New Rodin Lipsticks with Swatches

Nothing brings me more joy than trying a new lipstick launch. And from a brand that I have never tried before makes it even better! I can't remember where I first saw these Rodin lipsticks, but the packaging was some of the most chic I have ever seen so I ran to the Barneys website to pick up a few shades. I only saw 5 colors on the website so I am assuming they may launch more later. What really pulled me in initially was the So Mod shade because it looked like an amazing nude milky pink, but I preferred it more with a gloss on top because alone it showed my lip lines and any dry patches. However, I still think that it will be a popular color for those who love nude lips. But Tough Tomato and Red Hedy are jaw-droppingly amazing. 

As you can see from the above swatches, each shade is richly pigmented and only takes 1-2 swipes to get this intense of a payoff. The buttery formula applies smoothly, doesn't bleed or dry out my lips and lasts all day long. I touched up at around hour 5 but it lasted through a meal quite evenly which surprised me. There are a ton of new lipstick and gloss launches right now (just bought a few of these shades, will be picking up a few of these shortly and recently received 2 of these), but nothing has wowed me like this rather under-the-radar lip launch. I will patiently be awaiting new shade extensions!

Shop other new lip launches:

Shimmer Lipsticks That Are Wearable For Daytime: Surratt Beauty Prismatique Lips with Swatches

Surratt Beauty is a newer beauty line that launched over the past few years, and this is my first introduction to the line. As a matte lip lover, I don't have many shimmer lip colors in my collection, though after reading a ton of great reviews on these new Surratt Beauty Prismatique Lip colors they piqued my interest immediately. When looking at swatches and pictures online, they seemed like they had a chunky shimmer to them which I wasn't sure I would like. Nothing is worse than grainy glitter in a lip product. Ouch. But as soon as I received them, I felt the texture and it was as smooth as a lipstick or balm.

The pigmentation is quite sheer though there were a few colors that gave a more opaque finish - Chi Chi and Elitiste being the main two. I anticipated the sheen for these lip colors to look frosted (which was cute in 7th grade perhaps), however the finish is more luminous and radiant making the lips look full and healthy.  

For neutral lip lovers like myself, there are so many great options to choose from. Elitiste is my favorite shade, followed by Lili Doree, Chi Chi and then Pailettes. I have been using them alone as my lip color for the day, but they would also be gorgeous layered under a gloss or over top a bold liner. I have been thoroughly impressed by this formulation, and am now excited to try more from the Surratt Beauty line - specifically this new foundation, these shadows and this lip crayon.

*pr samples included

Have you tried any products from Surratt Beauty? What are your thoughts or favorites?

Shop more Surratt Beauty items:

Burberry Full Kisses Lipsticks with Swatches

Every year I feel like there are an overwhelming number of new lip launches. It's exciting and I want to try them all, but I try to pick and choose the ones that really appeal to me. These new Burberry Full Kisses Lipstick stood out to me immediately - mainly because of the unique packaging. It was not like a typical lipstick tube, nor was the product itself shaped like most lipsticks I own. I purchased 4 out of the 13 shades, and tried to divide it between bold and neutral shades.

The formula is a full coverage that gives a buttery rich application. The lipstick bullet is designed to help apply the color easily and enable one to define the lips, however I found it a bit difficult at the beginning to use, but after the first 4-5 times I wore them it became easier and easier. Now putting the cap back on the product safely without nicking the lipstick is still something I am struggling with, so that is my only caveat with using them. If you are in a hurry and are not looking, putting the cap back on could be a messy disaster. *insert devastated face emoji*

Being a matte lip lover, I enjoyed that there was not a huge amount of shine to these, though they still stayed creamy and comfortable on the lips for the entire day. Pigmentation is intense and all four shades lasted 5-6 hours, while Coral Red and Military Red left a bit of stain on the lips so I got a full 7-8 hours out of both of those. I absolutely adored Military Red from first sight - as it is one of the most classic reds I have ever encountered. Coral Red is definitely an acquired taste, but I love orangey tones on my skin so it works for me. I was a tad disappointed in Rosehip since it pulled more plum/purple on me than I would have liked. English Rose is gorgeous alone, but it needs a bolder eye to balance out the fleshiness of it.

There are a few different "Rose" named shades - which can be a tad confusing so I am anxious to see the swatches of the other colors as more people begin to review them. Though I really enjoy wearing these, I am on the fence whether I want to buy any more shades. I wish I could find a neutral everyday shade that I adore from this formula, because I love the way it feels on my lips and how pigmented it applies. I debated on Nude and Nude Blush but was concerned they would be too brown for me. I know, I know - #firstworldproblems. I will do an updated post if I decide to purchase any other shades and share the swatches with all of you.

Let me know if you picked up any of these new lipsticks and what shades you are enjoying!

Shop more new lipstick launches that have caught my eye:

My Picks from Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipsticks

I know I'm a bit late to the Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick party, but I'm here now! There has yet to be a Charlotte Tilbury product I've tried that hasn't been remarkable (this concealer is stunning, these are my holy grail cream eye shadows and this palette in Sophisticate is a regular in my routine), and these lipsticks were no exception. I like to think of them as a matte lipstick for those that don't like matte lipsticks. LOL By that I mean, the formula is creamy, smooth and comfortable on the lips though the finish is flat with no shine.

Unlike other matte lipsticks I have, these Charlotte Tilbury lipsticks last a tad bit less at around 5-6 hours, but my lips don't dry out and they don't require an industrial strength cleanser to remove so I appreciate the difference. 

Top row left to right: Sexy Sienna, Lost Cherry, Love Liberty, Bottom row left to right: Glastonberry and Walk of Shame

I figured I would initially go right for Sexy Sienna (yay peachy nudes!), but I have been loving Walk of Shame for a deeper dusty rose and Love Liberty which is a beautiful garnet shade that is a nice change from my standard bright, bold reds. Glastonberry was the wild card for me because it is quite dark and I wasn't sure I would love it on, but it has grown on me. I wear it paired with a burgundy lip pencil or gloss over top to make it a bit more jewel-toned, but the deep purple base is different than most of my other darker fall shades. Finally, Lost Cherry was an instant hit because it is like a bright cherry popsicle on your lips. The above picture makes it look slightly coral, but it's is more of a cherry/poppy shade in person. And though a "bright cherry popsicle" may not sound like an appealing lip color, I adore it when worn with a shimmery gold eye, bronzey cheek and bold highlight. These are another hit from Charlotte Tilbury, and after getting a look at what will be hitting the states early next year, I cannot wait!

*pr samples included

Shop more of my Charlotte Tilbury picks:

My New and Old Favorite Fall Lip Colors

Though I love picking up some new fall fashion pieces (just bought this dress - such a classic!), there is nothing like a new fall lip color to make me feel like a new person. Ok, not a completely new person but at least a little different from yesterday. LOL. I typically associate fall with darker and bolder lips, so I thought I would put together a list of my favorite new and old fall lip colors.

Old Favorites

1. Kevyn Aucoin The Lipgloss in Bloodroses - It may look dark and moody, but this sheer gloss-like balm is for those that want to dabble in the fall lip trend, but not fully commit. It tints the lips ever so slightly with the most gorgeous shade of burgundy. Also wears well over top of your favorite matte lip to give it a bit of shine.

2. Kevyn Aucoin Lipstick in Eliarice - I love a fire engine red lip color, but when I need to tone it down a bit I always pull out Eliarice. It's a gorgeous brick red that has a hint of brown which is great for during the day and weekends.

3. Chanel Rouge Allure in Envoutante - In the bullet, this color looks incredibly dark and vampy. However, when on, it's a sheer purple-plum that has just a hint of shimmer. Nothing that will deter me from wearing it during the day, but just enough to give it some dimension. I love this with a contoured cheek and tons of mascara.

4. Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte in Razzberry - I have been wearing this shade for years and years and it is always one of the first ones I gravitate towards. It's a bold raspberry color with a matte formulation that is super creamy as only Bobbi can do. Though I love to wear this during the day, I find it looks best for special occasions when I want my lips to be the focal point and last all evening.

5. MAC Spice It Up - I may be going on at least 8 years with this color, which should tell you how much of a staple it is for my lip wardrobe. This was actually my first foray into dark lip colors, and it's sheer texture made it less scary to try and more wearable for every day. My lipstick collection will never be without this one.

New Favorites

6. Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color in Plum Brandy - This is one of those times where I had to put the color on my lip in order to fall in love with it. Even with a swatch on my hand, this looked bold and a tad too dark for my liking. I went ahead and applied it anyways and with one blot of a tissue, it turned into the most gorgeous plum burgundy that looks great for day or evening.

7. Lipstick Queen Belle Epoque Balm in Belle Wine - Ok, I know that it seems so easy to just throw on a dark lip and head out into the world. But I acknowledge that there are some people that even the slightest color can push them out of their comfort zone too much, so I found the perfect compromise. This Lipstick Queen gloss looks so dark in the tub, but applies like a tinted lip conditioner giving the lips the slightest hint of fall color. I like to use it as a base under my lipsticks, but for many this may be all the color they need.

8. Urban Decay Revolution Gloss in Apocalypse - Again, this is a case of get it on the lips before making a final decision. Swatching it was alarming since I figured it would look almost Halloween-like on my lips, but thankfully I put my assumptions aside because the end result is stunning. It is a bit high maintenance in the way that it can separate a bit so I prefer to mix this with another sheer lipstick, but the color is just too beautiful to pass up. And the texture is creamy without being tacky.

9. Pixi Beauty Mattelustre Lipstick in Classic Red - Just as the trees turn that vibrant shade of red-orange, this lip color mimics it completely. It's a bright red with a hint of coral that could probably work for both summer and winter, but for now this is working so well with my plaid scarves and warm neutral toned clothing.

10. Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Jilted - Typically I either go red or plum/burgundy for fall, so this fuchsia was a nice change. It has a slight duo chrome finish which makes it unique and can look different depending on the lighting. I love this with an all black outfit, or when wearing a lot of purple tones in my clothing. A touch of bronzer on the cheeks and a dark lash is all I need to complete a look with this lip.

11. Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color in Soft Berry - I know this shade falls closer to the neutral family, but it is much darker than my traditional nude lip. When it's on it really warms up my face so it has made a home in my fall lip line-up. Any warm creams, off-whites or browns that I wear automatically gets this lip as a complement. A rosy-brown cheek and a bronzy eye are my favorite pairings for a lip like this.

Swatches for left to right starting at the top left: Lipstick Queen Belle Wine, Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color in Soft Berry, Kevyn Aucoin Blood Roses, Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lipstick in Razzberry, MAC Spice It Up, Chanel Rouge Allure Envoutante, Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color Plum Brandy, Kevyn Aucoin Eliarice, Pixi Beauty Mattelustre lipstick in Classic Red, Urban Decay Revolution Gloss in Apocalypse, Urban Decay Revolution lipstick in Jilted.

*pr samples included

What are some of your favorite fall lip colors? Leave me a comment below!

My Favorite Lipstick Formulas

Remember that children's story about the old woman that lived in her shoe? Well, I feel like I will be the old woman that lives in a lipstick. Or with lipsticks. Or made out of a house of lipsticks. Lipsticks are the easiest satiate that need to get some retail therapy and have always been one of my favorite makeup products. So I thought this post was necessary - a list of my absolute favorite holy grail lipstick formulas (and a few glosses thrown in there because they are too good not to mention). Most of these have been in my collection for a while and continue to remain a favorite. All have been reviewed on the blog before so I will link back to prior posts that feature each one.

1. Chantecaille Lip Chics (post here) - Though this sounds almost ridiculous, these lipsticks feel like they are actually hugging my lips when I apply them. The color immediately adheres to the lip but in the softest and smoothest way. And since just about every lipstick in the world makes my mom's lips peel, the fact that these do not speaks again to their amazing formula.

2. Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lip Gloss (post here and here) - While I will always reach for a lipstick first, these Hourglass Lip Glosses can definitely compete. They feel more like a creamy balm on the lips than a sticky, tacky gloss. So in addition to giving insane shine and coverage, they help to nourish and moisturize my lips.

3. Clinique Color Pop Lip Colors (post here) - Something about these lipsticks appealed to me from the moment they launched. I don't know if it was the name, the packaging, the colors - who knows, but I immediately was excited to try them. And they thankfully lived up to my imagined hype. The formula is incredibly creamy, yet has coverage that rivals the matte-st of lipsticks. Between the gorgeous nudes and vibrant bold shades, there is a color for everyone.

4. Lipstick Queen Cupid Strikes pencils (post here) -  When I first got into buying jumbo lip pencils, I was all over the NARS formulation. However, since then I have found a handful of other brands that blow NARS pencils out of the water. These pencils from Lipstick Queen are the perfect middle ground in terms of formulation. Medium coverage, demi-matte and last a good 4-5 hours but don't need industrial strength cleanser to remove.

5. Sisley Phyto-Lip Twists (post here) - Ok, I will admit it was the zebra print packaging that first lured me in with these lip pencils. But thankfully, the formula and color range kept me using them again and again. The texture is a hybrid between a balm and lipstick, with a slightly creamy/glossy finish. I adore wearing them alone (see Cherry in action in this outfit post), and because of their moisturizing formula I also add them on top of a more drying lipstick to help make my lips more comfortable.

6. Buxom Lip Polish (post here) - I can take it or leave it with those lip plumping products that make your lips tingle (and occasionally burn - eek). So I gave the side eye to Buxom lip polishes and creams forever because of this. But I heard over and over (and over) again just how phenomenal they were and didn't understand what the hype was all about. Finally I had the chance to try them and within a few seconds of applying to my lips I understood the buzz.  They glide on easily, have a minty scent and give a light tingle that actually feels fresh on the lips rather than bothersome. The nude shades are my favorite and shockingly they never settle into lip lines which is my struggle with all neutral toned glosses. They wear beautifully alone or over top another color and I need to touch up less often than most other glosses.

7. Bobbi Brown Art Sticks (post here and here) -THE most perfect matte jumbo lip pencil ever. Hands down. All the rest can go home. These are not drying, glide on effortlessly and last forever. All matte lipsticks should take a lesson from these art sticks - they are the gold standard in my opinion.

8. Gucci Audacious Color-Intense Lipstick (post here) - While I only have one shade in this formulation (Iconic Red), it still earns a place in my favorites because it is one of the best made lipsticks I've ever tried. It's full coverage yet not a mess to apply, creamy with just enough slip and gives a natural finish that skews neither too matte or too shiny. It's perfectly in the middle. And writing this post reminds me that I need to buy more colors. *adds to cart*

9. Aerin Rose Balm Lipsticks (post here) - I picked these up when they launched a few years ago and have loved the formulation ever since. They are a sheer to medium balm-like lipstick that gives the lips the healthiest looking shine. Lip lines look minimized and they are perfect for summer because of the sheer nature and winter because of the moisturizing formula. 

What are you favorite lipstick and/or gloss formulas?! Leave me a comment below!

Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick Review with Swatches

Though I love a matte lip all year round, fall seems like the perfect time to try out a few new ones. After just falling in love with the Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer (see my review here), I was excited to try out their new Matte Revolution Lipstick formula. The matte lipstick of years ago is most certainly NOT the matte lipstick of today. Years ago they were dry, would drag on the lips when applying and were impossible to remove. Thankfully brands have evolved past that and matte formulas are in demand more than gloss. (well at least in my mind)

The 6 colors that I tested were (from left to right above) Stark Naked, 1993, Temper, Tilt, Menace and After Dark. What I love most about Urban Decay is how they push the limits of color and offer shades that are a bit off the beaten path and stay quite on trend. Stark Naked is a true fleshy nude, and 1993 is a throwback to that exact year. Tilt and Temper were initially my favorites - both bold reds with Temper having a browner undertone and Tilt being more fire-engine red. Menace is a vibrant barbie-pink, but it wasn't until I tried After Dark that I fell in love. This color is a slightly metallic garnet and like nothing I have seen before. It looks almost jewel-like on the lips - simply stunning. 

While the color pay-off mimics that of a true matte lipstick with it's full coverage, the finish is a tad creamier and less dry. Because of this, I find that it doesn't last quite as long as a drier formula and will move around a bit. I would describe this as more of a demi-matte than a full matte, but the upside to that is it's more comfortable to wear, doesn't show lip lines as much and removes easily. It manages to combine the best of both a creamy and matte lipstick together in one. 

*pr samples included

Have you tried these new lipsticks? What are your thoughts on them?!

Review: New Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte Lipsticks and Pure Color Envy Liquid Lipsticks

Estee Lauder has released more additions to the Pure Envy lipstick line and they are right up my alley. One is a new matte texture and the other is a liquid lip formula. I am already a fan of the original Pure Envy lipsticks (see my review here), so I was happy to see the formula extensions. And in true Estee Lauder fashion, these shades are not shy in the least and I love that. There are a few neutral shades here and there, but on the whole these two launches pack a pigmented punch. Read on for my review of each, with little to no alliteration, I promise.

1. Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte Lipsticks in shades Covetous Nude, Volatile, Furious, Decisive Poppy, Unattainable and Neon Azalea (colors shown above from right to left): I love a matte lip. I love a richly pigmented lip. It was almost inevitable that I would love these lipsticks. The original Pure Color Envy formulation was creamy but gave a nice natural finish without any glossiness. I wasn't sure how dry these new ones would be but surprisingly they feel very similar. In fact, I had a hard time telling the two apart initially so I had to dig into my stash to compare. They are in fact different, yet the new matte texture is definitely a tad drier, but not nearly as dry as most matte lipsticks. In fact, this is one of the most comfortable matte formulations I have ever tried. It stays smooth on the lips hours after application and my lips feel comfortable the entire time while wearing. The color payoff is intense so I got more than 6+ hours of wear out of these and even when I removed with a tissue, my lips were stained. A good cleansing oil (I am loving this one and this one right now) is definitely needed to get these bad boys off, but with such a soft and smooth texture, I do not mind.

2. Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Liquid Lipsticks in Extreme Nude, Bitter Sweet, Pierced Petal, Naughty Naive and Quiet Riot (show above from left to right) - I have really come to love a liquid lipstick. I like the feel of them, how they apply and the fact that they are not glossy (long hair stuck in gloss is not a cute look). The applicator for this formula has a little dip in the middle for what I assume is designed to contour the lip. I found it was a bit too wide for my lips, so I used the tip to outline my lips and then fill them in. Because the Pure Envy lipsticks give such a full coverage, I expected the Liquid Lips to be equally as intense. However, they fall nicely in the middle giving just enough coverage to avoid any patchiness but still feel lightweight on the lips. Extreme Nude is absolutely stunning and one that I have worn a few times already. There is a slight sheen to the formula but nothing that resembles a gloss and only serves to make the lips look full and moisturized.

*pr samples included

Have you tried these new formulations?  What are your thoughts?

Have you entered my Peach and Lily $50 gift card giveaway?!! Enter here.

Shop some of my other Estee Lauder faves:

Review: Laura Mercier Lip Parfait Creamy Colourbalm

After falling in love with the Paint Wash Liquid Lip colors (read my review here) from Laura Mercier, it was only a few months later that another launch lured me in. Now I have tried a ton of glossy, creamy balm-like lipsticks, but these Lip Parfait Creamy Colourbalms are definitely one of the best. Ever. 

The coverage is medium to full, and the texture is smooth, creamy and glides on with the ease of a balm. It almost feels pillow-like - that is how soft these lip parfaits apply. They are soft enough that it seems like they would move or possibly bleed throughout the day, but I have given them the full 8 hour test and found none of this to be an issue. The color lasts until I take it off, which is really rare for a balm style lipstick. The vibrant colors definitely stain the lips so there is still color remaining even when the initial application is removed, so there is no worry that these will not go the distance.

I tested 3 different shades - Creamsicle (top left swatch), Juicy Papaya (top right swatch) and Cherry-On-Top (bottom left swatch) and wear them all equally. The camera does dull out the intensity a bit, so just know that they will be a bit more vivid in person. Especially the Juicy Papaya - that is a bold orange which looks beautiful for the summer. The Creamsicle is a bright nude, which sounds like an oxymoron but that's the only way I can describe it. Cherry-on-Top is a nice change from the fire engine reds I typically wear because it has a neutral/brown undertone and looks great as a daytime red. I already have my eye on Pink Grapefruit and Sweet Guava as my next purchases. Frankly, I wouldn't be surprised if I end up getting the entire collection. This is a texture that I can justify having take over my collection.

*pr samples included

Have you tried these new Lip Parfait Colourbalms?  I would love to hear your thoughts on them!

Have you entered my NUDESTIX giveaway??!! Enter here.

Video: My Favorite MAC Lipsticks

It took me a while to narrow these down, but I managed to pick out my 8 favorite MAC lipstick shades. Enjoy the video and don't forget to subscribe!

My 8 favorite MAC lipsticks:

Lady Danger

Patisserie

Hug Me

Ruby Woo

Ladybug

Modesty

Girl About Town

Spice It Up

Video: March Beauty Favorites

Here is a look at my March beauty favorites! Enjoy and don't forget to subscribe!

My March beauty favorites:

It Cosmetics brush set

Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten

Ling Replenishing Hydrator

Chantecaille Hydra Chic Lip Chic in Arctic Rose

Shiseido Perfecting Stick Concealer

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Fiery

Chantecaille Galactic Lip Shine

Kate Somerville Retasphere Micro Peel

Review: Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colors

I'm a sucker for a new lip launch. Especially if that lip launch is a lipstick. Even better if it's a liquid lipstick. Full bonus if it's a matte finish. Thankfully the new Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colors encompasses all of these things into one product. *happy dance* I do love a matte lip even more than a glossy lip, but they can always be tricky when it comes to lip moisture levels. I've been testing these liquid lip colors for the past week or two and am pleasantly surprised with how they perform.

There are a total of 9 colors in this new launch - everything from pale nudes, to punchy corals and vibrant fuchsias and reds. I have tried a little bit from each category and the first thing to pop out at me is the intense color pay-off. They can be sheered out if only used sparingly, but when applied directly from the tube they will give an opaque coverage. Which frankly is fine by me - the more color, the better.

I have been testing four shades - Nude Rose, Petal Pink, Vermillion Red and Orchid Pink. Most are a cream finish but I believe there are one or two shades with a hint of shimmer. The initial feel on the lips is incredibly creamy - very different from the tugging and pulling of other liquid matte lipsticks. It's almost slippery, and you have to start slowly when applying bright or bold colors because it can get a tad messy. But since the applicator has a nice narrow shape, it enables me to easily line the lips slightly and then fill in so I get a more precise application.

My favorite by far was the Vermillion shade - a bright vibrant orange red. It takes a few minutes for the shade to dry down to a demi-matte finish but there is still a slight creaminess that stays on the lip which helped keep my lips comfortable and hydrated. No, not the kind of hydration that a lip balm provides, but surprisingly more than many of my regular lipsticks. With such intense pigmentation, you can be sure these will last long on the lips. Even after wiping off the arm swatches for this post, I had to break out a cleansing oil to fully remove them. These have some serious staining powering so be prepared. But overall they manage to blend the best of two worlds - the intense look of a matte lipstick with the creamy texture of a liquid lipstick.

*pr samples included

Have you tested these new Laura Mercier Liquid Lip colors out yet? If so, what do you think? Leave me a comment below!

Review: Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Eye Shadow Palettes and Lipsticks

It's been quite a few years since I've had Estee Lauder heavy in rotation in my makeup bag, but I am more and more impressed with each and every new launch. Their Sumptuous Extreme Mascara is one of my holy grails, and I just raved about this brow pencil in my latest October beauty favorites so Estee Lauder is slowly strong arming other brands out of the way in my makeup routine. I recently had the chance to test out a few products from their new Pure Color Envy Sculpting line and can simply not say enough great things about it. Well I haven't yet started reviewing it, but I will be saying great things about it in the next few paragraphs. I get ahead of myself. Heehee. 

1. Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipsticks in Red Ego, Insolent Plum and Rebellious Rose - A moment of silence for that color pay-off in the above swatches. Shhhhh. Ok - now let's talk. THOSE COLORS. THAT TEXTURE. The pictures do a good job of capturing the beauty of these lipsticks, but you can't truly appreciate them until they are on your lips. Let me first start by saying they glide on like silk - I have not tried a lipstick this creamy in a long time. Typically with full coverage lipsticks, I need to clean up the edges after applying because they don't stay within my lip lines. However, that was not the case with these - in fact, I applied Insolent Plum without a mirror for these swatches just to see if I could get an even application. And I did!! This formula is absolutely magnificent and I kick myself that I didn't discover them sooner. They are incredibly long wearing and leave my lips feeling comfortable for most of the day. It's too soon to say holy grail, but these for sure earned a spot on my top lipsticks of all time. They should be very proud of themselves.

2. Pure Color Envy Sculpting Eye Shadow Palette in Fierce Safari (top swatch) and Untamed Teal (bottom swatch) - When I was browsing these eye palettes online a few months ago, I was intrigued but not moved enough to buy. And then I saw them in store and could not believe my eyes. It was as if there was nothing else on the counter, that was how strongly they stood out to me. From the packaging to the color combinations, they are stunning in person. I find that the matte shades in the palettes are extremely pigmented (just wiping these swatches off was a chore) and the shimmer shades are a bit more sheer. However, I am not personally a fan of intense shimmer so I like the more sheer shimmer pay-off. I initially thought I would wear the heck out of Fierce Safari, but instead forced myself to wear Untamed Teal first. I was unsure how often I would dab my brush into the teal shade of the compact, but found that when I layer it over the deep brown as a liner, it looks absolutely gorgeous! It's a nice change from my boring dark plum or black/brown I usually do. I like to live life on the edge sometimes.

 *pr samples included

Have you tried the Pure Color Envy line? What are your thoughts?

Don't forget to enter my NUDE Skincare giveaway!!! Click here to enter.

New Fall Lip Launches: Tom Ford Matte Lip Color, Rouge Dior Baume, Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss and NARS Holiday

It's like all the major luxury beauty companies decided to get together and launch amazing new lip products all at once that will subsequently drain our wallets. Conspiracy! But being the beauty sheep that I am, I fell prey to their marketing strategies - hook, line and sinker. But thankfully I only purchased 1 or 2 pieces from each collection rather than succumbing to the whole collection. Then I would know I really lost my mind! Between Tom Ford's new Matte Lip launch, Dior's Rouge Dior Baume introduction and Chanel's stunning Rouge Allure Gloss - lip product lovers have some great new releases to add to their collection. And because the red that NARS launched for holiday was one of the best reds I've ever seen, I had to include it in this post's stellar line up. Below are the swatches I picked up from each brand. 

1. Tom Ford Matte in Velvet Cherry -I love a good matte lipstick so this new release was right up my alley. However, nude matte lips are not my cup of tea typically because it can enhance my lip lines, so I dove into this collection head first with a deep shade - Velvet Cherry. I actually thought this was going to be much darker (and was hoping for that), but I think Black Dahlia is closer to the vampy deep shade I had envisioned in my mind. However, that being said, I do love this color and find it incredibly wearable for day or night. It's not as long lasting as I had anticipated and I found that the color began to dissipate around hour 4-5. The formula is ok, but not one of my favorite matte formulas (this one, this one and this one are three of my faves). Not sure if I will splurge on another, but happy I have this one.

2. NARS Lipstick in Deadly Catch - NARS sent this over as part of their holiday collection press preview and I just about lost my mind when I first put this color on my lips. LOOK AT THAT RED!!! It's not one of the new Audacious formulas, but rather the standard NARS lipstick texture which I already enjoy. It almost skews a bit fuchsia when on, but regardless no holiday season will be complete without this one. TRUST ME.

3. Rouge Dior Baume in Lili and Spring - I had really hoped these two colors would look different from each other on the lips, but sadly they appear almost identical. I bought them online and wanted a more pinky nude but ended up with two corals - typical Maree. However, even though I bought two similar colors, I loved this formula. It's smooth, hydrating and provides just enough pigment to show up nicely on the lips without ever being too much. Now that these are trickling into stores, I can tell you that I definitely want to pick up a few more colors. Unless another new lip product launches in the meantime......whoops.

4. Chanel Rouge Allure Gloss in Sensible and Pirate - I'm not a huge fan of the Chanel Glossimers (I know, beauty blasphemy right?), but when I was at the Chanel counter recently I had the chance to try these new Rouge Allure Glosses and thought they were a nice lipstick/lip gloss hybrid. They tend to be a bit creamier on the lips than most glosses, which is why I was so drawn to them. The tackiness of a gloss is an absolute no-go for me, so they have to have a smooth feel with little to no stickiness. These actually remind me of the Hourglass Extreme Sheen Lip Glosses which are one of my favorite formulas, so I'm happy to find another product that provides that same feel on my lips. Sensible is a beautiful nude coral, while Pirate is the complete opposite with its cherry red pigmentation. I do have to mention however that the color looks a bit patchy in the above picture, however it does not appear that way in person. My camera is just biased against Chanel, I guess.

Don't forget to enter my NUDE Skincare giveaway!!! Click here to enter.

New In And Loving: By Terry, S.W. Basics, NARS and Boscia

Many of my posts have a theme, story or group similar products together, however sometimes I just love a whole slew of products and need to write about them. Hence these random posts with a jumbled bunch of products that I am loving and need others to know about. And that is still the number one reason I have a blog - because I just NEED to talk about the beauty products I enjoy. I can only call/text/email my girlfriends so many times about the same things before they are like "WE KNOW, MAREE!" Whoops. I guess I get a bit too over zealous. Anyhoo, back to my gushing....here is a look at a few products I have been enjoying a ton recently.

1. NARS Audacious Lipstick in Brigitte - I know it seems strange that I only bought one of the Audacious lipsticks, but there have been so many new lip launches that I knew I had to maintain some sort of self-control. As everyone has been saying, these lipsticks are truly gorgeous. Full coverage, easy to wear and incredibly long lasting. I naturally picked a peachy-nude-coral for my first one and it did not disappoint. The only thing that can be a tad bothersome on occasions is if my lips are too hydrated or exfoliated, it will not adhere to the inner part of my lips. I find this to be the case for many full coverage lipsticks so I often get around it by adding a few applications and then blending it in with my finger. It does the trick every time.

2. Boscia Tsubaki Cleansing Oil-Gel and the Deep Hydration Sleeping Mask - This was part of a travel set that came with a mini Konjac sponge as well. I am already a fan of the Makeup-Breakup Cleansing oil and find this Tsubaki cleansing oil-gel to be even more hydrating. The sleeping mask is absolute heaven on the skin and great for those nights my skin needs a bit of extra moisture. This little travel set actually came with a mini konjac sponge as well and since I know I am already a fan of them, I packed it away for my next getaway. It is the perfect travel exfoliator without having to pack my Clinique cleansing brush.

3. S.W. Basics Exfoliant - Though I appreciate all natural or organic products, I don't typically gravitate towards them. However, occasionally one comes along that I actually enjoy. This exfoliator from S.W. Basics is about as natural as you can get - oat flour, almond flour and sea salt. You can basically eat it! But what I enjoyed the most about this was how calm and soothed my skin was after each use. Typically exfoliators can make my skin bright and smooth, but slight redness often accompanies that for a few minutes after. Almost immediately as I rinsed this off, my skin looked so even, calm and relaxed. No redness! This will be a winter staple for me, I can already tell.

4. By Terry Cellularose Hydra-Toner -After having the best experience with the By Terry Cellularose Brightening Aqua-Balm, I had a feeling I was going to love the Cellularose toner. This entire line is one of the most hydrating and moisture filled lines I have ever used. It truly feels like my skin is being infused with water when using this toner, and as I have always said - hydration is one of the biggest keys to great skin. It keeps skin looking firm, plump, radiant and fresh. I have tried quite a few hydrating mists and toners over the years and I can confidently say this is in my top 3.

*pr samples included