The Liquid Lipstick Roundup

March 10, 2016 in Makeup

In case you haven't noticed, I've fallen hard for the liquid lipstick trend. If I can put something on that'll pretty much need a chisel to remove at the end of the day, and that I won't have to touch up throughout the day, I'm sold. Most of my liquid lipsticks are in neutral colors (surprise, surprise) that work as everyday shades, but I do have a couple bolder options. My collection is getting a little out of control, but I still do find use for every single one.

THE BULLETPROOF ONE | Everyone has heard raves about the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks, and if you saw my review of them you'll know I agree. These are definitely the longest-lasting liquid lipsticks that I own, but on me, they're not terribly drying. These last all day long on me, and I'll still need something heavy duty like some olive oil to remove it at the end of the day. The range of colors offered is absolutely stunning, and while I only have neutral colors, I'm dying to get my hands on some of the bolder shades.

THE BUDGET BUYS | One of my favorite liquid lipstick formulas is that of the Sephora Cream Lip Stains (review). They're a more mousse-y formula, so they're not drying on me in the slightest. They don't last quite as long as the Kat Von D ones, but they come pretty close. Marvelous Mauve (13) is my favorite lip shade ever I'm pretty sure, so these will always be a winner to me. If you're looking for something ultra cheap, definitely pick up a few of the Colourpop Ultra Matte Lips (review). They're quite liquid-y and therefore really drying honestly, but I still really like them. They offer so many colors and they last quite a while on the lips, too. I really want to try their new Ultra Satin Lips as well.

THE UNDER-RATED ONE | I don't think enough people talk about the Ofra Long Lasting Liquid Lipsticks (review). They're probably my favorite formula. They're super mousse-y, almost to the point of being more solid than liquid, but they just glide so easily onto the lips and aren't drying at all. Despite being so comfortable on the lips, they still last all day long. I've been meaning to pick up more shades since I tried the first set of four I bought, but I still haven't gotten around to it yet. I'm sure that'll change in the near future.

THE ONES I HAD TO FIGHT FOR | Being a neutral-lover, I've had my fair share of disappointment when I've fallen in love with swatches of a certain color, only to find it sold out (or when I have the shades I want in my cart and then they disappear before I complete my order *cough Kylie Lip Kits cough*). Cue me refreshing the brands' websites multiple times a day waiting for a restock. When I heard that the Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick in Androgyny was being restocked, I jumped on it. I set an alarm and everything - luckily it was restocked during my lunchbreak. After sitting through the website almost crashing from the amount of traffic, it was finally mine. And it's worth every bit of hype. I haven't tried it out enough to have a full review on the formula, but I can say that I love it. And the color is the perfect dusty rosey mauve shade. The other super hyped-up shade I managed to get my hands on is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Dusty Rose. This one wasn't as much of a fight - I happened to check the website and find it in stock, and I didn't hesitate one bit in placing an order. I'm actually not crazy about the formula of this one - it doesn't fully set on me, so while it's comfortable on the lips, it transfers and smears easily. But the color is perfect.

THE NEW ADDITION | As I'm writing this, the new Jouer Long-Wear Lip Creme Liquid Lipsticks are on their way to me. I picked up four shades: Noisette, Petale de Rose, Lychee, and Cassis (speaking of things I had to fight for - these four shades are now out of stock!) based on swatches. I've heard nothing but good things about these so far, so I've got really high hopes. Expect a review up in the coming weeks.

What are your favorite liquid lipsticks?

Falling in Love with Kiehl's

March 08, 2016 in Skincare

A couple weeks ago while shopping at the big fancy mall I live near now, I happened to pop into the Kiehl's store. I didn't necessarily need any more skincare, but I had never tried anything from the brand, so curiosity got the better of me. I came out with the Ultra Facial Cream, and I fell so in love with it that I made an order a few days later for the Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado and the Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm.

I had seen many people rave about the Ultra Facial Cream, so naturally it was the first thing that came to mind when browsing in the store. I'm always up for something that will hydrate and soothe the skin, and that's exactly what the Ultra Facial Cream promised. It's a beautifully hydrating cream, but it doesn't feel too heavy or rich at all. It feels moisturizing enough for me to slather it on at night and yet light enough to wear under makeup in the morning. It really plumps up the skin, and if my skin is feeling irritated at all this will take it down right away. I'm steadily working my way through the smaller sized pot, so I can already tell I'll be purchasing the bigger size once this one runs out.

I got a little sachet sample of the Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado when I bought the Ultra Facial Cream, and though I usually forget to use sachet samples, I cracked it open right away. I immediately knew it was something I wanted to keep in my routine, so I picked it up in an online order a few days later. I'm incredibly intrigued by this - it feels so thick and rich when you pick it up out of the pot, but once you start massaging it into the eye area, the consistency becomes thinner and more watery, allowing it to sink in instantly. I really like this because it means I'm not left with puffy eyes in the morning like some other eye creams can do if they're too rich. I use this morning and night, and I've noticed a slight difference in my dark circles - I'm pretty sure they were being caused by the skin being dehydrated, so it makes sense that something this hydrating has helped! You use the tiniest amount, so even the baby-sized pot will last ages.

The last thing I picked up was the Ultra Facial Deep Moisture Balm. I had tried a little of this out in the store and had the hardest time deciding between it and the Ultra Facial Cream. So naturally I ended up with both in the end. I needed to try this after hearing Jasmine rave about it. We tend to have similar taste, so I knew I'd love it if she did. It gives the same feel to the skin as the Ultra Facial Cream, only it's so much more luxuriously rich. It's one to avoid if you've got oily skin for sure, but dehydrated/dry skins will just drink this up. I've been using this just about every night as the last step of my skincare routine, applying it over a face oil to really lock everything in. By morning I'm left with juicy, hydrated skin. Despite being so rich, it hasn't given me any clogged pore issues.

I've also fallen in love with a sample of the Midnight Recovery Concentrate that I got in my order, so I'm sure a full size will be coming home with me soon. Have you ever tried anything from Kiehl's? What's your favorite product by them?

Fair Skin Favorites

March 05, 2016

As the owner of some incredibly pale skin (I've been told I resemble a cone of vanilla soft serve on occasion), I know that it can be quite difficult to find products that work with lighter skintones. As much as I'd love to wear a bronzy gold highlight, they just don't suit me. After a couple years of makeup hoarding, I think I've found a good group of products that will always work.

FOR THE FACE: For my pale skin, I've found that bronzers and blushes that don't stray too far from my natural skintone are best. I love a good pale bronzer - my favorite is the Make Up For Ever Pro Bronze Fusion in 15I (the palest of their glowy shades), but the Body Shop Honey Bronzer and Soap & Glory Solar Powder are great as well. It adds enough warmth to make the skin look a little sunkissed, but it's still light enough that it doesn't make my face look dirty. For blush, you'll know I'm a fan of a good neutral blush. My cheeks can get flushed very easily, and because my skin is so pale, any red tones really stand out. For that reason, I stick to more neutral colors for blush. I love the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed and the Too Faced Love Flush Long-Lasting 16-Hour Blush in Baby Love. They're both perfect tawny pink shades that are quite sculpting as well as adding a really natural flush. For highlight, I like to use a nice white gold - it looks more like a natural sheen on the skin. The rms beauty Living Luminizer is a stunning option, adding a soft white pearl sheen to the skin. Another cream that's a go-to for me is the Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight - I love that it has more of a pink tone to it, as it's super flattering on my skin. For powder highlights, the best shades I've found are the Anastasia Illuminator in Starlight and the Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact in Highlight 01. They'll both make you look like there are angels radiating from your face or something.

FOR THE EYES: I've found that a lot of shades work on my eyes, but I've noticed I really love neutral matte shades. My go-to lately has been the Tarte Tartelette in Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette (review). It's got the perfect mix of colors to create a natural look or something more dramatic.

FOR THE LIPS: There are so many options for lips that it sometimes gets overwhelming. On me, I find pale pinks and deep purples the most flattering. My everyday shades as of late have been the Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer in Nude Pop and the Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lovesick (review). They're both really lovely colors that add a nice hint of definition to the lips. I think deep purples and burgundies look stunning on pale skin because of the high contrast. I love the Sephora Cream Lip Stain in Blackberry Sorbet (14) - it's just the perfect vampy plum shade. It's perfect paired with minimal eye makeup and really glowy skin.

What are your favorite products that flatter your skintone?