Sephora's birthday gift this past month was a good one: two decent-sized NARS lip pencils, one of which, Cruella, I thought I'd showcase for this LOTW. Described as a "passionate scarlet red," it's the perfect shade to wear when you want to toughen up a sweet outfit, and I'm a big fan of its matte finish. At first, I thought it seemed a bit, well, dark (even by my standards) when I applied it, but it wears to a beautiful wine colour after a few hours and didn't need a single touch-up throughout the day.
The Lowdown on Cruella
Brand: NARS
Product Type: Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
Shade: "Passionate scarlet red"; deep wine/burgundy
Price Range: $26US / $$
Celebrity Fans: Charli XCX
Vibe: Intense, edgy
Showing posts with label lipstick. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lipstick. Show all posts
Friday, April 17, 2015
Friday, April 3, 2015
Lipstick of the Week: Bolero (NARS)
I recently raided Vicky's lipstick collection and unearthed this little beauty: NARS' Bolero, a lip pencil in a Velvet Matte finish. A light peachy-pink colour (described on the NARS website as "pink cantaloupe"), it's a far cry from my favoured bright/intense shades, but it feels perfect for this time of year -- very springy and fresh. And I love that because it's so soft, I can pair it with a more defined, smoky eye.
A word of warning, however: it is very drying (even more so than other Velvet Matte pencils I've tried, for some reason), and can easily look cakey/flakey if you haven't exfoliated well beforehand. Also, the swatch on my hand is somewhat misleading; on my lips it's definitely not quite so vibrant a colour.
The Lowdown on Bolero
Brand: NARS
Product Type: Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
Shade: "Pink Cantaloupe"; light, peachy-pink
Price Range: $26US / $$
Celebrity Fans: Alexa Chung
Vibe: Fresh, playful, retro
A word of warning, however: it is very drying (even more so than other Velvet Matte pencils I've tried, for some reason), and can easily look cakey/flakey if you haven't exfoliated well beforehand. Also, the swatch on my hand is somewhat misleading; on my lips it's definitely not quite so vibrant a colour.
The Lowdown on Bolero
Brand: NARS
Product Type: Velvet Matte Lip Pencil
Shade: "Pink Cantaloupe"; light, peachy-pink
Price Range: $26US / $$
Celebrity Fans: Alexa Chung
Vibe: Fresh, playful, retro
Friday, December 19, 2014
Lipstick of the Week: Barry M Lip Lacquer in Cherry Red
Probably one of the most festive lip products I own (it actually has little flecks of glitter in it), Barry M's lip lacquer in Cherry Red is a definite go-to this time of year. It does tend to be a bit drying, so I always wear some clear balm underneath, and apply probably three or four coats to get that rich, lacquer-like finish.
Barry M is one of my favourite UK beauty brands -- great quality and variety at drugstore-level prices. As well as their lip products, I'm also a big fan of their range of nail polish. If you're ever in the UK or Ireland, I recommend you stock up!
Barry M is one of my favourite UK beauty brands -- great quality and variety at drugstore-level prices. As well as their lip products, I'm also a big fan of their range of nail polish. If you're ever in the UK or Ireland, I recommend you stock up!
Friday, December 12, 2014
Lipstick of the Week: Hourglass Grace
I would definitely consider myself a strong lip rather than bold eye kind of person when it comes to make-up...but that's not to say that I don't enjoy a good smoky eye from time to time. And, as we all know, the only possible pairing for an intense eye is a subdued lip. You'd think a basic nude lipstick would be an easy thing to find, but I found it next to impossible to find the perfect shade -- all the ones I tested out were too pale, too chalky, too golden... And then Grace, this little Hourglass freebie from Sephora, came into my life and it was exactly what I was looking for. Described as a "light peachy beige," it's the perfect nude shade for fair skin.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Lipstick of the Week: MAC Ruby Woo
You've probably heard of this week's lipstick, Ruby Woo -- it's definitely a cult classic, and it's not hard to see why. It's just such a classic red red that looks good on every skin colour (though it's especially great for those with cool undertones, as it's a very blue-based red).
Ruby Woo is definitely one of my all-time favourite lipsticks now, but it wasn't always that way... When I first started wearing it, I didn't realize that you need to wear some sort of primer underneath, so after a few hours, I'd be left with really flaky, chalky lips. Thankfully, I know better now, and always apply a thin layer of clear balm underneath (any basic chapstick will do as long as it's untinted).
And as for what to wear it with? Well, pretty much everything, but I especially love it with light, sugary shades -- mint, powder blue, blush. If you don't already have Ruby Woo in your lipstick arsenal, I highly recommend you get it -- ask Santa! (It's also a fantastic present to give to someone, if you're looking for ideas).
Ruby Woo is definitely one of my all-time favourite lipsticks now, but it wasn't always that way... When I first started wearing it, I didn't realize that you need to wear some sort of primer underneath, so after a few hours, I'd be left with really flaky, chalky lips. Thankfully, I know better now, and always apply a thin layer of clear balm underneath (any basic chapstick will do as long as it's untinted).
And as for what to wear it with? Well, pretty much everything, but I especially love it with light, sugary shades -- mint, powder blue, blush. If you don't already have Ruby Woo in your lipstick arsenal, I highly recommend you get it -- ask Santa! (It's also a fantastic present to give to someone, if you're looking for ideas).
Friday, November 28, 2014
Lipstick of the Week: Lancôme Ruby Silk
I'm fond of red lipstick year-round, but there's something about a red lip around Christmastime particularly that just feels so right. This shade, Ruby Silk, from Lancôme's L'Absolu Rouge range, is every bit as luxuriant as it sounds -- rich, creamy, and surprisingly moisturizing for such a vivid colour.
Friday, November 21, 2014
Lipstick of the Week: Elizabeth Arden Cinnamon
What do you guys think of metallic lips? So far out they're back in again? Or not quite yet ready for a comeback? As a firm fan of the matte lip, it took me a while to warm up to this frosty look, but I actually think I kind of like it... It feels quite festive this time of year, and hey, any lip product with a bit of a shine to it is infinitely more lip enhancing/plumping than its matte sister. I think the key to pulling it off without looking dated is to pair it with a simple eye -- if you are going with eyeshadow, keep it matte (metallic eye plus metallic lip = overload).
This Elizabeth Arden shade is definitely not one I'd wear year-round, but it feels appropriate for autumn/winter (I think the fact it's called "Cinnamon" may have a lot to do with it!).
This Elizabeth Arden shade is definitely not one I'd wear year-round, but it feels appropriate for autumn/winter (I think the fact it's called "Cinnamon" may have a lot to do with it!).
Friday, November 14, 2014
Lipstick of the Week: Lancôme Exotic Orchid
While I have a lot of freebies in my lipstick collection, there are actually only a few that I wear on a regular basis, and Exotic Orchid, from Lancôme's L'Absolu Rouge collection, is one of them. The name is somewhat misleading as there's nothing really exotic or orchid-like about this shade -- something like "Basic Rose" would be more appropriate, but I guess that just doesn't have the same allure, does it?
For me, this is the perfect lipstick for when I want something a bit rosier than a basic pink but not as intense as a full-on red lip; in short, it's the ideal shade for everyday wear.
Friday, November 7, 2014
Lipstick of the Week: NARS Majella
While I wear many of my lipsticks year-round, there are some that I find lend themselves better to certain times of the year, and NARS' Satin Lip Pencil in Majella is one such shade. A deep, sultry cranberry, it's the perfect colour for colder months -- an ideal accompaniment to the richer hues and heavier fabrics of this season. While it obviously looks great with a more dressed-up evening look, I actually prefer wearing it more casually during the day, with slouchy knits and just a simple slick of mascara.
Friday, October 31, 2014
Lipstick of the Week: MAC Heroine
Happy Halloween from me and my fake fringe, guys! In honour of the day, I thought I'd share the, uh, scariest lipstick I own: MAC's Heroine. It's a very purple purple, and let's just say that it isn't exactly one of my go-tos (I love it, but it's pretty intense). I have to be in the right (read: brave) mindset to wear it, but when I do, I'm always glad that I did -- it's more fun than berry, more unexpected than pink, and it definitely livens up an otherwise drab outfit.
Friday, October 24, 2014
Lipstick of the Week: Rimmel Lasting Finish -- Kate Moss 08
Despite my love for bright lipsticks, there are days (quite a lot of them, in fact), when I like to sport a more neutral lip. Not exactly a nude, per se, (because that chalky, pale look can reallllly wash me out), but something that's more of an enhanced version of my natural lip colour. This Rimmel lipstick, from the Kate Moss collection, is a gorgeous rosy, mauvey, pinky brown colour, and of all the lipsticks I own, it's high up there on the most-used list. It's just so wearable! And, unlike many other lipsticks that wear off as the day goes by, this one just improves with time. When you first put it on, it's ever so slightly glossy, but wears down to a beautiful rosy stain the longer you wear it.
If you're a lipstick newbie who's not comfortable wearing super bright colours, I can't recommend this shade highly enough! Usually, I find there's a noticeable difference in the quality between drugstore brands and higher-end ones, but to be honest, I find the quality of Rimmel's lipsticks every bit as good as some of the pricier brands I've tried, despite the fact that they're only around $6-7. Creamy, hydrating, great pigmentation, great selection of colours...some of them are even scented! Highly, highly recommended.
If you're a lipstick newbie who's not comfortable wearing super bright colours, I can't recommend this shade highly enough! Usually, I find there's a noticeable difference in the quality between drugstore brands and higher-end ones, but to be honest, I find the quality of Rimmel's lipsticks every bit as good as some of the pricier brands I've tried, despite the fact that they're only around $6-7. Creamy, hydrating, great pigmentation, great selection of colours...some of them are even scented! Highly, highly recommended.
Friday, September 26, 2014
Lipstick of the Week: Revlon Lovesick
Technically, this week's lipstick isn't actually a lipstick at all...it's a "balm stain" from Revlon's Colorburst Collection in Lovesick, a deep pink. I'd been wanting to test out one of these crayon-like stains for a while, so when they were on sale for half price at Shopper's not too long ago, I snatched one up. And it didn't disappoint. While it's definitely not the rich, highly pigmented kind of product that I typically wear, it's good for days when I want a slightly more natural look (of course, natural for me being a relative term). Although it's not nearly as drying as some stains I've tried, I wouldn't exactly call it moisturizing -- I'd recommend having a clear chapstick on hand to layer over it.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Lipstick of the Week: MAC Rebel
Let me introduce you to one of my all-time favourite lipsticks for autumn: MAC's Rebel. While it's a slightly intimidating looking dark purple colour in the tube, it's not actually that scary when it's on, I promise! It's a beautiful rich wine shade in a Satin finish, and it's my go-to colour when the weather starts turning autumnal (it's become a little ritual of sorts that I wear it on the first cold day in September).
I love it with all the usual suspects: navy, midnight blue, grey, and camel (and occasionally black, although that combination can look a little bit intense for day), but my new favourite colour to wear it with is orange!
Are you a fan of the berry lip?! Any favourite lipsticks in this shade?
I love it with all the usual suspects: navy, midnight blue, grey, and camel (and occasionally black, although that combination can look a little bit intense for day), but my new favourite colour to wear it with is orange!
Are you a fan of the berry lip?! Any favourite lipsticks in this shade?
Friday, September 12, 2014
Lipstick of the Week: MAC So Chaud
Back when I featured Morange, I mentioned its not-so-neon but still orange sister, So Chaud. One of my year-round favourites, So Chaud is a rich, orangey red with a matte finish. If you've been thinking you'd like to test out orange lipstick but want to play it safe, I would definitely recommend it! I particularly love it with all shades of blue: navy, cobalt, cornflower, ice...it plays well with them all, and is a bit more unexpected than a classic red. Oh, and surprise! I cut my hair!*
*Just kidding, it's a faux bob...fob?!
Friday, September 5, 2014
Lipstick of the Week: MAC Dubonnet
I've been in Victoria for these past few days, which means my selection of lipstick options has doubled thanks to having access to both my sister Claudia's and my mum's collections ;-) Dubonnet -- a rich, claret red in an Amplified finish -- is one of Claudia's particularly covetable lipsticks, and while such a deep colour can feel a bit heavy in the summer, it's perfect for this time of the year. Obviously, it goes well with the typical autumnal colours, but I love it with something a bit less obvious, like cornflower blue--it just feels more fresh and unexpected.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Lipstick of the Week: MAC Impassioned
For our final post in August, I thought it fitting to bring out the last of my summer lipsticks: MAC's Impassioned. (That's not to say I won't be wearing it come September, but it is more of a warm weather favourite). It's a bright, corally pink colour, and unlike my other favourite hot pink lipstick, Schiap (featured here), it's definitely got warm, as opposed to blue-based, undertones. Thanks to its Amplified finish, it's got a nice, creamy, non-drying texture. And as for what to wear it with? I think it can go both ways: either to liven up a neutral outfit of greys/creams/navies, or paired with fellow bright shades, like my citrus sweater.
{Ugh that freaking tendril. Please pretend it doesn't exist; I'm not intentionally going for a '90s prom look here}
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