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Lips

14 More Reasons to Carry a Bigger Makeup Bag: The 14 New, Single-Swipe Creme Smooth Lip Colours From Laura Mercier

March 6th, 2013 by Karen 31 Comments

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Belize
Wearing the new $26 Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Belize, one of 14 new spring shades available now at Laura Mercier counters and online

There are some things I don’t mind doing over and over again…

Like hitting the rewind button during that part in Magic Mike when Channing Tatum dances to Pony. Or listening to this song by Flesh for Lulu from the Some Kind of Wonderful soundtrack which, I kid you not, I’ve listened to at least 47 times over the past two days.

(Anyone else out there ever wish they lived in a John Hughes ’80s teen film world? Anyone? Bueller?)

But applying coat after coat of a lipstick in the quest of full coverage color is NOT one of those things.

Maaaan, no can do. Give me a one-swipe lipstick, like any of the 14 new $26 Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colours, any old day.

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour Spring 2013 small
Four of the 14 new Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colours from the left: Belize, Fresh Raspberry, Hollywood and Maya ($26 each)

I try to stay busy, try to get things done, but I’m definitely part lazy at heart, and it’s that part of me that really likes Laura’s Creme Smooth Lip Colours.

These corals, pinks, reds and berries make it easy to turn up the volume of your look; one layer applied straight from the tube turns the dial to 10. All of a sudden, that girl sitting over there? — the one whose sweats are covered in cat hair? Now she’s also stylish. Now she’s the stylish girl wearing sweats that are covered in cat hair.

LOL!

These 14 new shades contain just as much awesome sauce as the 18 existing ones that catapulted into the permanent line last fall. Same unscented, unflavored formula, moderately shiny finish and 5-6 hour wear time, and now they, too, are permanent, so even if you can’t make it to the mall today, no worries. These aren’t going anywhere for a while.

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour spring 2013

Perfect! — because now we don’t have to rush. We can plant our butts on the couch and watch Magic Mike one more time. 🙂

When we do make it to the counter, however, I hope you check coral Belize, bright mauve Fresh Raspberry, red Hollywood and orangey red Maya. They’re my favorites among the new shades. They light up faces faster than you can say, “Make it rain, Channing Tatum! Make it rain!!”

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth lilp Colour swatches
Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour swatches from the left: Belize, Fresh Raspberry, Hollywood and Maya

Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Maya
Laura Mercier Creme Smooth Lip Colour in Maya

[Continue reading…]

There are 31 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Laura Mercier, Lips, Makeup, Product Reviews

Chic, Naturally: The 9 New Milani Color Statement Lipsticks in Natural and Brown Shades

March 5th, 2013 by Karen 21 Comments

Milani Color Statement Lipstick Naturally Chic 25
Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Naturally Chic ($5.49), one of 30 new Color Statement Lipsticks

I’ll take a Double Espresso, Chocolate Berries and some Candied Toffees, please.

Oh, silly rabbit! I’m not talking about afternoon snacks (although they sound pretty good, don’t they?). Those are just three of the nine new scrumptious shades of natural and brown lippies in Milani’s new deliciously pigmented Color Statement Lipstick line.

Take a peek and let me know what you’re craving. 🙂

Milani Color Statement Lipstick Naturals & Browns
Natural and Brown Milani Color Statement Lipsticks from the left: Naturally Chic, Nude Creme, Dulce Caramelo, Teddy Bare, Candied Toffees, Bronze Beauty, D’oro, Chocolate Berries and Double Espresso

Milani Color Statement Lipstick Swatches Naturals and Browns
Milani Color Statement Lipstick Swatches from left: Naturally Chic, Nude Creme, Dulce Caramelo, Teddy Bare, Candied Toffees, Bronze Beauty, D’oro, Chocolate Berries and Double Espresso

Milani Color Statement Lipstick Nude Creme 26
Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Nude Creme

Milani Color Statement Lipstick Dulce Caramelo 27
Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Dulce Caramelo

Milani Color Statement Lipstick Teddy Bare 29
Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Teddy Bare
[Continue reading…]

There are 21 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Drugstore Beauty Finds, Lips, Makeup, Milani

Get Ready to Fall for the Plum and Berry Shades in Milani’s New Color Statement Lipstick Line

February 28th, 2013 by Karen 16 Comments

Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Chilled Brandy
That’s Milani’s Color Statement Lipstick in Chilled Brandy ($5.49) on my lips, one of 30 new shades available now online and at CVS, Target, Walgreens, Walmart and Kmart stores

Perhaps you’re a forward-thinking gal — one who likes being prepared for the next, next big thing. You’re not gearing up for summer makeup. No, you’re ready for fall!

You’ll hear the crunching autumn leaves beneath your feet while wearing one of seven plum and berry shades in Milani’s new Color Statement Lipstick line. Each tube’s just $5.49, bursting with pigment and perfect to pair with your rich fall makeup looks.

Of course, you could wear ’em now, too… No reason to wait six whole months for fall. 🙂

Milani Color Statement Lipstick swatches plums berries
Milani Color Statement Lipsticks from the left: Plumrose, Raspberry Rush, Uptown Mauve, Sangria, Chilled Brandy, Black Cherry and Violet Volt

Milani Color Statement Lipstick swatches plums berries
Milani Color Statement Lipstick swatches from the left: Plumrose, Raspberry Rush, Uptown Mauve, Sangria, Chilled Brandy, Black Cherry and Violet Volt

Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Plumrose
Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Plumrose

[Continue reading…]

There are 16 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Drugstore Beauty Finds, Lips, Makeup, Milani

The New Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks: Worthy of Your Drugstore Beauty Wishlist

February 28th, 2013 by Karen 49 Comments

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick Bright Berry 40
Wearing Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Bright Berry 40 ($8.49), one of eight new MoistureSmooth Color Sticks available now at drugstores, grocery stores and online

Remember when you’d get that rush as a kid from opening a fresh box of crayons? (Um…or was that just me?)

That’s kind of how opening one of these new $8.49 Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks feels. 🙂 Suddenly, I’m in art class again, daydreaming about where these colorful sticks will take me.

Don’t they seem a lot like Clinique’s line of Chubby Sticks (which cost almost twice as much, BTW)?

Sure, they might not be all that original (they also look and feel a lot like Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balms), but I gotta say — downright stellar for the price!

Smooth, light, moisturizing and non-sticky, they leave a soft wash of shiny color that lasts from 2-3 hours.

When my lips are dry, the MoistureSmooth Color Sticks moisturize ’em, and give them a nice, sheer-to-medium tint, without drawing any unwanted attention by highlighting flakes.

My nose and taste buds also like the faint peach gummy candy flavor and scent, which fades within a few minutes…

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks small
Neutrogena’s MoistureSmooth Color Sticks ($8.49 each)

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick Swatches
Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick Swatches from the left: Juicy Peach 10, Fresh Papaya 20, Sweet Watermelon 30, Bright Berry 40, Warm Caramel 50, Warm Caramel 50, Soft Raspberry 60, Plum Perfect 70 and Rich Raisin 80

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick Juicy Peach 10
Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Juicy Peach 10

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Fresh Papaya 20
Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Fresh Papaya 20

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick Sweet Watermelon 30
Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Sweet Watermelon 30

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick Bright Berry 40
Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Bright Berry 40
[Continue reading…]

There are 49 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Drugstore Beauty Finds, Lips, Makeup, Neutrogena

The New Tom Ford Lip Color Shines in Action

February 27th, 2013 by Karen 19 Comments

Tom Ford Lip Color Shine Photos, Swatches, Review
Wearing the new Tom Ford Lip Color Shine in Willful ($48), one of 10 shades from the new Lip Color Shine collection available now at Tom Ford counters and online

Ever since Tabs won the Oscar for his starring role in Lincoln’s Cat (“A cinematic tour de force,” according to Entertainment Weekly), things have been a little hectic around here. Please note: when the pet you assist wins a major acting award, expect to be on call 24/7 for at least three weeks.

Le sigh…

I couldn’t leave you in the lurch, though, so when Tabs finally granted me a much-needed break today, I snuck in some me time with the new Tom Ford Lip Color Shines. 🙂

The new line of 10 creamy, lightweight lipsticks in neutral, pink and bright shades offers semi-sheer coverage and hydration like WHOA (Tom Ford loaded them with moisturizing ingredients like soja seed extract, Brazilian murumuru butter and chamomilla flower oil).

The neutrals include rosy nude Nubile, light tan Abandon and beige Bare.

Pink pouts more your thing? You might like blush pink Chastity, honeysuckle pink Smitten, light bluish pink Quiver, peachy pink Frolic or apricot pink Insidious.

Two brights round out the collection — orangey red Willful and hot pink Ravenous.

A few pics of five of the 10 shades in action…

Tom Ford Lip Color Shines in Bare, Frolic, Insidious, Quiver and Willful
From the left: Tom Ford Lip Color Shines in Bare, Frolic, Insidious, Quiver and Willful

Tom Ford Lip Color Shines in Bare, Frolic, Insidious, Quiver and Willful
From the left: Tom Ford Lip Color Shines in Bare, Frolic, Insidious, Quiver and Willful

Tom Ford Lip Color Shine swatches
Tom Ford Lip Color Shine swatches from the left: Bare, Frolic, Insidious, Quiver and Willful

Tom Ford Lip Color Shine in Bare
Tom Ford Lip Color Shine in Bare (a beige)

Tom Ford Lip Color Shine in Frolic
Tom Ford Lip Color Shine in Frolic (a pinkish peach)

Tom Ford Lip Color Shine in Insidious
Tom Ford Lip Color Shine in Insidious (an apricot pink)
[Continue reading…]

There are 19 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Lips, Makeup, Product Reviews, Tom Ford Beauty

Aerin Beauty Lip Gloss in Casis Is Giving My Lips a Case of Smooth Pink Lip Gloss Love

February 26th, 2013 by Karen 29 Comments

Aerin Beauty Casis Lip Gloss Review Swatches Pictures
Wearing the new limited edition Aerin Beauty Lip Gloss in Casis ($30), available now at Aerin Beauty counters and online

I feel like the greatest pink glosses — the epic ones you dream about, and about which you say in casual conversation with other makeup nerds things like, “Remember that one pink gloss from the spring 2007 collection? Gawd, I loved that color!” — are major threats to most of the products I carry in my makeup bag.

With an epic pink gloss that gets the shade just right, one that I feel illuminates my entire face, I’m tempted to just wear it and almost nothing else.

And when I see one of those pink glosses basking at the bottom of my makeup bag, it’s as if it says to me, “C’mon, Karen, forget about primer, foundation and all that extra stuff. As long as we have each other, a little under-eye concealer, mascara and brow powder, we’ll be fine.”

For me, Aerin Beauty’s new spring 2013 collection Lip Gloss in Casis ($30) is totally one of those pinks.

What I love most about this rosy, almost full-coverage neutral pink, other than the ease with which it adds dazzling color to my face, is how smooth it looks on my lips.

Casis doesn’t settle into my fine lip lines or highlight any dips and crevices. Instead, it creates a seamless, glassy block of opaque color that looks almost like I stretched a piece of pink vinyl across my pout.

Aerin Beauty Casis Lip Gloss Picture
Aerin Beauty Casis Lip Gloss also has a doe-foot applicator

Aerin Beauty Casis Lip Gloss Picture Swatch
Aerin Beauty Casis Lip Gloss on my lips

[Continue reading…]

There are 29 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Aerin Beauty, Lips, Makeup, Product Reviews

Dior Says Oui to Greenish Gold Micro Shimmer: The New Dior Addict Gloss in Nuit Boréale

February 25th, 2013 by Karen 14 Comments

Dior Addict Gloss in Nuit Boreale Picture Swatch
Wearing the Dior’s new Addict Gloss in Nuit Boréale ($29.50) on my lips, one of 24 new Addict Gloss shades coming in March to Dior counters and dior.com

Channing Tatum says what now…? You’re telling me there’s another green lip gloss worthy of a spring obsession?

Unlike Illamasqua’s Shoot, and the audience’s loud shrieks when Chan-Tate starts dancing to Pony, this one is quiet. Very, very quiet… The shimmery greenish golden pearl in Dior’s new Addict Gloss in Nuit Boréale is so quiet that you have to look closely to even see it (so no Hulk lips here).

Nuit Boréale (“polar night” in French, according to Google Translate) is one of 24 shades in the recently revamped Dior Addict Gloss line, and like the other Addict Glosses, it’s all about shine.

Or rather, reflection. While most glosses refract light, bouncing it in different directions, Dior says the new Addict formula’s glass micro-beads and crystalline micro-particles line up to reflect light more evenly.

And they say that’s why it also makes lips appear so plump and shiny.

I do think my lips look a little plumper when I’m wearing Nuit Boréale… Not Angelina Jolie-levels of larger-than-life lusciousness, mind you. Just a tad.

And sure, the chrome shine grabs attention, but I think it’s the color that really sets this particular tube apart.

Dior Addict Gloss in Nuit Boreale Picture
Dior Addict Gloss in Nuit Boréale

Dior Addict Gloss Nuit Boreale Swatch
Dior Addict Gloss in Nuit Boréale swatch on NC42 skin

Dior Addict Gloss Nuit Boreale Swatch
Dior Addict Gloss in Nuit Boréale and goofy face!

[Continue reading…]

There are 14 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Dior, Lips, Makeup, Product Reviews

Unsung Makeup Heroes: Hourglass Muse Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick

February 21st, 2013 by Karen 38 Comments

Hourglass Muse Opaque Liquid Lipstick
Wearing Hourglass Muse Opaque Liquid Lipstick ($28) on my lips

Ever dig into your makeup bag and rediscover something you absolutely love but kindasorta just forgot about for a month or two or 12?

I feel ya, dawg. I do it all the time.

This week I made a point of rutting around through my makeup stash to look for buried treasure, and woo-hoo! — I’ve been finding quite a few things, like Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Muse. Or “Musey” as I like to call her. 🙂

A vibrant matte coral red — one of those “stop you in the street” shades like Make Up For Ever’s Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in 39 — Muse glows brighter than a neon sign.

You might remember its launch last fall as part of the long-wearing Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick line.

With Muse, absolutely, I love the wow factor, but I also like the wear. Seriously, this shade DOES WORK! It decorates my pout for up to 10 hours (!) without weighing down or drying out my lips — traits not easy to find in such a long-wearing lipstick.

Hourglass Muse Opaque Liquid Lipstick Picture

Hourglass Muse Opaque Liquid Lipstick Swatch
[Continue reading…]

There are 38 comments on this post. Leave yours.

Categories: Hourglass, Lips, Makeup, Unsung Heroes

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