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Spring 2015

Eye Makeup Tom Ford Beauty

Tom Ford Beauty Spring 2015 Eye Color Duos

March 30, 2015

For spring Tom Ford released a collection of edgy deep and dramatic colors different from the typical spring beauty palette. I featured the Spring 2015 Cream Color for eyes last month which is a unique and stunning smokey mix of khaki, gold, brown and grey. Today I have the three Eye Color Duos ($60 each for 0.13 oz) to share swatches and thought on in Raw Jade, Crushed Indigo and Ripe Plum.

These duos are packaged in a mirrored compact the same size as the Tom Ford Blushes. Each duo contains one light iridescent color and one deep color. The texture is really interesting like a soft creamy powder similar to that of the Burberry Wet & Dry Glow formula and NARS Dual Intensity Eyeshadows. You can apply these with a finger or a brush. In addition there is versatility with application in terms of wet and dry methods. Either way you apply them, the formula adheres really well to the lids and glides on effortlessly. Color and pigment is buildable dry. When you apply these with a damp brush, the duo chrome quality in the lighter colors shows through and deepens the color of the darker shades.

The colors themselves are very different from anything I own. Ripe Plum contains a light opal pink and a deep brown plum shimmer. Raw Jade includes an iridescent pale ivory that flashes green and a khaki sage shimmer. Crushed Indigo has a white that flashes violet and blue and a brighter deep navy. I’ve been testing these for the past couple of weeks and Ripe Plum is my favorite. If you’re a fan of plums this is a really good one. The deep plum brown is absolute perfection. I rarely wear khaki or greens because they tend to make my olive skin look sallow but Raw Jade has a good mix of different color options to make it look good on the eyes (even my husband approves). Crushed Indigo is way outside of my comfort zone. I find it rare that I can wear bright navy or blue shadows. The colors themselves are really quite stunning but on my neutral-loving makeup self, it’s good when mixed with a darker color shadow to deepen the color. Alone it’s too bright for me, perhaps one day I’ll be braver to wear it.

Swatches show the brightening glow of the lighter shades. When you layer them over the darker colors it shifts the overall look and tone in a very unique glowy way.

Close ups and swatches wet vs dry. Plus a couple of eye swatches. For more color reference, I highly recommend you check out The RaeViewer for her review, swatches and application tutorials. She has really good swatches that show how much layering and different application techniques can really change the color of these duos.

Crushed Indigo:

Raw Jade:

Ripe Plum:

One last shot together:

My favorite of the three is Ripe Plum. The duo-chrome opal pink color brightens the plum shade and gives it a soft pink tint. Even my husband approves and says I should wear color like this on the eyes more often. Raw Jade surprised me with how wearable it is for a khaki green duo. Adding more of the light color makes the color look more like a bright green. If you use more of the khaki shade it stays more neutral and wearable. Crushed Indigo is still something I’m not brave enough to keep on my lids for more than 2 minutes. 

The formula is really good. I like that these glide on the eyes smoothly even over bare lids. They don’t require any primer to bring out the pigment or to make them stay put. They work well alone as is which is a huge plus for me. Lasting power is really good. Both Raw Jade and Ripe Plum managed to stay on the lids from morning until late evening when I removed all the color to wash my face. Even if you’re a neutral eyeshadow lover like me, I still think these are worth looking into. Especially Ripe Plum. You can always mix these into your current palette and these will give your eye look more depth and edge without looking overdone. At the same time if you like dramatic looks the wet/damp application method helps change the color into deeper tones if you want something edgier.

You can find the Eye Color Duos at Tom Ford counters now. Also online at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks and Bloomingdales. (Stay tuned for a review of one of the mascaras and two nail colors, I ordered the nail polishes and I have one now, and another on it’s way to me now.)

Did you check out the Tom Ford Spring Collection? What did you think?

The Eye Color Duos were provided courtesy of Tom Ford for review consideration. All other items in the post purchased by me.

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Dior Eye Makeup

Dior Eye Reviver Eyeshadow Palette

March 28, 2015
Dior Eye Reviver Palette Review

Dior recently released their Eye Reviver Eyeshadow Palette ($62 for 9.4 g/0.33 oz, made in France). This is a new 6-pan palette featuring a mix of soft neutrals and one gel-cream eyeliner. It’s described as an illuminating eye palette that contains what Dior calls “Glow-Mimetics technology” which brighten the eyes with a radiance-boosting effect. I briefly featured this in my Trending Now: Spring Neutrals post earlier in the month. I’ve been playing with this for a weeks now, experimenting with different application techniques and layering methods.

The Eye Reviver Palette contains a mix of very soft neutrals. Although some of the colors look very shimmery in the pan, on the lids, the shimmer becomes diffused and very soft. Many have commented on my eyeshadow palette posts that the market has no options for the beauty lover looking for something in between pure mattes and high-frost shimmers. I personally like a good shimmer (as long as it’s not overly glitzy or glittery), but I know several do not like shimmer at all. This is a good in-between option.

The colors left to right include a soft light beige-peach cream, a light-to-medium beige, medium soft fawn satin, shimmery taupe-mauve, shimmery brown plum and a soft black gel liner. The gel liner is a good one, it’s a soft black that you can build easily and on my eyes it doesn’t smudge or bleed once you let it sit. It helps to go back over the gel liner with the darkest shadow to intensify the color and help it set on the eyes.

The first time I put this on my eyes, I was a bit disappointed with the sheerness of the colors but this is mainly because the first three colors are close to my natural skintone. After playing with this I found that it requires a bit of layering and a good creamy base (I am obsessed with Edward Bess Eye Illuminating Base). For me if palettes contain satiny light colors that are close to my skin tone, I usually need to start with the medium/middle shades first, then blend and layer the lighter ones on top. Sometimes layering light to dark works, but in this case, for me, I needed to mix things up. The result is a very soft neutral eye. You can layer the shimmery mauve and brown colors for more intensity to build up color. If you use a good base the colors layer nicely with medium but buildable pigment. The result is a soft and glowy eye look that you can intensify by applying the darker shimmery colors with a damp brush.

If you’re new to applying eyeshadow or need one that is difficult to overdo, this is it.

Here’s a quick comparison to the Urban Decay Naked2 Basics (one of the very few all-matte palettes I like and use, I liked it enough to get a backup even though I don’t think it’s limited-edition):

Bottom line: it’s a good basic palette that will define and illuminate the eyes in a natural way. Given the fact that the colors are neutrals, you may find it too similar to other colors, especially if you have the MAC x15 Cool Neutral Palette, Urban Decay Naked 2 (1, 2 or 3 swatched here) or a multitude of neutral single colors. That being said, there is a nice simplicity to this palette. Having an edited selection of shades makes it where you don’t have to worry about how to coordinate colors. Each color layered together will work to give you a soft gradient of an eye look with little to no effort.

After testing this for a few weeks, I personally don’t find this to be a must-have for me mainly because I already own a lot of eyeshadow palettes and also because I like a bit more contrast in my shadows. I think the MAC x15 palettes and Urban Decay Naked series will give you more bang for your buck in the sense that you will be able to create a wider range of eye looks. That being said this is a beautiful no-fuss set of neutrals that is soft enough for a conservative office environment.

You can find the Dior Reviver Eyeshadow palette at counters now. Also online at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s and Dior.com.

Have you checked out this palette yet? What’s your current favorite neutral eyeshadow palette?

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Rescue Beauty Lounge Je t’aime, Je’ t’aime!

March 23, 2015

Rescue Beauty Lounge has released six new beautiful polishes in the Je t’aime, Je’ t’aime! Collection inspired by Ji Baek’s love for Paris (the full story on the Rescue Beauty Lounge blog). I have four of the colors to share today. Each color retails for $20 and they will be available for pre-sale online starting tomorrow, March 24th at 12:00 PM EST through March 26th to those signed up for her newsletter. Available for everyone else starting April.

The four colors, are as usual, are true to Rescue Beauty Lounge’s style which is edgy perfection. I’ve mentioned this before, but Ji Baek is a true innovator when it comes to mixing up unique colors. She’s done it yet again with beautiful shades for spring. I can’t wait to see the other two that are part of her collection (to be released mid-April).

Close ups and swatches of each color:

C’Est Tout is a metallic green grey silvery color. It’s a complex color that flashes different colors depending on how the light hits it. This one is my favorite of the bunch. It reminds me of Chanel Black Pearl but with more silver and grey and it’s more metallic.

From Rescue Beauty Lounge:



This color is a rivalry between gunmetal and green, for sometimes it appears to be a dark gray with blue undertones and in another moment, you will see a green with micro shimmers of pink, blue, and gold. If you are ever asked, “Avec Ça?” You should answer with a resounding, “That’s all!”

Bonne Journee is an ultra-girly pink. It has a slight jelly finish where the pearl looks like it’s suspended in a gel-like polish. It flashes bright pink, silver, a bit of blue. It’s extremely unique. Brush strokes are visible but can be smoothed out with a second coat. You do need to apply this one slowly to get smooth coverage.

From Rescue Beauty Lounge:

Have a good day is how we should all take leave of anyone—this is a happy rose pink with blue undertones and a hint of copper. The shimmery satin finish will put a smile on your face and spread happiness because it works with all sorts of skin colors. This formula just glides on. Pink has never been this good.

Pardonne Moi is a deep blue metallic. There is a brightness to it which gives it life and prevents it from looking navy on the nails. There is a soft pearly quality which gives it a bit of softness even though it’s a sharp blue metallic.

From Rescue Beauty Lounge:

This phrase somehow sounds more chic than “excuse me” when you’re bumping into people in the market. This color is a satin finish of an exceptional indigo, blue overcast with iris purple. Flashes of a beautifully generous shimmer gleams with stunning sparkles.

Last but not least is Ah, Oui which is a periwinkle cream. This one has the most smooth finish being a cream without any shimmer. It’s very bright but has enough blue in it so it doesn’t look lilac or pastel on the hands. I think this one will be fun on the toes for spring-to-summer.

From Rescue Beauty Lounge:

“Ah, yes?!” Just keep saying this if you don’t understand a thing anyone is saying—I’ve fooled so many peeps saying this while exhaling, “Pfttt!” This color epitomizes Parisian chic. It’s not blue, not purple, not gray; just picture a perfect, cloudless Parisian powdery periwinkle sky. This polish is a glasslike periwinkle cream-jelly (I’ve only a few to go to complete my rainbow of crème jellies), transparent in one coat with an exceptionally smooth application; you can even add another coat on the tips of your nails for an easy gradient effect.

One last shot, all together:

Bottom line love. Rescue Beauty Lounge never fails to release unique polishes. These four are really pretty bright spring to summer colors that are different from the classic corals, pinks or reds (which I love, but sometimes it’s nice to wear something different).

For more swatches on different skin tones and nail shapes, be sure to check out these lovely nail  polish and beauty bloggers for their posts. I have major nail envy every time I visit their pages. Their manicures are pristine!

Be sure to sign up for their newsletter on Rescuebeauty.com to stay up to date with new releases and sales. You will receive the 48 hour pre-sale link via e-mail tomorrow. If you miss this round, no need to worry as they will launch for regular purchase mid-April.

Many thanks to Rescue Beauty Lounge for sending me these polishes for review.

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Burberry Beauty Runway Nail Collection Pink Tones – Hydrangea Pink, Bright Coral Red and Pink Azalea

March 22, 2015

Burberry released a couple nail polish trios featuring new shades from the Prorsum Spring/Summer 2015 runway show back in September. There is a Pink Tones Trio with Hydrangea Pink, Bright Coral Red and Pink Azalea and a Blue Tones Trio with Stone Blue, Aqua Green and Imperial Blue ($66 each trio). Both are exclusive to Burberry.com but you can buy the colors individually at Nordstrom and Saks. I ordered the Pink Tones not realizing it included a color I already owned Pink Azalea which is a re-promoted color from Summer Showers collection. I have swatches of all three to share today plus some comparisons.

Hydrangea Pink is a really pretty medium-toned rose pink. Sometimes I find it odd that finding the perfect classic medium pink is difficult to come across, many are too warm, too coral, too red, too pale, too deep. Hydrangea Pink has reached holy grail status for me as a perfect feminine medium soft rose pink. It’s in the perfect in-between mark of warm and cool making it a good neutral flattering pink. The formula on this is really good. The brushes are on the wide side but the pigment and coverage is smooth and flawless. Two coats are needed to cover the nail entirely but the finish is glossy with perfect coverage.

Bright Coral Red is my second favorite and it’s pretty bright coral red (just like the name implies). It has enough brightness to give it life and prevent it from looking dark like some reds can. At the same time it has enough red to prevent it from looking orange. Formula and coverage on this is also flawless. If you already own Lucky, Glory or some of the other corals from Dior you may want to skip this one, although the Burberry is quite bright making it slightly different from the others.

Third is Azalea Pink which is a raspberry berry pink cream. This is a re-promoted color. In case you missed the original post with the Summer Showers collection, I’ve added the swatch here again. It mimics a raspberry with just enough blue undertone to give it a pink touch.

Comparisons swatched below:

Quick closeup of the brush & bottles:

Overall beautiful classics that are easy to wear. Hydrangea Pink is the most neutral of the three options and it’s the perfect medium rosy pink. If you want something with more color Bright Coral Red is the most vibrant option that has a summery vibe. Azalea Pink is a classic raspberry cream that has a lovely blue undertone, although it’s very similar to Chanel April. In my experience lasting power is quite good with these. I can get around 5 days of wear without any tip wear or chipping. I had on Hydrangea Pink this weekend however I did ruin my nails playing frisbee this weekend and ended up chipping and breaking 3 nails (inserts a big sad face). It’s a good thing I had done a lot of nail swatching before hand (I have some exciting new polishes to share with you in the next few days).

You can find all three pinks in a 3-piece boxed set for $66 at Burberry.com. Also individually for $22 each at Burberry, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue.

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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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Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Colour

March 17, 2015

Chanel relaunched their classic Rouge Coco Lipsticks in a new formula with new and re-promoted colors ($36 each for 3.5 g / 0.12 oz, made in France). I ordered several online last month and have been playing with the shades for a few weeks. I’ve been a fan of all the Chanel Lipstick formulas (back to the days of the Aqualumieres and Hydrabase) and each time Chanel discontinues one my heart breaks a little. The good news is that the Rouge Cocos that launched this year are indeed improved from the previous formula. The new ones are more hydrating with a smoother texture that glides on the lips. The main difference to me between the old and new is that the revamped version has a more luminous look that doesn’t tug when you swipe them on the lips. According to Chanel the Rouge Cocos “are made with jojoba and mimosa butters, sunflower wax and silicone for lasting hydration and luminous results.”

The new Rouge Cocos are medium in coverage but the pigment is buildable. Each color has varying degrees of shimmer, most have some shimmer mixed in which gives them that luminous glow, but most of them do not have a frosty finish. What remains the same is the sleek packaging design and rose scent. Some of the colors like Mademoiselle, Legende and Teheran are re-promoted colors. Based on my old vs new Mademoiselle, the colors appear to be almost 100% identical, the new version isn’t quite as dark and has a more luminous finish giving it a modern updated look.

For the color range, there is a lot to choose from. If you like neutrals there are several beautiful options. There are five main color categories with names that inspired Coco Chanel:
  • Lovers – passion reflected by dramatic reds
  • Family – a tribute in understated nude shades
  • Best Friends – celebrated by romantic pinks
  • Muses – an homage in bright corals
  • Artists – honored by deep plum shades  

Shown above: Rouge Coco in Mademoiselle, Catherine, Cécile, Vera, Suzanne
Glossimer in Sweet Beige (swatched here)
Le Crayon Levres in Beige Innocent and Beige Satin
Cire Trudon in Odalisque

I ordered eight colors, all neutrals of course. The closeup below shows the luminous shimmer mixed into each of the colors. The finish on the lips is soft and glowy without being frosty at all.

Ingredients listed on the box (clickable for larger viewing):

On to the colors I picked out with swatches and descriptions:

Note the glow in the swatches below is simply the luminous glow these give off when photographed with a flash, they aren’t frosty or overly glossy, but the finish does make them look a bit shimmery:

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Louise is a flesh beige nude with silver and gold flecks of shimmer. This one is closest on me to a true nude color. It has a luminous finish that covers the lip entirely.

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Adrienne is a medium neutral beige with a very slight hint of peach that gives it warmth. If I had to pick one favorite, this would be it.

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Julia is another medium nude caramel color (it’s darker than Louise). It has some brown tones in it so if you’re one who can’t wear super pale nudes, this is a good alternative because it has color in it and won’t wash you out.

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Catherine is a sheer soft peach. With a few swipes it almost looks like a baby pink. More swipes will bring out the peach in it. It’s one of the sheerer ones I tried so based on this, I think Catherine will look very different on different skin/lip tones. It reminds me of one of the older Hydrabase Lipsticks in Lola (long discontinued).

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Vera is a soft pale baby pink. This has sheer to medium coverage that needs several swipes to build up color. If you have pigmented lips like me, I recommend wearing a lipliner with this one to prevent the outer rim of the lip from showing thru making it look like you have a dark lipliner with a light lipstick.

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Cécile is a medium neutral-cool rose pink. This is one of the more shimmery ones I tried. I think the frost can be softened by a lipliner (like Chanel Nude or Natural or MAC Boldly Bare) or by adding a bit of sheer gloss on top.

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Mademoiselle is a warm rose. The new one seems slightly lighter in color compared to the original version, but to me they are almost identical once on the face.

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Suzanne is a medium plum with sheer to medium coverage. This one looks almost glossy on the lip because of the sheerness. It is buildable but the luminous sheen on the lips gives it a slightly sheer look.

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Because all of the Rouge Coco colors have a luminous hydrating finish they won’t last all day or for super-extended periods of time like the Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Cremes but they do last longer on the lips compared to sheer lipsticks like Chanel Rouge Coco Shines or YSL Volupte Shines. I would say lasting power is average for a lipstick. You can get several hours of wear without it fading or budging as long as you don’t touch the lips with a cup of tea, coffee, water or snacks. Out of all the Chanel Lipstick formulas my favorites are still the Rouge Coco Shines and Rouge Allures, but the new Rouge Coco is pretty fabulous too. I have a super sensitive nose but have always been able to wear the rose-scented Chanel lipsticks. Some have commented they cannot wear anything fragranced so if you are one with an extra sensitive nose, I’d say stick with the Rouge Allure or opt for one of the new Burberry Kisses Lipsticks.
I’ve been a Chanel fan for as long as I can remember using beauty products. The new Rouge Cocos do not disappoint. I think the diverse color range is one of the strengths of this release. There is a good selection of colors for neutrals, lights, mediums, deeps, brights. If you’re a neutral lip lover like me you will be happy to see there are neutral, cool and warm-toned options.
My top three picks: Adrienne, Louise and Suzanne
The Chanel Rouge Cocos retail for $36 each. In the US there are 29 shades all currently available for purchase at Chanel counters and boutiques. Also online at Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdales and Chanel.com.
Have you checked out the new Rouge Cocos? Which colors did you pick out?
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Burberry Kisses Hydrating Lip Colour – Nude Pink, Garnet, Oxblood, Bright Coral, Blossom Pink and Rose Blush

March 14, 2015

This spring Burberry Beauty has released a new lipstick formula called Burberry Kisses ($33 each for 3.8 g / 0.13 oz, made in Italy). There are 28 shades of this new hydrating lipstick formula. It appears these have been launched to replace the original Lip Cover Soft Satin Lipsticks (still available at Nordstrom and Saks). A few of the older colors have been relaunched in the new formula but most of the shades are new ones. I was a fan of the Lip Covers and Lip Mists for their soft natural color and flawless application. Burberry has released some released soft pinks, nudes, mauves and roses but I know many could not wear the lipsticks due to the rose scent. The good news for those with sensitive noses is the new formula has no detectable fragrance or taste. I didn’t think the formula could get better but it has with improved wear, texture, buildable color.

I have six shades to share thoughts on today. The Burberry team kindly sent over a diverse range of six colors for me to test. I have yet to make a trip to my local Burberry counter to see all the colors in person but after putting six to the test I can say I will definitely be checking out the others soon. The packaging of the new Burberry Kisses is the same in size, design and form as the original lipsticks. They come in a silver squared tube that come with magnetic snap lids.

The formula of the Kisses lipsticks is like no other lipstick I’ve tried. These are like a weightless velvety cushion for the lips with truly buildable pigment. These are described as being able to give you sheer to high coverage and the formula is just that. One swipe gives a sheer even wash of color, multiple swipes will add more color without feeling heavy or looking cakey. Compared to the Lip Covers, the Kisses Lipsticks have less of a slip and less shine, but still look natural and meld into the lips. If you’re well acquainted with the lipstick formulas Burberry has released, I’d describe the finish somewhere in between that of the Lip Velvets and Lip Covers. They do have a moisturizing and hydrating feel but don’t feel heavy or thick. Lasting power is quite good, I had no fading within 4 hours of wear (but I didn’t eat or drink in that testing period).

The 28 colors are grouped into five main color categories of Nude, Pink, Coral, Brown/Rosewood and Red. Six shades I have to share, all are creams without any visible shimmer:
  • Blossom Pink is a soft neutral pink nude that leans more pink
  • Garnet is a medium rosewood plum mauve, it’s a nice polished medium-dark pink mauve that doesn’t pull brown or too dark
  • Bright Coral is a vibrant coral that is very bright on my complexion
  • Nude Pink is just that, a nude pink, very similar to Blossom Pink (which is more pink), this is a flawless nude pink lipstick, it’s light on my pigmented lips but doesn’t wash me out, if you have lips that are lighter this will look darker on you
  • Rose Blush is a soft mauve rose about 1.5 shades lighter than Garnet
  • Oxblood is a classic deep vampy wine color

Swatches and more views:

Lip swatches, for skintone reference I’m wearing NARS All Day Luminous Foundation in Punjab mixed with Charlotte Tilbury Wonderglow mixed together:

I pulled a few of the older Lip Covers to compare with the new Kisses formula. There is only one that I have both the old and new formula of to compare, Oxblood is identical in the new and old formula in color and coverage, the older version is slightly more glossy.

* Note Devon Sunset has also been released in the new formula, but I haven’t seen both side by side to compare the colors

One last shot below of the new Burberry Kisses, left to right is Nude Pink, Oxblood, Bright Cora, Nude Blush, Blossom Pink and Garnet

Bottom line gorgeous. The formula of the Burberry Kisses is really good. I plan on looking into the other colors very soon. There are quite a few new lipstick formulas that have been launched this spring and you may be wondering which one is best. I think each brand has developed unique formulas to suit different tastes and likes. My quick take based on what I’ve tested:

  • The Marc Jacobs Sheer Lip Gels offer a range of lighter colored nudes to brighter neutrals with a glossy sheen. If you have dry lips you need to prep your lips otherwise the colors will emphasize lip lines. Range offers one shimmer (Have We Met?) and the rest are non-shimmers. These have a very soft vanilla scent (emphasis on very soft).
  • The Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Cremes are for those who like strong bold colors with super saturated pigment and long wear color. This range does have a few neutrals but the focus is on bold rich color, all are creams. The formula is hydrating. The color options are heavy on the reds and corals. There are also good mochas, plums and brights. These have a soft vanilla scent.
  • Chanel relaunched their Rouge Coco Lipsticks (to be reviewed soon). This range offers a wide selection of neutrals in the nude, pink and rose range, there are also a couple medium mauves and then you have the jump to brights and deeper colors to choose from. The colors have a soft shimmer mixed in for dimension with a medium glossy finish. Some have more shimmer than others, but they all have a luminous look. These have a rose scent.
  • The Burberry Kisses Lip Colors are somewhere in the middle of all the others with coverage that is buildable from sheer to  medium-full coverage without any shimmer but don’t look flat. The finish is very natural with a slight sheen but don’t have that high shine finish and the formula melds into the lip for a natural look. This launch has the widest range of colors to choose from neutrals, roses, pinks, mauves, reds and corals (although it does seem to lack any brown-tones).

I’ve found something likable in all the formulas I’ve tested but I think the Burberry line will appeal to more people due to the color range and the fragrance-free formula. You can find the Burberry Kisses Lipsticks at Burberry.com right now. Also available at select Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue stores and online this month.

Have you tried the new Burberry Kisses Lipstick formula yet? What did you think?

The Burberry Kisses were provided courtesy of Burberry for review consideration.
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