A Re-Introduction

HELLO. This post is less informative and more celebratory – I finally managed to find a limited window of time where enough sunlight filters into my apartment and allows me to take photos worthy of the blog. I haven't been in front of the camera in such a long time, so I've forgotten many of its caveats (foundation, or at least a dusting of Guerlain météorites, is a must for better-looking skin).

That said, we've never shied away from the ugly here at Messy Wands. Try though I might – exfoliating, then layering face mist, serum, oil and cream – I haven't been able to fully rectify my dry skin woes and parts of my face remain scaly. The only respite I've had was when I used the Tatcha Deep Hydration Lifting Mask (review here), but the beauty and curse of a mask is that it's super effective only for a day.

Perhaps because of all that, I've been favoring the neutral, contoured look. It has just enough color so I'll look polished but not so much that I'll draw attention to problem areas. Here, I'm glad I'm finally able to show you a clearer picture of the recently reviewed Guerlain Météorites Perles De Blush and Ellis Faas Glow Up in action.

Products Used:
Shu Uemura Mechanical Brow Pencil
Shu Uemura Pressed Eye Shadow Refill M 864
Clé de Peau Concealer in Ocher
Clinique High Impact Waterproof Mascara
Three Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil 07
Guerlain Météorites Perles De Blush
Ellis Faas Glow Up
Shiseido Lacquer Gloss in VI708 Phantom

On The Subject Of Glowing

Much hullabaloo has been made of the limited edition Guerlain Météorites Perles De Blush from the Spring 2015 collection, and why not? For those of us who are familiar with the magic of Guerlain's ethereal météorites powder (more affectionately termed, ballz), a pigmented version would only make the most ardent of blush collectors weep with joy. Which happened all over the Internet when these appeared early online and at counters.

For full transparency, I bought this because I am a longtime fan of Guerlain powders and view this as a collector's item. I think it's ridiculous that it's $53 (!!!) for a measly 0.45 oz / 12g of product, even though yes, it's super pigmented and you really don't need much at all. The fact that it's in a flimsy-ish cardboard box doesn't bother me so much because it was probably an aesthetic choice, but I agree with Liz from Beauty Reductionista that they should have added a handle to the puff to help us get it out of the way. After all, they've done it before.

All in all, I'm saying this is not a product with good value. It's not even that easy to use or travel-friendly. It's a sit at your vanity and protect from everything (liquids, drops, less gentle hands) kind of item. The blush is super pigmented, so the perfect brush to use would be something like the Suqqu Cheek Brush, since it would allow you to diffuse the color and layer as needed rather than start out as a clown. With enough swirling on the cheeks, it gives you a nice blush-from-within glow.

I am so sad that I am no longer able to recreate my old lighting setup :(

Aside: I am currently testing a new skincare regimen from L'Occitane and it has completely exceeded my expectations. In the pictures above, I only needed minimal concealer under my eyes and around my nose and mouth to even out my complexion (eyebrows are drawn in, of course). It is so good – I can't wait to share it with you when it launches officially.

I also had a little help from the new Ellis Faas Glow Up highlighter. I suspect the shade I received for review (Porcelain Glow) is a tad bit too light for me, because on perusing the site I found that Satin Glow would work better for my skin tone. Nevertheless, this highlighter is a fine piece of work. Most of the highlighters I own impart glow through noticeable shimmer, whereas Glow Up is so finely milled that I can't detect any, but retain the luminous effect when I apply it to my skin. It's perfect for those who are hesitant to pick up luminizers from the likes of Bobbi Brown and Cle de Peau for fear of it being too "glittery." In the pictures above, I applied Glow Up to the high planes of my face (along the bridge of the nose, above the cheekbones, on the brow bone, cupid's bow and chin).

Ellis Faas Glow Up is sold as a refill ($31.50) and the accompanying holder is available at an admittedly hefty $35. The holder is sturdy, houses a mirror under the cover, and is certainly necessary if you intend to include this in your travel makeup bag, but if you own Z Palettes it might make more financial sense to only purchase the refill.

Full disclosure: This entry contains sample products sent by the brand for editorial consideration. This entry also contains affiliate links.

Ellis Faas Blush: S301, S302, S304

Many reviews I've read of Ellis Faas laud the superior texture and formula of their products, but always with a caveat: the applicator and its refilling mechanism is unwieldy. One of my Ellis Faas eye pens actually exploded once – I was twisting it to get pigment out, and probably because the leftover pigment was too caked onto the brush, the liquid couldn't get through. Instead, the entire top part of the pen blew out from the holder and paint splattered across the room. I was wary of trying Ellis Faas again, but here I am with their blush pens.

I'm happy to report that the formula and texture remain as what I remember them to be. As for avoiding a repeat of the last mishap, I now wipe off excess liquid after use (as I should have done in the first place).

Swatches

L-R: Ellis Faas Blush S304, S302, S301

Very simply, S301 is what I think of as a natural blush, an amalgamation of pink, peach and brown tones. S302 is more vibrant and leans pink, but still looks very natural when applied on skin. S304 is the color of mulled wine.

Ellis Faas pens are designed for fingers, so place a few dots along your cheeks then happily blend!

S301



S302

Suqqu EX-11 Sumiredama on eyes, Le Métier de Beauté Coral Rose on lips.

Ellis Faas Blushes retail for $32 and are available at ellisfaas.com.

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

Check out my blog sale here!

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.

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?

Beauty Update: Ellis Faas, Guerlain, and Le Métier de Beauté

Some absolutely thrilling news that appeared in my inbox the past couple of days:

Ellis Faas Spring Set

I'm aware that my review of Ellis Faas eye products is severely overdue - in a nutshell, they have some of the best cream textures in the business, but I hate the applicator. I just twist to get the product and use a separate brush for application. For spring, Ellis Faas is offering a gift set containing Milky Lips L207 (a nude pink), Creamy Eyes E106 (a lilac taupe!), and Light E304 (lilac) for $85. These products cost $35-36 individually, so if you liked the sound of all three of them it might be worth a splurge.

Guerlain Summer Collection: Terra Azzurra with Emilio Pucci

My Guerlain SA showed me pictures of this collection in January but swore me to secrecy and it was the hardest secret I've ever had to keep. I've seen the pieces in person and they are stunning in the way only Guerlain can achieve. The products just scream insist elegance, and they're always a treat to behold on the vanity table. My sure picks from this collection: Terra Azzura Bronzer, Meteorites Perles d'Azur (the turquoise balls!), Terracotta Gloss in Porto Azzurro; What I'm curious about: Blu Acqua Khol Kajal, Le 2 Mascara in Blu 2 Pucci, and maybe I'll try out the nail polish at the counter to see if it's worth $22. 

Le Métier de Beauté is now available on Zuneta 

Have you heard, my lovelies? That brand I've been talking about nonstop since the first week I started blogging is now available worldwide courtesy of Zuneta! While I wince a little at the pricing because it's quite a bit more than what we pay for in the US, it's still an option for those who are really desperate to get their hands on the products. It's quite a comprehensive inventory - with complete stock of the eye shadows and lip crèmes (among others) available for purchase. They even have the spring kaleidoscopes Aurora and Northern Lights in stock. 

For those new to Messy Wands, I've written a number of comprehensive tutorials on Le Métier de Beauté products:

How to apply the kaleidoscopes the Le Métier way (eyes from top to bottom, lips from bottom to top)

Couches de Couleurs - the eye shadow layering method explained

Lip Creme Mixing

It's hard to narrow down my must-haves. On average 50 percent of my everyday makeup consist of products from the brand. Dustin told me he always recommends first-time customers the Peau Vierge Anti-aging Complex, then a kaleidoscope eye kit (layering made easy!), then the Precision Liquid Eyeliner in Noir. I also suggest purchasing the eye crease brush to go with your kaleidoscope because it is, quite simply put, amazing.

Ellis Faas Mascara

There are some reviews I hesitate to do, like foundation, skincare, and well, mascara, just because those items belong in such subjective territory (and if I were to be completely honest, because those are hard to photograph too. I tried taking a million before/after pictures when it comes to foundation but it looks the same). Nevertheless, consider this a shaky first step into expanding product reviews to a broader range.  

Along with the lip products, Ellis Faas sent me some eye products as well, which includes a mascara. I was surprised then because I didn't know the comapny made mascara (or blush, the packaging gave me the impression that it was strictly a lip/eye/skin thing). The Ellis Faas Mascara is said to do three things: coat, lengthen, and separate. It is housed in the same bullet-type packaging, but it's the most "normal" of all its products in that you screw the top open to find a regular mascara wand waiting to make an impact on your lashes.

Top-bottom: Bare Lashes, One Coat, Two Coats

As far as its coating and separating and lengthening qualities, all is well. I mean, this is mascara. If it gets the job done on my straight nonexistent Asian lashes (seriously. did you see that first picture?), I'm happy. I prefer using this mascara on top of another, like one with a volumizing formula, to get the best use out of it.

Without EF Mascara

With EF Mascara

I know this mascara comes at a shocking price, but the one thing that justifies it for me is at the end of a long day, my lashes remain curled as if it just went through a round of pinching. 'tis a novel feeling, that.

Ellis Faas Mascara retails for $34 and is available at ellisfaas.com, sephora.com, and Space NK.

The product in this post was sent from the company for review purposes.

P.S: I've picked a winner for the Lancome Erika F giveaway!

Ellis Lips

Leigh's comment on my Ellis Red/L201 post piqued my curiosity on the other Ellis Lips formulas and how they compare to each other. A generous introduction later, I was sent one of each formula to review on Messy Wands. This felt like such a monumental responsibility that for the last three weeks I've barely worn any other color on my lips, just so I make sure to write the most accurate review ever. 

If you're unfamiliar with Ellis Lips, here is how it works: The product is housed in a bullet-lookalike pen. When you remove the cap, you'll see the applicator like below (if it's your first use, it should be completely white). To dispense product from the pen, turn the base of the pen clockwise. One "cycle" should be enough for one application (again, if it's your first use, just keep twisting till the color appears).

Ellis Lips comes in three textures: Creamy Lips (L101-109), Milky Lips (L201-209), and Glazed Lips (L301-309). All three boast a lightweight formula and provide as little or as much coverage as you wish. Playing with these made me seriously reconsider my fondness for lipsticks in a bullet form, just because of the freedom of customization I can get. According to the Ellis Faas website, all Ellis Lips products contain Vitamin E and are paraben-free. All textures are also liquid, so they "immediately blend into skin upon application," thus are non-sticky. 

Creamy Lips comes with a spongy applicator while the other two operate on a brush-type applicator. 

L-R: Glazed Lips L301, Milky Lips L205, Creamy Lips L108

Creamy Lips (L101-109)

Creamy Lips provides the most natural looking finish of the three formulas. A minute or two into application, it dries down to a velvet matte finish. The product mimics the texture of the lips while imparting a wash of the color of your choice. This is an admittedly high maintenance formula. It is not flattering when applied on dry lips and does not claim to have moisturizing properties, so while it doesn't sap the moisture from your lips, it wouldn't aid the pesky dryness (PSA: drink more water, self and everyone else!). However, when applied on "good" lips, Creamy Lips may be your best option in the market when you want to fake your natural lip color.

Case in point: In the picture below, would you have guessed I had lipstick on if I didn't point it out?

The shade in question: L108, a light peach

I found the included instructions particularly useful, so here you go:

"Apply Creamy Lips with the spongy applicator first by painting the lips with just a small amount of lipstick, then fully load the applicator to fill inside of the lips... For a more stained effect - just load a tiny bit of the lipstick onto the applicator, apply and blot for a matte stain."

Milky Lips (L201-209)
Milky Lips is the in-between of the Creamy Lips and Glazed Lips formula. While wetter then Creamy Lips, it does not achieve the like-water finish you get with Glazed Lips. The word I'd use to describe the effect is "dewy" or maybe even "glistening." Neither are bad words for one's lips to associate with!

What I found while using Milky Lips (in shade L205, a pink peach) is that upon application, the color seems to be suspended over your lips for a bit. It doesn't look good here, but wait for 1-2 minutes and the lipstick will settle and meld itself to your lips.

Like what I experienced with Creamy Lips, the Milky Lips formula clings to dry bits, and seem to seep into lip lines as well. But again, when applied to "good lips," this looks amazing. True story: I put this on when I left work one day, then went to the mall for some much-needed retail therapy. Halfway through trying on a new outfit, I stopped and went near the mirror to examine my lips. I distinctly remember not having any impression when I was at the office, but in that changing room what I saw were such plump and juicy lips... I'd kiss myself if I could.

Since Milky Lips is wetter in texture, I do feel that it's somewhat moisturizing. After all, it's like applying (dense) liquid on your lips. (Do note that the company does not claim Milky Lips to be moisturizing!)

L205

Official instructions for Milky Lips:

"For a subtle look with just a trace of color, either apply a feather-light layer all over the lips or apply Milky Lips to the middle of the lips and fade it with the fingertips."

Glazed Lips (L301-309)
I saved my favorite for last! If Milky Lips is "dense liquid," Glazed Lips is literally pouring water over your lips, minus the mess that would ensue. It has the unique quality of providing intense color but is translucent at the same time. It goes without saying that Glazed Lips is the most comfortable of all three to wear.

L301

One major plus for Glazed Lips is it fades evenly and dries down to a stain-like quality. I didn't know this will happen when I first put it on, so my mind was promptly blown five hours after. Just take a look at the picture below! I took it 5-6 hours after initial application of L301. 

Such a huge plus! I cannot use lip stains because they've always been too drying for my chronically chapped lips. Now I have a lip stain alternative that gives me two looks in one application. Can you see how I die for this kind of product? I make hand-grabbing motions when I think of the entire Glazed Lips line.

Construction and Beyond

As mentioned, Ellis Lips are lightweight and comfortable, and if this hasn't been made clear, long lasting. I'm inclined to believe they will last on my lips forever if I don't have to eat or drink, and I was sorely tempted to test this theory but sadly, I am human. All formulas come with an applicator so precision wouldn't be an issue, and with them you save time rummaging for and cleaning your lip brush before each use.

That said, my biggest peeve with the products is the design. No doubt it's unique and definitely makes a statement. I have no problem locating them among my admittedly vast collection of lip products (big plus). However, they might not be the best for bringing out. I have no problem because my bags are usually large enough to hold a small child, but I can see how plenty of women would have to struggle to fit these in their tiny purses.

Also, because the amount of product I get for each application depends on how much I twist the base of the pen, quite often I get too much product because I become impatient while waiting for the color to appear. Earlier into testing these, I must have wasted a few applications' worth because I'd twist and nothing would come out, then I'll twist again thinking I didn't do enough, then I see the color and stop but it's too late because 2-3 applications worth would have oozed out. It really doesn't take long (think 5 seconds) for the color to appear, but compared to a regular lipstick where it's twist and go... Anyway, I'm quite proud to say that I've since mastered the technique.

Finally, I wanted to address what I said earlier about Creamy Lips and Milky Lips not looking good on dry lips. It is true that those two formulas do cling to dry bits and seep into lines, but I forget that I look at myself two inches away from the mirror, whereas other people are probably already too close to me when they're just two feet away. Unless your lips are so dry as to be flaking as you speak (to which I say what are you even doing with lipstick?!), they'll look perfectly fine to everyone but the person you kiss (who um, shouldn't bother what lipstick you've got on).

If the paragraphs above were too long, the takeaway is Ellis Faas products in general come with a learning curve, but they're so worth your time. 

Ellis Lips retail for $35 apiece and are available at ellisfaas.com, Space NK, and sephora.com (!!). If you are a Sephora VIB, you have till November 14 to enjoy 20 percent off your entire purchase with code VIBDREAM. I suggest slipping a couple of these into your cart. Like um, what I did just now.

Update: While I don't have swatches of all the colors (if only!), here's a snapshot from the pamphlet I received from PR that I hope are color accurate (I haven't seen most of these colors so...). I hope it helps those of you who want to place a blind order:

The products in this post were sent to me from the company for review.

Ellis Faas L201/Ellis Red

Yesterday I posted a picture of a very red pair of lips and told you it was a worthy Chanel Dragon rival. A handful of you guessed what it was right off the bat, which told me two things: 1) Ellis Faas might not be as obscure a brand I thought it was, and 2) I need to make the guessing game harder. 

The lipstick in question is indeed Ellis Faas L201, otherwise known as the Ellis Faas signature hue, Ellis Red.

A little bit about Ellis Faas for those unfamiliar to the brand. Ellis Faas offers its products for skin, eyes, and lips in the form of silver twist-up pens. Their lip series is divided into three categories: Creamy, Milky, and Glazed. According to their website, Creamy Lips comes with a sponge applicator that provides long-lasting coverage, Milky Lips delivers a wetter, less heavy finish, whereas Glazed Lips proffers the slickest finish of them all. I've only tried the Milky series, which comes with a brush applicator, as seen below. 

Ellis Red

This is how it works: when you twist the bottom of the pen, you'll get a dollop of blood red fluid peeking out from the bristles. Spread the liquid evenly around the lips with the brush, and you're done! Be careful not to get too excited during the twisting or you might get too much product.

I have to say it. Ellis Red makes me think of a vampire post-feast. It goes on super wet and stays wet for as long as it remains on my lips, and that is a significant amount of time. I wore this out to dinner once where after sampling a huge portion of seafood pasta, a girl friend turned to me and asked me how I managed to make my lipstick last through the meal. My reply was, "it's still there?!" and I whipped out a mirror to check. I didn't prep, prime, line, or set it, yet my lips were pretty much the same as before. The only part that faded was the inner section of the bottom lip. Astonishment turned to wonder, and that was when I knew I had to feature Ellis Red on Messy Wands.

Due to its construction, Ellis Red might be the easiest red ever to apply on your lips. Makeup artists always tout the lip brush as the must-have precision tool when applying deeper hued lipstick. Lo and behold, Ellis Red already comes with its very own brush!

I thought I should also address how it compares to Chanel Dragon. They're similar products in that both are very pigmented liquid lipsticks. However, Chanel Dragon looks and feels denser compared to the wet Ellis Red. I am very aware that I'm wearing pigmented lipstick when I have Chanel Dragon on, whereas Ellis Red feels so light that at times I wonder if it's still on my lips (I'll have you know, my periodic mirror checks never disappointed). 

The only con I can think of is that the formula is as "liquid" as it appears on the lips, so it doesn't "settle" onto the lips like normal lipsticks would. This doesn't mean the color will swim unfettered around your lips after application. I would just be very careful if I were wearing a scarf or light-colored clothing, or if I have my hand anywhere near my mouth. Many a dear item have been relegated to the bin due to unremovable lipstick stains, and Ellis Red would be an easy villain if given a chance. Needless to say, having a mirror handy is almost a prerequisite to wearing Ellis Red.

Ellis Red retails for $35 and can be purchased at Space NK, ellisfaas.com, and sephora.com. I'm so happy with this, I think it's high time I try out some of their eyeshadows.