Nudestix #BabeBoss Faves Box | Review + Swatches

A brand I haven't gotten around to trying much, but that's been impressing me left and right lately, is Nudestix. Just last month I reviewed two of their new Nudies All Over Face Color sticks, and I've still been using them as part of my daily routine. Nudestix is a brand focused on easy-to-use stick products that are perfect for on-the-go people, perform well, let your natural beauty shine through, and are vegan and cruelty-free. As someone who likes to throw on their makeup at their desk every morning as quickly as possible, this kind of message really speaks to me. One of their latest releases is the #Babeboss Faves Box, a collection of six best-selling lip and cheek crayons each chosen by a beauty influencer. 

If you're looking for an introduction to the brand, I think this would be such a good place to start. For one, it's such a good deal price-wise. These makeup crayons usually retail for around $24 each, but this set of six full-size products is $59. If there are at least three colors in the set you'd wear, then it's definitely worth your while. It's also a great intro to the brand because there are multiple formulas included: the Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil, Magnetic Matte Lip Color, Gel Color Lip + Cheek Balm, and original creamy Lip + Cheek Pencil. Most of the shades are nudes/neutrals, which are always my favorites, and there are two bolder shades. As I said, I've been so impressed with the brand's formulas overall, so let's get into each product in the set.

Lip + Cheek Pencil, 'Sin' | This product was selected by the founders of Nudestix, Ally & Taylor Frankel. It's a beautiful rosy shade that adds a pretty pink flush to the lips and cheeks. It's the perfect accent to a no-makeup makeup look and just makes you look radiant and healthy. This pencil is super creamy and comfortable to apply and has a bit of a sheen on the lips.

Gel Color Lip + Cheek Balm, 'Pulse' | This was the color I was most excited about in the set because it was selected by Samantha Ravndahl - one of my favorite people to follow on Instagram and watch on YouTube. The Gel Color is a beautifully balmy product that's quite sheer and glossy. Pulse is a plummy nude that looks like it would be flattering on a lot of skintones. It gives your lips a little "something-something," and it leaves a lovely dewy glow on the cheeks.

Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil, 'Purity' | This color was selected by Jaleesa M, and it's one of the prettiest nude shades I've ever used. It's the perfect combination of brown, peach, and pink, so it seems like it would be universally flattering. These are some of the creamiest mattes I've ever tried, and they're extremely pigmented in one swipe. There's still the tiniest bit of sheen left on the lips, making them still look full, but they last an incredibly long time.

Sin, Pulse, Purity, Boho, Burgundy, Stiletto

Magnetic Matte Lip Color, 'Boho' | This shade was selected by Lynette Cenee. It's a beautiful deeper brown nude that adds a flattering 90s vibe to any look. I haven't used a true brown shade like this in awhile, but this one is reminding me how much I love the look. It's not too warm that it pulls orange on me, while not being too cool that it drains any life from my face. The Magnetic Matte formula is insane - more matte than the Intense Mattes, and they feel lightweight and last absolutely ages.

Magnetic Matte Lip Color, 'Burgundy' | This color was chosen by Cydnee Black. I've been loving these kinds of vampy red shades lately (so in season, I know), and this one is one of the prettiest. Again, it's super matte, so you know it's not going anywhere. This is one of the more wearable red shades I have, I feel, because it seems to be a little muted, with a little bit of a brown tone thrown in. It looks stunning paired with really minimal makeup.

Intense Matte Lip + Cheek Pencil, 'Stiletto' | This shade was selected by Karen Yeung. This was the one shade I didn't see myself wearing in the set, as it looked warm on everyone I saw wearing it. It's actually (on me, at least), more of a blue-toned red, which is my favorite kind of red to wear. It's very bright and poppy, similar to NARS Dragon Girl - I think Stiletto has knocked it out of my number one favorite spot! Like Purity, it's a really lovely almost satin-matte formula that's creamy and comfortable on the lips but doesn't slide around.

I'm so pleased with this set, and it was such a nice surprise to find all of the shades completely wearable on my skintone. I think they did a great job choosing the shades included - they really seem like they'd be flattering on anyone. I really admire Nudestix for collaborating with such a diverse set of influencers on this set - it's not every day you see a brand showing women of color the recognition they deserve. 

You can get the #BabeBoss Faves Box from Nudestix, Sephora, Ulta, and Beautylish.

(This post hasn't been sponsored, I just think this set is the greatest of deals for really amazing products!)

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Five to Try

There are few things I love more than discovering my love for a new beauty product. I'm constantly trying new things hoping to find some hidden gems, and I've rounded up a few beauties this time. My five selections this time around really reflect the look I'm going for this spring/summer - seriously glowy, bronze skin and flushed lips.

Guerlain Terracotta Sun Trio | I already have one of the Guerlain Terracotta bronzers in my collection, but I love it so much that I just had to try the new addition to the Terracotta line, the Sun Trio. It's a light highlighting shade, warm medium shade, and cool contour shade all housed in one compact, and the formula is just beautiful. The shades work together perfectly, and on lazy days I've been just swirling the shades together to get my perfect hybrid bronzer/contour shade. I have the lightest shade, but it does come in a few more shades to suit multiple skintones. The powder is quite perfumed though, so do be aware of that.

Smashbox LA Lights Blendable Lip & Cheek Color | I had been wanting one of these since I saw Tamira Jarrel rave about them, but my love for Glossier Cloud Paint kept me from trying any new blushes. I finally took the plunge and ordered Mulholland Mauve, and I'm so glad I did. It's a beautiful neutral shade that adds warmth, definition, and a flush to the skin all at once. I haven't tried much from Smashbox, but the formula is lovely as well - it's really blendable as the name suggests, but it doesn't just blend away. You're left with a decent amount of pigment that stays put all day. There's a sponge on the end to aid with blending, but I've just been using my fingers.

Wander Beauty Beach Balm* | I love a good tinted lip balm. When Wander Beauty asked if I'd like to be sent their newest product, the Beach Balm, which is available in a beautiful shade called Sangria, I jumped at the chance. I've loved everything from Wander Beauty I've tried so far, and this balm is no exception. It hydrates the lips well and leaves a lovely wash of berry red on the lips. It really gives the lips a "just bitten" effect, which I really love on minimal makeup days. If you're in the market for a new tinted balm for the summer, definitely check this one out.

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask | I only just recently got this, but I can already tell it's a winner. I'm going to be reviewing Glow Recipe's new own-brand skincare products once I test them some more, so keep an eye out for that. So far, I'm in love with this mask though. I'll admit I was drawn in entirely by the packaging, but I'm staying for the fresh watermelon scent. It's a gel/jelly-textured mask that spreads over the skin easily and instantly feels cooling and hydrating. You can either leave it on overnight (it's not sticky and won't come off on your pillow), or apply a thicker layer and wash it off after 10 minutes. So far I've only used it overnight, and I've woken up to bright, smooth skin. My skin is dry and drank the mask right up, so I did follow it up with a thicker moisturizer, but I still saw the results that the mask claimed.

Anese Slay Serum* | I mentioned this in my New In Skincare post recently, and it's been love since first use. It's a lotion-like texture that sinks into the skin easily without any tackiness or stickiness. And oh my the glow - it leaves my skin so glowy, but not greasy in the slightest. I've tried it at night and in the morning, and either way, my glow is set for the day.

What products do you think are worth trying?

*Products mentioned have been sent to me for consideration, but all opinions are my own. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

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New In | Lip Products

Yes, I'm back with another "new in" post this week because yes, I've been buying/using too much stuff lately. Lip products are my go-to when I'm itching to try something new, and as a result I've collected a few new things worth mentioning recently.

MAC Lipglass, 'Nymphette' | After my "Falling for Lip Gloss" post last month, my friend Beti suggested I try one of MAC's newly repackaged (and maybe reformulated?) Lipglasses. That was all the enabling I needed so I hopped online and ordered the shade Nymphette - I remembered seeing it on Pinterest a while ago. It's a really pretty golden pink that's not too metallic, but just enough. I really like the formula, too - it feels kind of thick, but I like that in a gloss. It makes it feel like it's going to stick around for awhile. I've been reaching for this when my face needs some general perking-up because it does just that right away.

Glossier Generation G, 'Zip' (20% off) | My collection of Generation Gs is finally complete. I had avoided Zip because I was afraid it would pull orange on me (because everything does), but it surprisingly maintains its beautiful poppy red tone. It adds such a nice touch to an otherwise monochrome makeup look/outfit. I like that it's a bit more sheer, so you can wear it as more of a subtle wash or build it up for more pigment. I love the Generation G lipsticks, and so I'm glad to finally have them all.

Lancome Matte Shaker, 'Beige Vintage' | The Juicy Shakers were a bit of a let-down for me - they were nice, but I just never found myself using mine, so I ended up passing them on. I was still intrigued when Lancome released a matte counterpart, though, and ordered one of the nude shades (of course). The formula is quite thin and sets to a lightweight stain. I love this formula much more than the Juicy Shakers, and I've been reaching for it a lot. The shade Beige Vintage is much more pink than the name lets on, but it's such a good everyday shade.

Tom Ford Matte Lip Color, 'Velvet Cherry' | I definitely did not need another lipstick, let alone one by Tom Ford, but I saw my friend Miran wearing this in her Instagram Story one day, and it looked so beautiful on her that I went out and bought it the next day. It's a beautiful deep red color that brings a little drama to any look. I had never tried a Tom Ford Matte Lipstick before, but the formula is absolutely divine. It's comfortable and velvety, but still longwearing. This is one I'll be wearing to special occasions for years to come.

Rodin Olio Lusso Luxe Lipstick, 'Billie on the Bike' | I had been eyeing these lipsticks since they came out - I mean, have you seen how beautiful the packaging is? And then they were featured on Into the Gloss, and I hoarded two or three shades in my Nordstrom online cart. I brought it up in the group while we were in New York, and my friend Emma really convinced me I needed it - I ordered it the day I came home. I ended up going for Billie on the Bike, the purple shade, because Emma said it gave a similar, but more pigmented, look to Glossier's Jam. One swipe gives a more sheer wash of color that looks really beautiful, but it also builds to a stunning berry purple shade. It's super comfortable on the lips, but lasts a long time and fades evenly. I definitely need the deep red (Red Hedy) next.

Chanel Rouge Coco Gloss, 'Caresse' | I've had this for awhile now, but I never got around to talking about how much I love it. It's a beautiful formula, as expected from Chanel, and it feels creamy and comfortable rather than sticky. It doesn't settle into lines and keeps the lips looking plump and full. The shade Caresse is the most perfect nude shade - I got the Rouge Coco Lipstick in Adrienne at the same time, and they make the most perfect pair.

What new lip products have you been trying?

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