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Beauty Favorites Lips

Plum Lips to Try This Holiday Season

December 13, 2022

Plum Lips to try This Season

Happy Tuesday! I’ve been on a plum lip kick this holiday season and shared a video swatch roundup of some favorites on Instagram. For those who still prefer blog posts and still images this one is for you! I’ve been loving gloss and sheer plum lipsticks so the color is more forgiving when it fades throughout the day. Here are the ones I’ve tried and loved.

Plum Lip Color Swatches

Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Gloss

Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Gloss in Aperitivo is probably my favorite soft plum. It’s a smooth gloss that you can build easily. Feels comfortable on the lips, not sticky, lovely shine.

Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Gloss in Aperitivo

Victoria Beckham Beauty Posh Gloss in Aperitivo

Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss

Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Kir Sugar is another one I love. It’s a semi-thick gloss so it adheres really well to the lips. Has some sticky feeling but still very comfortable to wear. Since it’s a thicker formula this one lasts long on my lips. Has a bit of gold shimmer inside. I remember wearing the original formula in this color in my 20s!

Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Kir Sugar

Bobbi Brown Lip Gloss in Kir Sugar

Fenty Gloss Bomb

Fenty Gloss Bomb in Hot Chocolit is a sheer plum brown with a tiny bit of gold shimmer. In the tube it looks more brownish but on my lips it pulls more plum. I think this is my second favorite out of all the plums. Love layering this on top of Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk for a slightly more pinkish look.

Fenty Gloss Bomb in Hot Chocolit

Fenty Gloss Bomb in Hot Chocolit

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Brown Sugar is another love. It’s a very sheer tinted balm and I love this formula. Also great when layered over a lip pencil or alone. I didn’t get a new photo of this one but you can see it on the lips here.

Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balm in Brown Sugar

Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balm

The Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balm formula is another one I’ve really loved this year. Lure is a pretty cool-toned plum. They also have a pretty limited-edition Rouse, a reddish plum, which is part of the Holiday Duo (sold out online but still available in stores).

Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balm

Hourglass Phantom Glossy Balm Lure and Rouse

Westman Atelier Squeaky Clean Lip Balm

The plum shade most of you loved from my video is Westman Atelier’s Squeaky Clean Lip Balm in Lou Lou. I hope she brings this one out individually in the new year! For now it is exclusive to her Squeaky Clean Lip Vault (also reviewed here).

Westman Atelier The Squeaky Clean Vault

Westman Atelier’s Squeaky Clean Lip Balm in Lou Lou

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey has made a comeback and I love it. I wore this one in the 90s and early 2000s in my high school days so I’m thrilled to see it again! They launched the Black Honey color in the Pop Plush Creamy Gloss formula but it keeps selling out (still available at Kohls and Belk).

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipstick

For lipsticks I bought the Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipstick in Gifted (also available in a matching Lip Liner). This is a pretty dusty plum color that doesn’t pull too cool or too warm. Color has rich opaque coverage, smooth finish and decent lasting power. Other shades in this formula reviewed here.

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipstick in Gifted

Rare Beauty Kind Words Matte Lipstick in Gifted

Dior Burgundy

Last but not least is a look at the Dior Lip Glow and Lip Maximizer in Burgundy. The Lip Maximizer seems to have sold out nearly everywhere but you can still find the Lip Glow on Dior.com. Love this for a soft plum berry stain on the lips.

Dior Lip Glow and Lip Maximizer in Burgundy

Dior Lip Glow Burgundy

Shop the Post

 

What shades are you wearing this holiday season? I’m still into the neutrals and soft pinks but think plum is a fun way to switch things up even for the neutral lip lover.

Lips Sephora

Best New Hydrating Lip Plumper Discovery

March 2, 2020

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme New Shades

As a lip balm and lip gloss fanatic, I could not be more excited to have found a new favorite with the Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme. I cannot believe it took me so long to try out the formula and I am thrilled to partner with Too Faced to give you a peek at the new colors! The original clear color has been a popular option for years to volumize the lips. They recently added four new shades that give a very natural flush of color while adding moisture and shine.

The Lip Injection Extreme is a plumping gloss that makes the lips look fuller and super lush. They give a hint of color and feel ultra hydrating and smooth. The gloss has the most comfortable cushiony texture that I’ve ever tried and almost acts like a lip oil, but stays put on the lips.

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme review

I recommend applying within the lip line perimeter (avoid getting on the skin outside the lip line). With the plumping ingredients there is a medium tingle factor that only lasts around 5 minutes. As one with sensitive lips, I was thrilled to find the tingle disappears quickly and there is no numbing sensation. Instead, it feels like a hydrating gloss/balm and it lasts for several hours without fading or needing to reapply.

Before and after with the Original shade:

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Before and After

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Original

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme New Shades

Colors include:

  • Original is a clear pearly color, goes on clear, transforms my lips into a soft pink
  • Bubblegum Yum is a soft pink
  • Tangerine Dream is a sheer melon
  • Pink Punch is a soft pink
  • Strawberry Kiss is the most pigmented giving a strawberry pink look

Wearing Tangerine Dream below:

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Tangerine Dream

Below wearing Pink Punch:

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Pink Punch

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme Pink Punch

Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme new shades

If you’re looking for a good lip plumper, I highly recommend checking out any of the Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme glosses! You can find all five shades at Sephora. The clear one also is available in a mini size.

Have you tried these before? What did you think?

 

 

Many thanks to Too Faced for partnering to sponsor this post!

Hourglass Cosmetics

New Hourglass Scattered Light Shadows + Nordstrom Eye and Lip Duo

July 22, 2019

Hourglass Haul New Scattered Light and Nordstrom Eye/Lip Duo Spark | The beauty look book

There are some new items from Hourglass that just launched! I hauled three of the four new Scattered Light Eye Shadows ($29 each) in Ray, Rapture and Burnish along with the Nordstrom Eye and Lip Duo ($48, Nordstrom Anniversary Sale exclusive).

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New Scattered Light Eye Shadows

Hourglass Scattered Light Rapture, Burnish and Ray

I’ve been such a huge fan of the Hourglass Scattered Light Eyeshadows. I bought all five original colors reviewed here and use them on a weekly basis. They make for the prettiest shadow toppers to add some pop and dimension. Sometimes I’ll mix a couple together or just layer on top of powder shadows. In case you missed the original review, these are glittery pigments that adhere well to the lids. They’re ultra sparkly I was beyond excited to see new shades make their appearance online. I bought three of the four (skipped the green one):

  • Rapture is a cranberry with gold shimmer
  • Burnish is a shimmery gold bronze
  • Ray is a medium smokey bronze champagne with loads of glitter

Out of the three Ray is the most sparkly and glittery. Rapture and Burnish seem to have smaller finer sparkles, even smaller compared to the original five shades. I tested all three and absolutely love them. There are similarities between some of the original shades. Burnish is less yellow than Foil. Rapture is more red/pink than Blaze.

Hourglass Scattered Light Rapture, Burnish and Ray swatches

New Hourglass Scattered Light Ray, Burnish and Rapture

Swatches of all the scattered light eye shadows I own. 100% worth the splurge.

Hourglass Scattered Light Eye Shadow Swatches via The Beauty Look Book

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Nordstrom Anniversary Sale Eye and Lip Duo

Hourglass Nordstrom Eye Lip Duo 2019

The Nordstrom x Hourglass 2019 Anniversary Sale Set has an exclusive lip gloss called Spark and I was really interested to see what it looked like (my Nordstrom did not have this in store). It’s a pale milky peachy pink cream that’s high maintenance for my pigmented lips. If you’re light or fair skinned or can wear ultra light colors you’ll have no issue with this. Since I have a darker natural lip this ended up being super streaky on me. It will blend out and smooth out with a pencil underneath or mixed. I feel like this one would have been amazing had it been a shimmery color (kinda along the lines of Impact or Cosmic). For me Sublime is easier to pull off without the streaks.

I tried the Caution Extreme Mascara again and this round find that I really like it. I wasn’t 100% thrilled with it when I first tried it a year ago. I feel like it’s working a lot better for me this try.

Hourglass Nordstrom Eye Lip Duo 2019 Swatches Spark and Caution Mascara

For foundation reference I’m wearing Armani Luminous Silk in Shade 7. For the Hourglass Foundations I’m in between shades, closest match in the Vanish Seamless Liquid is Beige (review here). Spark is swatched below on bare lips.

Hourglass Nordstrom Eye Lip Duo 2019 Swatches Spark lip gloss

If I could do this over I would have passed on this set and just bought the mascara. The gloss is too pale for me and too similar to Sublime/Child in the same formula and for me the best neutral nude in this color family is still Pat McGrath LUST Gloss in Faux Real or Bobbi Brown Lychee Baby.

Comparisons below:

Nude Lip Gloss Swatches

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Hourglass Haul Picks new Scattered Light and Spark Lip Gloss

Overall love the new Scattered Light Eyeshadows and hope more come out. The Spark Lip Gloss is a pass for me. It’s one of those shades that will streak after I apply if I touch my lips together or drink from a cup. I am willing to try to make it work with lip liner and extra blending, but for me I think there are easier to wear colors that are similar.

The new Scattered Light Eye Shadows should be available at all Hourglass counters soon. Available now at Nordstrom, Sephora and Hourglass Cosmetics. The Eye Lip Duo is exclusive to Nordstrom for the Anniversary Sale.

 

 

Did you check out either of these new launches?

 

Lips Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Beauty Lip Lacquer Luxe Vinyl + Matte

March 4, 2019

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Matte and Vinyl Review + Swatches

Tom Ford Beauty launched their new Lip Lacquer Luxe Vinyl and Matte in 20 shades ($57 each). These are full coverage high pigment lip products. I have 10 colors swatched, five I purchased on my own, five are press samples. I’ve been a long time fan of Tom Ford lip products – anytime someone asks me to recommend one item to splurge on I always pick the Tom Ford Lip Color. After testing both finishes of the new Lip Lacquer luxe, I find that I really like them, however have mixed feelings on these mainly because there are some packaging issues. The product itself is very good in my experience. Quick thoughts on both formulas:

  • The Lip Lacquer Luxe Vinyl is a thick glossy full coverage lip product. Because it’s thicker it does take some blending but this adheres well to the lips and once blended does not feel super heavy. I can feel the product like I would a regular gloss but it’s not uncomfortable.
  • The Lip Lacquer Luxe Matte is a soft lightweight matte. It has buildable coverage but some blending is required as well to smooth it out. I like that it’s super lightweight and has a soft velvety matte that doesn’t make the lips look shriveled or dry.

In terms of lasting power the Vinyls stay put better. For the Mattes they don’t slide off and do stay put, but not as long as their Lip Lacquers they launched last year. I actually prefer the packaging style of the Lip Lacquers however with the new Lip Lacquer Luxe you do get 6 ml of product while last year’s slim tube has only 2.7 ml.

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Review

There’s a slight scent to them but it’s not really a fragrance, it’s more of a lipstick scent. Once applied the scent fades. As soon as some of you saw I bought these on Instagram stories I received a number of messages asking about the applicator. Many of you were really upset that it broke when you opened it. I do find the sponge tip applicator seems a little too wide for the lacquer opening so there is a bit of tugging to pull it out. Luckily only one of mine broke and I didn’t twist or bend when I tried to open it. If yours broke I hope you will be able to get a replacement. I’ve since opened and used all the other shades multiple times and none of them have broken.

I’ve split the swatches by color grouping from neutrals to bolds. Group 1:

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Insinuate, Softcore, Intimate, Darling, Quiver review

All swatched on bare lips, descriptions:

  • Insinuate (vinyl) is a medium peachy pink
  • Softcore (vinyl) is a high shine beige
  • Intimate (vinyl) is a medium light pink
  • Darling (matte) is a nude pink, looks beige in the tube but on me pulls more pink
  • Quiver (matte) is a nude mauve

Insinuate, Softcore, Intimate, Darling, Quiver swatches

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Insinuate Vinyl

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Softcore Vinyl

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Intimate Vinyl

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Darling Matte

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Quiver Matte

Group 2 with deeper and bold colors:

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Pussycat, Unzip, Infuriate, Jaguar and Habitual

Descriptions and swatches, all done on bare lips:

  • Pussycat (matte) is a mauve rose that deepens and darkens
  • Unzip (vinyl) is a bold warm bright glossy pink
  • Infuriate (vinyl) is one of my favorites, it’s the perfect deep red on me!
  • Jaguar (matte) is the one that broke, it’s a bold warm red matte
  • Habitual (matte) is a deep bright slightly blue-based red

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Pussycat, Unzip, Infuriate, Jaguar and Habitual swatches

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Pussycat Matte

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Unzip Vinyl

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Infuriate Vinyl

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Jaguar Matte

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Habitual Matte

 

All the colors side by side:

 

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Review and Swatches

 

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe review of Insinuate, Softcore, Intimate, Darling, Quiver, Pussycat, Unzip, Infuriate, Jaguar and Habitual

A few comparison swatches and thoughts:

  • NARS Velvet Lip Glides are lighter weight and sheerer than the Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Mattes, I included some swatches of the neutrals for comparison in Bound, Swing, Roseland and Xenon.
  • Tom Ford Lip Lacquers (in the skinny round tubes from last year) are longer lasting, more matte in the dry down and budge proof once dry. Universal Appeal is still the best liquid lipstick nude from Tom Ford, on my lips in this post here. Pussycat is darker than the luxe version.
  • Tom Ford Lip Color in Sugar Glider is a similar color to Quiver if you want a lipstick instead of the matte formula.
  • Tom Ford Satin Matte in London Suede is a more browned neutral and has a soft diffused matte compared to the Lip Lacquer Luxe Mattes.

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Swatch comparisons

Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Review and Swatches

Aside from the packaging issues I think the formula makes for a solid luxury lipstick. I really love the formula and finish even though they do take a little bit of extra effort to blend because of how pigmented they are. My favorites are Softcore, Quiver and Infuriate. I’ve worn Softcore the most so far and love it for a nude but not washed out lip. I do think that opening a gloss shouldn’t be challenging and it definitely should not break at the tip. Based on the design of the applicator and opening I don’t know if mine will break eventually. I was lucky I had issues with only one of mine. I have splurged on many Tom Ford lipsticks and think that it has been money well spent since I really do love the formula. I do think that $57 is really steep even if it is Tom Ford and luxury. They seem to have a similar vibe to the Bobbi Brown Luxe Liquid Lip High Shine and Velvet Mattes which are $37 each by comparison. I never tried those even though they seem to be really popular. I still have the By Terry Lip Expert Shine and Mattes I’m working on swatching for you so you might want to wait on swatches before splurging on the Tom Ford ones unless you’re a Tom Ford addict and there’s a color you think you’re absolutely in love with.

You can find the Tom Ford Lip Lacquer Luxe Matte and Vinyl at counters now. I bought five from Nordstrom. Also available at Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Bloomingdale’s, Saks Fifth Avenue and all other Tom Ford Beauty Counters.

Have you tried these yet? What did you think?

Press samples include Unzip, Infuriate, Jaguar, Habitual and Softcore. The other five shades purchased by me.

Lips Pat McGrath Labs

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss New Shades Spring 2019

January 18, 2019

Pat McGrath Lust Gloss New Shades Spring 2019 Review and Swatches

Pat McGrath Labs is making all my lip gloss dreams come true with 18 new shades of LUST Gloss for spring 2019. They retail for $28 each and come in three different finishes she calls High Shine, Shimmer and Glitter. I reviewed some shades when they initially launched last May. They’re among my favorite formula because they are smooth, have no scent, aren’t sticky and have a pretty shine to them. I’m thrilled to share swatches of all the new spring colors! As a neutral lip lover I feel like she made so many amazing colors that are wearable alone or mixed with a lipstick/liner. There are a lot of fresh glowing soft shades. Most of these have sheer to medium coverage. There are a couple that have higher medium pigment, but the vast majority of these will have a soft finish.

These come with a beveled sponge tip applicator. They’re easy to apply and glide on the lips nicely. A couple layers will add enough color to cover my lips.

Pat McGrath Lust Gloss New Shades Spring 2019 Review and Swatches

Pat McGrath Lust Gloss New Shades Spring 2019 Review and Swatches

Close ups and descriptions of each color. I tried grouping them by finish, but some of the shine shades seem to have a tiny bit of pearl in them.

Left to right:

  • Nude Negligee is a sheer cream light beige
  • Wicked Whisper is a medium nude peach
  • Prima Donna is a soft glowy pale petal pink
  • Heavy Petal is a pigmented bold bright warm pink
  • Flesh6 is a medium warm brown cream

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Nude Negligee, Wicked Whisper, Prima Donna, Heavy Petal, Flesh6 | The Beauty Look BookPat McGrath LUST Gloss Nude Negligee, Wicked Whisper, Prima Donna, Heavy Petal, Flesh6 swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Nude Negligee swatch

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Wicked Whisper swatch

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Prima Donna swatch | The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Heavy Petal swatch | The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Flesh 6 swatch | The Beauty Look Book

Up next are the shimmers:

  • Love Potion is a sheer pale pink with a hint of shimmer, alone this settles into lip lines a little
  • Faux Real is beige nude tan with a pearly finish
  • Peach Perversion is a pale peach with a pearly glow
  • Belladonna is a medium warm pink with a sheen
  • Sunset Rose is a perfect medium neutral rose with soft gold shimmer
  • Secret Lover is a deeper rose with a hint of warm pearl

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Spring 2019: Love Potion, Faux Real, Peach Perversion, Belladonna, Sunset Rose and Secret Lover

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Spring 2019: Love Potion, Faux Real, Peach Perversion, Belladonna, Sunset Rose and Secret Lover swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Love Potion | The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Faux Real swatch | The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Peach Perversion swatch via The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss swatch Belladonna | The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss swatch Sunset Rose via Sabrina The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss swatch Secret Lover | The Beauty Look Book

Last are the sparkles, all of these are smooth in finish. There’s no gritty feel. Even with the sparkles I cannot feel any texture. I highly recommend referring to the Pat McGrath website for more swatches. Some of the shimmers are hard for me to capture with my flash. All of these are wearable even for conservative makeup wearers.

  • Future Femme is a pale pastel sparkling pink with silver flecks
  • Earth Angel is a sparkling clear base loaded with champagne, pink and copper pearl
  • Bronze Divinity is a smooth shimmery bronze rose nude
  • Bronze Venus is a sparkling iridescent bronze sparkle
  • Carnal Desire is a sheer red pink with loads of sparkle
  • Astral Flash Dance is a sheer violet purple with blue and pink sparkles
  • Astral Moon Flower is a sheer duochrome blue iridescent sparkle

Pat McGrath Lust Gloss shimmers: Future Femme, Earth Angel, Bronze Divinity, Bronze Venus, Carnal Desire, Astral Flash Dance and Astral Moon Flower review | The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath Lust Gloss shimmers: Future Femme, Earth Angel, Bronze Divinity, Bronze Venus, Carnal Desire, Astral Flash Dance and Astral Moon Flower swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss swatch Future Femme via Sabrina The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Earth Angel swatch | The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Bronze Divinity swatch | The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Bronze Venus swatch | The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Carnal Desire Swatch | The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Astral Flashdance swatch | The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss Moon Flower Swatch | The Beauty Look Book

Side by sides, all of these lip swatches were done on my bare lips. For skintone reference on the face I’m wearing Laura Mercier Flawless Fusion Foundation in Buff.

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss lip swatches

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss lip swatches

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss lip swatches via The Beauty Look Book

Pat McGrath LUST Gloss New Spring 2019 shades | The Beauty Look BookI fit as many swatch comparisons as I could on my arm to the other LUST Glosses I own. I swatched the neutral lighter shades side by side:

Pat McGrath LUST Glosses

Bottom line love! If you like smooth natural medium-sheer color you’ll love these. I just received these in the mail this week so I haven’t had a chance to extensively test all 18 new colors. First impressions on testing a few for extended periods is that they are all just as good as the initial launch. Some have more color payoff than others but in general it’s on the natural side. Even though they are sheer the color shows up well on my bare lips. Lasting power is average for a smooth sheer gloss. They’re not going to be budge proof or transfer proof. You’ll have to reapply but it’s something I really don’t mind.

You can find the Pat McGrath LUST Gloss online at Pat McGrath. There are also some bundles and sets available on her website as well. She’s offering a 10% off new gloss shades through end of the day 1/19 with code SHINE at checkout.

“10% discount on ONLY Lust Gloss new shades. Promo code is SHINE – update, extended through end of Sunday 1/19!”

Have you tried the LUST Gloss formula yet? What did you think? Are any of the new shades on your radar?

Many thanks to the Pat McGrath team for sending the new shades for review.

 

Highlighters MAC

MAC Supreme Beam and Dazzleshadow Liquid Review

September 10, 2018

MAC Supreme Beam and Dazzleshadow Liquid Review | The Beauty Look Book

MAC launched two new collections of metallics and shimmers called Supreme Beam and Dazzleshadow Liquid. I feel like MAC created the original glow with so many outstanding items. I think it’s amazing to see how long the shimmer and highlighter trend has been going on since then.

The Supreme Beam Collection has what MAC calls a “heavenly halo” theme. Everything feels like a throwback to the 90’s for me and I can’t get over how nice the new glosses are this launch! By popular demand they’ve brought back some cult classics for the face with the Illuminating Loose Powder and Hyper Real Foundation. The new formula of Dazzleshadow Liquids has a liquid eyeshadow formula that stays put all day. In today’s post we have:

The Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lipcolour comes in the same packaging as the Retro Matte Liquid Lip Colours. The formula itself isn’t new but there are 10 new shades with this launch. I felt the original launch last year had colors that were too trendy for me. This round has more wearable options. They have a shiny finish (no matte drydown like most liquid lip colors do). They have a very smooth non-tacky feel and have full smooth coverage. Even for metallics they are streak-free. Colors are iridescent and shimmery. Pigment is very good and they have a soft cushiony feel and a slightly minty scent.

MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lip Color - Supreme Beam | The Beauty Look Book

MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lip Color - Supreme Beam swatches | The Beauty Look Book

Colors include:

  • Polar Fleece – pale iridescent opal pink
  • Goldiloxxed – metallic light peach tan
  • Autumn Russet – perfect warm russet shimmer
  • Just Hustlin’ –  metallic taupe pink lavender shimmer
  • Party Sparkle – duo chrome pink lilac
  • Sugar Poppy – iridescent blue pink
  • Dance All Night – metallic lilac
  • Ruby Princess – iridescent purple
  • Spoil Yourself – goregeous metallic pink
  • It’s Just Candy – metallic candy red

Lasting power is really good. I wish this formula came in soft shimmers or cream colors. They feel comfortable, glossy and lightweight. I can’t pick a favorite, but Spoil Yourself, Goldiloxxed, Dance All Night and It’s Just Candy are really pretty.

MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lip Color - Supreme Beam | The Beauty Look Book

MAC Grand Illusion Glossy Liquid Lip Color - Supreme Beam swatches. Polar Fleece, Goldiloxxed, Autumn Russet, Just Hustlin', Party Sparkle, Sugar Poppy, Dance All Night, Ruby Princess, Spoil Yourself, It's Just Candy.

There are also two complexion products. They brought back the Iridescent Loose Powder in Silver Dusk and Golden Bronze, both must-haves in my book. Silver Dusk is like the perfect fairy dust with a pale silver pink shimmer. Golden Bronze is a deeper bronze shimmer. I’ve swatched them below next to the Mineralize Skinfinish in Shimpagne, Soft and Gentle and Cheeky Bronze.

MAC Iridescent Loose Powder Silver Dusk and Golden Bronze

MAC Silver Dusk, Golden Bronze, Shimpagne, Soft and Gentle and Cheeky Bronze Swatches

MAC Silver Dusk Loose Powder

MAC Golden Bronze Loose Powder

Hyper Real Foundation is back in four metallic shades. I actually remember this as an actual foundation formula with skin shades and a shimmer glow mixed in. There are four liquid illuminators you can wear under foundation all over, mixed in with your base or on top to illuminate areas. I found it best when I mixed a little in with my MAC Studio Fix Fluid or Next to Nothing Foundation. I did try it all over under foundation and it was too glowy for me. It also worked well as a highlighter on top of my base. Colors include Violet FX (flashes violet), Gold FX (flashes gold), Rose Gold FX (perfect rose gold peach shimmer), Bronze FX (shimmery soft bronze). By comparison the MAC Strobe Creams are thinner and more lightweight in texture with a sheerer finish. I also feel they have more of an iridescent duochrome flash while the Hyper Real Foundation has more of a traditional glow.

MAC Hyper Real Foundation Swatches | The Beauty Look Book

MAC Hyper Real Foundation Swatches

The last part of the metallic launches this round is the Dazzleshadow Liquid. These have different finishes. Some are glitters and others are metallic sparkles. Online some have a description called “Satin” for finish but to me the satins are still very metallic and shimmery. These blend easily and stay on the lids all day long. They set nicely and once they do they don’t budge. At the same time they don’t crease and once they dry they don’t make the lids shrink or shrivel.

They have a sponge tip applicator which I use to swipe on the lids. Then I blend with my fingers.

MAC Dazzleshadow Liquid Review | The Beauty Look book

MAC Dazzleshadow Liquid swatches | The Beauty Look book

Colors I have are:

  • Everyday is Sunshine – metallic champagne with a hint of peach sparkle
  • Flash and Dash – gold and silver glitter
  • Beam Time – rose gold that flashes champagne
  • Love Yourself – cool metallic pink
  • Rayon Rays – metallic brown rose copper

Overall if you’re looking for more ways to glow MAC has you 100% covered. I did try a full look with everything in the collection and for me it was too glowy to wear everything shimmer. I did more testing and found that it was best to incorporate 2 shimmer areas max with this collection, such as face and eyes, or lips and eyes, or lips and cheeks. I think everything is well made but if you have a lot of shimmers I’d recommend you shop your stash. If you’re a true beauty junkie and have been for years there’s a high chance you already own and have been hoarding Silver Dusk from years ago. One jar will last you a long time and if you missed out I highly recommend you get it now.

I think all the formulas are standouts. Everything applies smoothly and blends flawlessly. If I had to pick just 1 item from each category it would be: Gloss in Spoil Yourself, Hyper Real Foundation in Rose Gold FX, Silver Dusk Loose Powder and Beam Time Dazzleshadow Liquid.

You can find the MAC Supreme Beam and Dazzleshadow Liquid collection out now. Available at MAC Cosmetics, Nordstrom, Ulta Beauty, Macy’s and Saks Fifth Avenue.

All MAC items featured in this post were provided for review except Dazzleshadow in Love Yourself and Rayon Rays which I bought on my own.

 

Lips Sephora

Bite Beauty French Press Lip Gloss Review

September 3, 2018

Bite Beauty French Press Lip Gloss Review and Swatches

I picked up two of the Bite Beauty French Press Lip Glosses ($22 each for 15 oz/4.3 g, made in Canada) in Salted Caramel and Dirty Chai and liked the colors so much I decided to buy the remaining four. The French Press Lip Glosses are coffee scented sheer glosses that have a cream finish. The coffee scent is actually pleasant to me, it’s like a soft sweet coffee scent and it’s not overpowering or heavy. After testing these for a few days I feel like this is both a hit and miss at the same time. Colors are really amazing, formula is something I think could be better.

Bite Beauty French Press Lip Gloss Review and Swatches

There are six shades total, all coffee-inspired ranging from a light beige to deep brown. Colors include:

  • Flat White is a pale cool cream pink
  • Vanilla Latte is a creamy beige
  • Salted Caramel is a medium pink beige
  • Dirty Chai is a pink rose
  • French Press is a medium brown
  • Black Coffee is a deep brown plum

Bite Beauty French Press Lip Gloss Review and Swatches

Bite Beauty French Press Lip Gloss Swatches

Bite Beauty French Press Lip Gloss Lip Swatches

The texture is smooth and not sticky. It feels comfortable and moderately hydrating on the lips. Color-payoff and finish is where I think this gloss could be improved. Both Flat White and Black Coffee settled into lip lines and looked really patchy. Even with extra blending I found I couldn’t make them look right. Vanilla Latte worked better for me and I found it moderately streaky. I could smooth it out by swiping the sponge applicator back and forth. However after around 15 minutes I found it settled into fine lines on my lips. To fix the streaking issue I had to layer with a lip pencil, which seemed to fix it 100%. I tested these with some MAC Lip Pencils and Laura Mercier Lip Pencils and the final result was much better.

The remaining three colors Salted Caramel, Dirty Chai and French Press have a better formula for me. I found they worked well alone on bare lips, but adding a lip pencil improves the overall look and lasting power.

Lasting power overall is average. It stays put but does fade within a few hours so I did need to reapply. I think there are better options out there including the Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick which has better coverage and lasting power, although they are thicker and more opaque. If you need something lightweight Chanel Rouge Coco Glosses are smooth and sheer. I also really like the NARS Velvet Lip Glides and the Pat McGrath LUST Glosses.

Swatch comparisons to MAC Lipglass in C-Thru, NARS Velvet Lip Glides in Stripped and Swing, Bite Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick in Caramelized and Whip, Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipsticks in Honeycomb, Molasses, Chai and Verbena:

MAC C-Thru vs Bite French Press Lip Gloss vs Amuse Bouche and NARS Velvet Lip Glide

All this said, if you look at the customer reviews at Sephora, they’re overwhelmingly positive. For me Salted Caramel and Dirty Chai worked the best and I’m happy with those picks. The rest of the colors are so pretty but I found the formula somewhat lacking due to the settling into fine lines and streaky application. I’m willing to make the extra effort to make the other colors work, but with all the options on the market these days I think a formula should be excellent as is without any extra tweaking required.

A few shots in direct sunlight:

Bite Beauty Flat White, Vanilla Latte, Salted Caramel, Dirty Chai, French Press and Black Coffee

Bite Beauty Flat White, Vanilla Latte, Salted Caramel, Dirty Chai, French Press and Black Coffee

Bottom line I’m conflicted about my thoughts. Colors are great, formula could be a lot better. I can make them work with a little lip liner added. I don’t know that I would say it’s worth the extra effort especially with all the other options out there, but I do know many people like these.

Also shown in top photo for those curious: Lipstick Holder from Container Store, Small Mirror by simplehuman, Agave Lip Mask in Champagne, Amuse Bouche Liquified Lipstick in Whip, Byredo Perfume in Blanche.

You can find the Bite Beauty French Press Lip Gloss at Sephora and Bite Beauty. If you’re shopping at Sephora don’t forget today is the last day of their Beauty Insider Appreciation Event! You can use promo code once online, but you can use it in stores an unlimited amount of times. Valid in both US and Canada:

  • Rouge Members: 20% off with code YESROUGE, valid 8/24 through 9/3
  • VIB Members: 15% off with code YESVIB, valid 8/30 through 9/3
  • Beauty Insiders: 10% off with code YESINSIDER, valid 8/30 through 9/3

Have you tried these yet? What did you think?