The Week of Vampy Oxblood - Day 3: The Lipstick

When I originally began looking for lipsticks that fit "Vampy Oxblood", I came up empty handed.  For days, actually, I was trying to find the perfect black red tone that would work well with my complexion but also give off that vampy hue without appearing too goth.  Well, glossers, I've found them and, better yet, they are all found in your trusty drugstore.

I found 4 gorgeous vampy oxblood lipsticks that you must absolutely run out and get: Maybelline Color Blur Cream Matte Pencil & Smudger in #35 Plum Please, Cargo Cosmetics Essential Lip Color in Bordeaux, Rimmel London Lasting Finish Lipstick in #124 Bordeaux and Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in #477 Black Cherry.

First up is the Maybelline Smudger.  Fun product as the color is on one end while the smudger is on the other.  The trick with this is to apply the color to the centre of your top and bottom lips and then use the smudger to spread the color all over.  Genius, really, if you classically put on too much product and then end up blotting it off (yes, that's me.)  I am getting used to matte lipsticks and will say that this one is very matte so ensure you scrub your lips prior to application (notice I did NOT do that).  The color itself is more blood red but still a great find.

Cargo Cosmetics is up next with it's take on a Bordeaux lipstick.  I wanted to love this one the most being that it has the highest price point AND is moisturizing but I did find it less pigmented than the other 3 colors.  I will say that because it is moisturizing, I will be using this one on a regular basis and I liked the way my lips felt (and looked) after applying it.  The color is not as vampy as the other ones but still has a great deep tone.

Ah, Rimmel, you've done it again for me.  I love this tone.  It borders more on the deep purple red than black but still a great color.  I can honestly say that I've never gone wrong with a Rimmel lip color.  To be honest, I was looking for #004 but found this one instead and am so happy I purchased it.  For a deep color that will look amazing with every skin tone, you must grab this.

Revlon is definitely the blackest of the bunch (hence the name Black Cherry) and I actually am quite taken with it.  I think this lipstick paired with the Buxom lip gloss from yesterday, could be quite the vampy pair.

Showing the actual color of Black Cherry as the lighting is poor in the bathroom

Things to note when applying any dark lipstick shade:
EXFOLIATE your lips like crazy.  (Sugar scrubs are great and easy to make - Check out my DIY)
Use a LIPLINER and a good one.  Lipsticks bleed and the last thing you want is color on your chin.
Apply using a good LIPSTICK BRUSH.  The tube can only be used for touch ups.  You need something sturdy to get full color on your lips (Also use powder between layers)
PRACTICE makes perfect.  I am apologizing for my lips as I am posting this at 11pm having just come home from yoga and a long day with my little one.

What is your favorite dark shade of lipstick?  Any people out there loving the dark purple instead of dark red?

    

Yesterday Was National Lipstick Day: What Are Your Favorite Colors?

Unbeknownst to me, yesterday was National Lipstick Day.  I know, how could I NOT have known this, you ask?  I agree and am still kicking myself.  It's now been marked in my calendar for all future Lipstick Days to come.

Lipstick is my favorite beauty product, by far.  I love it so much because it can totally change your entire appearance, with one little coat.  It's the one beauty product you can wear, with nothing else on your face, that can make you look glamorous, put-together and chic.  And, depending your mood, you can choose a color to match how you're feeling.

If you're feeling sexy, there is nothing better than wearing RED.  My all-time favorite red is L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipcolour in British Red.

If you're feeling bold, there is nothing better than wearing a BERRY.  My favorite berry lipstick is BH Cosmetics Creme Luxe Lipstick in Berry Bite.

Summer makes me feel happy and my go to color is ORANGE.  My all-time favorite orange lipstick is Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Poppy Love.

If you're feeling playful, you can't go wrong with a FUCHSIA.  My favorite fuchsia lipstick is Joe Fresh Matte Lipstick in Fuchsia.

Try these colors out!  You will fall in love with them as I have, I just know it.  What is your favorite lip color?  What should I be wearing these days?

    

Lipstick Haul: The Many Shades of Berry

I am buying lipsticks like crazy right now.

I think it has to do with the fact that in a month and a half, I will be on Mat Leave and will probably not have the money, or time, to so carefully pick many cosmetic items to try.  I guess I am trying to fit it all in now!

I discovered this gorgeous berry tone while looking through old Ipsy Glam Bags and saw that back in November of 2014 (prior to me being a member) members received a gorgeous berry shade lipstick from Forever21.  Now, you all know me enough to know that I would NEVER usually buy lipstick from there but the color was just too beautiful to pass up.

I ordered 3 lipsticks (2 Matte and one Creme), 2 glosses and an adorable owl lip balm.

Check out these colors though!  I am beyond obsessed with berry shades and am really happy to own these especially since they are like $4 a piece.  One thing to note, the creme berry shade does not last as long as the matte shades so I do find I am reapplying that one constantly.

Have you ever bought a beauty product from Forever21?  Which one?

     

Spoiled for Christmas

I was absolutely spoiled this year for Christmas.

I thought I would originally take pictures of what I received but thought it might take a bit of time so wanted to highlight some of the main items I was lucky enough to receive.

From left to right, I received a brand new Samsung Galaxy Tab 7 Nook from the hubby, some beautiful diamond stud earrings, a few Sephora gift cards (YAY!), a 3 lipbalm set from Eos, Rouge Dior Lipstick in 644 ( one of my favorite colors), a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolates and the No7 Serum.

Presents aside, I was so entirely thankful to have spent Christmas in Ontario with my husband's family.  Though the trip was short, it was so amazing to see everyone.  I did, though, miss my family immensely.

What did you get up to for your holidays?  What did you get from Santa?

    

The Greatest Lip Product Haul EVER!

Last week, I went crazy and purchased lipsticks and lip glosses galore.

It's not like I don't have enough lip products (I'll show you what I mean very soon) to be honest, but I'm always drawn to pink things. It's almost as if there was an invisible force MAKING me buy more pink lippies. It seemed to actually tell me "to buy all the pink lip products I could find". So, I of course, did just that.

I purchased the Coca-Cola Lip Smackers Collection (which I've been eyeing for quite some time), an Essence Lip Liner, 2 Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate Lipsticks, an Essence Lipstick, a Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter and an Essence Longlasting Lip Gloss.  Whew, just wait till you see the colors.

So, my life isn't complete unless I have about 20 Lip Smackers glosses around my house, in my purse or at work.  Honestly, I use the Dr. Pepper Lip Smackers every day.  However, I've been wanting this pack for quite some time and bit the bullet, spent the $15, and am loving the package so much that I can't even open it yet.  I'm hoping to try them all out this weekend.  The package contains the following flavors/scents: Coca-Cola, Coca-Cola Cherry, Coca-Cola Vanilla, Barq's Rootbeer, Sprite, Fanta, Fanta Orange, Grape and Fanta Strawberry.  Yummy!

If I use a lip liner, it's always nude in color.  I find that it's easier to work with and goes with every lipstick tone.  So, purchasing a colored lip liner is completely out of my element, especially when it's this pink.  The brand is Essence and the color is called 07 Cute Pink.  I'm thinking this will work perfectly with all my new pink toned lippies.

Lately, I've been very impressed with Rimmel London's lipcolors.  Not only are the inexpensive, rich in color and longlasting, but they are extremely moisturizing.  I selected these two tones from the new "Kate" line, obviously inspired by the gorgeous Kate Moss.  The color on the left is called 05 and the one on the right is 06.  (No fancy names here!).  Both are beautiful colors and have already made their way to my lips this entire week.

The Essence lipstick is also a gorgeous red-pink tone.  I bought this, never having heard of the line before, because it was only $0.99.  Yes, you heard me right.  Not too sure if it's because the color is crap or just on sale.  Either way, as soon as I wear it I will let you know my verdict.  The color, in case you want to try it out, is called 49 Like a Lady.

Gorgeous gorgeous lip glosses!  I am loving the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters so I picked up a new shade called 075 Lollipop.  It's super bright and almost fuchsia-toned so it's perfect for a day when I'm wearing less makeup.  The other gloss is also from Essence, cost a whopping $1.99 and is called 09 Hottest Pink.  Honestly, you can't go wrong with a nice cheerfully bright gloss.

There you have it ladies?  Did I go overboard on the pink?

A Disappointing Flirt Cosmetics Purchase

I don't usually make too many mistakes but when it comes to picking beauty related items, I never make them. However, somehow, on a recent trip to the states, I (and the store) made a big blunder and I'm now the proud owner of a lipstick I will never wear.

I should begin by saying that Kohl's it not a place where I would normally buy cosmetics but they do carry, exclusively, the Flirt Cosmetics line.  I've looked into it's products before and love the minimalistic packaging and the feel of their lip colors.  So, I bought a couple things.

 The first item is a mascara and I was instantly intrigued because it comes in a toothpaste-inspired tube.  Plus, the color is so nice and black that I can't wait to try it out.  (I should mention that I'm on an eye-makeup hiatus as I am using a lash growth serum - again- to see if I get the results I want.)  As soon as I do try the mascara out, I will give a full review.

And this, my friends, is the lipstick gone wrong.  Do you notice the issue?  Maybe this next picture will help.

If you said that the color blends perfectly into my skin tone then you definitely take the cake.  The color is so fair that it actually blends into my hand and could really be used as a greasy concealer.  This color was actually supposed to be a gorgeous vintage wine tone but I accidentally selected this one instead.  So boo to the store for having the display items in the wrong holes and double boo to me for not checking the color when I grabbed it.  Oh well, maybe I'll go as an ultra pale ghost for Halloween.  The lipstick will come in handy for that.

Have any of you tried this line before?  Have you ever bought the wrong item?

 

Lipstick Personality: What Does Your Lipstick Say About YOU?

I discovered this little info piece from a blog we all know and love called Lipglossiping.  (She found the original article from beautypress.com)  Not only did I laugh extremely hard while reading it BUT I also bolted to my vanity table and pulled out all my tubes of lipstick to see what type of gal I really am...

I am a 50/50 split between #2 and #4.  Some of  my lipsticks are flat while the others look like I just took them out of their package.

What type of lipstick personality do you have???

Fall 2011 Favorites: Lipstick!

Lipstick makes me happier than ribs slathered in my favorite BBQ sauce.  Honestly, I'm just sayin'.  As scrumptious as ribs (or any BBQ food) are there is a certain je ne sais quoi about a fabulous colored lipstick.  Well, for me anyway.  It adds a bounce to my step and can sometimes make me feel fabulous even on the worst day.  With that in mind, here's a list of my favorite lipsticks that completed my looks this fall:

Maybelline Fifth Ave. Fuchsia #160

I'm swooning just looking at this picture.  There is nothing sexier than rocking a fabulous fuchsia lip with some killer over-the-knee boots.  Honestly, this was my staple color for about three weeks.  I love this one by Maybelline because the color lasts a long time, the smudging is minimal and the actual color of the lipstick is divine. 

Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in Bouquet

I love the Bite line because it has an all-natural ingredient list.  Plus it's jam-packed with antioxidants that leave your lips smooth and moisturized.  This color is one I wear to the office a lot because of the sunny pink tone.  It's not too overwhelming as a color but gives your lips a nice pop color. I highly recommend this color and product line.

Avon Ultra Color Rich Lipstick in Berry, Berry Nice

I bought this by accident.  I thought I ordered a wine color but instead received a bright red berry tone which has actually taken the place as my favorite red over Youngblood's Crimson.  (I know, shocking.)  Either way, this color suits my skin tone to a tee because it's blue-based.  I have honestly been on the hunt for a blue-based berry red for so long and it's crazy to think I found it for under $4.  This lipstick is rich in color, wears well, doesn't smudge too much and looks great on.  I do wish that the color would last a bit longer on my lips though.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Love That Pink #435

I find the name of this color funny because, once on, it almost looks a bit orange.  Either way, this color is on the list for a reason.  I apply this color a couple times first thing in the morning and the color lasts all day, even through lunch.  I love the feel of it on my lips and my lips obviously love it since they stay moisturized all day.  Plus, it was on sale and I bought it for only $3.99...such a steal.

I should probably mention that I use a nude/natural lip liner with all my lipsticks, not a colored one.  I like nude lip liners because they hold the color of your lipstick in place and don't leave a horrible line around your lips when your lipstick fades.  My go-to is Rimmel London's 1000 Kisses Lip Liner in Natural.  I definitely recommend it if you're on the hunt for a bargain.

What are your favorite lipsticks for fall?  Have you tried any of these before?

PS - It's time for another Wedding Wednesday Post so check it out at www.rubyna.com

Illamasqua, I Adore You

I am the proud owner of two magnificent new Illamasqua products.  Well, new to me anyway because I've never used this line before.  However, there's a really really really good explanation for it.....

We don't carry the product line here in Vancouver.  Now, correct me if I'm wrong (but I like to think I'm not) but I've never seen it in any store in the Lower Mainland.  Them while shopping with my friend, Rheanna, in the States the other day, we discovered it in the downtown Seattle location and nearly had a heart attack.  (I think we both screamed a little bit...)  We spent a good 25 minutes trying on everything and I settled on two items: the Powder Blusher in Hussy and the Lipstick in Over.

I have been drawn to Illamasqua for quite some time for many different reasons.  First, I love what they campaign: The brand believes in the right to express yourself through the way you look and also the right to experiment.  (How can you not like that right?)  Second, the entire product line is extremely pigmented and so worth the money.  Not only do the products last a long time but they look dynamite on.

The blushes are, by far, some of the nicest colors I've ever seen.  I was originally carrying around about four different colors (since I couldn't make up my mind) and finally settled on this gorgeous shade: Hussy.  It's this really bright pink tone that's perfectly matte.  (which is a big change for me since I usually like shimmery tones.)  I just think this shade is perfect for me.  The lipstick is called Over and it's this really bright pinky orange color that actually makes me look tanned!  I love it.

Look how gorgeous and rich the lipstick is?  Sigh, I love it.

And look at the blush?  Beautiful right?  Plus, I barely put my finger into the blush and the swatch turned out extremely pigmented.

I can not wait to do a FOTD with my new goodies.  I should also mention that the blush is $24 (USD) and the lipstick is $22 (USD) and these products are definitely worth the money!

Have you tried Illamasqua before?  What are your favorites?

XO