply one layer, let it set, and then apply a second thin layer to smooth out the color. A lip brush can also help.
12 is a medium rose brown cream, on my complexion it pulls a bit warmer, but on my arm it’s more of a neutral kind of shade
13 is a cool shimmering rose. This pulls bright and slightly cool but has enough rose to balance out the cool undertone.
14 is a pinky peach cream. This is the only one I had issues with streaks but I suspect those with lighter lip tones or those who can easily wear these kinds of colors will have no issue. For me this is one of those super high-maintenance shades that contrasts with my natural lip tone and therefore looks streaky. I personally prefer the Dior Addict Fluid Stick in Tiny Pink which is similar but less streaky on my lips.
A look at the shades in sunlight to better show the colors:
Two sets of comparison swatches in an attempt to find dupes:
Out of all the shades I bought, I am most smitten with 11 the nude peach beige and 13 the shimmering pink rose. 12 is nice to have and I suspect better suited for fall due to the brown undertones. 14 is high maintenance for me – it takes a lot of work to get streak-free, but once it’s properly blended on my lips the color is really pretty. I don’t own a lot of Cle de Peau items – I tend to avoid the line because of the high price points, but I’ve been happy with everything I have tried from the line. The Cotton Pads are among the best I’ve tried (why I think so in this post here) and it’s one I will never stop buying (it’s well worth the splurge, although they have gone up in price since I reviewed them).
While at the counter I was seriously tempted by the new Luminizing Face Enhancer in Almond. It had a really pretty glowy sheen to it. I have a few other shades that I’ve bought and really like. I stick to my original assessment that I think the price point is just too much (even if you just buy the refills) but it’s one of those products I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with if you splurge. Given the vast number of highlighters I own I decided to pass.
As for the Radiant Liquid Rouge, I think one or two are well worth the splurge. The formula and pigment is top notch and I can’t really fault 14 because of my pigmented lips. As fall collections and launches start to trickle in, I’m sure there will be a number of new lip products coming out. Fall always seems to be the season for new lip formulas. You may want to wait a few weeks as September is just around the corner when most of the fall collections will be out.
I’ll be reviewing my picks from the Louboutin Loubilaque line soon, quick takeaway to compare the Louboutin vs Cle de Peau Beaute is that I prefer the Louboutin finish and coverage, but both are really good.
