Showing posts with label Nars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nars. Show all posts

February 14, 2017

Top 10 Red Lipsticks for Valentine's Day

...or any day, really, because red lipstick is appropriate for any situation. You might be thinking 'who needs ten red lipsticks?' and I'll tell you right away that your instincts are correct - you actually need way more than ten. Kidding! Kind of. Judging from this selection, I obviously have some kind of lipstick-shaped hole in my soul that I'm trying to fill, but you might find yourself with just one classic, made-for-you red in your collection, and that's totally cool too. Also, what's self restraint like? 



From lightest to darkest, here are my top 10 red lipsticks for Valentine's Day!


NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Morocco


Mmmm, I love a Soft Matte Lip Cream! Smells like a vanilla cupcake dream, goes on smooth and opaque, and wears light as a feather. This is a perfect warm toned red with a great orange tint that's super bold, but still easy to wear.


Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in Succulent


This shade is a perfect coral-red that manages to be both bright and muted at the same time. You get a true matte finish (and the dryness to match) and the wear is pretty good too. The color is the best part, though, and I've yet to find something else quite the same as this unique shade.


Wet n Wild Lipstick in Purty Persimmon


Wet n Wild Meglast lipsticks are the old faithfuls of the drugstore - they're less than two bucks, super comfortable to wear, come in a large range of great colors and stay put for hours. Purty Persimmon is a lovely orange-red shade that I always get excited to pop on. This is the lipstick that showed me I like warm toned reds too!


Revlon Lipstick in Fire & Ice


A serious classic! This shade is from the olden days of lipstick, basically, and there's a reason it has stood the test of time - it's gorgeous! Such a lovely color that tends to skew warm toned, but somehow seems to work on everyone I've ever seen wear it? You need this.


Rimmel Provocalips in Kiss Me You Fool


I don't know how many more ways I can say this: I'M IN LOVE WITH RIMMEL PROVOCALIPS. Sorry for shouting, but if you still haven't tried these, I don't know what I can do with you. They're the best, last forever, the end. This is the bright cherry red from the range, and I'm telling you - if you need an all day red lip that you can eat pizza and, like, brush your teeth in, this is that red.


MAC Lipstick in Russian Red


There's just something about a smooth tube of MAC lipstick! This is my favorite red from the brand, but I know that's a hot button issue. Are you a Ruby Woo gal? Okay, let's take this outside! JK, don't hit me plz. The cool toned Russian Red has my heart (bringing in this theme nicely!) but honestly all MAC reds are iconic for a reason!


NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella


I didn't know this would change my red lipstick life, but it kinda did! Among literally every red I wear, this is the one that, when I slip it on, looks the smoothest, prettiest and just all around Photoshopped-on-my-lips-est. It's matte, but not too matte and I never even feel it on my lips. It's a great neutral to cool-leaning red that applies like a dream and treats your lips right.


Revlon Matte Balm in Standout


This one is a sleeper hit! It's very similar to MAC Russian Red, with a cool toned hue and matte finish, but it also has a moisturizing quality, complete with minty zing, that you're not going to find in most other lipsticks. I struggle getting a crisp line with it, but it applies so easily and feels so comfortable it's kinda worth it.


Rimmel Provocalips in Play With Fire


See above, and approximately 1,009,342 other blog posts to see how much I love Provocalips. This is a deeper, more cool toned red from the range and I love it just as much as the other red shade. I tend to pull this out for a more dramatic look, but you'd be good with whichever red you like more. Let Provocalips change your life!


Maybelline Lipstick in Smoking Red


Yass, a deep red that goes on opaque in one swipe! You've really done it, Maybelline. I can't tell you how many times in my life I've bought and tossed so called 'black cherry' lipsticks when they go on patchy and pathetic. This is a bit lighter than those shades, but it does the job of coloring my lips evenly. Luckily, it also feels comfortable and lasts, keeping me coming back swipe after swipe.


Red Lipstick Swatches

See? Duh, they're all v. different, thank you.



What's your favorite red lip color? Have you tried any of these? Wanna fight me over the top MAC red lipstick?


February 9, 2015

BEAUTY: Sephora Birthday Gift 2015

Ahhhhh, the new year. Rebirth, fresh starts, lofty goals...and the new Sephora Beauty Insider birthday gift! In case you've been living under a beauty rock (sounds glamorous btw), each year Sephora gives out a free (uh huh, free) birthday gift to Beauty Insiders during their birthday month. Every year there's a new item and, while there have been some dream gifts in the past (my Benefit Watt's Up mini is a treasured friend), I think this year tops them ALL. Allow me to introduce the...
NARS Mini Lip Pencil Duo!
Okay, I know, I know, but we need to keep it together so that we can learn more. Ready?
 In this duo, you will receive:
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella
NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien

 Cruella is .06 oz, compared to the full size version of .086 oz.
Rikugien is .05 oz, compared to the full size version of .07 oz.
 Cruella is a deep blue-based scarlet red with a perfectly matte finish.
Rikugien is a dusty rose pink with a somewhat shimmery satin finish.
With flash, so you can really see the shimmer on Rikugien
 These are not twist-up, so you'll need a wide sharpener when they dull down. NARS sells one for $6 which I might pick up because I don't want to ruin my nice pencils with a cheap-o sharpener.
Swatches: NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien (top) and NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella (bottom)
 These pencils are incredibly easy to apply. They glide on SMOOTHLY and give full opaque color in one swipe. The staying power is impressive and they never feel heavy or drying on the lips. Since they give you a neutral nude shade and a bright red, you can get a ton of use out of this duo.
On my lips: NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien (top) and NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella (bottom)
NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Rikugien
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella
It maybe goes without saying, but these products are impeccable. NARS doesn't play around with quality, which is probably why the full size of these pencils go for $26 apiece (excuse me while I cry into my Maybelline coupons). Scoring these for free is a victory, and it's super easy to do so:
  • If you're not already, sign up to be a Sephora Beauty Insider. It's free, and just means they'll give you a card that will track what you buy and how much you spend, so you can earn points to get other free stuff throughout the year.
  • During your birthday month, either go to a Sephora store and ask for your free birthday gift (you DON'T need to buy anything) or make an online purchase from their website and ask that they send the birthday gift too (you DO need to buy something).

Do you usually get the free Sephora birthday gifts? Have you ever tried a NARS lip pencil? Do you have a December birthday and are now crying that you have to wait almost a year to get these? (p.s. sorry from all January babies)


December 13, 2013

ETC: My Christmas Wish List

I like to fantasy shop more than I like to actually shop. Well, maybe "more" is too strong of a word. I do enjoy a real life stroll through my neighborhood mall quite a bit, but the feeling of online window shopping also has a special place in my heart (right next to inventive condiments and paying for things in exact change). It's much more freeing to fantasize about what I could buy instead of actually buying it because once I do the thrill is gone, and so is my money. In a perfect Christmas movie world, here are the delightful wonders I'd love to unwrap this year, or anytime really, in case you're reading this in the future and just simply have to shower me with gifts or something.


My Christmas Wish List
1. Scrunchy Knee Socks: I refuse to have cold knees! Plus, scrunchy top looks perfect with boots.
2. Books {We Killed: The Rise of Women in American Comedy by Yael Kohen, Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris and Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams at Home by Jeni Britton Bauer}: I'm trying not to buy books since I have so many to read, but these ones keep catching my eye. I can't believe I haven't read the latest Sedaris book yet! Ridiculous.
3. Charley Harper Glass Set: Love Charley Harper's art, need to drink things. No brainer.
4. Phrenology Head Container: I've always wanted a vintage phrenology head, but this one holds candy!
5. Ouija Board T-Shirt: Ever since Erin rocked one of these, I've been obsessed!
6. Real Techniques Expert Face Brush: Only hear great things about this brush so now I'm curious.
7. Mint Green Purse with Gold Studs: Beautiful and I can stuff all my junk inside it. (pervert)
8. Cath Kidston Button Set: I love the aesthetic of this brand!
9. Striped Bow Headband: Always need headbands and headscarves. Stripes + bows make it better.
10. DVDs {30 Rock, Breaking Bad and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia}: I have an obsessive need for completion when it comes to owning TV shows on DVD. For the record I still need seasons 3 and above of 30 Rock and Breaking Bad, and Always Sunny season 8.
11. Zebra Print ScarfThere are tiny zebras all over this scarf. No further explanation needed.
12. Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Dragon Girl: I REALLY want to try these pencils and Alle on xoVain raves about this shade constantly.
13. Salted Caramel Yankee Candle: I need better quality candles and this scent sounds wonderful.
14. Twin Peaks 'Diane' Broach: Genius. I love the look and cleverness of this pin.
15. Kitschy Deer Hair Comb: Adorable and pretty weird, which is my mantra.
16. OCC Lip Tar in Stalker: Kind of obsessed with red lips, but whatevahhh.
17. Grilled Cheese Fabric: Just think of the magical things that could be sewn from this fabric. Grilled cheese pantsuit coming through!
18. Benefit They're Real! Mascara: Amazing. Ruined me for all other mascaras, but so spendy.
19. Charlie Kelly Spaghetti Watercolor Portrait: It's hard to read, but the caption says "What is your spaghetti policy here?" and he's eating spaghetti out of a Ziplock bag. Art is important.

And now that I feel sufficiently like a spoiled brat/consummate consumer, I must ask: what's on your wish list? What awesome stuff are you gifting to other people?


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