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Armani Lips

Giorgio Armani Lip Magnets Part II: 503, 504, 505, 506 and 507

December 28, 2016

Armani Lip Magnet Review and Swatches

I featured six of the Armani Lip Magnets back in October of this year and many of you asked for more swatches of the colors that fall in the neutral zone. For those who haven’t tried these yet the Armani Lip Magnets are a unique weightless non-drying liquid lipstick that offer beautiful long lasting coverage. I’m more of a gloss or sheer lipstick kind of person for texture and finish. Even though liquid lipsticks last a lot longer most formulas tend to look dry, too opaque, flat or darken drastically on my lips. The Armani Lip Magnets are hands down the best in formula for a natural looking liquid lipstick that dries down to a soft matte finish without that dried-out look. Unfortunately for those who only wear light neutrals or nudes all the colors pull on the dark or deep side. Even the ones that fall in the “natural” category are all rather deep. The color in the tubes can look a little bit misleading in my opinion. Some of the shades look like they could be true neutrals but once you see them on the applicator and swatch you’ll find the colors are a bit on the deeper spectrum of color. Still there are some lovely shades to chose from. I’m not opposed to having a rosy lip or coral pop of color on the lips even though I tend to gravitate towards lighter neutrals. The formula is so good I think it’s definitely worth a try. I do hope Armani expands the color range into lighter territory – the formula is so unique and the perfect liquid lip texture/finish for the person who just doesn’t like the dried opaque feel or look of the traditional liquid lipstick. You can read my original review on formula in this post here. Quick take: it’s long-lasting, unscented, has a unique applicator for precise lining and the ability to fill in the lips, has full coverage, feels weightless and is non-drying.

Armani Lip Magnet Review and Swatches 503, 504, 505, 506 and 507 naturals

I bought five more shades to review, I searched a number of websites and it appears 506 and 507 are on backorder until January at most retailers. You may still have luck finding it at your counters.

  • 503 is described as a reddish peach, on me it’s a bright coral
  • 504 is probably the lightest and most neutral out of the current lineup, but it pulls peachy and
  • 505 is a medium-bright rose pink
  • 506 is a soft natural rose (also reviewed in the original post), depending on your lip color it may pull more pink or rose, on me it’s a slightly deeper rose
  • 507 is the perfect mauve plum for me, most mauves are either too red, too grey or too purple, this one is PERFECT!

Armani Lip Magnet Review and Swatches 503, 504, 505, 506 and 507 naturals

For skintone reference, Tom Ford Waterproof Foundation in Bisque + NARS Powder Foundation in Punjab to set worn, all lip colors swatched on bare lips, no liner or base used:

Armani Lip Magnet Swatch 503

Armani Lip Magnet Swatch 505

Armani Lip Magnet Swatch 506

Armani Lip Magnet Swatch 507

Armani Lip Magnet Review and Swatches 503, 504, 505, 506 and 507 naturals

The Lip Magnet lip swatches lined up side by side:

Armani Lip Magnet Swatches

My favorite for color is still #506 with #507 tied for my perfect plum. Formula-wise these are among the best I’ve tried in liquid lipsticks because they have a soft matte finish, they don’t dry out the lips, they have a nourishing feel but don’t have any slip, they last a remarkably long time, they don’t budge and coverage is perfect. For those who don’t like scented lip products the fact that these are unfragranced is a huge plus. If Armani expands the formula to include a few lighter shades I would be thrilled. Bottom line a winning formula.

I hope you found these swatches helpful! You can find the Armani Lip Magnets for $38 each. There are 18 colors total at the moment. Available in stores and online at Giorgio Armani Beauty, Sephora, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue and Barneys New York.

Have you tried these yet? What did you think?

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Burberry Beauty Lip and Cheek Blooms

May 25, 2015

For spring-summer, Burberry Beauty has released 6 shades of Lip & Cheek Blooms ($28 each for 3.5 g / 0.12 oz, made in France). These are unique mousse-gel-cream products that have a super cushiony bouncy feel. They look like creams but feel more like a gel mousse in the pots. Each color has a soft but buildable formula that looks velvety on the skin. They swatch much better on the face compared to the way they swatch on the hands or arm. The colors are easy to blend and streak-free on the cheeks. They come in super sturdy glass pots with a nickel twist off cap. I really like the hefty feel of the pots. They feel like they are well made but aren’t too heavy. Burberry sent three shades for review:

Rose No. 01 is a soft pale pink
Orange Blossom No. 07 is a muted orange peach
Poppy No. 09 is a bright red

I stopped by the counter to see all the shades in person. I fell in love with Purple Tulip and Peony but limited myself to one I knew I would get frequent use out of, Peony No. 05 is a bright warm pink. Hydrangea No. 03 is a cooler-toned pink, Purple Tulip No. 11 is a deep vibrant purple. All the shades are swatched below on my arm. The colors are super vibrant in the pot, but they go on lighter and sheerer in color. My arm was quite dry so the Lip & Cheek Blooms didn’t adhere like they do on the face or lips. Here are the colors blended out. You can definitely layer them.

The four colors I have now and swatches:

Rose No. 01 is very light on me. All the colors are non-shimmers. The velvety texture blends beautifully on the cheeks for a stained look. Rose does not show up on my cheeks but it does give the lips a nude pink lip look. My lips have been particularly dry the past week, but I swatched them on bare lips anyways. I also tried mixing these with a bit of Chanel Hydra Beauty Lip Balm which seemed to give them a more creamy glossy look.

Peony No. 05 is my favorite. It has just enough brightness and warmth to make the complexion come alive. I like this on the cheeks because it gives just the right amount of color to give a barely-there flushed look without looking overdone. On the lips I blended it out so you can see how it gives a velvety stain.

Orange Blossom No. 07 is very light on me. It looks bright and juicy in the pot, but on my skin it seems to go more nude. My skin tone is right at the place where this color blended out seems to almost disappear on the lips and cheeks. It is buildable and if you’re fair and want a good peachy color that won’t be too dark or orange, this is something I think you’ll adore. It’s impossible to overdo. 

Poppy No. 09 is the only color I didn’t like out of the bunch. It looks so beautiful in the pot but on my olive skin, it pulls warm and just clashes with my skin tone making my whole face look very sallow when I apply it on the lips. Even my husband commented that the color wasn’t working for me. On the cheeks it’s a different story. It gives a hint of flushed red but I rarely wear reds on the cheeks so I’m not sure how much use  I will be getting out of this one.

I’ve been playing with these for a few days now. I am particularly impressed with the way you can build the color. They swatch super streaky on the arms but on the face and lips it interacts with the skin in a completely different way. The finish is a velvety blurred matte but still manages to have a brightening effect that isn’t flat like some mattes look. Lasting power is particularly good on the cheeks, Peony and Poppy lasted on me from morning until mid-afternoon without budging. Rose and Orange Blossom did have fading that happened earlier but I suspect it is because they are lighter in color and don’t leave a stain like the brighter colors do. The formula is unlike anything I’ve tried before. You can layer the colors together as well for more dimension or pop. I like Peony + Orange Blossom on the cheeks.

In summary, I like these. If I had to pick 2 I would go with Peony and Purple Tulip (which I don’t have but think is gorgeous). I would have skipped Rose and Orange Blossom because they are light for my skin tone, but I suspect those with fair skin will find them perfect.

You can find the Burberry Lip and Cheek Blooms at counters now. Online at Burberry, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue and Net-A-Porter.

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Yves Saint Laurent Pop Water Collection: New Glossy Stains and Nail Lacquers

March 19, 2015

Yves Saint Laurent Beauty and Nordstrom have an exclusive beauty release called the Pop Water Collection. It’s a release of new shades of Glossy Stains, Nail Lacquers and a new Metallic Eyeshadow Formula for spring to summer. The collection is currently available only at Nordstrom until mid-late April.

The Pop Water collection includes:

I picked up some of the items for lips and nails – all of which are fresh juicy bright colors really pretty to brighten up the mood for spring to summer. Here’s a quick look at what I ordered and have been testing this week:

First up are the new Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stains. If you’re a YSL fan you are probably already familiar with the previously released colors of the Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stains (original colors here, also rebel nudes colors here). I’ve had a couple of these over the past few years recommended highly by one of my best friends. She said these give the lips a juicy wash of color and feel really lush once you apply them. I’m not usually a fan of lip stains because they tend to look so dark on me, but I’m glad I tried these. The YSL Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stains have the right mix of gloss and stain so they are like a lipgloss but have enough pigment in them they look like a soft stain of color on the lips. At the same time they don’t look dark like traditional lip stains. The Pop Water Collection features slightly different packaging with the black YSL logo (versus the red in the older versions). It gives these a new updated edgy look.

The sponge tip is perfectly shaped to get precise application around the edges while the flat beveled parts allow you to fill in and cover the entire lip. It’s something you have to test in person to really see how well designed the applicator is.

There are two versions of the Glossy Stain this season. The Plump Up 200 is a hydrating plumper for the lips. It comes in a very pale soft pink shimmer but on the lips it’s basically clear. It is incredibly hydrating and does give the lips a pretty long-lasting shine. It makes the lips look full without making the lips tingle or go numb (huge plus for me). 

Then there are the tinted versions. All are variations of bright summery colors but still very wearable (even for neutral lip lovers) The remaining 8 colors of the Vernis à Lèvres Glossy Stains are all brighter colors. 203 Eau de Corail is a warm coral peach with a hint of pink, 204 Onde Rose is a medium red rose pink, 205 Pink Rain (my favorite) is a cool-toned bright pink, 207 Juicy Peach is a warm orangey peach, 208 Wet Nude is a soft peachy color.

I really like how these apply like a semi-thick gloss to adhere well to the lips. It transforms into a smoother feeling gloss once you let it sit. It has texture which keeps the lips hydrated and soft. One swipe gives a soft tint. Adding more swipes will intensify the color.

Swatches + close ups:

Lip Swatches:

For quick reference and comparison to other YSL products, the Glossy Stains are what I wanted the Volupté Tint-In-Oils to be (which turned out to be too sheer for my liking). By comparison, the Babydoll Kiss & Blush is creamier with an opaque finish making them suitable for lips and cheeks.

Next up are the new Pop Water La Lacque Couture Nail Lacquers (four translucent shades). Although I’m a huge fan of the YSL La Lacque Couture Nail Polish formula, I picked out two of the translucent ones to test out before splurging on all four. 63 Rouge Wet is a sheer jelly red, 64 Fuchsia Rain is a sheer jelly pink. Both have a see through formula which requires 3 coats for me to get a glossy smooth finish. The result is very interesting but I’m undecided on how I feel. I tried these layered over soft pinks and they transform the colors into brighter deeper versions and add a super glossy finish. I like the high shine these have. I wish all nail polishes had a finish this shiny.

Rouge Wet with 3 coats:

Fuchsia Rain with 3 coats, it looks very similar to Rouge Wet, but this one is slightly more pink:

Here is Fuchsia Rain layered over Rouge Pablo on the right side shows how it has a lush glossy wet shiny finish (which I really love):

Click icons below to shop:

Bottom line I’m in love with the Pop Water Glossy Stains. My favorites are Pink Rain and Wet Nude. These are scented with a soft sweet grapefruit scent but it’s not too overwhelming and actually is really pleasant (at least for me). I’m undecided about the Pop Water Nail Lacquers. They are definitely unique and fun for summer and I like the high shine they offer.

You can find the Pop Water Collection now at Nordstrom. Have you checked out this collection yet? If not are you a fan of the Glossy Stains? Which colors are your favorites? P.S. Nordstrom has Triple Points going on with gift with purchases online and instores. The online gift includes samples of Volume Effet Faux Cils Shocking Mascara (0.06 oz.), Forever Youth Liberator Serum (2 packets), Gloss Volupte in 3 shades and Touche Éclat in 3 shades with your $125 Yves Saint Laurent beauty purchase.


This post was sponsored by Nordstrom. All items purchased by me, all opinions my own. For more information refer to my disclosures.

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Edward Bess Lasting Kiss Enhancing Lip Stains

November 5, 2014

Edward Bess has released four new lip stains called Lasting Kiss ($36 each for 0.49 oz/14.5 g, made in USA). These are liquid lip colors that have intense pigment and impressive staying power. They are full-coverage and all shades are without shimmer. The finish is in between satin and velvet, it has a very slight sheen to the finish which prevents them from looking flat (like some matte or full coverage lip creams can do). These come with Edward’s classic fig scent which I’m a huge fan of.

The Lasting Kiss Lip Stains come in a sleek black tube with a slightly angled sponge applicator. The tip is quite study but not stiff. It allows for precise application around the edges of the lips. The four colors include:
  • Risque which is a bright coral pink
  • Au Naturel which is a neutral-cool nude pink
  • Surrender is a cool blue-based baby pink
  • Deep in Love is a medium-bright plum rose

The colors are quite intense. They are vibrant shades which will be great for those who like color. I’m a nude/neutral lip lover at heart, so of course I fell in love with Au Naturel. Straight from the sponge tip, these go on the lips with super rich color. The color stays put once applied and doesn’t budge. If you layer on like a gloss or lipstick, you will find some of the color might transfer to a cup if you drink something shortly afterwards. However these are lip stains and you will still see the color stay put on your lips. I haven’t found anything that lasts as long as these do.

Swatches below on the arm with a heavy swatch and then a blended swatch. You can blot the lips after application for a more stained lip look. I find they apply very smoothly on the lips straight from the tube and require only a tiny bit of blending around the edges.

Swatches on the lips straight from the tube with the sponge applicator. Note that my lips pull cool-toned colors weird. Most of the women I know can easily pull off cool-toned pinks beautifully. On me they tend to turn fuchsia-ish (like with Surrender). For skin tone reference, I used Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet in B30 (swatches and review here).

My top two picks are Au Naturel and Deep In Love. Due to the rich pigment of these I find you do need to take a bit of care in applying precisely around the edges of the lips. If you’re looking for a bold lip or something that lasts on the lips for what seems like forever, these are definitely worth looking into. If you’re a more natural lip lover or want something deeper and less bright, I highly recommend Edward Bess’s Ultra Slick Lipsticks.

Bottom line love. In my mind Edward can do no wrong, I’ve been smitten with (and devoted to) his line for years. You can find the Lasting Kiss Enhancing Lip Stains at Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman and edwardbess.com. These are also available now at BG in NYC (ask for Lauren 212-872-8826) and Neiman Marcus Beverly Hills (ask for Morgan at the counter 310-550-5900).
The lip stains were kindly sent from Edward for review consideration.
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