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Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks – Gin Fizz, Cotton Candy, Dragonfruit, Kimchi, Radish and Sangria

March 6, 2016

There are a lot of bright cool-toned pinks in the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche lipstick lineup. I’m not typically one who likes to wear cool-toned pinks because they often clash with my yellow/olive skin undertones. Every one of these pinks is perfect in terms of perfect coverage and smooth texture. I personally can only see myself wearing a couple of these colors comfortably (Radish or Sangria) – most are outside my comfort zone but they are remarkably gorgeous. If I’m feeling brave I will probably wear one of the lighter shades mixed with a bit of a neutral liner to tone down the brightness. In this post includes the colors Gin Fizz, Cotton Candy, Dragonfruit, Kimchi, Radish and Sangria. They are bright and creamy but don’t bleed around the edges (with or without liner). I think there are a few shades in this lineup that are extremely similar Gin Fizz and Cotton Candy look almost identical and also Dragonfruit and Kimchi are very close in color.

Color descriptions:

  • Gin Fizz is a cool-toned bright pink described as an orchid pink
  • Cotton Candy is also a cool-toned pink, described as a blue-toned violet, it’s similar to Gin Fizz but Cotton Candy is slightly lighter and has a more powdery looking feel on the lips
  • Dragonfruit is a fuchsia pink 
  • Kimchi is a bright high impact hot pink, it’s also similar to Dragonfruit, Kimchi is slightly lighter while Dragonfruit has a slightly deeper undertone and finish
  • Radish is an amazing magenta berry red, the flash brings out some of the brightness, in natural light it looks a bit deeper on the lips
  • Sangria is a rich blue-toned pink but has more warmth and red compared to the others

Lip swatches on bare lips, they have full opaque coverage with one swipe. For skintone reference I’m wearing Becca Aqualuminous Foundation in Beige on the skin.

Bite just may have changed my mind about cool-toned pink lip colors. I’ve been kinda liking the look of Gin Fizz on my lips. Radish is the perfect special occasion date night kind of lip when I’m feeling bolder. I do think some of these are very similar – but the best thing about these is that they have different undertones. I know many beauty lovers are very particular about undertone for their skintones – so even though they are similar I can appreciate the fact that Bite seemed to take this into consideration to suit different skintones – you can find one whether you’re skin undertones are olive, pink, peach or neutral or cool.

You can find the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks at Sephora for $26 each.

Full review on formula, ingredients, texture, lasting power posted here.

Swatches of neutrals Souffle, Sugarcane, Honeycomb, Meringue, Sake, Pepper and Rhubarb in this post here. 
Lipsticks provided courtesy of Bite Beauty for review consideration.

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Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick – Souffle, Sugarcane, Honeycomb, Meringue, Sake, Pepper and Rhubarb

March 6, 2016

For lip swatches of the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche lipstick launch, up first are the neutral nudes and pinks. Shown above from left to right is Souffle, Sugarcane, Honeycomb, Meringue, Sake, Pepper and Rhubarb (same order as what’s swatched below). As a neutral lipstick lover, I was thrilled to find so many light color options available. Many nude lip colors are hard for me to pull off as I have pigmented lips and they often look concealer-like on my lips. Most of the shades in this formula have enough color to be wearable. I have swatches of these on bare lips. In lip swatches I’m often asked what lipliner I’m wearing in swatches. I have naturally pigmented lips so the outer edges often show through if I don’t swatch precisely. Unless the labels specify a lipliner shade, the gloss or lipstick swatches are just the color featured. There are some days where I’m all about wearing lipstick + liner and gloss. Other days I just do a sheer lipstick or gloss and skip the liner. If you’re in search of a good one, I swatched quite a few options in this post here.

Colors and descriptions of how the colors appear on my complexion and skintone (I’m wearing NARS Velvet Matte Skintint in St. Moritz in the photos):
  • Souffle is a super pale pink cream, this is the only color I found too pale to pull off for a natural look, it’s very pigmented and smooth but on my skin almost feels like pink white-out
  • Sugarcane is a baby pink that has enough color to show up, it’s borderline a bit too pale for my complexion, but works if you’re a fan of light pink lips that aren’t too light
  • Honeycomb is one of the most perfect beige nudes I’ve ever tried, everyone has a different definition of what they consider nude, to me it’s something that is close to beige or my natural skin color, this one is perfect!
  • Meringue is another baby pink with a hint of peach, it’s similar to Sugarcane but just a tiny bit deeper and warmer in undertone
  • Sake is a cool-toned mauve, these kinds of colors are hard to pull off for my olive skin, but it has enough pink in it to work, it’s one of the most unique mauve pinks I’ve tried
  • Pepper is a classic pinky-brown neutral, I think out of the entire collection, it’s the most classic kind of neutral pink lipstick
  • Rhubarb is a soft plum rose cream, it’s a neutral with a rosy kick to it, I think it’s a lovely color for everyday

Swatched on the lips:

Out of all the neutrals, it’s hard to pick a single favorite. The only color I can’t see myself wearing on a regular basis is Souffle. If you pressed me to pick my top three in the neutral category I would say my top picks would be Honeycomb, Meringue and Pepper.
You can find the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks at Sephora for $26 each – all shades are permanent. They have apparently launched in stores now, but I’m not sure if all stores have received all colors yet (I stopped by one last week on a Thursday and they only had 5-7 colors on display). Full review on formula, texture and wear in this post here.
Do you find any of the neutrals calling your name?
Lipsticks were provided courtesy of Bite Beauty for review consideration.
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Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks – A First Look + Swatches of All 34 Shades

March 4, 2016

Bite Beauty reformulated their Luminous Creme lipsticks into a new and improved formula called Amuse Bouche ($26 each for .15 oz/4.35g, made in Canada). There are 34 shades total that are exclusive to Sephora (instores and online). I had a few favorites in the original Luminous Creme formula (they had some really good neutrals) which I found to be a creamy lipstick with a glossy finish and medium coverage. The new Amuse Bouche Lipsticks offer a lot more pigment and coverage while still maintaining that creamy feel. I feel like the new ones are creamier in texture with a super lush finish and look but they are lightweight in the way they feel. I teamed up with Bite to feature one of the shades Sorbet (a gorgeous watermelon pink) – if you follow them on Instagram @bitebeauty you will see a new shade showcased each day in a fun way by different digital influencers and swatches on different skintones too.

I have a first look at all the shades plus thoughts on the formula as I’ve been playing with all 34 shades over the past few weeks. I’ll say upfront that I give the new Amuse Bouche lipstick formula an A+ rating. They are one-swipe wonders with a luminous full coverage finish that doesn’t look flat. As one who often finds nude shades hard to pull off, I was thrilled to find a number of good wearable neutrals in this launch (although there are a couple that are too pale for my liptone).

My thoughts by category:

  • Formula / Texture / Pigment – The Amuse Bouche are creamy and smooth. The texture is very soft and glides on the lips but there’s enough thickness so you can feel it adhere well to the lips. Pigment is incredibly rich – I can get full smooth coverage with one swipe, but as with most lipsticks I do at least a couple so I can get even application around the edges and then fill in. I like applying these straight from the tube. Some of the darker colors require a lip brush to get the edges precise. For me it’s always hard to apply dark colors evenly around the edges of the lips so I recommend lining with a lip pencil first if you’re dark-lip challenged like me. Texture is super creamy but still lightweight so you don’t get a heavy feel.
  • Lasting Power –  Lasting power is very good. If you look at my Sorbet review, I have the initial application shot and another lip swatch of the color 5 hours later. Some of the darker berry colors do stain the lips so the color will last longer even as it fades. I had on Eggplant yesterday while swatching and decided to leave it on to see how it would wear. It lasted from around noon until late evening and didn’t budge at all. Colors in general last a long time without budging or bleeding. I did have a tiny bit of smudging with Liquorice – it kept migrating on one side of my lips, but it could be easily fixed with a lip pencil first.
  • Color Selection – Color selection is incredible. All the colors are creams (so no shimmer). They are full pigmented creams but don’t look flat on the lips. I think Bite did an amazing job at color selection. There is a shade for everyone in this launch. The only category I can think of where the shades are a bit limited are browns and there are no taupes – but I don’t really wear colors in either category so I’m really thrilled with the selection of neutrals and mauves.
  • Overall Feel – These are creamy, lightweight, hydrating and have an incredible slight citrus scent. It smells delicious but they do not have a noticeable taste.
  • How it compares to other bold creamy lipsticks:
    • Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Cremes by comparison have a more velvety finish. The color selection for the Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Cremes in general is bolder and more edgy in color selection. There were a lot of reds and orange options while the neutral category was limited. The texture of the Marc Jacobs lipsticks is a bit thicker while the Bite Beauty formula is more creamy and luminous. Both are equally good in terms of full coverage pigment and lasting power.
    • Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G has a similar full coverage creamy texture, I would say the Bite Beauty formula has a more creamy feel and hydrating texture while the Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks aren’t as moisturizing. Color selection of Bite is a lot better and the shade range has more edgy options.
    • Buxom Bold Gel Lipsticks come in a Satin and Matte finish. I’ll compare the Satin Formula which I find creamy like the Bite Beauty Lipsticks. The finish and formula are different between the two. The Buxom Bold Gel Lipsticks in the Satin Finish being gels are more lightweight in texture. I can’t say I have a preference for one over the other, both are really good. Both have a creamy feel, a semi-glossy finish, good pigment, great color options.
I will have lip swatches for each set in upcoming posts. Since there are 34 shades in total I wanted to split up the posts into color category so it would be less overwhelming with the amount of photos. Here’s a quick repost of the packaging and ingredients in case you missed my feature on Sorbet.

First a quick look at some of the older Luminous Creme formula compared to the Amuse Bouche formula. I only had a few of the Luminous Creme Formula in Musk, Fig and Pepper. Below are some comparison swatches. You can see it clearly with Pepper the new formula is a lot more pigmented and creamy while the original has more of a glossy sheen.

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Neutrals:
  • Souffle
  • Sugarcane
  • Honeycomb
  • Meringue
  • Sake
  • Pepper
  • Rhubarb

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Corals and Oranges
  • Picked Ginger
  • Gazpacho
  • Persimmon
  • Cayenne
  • Gingersnap
  • Sweet Cream
  • Maple

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Purples
  • Spritzer
  • Eggplant
  • Jam
  • Beetroot
  • Liquorice
  • Tannin
  • Sour Cherry
  • Black Truffle

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Cool-toned Pinks
  • Gin Fizz
  • Cotton Candy
  • Dragonfruit
  • Kimchi
  • Radish
  • Sangria

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All the others
  • Verbena
  • Sorbet
  • Fig
  • Chai
  • Molasses
  • Nori

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Overall a solid lipstick launch. There’s lots to love and play with in this new formula. I think Honeycomb, Meringue, Sake and Pepper are the perfect neutrals (even for my pigmented lips). I can’t get enough of Honeycomb these days. I do wish I had been able to grab a few of the original formula before they were pulled from stores. There were a couple of shades I had on my wishlist for a while but they weren’t repromoted in the new launch.

Have you checked out the formula yet? I think you should! Lip swatches and lipstick photographs to follow in each of the five categories soon. You can find the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks for $26 each exclusively at Sephora.

Many thanks to Bite Beauty for sending all the colors for me to play with.

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Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick Sorbet

February 19, 2016

Happy Friday everyone! Today I’m excited to share a first look at one of the new Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks ($26 for .15 oz/4.35g, made in Canada) in Sorbet. Right now these are online exclusives to Sephora VIB Rouge and VIB Members. They are expected to launch in stores by early March which is just around the corner. The Amuse Bouche Lipstick line replaces the previous Luminous Crème Lipstick with a new and improved formula. There are 34 handcrafted shades with a super creamy texture in pigmented bold colors. All the colors are made with 12 edible oils and come softly scented with a delicious citrus flavor (they are made with fresh pressed fruits). I have one shade to share today in Sorbet which is a medium watermelon pink cream. I’m working my way through swatching the remaining shades (34 shades in total). These lipsticks are one-swipe wonders, super creamy, long lasting, moisturizing and really just incredible.

Sorbet is the perfect bright medium summery pink. It’s bold and bright but not too bright. I teamed up with Bite Beauty to share my favorite color via Instagram and am sharing swatches here on the blog. I swatched a few other colors from my collection and there’s nothing I own that’s quite like Sorbet. It has a brightness to it with the perfect mix of warm and cool and bright.

First a quick look at the packaging, these come in the same design and packaging as the Luminous Crème Lipsticks. By comparison, the new Amuse Bouche formula is significantly more creamy in texture with richer bolder pigment. I found the original formula to be really good, but somehow Bite has managed to make an even better lipstick formula.

Lipstick next to an iPhone and sunglasses for scale:

A look at Bite Beauty Sorbet with a side of sorbet 🙂 It’s always time for dessert right? In direct sunlight Sorbet looks like a warm watermelon pink shade:

Swatched it sometimes looks like a cooler pink, other times it’s warmer, with flash + sun it’s warmer:

Without flash, it looks a bit cooler:


Applied straight from the tube:

Swatched on the lips without flash:

Ingredients:

The lipsticks last an impressive amount of time without feathering or fading. Here’s what the lipstick looked like after 5 hours of wear (it lasted through a few cups of tea and a couple of snacks):

Some comparison swatches: 

Tom Ford Lip Color in Pink Dusk (swatched on lips here)
NARS Audacious Lipstick in Anita (on lips here)
Charlotte Tilbury Between the Sheets (swatches here)
Tom Ford Lips and Boys Jake (review here)
Tom Ford Lip Color in Forbidden Pink (on the lips here)
Charlotte Tilbury Kiss Chase (review here)

When brands reformulate something I love, my first reaction is to panic because I often think why change something that’s already so good? The formula of the Amuse Bouche Lipsticks is a lot better than the original Luminous Creme formula (even though I really liked it). Amuse Bouche has better pigment, richer coverage, more of a shine, better lasting power and better colors. These are a luminous full coverage creamy formula that doesn’t look flat. Even though they are creamy with a naturally glossy shine they adhere well to the lips and don’t feel like they are sliding off (and they stay put really well). I give these a huge thumbs up.

If you’re a VIB Rouge or VIB member you can order Bite Beauty’s Amuse Bouche Lipsticks online now at Sephora at $26 each. They launch for everyone else online and in stores starting early March. Have you checked these out yet? If so which colors and what did you think?

Amuse Bouche lipsticks provided courtesy of Bite Beauty for review.

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Lip Balm Testing and Recommendations for Winter Weather

December 14, 2015
Winter Lip Treatments Balms

Above: Tray from J.Crew (similar here and here), Clare V Wallet Clutch, Celine Knot Bracelet, Gorjana Crossover Cuff

I’ve been testing a number of new-to-me lip treatments, balms and oils since late fall. I did a roundup of rosy red tinted lip treatments for holiday last month, but it’s been a year since I rounded up what I’ve been testing and loving in the non-tinted version. Today after weeks and weeks of testing, I have thoughts on 16 different lip balms in multiple formulas to share today. I’ve split the lip balms into three categories: the pots, the tubes, and the squeeze tubes.

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Potted Lip Treatments

Fresh Dior Chanel Tatcha Nuxe Lip Balms

Some of my favorite lip balms formulas are in pot format even though I prefer the tube or stick version so I don’t have to stick my finger in. I’ve raved about the By Terry Baume de Rose so many times I thought I’d round up some others I’ve been testing.
  • Fresh Sugar Nourishing Lip Balm Advanced Therapy ($30) – I had high hopes for this one as I really like the stick sugar lip balms but find they can get soft and be prone to breakage. One in pot format seemed more ideal for a soft formula, but this one is actually harder in texture. I had to take a lip brush to break the surface and get enough product for my lips. With just fingers I could barely get anything on and the result was a barely-there veil of moisture. If you dip into the surface and dig out enough of the product to layer on the lips, it makes the lips feel moisturized, smooth, slightly minty and cool but without the tingle. Unfortunately it doesn’t give the lips a long-lasting moisturized feel. I would say the effects are immediate and temporary for fall to winter weather. It would be better suited for warm weather.
  • Nuxe Ultra-Nourishing Lip Balm Rêve de Miel ($19) – This is one I bought in the limited-edition packaging, but the formula is the same as the regular pots with the white caps. This is an ultra creamy highly concentrated rich balm that smells like honey and grapefruit. I find it on the thick side of creamy so it really coats the lips with a cushion of moisture. It stays put and doesn’t slide around. It comes in a hefty glass jar. The scent is very natural and barely has any taste. I like this one for an ultra rich and creamy treatment.
  • Chanel Hydra Beauty Nourishing Lip Care ($50) This is one I used up and repurchased. I go back and forth with this one, mainly because it comes with a very high price tag. It’s smooth and lightweight in feel but does moisturize the lips. If you read my post from last year I said I would probably use it to the end but not repurchase (well I ended up repurchasing). It’s a good basic lip balm that works for me, but I think others like the Nuxe or the Clarins Lip Oils have a deeper more moisturizing treatment and more affordable.
  • Dior Crème de Rose ($28) – This has been on my radar for years and I finally bought it and tried it this year. It’s super smooth and creamy without the greasy feel. It has the most lush rose scent, similar to By Terry but slightly less floral/sharp which makes it easier for those with sensitive noses. It’s very hydrating and the effects truly make a difference in the moisture of the lips.
  • Tatcha Camellia Nourishing Lip Balm ($36, also in the Travel Kit and several other holiday sets) This is an extra special lip balm. It’s such a unique formula. The base is a clear jelly-like balm that smells refreshingly sweet. It’s dewy and adds the perfect amount of moisture to the lips and feels lightweight. It’s topped with a thin layer of 24-karat gold leaf that gives it an ultra luxe look. It’s a winner and I really can’t imagine life without it.

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Lip Balms in Squeeze Tubes

Amore Pacific Laura Mercier Lip Balm L'Occitane First Aid Beauty Bite Beauty Malin+Goetz

Squeeze tubes are the best format for lip balms in my opinion. They’re compact, easy to use and don’t require fingers. Many come with angled applicators which makes it easier to apply these days. A few new ones along with tried-and-true favs:

  • Amore Pacific Moisture Bound Lip Treatment ($35) This is something I tried because so many of my readers raved about AmorePacific. This is a tiny tube of balm but the formula is excellent. It offers instant relief to super dry lips. There were a few days my lips were painfully dry and this helped restore them to their natural state. I would say that it’s almost entirely scent and taste-free. I can’t detect any scent but it’s possible there’s a slight natural scent to it. Out of all the tubes, this is in my top 3.
  • Laura Mercier Infusion de Rose Lip Balm ($24 or in the Rose Infusion Set* for $110) This is a new launch from Laura Mercier. It was first exclusive to the Rose Infusion Set, but you can purchase it separately now at Laura Mercier. It’s a nourishing lip balm that smells like soft roses. It has Rosehip Seed, Kukui, and Macadamia Seed Oils helps soothe and comfort lips – I really like the way this feels on the lips. There is a slight floral taste to it – it’s not bad or too strong, but definitely noticeable. I really like the way it hydrates the lips.
  • L’Occitane Shea Butter Lip Balm * ($25, from the Hugs and Kisses Set) is one of the most gentle lip treatments for super sensitive skin that’s still hydrating. Since it’s lightweight the lasting power isn’t as long as some other treatments, but it still does the job at adding moisture and soothing the lips. Many lip treatments make my lips go numb (like Kiehl’s and almost all the drugstore brands), whenever I’m in doubt I go with L’Occitane.
  • L’Occitane x Pierre Hermé Pamplemousse Rhubarb Lip Balm ($25 from the Voyage Trio Set) is part of the Pierre Hermé Collaboration. It has the most delicious grapefruit scent to it and adds a tiny bit of moisture. As a quick fix it’s good, but the formula is pretty light in terms of moisture and texture. If you don’t mind reapplying the scent is heavenly, but if you’re looking for a deep treatment, you may want to pass.
  • First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Lip Therapy* ($12, or in the FAB to the Rescue Sampler Set $32 and Freshen Up Duo $15) This is a life-saver for dry lips. It’s got a minty scent which I’m not the biggest fan of, but it’s a pleasant mint. It’s super smooth and emollient and has just the right texture of creaminess to it. It gives the lips instant relief and really helps with dry lips.
  • Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in Champagne ($26, swatched here, Smashed swatched here) is a tinted treatment, but it’s pretty much clear. This is one of the best lip treatments I’ve tried. It’s super plush and hydrating. I use it on no-makeup days and it fixes dry lips like magic.
  • Malin + Goetz Mojito Lip Balm ($12) is a long-time favorite. There are two formulas of lip balm, both are equally good. I think the Mojito one is fun because it’s scented in a fun mojito flavor. It has a clear almost gel-like consistency. I like the way this feels on the lips the best out of all the lip balms. It’s moisturizing and you can feel it, but it’s not heavy or greasy.

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Twist Up Sticks and Oils

lip oil clarins hourglass nuxe lip balm caudalie lip balm

Last but not least, a few others in oil and stick format:

  • Clarins Instant Light Lip Confort Oil in Honey* ($24) Lip Oils were really popular this time last year. I tried a few different brands and found I didn’t really like the concept of oils because many just felt too runny and thin. The Clarins is phenomenal though. It does offer instant comfort and a natural shine. Honey is pretty much clear on the lips but it has a thickness to it which prevents it from feeling like it will slip off your lips. Cafe Makeup did a review on the pink version. I think her thoughts and review are excellent.
  • Hourglass No. 28 Tinted Lip Treatment Oil in Icon* ($42, review here) is also tinted. I’ve tried both the original clear and tinted version. Both have a really good nourishing formula I find unique and extremely hydrating. The red one is fun for holiday and pretty sheer/natural so if you’re a neutral lip lover like me, it’s definitely wearable. It’s one of the deeper treatments I’ve tried for lips – it has a press pump to dispense product. I think it’s definitely worth the splurge.
  • Nuxe Lip Moisturizing Stick Rêve de Miel ($9) is something I’ve loved and used up. The stick for right now is probably too light in the sense that it doesn’t give me enough moisture. If you’re a Reve de Miel fan, go for the pot instead.
  • Caudalie Lip Conditioner ($12, also in this Winter Favorites Set or Winter Duo) this is my favorite twist up tube balm. It has a really nice fruity fresh scent and taste to it. It glides on the lips easily. It hydrates my lips nicely. I used up the tube from last year’s post and repurchased it in one of the duos.

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If you’re looking for a new lip treatment I hope this roundup helps give you some ideas of what to try. My bottom line:

Top Formula Picks for Fall/Winter Weather

Most hydrating formulas:

AmorePacific Moisture Bound Lip Treatment
Bite Agave Lip Mask (any of the colors)
Dior Creme de Rose
Nuxe Rêve de Miel (pot)
Clarins Lip Oil

Best for everyday, lightweight but still moisturizing:

Caudalie Lip Conditioner
Malin+Goetz Mojito Lip Balm
Tatcha Camellia Lip Balm

Best in luxury:

Hourglass Lip Oils

Ones I’d pass on if I could do it over:

L’Occitane Pierre Herme Pamplemousse Rhubarb – nice but not hydrating enough
Fresh Sugar Nourshing Lip Care – just not what I expected

As always, I’d love to hear about your favorites! If you have any tried and true – please share in the comments. 

Some press samples included in this post indicated with a * from L’Occitane, Tatcha, First Aid Beauty, Hourglass, Clarins.
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Bite Beauty Discovery Set – Holiday 2015

November 16, 2015

Bite Beauty always launches the cutest sets during the holidays. I can’t tell you how many times I waited too long in past years and missed out. This year I ordered early and have swatches to share of the Discovery Set for Holiday 2015 ($55, limited-edition, exclusive to Sephora). This year’s set has a mix of minis along with full size products. It’s listed as a $110 value and contains:
  • 0.18 oz Agave Lip Mask in Clear (mini size) 
  • 0.03 oz Line and Define Primer in Clear (mini size) 
  • 0.031 oz Mini Matte Crème Lip Crayon in Glacé 
  • 5 x Lush Lip Wipes 
  • 0.15 oz Luminous Crème Lipstick in Pepper (full size) 
  • 0.11 oz Lush Fruit Lip Gloss Honey (full size) 
  • 0.09 oz High Pigment Pencil in Pomegranate (full size) 
  • Bite mirror 
The set comes packaged in individual boxes like this:

I already own Pepper Luminous Crème Lipstick reviewed + swatched here, but decided to buy the set anyways. It’s one of my favorite neutrals – the Bite Beauty line has a lot to offer for neutral lip lovers with different undertones like brown, plum, pink, mauve etc. This set was the perfect way for me to try a lot from the line at a value price.

First up are the lip care and accessories:

The Lush Lip Wipes have been on my wishlist for a long time because I find the concept so interesting, even if it does seem like it’s not necessary. These are makeup remover pads designed to take off lip color while hydrating the lip. It’s supposed to leave a matte finish. I found it cleaned the lip entirely of color for regular lipsticks. It removed 85% of the color of the red lip pencil I tested from the set although there was still a red stain left on my lips. I did test them on the Kat Von D Lolita Everlasting Liquid Lipstick and it removed the product perfectly (usually I have to do several swipes of makeup remover).
The Line and Define Primer in Clear is a lip primer designed to prep the lips for color. The description says it’s supposed to plump the lips although I didn’t feel any plumping properties. The texture is on the thick side and does tug at the lips a little (at least for me). I was worried it would make lipstick stick versus glide, but I was really impressed with how smoothly lip crayons and lipsticks applied with this. It helps with lipstick feathering and lipstick goes on better and smoother. I’m not sure that I see lipstick last a lot longer, although I usually end up wiping off lip colors with snacks or drinks anyways. I would seriously consider buying the full size once it’s used up.
Next is the mini Agave Lip Mask. I’ve tried this formula in the tinted versions in Champagne and Smashed. I really really love the formula as a hydrating lip treatment. The clear is nice to have but I really prefer the red one even if it’s super sheer. If you want to use this as an overnight treatment, clear is the way to go so it doesn’t stain your pillows.
Up next are the color items:

I already own and reviewed Pepper Luminous Creme Lipstick here. If you don’t have it yet, you need it. It’s also available in the Mix and Mingle Mini duo with Café (swatched here).

I’ve gone through a couple of the Mini Matte Creme Lip Crayons from last year and really like the formula (I can’t remember which color I bought because I used it up and threw away the empty container). Glacé is a perfect your lips but better just slightly deeper mauve. Once this is used up  I’m repurchasing the full size. The formula glides on smoothly and adheres really well to the lips. I like that it’s a twist up formula so there’s no sharpening required.
This is my first time trying the High Pigment Pencil formula, and WOW, these really are high in pigment. Pomegranate is a bold red that packs in a lot of color and pigment. It has a slightly glossy sheen. Lasting power is pretty good and I didn’t experience any smudging or bleeding. If you have any other color recommendations for this formula let me know.

Last but not least for color is the Honey Lush Fruit Lip Gloss. I’ve tried the Lip Gloss formula before and the colors are so good, but formula just doesn’t work for me. It’s thick and doesn’t apply on my lips smoothly. Honey is such a gorgeous nude but went on my lips super blotchy. It does work better layered over any of the Bite Beauty Lipsticks to add a bit of shine, but when worn alone it’s just not cutting it for me.

Lip swatches below, I’m wearing the Tom Ford Traceless Perfecting Foundation in Natural #5 (for skintone reference, all shades swatched in this post here):

 

Bottom line, LOTS to love with this set whether you’re new to Bite Beauty or looking for a good gift to give this holiday. If you’re iffy on 2-3 items then I’d recommend you opt to purchase items individually instead of the set. With the exception of the Honey Lip Gloss, I give all the other items a huge thumbs up.
You can find the Bite Discovery Set online and in stores at Sephora. Do note it’s limited-edition. If you’re a VIB member, don’t forget today is the last day to shop the VIB 20% off sale with code VIB20 at checkout.

Have you checked out any of the Bite Beauty sets this year? If you have any Bite Beauty favorites please let me know in the comments. I’m still pretty new to many of the formulas and would love your recommendations!
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Hauls Sephora

Sephora VIB Rouge Sale Beauty Haul

November 13, 2015

The Sephora VIB Holiday 20% off sale starts today for VIB Members in store (with your e-mail code or coupon mailer) and online with code VIB20. I am a VIB Rouge member and tested the code today to see if it would work (because several e-mailed me asking me to test it) but it doesn’t. I have a roundup of what I bought last week when the code worked for VIB Rouge Members along with some quick swatches of the color/makeup items. I shopped in store – there were a few things in my online cart that were online exclusives but I didn’t check out before the sale ended – no biggie since I splurged on a lot of other goodies. Here’s the damage below.

For my husband, I picked up the Dior Sauvage Eau De Toilette Spray in the 2 oz bottle. He prefers smaller bottles because they take up less counter space. I had the 3 piece gift set on my list for him, but it’s an online exclusive and he’s picky about after shave lotions. I decided to stay with what was safe. I also picked up the Tom Ford Costa Azzurra Eau de Parfum for him. It’s a fresh scent but still has enough masculine notes to wear year round. Sephora has the exclusive on the small 1 oz size so I thought I’d try it. I should have just bought the regular 1.7 oz size but my curiosity got the best of me with the tiny bottle.

For makeup, I picked up the following:

  • Burberry First Kiss Fresh Gloss Lip Balm in Coral Glow which is a stunning coral balm, it hydrates, feels good on the lips, and gives a healthy tint of color with a stunning glow
  • Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipsticks in Melted Nude and Melted Chihuahua have been on my list for ages, I can’t believe it took me so long to buy these, Melted Nude might just be my new holy grail nude lip color, Chihuahua is what I wanted Kat Von D Lolita to be on me
  • Cover FX Illuminator in Sunlight has had so many raves, I had to try it, I’ve worn it 2x so far, I’m undecided about it, it’s like but not pure love, for the price it’s good
  • Sephora Colorful Contour Powder in Fiji and Highlighter in Secretive can’t be beat at the $15 price tag (for each), I was hoping Secretive would be a dupe for Chanel Coups de Minuit, but the Sephora color is a lot sheerer in finish, Fiji is a nice warm subtle contour
  • Cover FX Illuminating Primer is another highly raved about primer, I have high hopes for it, currently testing, will report soon
  • Bite Beauty Mix and Mingle Duos in Café/Pepper (for me) and Latte/Cortado (as a gift) of course I could not resist these cute lip duos, Café is the best light pink ever, I wish it was available in the full size lipstick

Below swatches alongside a few other shades:
Burberry First Kiss Fresh Gloss Lip Balm in Coral Glow, Sweet Plum, Rose Blush (swatched here)
Too Faced Melted Lipsticks in Nude and Chihuahua
Kat Von D Beauty Lolita Lip Duo (swatched here)

Chanel Coups de Minuit (swatches here)
Sephora Colorful Highlighter and Contour Powder

For hair, skin, body I picked up a few items to restock and a couple new items:

If you shopped the sale last week or are planning to shop the VIB Sale this weekend, let me know what’s on your list or what you picked up. Would love to hear about your hauls 🙂

If you’re shopping in store, you can show the card or e-mail you received for the VIB Code or Coupon. If you’re shopping online at Sephora.com use code VIB20 (good for VIB members only), you should be able to use it multiple times online from today until November 16th.

Happy shopping!
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