First up are the newest additions to the MAC Viva Glam series: Gaga 2 Lipstick and Lipglass. Both are creamy neutral grey-beiges in the tubes but go on with a slightly peachy cast on the skin. These are true nudes, both of which I find fall under my “high maintenance” nudes category. The Gaga 2 Lipstick resembles concealer on my lips. It has full coverage (the amplified formula) with rich and creamy texture. Having tried other MAC nudes like Cherish, Creme d’Nude and Peachstock, I know this one will work better once layered over a darker liner (and blended of course) like MAC Stripdown and then topped with clear lipglass. I’ve swatched it alone below. Thumbs down by itself – the color just makes my skin look dirty and I look lifeless. Gaga 2 Lipglass is the exact same shade of nude, it’s not quite as flat and has the tiniest bit of sparkle in the tube. The shimmer doesn’t show up on the lips. For some reason the glossy texture makes it more forgiving on the lips. Thumbs up for this one! It’s a wearable nude, but I think MAC Revealing Lipglass is a more universally flattering beige nude. This one is also featured below alone (no lipstick or liner underneath).
Have you tried any of the nudes from Edward Bess? What are your thoughts?
Bobbi Brown’s newest collection is another series of nudes. The new Nude Collection for 2009, consists of a new shimmer brick, eye palette, gel liner and four creamy lip colors. I’m a huge fan of nude colors, and this collection is absolutely lovely in my opinion!!! Here are the items with a couple promo pics:
* Nude Shimmer Brick Compact ($38 USD)
* Nude Eye Palette ($60 USD) contains Navajo, Pebble Metallic, Chino, Beige Linen Shimmer Wash, Maple Sugar Metallic, Caviar
* Creamy Lip Color ($22 USD) in Soft Blush, Rosebud, Rose Garden, and Twilight
* Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner ($21 USD) in Caviar Ink
Now, actual photos and a few comparisons:
Nude Eye Palette in her 3 Pan Palette:
Long-wear Gel Eyeliners:
1. Gunmetal Shimmer Ink
2. Caviar Ink
3. Graphite Shimmer Ink
Shimmer Brick Compacts:
1. Nude
2. Sandstone
3. Brownie
4. Pink Quartz
Creamy Lip Colors, left to right in Soft Blush, Rosebud, Rose Garden, and Twilight:
And a look into previous nude palettes, top to bottom:
* Original Nude on Nude: Nude, Cement, Wheat, Espresso, Malted
* Nude on Nude Shimmer Wash: Nude SW, Cement SW, Woodrose SW, Wheat SW, Mahogany
* Shimmering Nudes: Nude Beach Metallic, Nude Mist SW, Naked, Nude Glow Metallic, Mica SW, Nude Spice Metallic, Espresso
* Stonewashed Nudes: Navajo, Mica SW, Ash SW, Hot Stone, Stonewash SW, Rock SW, Espresso
* Nude Lip and Eye (eyes shown): Bare, Naked, Nude SW, Buff SW
* Promotional photos from Bobbi Brown Germany, Nordstrom.com