NARS Spring 2012: Mexican Rose Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil

Once upon a time, there was a chubby Tarte lip pencil I was very fond of. So fond of, in fact, that I brought it everywhere just in case I didn't have any other lip product with me. It was one of those anytime, anywhere, any day hues. It was supposed to be a beautiful friendship.

One day I reached into my bag intending to grab hold of a regular black pen, but instead out came a goopy melty stick smeared in beige pink. I dug around the bag in hopes that it hasn't contaminated the other areas but of course it did. I cleaned my bag in vain (streaked beige pink even till this day), angrily flung said Tarte lip pencil into the trash, and told myself chubby lip pencils cannot be trusted.

I suppose it's good that beauty bloggers in general (or just me?) lack resolve when it comes to restrictions, because NARS Mexican Rose is the most interesting out of all the lip products for this season. In fact, it's the only lip product I purchased from this year's Spring collections, and I would have missed out on it if I stuck to my own rules.

It was difficult to get a swatch picture since the Velvet Gloss texture appears so wet on skin, but that translates to plenty of fun for the lips! 

Mexican Rose was my first Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil so I didn't know what to expect. I thought it was just a gloss in pencil form and would have the wear time of one, but it turned out to be a mighty lip stain instead. I wore it through a bowl of udon and only the innermost portion of my lips experienced minor fading. The rest of the lips lost its shine but the vibrant color remained. Another instance of shocking staying power: after it completely dries (be it from eating or wiping your lips on a napkin), try running your fingers over the color. It wouldn't smear nor leave residue on your fingers. When I was removing my makeup at the end of the day it barely budged with regular makeup remover. Only after a good scrub with oil cleanser did it finally consent to part from my lips.

Now, this might sound like too much of a hassle for some but is ideal in my book. If I don't need to reapply throughout the day, I wouldn't need to bring it out! Can you hear the cheerful chorus of my bags rejoicing? Also, for what is ultimately a lip stain, it is not drying at all.

While I do like the precision of the pencil (my own mistakes in application notwithstanding), I wonder if that precision persists when the tip becomes dull. It would be an expensive investment indeed if frequent resharpening is needed. 

NARS Mexican Rose retails for $24 and is available at narscosmetics.com.

PS: Speaking of fabulous lip color, I want to give a shout out to dear Jessica of Getting Cheeky, who is now a fellow Lipstick Bandit. Long overdue, lovely!

Beauty PSA: Le Métier de Beauté John Barrett Salon Exclusive Nail Lacquers Now Available Online

Longest Beauty PSA title ever, but sums it up!

The huge coincidence is I was already planning to post a picture of Kona today:

I sound like a broken record by now considering the amount of times I've posted about Le Métier de Beauté nail lacquers. A quick recap: absolutely no complaints about the formula, usually two coats needed for opacity, yummy colors. I have to say Kona didn't survive on my nails for long (started chipping on day three), but I've been using my nails excessively the past few days and I doubt even the best of polishes would last a second longer.

For those who missed it, I've also done tape swatches of the entire John Barrett Salon Exclusive collection:

• Nudes
• Pinks
• Blues/Greens
• Oranges/Reds
• Browns/Metallics/Misc.

Le Métier de Beauté John Barrett Salon Exclusive Nail Lacquers retail for $18. Click here for your fix! 

Guerlain Spring 2012: Meteorites Cruel Gardenia

Much deliberation went to my purchase of Guerlain Meteorites Cruel Gardenia. Much more than I thought was necessary for something that was a) so pretty, b) what is seemingly so universally lauded. But all I had in mind when I saw this at three different counters was "but I already have so many highlighters!" Ah, rationalization. I must be growing up.

As an aside, can I say how pleased I am that I was able to snag this (albeit the last one at the counter) almost a month after it came out? I'm glad Guerlain learned from the Blush G fiasco, where the blush sold out nationwide literally a week after it hit counters. 

So why succumb at the fourth visit? I suppose peer pressure is the answer (so much for growing up). Every blog I was reading was hurling praises at this aesthetic marvel, and I thought long and hard and figured I didn't own an opal pink highlighter with such a marvelous texture. 

Based on online swatches, I thought the highlighter would be too frosty for my taste. But makeup works in mysterious ways, or perhaps our skin is just different from arm to face. This subtle powder fits well into my "Asian makeup" routine, but I don't know if this is everyone's cup of tea. For example, if you're a fan of really pigmented shimmer powders such as Dior Shimmer Stars, or have an intense need for highlighters to "show up," this is not the product for you. Think veil of luminescence when it comes to this Guerlain powder.

Guerlain Meteorites Cruel Gardenia retails for $67. I think plenty of places would be sold out by now, but check your local counters and you might just be a lucky, lucky girl. While it is sold out at pretty much everywhere online, saksfifthavenue.com curiously still has it for pre-order.

Dior Spring 2012: Rosy Glow Healthy Glow Awakening Blush

I never pegged myself as a cool pink blush type of girl, but this winter I've been purchasing one artificial flush after the other (damage so far: Le Metier de Beaute Creme Fresh Tint in Mystique, NARS Gaiety, and a Sleek one, though its name currently eludes me). Ever since I saw the promo pics eons ago, I knew without a doubt that I wanted Rosy Glow, so I bought it sight unseen along with Waterlily.

Supposedly this blush "reacts with moisture in each skin type" and changes color after initial application to suit every complexion. I haven't seen another person wearing this so I couldn't quite press my cheeks to the poor soul to see if the statement holds true. Regardless, it is a pretty color on its own. Another pleasant surprise is that it does as it claims and remains on my cheeks all day long. Not many of my blushes can boast that.

Rosy Glow on cheeks, Guerlain Cruel Gardenia to highlight, Burberry Light Glow in Earthy to contour

Dior Rosy Glow retails for $44 and should still be available at major department stores. I purchased mine from dior.com but it looks like it is sold out there. Sephora.com still has it in stock though!

Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow 08 Mizuaoi

As promised, more Suqqu! I bought four out of the available eight of these babies (yes, my heart is content), and the lucky first on Messy Wands is the Blend Color Eyeshadow 08 Mizuaoi. 

 

There is a set theme to all the Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow palettes. The bottom right shade is the base color, usually a matte white; the bottom left shade is for lining, the top right shade for the outer corners, and the top left shade for all over the lid. I applied it as such in the photos below, with a smidgen of the purple and blue on my bottom lash line. 

Perhaps it's a Japanese makeup thing. Like my experience with Cle de Peau, the Suqqu quad is super smooth and a pleasure to apply. It imparts a light veil of color on your lids - I don't want to use the word sheer because that's not an accurate description. It's more like their eyeshadows are meant for subtlety, which I suppose is true for "Asian makeup" in general. 

Ingredient list (I know this is not the box for Mizuaoi, but except for the colors I think the rest are the same):

If you like this, you're in luck. Suqqu Blend Color Eyeshadow 08 Mizuaoi is available at dollyleo.com for $71 (though eep at the price!).

Dior Spring 2012: Waterlily Vernis Parfumé

Before we talk about this magnificent color, I need to confess I'm feeling a slight panic about not purchasing its counterpart Forget-Me-Not. Should I have? Is it possible that I don't need that beautiful purple creme?! I'm trying to cut down on nail polish purchases because of the sheer amount that I haven't even begun to use in my stash, so help me dear readers: will I regret not doing it?

While I pace back and forth before the metaphorical Dior counter in my mind, let us sigh at the marvelousness that I did immediately snatch up. I purchased Waterlily sight unseen, in fact before I even returned to the States (bliss is having a package waiting for me fresh out of the plane).

And why not. I can say without a doubt I have nothing like this in my stash. I don't care for the overwhelming scent that accompanies application, which lingers on your nails throughout the day. After that you'll have to hold your fingers to your nose to detect a faint whiff. It's unpleasant for me but I'd apply it again and again for this gorgeous mint green, which for some reason, makes me crave mint chocolate chip ice cream.

Dior Waterlily retails for $23 and is available at major department stores. I purchased mine from dior.com. Get it. Get it now!

Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick #12 Hiwada

Finally. Fi-nal-ly. While I won't deny that there are perks to not having a functional computer, after four days my fingers were starting to get withdrawal symptoms. These digits need to run across a keyboard on a regular basis! Anyway, here we are again, and it is my pleasure to introduce on Messy Wands the highly sought after Japanese brand: Suqqu. 

I've read about this brand time and time again, from bloggers such as Jamilla Camel, Joey Chong, and The Black Panties, and with each post comes a new agonizing longing. Near the end of my winter break, I had the opportunity to transit in London for a few days before I headed back to the States, and you should see how I jumped at the chance. I didn't even make a list of things I had to do/see/eat when I was in London. All I had was "go play with Suqqu."

The result was hauling in epic proportions, and what emerged (among many things) was a lipstick formula I am pretty sure will be the standard from which I measure all my lipsticks. The verdict so far: nothing beats it.

The formula in question is the Suqqu Creamy Glow Lipstick, pictured above in #12 Hiwada. You know that frustrating yet delectable feeling of stumbling upon something you've been searching for the longest time? I've been looking for a pale nude lipstick that didn't wash me out to no avail, and this just falls into my lap.

The lipstick is extremely emollient, but not in the way that threatens clown lips if you aren't careful. One swipe is really all you should do, because any more than that might get a little heavy (and at those prices, you should save every bit of lipstick you can). After it settles, the lipstick feels so weightless that I often forget I have it on till I glimpse a lip mark on a discarded napkin. I wanted so desperately to get one of every shade after using this for the first time, but since one hue to another from the brand's permanent line is so similar, I couldn't justify having more than what I currently own.

Ingredient list for those who might need it:

A little Googling led me to this site, which contains swatches of all eighteen of Suqqu's permanent Creamy Glow Lipsticks. I don't know if it's entirely color accurate (in my opinion, the colors are too light in those pictures), but I figured it's at least some kind of resource. Consult at your own risk!

The Suqqu brand is very limited in availability. Other than Japan, the only other two places with counters are London and Bangkok. Thankfully, we poor souls are still able to get our hands on select pieces from websites like ichibankao.com and dollyleo.com. The latter features better pricing, and 10 percent off your first purchase if you subscribe to their newsletter, but the former stocks a larger array of products. 

As fair warning (before you use that precious 10 percent coupon), I should let you know I will be featuring more Suqqu items throughout the month. Do stay tuned!