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Lipstick

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Natural Non-Shimmer Your-Lips-But-Better Lipsticks

September 16, 2009

I just purchased a new lipstick from MAC called High Def which I find to be a nice my-lips-but-better pinky brown shade. I normally don’t post much about MAC since there are so many other great resources out there, but had to rave about this one because even though MAC has a wide variety of natural pinky-brown lipsticks, I find a lot look odd on me because they turn too brown or look really dark on my lips even though swatched on my hand or in the tube it’s gorgeous. For example MAC Twig pulls an ugly brown on my lips while in the tube and swatched on my hand it looks so sophisticated and gorgeous!

I’ve pulled a few of my “non-shimmer your lips but better” lipsticks ranging from a nude-pink to pinky-browns and here they are:

1. Bobbi Brown Brownie Pink
2. MAC Velvet Teddy (matte)
3. MAC Half ‘n Half (amplified cream)
4. MAC High Def (amplified cream)
5. MAC Fanfare (cremesheen)
6. MAC Cosmo (amplified cream)
7. Laura Mercier Nude Lips
8. Laura Mercier Bare Lips

(Same order, different view):

Swatches in natural light:

1. Bobbi Brown Brownie
2. Bobbi Brown Brownie Pink
3. MAC Velvet Teddy (matte)
4. MAC Half ‘n Half (amplified cream)
5. MAC High Def (amplified cream)
6. MAC Fanfare (cremesheen)
7. MAC Cosmo (amplified cream)
8. Laura Mercier Nude Lips
9. Laura Mercier Bare Lips

Swatches with flash (same order as above):

What are some of your favorite your-lips-but better non-shimmer lipsticks?

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Cle de Peau Satin Eye Color 106 & Extra Silky Lipstick 124

September 12, 2009

I first saw the new Cle de Peau Eyeshadows in the Saks Beverly Hills back a couple months ago and immediately fell in love with a cool medium dark taupey shimmer #106. I have been eyeing it since then and finally caved in and bought it from my local Neimans. I did not realize until after I got home that the eyeshadow cost $45 for 2.0g/.07 oz. The Extra Silky Lipstick #124 retails for $50 – which is a cool natural pink with slight shimmer.

Here is one of the magazine scans of the other shades:

Overall thoughts: I had tested these out at the counter and the eyeshadow was on the sheer-medium side for pigmentation. It can be layered for more color. I am actually a fan of the Extra Silky Lipsticks for their great nude your lips but better shades which give me pretty shiny lips and flattering colors that make you look refreshed. After coming home with my goodies, I did question my sanity for spending $95 + tax on only two cosmetic items – I don’t usually splurge on Cle de Peau and from now on, I will seriously need to resist temptation and weigh in the costs/benefits more carefully.

For comparison purposes:
* Chanel’s single eyeshadows are also 2.0 g/.07 oz and retail for $28.50
* Giorgio Armani Maestro singles are 1.3 g/.04 oz and retail for $28
* Dior’s New Smoothing Singles are .07 oz and retail for $27.50

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Dolce & Gabbana Naked Lipstick Comparisons

August 26, 2009

Some lipstick and gloss comparisons to Dolce & Gabbana’s Shine Lipstick in Naked from Bobbi Brown, MAC and Shu Uemura.

1. Bobbi Brown Glitter Lipgloss Bronzed Pink
2. Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color Bronzed Pink
3. Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color Twilight
4. Shu Uemura Rouge Unlimited Crystal Shine BG950s
5. Dolce & Gabbana Shine Lipstick Naked
6. MAC Frost Lipstick Sparks Can Fly
7. Nars Lipstick Mitzi
8. Bobbi Brown Metallic Lip Color Vintage Rose
9. Bobbi Brown Metallic Lip Color Pretty Pink

Check out the comparisons for D&G Perfection and Orange Lipsticks too!

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Dolce & Gabbana Orange Lipstick Comparisons

August 24, 2009

Left to right: Chanel Rouge Allure Nude #59, MAC Slimshine Ardor, Bobbi Brown Metallic Lipstick Baby Peach, Dior Addict Lipcolor Regal Coral #439, Dolce & Gabbana Classic Lipstick Orange, Chanel Aqualumiere Monte Carlo #92, Chanel Aqualumiere Jamaica #69, Chanel Aqualumiere Zanzibar #85

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Chanel Rouge Allure Laque Hits the US with a Full Lips and Nail Polish Collection

August 21, 2009

The Rouge Allure Laques have finally arrived in the US and I am so glad they have! Featured in the collection are 8 Rouge Allure Lipsticks (I think most are new), 8 Rouge Allure Laques (a luminous satin lip lacquer), 4 (maybe 5) repromoted lipliners, and 4 new nail polishes.

I received a mini flyer in the mail with a special offer of a mini sized sample of Dragon Rouge Allure Laque #75, an intense classic vibrant red shade. This one happens to be from Saks. I believe there is also a promotion going on online with any order to get a mini sample as well.

I’m usually not a fan of satin-finish lip cremes because I find them too thick and matte looking giving my already-full lips a heavy flat look (such as YSL Rouge Voluptes, Laura Mercier Lip Velvets, MAC Matte Lipsticks, Chanel Rouge Doubles). The new Rouge Allure Laques have won my heart with their subtle shine and slight multi-color shimmer giving them some depth which results in a full finish that isn’t too heavy looking or flat on the lips.

Left to right: Mythic Rouge Allure #69, Ming Nail Polish #471, Dragon Nail Polish #475

Close up & swatches of Ming & Dragon Nail Polishes:

Close up of Mythic Rouge Allure Lipstick:

Chanel Mythic Rouge Allure Comparisons to other nude/beige lip colors:

1) Laura Mercier Passion Fruit (mini), 2) Bobbi Brown Metallic Beige Gold (mini), 3) Bobbi Brown Candlelight Shimmer (discontinued), 4) Chanel Rouge Allure Luminous #38, 5) Chanel Rouge Allure Mythic #69, 6) Dolce & Gabbana Perfection, 7) MAC High Tea, 8) MAC Creme d’Nude

Also slipped my mind but another nude shade in Armani is Shine #47 which you can see HERE. They had quite a few pretty pinks, bolder reds, oranges that I didn’t get. FYI – the testers at the counter have a clear glass base for the glosses so you can actually see the color without opening the tube.

Sample Rouge Allure Laque Box, Full Sized vs Sample Size

Left to right: Ming #76 and Santal #77

Rouge Allure Laque Swatches (on bare skin)

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Trish McEvoy Sparkling Bronze Collection

July 27, 2009

Fall collections are already trickling out, but I wanted to do a feature on some pretty bronzey colors from Trish McEvoy who released a small collection of new products in her Sparkling Bronze collection this past May. I love the line for her high quality brushes, unique planner system, and innovative products. This was one of the first high end lines I got into years ago with an interactive makeup lesson at Saks Fifth Avenue where the artist has you repeat the makeup application to one side of your face after each step so you can recreate the look on your own at home.

Every single artist from the line I have met has been amazing – all talented in creating pretty looks, friendly personalities and super fun. It’s been a while since I’ve purchased things from the line because of the continuous product revamps (I must have seen at least 5 different versions of her Sexy Lipgloss as she has changed the formula and color of the years), but still check out her new products every once in a while.

The colors in her Sparkling Bronze Collection feature the following items:

* Bronzer in St. Tropez – a soft shimmery natural bronzer, she describes this as having “the ideal proportions of pink undertones to mimic the prettiest naturally tanned complexion.”

* Lip Gloss in Irresistible – a super sparkly bronze gloss with micro-glitter. I would say this has the same sparkle factor as MAC Dazzleglasses, but this has more pigment. Has a nice slightly minty scent which gives a cooling effect.

* Lip Color SPF15 in Golden Glaze – this is a sheer soft golden color. Reminds me of MAC High Tea lipstick but not quite as pale.

* Pen Luminzer in Luminous Bronze – this is my favorite, gives a soft glow to the skin in a twist up pen.

* Eye Definer Pencil in Sparkling Bronze – a unique dual-sided chubby eyeliner with a smudge tip on one end to blend the color. I wouldn’t really call this “sparkling” but it is a gorgeous deep brown shade.

Top – St. Tropez Bronzer

Bottom – Irresistible Lip Gloss , Golden Glaze Lipstick, Luminous Bronze, Sparkling Bronze

Swatches, left to right: Bronze Illuminator, St. Tropez (applied heavily over foundation/primer), St. Tropez (applied over bare skin), Sparkling Bronze Eye Definer, Golden Lipstick, Irresistible Lipgloss

Comparisons, left to right: MAC MSF Sunny by Nature, Trish McEvoy St. Tropez, MAC MSF Cheeky Bronze (so you can see how pink it really is)

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Second Round of Dolce & Gabbana Makeup from Saks NY Brushes with Greatness Event

July 22, 2009

I placed an order from Saks NY for their Brushes with Greatness Event and received a cute Stephanie Johnson makeup bag filled with tons of little samples and goodies. Also with Dolce & Gabbana, they were having a gift of their Eyeliner Pencil in Black and a mini Body Cream.

What I ordered:
* Smooth Eye Colour Quad in Nude
* Luminous Cheek Color in Nude
* Classic Cream Lipstick in Charm
* Crayon Intense Eyeliner in Coffee

Left to right: Coffee Eyeliner, Black Eyeliner, Charm Lipstick

Nude Eyeshadow Quad & Nude Blush with Flash:

Close Up of the Nude Eyeshadow Quad:

Close Up of the Nude Blush:

D&G gift with purchase:

Saks Gift with Purchase:

Haven’t had a chance to play with anything yet, but after my first haul back in May, I’ve come to really like the texture of the eyeshadows. Overall, I feel the line is still overpriced but I do like the colors I have purchased. The only thing I don’t love is the Stromboli eyeliner, but I had to get Coffee because I’m a huge fan of shimmery browns. I will try and do some comparison pictures of the lipstick with the others I ordered before in the next week or so.

Interested in more Dolce & Gabbana? Check out this link to see pictures of more eyeshadow quads, lipsticks, and eyeliner:

First Look: Dolce & Gabbana Makeup

Includes pictures of Champagne Quad, Contrasts Quad, Perfection, Naked, Soiree, Velvet Lipsticks (Shine & Classic Cream Formulas).

For swatch of Stromboli Eyeliner, check out the Smokey Series:

Color Focus: Smokey Eyes Part 3 (Black Golds)

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