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.

Two Purples from Shiseido

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge VI324

Did you know my favorite color throughout my adolescent years was purple? I gradually moved on to maroon, then white, to refusing to name just one shade, but I will always have a soft spot for mixing red and blue.

I'm not sure what reignited my fervor in purple, but it is all I want to put on my face now (a stroll through Saks last weekend yielded an arm full of purple swatches). For eyes, I've been revisiting this Rouge Bunny Rouge trio; for cheeks, Clinique Plum Pop. For lips, two shades in particular have snuck into my rotation of products: Shiseido Lacquer Rouge VI324 and Shiseido Lacquer Gloss RS306.

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge VI324

Lacquer Rouge VI324 is, I quote the Sephora description, a bold and sexy violet. No sparkles. Lacquer Gloss RS306 is violet with a tinge of rose. Also no sparkles.

The biggest difference between the Lacquer Rouge and Lacquer Gloss formula is the amount of shine you get from the products. Obviously, the latter is wetter. While it makes sense that Lacquer Rouge would have more coverage, don't write off Lacquer Gloss either. The first layer goes on semi-sheer, but two layers yield some mighty pigment. I prefer the Lacquer Gloss formula because it's lighter and feels more comfortable on my lips, and it's arguably more pliable.

Shiseido Lacquer Gloss RS306

Shiseido Lacquer Gloss RS306

Along with color, I'm rediscovering other old favorites, like Burberry Earthy Blush used above. Many lighting setups ago, I called it my go-to contour shade. While I no longer sculpt with Earthy (well, I no longer sculpt, period), I find it to be a great barely there blush that accentuates my bone structure just so.

Also, I'm really digging the smudged out cat-eye look lately. So simple and quick, but makes me look infinitely more made up.

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge and Lacquer Gloss retail for $25. They are available at Sephora, Nordstrom and Shiseido.com.

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
Clé de Peau Beauté Luminizing Face Enhancer in Delicate Pink
Guerlain Crazy Paris Meteorites Radiance Powder Compact (Holiday 2013)
THREE Flash Performance Eyeliner Pencil 08
Le Metiér de Beauté Nouvelle Vague Kaleidoscope
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara
Burberry Earthy Blush
Shiseido Lacquer Rouge VI324
Shiseido Lacquer Gloss RS306

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

Shiseido Lacquer Gloss Swatches

Top L-R: Mocha (BR301), Debut (BE102), Baby Doll (PK304), In The Flesh (OR303)
Bottom L-R: Lust (RD305), Plum Wine (RS306), Nebula (VI207), Phantom (VI708)

I had the immense fortune of having the opportunity to preview this a couple months ago. Unfortunately, this also meant that I had to sit on these swatches for as long a time. Following the success of its Lacquer Rouge release, Shiseido decided to release a line of Lacquer Glosses. The concept is similar: liquid, pigmented shades that glide on lips and lasts a good long while.

What I found with the Lacquer Gloss is one layer gives it a "traditional" gloss finish (sheer color), while two layers makes the product truly shine (full pigment). It's lightweight and non-sticky and immense fun to wear. The packaging is sleek and light, and unlike most other liquid lip things, showcases the colors on the outside (if only Lacquer Rouge would take notes). My personal experience was mostly with the slightly shimmery beige Debut, which wears like a concealer nude with two layers on my lips.

Shiseido Lacquer Gloss retails for $25 and is newly available on shiseido.com.

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

Le Métier de Beauté Spring 2013: Pink Berry, Coral Rose, Pink-e Promise

By a stroke of good fortune (or what my editor at Lifestyle Mirror calls "suffering from brand loyalty"),  I acquired three of the five new lip products Le Métier de Beauté has in store for spring. My Muji drawer, previously fitting just the right amount of lip cremes, is now overfloweth. While I recognize that this isn't really a problem, it's kind of still a problem (to my organizational self).

Ah, petty complaints. On to the swatches!

L-R: Pink Berry Lip Creme, Coral Rose and Pink-e Promise Sheer Brilliance Lip Glosses

Pink Berry Lip Crème

In general, this spring's lip products are well named in that there's no guesswork involved on what color you're putting on your lips. There is no exact dupe of Pink Berry in the Le Métier de Beauté core line, but if you want me to make a comparison, I'd say it's the berry version of Fraise Creme.

According to The Ultimate Makeup, Pink Berry is the exact same shade as Cebu, which was previously exclusive to Neiman Marcus Tysons Galleria (and sold out really quickly).

Coral Rose Sheer Brilliant Lip Gloss

This is me, suffering from deer in headlights face lethargy

Now this is a coral I can get behind! Just slightly pinked down and not overly warm. Great color for a nude summer look.

Pink-e Promise Sheer Brilliant Lip Gloss

I find the formula for this a little inconsistent to the name. Pink-e Promise is supposed to be a Sheer Brilliant Lip Gloss, which means it should be pigmented when swatched but barely show up when on the lips (hence "sheer"). I would have called it a lip crème based on the texture. Nevertheless, it's Barbie pink goodness in a tube.

Other Products Used:
Le Métier de Beauté Peau Vierge #2
Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in Light
Le Métier de Beauté Eye Brightening and Setting Powder in Revive
Shu Uemura Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown
Le Métier de Beauté Penelope Kaleidoscope
Lancome Khol in Love in Jade Crush
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara
Tom Ford Narcissist Blush
Guerlain Meteorites Perles d'Azur

Jennifer Zeuner Mini Bar with Diamond Necklace

Burberry Spring 2013 Swatches

These are iPhone pictures! But swatches! So apologies (again) for the blurriness of my guerrilla swatching post, but I've been repeatedly told that you guys would rather see something than nothing. Here are the blushes and lip glosses of Burberry Spring 2013.

L-R: No. 19 Mallow Pink, No. 20 Sweet Tea Pink, No. 21 Fondant Pink, No. 22 Coral

L-R: No. 09 Coral Pink, No. 10 Hydrangea Pink

Basically, various shades of pink, but not of the marshmallow and cotton candy variety (which in my book is a fantastic thing). I tried on Mallow Pink (see it in action on Getting Cheeky) and Sweet Tea Pink and they make my heart flutter, and I haven't felt that way about pinks in a long time.

The lip glosses retail for $27, while the blushes go for $42. I swatched the above at Saks Fifth Avenue in New York, but the collection is also available at Nordstrom.

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!

The Basic Makeup Application Tutorial

While this post began as a simple office makeup/first date tutorial, it ended up containing mini segments of how to apply and set concealer, how to apply cream blush, how to tightline, and how to apply lipgloss. So, it's really more apt as a basic makeup application tutorial. Basically, this is my long way of saying – grab a coffee/tea/root beer float and sit tight, ladies; it's going to be a long read.

Note that I said office makeup/first date above. To me, both situations ask for My Face But Better and that's what I had in mind when coming up with this tutorial. I arranged the steps below according to importance. As in, in a (very likely, in my case) situation where you're racing against time, which steps should go first. 1 and 2 are interchangeable depending on the scarcity of your brow hairs.

1. Eyebrows

Tutorial here. I've harped on this point incessantly so no more belaboring. Eyebrows = most important. Bonus points to those who actually have some.

2. Skin

The basis of good makeup is its canvas. This is why having a good skincare routine is most important in my book. I must be doing something right because my skin has been very happy of late and I am able to skip the use of foundation. All I do is pat some concealer onto problem spots (an upside down triangle under eyes, around nose, above and below lips). Don't blend it out too much so it actually stays where you want it to be.

Tip: Your ring finger applies the least amount of pressure compared to the others, so use it on sensitive areas.

As with all other makeup on the face, the trick to having it stay put is to set it with powder. Use an eyeshadow brush that's fluffier (but not overly fluffy) for this purpose. You want to pat it on, not blend.

3. Blush
Because nothing says corpse like unflushed cheeks. I kid, but it's true that color on the cheeks is a sign of health and vitality. It makes a person look brighter and happier.

There's a plethora of options you can go for when it comes to blushing. Powder, liquid and cream works the same as long as it adds the right amount of color to your face. For this tutorial I chose a cream blush. I picked up pigment with my ring finger then dabbed and blended it onto my cheeks.

On days that I don't contour, I am more specific about blush placement. I apply it above my contour line (see below, where my cheeks sink in) and extend it to the bottom of my cheekbones and blend out so it looks natural.

4. Eyeshadow (Optional)
This step depends entirely on how much time you have. The reason I placed it under the 4th step is because you should apply eyeshadow prior to mascara and eyeliner. But if pressed for time, I'd skip it.

I apply my eyeshadow in a sort of almond shape. Nowadays, I've been extending my shadow beyond the lid and blending it around the crease. No particular reason for this choice but preference.

5. Eyeliner/Mascara

Another recent practice of mine is to tightline, which means applying the liner at the base of your lashes and your top waterline. I have hooded eyelids that "swallow" everything I place on my upper lash line (for an example, view this post) and I used to draw a thick line so when I open my eyes there will be a thin line peeking through. Lately, I'm of the opinion that the real function of eyeliner is to accentuate the appearance of your lashes, and all I need for that to happen is have a thin black line at the base of my lashes. This way I also look good when I close my eyes.

Tightlining is not my favorite thing to do since my eyes are like open faucets. The trick is to get the right kind of eyeliner: waterproof, smudge-proof, pigmented, and with a soft tip so it doesn't irritate the delicate eye area.

Finally, apply mascara of choice.

6. Lips

This is simple enough. Apply your favorite color from the tube and you're set. Sometimes I like to soften the sides just a little by lightly going over the edge of my lips with a finger. I think it looks more natural; at least as natural as colored lips can be.

If you're not a lipstick kind of girl, you could just do a swipe of gloss instead. I like glosses since they're additional protection against the cold weather. In general they also look better on chapped lips, which I seem to have no matter what I do to them. When applying gloss, start from the center of your lips and smooth out the pigment to the sides. This makes your lips look plumper but not overly shiny.

Finished Look




Products Used:
Shu Uemura Retractable Eyebrow Pencil in Seal Brown
MAC #204 Lash Brush
Le Métier de Beauté Peau Vierge Correcteur in Light/Medium
Le Métier de Beauté Revive Eye Brightening And Setting Powder
Le Métier de Beauté Mystique Creme Fresh Tint
Shu Uemura Kolinsky Brush 15
Burberry Pale Barley Eyeshadow
Shu Uemura Kolinsky Brush 11
Three Flash Performance Eyeliner in Eye On 08
Annabelle Le Big Show Mascara
Le Métier de Beauté Marrakech Lipstick
Le Métier de Beauté Bondi Beach Sheer Brilliance Lip Gloss