Be Bright and Bold!

Chillin at work before I saw Mayer Hawthorne's
How Do You Do show at the 9:30 Club! Wearing
my shades because of my allergies.

Spring 2012 is all about being bright and bold.  You've probably seen neons making a comeback as well some fun tribal patterns.  Even the usual pastel colors got a makeover with all sorts of different hues.  While tangerine tango has been designated as the color for Spring, I thought I'd stick to a color I love wearing but where it bright and bold!

The NARS spring collection came out with this shocking matte pink shade, called Schiap.  I think this color is perfect for spring and summer!  I've worn it when going out at night, but it works for the daytime too.  I usually wear neutral colors for work - black, gray, khaki, cream.  This bright pink lipstick adds just the right amount of pop!  My only issue is this lipstick isn't a long lasting one.

I pair the lipstick with Makeup Forever's Lipliner in 16C Fuschia.  It matches really well with Schiap.  

NARS matte lipstick sells for $24, but if you want a wonderful alternative, Stila's Long Wear Lip Color in Exhilarating is a few bucks cheaper and is nearly identical in color and matte formula.

Me at Disneyworld's Magig Kingdom!
Wearing NARS' Schiap shade, which matched
my Longchamp tote and Minnie ears!
Minnie all grown up ;)

Holiday 2011 - #1 Lancome L'Absolu Rouge

Swatch!

At the #1 spot is none other than your staple red lipstick by Lancome.  Lancome's Absolu Rouge collection is currently my favorite collection for those bright bold shades for lipsticks.

Magnetic closure!

It has a creamy formula and goes on smoothly.  It stays put for the most part and even when the color starts to fade, it leaves a decent tint on your lips so the fading isn't as obvious.  It also contains a hydrating formula and SPF 12.  So no need real need to apply lip balm or lip ointment beforehand.  I do add a little primer or loose powder to hold the lip color more in place.  I matched myself with a Berry Noir shade, and I'm in love with it!  The collection has a wide range of neutrals, pinks, and
reds.  

Another little perk is the magnetic closure of the cover to the base.  Neat!

It's a little expensive, but if you're going to invest in that perfect red lip color, then I think it's worth the money.  Just think how pretty you'll look in photos *wink*.

In the Catholic tradition, we still have the Epiphany to celebrate, but for all of you who are just about done with the holidays, I hope you enjoyed your holiday and that this new year brings you joy!  2012 here we go!

Light application of Berry Noir

Darker application of Berry Noir

Holiday 2011 - #10 Too Faced Borderline

Photo credit: sephora.com

The holiday season is here!  This year, I'm going to start a Top Ten Holiday Makeup Wish List for you readers looking for gifts, stocking stuffers or wanting to add some new makeup products to your own Wish List.  Starting, at number 10...Too Faced Borderline Anti-Feathering Lip Pencil.

I think this works really well for that bright red or pink holiday lipstick.  When those colors smear or wear away, it's so obvious because the color is such a standout.  It's happened to me where I was the lipstick wore off, but the lip liner still stayed, leaving me with an outlined lip with no lip color filling.  And if you're not big on buying a matching lip liner for every color of lipstick, lip gloss, or lip stain you own, Borderline can act as a universal lip liner! 


This can be purchased at your local Ulta or Sephora stores (keep in mind that not all Sephora stores carry Too Faced, but they're sold on their online store!)

NYC Smooch Proof 16H Lip Stain

I'm starting to like NYC New York Color a lot.  They have great swatches from eyeshadow to lip color.  I decided to try their lip stain.  I got the NYC Smooch Proof 16H Lip Stain in Berry Long Time.  The product has a stiff applicator, just like a felt-tip marker from the good ole school days.  What I like about the color is that you can go from sheer to intense.

EOS Smooth Spheres

I have always been meaning to try EOS (stands for Evolution of Smooth) products for quite some time.  I read in one of my many magazines about this new drugstore line made of organic ingredients.  It's USDA approved organic, paraben-free, and contains shea butter and jojoba oil among other organic ingredients.  The lip balm-smooth sphere was just over $3, about a dollar or a little more than your usual choice of lip balm.  Am I the only one that thinks this was a play on the word "evolution" with the shape looking like an egg?

Sugar Lips vs. Satin Lips

Fresh Brown Sugar Lip Polish (Limited Edition) and Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15
Retail Price: $22.50 each
Where to find:  Sephora, Sephora.com

Mary Kay Lip Mask and Lip Balm
Retail Price: $9.50 each (price subject to consultant)
Where To Find: Search a consultant near you Find a MK Consultant

I first saw Fresh Sugar Lip products on the Doctors show on CBS.  Before trying Fresh's products, I was using Mary Kay's Satin Lips Treatment.  Both have the same concept: one for exfoliating your lips and the second product for the lip balm treatment.

Must-Have Monday: SEPHORA Color Play 5-in-1

Sephora is ingenious!  Here's how this Color Play 5-in-1 palette works...

There are five subpalettes.  Each contains 10 eyeshadows, two 2 lipcolor/gloss, and one blush.  The colors for each palette are combined to create a certain look.  The palette comes with an empty portable compact, so depending on the look you're going for, you just pop out one of the five subpalettes and insert it in the empty portable compact to take with you wherever you go.  Genius, right?  And the price..$29.50!

This is a great palette to have, especially if you plan on being out of the house all day and just need to touch-up your makeup.

     Since we're on the subject of touch-ups, makeup remover is a must-have.  Since touch-ups usually involve reappying eyeshadows and lipcolors, you only need a small amount of makeup remover.  You should only be using it to remove smears, any outliers, and simply to clean the area where you will reapply your makeup. Below are a few suggestions.  All of them are small enough in size to fit in your bag; contain just the right amount of product needed for a quick touch-up; and inexpensive :)

Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover Pads Extra Gentle (CVS $7.99) - light and not oily; good for contact lens users!

Sephora Face 30 Waterproof Eye Makeup Removing Pads (Sephora $8) - another good remover pad

Bare Escentuals On the Spot (Sephora $5) - This is really good for quick correction on small areas around the eyes.  Each Q-tip/cotton swab has a premeasured amount of formula.  Each pack contains 24 swabs.

Images:

Sephora Collection Color Play 5-in-1 http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P258058&categoryId=B10#

On the Spot Bare Escentuals http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P123204&categoryId=S10852&shouldPaginate=true

Face 30 Waterproof Eye Makeup Removing Pads Sephora Collection  http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P235208&categoryId=S10852&shouldPaginate=true

Stay Glossy, DMV

DMV = District-Maryland-Virginia (for the out-of-towners :))
One of the things that attract me to makeup counters/stores is the array of colors displayed on the counters and shelves, especially the lipcolors and lipglosses.  These makeup brands sure know how to market their stuff.  Who doesn't love seeing all the lipcolors, lipglosses, and even the eyeshadows, all lined up "at attention" ready to be bought?  And somehow you think that every color will look good on you.  Ha.

Below are a few lip glosses ranging from the expensive to inexpensive.  So read on and take your pick(s)!

Lancome Color Fever Gloss ($26.00)

I really like the sheer color shades and the glitter/iridescence effect is not too loud.  It's just right.  This gloss can be worn alone or paired with a lipcolor.  A great summer shade is Sunbaked Coral.  This lipgloss does not have that sticky feel to it.  And when I wear it alone, I don't feel like I have anything on, because the formula is really light.  One awesome feature is the applicator.  It has a wider "brush" (for lack of a better word), so it covers more area with each application for a more even coverage.  Genius!

Chanel Gloss Fluo de Chanel #132 ($27.00)

Don't be scared of this bright pink/purple shade.  Because it's a sheer lipgloss, this particular shade adds just enough "pop!" to your lips.  I like to use this alone or on top of a darker shade of lipstick.  Also like Lancome's, this gloss does not feel sticky.

Origins Once Upon A Shine Lip Gloss ($14.50)

I really like the cool minty feel and scent when you apply this lip gloss.  Like some mentioned above, this lip gloss gives just enough shine when used alone.

Maybelline Superstay Lip Color ($9.99)

For a drugstore product, this is the one!  I've tried Revlon's Colorstay Lipcolor line; and as much as the color actually stays for a good couple of hours, my lips were left dry at the end of the day.  I love this Maybelline's product because it hydrates my lips and it does stay long!  Last time I checked, it lasted 3 hours until I had to repply just the balm; but the color lasted during the work hours!  You apply the lipcolor and let it set for a minute (until dry), then you apply the lip balm.  You can reapply the balm when needed.
     Ok, this is categorized as lip color and not lip gloss.  I like to think of it as a 2-in-1.  Once you apply the balm, it looks like you just applied lip gloss!

Not my absolute favorites (but they might work for you...)

Sephora Super Shimmer Lip Gloss and MAC Lustreglass Lip Gloss

Although both brands offer so many fun colors, the formula is just too sticky.  Even when I wipe my lips with a napkin, sometimes the napkin sticks to my lips!  Sephora and MAC do have other lines of lip glosses, which I haven't tried yet.

Tips

1.  If you use lip gloss over a lipcolor, I suggest buying one light-colored lip gloss and one dark-colored.  When paired with a lipcolor, a lip gloss either lightens/brightens the lipcolor or darkens/intensifies the lipcolor.  This is also an excuse to test different brands (see above) to figure out which one works best for you!

2.  If you have fuller lips, it's best to minimize the amount you apply.  Too much and your lips might appear swollen than sultry.

3.  If you're not into color, a clear lip gloss is good enough!


4.  If you're using the lip gloss solo, apply a little SPF lip balm before the applying the lip gloss.

Images:
Chanel http://www.chanel.com/en_US/fragrance-beauty/Makeup-Lipgloss-GLOSS-FLUO-DE-CHANEL-88791
Lancome http://www.echemist.co.uk/p-lancome-color-fever-gloss
Maybelline http://www.maybelline.com/Product/Lip/LipColor/superstay-lipcolor.htm
Origins http://www.origins.com/templates/products/sp_shaded.tmpl?CATEGORY_ID=CATEGORY5980&PRODUCT_ID=PROD6521