A Plethora of Pinks

It's funny how tastes change. A year and a half ago, I wrote this Lipstick Bandit post about fearing pink, and this summer it seems to be all I wear. Now that I know I look better in cool pinks, I'm much less inclined to dabble with coral (that color is a whole 'nother headache). The pinks shown in this post are mostly old favorites that have become staples in my lip wardrobe.

Also, the whole time I was taking pictures, this scene was running through my head:

Sherlock Season 1 Episode 1: A Study in Pink. A glorious introduction to a fantastic TV series

Cle de Peau Enriched Lip Luminizer 206 Sweet Watermelon

First, a light watermelon pink! I associate the finish that Cle de Peau Enriched Lip Luminizer 206 Sweet Watermelon ($35 for the refill, $25 for the holder) imparts with "Asian girl" lips (sorry, stereotypes) – soft and balm-like with a hint of color. It's really great for when you just want to look a little more presentable. "Naturally pretty," if you will.

Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick in 476 Plaza

Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick in 476 Plaza ($32), reviewed here, is a step up from the Cle de Peau in terms of pigment. As you can see, the texture is also balm-like and it's very easy to wear. All these lipsticks make my peeling, wrinkled lips look happy and well moisturized.

I sense a trend in my selections. What can I say? I love comfort.

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Never Say Never

And to the matte selection! Do I detect a slight hint of purple? NARS' lip pencils (Velvet Gloss, Velvet Matte, Satin) are my favorite products from the brand. From packaging to texture to color selection, I don't think you'll find too many from other brands that can rival NARS. The one pictured above is Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Never Say Never ($25), reviewed here two (!) years ago. I'm so grateful that it's part of the permanent collection.

I used a heavier hand when applying the blush, so my lips wouldn't wash out the rest of my face (balance is important!). Pictured above is Chanel Joues Contraste in Rose Initiale.

Paul & Joe Manège + Le Metiér de Beauté Clearly Brilliant Lip Gloss

While the texture of Paul & Joe Manège is perfectly fine (full coverage, balmy finish), for some reason I enjoy slicking a clear gloss over it. I also just realized that the Le Metiér de Beauté Clearly Brilliant Lip Gloss ($36) is a great alternative to purchasing more Dior Fluid Sticks. It's a jelly gloss that produces high, watery shine. It completely transforms my lips!

Manège, a limited edition shade from spring 2013, is unfortunately no longer available. The good thing is I've tried on a few magenta shades since and found possible substitutes, so if you're interested, try Paul & Joe La Vie En Rose 305 or NARS Satin Lip Pencil in Yu.

What lip shades are you loving this summer?

Beauty PSA: Diorblush Cannage available at saks.com!

If you were one of those who missed out on getting these when they first launched at Saks, IT'S BACK!

Never have I meant this cliched marketing speak so fervently: Get it before it's gone! How refreshing to know that it can sometimes be true.

Diorblush Cannage Edition retails for $60 on saks.com.

Dior Addict Fluid Stick in 639 Artifice

If you've been following the launch of the new Dior Addict Fluid Sticks, you'll know that Dior has been firmly insisting that THIS IS NOT A LIPSTICK. That is confusing to me. I don't think anyone trying it for the first time would jump to the conclusion that it is lipstick. Looking at the finish, THIS IS NOT A LIP GLOSS may have been more appropriate, but is it really not a lip gloss?

Dior claims that this is a revolutionary new formula that's a lipstick, gloss and lacquer in one. A lip hybrid, if you will. To me, that is not so different in concept from Le Metiér de Beauté Lip Cremes. These are shinier and easier to wipe off, like... a pigmented gloss.

I would say that these Dior sticks redefine the "statement lip." If you think orange lips are bright and attention-grabbing enough, try watery, shiny orange lips!

I've had Artifice for almost two weeks, but I still haven't made up my mind about the formula. After wearing it a few times, I finally understood what other bloggers have been saying about the stickiness. The fluid goes on watery but becomes sticky after a while – not an intolerable lips-stuck-together kind of sticky, but enough that you can feel a slight heaviness on the lips. With the wealth of amazing lip formulas out there, there really is no excuse for this, especially from a brand like Dior.

Yet.

I really like the finish. I can probably replicate it by putting on orange lipstick and applying a clear gloss over it, but it just doesn't feel the same.

The fluid (I originally typed gloss. Dior, can't we just call a spade a spade?) dries down to a really light stain, which I won't get if I were to execute the lipstick+gloss combo. The below picture was taken after two hours of talking, blotting, ice cream eating, and root beer drinking.

Conclusion: If you don't mind mild stickiness in your lip formulas, the Fluid Sticks would be a fun addition to your vanity. As for me, Artifice fills the orange hole in my lip collection so I'll stick with it, but I probably won't be adding more of these to the cart.

Dior Addict Fluid Stick retails for $35 and is currently exclusively available at Macy's and Dior.com. Update: Nordstrom got it!

Products Used:
Shu Uemura Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown
Suqqu Balancing Eyebrow Palette 01 Moss Green
Suqqu Frame Fix Cream Foundation N 102
Le Metiér de Beauté Peau Vierge Correcteur Concealer Shade 1
Shiseido Sheer Eye Zone Corrector
Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancer in Delicate Pink
NARS Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base
THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil 08
Burberry Sheer Eyeshadow in Pale Barley and Midnight Brown
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara
Addiction Cheek Polish in Fresh
Chanel Joues Contraste Fleur de Lotus
Dior Addict Fluid Stick in 639 Artifice

Dior Addict Fluid Stick Swatches

I am convinced that Macy's negotiated an early exclusive on the new Dior Addict Fluid Sticks, because every other department store in New York City is left without till May. Even online, these are only available to Macys.com and Dior.com (for now). Since my e-tailer of choice is Nordstrom and retailers of choice are Bergdorf Goodman and Saks, I wrung my hands in frustration looking for them (BG and Saks generally get first dibs on new releases). But now, obsession sated!

Pardon the messy eyelinered-on numbers, but you can only do so much when guerrilla swatching! I tried on the five in the first picture, which consists of 373, 639, 689, 893, and 995. My initial thoughts are that they have a great lightweight formula but take a long time to dry down. A few blogger friends have reported stickiness, though I personally didn't find it so. In keeping with my general buying restraint, I only allowed myself to bring home 639 Artifice (side rant: why can't Dior just put the shade name on the tube?). We'll see if I end up hoarding more shades or regretting my purchase in a few days.

I would like to give a shout out to Michelle at the Macy's Herald Square Dior counter. She helped me sort the colors by number, even retrieving it from various displays, and let me swatch as I please. If you are looking to purchase the Dior Addict Fluid Sticks and would like to speak to an actual representative, or like me, just couldn't find it anywhere you looked, you can contact Michelle at 212-494-2797.

Spring Sprang Sprung

Spring weather is finally in full swing in New York City! The sun is shining, people's calves are showing, and I'm beginning to realize how dire a pair of open-toed sandals is to the wardrobe, though five tries to zappos.com and still nothing. Shopping, which is supposed to be super duper fun, can be such a frustrating exercise.

A long overdue update on little ol' me: something happened to my skin and I think it's called "turning 24." I've been told skin changes as we grow older – what was once taut can be loose, smooth can be coarse, oily can be dry. Mine is the latter two and some other new skin concerns, like hyperpigmentation and redness. Funny thing is, even though my skin is now so dry as to be cracking and peeling, my nose remains porous, like a permanent dotting of sesame seeds. Grr.

Most of my current products are geared toward combo/oily skin, so they no longer fit my concerns. I've been looking to purchase new skincare and for now, these are in the cart:

• Guerlain Super Aqua Serum - I tried the old formulation a few years ago and remember loving it, so I'm excited to see how the new version fares. A few reviews on Makeup Alley suggest that it was too oily on combination skin, which is perfect for me. Bonus: Nordstrom has a limited edition set that includes a deluxe-sized toner, eye cream, and mask for no extra charge.
• Tatcha Enriching Renewal Cream - As I've repeatedly said, Tatcha's skincare works wonders for me. I have finished my second mist, am working through my second oil cleanser, and desperately scraping the bottom of my silk cream. I'm excited to try this new version of the cream, touted for dry skin.
• Rodin Olio Lusso Luxury Face Oil - When I announced my skin woes on Twitter, a couple people suggested adding an oil over my serum and moisturizer and it seems to be working! Rodin's oil is the most luxurious one I've ever tried. 

As for makeup, I haven't been playing at all. I can barely wake up on time for work, much less apply makeup beforehand. Maybe it's that age thing again (yes everyone, I do realize I'm "too young" to start with that, but it is how it is) but I've been gravitating toward simple looks, almost entirely eschewing eyeshadow and liner most days. Cream blush has become one of the most important items in my makeup bag, with Le Métier de Beauté Creme Fresh Tint in Poppy leading the pack.

The other good thing about spring/summer is that I will be wearing huge sunglasses that cover up half my face, so I really won't need much.

In this photo I am wearing Ellis Faas Blush S302, a peachy pink liquid blended out with fingers. I applied it lightly here, but as usual you can layer it for more impact. Lips are lined with a pink MAC lip pencil, topped with Dior Addict Extreme in Plaza. The sunglasses are a new acquisition from Oliver Peoples, while the trench coat is a great purchase from Club Monaco two years ago.

PS: In an effort to spring clean and clear up some clutter (again), I'm holding another blog sale. Items will be uploaded beginning tomorrow. Here's a sneak peek:

Tell your friends!

Full disclosure: This blog post contains sample products sent by PR or the manufacturer for editorial consideration, as well as affiliate links.

Dior Twin Set Eyeshadow Duo in 090 Fishnet Black

Dior Twin Set Eyeshadow Duo in Fishnet Black ($30) is a new, I wanna say, thingamajig the brand introduced for spring. It is a double-sided eye pen housing two eyeshadows of different textures intended for layering. One side is basically a cream stick, while the other is a sponge that dispenses a sheer wash of color.

L-R: spongey side, creamy side

both layered

While the creamy side can stand alone (apply onto lid, then use finger to gently smudge out for a simple smokey eye), the sheer spongey end of the stick barely shows up on the skin. I had to pack on the pigment for it to show up in the photo above.

The duo makes for a beautiful smokey eye, but it takes much effort to achieve. In my mind, the main uses for a product like this is: 1) to simplify things for beginners or 2) as a one-stick-fits-all for travel/easy touch ups throughout the day. However, this duo is not particularly easy to work with. It actually takes me less time to do a smokey eye with eyeshadow compared to using the duo, because I have to carefully apply and blend out the cream, then rigorously pat down the eyeshadow to smoke it out. The only good thing is since so little pigment comes out of the spongey side, you create a natural smoked out gradient.

Also, while I believe most of us already wear primer as a necessary step in our routine, I think it's worth mentioning that this eyeshadow will not last on oily lids without a primer. By the end of the night, my right lid was completely mangled.

That said, with some patience and practice it could be a really good traveling companion. You won't achieve terribly sophisticated looks, but it is decent for a quick smokey eye, especially when you won't need a brush!

I received my Fishnet Black Twin Set from my internship and a quick search online suggests it's not for sale at the usual department stores, so I'm not entirely sure where you can go to purchase it. When I swatched the collection at Saks, I only saw the pink and gray duos. Perhaps this is an as yet released Sephora exclusive?

Products Used:
Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Light
Dr. Jart+ Black Label Detox BB Beauty Balm
Guerlain Météorites Perles du Paradis
Shu Uemura Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown
Dior Twin Set Eyeshadow Duo in 090 Fishnet Black
Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Waterproof Eye Pencil in Black #1
Eyeko Black Magic Mascara
Korres Lip Butter in Quince

New Year Sparkle: Ushering In 2013 With Style

Today's post will be a little unorthodox. It was supposed to be a post featuring the de facto New Year's Eve look (metallic lids and vamp lips) in collaboration with a few of my blogger friends. I did the look, but instead of taking my usual slew of deer in headlights close-ups, I invited my housemate for a fun photo shoot instead. We've been living together for three months and have since became best friends, but we didn't even have a blurry iPhone of each other. It was time.

An embarrassing amount of pictures were just of us howling in laughter, but for the sake of relevance I picked the few that most clearly showed my makeup.

She insisted a family picture includes our large soft toys

And we needed props for uh, festive points

For the look, I used Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense #19 on my eyelid and smoked out the crease with Addiction Midnight Oasis. I tightlined with a black eye pencil and layered on the mascara. Lips are Chanel Rouge Allure Rouge Noir #109 layered with Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in Black-Tie Plum #982 (as seen in this post) and Burberry Lip Velvet in No. 310 Military Red layered with Guerlain Rouge G Garconne. There was no particular reason for using two red lipsticks. I just wanted a sheen instead of a matte but didn't want to go through the hassle of removing the Burberry, which I was already wearing.

Do remember to see how my other friends are ushering in the new year:
A Little Bit Of Everything
Beaute Fabuleuse
BellaChique
Bronzer Bunny
ChloeAsh‎
Eye Heart It
Joey’space
Messy Wands
Mostly Sunny
Musing On Beauty

Spring 2013 Swatches: Guerlain and Dior

My guerilla swatches hopefully require no more introduction.

Guerlain Spring 2013

On the far left: Meteorites Pearls du Paradis swatched individually

Ecrin 4 Couleurs 502 Coup de Foudre

Top: Shine Automatique 600, 601; Rouge Automatique 762 Rendez-vous, 761 Flirt

Bottom: KissKiss Gloss 870 Cherry Pink, 849 Fizzy Mango; Ecrin 4 Couleurs 501 Attrape Couer

The only thing I sprang for was the Ecrin 4 Couleurs Coup de Foudre because look at that coral! And the nuances on those greens! I tried it on at the counter and was surprised to find that it looked beautiful on my skin tone, so into the shopping bag it went.

Dior Spring 2013

5-Couleurs Eyeshadow in Rose Charmeuse #854

What caught my eye about Rose Charmeuse was the really dark black, which reminded me of LMdB Nouvelle Vague (swatches here, look here). I can't be certain, but I believe it is as pigmented.

Dior 5-Couleurs Eyeshadow in Rose Ballerine #724

Clockwise: Nail Lacquer in Gris Trianon, Rosy Bow; 'Cherie Bow' Twin Set Eyeshadows

Dior released a couple of duo cream/powder shadow sticks for spring as well, which I swatched above - cream on top, shadow on the bottom. It's... better than what I expected from shadow sticks, but the product itself doesn't appeal to me personally.

I think Dior released some beautiful pinks, but pinks are not my strong suit and not something I would wear much, so I didn't pick anything up from Dior. I am quite tempted by the two nail lacquers, but decided to mull over them for a couple of weeks before purchasing.

I swatched these in Saks Fifth Avenue New York, but both collections are already up online at Nordstrom!

Skincare of the Moment

Now that I've reached the end of my Tatcha skincare (sob), I've had to dig around my stash to find replacements. A few products that are in my current rotation:

Natura Bisse Tolerance Toner – Smells wonderful. I don't actually know if it is "skin fortifying" because my skin doesn't really have that concern yet, but I love the extra burst of moisture it delivers anyway. When this runs out I may try another NB toner.

Tatcha Dewy Skin Mist – Sometimes I use this in lieu of the toner. For my original review, see here.

Guerlain Super Aqua-Serum – I've had this bottle for so long. If you look now, the company has actually reformulated and repackaged this line. The serum is pretty awesome. I apply this religiously over my face, concentrating on my nose so as to avoid dry, peeling skin. It's worked!

Paul & Joe Moisture Lotion N – I used to believe having sufficient moisture requires thick creams and this little lightweight lotion has proven me wrong. A little goes a long way since it's so watery, but I love how it feels on the skin afterward.

Diorsnow White Reveal Moisturizing UV Protection – (imagine Chandler from Friends) Can these product names BE any longer? This is my staple, though I may switch it when I run out because I realized this contains Octinoxate and I would like a 100% mineral sunscreen. I don't know if it matters, but this contains 19% Zinc Oxide. The ones I usually find are usually 5-10%. Does this mean it's more effective? I would love to hear opinions on this!

Kiehl's Midnight Recovery Concentrate – I apply this on my neck, but on lazy nights/days I want a simpler routine I just use this as an all over face oil. Love the lavender scent.

Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment – Very emollient lip balm. I don't know if it helps with lip lines, but my lips definitely feel very soft the day after. Unfortunately, I do find Fresh lip balms can get a little too soft. One of my tubes broke from the base mid-use, but I managed to put it back in and resume usage.

Haus of Gloi Aether Pumpkin Butter – I have to thank Kate for introducing this in one of her skincare posts. It's a pleasure to find new gems and this pot is basically a diamond mine of the best skin ever. My legs are so smooth I can't stop touching it. I'm going to order this in bulk when this pot is done, skincare ban be damned.

Ambre Extra Nourishing Body Moisturiser – I'm starting to realize I should go full indie on body care products because this little bottle of oil does wonders for dry, cracked skin. I could use it all over, but I usually apply this to my poor feet and it soothes cracks, dried cuticles, and turns something that resembles chicken feet into well, a human's.

Full disclosure: This entry contains sample products sent by PR or the manufacturer for editorial consideration.

Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in Black-Tie Plum #982

In case there is any confusion, I took the pictures below before my haircut. I know, I look like a totally different person.

While I am definitely enjoying the myriad of new lipstick offerings we have this season, I feel the need to shower some love to its glossier counterparts. If you can believe it, Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in Black-Tie Plum #982 was one of the first few glosses I owned. 

I think it was my second semester at college. At that time I barely read beauty blogs and use little makeup (what I did to pass time, I wonder). The Dior SAs were friendly enough, and seeing my noobishness, plied me with every product they could sell me. I glanced through, nodding to be nice but wasn't committed until I saw this gloss. The SA told me they were the first and only high end brand that had such a deep gloss in its permanent collection. I don't know if that was true, but I will say till this day I haven't found a dark plum to rival this.

L-R: Dior Black-Tie Plum, Chanel Rouge Allure Rouge Noir

The eye look is basically LMdB Plum Eyeshadow layered above look 1 in this tutorial

On its own, Black-Tie Plum is a glossy wine-berry that can be layered to full intensity or sheered to a bare stain. Three years ago I thought it was the boldest shade ever (I wore it to college and felt like everyone was staring at me); now, I'd wear this to the market without skipping a beat. Ah, growth.

In the above pictures, I layered it over Chanel Rouge Noir to make it "seasonally fashionable." Dior's glosses are super comfortable and moisturizing, which is the unfortunate codeword for not long-lasting. It will come off with any food or drink, or even a simple swipe of tissue (you don't even have to rub). 

A rudimentary Google search shows that there really isn't a ton of permanent edition dark plum glosses lying around, so if you're the glossy kind of girl and want the extra polish over a dark, vampy lip, this is it.

Dior Addict Ultra Gloss in Black-Tie Plum #982 retails for $28 and is available at Nordstrom.

Also, two Friends & Family sales happening now:

Shopbop - WEAREFAMILY at checkout for 20 percent off. Till 11.59PM tonight.

Saks Fifth Avenue - FRNFAM2 at checkout for 20 percent off. Till October 21 (starts in-store Oct 18).

I'll get a (minuscule) commission if you purchase through my links. Any support is much appreciated!

Dior Vernis Poison #966

Since the general revamp of Messy Wands, I've been thinking of ways to spice up my nail polish posts. I've tried the regular swatch and snap, but my pictures just didn't look as good as those from dedicated nail blogs, and that just makes me want to scrap the whole operation.

So, I thought of doing it like backstage fashion models, because at least with face makeup I can offer a color story of sorts...

Hand modeling turned out to be such a difficult and awkward job (as opposed to plain staring into the camera). There is just no feasible way to place your hands around your face with your fingernails facing front and still look "natural." 

That said, it was fun to play around, even if the outtakes looked ridiculous. The polish I used was Dior Vernis Poison #996, part of the Les Violets Hypnotiques collection that debuted earlier this year. The color is a deep eggplant with creme finish. Formula was smooth and I applied two coats to ensure an opaque, even finish. Oxblood may be the color du jour this fall, but one should never underestimate the power of a good rich purple.

Dior Vernis Poison ($23) is probably sold out at most locations, but remains available for purchase at dior.com.

My Stash of Red

This post is a strict reminder to myself that I'm not allowed to buy red-reds anymore. ANYMORE, I say. 

L-R: Guerlain Rouge G Garconne (worn here), Dior Ara Red #999 (worn here), Burberry Military Red No. 310 (worn here), Dolce & Gabbana Iconic (worn here), Rouge d'Armani #400 (worn here), Rouge Bunny Rouge Raw Silence (worn here), Bite Pomegranate (worn here), Chanel Rouge Allure Laque Dragon (worn here), Ellis Faas L201 (worn here)

I can't believe I've previously shown every single one on the blog. Also, Military Red reflects less light compared to the other shades. Is that why it appears matte on our lips?