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Marc Jacobs Beauty Magic and Superstar Lust For Lacquer Lip Vinyls

August 14, 2014

Marc Jacobs Beauty has two new Lust For Lacquer Lip Vinyls (Sheer) in Magic and Superstar ($28 each for 5 ml/0.16 fl oz). Magic is a sheer champagne gold nude shimmer and Superstar is a sparkling mauve pink with silvery shimmers. Both are very sheer like other shades in the same formula (reviews of Kissability, Heart Shaped and Overprotected). In case you haven’t seen the previous reviews and are new to Marc Jacobs lip glosses, the Lip Vinyl Sheers have a flexible sponge tip. There is a soft vanilla-cake scent to these but they have a slight cooling sensation and plump the lips. I found them gentle enough for my sensitive lips. The texture is smooth and shiny.

Magic applies virtually clear on my lips adding shine. I was hoping there would be a visible golden iridescent glow on the lips but on me it’s almost invisible. I expected Superstar to be really frosty based on what it looks like in the tube but it’s actually not. It’s a less frosted version of Chanel Blizzard Glossimer (which is a classic but very shimmery). I was surprised how pretty this one was.

Close ups and lip swatch of Magic, it’s a sheer gloss that will be nice to top lipsticks, but if you’re anything like me, you probably have plenty of sheer glosses in your arsenal:

Close up and lip swatch of Superstar:

Swatch comparisons to NARS Greek Holiday, NARS Gold Digger, Chanel Arlequin Glossimer (discontinued), Chanel Blizzard Glossimer, MAC Dazzleglass in Roman Holiday, Chanel Wild Rose Glossimer:

I expected to fall in love with Magic but ended up liking Superstar much more. Even though these are intended to be sheer glosses I can’t help but wish they had more pigment. Still, I’m loving the look of Superstar on the lips.

Both are currently available now at Sephora for $28 each. Have you tried any of the Lust For Lacquer Lip Vinlys? What were your thoughts? Any favorites?

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YSL Gloss Volupté | Rose Satine 102, Rose Jersey 202 and Corail Gandoura 203

August 1, 2014

YSL Gloss Voluptés ($32 each for 0.20 fl oz/6 ml) were released earlier at the beginning of the year. These are sheer lip glosses that have a super lush feel. The colors range from creams to shimmers. I played with them at Sephora on numerous occasions (hand swatching) and spent quite a bit of time deciding which ones to purchase. I picked out three shades:
  • Rose Satine 102 is a shimmery coral rose, the shimmer is ultra fine
  • Rose Jersey 202 is a pretty baby pink rose and has a smooth shimmer
  • Corail Gandoura 203 is a soft coral that’s super sheer, it has a glow finish with a subtle sheen

Clare Vivier Clutch, Gorjana Mila Cuff c/o, Gucci Sunglasses (old, similar here)
The YSL Gloss Voluptés come with a unique lip-shaped applicator which I find actually works for application and makes them fun to apply on the lips. These also come with the signature YSL lip scent, a soft candy and grapefruit/mango scent. The ones I picked are on the sheer side. They give a hint of color and for me, I like them best layered over a pencil or lipstick. A close up of the tubes show the lovely shimmery glow each color has.

Below, view of the brush tips (Chanel Secret on the nails)

Swatches:

Due to the sheerness you can probably get a very similar effect with MAC Lustreglasses or Chanel Glossimers. The YSL Gloss Volupté formula feels more hydrating on my lips with a more cushiony feel. I did not have time to pull anything from MAC or Chanel to compare, but I do have some from Fresh and Marc Jacobs Beauty. Below:

Fresh Sugar Shine Rosé (reviewed here)
Marc Jacobs Overprotected and Heart Shaped (swatches here)

After testing these for almost over a month I can say thumbs up. For me they are more of a layering gloss or for super low-key days when I want just a hint of color. I have pigmented lips so these might be more pigmented on you than they are on me. I’m in love with the formula which I think has a super luxurious feel on the lips.

I bought mine at Sephora, but these are available at all YSL counters and retailers.
Have you tried the YSL Gloss Volupte? What are your favorite shades? Any other colors you think I should check out?

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NARS Dolce Vita Lip & Nail Set | Nordstrom Anniversary Beauty Exclusive

July 31, 2014

I picked up the NARS Dolce Vita Lip and Nail Set from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale a couple weeks ago. It retails for $52 for a Dolce Vita Lipstick, Lipgloss and Nail Lacquer (all full sized) cased in a chic black lacquered box. Online it says the set is a $66 value, but if I add up the individual items ($26 for the lipstick, $26 for the gloss and $20 for the nail polish) it totals $72. It’s basically like buying the lip items and getting the box and nail lacquer thrown in.

I’ve owned several tubes of Dolce Vita Lipstick and also owned the older version of the Dolce Vita Lipgloss – but this was many years ago. Dolce Vita is probably one of NARS’s most famous classic colors for lips. It’s a universally flattering rosy pink shade with a slight hint of brown. On my lips and complexion it’s always pulled quite a bit more rosy than it does on others.

I don’t have the original tube of lipstick to compare, but I do believe NARS has reformulated their lipsticks at least once since the 2000’s (which I first got into the line back in my early college days). Each time I’ve checked it out at the counters, the Dolce Vita seems to be a bit lighter and less brown than the original but since I don’t have old tubes, I can’t compare.

I’ve been testing this for several days and am pleased with my purchase. I was worried I would have meh feelings about it since the colors are repeats, but they are good classics that are both office-appropriate but not boring. On me the colors are neutral rosy shades that feel quite grown up. If you’re new to NARS this is a good entry set to the brand.

The lipstick is on the sheer side with a glossy sheen but still gives enough color to show up on the lips. The lipgloss is very pigmented and smooth without any detectable scent. The nail polish is in the older packaging (the cap doesn’t remove) and has a shorter brush which I find makes it super easy to apply smoothly without any issues. Two coats gives full coverage.

Do note that these swatch rosy on me, on you these will probably look more neutral. My lips tend to pick up a lot of pink and red tones. More photos and swatches:

Out of the three, my favorite item is the Dolce Vita Lip Gloss (which you can purchase individually), but I’m also smitten with the black lacquered box. I wish I could find larger ones for my desk to put stationary and photos in. Bottom line the set has timeless classics – you really can’t go wrong with them.

The NARS Dolce Vita Lip & Nail Set is exclusive to the Nordstrom for the Anniversary Sale in the US (ends August 3rd). You can also find it at in the UK at Selfridges.

Did you pick up any of the NARS items from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale this year? I was hoping for another 6 pan palette like they’ve had in past years but perhaps they will release some in the winter.

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Marc Jacobs Beauty

Marc Jacobs Beauty | Cabaret Lovemarc Lip Gel, Satisfaction and Shooting Stars Lip Vinyl (Full)

July 22, 2014

Marc Jacobs has released some new lip products in a number of different formulas. If you didn’t have 1000 Sephora Beauty Insider Points for their Marc Jacobs Point Perk, don’t fret because you can now buy the colors individually. The new colors out now:
I purchased the Cabaret Lip Gel, Satisfaction Lip Vinyl and Shooting Stars Lip Vinyl. They are richly pigmented lip colors that have a fall vibe.

Cabaret Lip Gel is a muted plum in the tube but applies as a bright plum that pulls a bit fuchsia. The pigment on this one is extremely rich and blends easily with a few dabs. I’ve been a huge fan of the Lovemarc Lip Gel Formula (see Role Play and Serevine). The formula is unique with a slightly jelly-like texture but in a lipstick form. The pigment is really phenomenal and wears quite long. I find the ones I’ve tested to be full coverage but still natural looking (they aren’t too heavy). Testers at Sephora can look less than appealing as they are usually well-tested (I didn’t test them on my lips) but they are definitely worth looking into.

Satisfaction Lip Vinyl is described as a pinkish mauve with a copper sheen. On me this one is a bit more caramel colored with brown tones, but you can definitely see some pink in there. The pink prevents this one from looking too brown on the skin. There is a bit of a shimmer in the tube but on the lips it’s very finely milled. This is my first time testing the Lip Vinyl Full formula. They are similar in size and scent compared to the Lip Vinyl Sheer (see Kissability, Overprotected and Heart Shaped). They have that same minty feel but with a vanilla scent. They do have a slightly tingly sensation. The difference is that the Lip Vinyl Full glosses have full coverage with an easy to blend creamy texture. The tips are also stiffer with a pointy tip making them easier to apply.

Shooting Stars Lip Vinyl looks like a sparkling mauve in the tube but it goes on a brown berry with minimal shimmer. It’s very dark on me and most of the time it pulls more brownish but in certain light looks more red.

Here they are swatched side by side:

Comparisons:
Nudestix Soul Lip & Cheek Pencil (swatched)
Hourglass Canvas Extreme Sheen (review)
Tom Ford Black Orchid Lipstick (discontinued)
MAC Ruby Patent Polish (reviewed)
NARS Clubmix Velvet Gloss (swatched)

Overall I give these a huge thumbs up. The pigment and texture are excellent. They are a bit dramatic for summer (right now) but are still classic shades that you can wear any season.
Cabaret Lovemarc Lip Gel is available in a 1000 Point Perk at Sephora or for purchase as a Sephora VIB Online Exclusive ($30). Satisfaction and Shooting Stars Lip Vinyl – Full ($28 each) are available now at Sephora and Marc Jacobs Beauty.
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Lips of the Day: Tom Ford and Edward Bess

July 16, 2014

Lips of the day are pink which includes Tom Ford Lip Color Shine in Quiver (the perfect cool-toned pink infused with gold and pink shimmers) and Edward Bess Deep Shine Lip Gloss in First Kiss. I’m already half way thru the Tom Fordlip shine – I use it weekly for a quick swipe and go pink glossy lip. Adding the Edward Bess on top intensifies the color and adds more pink.

What are you wearing on your lips today?
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Fresh Tinted Sugar Shine Lip Treatments – Rosé, Honey and Cherry

July 14, 2014

Fresh has extended their Sugar Shine Lip Treatment line with three tinted shades in Rosé, Honey and Cherry ($18.50 each for 6 ml/0.2 fl oz). I’ve been a huge fan of the Clear Sugar Shine Lip Treatment for its high shine finish and sweet lemon-sugar scent. I like it more as a clear gloss rather than a lip treatment but like the way it feels on my sensitive lips. I ordered the tinted version from Sephora the week they launched online. They apply smoothly just like the clear version with a high shine finish. Rosé is a soft rosy pink with a transparent finish. Honey is a warm honey shimmer color. Cherry is a super sheer cherry red gloss. My favorite of the three is Rosé because it gives the lips a healthy soft tint of pink color. They have a slight plumping factor but without any tingly feeling (huge plus for me).

These come with a sponge tip applicator:

Swatches of Rosé, Honey and Cherry:

Rosé is my favorite of the three, it’s a soft classic rose pink with flawless coverage.

Honey has a bit of shimmer in the tube but it’s very subtle on the lips. It’s a full-coverage kind of gloss on me but you can sheer it out.

Cherry settles into my fine lip lines if it’s not blended well, I suspect it will be better over a lipliner or chubby stick to intensify the red color and make application smoother-looking. You can see my natural lip underneath in the swatch below.

I pulled out the corresponding Lip Treatments with the same names (the ones that come in a twist up stick/tube form) and swatched them side by side. The colors of the Lip Treatments vs. Sugar Shine Lip Treatments is very similar on the lips. I prefer the texture of the tube/sticks but mine always break easily. The gloss/sticks are much more convenient and easier to apply for me.
For additional reference on how these look on the lips, you can see the Sugar Rosé Lip Treatment lip swatched here. Sugar Honey swatched on lips here.

Huge thumbs up for Rosé and Honey Sugar Shine Lip Treatments. Cherry is a gorgeous sheer glossy red but it’s not super flattering when the color settles into lip lines. It need something underneath to work for me. I like the smooth texture and glossy finish. The scent is absolutely delicious – sweet but not overly sweet which is a huge plus for me since I tend to be picky with the way lip products smell. 

I was at my local Sephora over the weekend and didn’t see these in store yet but I suspect they will be arriving soon. I ordered my Tinted Sugar Shine Lip Treatments online from Sephora.com. Currently available at Fresh.com too.

Are you a fan of Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments or the Sugar Shine Lip Treatment? Which ones are your favorites?

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NARS Lip Gloss Swatches | Sweet Dreams, Istria, Angelika, Risky Business, Tasmania, Supervixen, Ophelia and Sixties Fan

July 7, 2014
Here are the lip swatches of my NARS Lip Gloss picks, left to right include Sweet Dreams, Istria, Angelika, Risky Business, Tasmania, Supervixen, Ophelia and Sixties Fan. (Descriptions and arm swatches one post below.)

Thumbs up for almost all the shades. Only Istria needs extra work because it’s so sheer and milky. I like to apply Tom Ford Spanish Pink or Pink Dusk Lipstick underneath. Risky Business and Ophelia are pretty close, only a few shades away – Risky Business is darker and deeper while Ophelia is lighter in color but just as pigmented. In terms of texture, most of the shades all have the same lush glossy smooth texture (even shimmer ones). Angelika is slightly thinner and drier (at least mine is) but it’s still very smooth.
All shades are listed as permanent (yay!), available now in stores and online at Nordstrom, Sephora and narscosmetics.com (complimentary mini Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base on orders over $25 through 7/8/14 at 11:59pm ET or while supplies last with code SUMMERHEAT at checkout).
Have you tried the new formula yet? What’s your favorite? 
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