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Lipstick Queen Jungle Queen Lipstick and Open Secret Oxymoron

April 23, 2014

Lipstick Queen has released two new lip products this month for spring/summer. Jungle Queen Lipstick ($22 at SpaceNK) is a vibrant coral designed to coordinate with bold animal prints. Open Secret ($24 now at Lipstick Queen, launching soon at SpaceNK) is the latest color in the Oxymoron lip/cheek formula, it’s a soft baby peony pink with a pop of color. Lipstick Queen sent these brighter shades for review – they aren’t colors normally what I gravitate towards but they are easy to wear brights. While I’m a huge fan of neutral lips, I get numerous requests to review items that are bolder in color. Here are two that are definitely bold.

Jungle Queen Lipstick is Poppy King’s modern twist on a classic red. Jungle Queen is a bold coral cream. It has a moisturizing feel but semi-matte finish. It’s rich in coverage and pigment which requires precise application (mine photographed below is a bit messy). I found the formula to stay put for several hours without any bleeding, but if you’re like me and don’t always apply lipstick precisely (one reason I like sheers), you may want to add a liner first. This is one of those universally flattering shades I suspect is like Viva Glam Rihanna (if you like bold lips). It’s rich enough to cover the most pigmented lips. I have it shown applied straight from the tube and then blotted to show it will fade.

Open Secret Oxymoron is a lip/cheek stain in a mirrored compact. This is my first time trying their stains. I found it to be fully matte with full coverage. I do think you need to moisturize the lips first. It’s not drying but the texture is matte so it will highlight/emphasize and flakes or creases. Open Secret is a pale pink with a pop. It’s not too pale so it washes me out and has a bit of coral undertone to prevent it from looking blue. I tried this on the cheeks and found it difficult to blend with my fingers – I’m open to suggestions on how to apply if you’ve tried these. It photographs well on the lips. On the cheeks it shows up as well but doesn’t photograph well (at least on me). Lasting power is quite impressive on the lips but the matte finish made it feel a bit dry (it didn’t dry out my lips though, it just felt dry).

Comparisons to show how vibrant these new colors from Lipstick Queen are: NARS Torres del Paine (swatch here), Tom Ford Sweet Spot (swatches here), NARS Lodhi, NARS Anguila Matte Multiple, NARS Laos Matte Multiple, Chanel Magnolia Rouge Coco and Chanel Jersey Rose Rouge Coco (discontinued).

Both are rich full coverage colors. I like both colors but don’t know that I am brave enough to wear Jungle Queen everyday. Open Secret works well for the color but I tend to prefer shades with a bit of a sheen. This can be fixed by adding a bit of gloss on top. I wouldn’t have picked out either shade on my own but it’s nice to explore shades and textures out of my comfort zone and discover new items.
Both Jungle Queen ($22) and Open Secret ($24) launch this month. Jungle Queen is available exclusively at SpaceNK and Lipstick Queen. Open Secret is available at Lipstick Queen now and should launch at SpaceNK soon. (PS Don’t forget, The Beauty Look Book readers still have access to a SpaceNK online promotion through the 25th with code LOOKBOOK20, details here.)
Do you have any Lipstick Queen favorites? I know there are many die-hard fans of her line. I haven’t explored it recently but would love to hear about what you’ve tried.

This post contains press samples sent for review. All opinions my own. For more information please see my disclosures.
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Dior Addict Fluid Sticks Swatched | 219 Whisper Beige, 239 Frisson, 269 Tiny Pink, 373 Rieuse and 389 Kiss Me

April 22, 2014

Here are lip swatches of the new Dior Addict Fluid Sticks ($35 each) I have in 219 Whisper Beige, 239 Frisson, 269 Tiny Pink, 373 Rieuse and 389 Kiss Me. There are 17 shades total but not all stores and counters will receive all the colors – you may have to do a bit of hunting to find the colors. 269 Tiny Pink is exclusive to Dior.com and I was told it will be available at Sephora (but I don’t see it online yet).

I have a couple application photos to show you how pigmented these are. They look quite intense when you swatch them but they blend out really nicely on the lips. The lighter shades need a bit of extra blending otherwise some of my lip creases show through. You can apply with a brush or the sponge tip – the result/effect will ultimately be the same. If you use a liner you may want to apply/blend with a separate lip brush so your lipliner color doesn’t mix in with the gloss color.

I like how they finally added the product name on the labels, it’s in really tiny print under the numbers but at least they are now on the tubes:

Close up of the sponge tip:

Swatches without any flash, you can see how these have a glossy finish:

Lip swatches show these are full coverage no-shimmer lip colors. Whisper Beige and Frisson are pretty close on the lips, Frisson is a bit brighter and more peach but they look really close on my lips.

Several of you have asked how the Addict Fluid Sticks compare to the Addict Glosses. My thoughts below:
  • Addict Fluid Sticks have more pigment, more coverage, are more opaque and none of the colors have any shimmer. These are $35 for for 5.5 ml/0.18 fl oz. These come with a sponge tip applicator.
  • Addict Glosses have a wider range of finishes (some non-shimmer, some glittery, some shimmery) but in general they have a more glossy finish with a transparent quality. These are $29.50 for 6.5 ml/0.21 fl oz. These come with a brush tip.

Dior Addict Gloss swatch 576 Bed of Roses:

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One last pic of the Addict Fluid Sticks:

Overall very impressed with these. The colors are rich and give lips full coverage color with a nice shine. Lasting power is in between that of a lipstick and gloss. There is a natural sheen to these but the fluid texture has a bit of a dry down after application. It’s slightly sticky/tacky/thick but stays put for several hours without budging. They feel extremely lush on the lips and make them look full. I am dying to try a few of the plum colors but want to wait until they arrive in stores.
I give these a thumbs up. The lighter colors aren’t too pale and will suit those who love neutrals. There is a good mix of medium-brights that aren’t too bright as well for those who want color but don’t want something too loud. Then there are quite a few brighter more dramatic colors for those who live for colorful lips. All classic shades with a modern look.
If I had tested these in person first, I would have skipped Whisper Beige since Frisson is very similar on my lips. I prefer the peachy color but if you want a beige that won’t make you look like a corpse Whisper Beige is very nice. I was worried Kiss Me might be too cool-toned but it has enough color which prevents it from looking too mod/white on my olive skin.

Dior Addict Fluid Sticks retail for $35 each. In stores now at Macy’s (they have an exclusive until the end of the month). Online now at Sephora (select colors), Nordstrom, Macy’s and Dior.com.

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Dior Addict Fluid Sticks – A First Look

April 22, 2014

Dior Addict Fluid Sticks ($35 for 5.5 ml/0.18 fl oz) are the latest in lip innovations. They are a hybrid gloss, lipstick and stain all in one. They have a fluid texture that is extremely pigmented but blends out perfectly to a sheerer but full coverage finish. The Fluid Sticks come with a sponge tip applicator that has a unique design – I found it shaped perfectly to get a precise application to the lips. The formula is a high-impact type of lip color. They cover the lip entirely but aren’t completely full-coverage. There is a soft fragrance to it but it fades quickly. I found these to have a slightly plumping feel – but it did not irritate my lips or and I didn’t feel any reaction (many lip-plumping products cause a numbing reaction for me).

These are currently only available in stores at Macy’s and the Dior Las Vegas Palazzo Boutique. Other stores should have these in the US starting May. Online now at Sephora, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Dior.com.

I ordered a few from the Dior Boutique and online, left to right: 219 Whisper Beige, 239 Frisson, 269 Tiny Pink (only on Dior.com and reported to be a Sephora exclusive), 373 Rieuse and 389 Kiss Me.

Swatches on the arm for now, I’ll post lip swatches in a separate post shortly.

  • 219 Whisper Beige is a nude beige but not too nude
  • 239 Frisson is a limited-edition color according to the Dior boutique, it’s a soft peach
  • 269 Tiny Pink is exclusive to Dior.com and will also be a Sephora exclusive, it’s a warm pink
  • 373 Rieuse is a healthy warm pink
  • 389 Kiss Me is a cool-toned pink

The sponge tips are not your typical sponge tip for lip glosses. It has a beveled tip which makes application easier. They blend the color out on the lips really well. No lip liner or tweaking needed.

The packaging is similar to that of the Addict Lip Glosses. The difference is in the finish and brush tips. Addict Fluid Sticks pack in more punch and pigment while Addict Glosses have a higher shine and sheerer finish.

Swatches below to show the difference in pigment and shine:

Dior has hit it big with these new lipstick/gloss Addict Fluid Sticks. At $35 each they are a bit pricey but you won’t be disappointed with the formula. They blend out on the lips in an amazing way with a soft healthy shine. There is a wide range of color options – enough to suit everyone’s tastes. I  ordered sight unseen and gravitated towards the lighter shades. Bubbly Michelle has swatches of all the colors which I found very helpful.

These will be at all Dior counters soon. Right now online at Sephora, Macy’s, Nordstrom, Dior.com.

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Topshop Makeup

April 17, 2014

It’s been years that many of my readers have been e-mailing me about Topshop Makeup with raves about their blushes and lipsticks and numerous requests to try the brand and review it. Topshop is one of those brands I don’t have easy access to, but it’s been on my list to try for quite some time. Topshop recently reached out to me to try a few items from their makeup line and I was thrilled to get my first look. There are so many gorgeous posts about their lipsticks from many UK bloggers. The items they sent for review included their 3D Curve Mascara, Brighten in Moonlight, Kohl Pencil in Coal and Saint Lipstick.
3D Curve Mascara ($20 for 9.5 ml/0.30 fl oz, made in China) comes in Black with a large brush. I found it did give a multi-dimensional look for my super thin and straight lashes. The color is a pure black and stayed black after it dried (some mascaras tend to look grayish on my lashes once dried). I found it lasted quite well without any smudging but I did get a bit of flaking by the end of the day. If it didn’t flake I would give it an A+ rating. My first attempt at taking before/after photos of my lashes below (along top lashes only):

Brighten in Moonlight ($14 for 1.5 ml/0.05 fl oz, made in Italy) is a one-shade fits all under-eye concealer. It comes in a twist up tube with a brush applicator. I was worried this would be too pale or pink for my skin, when swatched it looks very light and very pink against my olive skin. However it has a sheer slightly luminous (but without any shimmer) quality to it that blends well with my medium/tan skin. I was really surprised how this brightened the under-eye area. I tend to avoid concealers under the eyes in general since they end up looking too heavy or cakey. This one has enough sheerness to it to even the skin without looking heavy. To apply this, I’ve been dabbing it under the eye over foundation and set it with powder. It lasts well all day. I’m not sure if this would work on anything darker than a Chanel B40 or MAC NC40 – if you’ve tried this I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Kohl Eye Pencil in Coal ($8, made in Czech Republic) is a dark black pencil. I found it to be a pure rich black with a smooth texture that doesn’t tug. The lasting power is quite good and I didn’t get any smudging or pulling with the pencil. (Also available in Sable/Dark Brown). Finding a good true black for me is difficult. Most black pencils end up looking too harsh, too grey or just not really dark enough. Coal is a good true black that applies very smoothly and stays put. I couldn’t ask for a better pencil for the price.
Saint Lipstick ($16 for 3.5g/0.12 oz, made in Italy) is a pale peach pink cream. This one is difficult for me to evaluate simply because the color is so light I think it will be hard for anyone to pull off this color. Since it’s drastically paler than my natural lip it tends to enhance any crease or imperfection even with smooth lips. Given the raves and beautiful reviews I’ve seen of Topshop lipsticks on other blogs I suspect it’s only the color that makes this one not work. For me to be able to wear this one I had to cover the entire lip with a darker nude lipliner, apply a light layer of Saint Lipstick and blend like crazy. If you’ve tried any of the lipsticks I’d love to hear about the colors and formulas you’ve tried.

I like the look of the Topshop makeup line although it’s completely different from what I normally go for in beauty brands. I have their shop in Los Angeles on my list to check out – I’m hoping all the stores carry the full makeup line. Have you tried Topshop Makeup? I’d love to hear your recommendations. I already have a list going from readers to check out their blushes – but I’d love to hear your thoughts. (This Glow Highlighter looks seriously amazing, tell me do I need to check this one out?)
This post contains press samples sent for review and affiliate links. All opinions are my own. For more information refer to my disclosures.
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Tom Ford Summer 2014 | Unabashed Eye and Cheek Palette, Solar Gold and Moonlight Lip Shimmers

April 10, 2014

Tom Ford Beauty Summer has arrived with a new Unabashed Eye and Cheek Palette ($95) two new Lip Shimmers in Solar Gold and Moonlight along with a repromote of the stunning Skin Illuminator in Fire Lust ($65). All the items are limited-edition. I purchased the palette and lip items online as soon as I saw them since Tom Ford beauty items tend to sell very quickly.

The Unabashed Eye and Cheek Palette comes in a large white and gold mirrored compact similar in size to the Tom Ford Bronzers. It has three shadows in a glittering light beige/tan/taupe, a soft mauve brown matte and an intense navy/indigo color. There are also two cheek products which include a golden bronzer and a coral shimmer blush. The colors are absolutely stunning – I’m completely in love with the bronzer/cheek colors. The eye colors are also beautiful when used together. I’ve been applying the eyes starting with the medium shade first and then with the glittery color added on top. The indigo color is a bit tricky to use. It has intense pigment but can be quite messy when applied. I found it best to use as a liner along the lashes by dabbing/pressing onto the eye over a pencil or gel liner. Once on the eyes it doesn’t budge, but there is fall out and can get messy. The glittery tan is indeed very sparkly (similar to She Wolf). If you’re not 100% in love with every color in the palette, the good news is most of the colors can be duplicated with other shades.
The bronzer is unique in the sense it is more golden and lighter. I wish this came in a full size. I suspect it is very similar to MAC Trace Gold (which I can’t find at the moment) if you want a dupe. The blush is a cross between Tom Ford Flush and Love Lust blushes.

Left to right: Gold Dust Bronzer, She Wolf Trio (partial swatch, discontinued), Unabashed Eye and Cheek Palette (partial swatch), Tom Ford Blushes in Savage, Flush, Love Lust, Ravish.

The Lip Shimmers are hit/miss for me. For the price and given my love for other Tom Ford lip products I had high expectations for these. Solar Gold is a very sheer gold. It goes on with only a slight tint similar in concept to the Gold Dust Lip Lacquer from a few summers ago. The texture is semi glossy and moisturizing – it feels incredible on the lips. I do wish the pigment was richer. Moonlight was a huge miss for me. It went on blotchy and uneven. It does feel really nice on the lips but the color just simply did not work on my lips. I have used this mixed with the regular Tom Ford lipsticks and it adds a nice sheen to the pinks or peaches.
Out of the two I like Solar Gold the best. Even though it’s sheer it’s still nice on the lips. If you want a white shimmer lip, I’d recommend you opt for the regular Tom Ford Lip Lacquer (which I adore and think is a must-have for everyone). Or use NARS Copacabana Multiple mixed with any clear gloss.

Left to right: Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Brilliance (discontinued), Burberry Trench Kiss Lip Gloss, Tom Ford Gold Dust Lacquer (discontinued), Solar Gold and Moonlight, Tom Ford Lip Lacquer, NARS Copacabana Multiple, MAC Sugar Rimmed.

I’m a huge Tom Ford fan but have mixed feelings about this collection. I adore the Eye and Cheek Palette but wish they had released a large bronzer/blush and a separate eye palette. I don’t think I could pull off the eyes for everyday but the look is very pretty for evenings or non-corporate work environments. If you’re not a fan of the eyes or mixed palettes, you can get a similar effect with the Tom Ford Gold Dust Bronzer or any of the blushes swatched above (amazing in pigment and quality and worth every penny).
The lip shimmers are hit/miss. Solar Gold is nice to have but not a must-have. Moonlight was a fail for me, but if you’ve tried this and love it I’d love to hear how you’ve been wearing it.

All items are limited-edition. In stores now and selling out quickly.
Unabashed Eye and Cheek Palette has sold out several times online but keep checking because retailers have been restocking. Currently available at Neiman Marcus, Harrods, Selfridges, Nordstrom (backorder). For SKUs if you want to search physical stores info on Bloomingdales.
Lip Shimmers are available at plenty of locations still such as Nordstrom, Saks, Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus.
Fire Lust Skin Illuminator is also going fast. Right now it’s still available at Saks, Neiman Marcus, Harrods, and Nordstrom (backorder).
Did you see Tom Ford Summer yet? What did you think?
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Marc Jacobs Beauty | Lola, Role Play and Kissability

March 31, 2014
Marc Jacobs Beauty items from Sephora, accessories Marc Jacobs Sharpies, Heart Notebook and Postcard from Bookmarc located in Los Angeles on Melrose

I’ve recently fallen in love with a few more items from Marc Jacobs Beauty. I’ve been a huge fan of the Hi-Shine Nail Lacquers which I really like for the packaging, color pigment, and price. Today I am featuring three new items I’ve discovered.

  • Lola Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer ($18 for 13 ml) is a flawless bright jelly red, it’s a one-coat wonder nail color that covers the entire nail with one swipe, I’ve only tested for a couple days now but in my experience, Marc Jacobs nail lacquers have decent lasting power with no tip wear or chipping through day 5 or 6 (I use with Deborah Lippmann Rehydrating Base Coat and Dior Gel Top Coat).
  • Role Play Lip Gel ($30 for 3.6g) is my new holy grail nude pink lip, it’s an interesting formula, not quite like a traditional lipstick, it is a gel lipstick with full coverage and a cushy moisturizing feel. This covered my lip entirely, it’s like a lighter modern version of what I wanted MAC Twig/Spirit to be, it’s a neutral rose pink nude that isn’t too light and not too dark.
  • Kissability Lust for Lacquer ($28 for 5 ml) is a sheer rose with gold and pink shimmers. It comes with a sponge tip applicator. The formula is very sheer so I recommend using this on top of lipsticks for more color, it has a vanilla scent with a cool tingley finish (thank goodness it did not irritate or numb my super sensitive lips).

More photos and swatches:

Lola featured on the hands holding some fun Marc Jacobs sharpies:

Role Play lip gel and lip swatch:

I’m overall impressed with the lip products. I don’t know why it took me so long to try them. I am already looking to try more of the lipsticks. Now that Marc Jacobs Beauty has been out on the market for a while, I’d love to hear what your thoughts are. What have you fallen in love with? What would you recommend passing on? Yays or nays are all welcome.
You can find Marc Jacobs Beauty at select Marc Jacobs boutiques and at all Sephora stores. Online at Sephora.com and MarcJacobsBeauty.com.

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Chanel Charmeuse #142 and Fleurie #139 Rouge Allure – Jardin de Camélias Collection

February 28, 2014

There are two new Rouge Allures in the Chanel.com Jardin de Camélias Collection ($34 each, both limited-edition). Charmeuse #142 is a neutral nude beige with a slight shimmer and Fleurie #139 is a soft bright pink with fuschia sparkles. Both are buildable lip colors with a slight transparent quality so you can see a bit of your natural lip underneath. True to Rouge Allure formulas, they are creamy and easy to apply.

Swatches on the hand show that while Charmeuse is a straight beige nude in the tube it pulls a bit pinkish on my olive-toned hands:

Lip swatch of Charmeuse #142:

Lip swatch of Fleurie #139:

Comparisons swatches for reference: Tom Ford In The Buff (review here, swatches here), MAC Touche Huggable Lip Color (review here), Tom Ford Paradiso (review here) and MAC Out for Passion Huggable Lip Color (review here):

Charmeuse #142 and Fleurie #139 Rouge Allures are both easy to wear lip colors that require no additional fixing. They work straight from the tube and lasting power is quite good. I like both colors but they are very similar to other colors from Chanel and other brands so you may want to skip if you already splurge on MAC Huggables or Tom Ford Lip Sheers. I ordered them sight unseen so I did not  know exactly what to expect from online photos.
Both colors Charmeuse and Fleurie are in the Rouge Allure formula and are limited-edition. In the US they are both exclusive to Chanel.com.
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