Lips

Like Slipping on a Pair of Stretchy Pants, the New MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks From the Tropical Taboo Collection Feel Good

June 26th, 2013 by Karen 15 Comments

MAC Lady at Play Mineralize Rich Lipstick from the Tropical Taboo collection — A picture of a Lady at Play… MAC’s Lady at Play Mineralize Rich Lipstick from the Tropical Taboo collection.

As a card-carrying member of MAC’s Mineralize Rich Lipstick Club, I suspected the five shades in the new Tropical Taboo collection would be the business, and MAC did not let me down.

Smoother than Ryan Gosling on roller stakes, more satisfying than unbuttoning my skinny jeans after a big meal (or taking off my bra after a long day) and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound! — these moisturizing, lightweight lippies are super fab.

MAC Divine Choice Mineralize Rich Lipstick — Divine Choice Mineralize Rich Lipstick, $22

MAC Glamour Era Mineralize Rich Lipstick — Glamour Era Mineralize Rich Lipstick, $22

Lightweight and loaded with moisture, they feel like a balm on my lips, but they’re also packed with full-coverage, easy-to-control color. I can wear ’em without a lip liner and don’t need a lip brush to apply, even with the more intense colors like Midnight Mambo and Lady at Play.

MAC Lady At Play Mineralize Rich Lipstick — Lady At Play Mineralize Rich Lipstick, $22

I get so fired up just talking about some of these, like Lady at Play (so bright), Glamour Era (looks a little like Twig) and Divine Choice, that I have to fan myself! Those are the three that raise my temperature the most. All three easily transition from day to night (yay for flexibility!).

MAC Midnight Mambo Mineralize Rich Lipstick — Midnight Mambo Mineralize Rich Lipstick, $22

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Eye Gloss, Lip Gloss, We All Gloss for This Gloss: Paul & Joe’s Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss Duo in Nice

June 21st, 2013 by Karen 7 Comments

So darned cute that heart-shaped bubbles and blue-eyed white kittens may trail behind you when you wear it. 🙂

Paul & Joe’s sweet dual-ended stick has a cream shadow (the Eye Gloss) on one end and a lip gloss on the other. Nice ($34), from the Beach Baby summer collection, is nice!

1. Adorable overload…

Paul & Joe Beach Baby Collection 2 — From the left: the Eye Liner and Eye Crayon from the Eyeliner WP & Eye Crayon Duo in Saint Tropez 001; the Gloss and Eye Gloss from the Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss Duo in Nice 02; and Bermuda Nail Enamel

OOH! Look at the scripty font and chrysanthemum flowers.

Paul & Joe Eye Gloss from the Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss Duo in Nice — The Eye Gloss from the Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss Duo in Nice

Paul & Joe Gloss from the Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss Duo in Nice — The Gloss from the Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss Duo in Nice

2. Put your powder shadows on pause

Paul & Joe's Eye Gloss & Lip Gloss Duo in Nice Eye Gloss Swatch — A swatch of the Eye Gloss

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Smoother Than a Smoothie, and They Won’t Give You Brain Freeze! The Lightweight and Moisturizing Papaya Slushie, Watermelon Ice and Mocha Freeze Sweet Sun Shines Lip Glosses by Too Faced Cosmetics

June 20th, 2013 by Karen 15 Comments

Too Faced Watermelon Ice — Wearing Sweet Sun Shines Gloss in Watermelon Ice ($16), by Too Faced Cosmetics

Nope, I don’t get brain freeze. Never had it. Not once!

And, at the rate I’m going, with all the hours of brain-liquifying Bravo television I watch, I probably never will (because there won’t be anything left up there to freeze!).

Haha.

This actually works out in my benefit today because these Too Faced Sweet Sun Shines Glosses make me want to hightale it down to the closest smoothie shop to slurp everything on the menu.

Too-Faced-Sun-Shines-Lip-GlossToo Faced Sun Shines Lip Glosses from top to bottom: Mocha Freeze, Papaya Slushie and Watermelon Ice — From top to bottom: Mocha Freeze, Papaya Slushie and Watermelon Ice

They even have yummy names that sound like smoothies — Papaya Slushie (a shimmery orange), Watermelon Ice (a frosty hot pink) and Mocha Freeze (a shimmery, nude bronze) — and, thankfully, should not cause brain freeze (seeing as they’re glosses).

You may want to watch out for unconsciously drooling, though, when you see them because they do look pretty delectable.

Too Faced Sun Shines Lip Glosses from the left: Mocha Freeze, Papaya Slushie and Watermelon Ice — From the left: Mocha Freeze, Papaya Slushie and Watermelon Ice

I absolutely love, LOVE how smooth, slick and comfy these feel on my lips. The lightweight, non-sticky gel formula is also hella moisturizing.

Sometimes I don’t want to work around my gloss, ya know? And these are great for days like that, when all I want to do is swipe a doe-foot across my lips, pet my cat and get back to my Bravo. 🙂

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Gazing Into These Crystal Balms, I See a Future Filled With Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balms

June 18th, 2013 by Karen 24 Comments

Clarins Crystal Rose — Wearing Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm in Crystal Rose ($26) on my lips

I am no fortune teller.

No way, no how. I’ve never picked the winning lottery numbers, haven’t foreseen any major historical events, and I did not divine my evolution into a cat lady…although really, in hindsight, that one I should have seen comin’. 🙂

I can’t tell you if that guy/gal you’re dating is THE one (I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you!), but I can tell you this: if you plan to spend any time with these Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balms this summer, you’ll be spending much of it swiping these balms back and forth across your lips. Back, back, forth and forth, as the song goes.

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm 2 — The Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balms from the left in Crystal Rose, Crystal Gold Plum and Crystal Mandarin (not pictured: Crystal Berry)

Yeah, these four new limited edition tinted lip balms require some serious swiping. A LOT of swiping. I think it has to do with the tinted inner core.

Released with the Clarins Splendours Colour Collection for summer, Crystal Rose, Crystal Mandarin, Crystal Gold Plum and Crystal Berry ($26 each) each have a yummy-looking tinted inner core surrounded by a transparent balm.

Don’t they look cool and almost good enough to eat?

Mmm… Like lipstick gummies. 🙂

I’ve been wearing and liking three of the four shades this week. Like a fancier, more pigmented species of Burt’s Bees lip balm, they have a lightweight but heavy-duty moisturizing formula that also packs a peck of shine. Non-sticky, they last around 2-3 hours for me.

Thing is, they also take a bit of work to wield. Lots of that swiping I mentioned, as in swiping the lipstick across my lips at least 5-6 times to evenly apply the colors.

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm Swatches — From the left, that’s Crystal Rose, Crystal Mandarin and Crystal Gold Plum

I think there’s something up with that tinted inner core, like it’s a different texture than the softer outer balm. With the first pass across my lower lip, the swipe ends up patchy and uneven…

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MAC and Second Acts, Where Opposites Attract: The RiRi Hearts MAC Summer Collection Makes a Reservation Online, Party of Five

June 17th, 2013 by Karen 43 Comments

MAC Heux Lipstick — MAC Heaux Lipstick, a matte berry from the new RiRi Hearts MAC Summer collection

What it do, RiRi Woo? The lipstick MAC remixed for Rihanna is back for a second act, and she brought along a few friends.

If you wanted (but missed) RiRi Woo the first time around, you’ll get a second chance to scoop it up, along with the rest of the five-piece limited edition RiRi Hearts MAC Summer collection, online starting tomorrow, June 18.

I had a play date with the collection this morning and had magnetic field day…

By magnetic, I mean opposites that attract, because for me, opposites permeate these products. Intense lip colors contrast with the sheer blush on cheeks, and the matte lipsticks and blush sit in stark contrast to the shimmery, sparkly highlighter.

I like it. The whole dang idea.

Sure, the collection is short and sweet, but you get a lot of juxtaposition here. The look doesn’t seem flat at all, which can be an issue with some collections that feature this much matte.

Maybe it’s just a flashback to my English Major days, but I also like to think that MAC and Rihanna intended for the opposing elements to be symbolic of RiRi, whose stage persona seems both raw and vulnerable at the same time.

That, or perhaps I’ve listened to Stay one too many times…

Lipsticks in RiRi Woo, RiRi Boy and Heaux ($15 each)

MAC Riri Hearts MAC Lipsticks Drops — From the left: Heaux, RiRi Boy, RiRi Woo and Lustre Drops in Barbados Girl

Far and away, I think the most popular pieces from this collection are going to be the lipsticks ($15 each). The core girls/guys on Team MAC love intense color, and red RiRi Woo, lavender RiRi Boy and berry Heaux deliver it in droves.

But gosh, these sure feel dry… They tug at my skin and feel like I’m wearing a thick layer of cornstarch on my lips.

That said, the mega matte way these look is still pretty bangin’. They’re chic and oh! — photograph very well.

I like these for their looks, because they’re definitely not the most comfortable lip products or the easiest to apply. If you don’t mind suffering for your fashion, you’re in luck. These are like 5-inch spiked heels in lipstick clothing. Plus, the whole matte thing is so hella ’90s, which I love.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+

Powder Blush Duo in Hibiscus Kiss ($26)

MAC Hibiscus Kiss — Hibiscus Kiss Powder Blush

Cheek this out, babe!

I flipped a sprocket when I saw the neutral bronze and coral in this Hibiscus Kiss Powder Blush Duo ($26), but my fever waned when I swatched it for the first time.

The blasted thing feels hard to the touch and applies very sheer.

It shows up a little better on my skin when I apply it with the brush (which, unfortunately, also takes longer), but still — not by much. I have to really build this up in layers to get a look I like. Sorry, no intense flushes here, but this might light your fire if you like super sheer cheeks.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B-

Lustre Drops Liquid Highlighter in Barbados Girl ($20)

What a nice surprise! From the Lustre Drops in Barbados Girl, I expected a clone of Pink Rebel, but it’s actually a different deal. This liquid highlighter contains more bronze, and there are tiny flecks of glitter swimming around in it.

The effect’s flashy enough to notice from a few feet away, but it’s not gonna hit anyone over the head and say, “LOOK AT ME!!”

I’d call this perfect if it wasn’t so easy to over-apply. The glitter can get a little goopy if you use too much (yep, like I did at first).
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A-

MAC Hibiscus Kiss Lustre Drops Swatch — Swatches of Hibiscus Kiss Powder Blush on the left and Lustre Drops on the right (unblended and blended)

MAC Riri Boy Riri Woo Heux Swatches — Lipstick swatches from the left: Riri Boy, Riri Woo and Heaux

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There’s Always Room For Jell-O And Another Marvelously Moisturizing Lip Gloss: These Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gels Even Look Like Jell-O

June 11th, 2013 by Karen 16 Comments

Clarins Instant Smooth Lip Gel Crystal Pink — Is that J-E-L-L-O? Nope, it’s Clarins Instant Smooth Lip Gel in Crystal Pink ($22)

My lower lip quivered like Jell-O jiggling on a school lunch tray the first time I touched one of these new $22 Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gels.

That’s because it promised moisture — and lots of it — something my perpetually parched lips always crave.

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gel Crystal Plum Pink — Crystal Plum (darker tube) and Crystal Pink

Shiny like a lip gloss and moisturizing like a balm, Crystal Pink and Crystal Plum make me look like I’ve been kissing Jell-O, or strawberry and raspberry jelly, which is kind of weird but also cool.

Good jelly, too. None of that shiny slime that washes up on shore, or like when you take out a bowl of cold, fatty gravy from the fridge and it wiggles like The Blob when you move it back and forth.

Ewww…

Nope, not like that.

Just a translucent veil of wet color, almost like I’m holding a piece of shiny red or purple cellophane up to my lips.

Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Gel Crystal Plum Pink Swatches — Crystal Pink on the left and Crystal Plum on the right

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How Do You Make an Orange Crush? Just Squeeze Seven MAC All About Orange Lipsticks

June 6th, 2013 by Karen 33 Comments

Wearing MAC Flamingo Lipstick, a bright milky coral with a Lustre finish ($15), one of seven MAC Lipsticks in the new All About Orange collection

Oh, Tivo… You’ve been so good to me lately.

It was really, really sweet of you to record six hours of The Millionaire Matchmaker… You know how much I enjoy that show (oh, hells yeah!). 🙂

But wait — what’s this? You also recorded Blue Crush, one of my favorite chick flicks of all time?

Aww!! And you even did it without my asking?

How did you know I’ve been missing Hawaii something fierce this week and that I needed something good to watch while swatching the seven $15 lippies in the MAC All About Orange collection (available now at MAC counters, stores and online)?

MAC All About Orange Lipsticks from the left: Razzledazzler, Sweet & Sour, Tangerine Dream, Flamingo, Sushi Kiss, Tart & Trendy, Neon Orange — From the left: Razzledazzler, Sweet & Sour, Tangerine Dream, Flamingo, Sushi Kiss, Tart & Trendy, Neon Orange

You know me so well…

You gave me three more reasons to love the living room — an orchard of orange lipsticks that tend to well with warm skin tones, a surf movie with spectacular views of Oahu and a napping tabby cat.

I feel…like one of the characters from Blue Crush, maybe a missing member of the surf girl crew, the one obsessed with orange lipsticks and surfing.

“Flamingo Lipstick rips, man. Neon Orange? Charge it, charge it, CHARGE IT!”

I would totally paddle out for tubes of Razzledazzler, Sweet & Sour, Tart & Trendy and Sushi Kiss, but Tangerine Dream? Probably not.

Whenever I wear that one, I look like I’ve been worked over by big waves.

MAC All About Orange Lipstick Swatches — From the left: Razzledazzler, Sweet & Sour, Tangerine Dream, Flamingo, Sushi Kiss, Tart & Trendy and Neon Orange

MAC Tart & Trendy — Tart & Trendy, a bright, neutral-toned orange cream with a Lustre finish

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Orange You Going Nude This Summer? The MAC All About Orange Cremesheen Glasses Think You Should

June 5th, 2013 by Karen 24 Comments

MAC Double Happiness Cremesheen Glass, $20

Everyday nudes…

A phrase like that could mean a few different things. It could refer to the billboard down the street from my brother’s apartment in SF that reads, “Touch Our Junk.”

(I’m pretty sure it doesn’t mean junk of the discarded/reused/recycled variety.)

It could also refer to eminently wearable nude glosses — the kind you’ll happily wear over and over.

I nude gloss…

This time of year, I love it even more than usual because it’s just swipe and go. You can’t get much lower maintenance than that.

MAC Double Happiness, Imperial Light and Rising Sun Cremesheen Glasses — Double Happiness, Imperial Light and Rising Sun Cremesheen Glasses

If your boo comes home from work early one random afternoon and says, “Eff this workaday crap, babe! Let’s go be beach bums in Hawaii,” nude glosses are good for times like that… Matte red lips just don’t go with that scenario.

Christina Aguilera could probably pull off matte red lips, a retro tankini and water wings, but me? Not so much. I’d look like the main event in an underwater circus.

MAC Double Happiness Cremesheen Glass, $20 — Double Happiness Cremesheen Glass

Yet another of the many benefits of nude glosses…

A few days ago while rifling through my bag for the chocolate I keep stashed “for emergencies” (don’t front, I you know you do this too), the only nude glosses in my purse were the new Cremesheen Glasses ($20 each) from MAC All About Orange.

MAC Imperial Light Cremesheen Glass — Imperial Light Cremesheen Glass, $20

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