Tutorial: Mixing Le Metier de Beaute Lip Cremes

I feel like my entire week has been leading up to this point, and here we are. Remember in the first post I told you Le Metier de Beaute Lip Cremes are meant for mixing and layering? Well, this epic Lip Creme feature wouldn't have been complete without me showing you how it's done, would it now.

Let's begin with why. I mean, these lip cremes (like Fraise? Swoon) are near perfect as they are. Why should I hope for more? 

Mixing the colors together adds dimension to your lip color. Dustin's motto when it comes to getting a good full lip is to mix/layer a warm and cool hue to balance them out. This also applies to picking out glosses to go with lipsticks. In fact, his exact words were, "never be matchy-matchy with your lip gloss and lipstick!" 

Another reason I'll add is whatever you create will be unique. I love the idea that no two mixtures will ever be the same and no one else will have my lips for that particular day. It's the reason why I never had the urge to buy NARS Schiap. It's no doubt a beautiful color, but so many people already own that exact shade of fuchsia. There's nothing like saturation to diminish intrigue.

On to the fun part! The beauty of the lip cremes is you are free to play with any combination and they'll probably still turn out great. However, I understand the words you can do anything may actually create more anxiety than experimentation, so I asked Dustin for some of his favorites to share with you. All of the below are combinations of warm and cool hues:

Sweet Creme + Toffee Creme = Pink Tan

Peche Creme + Cocoa Creme = Perfect Gold

Chocolate Creme + Framboise Creme = Deep Red Plum

Vanilla Rose + Creme Caramel = Perfect Nude

Fraise Creme + Papaya Creme = Shimmering Coral

Fraise Creme + Creme Caramel = Pink Opal

A smidge of Uma Paro Lip Brilliance + Sweet Creme + large portion of Creme de la Creme + Creme Caramel = Lavender Nude

We had fun picking out names for each of these colors, which we both struggled with toward the end. At one point, I conceded that there are just so many dimensions in some of the colors that typical adjectives fall short. After all, what's a mere coral/pink/nude compared to these?

I thought you might like to see how some of these look on the lips, so I took the few colors I owned and had some fun of my own. Remember, you can choose to mix them together OR layer them on top of each other. You don't even have to worry about not owning a lip brush (though you should own one) because you can use your fingers too.

Creme Caramel with Fraise Creme layered on top

Creme Caramel with Fraise Creme layered on top

Peche Creme + Cocoa Creme (mixed and applied with a lip brush)

Peche Creme + Cocoa Creme (mixed and applied with a lip brush)

And pardon my application but I have to show you Lavender Nude (see why I said you need a lip brush?):

A smidge of Uma Paro Lip Brilliance + Sweet Creme + large portion of Creme de la Creme + Caramel Creme (blended and applied with finger)

A smidge of Uma Paro Lip Brilliance + Sweet Creme + large portion of Creme de la Creme + Caramel Creme (blended and applied with finger)

A smidge of Uma Paro Lip Brilliance + Sweet Creme + large portion of Creme de la Creme + Caramel Creme (blended and applied with finger)

Tip: Always remember when using any applicator, the first point of contact of said applicator to skin will be where you deposit the most pigment. For a full pout, you want the center of your lips to have the highest shine. The best way to achieve that is to begin your gloss application at the middle of your lips and sheer it out to the side. This way you also avoid looking like you have too much gloss on.

So, are you inspired to concoct some new shades? I would love to know how it turns out. If you've been doing this all along, feel free to share your favorite combinations in the comments.

If you don't have a Le Metier de Beaute counter you are loyal to, I urge you to give Dustin Lujan of Bergdorf Goodman a call at 212-872-8612 (tell him Messy Wands sent you). He'll give you the best and most interesting recommendations and will offer you great advice in makeup application - half of the content on Messy Wands wouldn't exist without his willingness to share his knowledge. As a side note, Bergdorf's also provides international shipping.

To view the complete array of lip creme shades, feast upon Karlasugar's amazing swatches.

Le Metier de Beaute Lip Cremes in Cocoa Creme and Fraise Creme Swatches, Photos, Reviews

We're on our last leg of lip creme swatches! Thank you for following along on this journey. Without further ado, here's Cocoa Creme and Fraise Creme.

Cocoa Creme

Cocoa Creme

As you can see from the swatch, Cocoa Creme has the most shimmer out of the all the lip cremes I've featured. While I wouldn't call it chunky, it just isn't as fine as the shimmer in lip cremes like Peche Creme. Also, I would like to apologize for this terrible lip presentation. I have a penchant for sheering out lipglosses - evidently, I was a little strong-handed (ironic, really). I'll see if I can upload a better picture this weekend.

I've been told multiple times that my coloring does not suit brown lipstick, which irks my compulsive streak because I just have to have all colors in my collection. Cocoa Creme is a perfect concession to this dilemma. The gold flecks in the gloss lightens the brown base and makes it much more wearable (on me) than the typical earthy brown.

Last but certainly not least, we end the weeklong lip creme feature with Fraise Creme. I've been dying to show you this beauty for the longest time. I almost broke down on numerous occasions throughout the week, vacillating between sticking to my self-imposed color chronology or showing you Fraise! The stuff of dreams! Is it not obvious that I'm jumping up and down on my chair right now? Yes? Okay.

Fraise Creme

Fraise Creme

Fraise Creme is strawberry red magnificence infused with gold microshimmer. I feel like the pictures below should suffice as the explanation. 

It's a beautiful - not too dark, not too light, not too daring, not too safe, NOT BORING AT ALL - red, period. Every red lover needs to have this in his/her stash.

As previously mentioned, Le Metier de Beaute Lip Cremes are creamy, lightweight, and faintly sticky. They feature a heavy vanilla scent that initially put me off, but over time I've learned to enjoy it. Lip Cremes are as easy to apply as your typical doe foot swipe-and-go gloss. Since Cocoa Creme and Fraise Creme are darker colors, they typically enjoy a longer run (5-6 hours) on my lips. Lip Cremes retail for $36 a pop.

For those who are just joining us, welcome to the final installment of Messy Wands' weeklong Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme feature! I've already reviewed Creme de la Creme, Sweet Creme, Creme Caramel, and Peche Creme. Tomorrow, I will feature a special Lip Creme tutorial that I've been itching to write all week. I hope you enjoy!

Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme in Peche Creme Swatches, Photos, Review

Ah, this brings back memories. Peche Creme was my first ever Le Metier de Beaute purchase. It was one of those spur of the moment decisions. I was placing an order for Splendid Frost and threw in Peche Creme... probably to reach free shipping.

I have to be honest. When it arrived, I wasn't all that impressed. I remember reading rave reviews about this being a magical wand and it turned out to be just a peach gloss with a very strong vanilla scent. What gives? 

Peche Creme

All I can say about that slip up is bad lighting isn't a friend to details (whereas Abercrombie & Fitch dressing rooms benefit greatly). Peche Creme is what I reach for when I'm trying for My Lips But Glossier And So Much Better But You Don't Quite Know Why. The secret, of course, is within the fine microsparkle that comes with the gloss. Observe:

Peche Creme on lips

Sweet Creme on lips

I inserted a picture of Sweet Creme so you can see the difference between the two. As a reminder, Peche Creme is a light peach gloss with microshimmer, whereas Sweet Creme is a clear gloss with a hint of pink. Based on these pictures, dare I say Peche Creme makes Sweet Creme almost bland in comparison?

Definitely one of my top favorite of all the lip cremes.

As mentioned in previous posts, Le Metier de Beaute Lip Cremes are creamy, lightweight, and faintly sticky. They feature a heavy vanilla scent that initially put me off, but over time I've learned to enjoy it. Lip Cremes are as easy to apply as your typical doe foot swipe-and-go gloss. Peche Creme has a decent weartime of about 4-5 hours on my lips. They retail for $36 a pop.

For those who are just joining us, welcome to the Messy Wands weeklong Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme feature! I've already reviewed Creme de la Creme, Sweet Creme, and Creme Caramel. Please stay tuned for swatches of the other two I have left in my arsenal (Fraise Creme and Cocoa Creme). Also, I will have a special Lip Creme tutorial slated for this weekend. I hope you enjoy!

Le Metier de Beaute Lip Cremes in Sweet Creme and Creme Caramel Swatches, Photos, Reviews

From Creme de la Creme, we move on to the other two sheerer (dessert) shades, Sweet Creme and Creme Caramel.

Sweet Creme

Sweet Creme swatched

As you can see from the swatch, Sweet Creme is basically a clear gloss with just the slightest hint of pink in it. Again, something I probably wouldn't pick up based on the swatch alone. Yet, this is the shade Dustin thinks everyone should own. Sweet Creme adds warmth when layered over another lip color.

The next, Creme Caramel, is a crowd pleaser. Like Creme de la Creme, Creme Caramel brightens and softens the color beneath it. The added bonus to this color is, and I quote Dustin, that it "goes with anyone."

Creme Caramel

Creme Caramel swatched

In my opinion, Creme Caramel is the most aptly named lip creme in the lineup. The color, accompanied by the vanilla scent common to LMdB lip cremes, reminds me of creme brulee. Creme Caramel is beige-gold and has a metallic gleam when applied to the lips. In the photo below I applied a thin layer of Creme Caramel and sheered it out on my lips, but you could easily build it up to achieve a foil-like effect.

As mentioned, Le Metier de Beaute Lip Cremes are creamy, lightweight, and faintly sticky. They feature a heavy vanilla scent that initially put me off, but over time I've learned to enjoy it. Lip cremes are as easy to apply as your typical doe foot swipe-and-go gloss. Sweet Creme and Creme Caramel have a decent weartime of about 4-5 hours on my lips. They retail for $36 a pop.

Sneak Peek: Les Aquarelles de Chanel

We interrupt the regularly scheduled Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme program with some breaking news. I once said I was the type of girl who had to be at the counter on the first day a new collection launches. I wasn't lying. The Chanel counter at Bergdorf Goodman just received the Aquillaries de Chanel collection, so guess what I did after work today?

While not ideal, here are pictures of some of the new shades from the collection:

L-R: Twilight, Fauve, Gris Exquis, Stylo Yeux in Taupe, Rouge Coco Shine in Royallieu

Ombres Tissees in Beiges

Close-up of Ombres Tissees in Beiges

Ombres Tissees in Beiges is a highlighter with plenty of shimmer and flecks of fine (not chunky, but not microfine) glitter. While Ombres Tissees in Beiges comes in three strips of color, when swatched I couldn't see the difference between each of them.

I was disappointed to see that Joues Contraste in Pink Cloud came in the Euro baked formula. In the pan it looked like a light cotton candy pink. I couldn't get any pictures of swatches because the color blended right into my skin. My guess is Pink Cloud will be better suited for those with much lighter skin tones.

I'll try to post pictures of the items I bought (everything on my hand except Royallieu) this weekend!

Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme in Creme de la Creme Swatches, Photos, Review

Here's to hoping you're not tired of reading about Le Metier de Beaute products, because this week's Messy Wands feature is dedicated to their glorious lip cremes.

The Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme ($36) is a cross between a lipstick and a gloss, and like the brand's eyeshadows, are meant for mixing and layering. I was as enamored with these as I was with their eye kaleidoscopes. I love the idea of owning unique colors and the ability to change something unflattering into another better suited to my own needs. The lip cremes serve both purposes with aplomb.

LMdB Creme de la Creme

Swatched

It is only fitting to begin from the most basic. If my memory serves me, Creme de la Creme was the first LMdB item I bought from Dustin. Like a little fledgling looking for guidance, I asked him to recommend the one lip creme I "absolutely have to have." In response, he pulled this unassuming milky shade out of the colorful lineup. 

Creme de la Creme on lips

Truth be told, at the time I was disappointed with his choice. Can you imagine looking at rich, vibrant shades like Fraise Creme and Cocoa Creme (the two leftmost shades in the first picture) and forgoing them for this sheer... thing? But I bit my lip and didn't say a word, because at that point he was coloring the back of his hand with a lipstick to demonstrate how this worked. I am now glad I held my tongue, because Creme de la Creme would later prove to be among my most prized possessions. 

For those apprehensive about deep reds or "too vibrant" colors, Creme de la Creme is the perfect wand to tone things down a notch. Creme de la Creme is made to be a layering shade that lightens, brightens, and softens the color beneath it. You can mix it with any lipstick from any brand, and it'll be like you added a drop of glow to the ol' shade.

LMdB Monaco

LMdB Monaco layered with Creme de la Creme

T-B: LMdB Monaco, LMdB Monaco layered with Creme de la Creme

Le Metier de Beaute Lip Cremes are creamy, lightweight, and faintly sticky. They feature a heavy vanilla scent that initially put me off, but over time I've come to enjoy. Lip cremes are as easy to apply as your typical doe foot swipe-and-go gloss. The lighter shades like Creme de la Creme stay on for about 4-5 hours while the darker ones tend to enjoy a longer weartime. 

Do come back for a visit throughout the week as I will be featuring the rest of my lip creme collection. I also have a surprise tutorial (I promise nothing short of makeup enlightenment) planned for this weekend and I can't wait for you to read it!

Sunday Love: Have It Sweet

I used to be a huge Etsy junkie. I bought everything from clothing to jewelry to soap to hair wreaths till I reached the ends of my bank account and I finally told myself I had to stop checking the site or I would starve on the streets. Amazingly, I've been quite successful.

My only relapse was this past summer when I had a sudden candy craving, and I knew I had to get my fix from Have It Sweet. Have It Sweet was founded in 2008 by a couple who make all sorts of confections. They started out with caramels, but have since expanded their range to include marshmallows and nougats. They also feature seasonal items, like these Marshmallow Ghosts perfect for the upcoming Halloween.

Now, I would never say no to candy, but I don't like eating anything too sweet, so my all-time favorite Have It Sweet confection is their Belgian Dark Chocolate caramels. The dark chocolate neatly balances out the otherwise (in my opinion) too sweet caramel and swirls like a heavenly cloud in your mouth. Their classic is the Fleur De Sel caramels, which I do like too.

I've done 5-6 orders with them throughout the years, and more often than not need some sort of customization to my order. Beth (one of the founders) usually responds to my message within a day and has never turned down any of my requests. When I get the box, the candy would be neatly and securely wrapped, with a handwritten note of thanks and generous samples included. 

So if you're in the mood for candy, I urge you to give Have It Sweet a try. Be prepared to feel a little bad (or really good?), because chances are you will gobble up everything you ordered before anyone else even found out you had a package.

Update: I just found out that Have It Sweet has a blog and they are currently offering free shipping! I would love to order enough to feed a large army if only I wouldn't be out of the country in less than two weeks (I'm holding on to my last three pieces of caramels as I type this. Oh no). You lucky ones should enjoy in my stead!

Also, for product updates and general happiness, follow @HaveItSweet on Twitter.

*          *          *

I have a fantastic week planned for Messy Wands! Here's a sneak peek: