Lips

My Lipstick Looked…Different

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Last year, I went to a MAC counter with a friend to find a lipstick to wear to my wedding. It was winter, I was pale, and I was seeking a My-Lips-But-Better shade that was slightly more pink than my natural lipcolor. I wound up choosing Brave, a satin finish; I loved how it looked with Soar pencil underneath. It was subtle and made me look like me (though I enjoy reds, I feel most comfortable in MLBBs and neutral pinks), which was important considering the occasion.

MAC Brave LipstickMAC Brave Lipstick

Fast forward to late spring! I had started my sunless tanning routine with Million Dollar Tan’s excellent Cabana Tan lotion line. I was tan and golden, and felt good about not harming my skin in the process. I started refining what my day-of makeup was going to be – applying, tweaking, etc. – most times sans lip because, come on. I knew what the lip looked like.

One time I decided to finish it properly, lip and all. I was so excited to be done, thinking, “Oh yes, I nailed this!”

Except I wasn’t as enamored of the lip as I remember being. What?! I remember being so enamored of the shade when I bought it. Was it the cruel salesfloor lighting within Macy’s? No, I had photos of it. In natural light, even. It looked so cool, almost making my lips look ashy…what the hell happened? Lipsticks don’t just change color!

It had only been about a month since I started sunless tanning, but I had reached where I wanted to be – it was enough to change the effect of the lipstick drastically against my skin. Thankfully, the arrival of my Glambot order saved the day; armed with MAC Cosmo, I was able to blend the two lipsticks on my lip (over the Soar lip pencil) to achieve what I wanted on my newly-tan skin.

Because of that, I put Brave away and hadn’t reached for it in a while. Recently having returned to my palest shade (props to Million Dollar Tan – it really lasted!), I reached for it this week and found that it looks good again.

In short, if you tend to be a bit of a chameleon depending on the season, don’t be surprised (or upset!) if certain shades (of lipstick or blush, especially) don’t flatter as much as they did at another time. Certainly don’t do anything rash like throw a product away over it. With lipstick, try mixing it with another lipcolor (or even just topping it with a gloss to alter it a bit). If that doesn’t work,  give it time, wait for the next season, and try again; your skintone has a huge impact on these things.

I’m thrilled to have this particular lipstick back in my rotation. Foundation/concealer being the exception, have you ever found this to be the case with a product in your collection (flattering when purchased, not so much in a different season)?

Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick – Divine Wine

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Lipsticks are one of those fun items that you don’t need a ton of time to test in order to fully evaluate. Despite the fact that I don’t wear them often (they’re a little high-maintenance for my day-to-day tastes), I love the look of a matte lip. When I heard that Maybelline added this new Creamy Matte Lipstick formula to their Color Sensational line, I was damn excited. I actually saw them on YouTube first before seeing them in a store, on a blog, etc – Nicole Guerrero was wearing Touch of Spice in a recent video and I was like, “Yep. I need dis.” I looked around and could find no information online, not even on Maybelline’s site.

A few days later, I saw other YouTubers sporting shades from the Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick line and the message was clear, “go to Target.” Next time I was there, armed with a new coupons (no shame in trying something new with one, after all), I went to get Touch of Spice and Divine Wine. They were out of Touch of Spice, but I did get Divine Wine to share with you.

Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick - Divine Wine

The caps on the Creamy Matte Lipstick shades are identical: frosted for a matte look, but this otherwise looks like many of the other Color Sensational lipsticks from the outside.

Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick - Divine Wine Case

So dark! The flash makes this look not quite as dark as it is. It isn’t like… Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream in Transylvania or Nars Train Bleu dark, but it is a pretty deep wine red.

Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick - Divine Wine - Open

Swatched. For reference on how dark it is, Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick this is sitting next to a well-known shade, Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso. Should have let Beso dry, but I was rushing.

Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick - Divine Wine Swatch (Stila Beso above for comparison)

Though I will sometimes wear a bold red lip, I pretty much never wear a dark lip. In fact, I can remember the last time I did, not counting Halloween scenarios – my mom had a dark burgundy(ish)? Clinique lipstick ages and aaaages ago. I pilfered it. I was not even a teenager yet. That was all.
I am not vampy! I like sheer washes color on my lips and clean eyeliner. I am out of my comfort zone! Applying it, eeek, it is so dark. Just applied:

Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick - Divine Wine, Applied

And I love it! Again, slightly ligther in the flash, but trust that this is very fall appropriate.

Despite being called, “Creamy Matte Lipstick,” this is definitely more of a satin-matte finish; the lighter shades are slightly more matte. I think this finish is flattering with this color, personally, but if it want it so-matte-its-flat, this may not be the formula/color for you. It doesn’t feel dry going on – some matte lipsticks can skip or tug on your lips during application, leading to mistakes or uneven-application, nearly necessitating use of a lip brush. Not these! They glide on pretty easily and have great color payoff in one pass. They aren’t as unforgiving as a classic matte lipstick (I’m looking at you, MAC Retro Matte formula – I’ve seen what you’ve done to lips!) but I chose to exfoliate and treat prior just in case. So far, I haven’t noticed any feathering or sass from this lipcolor, but I would probably use a liner (if I had an appropriate color) with this one just in case.

I noticed, also, during application and wear, that the scent of the Creamy Matte Lipsticks remind me of the scent of the Nyx Soft Matte Lip Creams. I’m sure they share some common ingredients, though I’m not sure what they are. I would wager that it is whatever allows them to apply easily and remain matte. I love my Nyx Soft Matte Lip creams, but I already have a strong preference for this type of lipcolor to be in a lipstick form rather than a tube with a doe-foot applicator.

I got about about 3.5 hours of wear before needing to reapply, but that includes drinking two glasses of tea and eating dinner. I heard and confirmed that it wasn’t a punk about reapplying, but even the Nyx Soft Matte Lip Creams can be punks when it comes to reapplication. To be fair, I think expecting a lipstick to last through eating and drinking is entirely unrealistic – and this one does not claim to be long-wearing, so I am happy.

It is so damn new that even now, almost a week after I’ve purchased them, I cannot find them online anywhere. Not Amazon, not Target, not drugstore.com – but I will be sure to update you with a link as soon as I find one. In fact, I have another shade to share with you at some point – I’ll hold off until I can get a dang link for you.

Are you into matte hues? Seasonally-appropriate ones? Will you try one of the new Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipsticks, or stick with something more familiar like, say, a Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream?

TonyMoly Beauty at Sephora

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TonyMoly is a South Korean cosmetics company that makes some unbearably adorable stuff. Case and point? The most adorable lip gloss you’ve ever seen:

TonyMoly Petite Bunny Gloss BarTonyMoly Petite Bunny Gloss Bar in Juicy Peach

I actually own this one. It smells nice and imparts a nice color…and it is adorable. The TonyMoly line includes all sorts of beauty products (usually in some sort of adorable packaging or form) including both skincare and cosmetics. Usually, if you wanted their products you could either purchase from a beauty importing company’s website or from third-party Amazon sellers. Fortunately, going the latter route isn’t typically too bad as long as you research the seller and make sure they have good feedback.

Occasionally, I browse Sephora even when I am not planning a purchase. Yesterday, while browsing New Arrivals, I stumbled across this.

Whaaaaat.

TonyMoly Bbo Bbo Lip Balm from Sephora

This is the TonyMoly Bbo Bbo Lip Balm. I honestly have no idea what the Bbo Bbo stands for, if it is supposed to be a play on BB or what (Update: Reader Insa says that bbo bbo means kiss! Thanks, Insa!). Housed in this silly pout-shaped pot (but not a heart-shaped box), you would apply this balm with a lip brush or fingertip. They appear to be colorless and currently come in two flavors: honey and blueberry. So far, the few reviews received by the balms have been very positive. Priced at $9 they are inexpensive by Sephora standards and are comparable to the price you pay for imported products when you consider shipping.

AND these little guys aren’t online only! You could actually find them near you.

I wonder if this is a limited time partnership, or if we will see more TonyMoly products at Sephora in the future? (Dear Sephora: Please pick up the Bunny Gloss line!) Will we see more Korean brands (such as Etude House)? I look forward to seeing what else comes from Sephora in this regard.

Have you tried any foreign products? Would you like to see them more accessible stateside?

Lazy Day Tag

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It has been a busy week for me with other projects, so this was a perfect and timely post. I know that Lazy Day posts are more of a fashion and/or lifestyle blogger thing, but what the heck.  This would be a day I’m feeling lazy but have to go to work and be a presentable human being.

Lazy Day TagLazy Day Tag

It’s actually very easy for me to over-clean my face (once a day is good – twice a day freaks my skin out), so I’d start by splashing (carefully, like a civilized human being – not like the careless girls in the commercials) my face with cool water, then pat dry. Slap on moisturizer du jour. I use argan oil at night, but I am still on the hunt for a good daytime one (CeraVe is just too damn much).

Slap on some Maybelline Instant Age-Rewind Concealer to combat my dark circles and even out my eye area. The applicator is weird, but I blend it out with a (freshly washed) finger and woo! Done, easy. Already look way more awake.

Apply BareMinerals Flawless Definition Mascara – if we’re lucky and I have enough motivation, I’ll curl my lashes with my Sonia Kashuk Eyelash Curler (I am normally motivated enough to do this). Oooh.

If I need help looking like I’m, you know, of the living, I’ll apply some e.l.f Studio Blush in Tickled Pink. Most days, though, I don’t bother.

Lipstick? On a lazy day? Ahahaha. Yeah. Right. More like BonneBell Lip Smacker Dr Pepper. I don’t need to justify this.

Wedding Makeup pt. 2: What I Used

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So last week, I shared what all I packed to be too-prepared for any wedding makeup needs. Today, I’m sharing what I actually used. You’ll notice that the photo still has a LOT of that stuff, but bear in mind that I didn’t use all the brushes in the Coastal Scents set, all the shadows in each palette, etc.

Wedding Makeup pt 2 - What I UsedWedding Makeup pt. 2: What I Used

Products

Now for tools – these ARE in order of appearance:

Brushes/Tools

  • Coastal Scents Elite Brush Kit
  • BeautyBlender – To blend and help tone down my already-applied foundation.
    Nars Sheer Matte is THICK. I had practiced with it, but it still didn’t hit me how thick it is.
  • Sonia Kashuk Eyelash Curler
  • EcoTools Fan Brush – To apply setting powder.
  • Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki (unboxed it here) – To apply my foundation.
  • Real Techniques Retractable Lip Brush – To mix and apply Cosmo and Brave.
  • Real Techniques Shader Brush – Actually works better for blending shadow, concealer.
  • bdellium Tapered Dome (785), Blender (776), Pencil (780), and Flat Definer (714)
    Respectively: for blending, more blending, precise application, and detail work. I used the last one to help sculpt my brows.
  • Sonia Kashuk Angled-Bristle liner brush – Holy grail liner brush.
  • Urban Decay flat shadow brush (came w\ Naked) – Pack on ALL the Lt. Bronze!
  • Sonia Kashuk Lash Curler

So, like I said, this list still looks massive. I know what you’re thinking, “Really? You needed THREE concealers?”

Yes, in fact I did. The consistency of the first is light enough that it doesn’t settle into lines and crease. The second is perfect for hiding a scar I have on my chin. The third is thick and opaque, good for spot/blemish concealing…which I needed, because I had a couple pop up that week (thanks, stress).

“Three PALETTES, though!?”

Yep. You’ll notice that I only used six shades total plus my Chocolate Soleil bronzer for my eyes. De-potting palettes is against my religion. Besides, my friend was able to get use out of one of them, even if my bridesmaids got their makeup done.

“An entire brush kit?!”

The brush kit IS kind of gigantic, but I didn’t use many brushes from it. I just like to keep everything together, and I wasn’t sure which ones I would want to use day of until I was sitting down playing Bob Ross.

Don’t be afraid to over-pack for events like this; it is far better to have too much stuff with you than not enough and then flying into a panic because, “DAMN IT I left my eyeliner at home!” or something like that which could lead to a meltdown that you don’t need right before your wedding!

Wedding Makeup pt 1: What I Packed

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I decided a long time ago that I was going to DIY my wedding makeup. When I made that decision, I had no idea what I was doing but I figured that I could learn in the space of well over a year (yep, definitely did) and use the money that I’d spend on an MUA to buy (and therefore HAVE) my own products.

So I learned and practiced with the help of YouTube and the various beauty sub-reddits out there – in the time I had given myself, I exceeded my own expectations and was completely comfortable with it. Because I treat makeup as something fun rather than something that I must do, I was able to have a lot of fun throughout this process.

I definitely over-packed my kit, but this was on purpose. Although I had fully planned and practiced my eye look, I wanted to make sure I had plenty of stuff in case my bridesmaids wanted/needed to do theirs (at the time, I wasn’t sure they were doing the student bit as discussed in this post).

Here’s what I packed. Products are not in order of appearance in the photo, but grouped by type. If you need me to point something out/clarify it, please leave a comment.

Wedding Makeup pt One: What I packedWedding Makeup pt 1: What I Packed

Products

A lot of these products are minis, deluxe samples, GWP items.

Now for tools – these ARE in order of appearance, left-to-right:

Brushes/Tools

 

Just to reiterate – I did not use all this stuff on my face for my wedding makeup. Not even close. I just wanted to over-pack for the occasion rather than risk missing something I needed or that my bridesmaids may have needed. My next post will share what I actually used.

Disclosure: Hey! Some of the links in this Wedding Makeup post are affiliate links – this means I may get a very small percentage of the sale if you decide to buy something. I only recommend products I’ve tried and verified as awesome. Ethical blogging FTW.