Review: Lancome Le Rouge Absolue Lipstick in Chateau Peony

I know I promised no Lancome for a loooong time, but I still haven't gotten a new camera so I'm running low on pics. And this review is for my Le Rouge Absolue Lipstick in the shade Chateau Peony--I love the name of the shade!

The packaging is really pretty. The case the lipstick is actually held in is gold and the cover is a navy blue. I kinda wish it was black instead.

Here's some pics:





I've had mine for a while, so it's all beat up. The only complaint I have about the packaging is that it shows every single finger print and smudge, which gets annoying really fast.

Here's an example:

See what I mean?


The shade I have, Chateau Peony, is a muted pink with a bit of orange in it--just a tiny bit. It does have shimmer, but it's not really noticeable.

The lipstick itself:

I've used quite a bit of it.

Swatch on my hand:

On the left, a light application. On the right, a heavier one. Sometimes I just dab a bit of it on my lips to give me a pretty hint of color.

On my lips:

This is a heavier application. It is a bit brighter in person.

This is going to be a quick review. This lipstick, first off, is a bit of a bright pink. I know you can't tell from the pics (the lighting is horrible, I know) but it is more of a mid toned pink. As far as lipsticks go, this one is ok. I purchased it more for the shade than anything else. And compared to other Lancome lipsticks,I would say that the Le Rouge Absolue line isn't as moisturizing or creamy. The actual formula is thicker, so if you apply over dehydrated lips it will highlight every flake. It lasts about as well as your average lipstick. Since the formula is thicker, I feel that it sticks up to food/drinks a bit better than other Lancome lipsticks. What I also like about this lipstick is the pigmentation. It's very pigmented, so one swipe and I'm done. I think that Lancome has redone the fourmula of this lipstick. Chateau Peony, the lipstick I own, doesn't have SPF in it, and yet all the new ones do. Also, from what I've seen the new formula is creamier, more moisturizing as well, which is good if you're considering purchasing one. Overall, it's an ok lipstick for me. I feel as though you can get better quality for a much lesser price with, for example, a Maybelline or Revlon lipstick. As already stated, I purchased this one more for the shade than it's other qualities, and as far as that goes, I've been wearing it more than most of my other lipsticks. I'm actually about half way down the tube. It doesn't sound like much, but really, since I've got like thirty plus lipsticks, that really is something, haha!

Info:

Price: $26

Ingredients: Bis-diglyceryl polyacyladipate-2, polyisobutene, octyldodecyl neopentanoate, microcrystalline wax, isostearyl isostearate, triisostearin, polyethylen, PEG-45/dodecyl glycol copolymer, arachidyl propionate, disteardimonium hectorite, linalool, geraniol, silica, cholesterol, tocopheryl acetate, disodium stearoyl glutamate, hydrogenated lecithin, hydroxycitronellal, citral, citronellol, benzyl alcohol, methyl 2-octynoate, hexyl cinnamal, BHT, fragrance. May Contain: Red 22 lake, red 28 lake, red 7, mica, titanium dioxide, blue 1 lake, yellow 5 lake, yellow 6 lake, carmine, iron oxides.

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Review: Sally Hansen Natural Beauty By Carmindy Always Perfect Liquid Eyeliner in Teak Brown

So this is a review for Sally Hansen's Always Perfect Liquid Eyeliner. It is from the Natural Beauty by Carmindy line, and the shade I own is Teak Brown. I saw these in all different shades--purple, blue, etc, which I think is great. The line is also 100% paraben and fragrance free, which is always a good thing, especially for those with sensitive skin. All this and you'd think it'd be an awesome product wouldn't you!?

The applicator:

Honestly, the applicator is probably the biggest problem with this product. First off, it's a brush, which I'd like if, it was tapered. Instead, the bristles kinda go out. The end is flat, so it is very difficult to get a fine line with it. I find it odd that they included the word "precision" in the product description for this product because honestly, there is nothing precise about this brush at all. The bristles just aren't stiff enough either. The brush absorbs an enormous amount of product (I've even had the brush drip!!!) so that when you press down, the product is released and just goes everywhere. You can see the huge amount of product it releases in the pics below.

Here's a couple of swatches on my hand:

Honestly, the swatch on the left is the thinnest line I could get. That's not really a good thing... However, I really do love this color. It is a rich, shimmery brown. It comes across greenish in the pics, but it has just enough red to it that it really brings out my blue eyes.

Another swatch:

This is what I was talking about above with the brush. The swatch on the right, where you see the reflection, is a glob of eyeliner that was just completely wet. Keep in mind that I had wiped the brush off on the opening of the container before swatching--that should give you some idea of how much product the brush holds. The first time I applied, honestly I made the biggest mess!!! The formula, in addition to the applicator, also isn't very good. It is very watery, very thin and tends to run. I've also heard that people using this liner had reactions--they complained of redness and itching, so if you have sensitive skin, BEWARE!!! And finally, the lasting power wasn't great either. After about four or five hours I noticed that the outer and inner corners had worn off. It doesn't come in a waterproof formula either. I just wouldn't advise that anyone purchase this product. I honestly had a pretty bad experience, even though I honestly expected to like it as I've like countless other SH Natural Beauty by Carmindy products. Just not this one.

Info:

Price: $7.99

Ingredients: (to be posted)

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Revlon's got a crazy selection of lipstick!

Just added Mobile Blogger=super excited! I was at Christmas Tree Shop a few days ago and was a crazy selection of lipsticks from Revlon. I heard that they have close to 70 or 80 different shades!!!

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Review: Revlon Creme Gloss in Strike A Rose

This is a review for Revlon's Creme Gloss in Strike A Rose. This isn't my first try with the Creme Gloss line. I have a lighter shade called Slip Into Pink, a light pink with golden flecks of shimmer, but I hated the formula with it. I saw the line on sale about a month ago and decided to give them another try.

Here's the description from Revlon.com: "The next-generation in lip gloss with both full-coverage color and extreme gloss shine. Collagen complex and light reflecting particles give lips a fuller appearance. Vitamin E and collagen condition for ultra-soft lips. Unique flow-through brush offers smooth, even application. Available in 15 deeply pigmented, high gloss shades."

Yeah, it's a nice gloss, but not that nice. And I'd say it's more of a liquid lip color than a gloss. I didn't really notice my lips being softer, but neither did it dry out my lips.

The shade:

The real reason I decided to give this product another chance was the shade. I don't even know how to describe it--it's like a deepened plummy rose with some fine shimmer in it. The shade actaully reminds me a lot of Guerlain's lip products. It's just the kind of shade you'd see from Guerlain, a deepened, very shimmery rose. Actually, one of the reasons I kinda like this product better now than I did before is because of the shade. I think the other shade I had was too light and didn't look good with this type of formula.

The applicator:

The applicator is just a brush. You twist the end of the pen and product slowly comes up. I had to twist for like five mins before any product actually came out the first time, and then I got globs and globs of product, so be careful if you buy it.

One thing I don't like about the brush is how the product comes out. As the formula is a bit thicker than the ordinary gloss, it splits the brush in half and comes out the sides as opposed to the center.

Here's a pic of what I mean:

It's not that big of a deal, but I can get annoying after a while. And again, since the gloss is thicker than a normal one, it's a bit more difficult to spread on you lips with this brush. You have to really work at pulling it across the lip as the gloss is a bit tacky.

A swatch on my hand:

Isn't the shade so pretty!?

And another swatch:


On my lips in natural lighting:


On my lips indoors:

I don't know how well you can see, but it gives my lips such a pretty sheen of color. That's the only way I can describe it. And although you can't really see from the swatches, it's a teeny bit plumier in real life.

Overall, it is a good lip color. While the formula is a bit tacky, I don't think it's too sticky. However, if you don't like thicker glosses, don't buy. The formula, as indicated in the name ('creme') is thicker than the normal gloss, so it is a bit more difficult to spread on the lips. As for staying power, I'd say it's average. I know that it's supposed to be a lipstick/gloss hybrid, but really, like a gloss, it will wear less than a lipstick. There is no smell, but a bit of an odd taste, nothing bad in my opinion. As for the packaging, those who like more sophisticated packaging will like this product. It comes in a sleek black tube--no crazy colors/shapes/illustrations. Revlon's pretty good with packaging, imo. They are less flashy than some other brands, which I like. And finally, shade selection: I think it's ok. If you like neutrals, mauves, and reds, there's tons too choose from. I'd stay away from the lighter shades. With this formula, they don't apply as nicely as the darker shades. I'll post my review for the other shade I have to show you what I mean. All of the darker shades, you'll be able to tell in the store, are really well pigmented, which is definitely a plus for a drugstore brand. I highly recommend that you check out Strike A Rose and wait for a BOGO for Revlon at Walgreens or CVS or something. Ten dollars for a drugstore lip gloss...um, it better be amazing.

Info:

Price: $9.99

Ingredients: Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Capric/Caprylic Stearic Triglyceride, Cetyl/PEG/PPG 10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl 4 Isostearate, Ozokerite, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Silica Silylate, Di PPG 3 Myristyl Ether Adipate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Tocopherol, Soluble Collagen, Atelocollagen, Hyaluronic Acid, Phospholipids, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Parfum (Fragrance), Benzyl Benzoate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2 Hexanediol, May Contain (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 33 Lake (CI 17200), Carmine (CI 75470) (CI 75470)

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Review: Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Polish in Cherry Red

The shade is a true cherry red, like a maraschino cherry. The formula is a bit of a creme/jelly mix. It is totally matte and applies easily. In the above pic, I used two coats, so it is a bit shearer. But you can easily do three for full coverage.

The brush:


Side of the brush:

One of the reasons I love this line of polishes is the brush. Unlike many of Sally Hansen's polishes, the brush on this one is flat. A flat brush is much easier to apply polish with than a round one. You'll get a more even application in less strokes. I only wish the brush was just a teeny bit shorter so that it'd be a little bit easier to control. Other than that, it's great.

Xtreme Wear really does describe the wear of this polish. It easily lasts a full week with very few chips, just a little line at the very edge of the nail. If I put it on my feet, I can wear it for almost two weeks without having to redo my toes, which is great. And the formula of these is one of the best, in my opinion, of all Sally Hansen Polishes. It hardens very quickly, so you're not left with a gooey mess on your hands (literally), and lasts and lasts. It's also supposed to be a nail strengthener, but you'll have to judge that for yourself. I didn't really see much of a change in my nails. And finally, at $2.99 it's a lot cheaper than many drugstore polishes, which is great!

I don't know how well you can tell from the first picture, but the bottle is nearly empty. I've been using it on my feet for the past few months nearly non-stop.


Info:

Price: $2.99

Ingredients: Clear Butyl Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, SD Alcohol 40-B, Nitrocellulose, Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin, n-Butyl Alcohol, Isopropyl Alcohol, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Triphenyl Phosphate, Ethyl Tosylamide, Camphor, Benzophenone-1, Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate, Mica, Guanine, Violet 2. Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear - Color Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate,Nitrocellulose, Propyl Acetate, Tosylamide/Formaldehyde Resin, Isopropyl Alcohol, Trimethyl Pentanyl Diisobutyrate, Triphenyl Phosphate, Ethyl Tosylamide, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Camphor, Diacetone Alcohol, Stearalkonium Hectorite, Benzophenone-1, Citric Acid, Dimethicone. MAY ALSO CONTAIN: Calcium Sodium Phosphosilicate, Polyethylene Terephthalate. MAY CONTAIN: Mica, Bismuth Oxychloride, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides, Ferric Ferrocyanide, Red 6 Lake, Red 7 Lake, Red 34 Lake, Yellow 5 Lake, Guanine, Violet 2, Aluminum Powder.

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Updated Swatch for Lancome Color Fever Gloss in Femme Petale

Back in this post I did a review for Lancome's Color Fever Gloss in Femme Petale, but I never posted a lip swatch and the hand swatches were pretty badly lit. Here is a truer representation of the shade. I found it in some of the pics I've been going through and thought I'd post. I've really been trying to update more frequently lately.

Review: Estee Lauder Tender Lip Balm SPF 15

I've got two of these balms in the shades Tender Peach (left) and Tender Berry (right). I got these last year when Estee Lauder had a GWP event. I know that Estee Lauder has a bit of an old lady reputation, but honestly a lot of their products are ones that even younger women can use. Most of their products are very high quality and as far as high end products go, reasonably priced. These balms are no exception. I haven't seen them at the counter in a while but I'm sure you can find them online. I'm not entirely certain if they've been discontinued or not. If you know, feel free to leave a comment!

Oh, and sorry in advance for the crappy, blurry pics! Still haven't gotten a new camera :(

The applicator for Tender Peach:


The applicator for Tender Berry:

They have your standard squeeze out applicator, which I don't really mind. The gloss itself isn't very thick, so it's not like it's difficult to apply.

Really really heavy swatch on my hand:

Tender Peach (left) and Tender Berry (right)

Lighter swatch on my hand:

Tender Peach (left) and Tender Berry (right)

As you can see from the swatches above they're very very pigmented. The pigmentation in these glosses rivals those I've tried from MAC. You can apply them thick for a full color look or just a tiny bit for a bit of tint. They're perfect for those days you don't want to wear a lot of makeup cause they draw the eye to the lip. I also really like how they're matte. There are a lot of glosses out there with amazing pigmentation that are really glitzy. I don't really like having a lot of pigmentation with a lot of glitter--it seems a bit much, so when I find a really nicely pigmented gloss that's matte I snap it up!

The product itself is labeled a balm, but really they're more of a moisturizing lip gloss. I really like how they don't leave my lips peeling like other glosses do. Also, they've got SPF 15, which is perfect for spring and summer when we tend to spend more time out in the sun. Glosses contain oils which basically focus the suns rays to the lips, kind of like the effect of using baby oil while tanning. By doing so, you increase your chances of skin cancer or even just freckles. If you have a gloss that doesn't have SPF, just us a balm with one underneath.

The only negative I can come up with these glosses is the smell and taste. They have a very strong sunscreen smell and taste. I mean, I'm glad that they've got SPF but sometimes the scent and taste is just too cloying for me, especially if I've got a headache. Other than this, however, it's a great gloss, one I highly recommend for summer!

Info:

Price: Around $14-$15 (I don't remember exactly)

Ingredients: (to be posted)

Disclosure: The products featured in this post were bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Review: Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Liquid Foundation

This review is for a product I've been using quite a bit now. I recently finished my CoverGirl TRUblend Whipped Foundation and was on the hunt for a new one. I wanted to try something liquid because I've been told that they're better for oilier skins, and I ended up choosing Maybelline's Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Liquid Foundation.


The shade that I got was Light 1, Porcelain Ivory, and it even has some SPF in it! And it's a decent amount too. Any SPF foundation that has less than 15 SPF is a joke. I'm pretty sure that Revlon's had quite a few foundations with SPF 4. I mean, that's laughable! If you're going to put SPF in, at least have it be a somewhat beneficial amount.

Here's the dispenser:

The dispenser is one of the things that drew me to this foundation. It is a lot more hygienic than the standard one, which is just an opening you dip something into (or use your finger). I though that it would be cleaner (in terms of spillage) than other foundations but really, as there is no stopper in the lid, a lot of product still escapes. I've got to be careful not to leave it upside down or sideways cause if I do, I end up with a lot of foundation on the inside of the cap which gets everywhere. I really like how the dropper makes getting the perfect amount really easy. I never have to worry about wasting product because I took out too much, which is a plus.

Here's just a dot of it:

Ignore the glitter--I'd swatched some eyesadows prior to this.

Spread out:

You can really see how emollient it is here. A lot of foundations are thicker, more creamy. This one is lighter.

And blended in:

I don't know how well you can tell, but it covered up just about all of the imperfections on the back of my hand as well as the glitter. It does have a bit of a luminous finish, but no shimmer.

One of the things that I love about this foundation is that it matches my skin perfectly! Usually, the lightest shade is too light and the next lightest is too dark. This was the second shade and it is perfect for me. I don't think that I've ever found a drugstore shade of foundation that has matched my skin, let alone this well! The shade selection in general is great. There are fifteen shades to choose from. What separates these fifteen from other brands are the undertones. I saw a few olive and yellow undertones, so if you're looking for those, you may want to check this line out.

As for application, this foundation is really moisturizing, and very light and smooth. I'd say this is a light to medium coverage formula, so if you're looking for something heavier, skip. It applies very evenly, and looks flawless. It gives your skin this luminous and dewy look. My skin looks amazing when I'm wearing this. Lately, as summer is nearing, I've been mixing this with my Clinique DD moisturizing gel to make a tinted moisturizer. This foundation is perfect for this because it's light anyway. I mix half and half on the back of my hand and then apply with my fingers. If I need more coverage I just dab on a bit of the unmixed foundation and my skin looks great without too much product, which I love. I've noticed that lately my skin has been looking better. I don't have as many blackheads or breakouts. I think that using less foundation everyday is responsible for this change. I used to wear a ton of foundation and powder everyday and I've really been cutting back lately. Less is definitely more with makeup.

The lasting power of this foundation isn't great. I'd say about six to eight hours if you set with a powder in the morning and use a primer. That's not actually too bad because all I need is for it to last through class. I'll usually reapply before going out anyway, so it's not a problem for me. If you're looking for a heavy duty foundation, again skip.

Finally, Maybelline makes some bold claims with this foundation. It claims that within 8 weeks you will notice clearer, smoother, more luminous skin. I have noticed an improvement in my skin, but I'm not quite sure of how much of it is due to this foundation. Honestly, all foundations are bad for your skin. All. If a company advertises a foundation as beneficial (as opposed to not wearing any) they are outright lying to you. Foundations clog your pores, cause breakouts, can dry out your skin, can cause premature wrinkles, and just plain old doesn't let your skin breath. I think some foundations are less bad for your skin than others, but I wouldn't go as far to say that foundations are good for you. A friend of mine has got such bad acne and just doesn't seem to understand that caking on foundations and concealers will only exacerbate the problem in the long run. Ann in addition, drugstore brands that advertise foundations as "mineral" foundations don't really inspire confidence in me as a drugstore foundation needs only one mineral ingredient to be classified as a mineral product. As far as I can tell from the ingredietns list, the only mineral that is actually in all the foundations is aluminum hydroxide. The other two included in the list, titanium dioxide and iron oxides are listed under "may contain," so the consumer has no way of knowing if they are actually in the product. I wouldn't purchase this foundation on it's mineral claims.

To leave you on a high note, in general, this is a decent foundation. If you like a foundation that's light and fresh looking with a good range in shades, this is a good one!

Info:

Price: $9.99

Ingredients: Octinoxate (7%), Water, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Isotridecyl Isononanoate, PEG 9 Polydimethylsiloxyethyl Dimethicone, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone/Polyglycerin 3 Crosspolymer, Sodium Chloride, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Disodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Chlorphenesin, Disodium EDTA, Acrylates Copolymer, Propylparaben, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C), Aluminum Hydroxide, PEG 9, Ethylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, May Contain: Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxides

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Review: Revlon Skinlights Face Illuminator in Natural Light

This is a review for Revlon's Skinlights Face Illuminator in Natural Light. This product, now discontinued, was released by Revlon with their Skinlights collection released in 07 or 08, I'm not entirely sure. I found this one about a year ago at Ocean State Job Lot ad I think you may be able to find some of the line at Big Lots as well. The shade I got is the lightest and it's a pale luminescent pink. They have beige shades as well, and I think beige will suite someone with a darker complexion better than pink. However, if you want to complement a tan, use the pink.

The product itself is a loose powder and comes in a very large sifter--think the size of your setting powder. I've been using mine for a year and still have barely made a dent cause you need a tiny tiny bit for each use.

The packaging is a bit annoying as the holes in the sifter are fairly large, so every time I open the container a shimmer cloud erupts. Also, it makes it difficult to apply because I have to be careful when I stick my brush in that I don't get too much. If I do, I've gotta tap off the excess and that again is a waste of product. Not that I really mind that much cause I'll probably never finish it at the rate I'm going, haha!

Here's a swatch on my hand:

On the left it's strait off a brush, on the right it's blended in a bit.

Having oily skin, I've never been a fan of uber shimmery product as the make me look oilier faster. I much prefer a matte finish, but I've got to say that I'm liking this product. First off, a little goes a long way. I dip my brush in and swirl it in the cap, tap of excess, and apply it to the tops of my cheek bones, brow bones, a tiny bit on my nose, for head, and chin. It gives me a glow, like I've had a full nights rest. I automatically look more awake and I like that. It comes with a brush that is flat and sorta domed (sorry no pic) but I find that a blush brush works better. I also like how multipurpose this product is. I can use it on my face, as an eyeshadow (use a q-tip to dab it into the inner corners of my eyes, or use a brush to use it as a highlight on my brow bones when I'm in a hurry, etc), or I can put some into my foundation/moisturizer/body lotion to get a barely there glow. There's so many things you can do with this product. heck, I've even put it into a nail polish! Word of warning, though, use very sparingly. Otherwise you'll look like a disco ball, no kidding. It does make me look oily faster, but honestly, if I only use a bit it doesn't make much of a difference, maybe only an hour. Lasting power is ok. It looks fresh for about six to seven hours. If you want it to last longer then put it into a lotion or foundation. Overall, great highlighter! It's perfect for this time of year when cooler, more opalescent colors are in style.

Info:

Price: $3.99 (Ocean State Job Lot)

Ingredients: TALC, POLYMETHYLMETHACRYLATE, DIMETHICONE, POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE, CYCLOMETHICONE, CALCIUM SILICATE, SILICA, ETHYLENE/METHLACRYLATE COPOLYMER, ISOPROPYL TITANIUM TRIISOSTEARATE, POLYGLYCERYL-3 DIISOSTEARATE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, PEG-4 DIHEPTANOATE, PERFLUORONONYL OCTODECYL GLYCOL MEADOWFOAMATE, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, LECITHIN, METHICONE, ZINC STEARATE, OCTYL HYDROOXYSTEARATE, SACCHAROMYCES ZINC FERMENT EXTRACT, SACCHAROMYCES COPPER FERMENT EXTRACT,SACCHAROMYCES MANGANESE FERMENT EXTRACT, SACCHAROMYCES IRON FERMENT EXTRACT, SACCHAROMYCES SILICON FERMENT EXTRACT, SACCHAROMYCES POTASSIUM FERMENT EXTRACT, SELENIUM FERMENT EXTRACT, GINKO BILOBA EXTRACT, PANAX GINSENG ROOT EXTRACT, CAMELIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, CENTAUREA CYANUS FLOWER EXTRACT, GRAPE SEED EXTRACT, MAGNESIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, FRAGRANCE, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, PHENOXYETHANOL. MAY CONTAIN: MICA, IRON OXIDES, CARMINE, ULTRAMARINES, RED 7 LAKE, RED 6 LAKE, RED 30 LAKE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE, BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE, ALUMINUKM POWDER.

Disclosure:The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Review: Boots No. 7 Lip Glace in Marshmallow

This is a review for Boots No. 7 Lip Glace in Marshmallow, a shimmery light pink. I found this at Target and I think that in the U.S. Target's just about the only place you can find this brand (except for online, of course). If I'm wrong, lemme know!



Here's the applicator:

The applicator is annoying. Although I like that it is plastic, I think it's too small. When I apply the gloss, most of the time I'm pushing the gloss around on my lips instead of evenly spreading it out. The result is an uneven application which feels gooey and a very dirty cap after you close the gloss cause the stuff is all over the applicator (on the sides). I do like the packaging as a whole. It kinda reminds me of the new Dior Kiss packaging, only rounder and larger.

Here's a swatch on my hand:

My camera and the lighting makes it look very warm, but the gloss has silver, not gold shimmer in it.

A swatch on my lips:

Again, it's a lot cooler in person. The gloss itself is very glossy. I read somewhere, and I'm not sure where, that Boots changed the formula of this gloss to make it less sticky, but I actually think that it's too thin now. I feel like it's going to slide of my lips in two minutes and the lasting power is only marginally better. It lasted about one and a half to two hours before I had to reapply. Usually, I can get three to four good hours out of a gloss, but not with this one. I do like the color and I really think that it will complement anyone who has a bit of a tan as it's an opalescent pink. There is a bit of a sweet smell to it, but nothing overpowering. I couldn't really discern much of a taste.

I have to say that overall, I probably would not repurchase this gloss. The lasting power and formula, coupled with the tiny, messy applicator are just too much to deal with for the price.

Info:

Price: $9.99 (Target)

Ingredients: Polybutene; Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax; Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil; Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2; Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride; Polyethylene Terephthalate; Acrylates Copolymer; Stearalkonium Hectorite; Ethyl Vanillin; Saccharin; Propylene Carbonate; BHT; (May Contain) Mica; CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide); CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake); CI 15850 (Red 6); CI 77491 (Iron Oxides); CI 75470 (Carmine)

Disclosure:The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Review: Nars Lipgloss in Striptease

This is a review for Nar's Lipgloss in Striptease, a yellow-ish nude with orange shimmer.



The applicator is just your standard doe foot sponge:


Swatch on my hand:


Swatch on my lips, one coat:


Swatch on my lips, two coats:


I hate the smell and taste of Nar's lipglosses. They taste like chemicals and smell worse. However, my love for the brand as a whole and their shade selection helps me overcome this dislike. The shade is described on the Sephora website as a beige pearlized sheen, but I don't think it's an accurate description. It's more of a nude yellowish beige with some understated shimmer. I don't think it is a sheen at all. Now, what separates this gloss from other nudes is that it is a warm nude, but not an orange-y nude. Most of the nudes I've seen are either too cool and make me look dead or are too warm and make me look like a bimbo. This one, because of the yellow undertone and orange/golden shimmer in it looks a bit more believable.

The gloss itself, in terms of formula, is fairly thick. It's got more of a liquid lip color feel to it than a gloss. The shine isn't lacquer like-it's more understated which is good if you need to be work appropriate. I really hate the thickness of this gloss. The applicator pulls across my mouth when I apply it so I never wear it without balm underneath. It is also a very pigmented gloss, and this shade is no exception. It goes on fairly opaque with one coat. I think two is too many because then it tends to seep into lines and look gross...and make me look like the undead. But one coat hides my natural lip color. I would recommend this gloss. I know, this review doesn't sound great but you have to see the shade to understand why I like it so much. It's such a great nude, despite the formula and smell, that I have to give it a recommendation. If you're not looking for a nude, stay away cause you'll probably hate the formula.

Info:

Price: $24

Ingredients: Lanolin Oil, Polyisobutene, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Cera Alba (Beeswax), Myristyl Lactate, Ozokerite, Cera Carnauba (Copernicia Cerifera Wax), Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylparaben, Ricinus Communis Seed Oil (Castor), May Contain: Mica, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), CI 77491, 77492, 77499 (Iron Oxides), CI 15850 (Red 6, Red 7 Lake), CI 45380 (Red 22 Lake), CI 45410 (Red 28 Lake), CI 73360 (Red 30 Lake), CI 17200 (Red 33 Lake), CI 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), CI 15985 (Yellow 6 Lake), CI 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), CI 77163 (Bismuth Oxychloride), CI 75470 (Carmine)

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.