lipstick review vol. 6

Well hello again, lovelies! I hope everyone had a good weekend! We had such a fun time taking the boat out for Father's Day, and I even made chocolate chip cookies for the occasion. (Still proud of myself for not overcooking them!) Anyway, on to today's topic: lipstick. This edition is a fun one because it contains two options that I absolutely love, one that was disappointing and the WORST lipstick I've ever tried in my life. So, let's get to it!

1. Bite Beauty in Dragonfruit — I had been researching new pink lipsticks for summer a few months ago, and I decided I wanted to give Bite Beauty a try because I've been following their Instagram and loved their whole Amuse Bouche line. Once I got to Sephora, I tested a few different pinks and fell head over heels for Dragonfruit and its magenta, purplish tones. The hue feels a bit more sophisticated than traditional hot pinks, and it seems to go with every color. I also love the formula — it's soft and creamy and makes your lips feel hydrated and healthy all day. Rating: 5 stars.

2. MAC lipstick in Viva Glam II and Ellie Goulding Plushglass in Explosion — This combo holds a special place in my makeup bag because they're my first nude lipsticks and I bought them at the Fifth Avenue MAC store in New York. The picture doesn't do it justice, but this duo is definitely my favorite nude lip look. The lipstick is a little darker toned, but it compliments fair to light skin tones so well. The gloss adds just the right amount of shimmer without looking like a cheap throwback to 2002 and without feeling sticky. This is what I wear when I want more of a sultry pout. Rating: 5 stars.

3. NARS Dolce Vita — I've been a NARS devotee since the first time I tried their lip pencil in Dragon Girl. So far, I haven't been nearly as impressed with their lipsticks. This is one I got in a nude lipstick sample set from Sephora and I've only worn it probably two or three times. The formula is super light and feels like a balm, but it takes about 10 coats just to make the color come out and then it comes off after one sip of coffee. Long story short: I would not pay the $28 retail price for this glorified lip balm. Rating: 2 stars.

4. NYX Lip Lingerie in Embellishment — And finally, the most terrible thing I have ever put on my lips. I know that sounds dramatic, but I have to be completely honest. I was so excited to try this new line by NYX after I saw this Instagram post. Gorgeous, right? And now look back at my photo. Not even close. In fact, the day I wore this, I felt insecure and paranoid that I looked dead because of the purple-gray color. Not only was the color totally different than its photo, the formula was awful. It's a gloss that turns matte, but it was so drying that I felt like I had left a face mask on for too long. And THEN, when I tried to take it off, it. did. not. budge. There's something to be said for long-lasting lipsticks obviously, but not when you're scrubbing and scrubbing with a damp wash cloth until your lips are practically raw — aka, what actually happened. Rating: 0 stars and a warning to save your money (and your lips!)

P.S. check out my last five lipstick reviews — which ones have been your favorites so far? Let me know in the comments!

lipstick review vol. 5

top row: Nudestix lip pencil in Whisper / MAC lipstick in Pink Nouveau

bottom row: Laura Mercier in Milky Way / Revlon lipstick in Berry Haute

Hey hey hey friends! How was everyone's weekend? I hope everyone who celebrated Mother's Day had a good one! My sister and I spent the day with our mom, going to church, eating brunch and going to see the new "Mother's Day" movie. It's always nice to spend a casual day together to hang out and have fun, especially now that everyone has grown up and gotten so much busier.

It's been a while since I've done one of my traditional lipstick reviews, so today I'm sharing two of my favorite nude shades and a couple pastels that are perfect for spring!

1. Nudestix Whisper — As I've mentioned before, this lip pencil quickly made its way onto my favorite nude lip list. It has a matte finish and a lighter tone that's great for a neutral, unassuming beauty look. It coats well and stays put with minimal need for touchups throughout the day — a major plus in my book. This is my favorite nude to wear when I choose heavier eye makeup or an outfit with a lot of color, but I also love it when I'm wearing white for an extra-clean, didn't-try-to-hard look.

2. MAC Pink Nouveau — I bought this light pink shade last year after seeing Caitlin wearing it in so many of her posts. It looked like such a fun, flattering color for summer! I wasn't quite as smitten with it once I tried it out for myself, thought, as the formula turned out to be a little sticky and chunky (gross). It's the only MAC lipstick I've ever had that issue with, so I think it may just be a defect in this one. The color is pretty, and it does seem to flatter most skin tones. I shy away from it sometimes because it sometimes feels too "Barbie pink" for me, but I still love the way it looks in pictures.

3. Laura Mercier Milky Way — This was one of the unexpected frontrunners from the nude lip collection I bought at Sephora a few months ago. It's a bit of a darker color with brown undertones that give it a '90s feel, and I actually love that about it! It goes on slick and glossy, but takes a couple coats to really bring out the color. I typically reapply it fairly often throughout the night for that reason, but it always feels smooth and not sticky.

4. Revlon Berry Haute — I bought this tube a couple summers ago when orchid lips were just starting to become more popular, and every time I wore it I felt it was a little too light and made my lips look dead... haha, not a great look! Purple lipsticks can be a hard shade to pull off in my opinion, because they don't tend to fit all skin tones like some of the reds and pinks. But I gave this one a try again this spring and I actually really loved it! It looks a bit lighter in person than in the photo, but I really do think it's darker than it was when I bought it...if that's possible! It's a great soft color for spring that's not too bold or in your face.

Which ones are your favorites? What are your best spring lip colors? I'd love to know!

P.S. all my other lipstick reviews

lipstick review vol. 4

In a nutshell, this has been my experience with nude lipstick: Two months ago I had zero nude lipsticks, and today I have 8 different nude lipsticks.

Yep, you read that right. 0 to 8 in practically no time. I'm obsessed with nude lips, and I wear them 90 percent of the time now. A nude lip is the perfect complement to any outfit, because it allows colors to be the main element of an ensemble and it also allows neutrals to stay neutral while adding an element of sexy. I love wearing my nude lipsticks with a brown and gold smokey eye for maximum effect. The gold and brown eye shadows really draw out the blue in my eyes, and I think the nude lips add an air of maturity and simple elegance.

To mix it up, I got this sample pack from Sephora with five different options to try. My favorite, by far, has been the Nudestix pencil in Whisper. It's the perfect skin-toned shade for me, and the pencil feels smooth and lasts reasonably well even through meals. The Nudestix is my top pick and I'd highly recommend trying it if you're looking to try a nude lip for the first time.

My second pick is the Laura Mercier lipstick in Milky Way. It's a little more chocolate-y brown (pun definitely intended), but it looks great on multiple skin tones. I like that it's a bit darker than the other lipsticks I have, and it looks really beautiful with neutrally colored outfits.

The Tart creamy matte lip paint in Namaste is a more pink-ish nude, but the formula is different than any lipstick or gloss I've tried before. It really does feel like a creamy matte lip paint, and it's super weird but really nice at the same time. The color is flattering, but it doesn't do well for all-day wear.

I was disappointed with the NARS Dolce Vita lipstick. The color is almost invisible, and the formula is very balm-like in that it doesn't even last through my morning coffee. I guess it would be a good option for anyone looking to dip their toes in the nude lipstick pond, but I definitely wouldn't pay full price for it.

And finally is the Marc Jacobs lip liner in Primrose, which has a beautiful peachy, pink color. I haven't worn it yet though because I don't have the right color lipstick/gloss for it, but from what I've sampled it seems like a good one.

Do you wear nude lipsticks or have a favorite? Or if you're looking to try one for the first time, which do you think you'll pick? I'd love to know! 

P.S. lipstick reviews vol. 1, vol. 2 and vol. 3

Lipstick Review Vol. 3

top row: Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate No. 08 / NARS lipstick in "Scarlet Empress"

bottom row: Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate No. 111 / Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in "Neon Red"

1. Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate No. 08 — This was one of my very first lipstick purchases because it’s about as close to the color of my natural lips as there is, and perfect for beauty beginners. It’s a neutral shade that goes with virtually anything, and it’s very flattering. I love it for those days when I want to wear lipstick but nothing too bold, or outfits that don’t seem to match any other lip colors. The dusty pink shade is great for all seasons, so I get a lot of wear out of it, plus the formula is one of my favorites. It’s creamy without being too thick and it’s not sticky at all. It won’t last all day without reapplying, but the color is so natural that it won’t be obvious if it fades a little bit, which is a major win if you work long days like me. Rating: 5 stars.

2. NARS lipstick in "Scarlet Empress" — If you’re wondering why I haven’t posted a lipstick review since October, this NARS lipstick would be the reason. After I bought it, I wore it just about daily for the whole month of November (between my colds, that is). It’s the absolute perfect shade of purple, and it’s actually sort of a chameleon because some days it looks much darker than others. (You can see an example of the difference in this post.) It’s my favorite shade for fall and winter this year (obviously), but I can’t wait to experiment with it in the warmer months, too. I’ve been a huge fan of NARS ever since I bought my first lip pencil (Dragon Girl) over a year ago. This was my first try with one of their lipsticks, but I have to admit I wasn’t super impressed. The formula is super soft and comfortable for all-day wear, but it doesn’t last nearly as well as the lip pencils. I’m not sure if it’s just this shade since it’s the only one I’ve tried so far, but it takes a few coats to fully cover and it rubs off pretty easily, which can be a pain. Rating: 4 stars.

3. Rimmel London Lasting Finish by Kate No. 111 — This is the first tube of lipstick I have ever finished, which already says a lot! It was my first red lipstick and one that I loved because the color is universally flattering and the most perfect dark-bright red. This Rimmel London formula had a strange-but-not-bad smell to it, but it never bothered me. It's good for long-ish wears, but it can get a little sticky by the end of the night, so I try not to wear it for morning-to-night occasions. It goes on thick and feels creamy so it doesn't dry out your lips, which is great. What I love most about this lipstick is the slightly deeper tone that pairs so well with different colors. Rating: 4.5 stars.

4. Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in "Neon Red" — A bold orangey-red is a statement maker for sure, so I probably wouldn’t recommend starting out with it if you haven’t tested the lipstick waters previously. I didn’t want anything too orange, so I went with the “Neon Red” in the hopes of having a stronger tone of red. I love this color for summer because it’s vibrant and bright, but I’ve also worn it in the winter to liven up a dark-colored ensemble. I like this Maybelline shade because it goes well with my light skin tone and doesn’t wash me out. The formula is creamy with a glossy finish, and it lasts pretty well throughout the day without leaving your lips stained after you take it off. Rating: 4.5 stars.

Which one of these shades is your favorite? Do you have any lipsticks you'd like me to review? Just leave a note in the comment and I'll be sure to check them out! 

P.S. Lipstick reviews Vol. 1 and Vol. 2

Lipstick Review Vol. 2

top row: Too Faced Melted Long Wear Lipstick in "Melted Fig" / Revlon Pearl in "Fuchsia Fusion" (No. 657)

bottom row: Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in "Vivid Rose" (No. 875) / Bare Minerals Moxie in "Live It Up"

1. Too Faced Melted Long Wear Lipstick in "Melted Fig" — Okay, this is the nerd in me, but I usually do quite a bit of research on a lipstick before I buy it. I check out the color I want, look at reviews and photos of how it looks on other girls with similar skin tones. But this one was a completely spur-of-the-moment purchase. I’d never heard of Too Faced Melted before, but I was intrigued when my friend Ashley was looking at it in Sephora one day. I was hesitant because it’s a liquid in a squeeze tube, which I gave up on long ago in middle school. But seriously — it is now one of my all-time favorites. It goes on creamy but dries to a matte finish. And it lasts forever! I can get through a full meal and multiple drinks and barely need a touchup. Sometimes the dryness makes it feel like it’s wiped off, but when I look in a mirror it’s hardly moved. I’m not a huge fan of the fuzzy tip applicator (although it is soft!) because it’s a little bit harder to get a clean line, but overall, it’s my latest top pick. Rating: 5 stars.

2. Revlon Pearl in "Fuchsia Fusion" (No. 657) —This was one of the first lipsticks I bought back when I started wearing it a couple years ago. It’s the same brand as the purple I wrote about in my first review, but the formula is much better. It’s creamy and comfortable, but this one doesn’t rub off like chapstick. You’ll still need a touchup after a meal, but it doesn’t leave your lips feeling gross like some of the others I’ve tried. The color covers well and doesn’t bleed around the edges, which I can appreciate even more now that I’ve been testing out a few newer brands that do (looking at you, Moxie!). I like the magenta coloring of this one, as it’s bold but not too bright. It does have a very faint blue tint to it because it’s “pearl,” which bothers me sometimes depending on my mood. What can I say, I’m a matte girl! Rating: 4 stars.

3. Maybelline Color Sensational Vivids in "Vivid Rose" (No. 875) — This is one of my favorite shades. Period. It's a bold, vibrant pink that looks stunning on every skin tone. It's the perfect summer lip color, and I proved that many times over this past summer! I love the Maybelline lipsticks because they typically have a great, long-lasting formula and they're only $5. You can't beat that price when it comes to lipstick! This shade really does last well throughout the day. It does need touchups after meals, but it works as a lip stain, so even at the end of a 12-hour day your lips will still have the color on them. Actually, after I've worn it for a long time sometimes I'll wake up and shower and my lips will still be tinted from it! But it has a slight creamy feel, so it usually feels really good on my lips for all-day wear. I highly recommend this one if you're looking for bold pinks! Rating: 5 stars. 

4. Bare Minerals Moxie in "Live It Up" — Bare Minerals is my go-to makeup brand. I’ve been using its foundation for years and love it. I have had my eye on the Moxie lipstick line for a long time, but for some reason I just never tried it out. But since I’m such a great bargain hunter lately that I happened to find this beautiful red shade in a sale basket at a salon recently. I didn’t spend much time debating because I was in need of a new red lipstick, and for just $10, I couldn’t pass up one of my favorite brands. As soon as I put it on, I knew I made the right decision. The formula is super creamy and has a nice shine to it. The color is the perfect dramatic red, which was exactly what I was looking for. It didn’t last through lunch, but the edges stayed in tact, so my touchup was minimal. The only bad thing I have to say about it is that it does bleed, so a lip liner is definitely necessary. Rating: 4.5 stars.

What lipsticks are you loving right now? What are your favorites from this roundup? Have you tried any of these before? Let me know!

P.S. Lipstick Review Vol. 1, the key to healthy lips and my fall wish list

Lipstick Review Vol. 1

Top row: NYX Matte lipstick in "Pure Red" / Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in "Plum Velour" (No. 850)

Bottom row: Rimmel Lasting Finish lipstick in "Bordeaux" (No. 124) / NARS Satin Lip Pencil in "Rikugien"

If you know me at all, you're probably thinking: "How did it take THIS LONG for this girl to do a lipstick review?!" I don't really have an answer for why it's taken me so long, but I finally did it! For each review you can expect a general description of each shade, plus a rating out of 5 stars. So here we go with the first of many!

1. NYX Matte lipstick in "Pure Red" — This is actually one of my favorite colors, but (and this is a really big but) one of my least favorite formulas. The red has just a hint of scarlet-orange and is great for my lighter skin tone. I always get a ton of compliments when I wear it, and I like to use it as an alternative for a darker, more "red" red. But color does not equal comfort, and this stuff feels pretty gross on my lips by the end of the day. Maybe it's the matte formula, but it's a bit thick and it always seems to get chunks in it throughout the day — even after I've thoroughly treated my lips. Rating: 2.5 stars.

2. Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in "Plum Velour" (No. 850) — Again, I love love love the color of this lipstick. It's the perfect non-intense purple for fall (or year-round, really). The problem, again, is the formula. It's weird because I have two other shades in this same lipstick and they are both great, but this one is super thin and rubs off almost instantly. Seriously, you will not make it through a cup of coffee with this one! It feels like I'm wearing Baby Lips, which is great, but as for long-lasting wear — not your best bet. Rating: 3 stars.

3. Rimmel Lasting Finish lipstick in "Bordeaux" (No. 124) — Oxblood lipstick is my favorite fall beauty trend. I just love the vampy-but-classy look of a wine-colored lip — there's something about it that just makes you look and feel mysterious, you know? This one is a great shade and a great formula (finally!), but the bad thing with dark colors is that they tend to bleed around the edges of your lips. I use this matching lip pencil to line my lips before applying the color all over, which usually helps. I want to try this lip protector to see if it works any better, because you absolutely need to have clean lines to pull off a dark lip shade. Rating: 4 stars.

4. NARS Satin Lip Pencil in "Rikugien" — This is my fourth NARS lip pencil, but it was part of the free birthday gift at Sephora, so I didn't get to pick out the color. I probably wouldn't have chosen this one on my own, but I actually really liked it for a more natural shade. It's got a bit of a pearly tone to it, and it essentially just accentuates the natural color of your lips. It feels nice and lasts fairly well, but I probably wouldn't pay the retail price of $26 because I think you could easily find a drugstore dupe for much cheaper. Rating: 3.5 stars.

That's it for Volume 1! Let me know if you have any questions about any of these, and if you have suggestions for lipsticks you'd like me to review, send them my way! I have plenty more to write about, but I'm always up for trying new lipsticks ;) 

P.S. The key to healthy lips and my fall wish list

Santa Baby... My own wish list

1. Cheek to Cheek (Amazon) 2. Rose gold midi ring set (Forever 21) 3. Matching pajama set (Aerie) 4. Suede pumps (No longer available — similar style) 5. Monogram coffee mug (Target) 6. MAC lipstick in Heroine (MAC Cosmetics) 7. Blue and gold clutch (Francesca's) 8. Metallic eye mask (kate spade new york) 9. Red shimmer nail polish (Nordstrom) 10. Gold ear cuffs (Shop Bop) 11. Perfect tea steeper (Teavana)

Picking out everything for my gift guide and looking at all the other blogger guides out there gave me some great ideas for my own wish list, so I thought I'd share some of the other things I'm loving right now. It seems like Christmas will be here in a flash, so I need to start getting on top of my own present shopping — but I'm secretly hoping some of these will show up under the tree for me this year, too ;)

The key to healthy lips

Lipstick is my favorite beauty product and accessory (clearly). I wear it almost daily, and I'm always on the hunt for new colors and brands. The key to getting your lipstick to look just right is...