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Sisley-Paris Phyto-Touche Sun Glow Bronzing Gel Powder + Phyto-Lip Delight Review

June 13, 2018

Sisley Phyto-Touche Sun Glow Bronzing Gel Powder and Lip Delight Review and Swatches

I have a few different products to review from Sisley for you today. One is the Phyto-Touche Sun Glow Bronzing Gel Powder which I’ve had my eye on for a while and the other is a new product for lips called the Phyto-Lip Delight. To me both are perfect for the upcoming summer season.

The Phyto-Touche Sun Glow Bronzing Gel Powder isn’t new but it is new to me. It’s been on my wishlist for months and I finally caved and bought it. It’s a unique formula that’s a bronzing gel powder, similar in concept to the NARS Dual Intensity Blushes where it’s a powder but not quite like a traditional powder. The one from Sisley is a warm bronze. It’s dense in formula and can be applied sheer for a soft wash of bronze. If you need more color you can use a dense brush for more color. It’s probably the most expensive bronzer I’ve ever splurged on. It was worth it for me but I still think the price point is very very steep.

Sisley Phyto-Touche Sun Glow Bronzing Gel Powder review and swatches

Swatches, heavy vs. blended:

Sisley Phyto-Touche Sun Glow Bronzing Gel Powder swatches

Swatch comparisons:

Sisley Bronzer swatch comparisons

Quick note that if you need a truly natural looking bronzer I’d still recommend the Becca Sunlit Bronzers. The Sisley Phyto-Touche Trio is also very natural looking, especially on lighter skin tones. The Chanel Les Beiges multi-stripe bronzers this year are also very natural.

Up next are the new Phyto-Lip Delights which are tinted gel-balms that transform into oils upon contact with the lips. They are sheer tinted oils but have enough pigment that you can see the color if you layer them a little. There are three perfect everyday neutrals in #1 Cool which is a nude beige, #2 Pretty which is a perfect pink and #3 Sweet which is a peachy coral. There is no shimmer to them to me they aren’t scented although they do have a subtle makeup scent. The finish is transparent and light for a soft tint. They plump and nourish the lips. You can wear them alone, under a gloss for more moisture or on top of a lipstick for added shine. The Phyto-Lip Delights have a nice comfortable feel that isn’t heavy or sticky. Right now they are available online at Sisley-Paris, they should trickle out to counters later in the summer. Circle straw bag shown from J.Crew. Sandals shown also from J.Crew.

Sisley Phyto-Lip Delight Cool, Pretty and Sweet swatches

Swatches:

Sisley Phyto-Lip Delight Cool, Pretty and Sweet swatches

On bare lips with around two to three layers:

Sisley Phyto-Lip Delight Cool, Pretty and Sweet swatches

Sisley Phyto-Lip Delight Cool, Pretty and Sweet swatches

Swatch comparisons below to some other colors. They’re really quite unique compared to others I thought they’d look like off the top of my head. Turns out the Sisley Lip Oils aren’t quite the same color-wise:

Swatch comparisons

All three applied below with different cheek combinations:

Sisley Phyto-Lip Delight Cool, Pretty and Sweet swatches

Ingredients:

Sisley Ingredients

Sisley Phyto-Touche Sun Glow Bronzing Gel Powder and Lip Delight Review and Swatches

Bottom line my love for Sisley-Paris makeup continues. I’m a huge fan of the Phyto-Lip Twists (Baby is my favorite shade) and the new Phyto-Lip Delights are no exception. They are quite expensive but in my experience their products have been worth the splurge for me. I was fortunate to get an early sneak preview of the Lip Delights but have purchased a number of things from the brand. My top two tips are to 1) sign up for their Beauty Subscription Program to get a monthly sampling. I reviewed 6 months’s worth of boxes here and it is the only subscription program I’ve kept. 2) Make a list and save purchases for GWPs. The Sisley-Paris website often has promos running on a regular basis. I also like the Beauty GWPs you can find at Nordstrom.

The bronzer is a gorgeous addition for me but I do own a wide range of other bronzing powders so I cannot call it a must-have. I do think I will be getting regular wear out of it this summer though.

You can find the Phyto-Lip Delights available now at Sisley-Paris.com. The bronzer can be found at all Sisley counters. I bought mine from Nordstrom.

Phyto-Lip Delights provided courtesy of Sisley for review. Bronzer purchased by me.

 

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Clarins Lips Skincare

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil – New Shades

May 3, 2017

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil New Shades | The Beauty Look Book

Clarins fans will be thrilled to discover that they’ve just released four new shades of the Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil ($26 each for 0.1 oz/7 mL). I’ve been a huge fan of the formula for the lush moisturizing feel it gives. Since these are tints there is very little color payoff to these but the hydration in these is indeed comforting as the name implies and formula is top notch. It’s amazing how fast time flies but I last reviewed the original three shades a year ago here. The new shades come with different scents and one of them has gold flecks and shimmer in it. Shown below:

  • Candy 04 is a soft sheer pink, it smells like something sweet
  • Tangerine 05 is a deep red orange, swatched it pulls more orange, it smells like candy
  • Honey Glam 07 is honey with gold flecks, it’s not gritty or chunky even though the sparkles are visible, it applies smooth with a tiny bit of shimmer, it has a very faint hint of honey scent
  • Mint 06 is a sheer green, it has a very soft mint smell to it, this one is supposed to have a plumping effect but I didn’t notice anything different from the others which is actually good, I usually find tingly lip plumpers make my lips go numb

Overall with the exception of Tangerine, the other shades have a more lightweight scent to them. From the original launch Honey was my favorite because the scent was the most natural and soothing. With the shade extensions, I’m obsessed with all four even though they look similar on my lips. Also with this launch, Candy and Tangerine are designed to react to the pH of your lips so they are supposed to transform depending on your chemistry. On me they give a slight stain and since the tint is a bit brighter you can see the difference when swatched side by side. I’m not really into green colored makeup but my favorite of this launch is the Mint one!

For those who missed my original review or are new to these, the Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil is a hydrating lip oil that comes with a cushiony sponge tip applicator. They are scented to match the color name. They are semi thick but not tacky and give the lips a veil of gloss/oil to moisturize them. They noticeably soften the lips. Even though they are oils they don’t slide off the lips like you might think they would.

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil New Shades | The Beauty Look Book

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil New Colors Swatched | The Beauty Look Book

Swatched on bare lips:

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil New Shades Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Close up of Honey Glam, it’s hard to tell in the lip swatch above but the sparkles are visible on the lips:

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil Honey Glam | The Beauty Look Book

All the colors side by side:

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil | The Beauty Look Book

Swatches of Honey, Raspberry, Red Berry, Candy, Tangerine, Mint and Honey Glam below:

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oil | The Beauty Look Book

I’m a huge fan of the Lip Oils but not always a fan of sweet berry scents. Sometimes they can be a bit much with the sweetness which is why I liked Honey so much from the first round. The newer shades have a noticeable scent but I find them more subtle which is better suited to my super sensitive nose. Since they’re all sheer I still don’t think it’s a must to have them all unless you’re a die hard fan of the formula and like to keep multiples for the purse, bathroom, desk etc. Now that I’ve tested all 7, if I had to pick my favorites, they would be Honey, Candy and Mint. If oils just aren’t your thing but you like the idea of a tinted balm, you might want to check out their Instant Light Natural Lip Perfectors instead.

You can find the new shades of Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oils at a few retailers online. I suspect they will arrive at more places online in the upcoming weeks. Right now available online at Clarins, Clarins UK, Sephora, and Bloomingdale’s. Have you tried these yet? What’s your favorite tinted lip treatment right now?

Clarins Lip Oils provided as press samples for review.

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Lancôme Juicy Shaker Bi-Phase Lip Oil Review

August 14, 2016

Lancôme Juicy Shakers ($21 each) are tinted lip oils that come in a bi-phase formula with oil and color that you shake to mix up before applying. These launched earlier the spring and quite a few of you have raved about them. Lancôme is one of those lines where I haven’t explored color a lot – I have a few skincare staples including the Micellar Cleansing Water (best packaging ever) and the Bi-Facil Makeup Remover (long-time fav). Simmer Juicy Tube was my go-to lip gloss in my college days (seems like a lifetime ago!). I’ve started to explore more in the Lancôme line and when a surprise package of the Juicy Shakers showed up at my door I could not contain my excitement. The first thought that popped into my head was “I hope these are good” because I’m easily impressed by novel packaging. Sometimes the packaging is better than the product itself but I’m thrilled to report that these are indeed every bit as good as the hype formula-wise.

Pigment of colors ranges from sheer to medium in coverage. Compared to a few other brands of lip oils I’ve tried, the Lancôme Juicy Shakers far exceed the YSL Volupté Tint-in-Oils I tried in pigment and packaging design. Texture-wise they have a lighter weight texture and finish compared to the Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oils. All the Lancôme Juicy Shakers are scented and flavored – but each and every one is pleasant and not overly sweet. Scents are different for each shade to mimic the color names. If you are very sensitive to fragrance you might want to give these a sniff at the counter first before buying. As one who is extremely sensitive to sweet fragrances when it comes to lip products I can say that these are soft enough for my super sensitive nose.

The Lancôme Juicy Shakers are packaged in a small shaker with a sponge tip applicator. It literally looks like a miniature doll-sized cocktail shaker which is beyond cute! The sponge comes in a triangle-shaped applicator which is squishy and absorbs color + oil. According to Lancome these are the first cushion-applicator products for lips. 
So far these appear to be well sealed at the top when you twist them close – I haven’t seen or had any leaking issues like I did with the YSL oils. There are two tiny balls inside the color which helps to mix the oil + pigment when you shake them. The three on the left are what the product looks like when you shake it. The blue one is what the product looks like when the oil and color have separated.

There are 17 shades in the permanent lineup that I have swatches. There are also 3 limited-edition shades which I have not seen or tried, but I’ll list them below. Some of the lighter colors are sheerer and have less color-payoff. There are a couple light ones that did show up well on my lips, but for the most part, the brighter or deeper shades are the ones that look the best. They have a very hydrating soothing feel and definitely feel like oils. On me I found the finish emollient almost to the point that they could slide off the lips but they stayed put on me. These contain a mix of Musk Rose Oil to regenerate and soothe, Cranberry Oil to protect, Peach Oil to soften and nourish, and Almond Oil to leave the lips supple.

Shown above:

  • Apri-Cute is a true apricot orange
  • Show Me the Honey is a sheer light honey peach color
  • Freedom of Peach is a pretty medium peach
  • Cherry Symphony is a ruby red
  • Great-Fruit is an orangey red pink
  • Walk the Lime is a orange red
  • Piece of Cake is a nude rose pink
  • Vanilla Pop is a warm terracotta nude
  • Berry in Love is a cool-toned violet with a hint of shimmer
  • Lemon Explosion is a sheer sparkling clear pink
  • Meli Melon pretty pink
  • Boom Meringue is a light pink
  • Bohemian Raspberry is a raspberry red
  • Wonder Melon is a melon red
  • Berry Tale is a watermelon pink
  • Mangoes Wild is a reddish orange pink
  • Mint to Be is a shimmering clear blue-shimmer

Swatched on bare lips:

Overall lasting power is like that of a lip gloss. They are oils so they won’t last as long like a regular lipstick or liquid lipstick. I found the deeper shades seemed to have colors that lasted longer than the lighter colors. There was color transfer with drinks and snacks. Although I don’t intentionally eat my lip products, you can’t avoid tasting them and I think the Lancôme Juicy Shakers taste like a soft subtly sweet candy. As one who doesn’t like cherries, papaya or blueberries I am beyond thrilled that those flavors weren’t in the lineup.

If you’re a fan of lip oils I think you will adore these. If you’ve been looking for a lip oil that has color these are definitely worth checking out. They are on the sheer to medium side for pigment but they will show up on the lips. All with the exception of Show Me the Honey and Lemon Explosion showed up on my pigmented lips. Some of the pinks looked very similar on my lips – there are nuances in undertone, some warmer, some cooler and some deeper so there are lots to choose from to suit your specific complexion.

Overall huge thumbs up. I love the soft cushion tip and think the packaging is genius. They added a lot of moisture and hydration to my lips. When I first tested these my lips were a bit dried out from a few lipsticks I had been wearing. Using the Juicy Shakers restored moisture to my lips and did indeed help to regenerate the lip surface to it’s normal state.
You can find the Lancôme Juicy Shakers for $21 each. I think they are definitely worth checking out. This month is going to be another lip-heavy review month so if sheers or oils aren’t your thing stay tuned for upcoming reviews on lip pencils, liquid lipsticks, lip lacquers and more traditional/classic lipstick formulas.
My top 5 favorites include Boom Meringue, Mint to Be, Freedom of Peach, Berry in Love and Mangoes Wild.

The Lancôme Juicy Shakers are available online and in stores at Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Sephora and Lancôme.

P.S. If these have been on your radar, Lancome USA is having their Friends and Family sale from 8/23 to 8/27, 20% off orders with code FRIENDS at checkout!

 Many thanks to Lancôme for sending me all the shades to play with!

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Clarins Lips Skincare

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oils

May 31, 2016

 

Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oils ($25 each for 1 ml/0.1 oz) are among the most hydrating lip treatments I’ve tried and all three shades have made a come back this year. They launched a year ago in three shades which are still available today. I reviewed Honey before in this post, today I have a review on all three options: Honey, Raspberry and Red Berry. (Also shown above Lumira Darsana c/o previously reviewed here, Kate Spade All in Good Taste, Garance Dore Love, Style, Life). The Instant Light Lip Comfort Oils are lip treatments with a very slight tint and scent. They are like cushions for the lips with a gel-like oil formula that isn’t sticky but has a high gloss shine. For me the word “oil” in the name had me worried these would be thin, runny or goopy. They are emollient and have an oil feel but they do not slide around and stay put once applied. Clarins calls these plant-based which has ingredients to soothe and protect the lips. I really liked Honey because it gives instant relief to dry lips. Lasting power is very good and stays put for several hours before you need to reapply.

 

The two other shades Raspberry and Red Berry have a pink and red tint. The color is very sheer, almost transparent on my lips. In real life I can tell there’s a slight difference between the three, although I think the effect is almost identical – so if you’re looking for a lip treatment + color, these will barely have any color payoff in which case I would recommend you opt for the Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfectors (swatched here) or the Instant Light Lip Natural Lip Perfectors (new shades out now, review soon) or the Shimmer Shades for Summer (review soon).

I’ve mentioned in other posts I have high sensitivity to scented lip products, especially when it comes to added fruity or vanilla scents. Glossier Cherry is a no go for me although I do love the other options. Raspberry and Red Berry are noticeably sweeter than Honey. If you have a very sensitive nose and do not like berry scented lip products you may find them too strong. I personally found them both to be strong upon application but gave both a thorough test to see how the scent played out. Raspberry is the more wearable option scent-wise for me. The scent softens and fades shortly after application and about 5-10 minutes after I applied it I no longer noticed there was a scent. The scent of Red Berry seemed to linger a bit longer. I personally prefer the way Raspberry smells. With all three I didn’t detect any noticeable taste.

A closer look at the packaging and applicators. If you’re one who is concerned with oils and the possibility of them leaking – note these are very well packaged. The cap twists on tightly and in the time I had my original Honey I never had any leaking issues (I did with some of the YSL lip oils) – just make sure you twist on the cap all the way. That being said I would avoid putting these in the car or anywhere there will be a lot of heat. I’ve had sunscreen oils that are well packaged that I accidentally left in the car and the heat melted the oil to a consistency that it leaked through the tops.

 

 

 

Swatches:

 

As shown below, all three pretty much look the same on my bare lips. If you look closely you may be able to tell that Red Berry has more of a red tint than the others. All three have a really nice cushiony feel that hugs the lips nicely.

Thumbs up for the formula. If you’re looking for a no fuss lip treatment that you can easily carry with you and apply these are worth checking out as long as color payoff in a lip treatment isn’t important to you. You can definitely add these on top of lipstick for added shine however if you mix the applicators with your lipstick – they are bound to get messy and color transfer will happen in which case you may want to use a lip brush or fingers. Or sometimes I’ll apply a lip treatment first then take a clean finger and dab it into my lipstick then dab the lips for a bit of color/stain on top.

Since all three colors are sheer I wouldn’t call them a must to have all three. However if you like variety and love the formula there’s no harm in buying multiples of what you love to have one for your desk, one for your handbag etc.

You can find the Clarins Instant Light Lip Comfort Oils at all Clarins counters now. They retail for $25 each. Online at Clarins, Nordstrom, Sephora, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Harrods and Selfridges.

Have you tried these yet? Do you have a current favorite lip treatment?

 

Clarins Lip Oils provided courtesy of Clarins for review consideration.

 

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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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Rosy Red and Pink Tinted Lip Balm Treatments for Holiday

November 2, 2015

Today I’ve rounded up nine of my favorite rosy tinted lip balms for the holiday season coming ahead. Many of you loved last year’s roundup on holiday reds for lips and nails. This year’s version is for the neutral lip lover who is afraid to wear bold reds on the lips but wants to try something with some color. If you’re like me and almost always wears neutral colors on the lips, tinted lip balms, treatments and oils offer sheerer coverage and are more natural looking. I have a mix of pink and reds in a number of different formulas. If you’re looking for a good double-duty lip product that offers tint and hydration, I hope this guide will help you find a new one this month.

Below are a mix of potted balms, wand/gloss-like balms, squeeze tubes and twist up sticks. All of these offer a glossy sheen. As usual with most balms, lasting power will not be the same as with lipsticks, but this means that they fade more naturally. Oils often come with a stain built in so there is the hydration aspect but the color will stain the lips and last longer throughout the day. Several of these have been reviewed in depth before. I’ll link previous reviews.

Shown from left to right:

  1. By Terry Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur in Bloom Berry ($56, review) is one of the most expensive lip products I own. Splurging on the regular Baume de Rose made a big dent in my wallet and once the tinted versions launched an even bigger dent was made. This is a super lush thick rose-scented balm. Bloom Berry is my holy grail red lip balm because it for me it’s the perfect shade of berry red. The pot is really large so it will last a long time. I’ve had mine for over a year, there’s still a lot left and it hasn’t gone bad yet.
  2. By Terry Baume de Rose Nutri-Couleur Cherry Bomb ($89 for set of 5, review) comes in the full-sized pot, but I have it from a holiday set (both the pot and wand are identical in color). For those who want a brighter cherry red, this one is a lovely color that is bright but not too bright. It will give your lips a natural flushed look.
  3. Hourglass No. 28 Tinted Lip Treatment Oil in Icon ($42) is the latest from Hourglass Cosmetics. If you’ve tried the original clear lip oil, you are probably aware of how luxurious, hydrating and amazing the formula is. It has anti-aging ingredients and oils to hydrate, condition and soften the lips while reducing wrinkles. The packaging is truly unique with a press-pump dispenser and a gold tip cap. Icon is a sheer glossy see-through red. It’s truly luxurious and gives the lips a healthy glow. Pigment is sheer but noticeable. It does fade to a natural shine throughout the day. Out of all the lip treatments this one feels the most hydrating on my lips.
  4. Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in Smashed ($26, review) is a classic lip treatment that works wonders as a lip treatment. As a tint this is one of the sheerest and lightest in pigment so if you’re super timid with color, this one offers a very natural wash of color. If you’ve tried the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Masks you are probably familiar with the thick but lush hydrating formula. It offers a veil of moisture that is really good for dry lips.
  5. Fresh Sugar Shine Lip Treatment in Cherry ($18.50, review) is a tinted lip treatment that is a classic red cherry color. It has high shine and comes in a tube with a sponge tip applicator. These also come in the twist up stick form. The stick has more pigment while the tube is sheerer but offers more shine. If you have super dry lips, you may find the color from the tube will settle into lines. The color is a vibrant cherry red but is sheer so it’s not in-your-face bright.
  6. Burberry First Kiss Gloss Lip Balm in Rose Blush ($26) is a newer lip product from Burberry. I wanted the Crushed Red color but it’s been sold out at my local Sephora (I need to just order it online already). I have a couple of these lip balms sight unseen. Part of me was expecting to be disappointed because I thought they would be basic and sheer. The other part of me had high hopes because I’m a fan of their lip products. These lip balms are really amazing. They offer enough color to show up on the lips and also have an amazingly smooth feel. There’s slip but it’s not greasy. I’m head over heels in love. It’s also scent-free.
  7. Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector in Red ($25, review) is my favorite stick balm formula. You can read the full review with swatches of all the shade options linked above. The only downside is the size and price. They are on the small side which makes them pricey. The formula can’t be beat though.
  8. bareMinerals Pop of Passion Lip Oil Balm in Punch Pop ($16) is a twist up stick balm oil treatment. If you’ve tried other traditional tinted lip oils you may have been disappointed with the color payoff (I know I have). The oils in stick form from bareMinerals offer more pigment. They swatch sheer on the hands but the texture of the lips really picks up the color. The ones I tested have a slight stain in the pigment as well which makes the color last longer than most balms. The formula is plush and also unscented. I give these a thumbs up for pigment and coverage.
  9. YSL Volupté Sheer Candy in 04 Succulent Pomegranate ($36) is a pinkish fuchsia color that’s soft and sheer. I’m beyond obsessed with the Volupté Sheer Candy formula although for most it is either a hit or miss. If you want a super lush balmy feel with a glossy shine, these are among my favorite sheer lipsticks that offer hydration. They are scented like grapefruits or mangos (to me it smells like a mix of both) but it’s not overly sweet and they also taste good.
Swatched below in the same order:

Swatched on the lips:

My top picks:
By Terry Baume de Rose Bloom Berry for the best color
Hourglass Lip Oil in Icon for the most hydrating feel
Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector and YSL for the best texture
If you’re a neutral lip lover who is curious about rosy colors for the lips but want something a little more natural than the traditional bold red lipstick, I hope you found this roundup helpful! Do you have a favorite tinted lip balm or treatment?
Press samples featured in this post include items from Clarins, Hourglass and Bare Minerals. All others purchased by me.
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YSL Volupté Tint-In-Oil / Drive Me Copper 1, Oh My Gold 2, I Rose You 4

January 15, 2015

YSL’s latest in lips is the new Volupté Tint-In-Oil ($32 for 0.20 fl oz/6 ml) described as a “revolutionary lip color with a lip tint suspended in a deep conditioning oil.” I waited until I was able to see these in store to test them before buying any of these. I have pigmented lips and any kind of tint or stain for the lips tend to pull very bright or dark on my lips. The YSL Volupté Tint-In-Oils come in a range of light to bright colors. After swatching them on the hand I saw sheer veils of tint and shimmer suspended in oil/gloss. At first swipe they look clear but if you let them set on the hands you’ll see some color appear as they tint the skin. The brighter colors looked very wearable but I’m not a fan of putting store testers on my lips for sanitary reasons so I opted for three lighter shades to see how they would wear on my lips.

Drive Me Copper 1 is a sheer coppery gold shimmer suspended in gloss
Oh My Gold 2 is a lighter gold shimmer suspended in golden tinted gloss
I Rose You 4 is a soft light rose pink shimmer

Swatched below you can see how these have a tiny micro sparkle shimmers suspended in the oil formula which is glossy. They have a very smooth non-gritty texture:

I let the lip oil sit on my arm for about 15-20 minutes and then removed the gloss to show you the stain that remained. With a flash the colors looked washed out, so here are the stains photographed without any flash or sunlight. It was hard to capture the colors accurately, the stain reflects the actual colors of the glosses but without a flash.

My initial thoughts on these would be that these could possibly be a complete mess and that these would slide off my lips. The testers at the store were quite messy and gloss/oil was all over some of the tubes and others looked like they were leaking. Also the word “oil” in a lip product sounds less than appealing. I’ve had good experiences with YSL lip products and I know product testers in stores can go through a lot of rough testing so I decided to give these a try.

The texture is very fluid. I had an open tube tilted at a slight upside-down angle for a few minutes while I was trying to read the bottom label and a little bit of product dripped out. For the most part I don’t see many people holding it upside-down so leaking shouldn’t be an issue. The Volupté Oils are very emollient but they didn’t slide around on the lips like some sheer glosses do. At first swipe they look clear but after you let them sit on the lips the tint melds in with the lip and adds a slight glow with some color.

Lasting power is medium for me, the gloss effect lasts several hours and it will last through bottles of water, not so much coffee or tea, but since there is a slight stain and tint to the color remains on the lips for hours (all day for me). I should have opted for the darker more pigmented colors but after seeing them turn bright on my hands at the store, I was afraid they would turn fluorescent on my lips. After seeing how the three lighter shades I purchased performed, I do think I should have gone with the more pigmented shades.

There is the signature sweet grapefruit YSL scent in these. If you liked the YSL Gloss Voluptés (three reviewed here), I think you will like the Volupté Tint-In-Oil. If you want more pigment or color, skip the colors I got and try for one of the shades that look darker/brighter.

Here are the colors on my lips. Note as usual your mileage may vary depending on your natural lip color and pigment:

I like the formula. They feel smooth and moisturizing on the lips and even though there is visible tiny micro sparkles these are remarkably smooth and non-gritty feeling. I thought these would be an oil slick but for a lip oil they stay put where you apply the product and I found they didn’t slide around. On me these transform from a clear gloss to a healthy natural glow with a hint of color. I’m all for neutral and nude lips but on me the three colors I picked kinda look the same – unfortunately you can’t really tell how they will look on you until you try them. They way they swatch on the hand is different from how they look on the lips. Had I known how they would perform I would have skipped #2 Oh My Gold because it looks really similar to #1 Drive Me Copper and opted for a darker pink or purple shade (like #5, 6 or 8).

Have you checked out the YSL Volupté Tint-In-Oils yet? What did you think? There are 8 shades available for $32 each. All are available now at Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks.

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