Tag: lips

Radiant’s ‘Kiss Slavery Goodbye Lipstick’

Did you know January is National Human Trafficking Awareness Month? Just like last year, Radiant Cosmetics is raising awarness with their ‘Kiss Slavery Goodbye Lipstick’ campaign. To show my support, I’ve been wearing Daphne and Moscow. Daphne is a creamy, shocking pink. Moscow is more of a wine-stain. Interested in helping? Here is how you can pitch in:

1. On top of the usual 20% of profits donated, every lipstick purchase during the month of January will be matched and we’ll donate one to a survivor or current victim of human trafficking.

2. Post a Picture – Print out and hold the #KissSlaveryGoodbye sign, wear your favorite Radiant Lipstick and take a picture.

3. Share the campaign via Social Media – Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

5. Change your Facebook and Twitter Cover – You can find these on Radiant’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

NARS Spring Color 2013

Today marks the day! NARS Spring Color Collection is available now on shelves. I have been wearing three peices of the collection for a week or so. All three have a sort of subtle punk glamour. However, the whole collection is more assertive:

Fresh and fierce, strong and sexy; the Spring 2013 Color Collection introduces a vibrant, ‘90s-esquepalette that sets the tone for a season of audaciously feminine looks.

Cythère Velvet Lip Gloss is a soft, metallic rose. I’m a long time fan of these pencils (see review here) which are glossy and hydrating while still uncannily long-wearing. The rose slants slightly more brown than pink, making it an almost nude and really feminine – a great shade to balance so many of the bolder shades in the collection. It does have that suggestion of frost a la 90’s but not in a cliche way.

I was new to the Soft Touchshadow Pencils. They are a relatively new product designed for smooth, long wear color. I’d like to note: these shades look really brillant in the package. I was slightly intimidated to wear these. (I still hadn’t worn Aigle Noir, part of the holiday collection). So, I grabbed Corcavado, a true 24 karat gold and part of Spring 2013 Color, and Aigle Noir and started playing.

These pencils give just a wash of color making them so much more wearable than I expected. I suppose you could layer for a full, opaque color, but I love using Corcavado for a wash of gold. Aigle Noir is perfect for the lower last line when you have a smokier, sultry eye. The shimmer is a festive level, but not adolescent I’m treasuring these for priming or layering under other looks to add some oomph.

Lastly, I’ve been rocking Disco Inferno Nail Polish. I was hoping this would be slightly more opaque. But I am so smitten with the shade, I’ll let it slide. This is three coats and I am almost tempted to add a fourth. That was the case with Desperado and Space Odyssey, reviewed here and here. It has the perfect iridescence reminiscent of holograms seen all over the runways, like this clutch from Proenza Schouler.

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AN EDITORIAL SAMPLE WAS PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY AND EVALUATED TO DETERMINE OUR OPINION OF THE PRODUCT IN THIS POST. PLEASE SEE THE DISCLOSURES PAGE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION REGARDING OUR POLICIES FOR USING EDITORIAL SAMPLES.

Laura Mercier’s Spring 2013 Collection

The new, limited-edition Arabesque Collection from Laura Mercier features etherial, sweet hues that are perfect to harken the arrival of spring. The sweet pinks, neutrals and berry shades are so wearable, light and fresh. I’ve been test-driving a few of the products: Lip Stain in Mulberry and the newest Crème Cheek Colours.

Laura Mercier Lip Stain comes in a pot and I have been applying with my fingers (laziness strikes!). At first, it feels like a gloss or balm, but the finish is slightly more matte. And hello, staying power! You will definitely get that illusive long-term wear. Mulberry is a berry shade, falling on the warmer side. The shade is a great middle-of-the-road option between nude and bold.

Laura Mercier Spring 2013 Colors

Laura Mercier Crème Cheek Colour has new permanent packaging. The compact format is great if you have a custom compact going (ideal for travel). I’m a huge cream blush fan and these don’t disappoint They are very buildable with a velvet finish. Praline is a unique shade – a warm nude which works well on my fair, cool skin. It just adds a flush of color, ideal for achiving a bare, matte face. Oleander is a cooler pink that gives a feminine, slightly more bold look. Both so different, but both so good.

Laura-Mercier-Swatches

The collection is now available at Nordstrom.

Rescue Dry Winter Lips

I’ve been fielding loads of questions about caring for dry, chapped winter lips. I battle dry lips year round, so I am in even more of a pickle when the humidity plummets. Here are my favorites to have on hand over the colder months:

1. By Terry Baume de Rose: I was a little weary of a rose scented balm, but this rich formula melts into a glossy, nourishing treatment. I wore it over red lipstick yesterday and the effect was a blended, shiny pigment with loads of hydration. This also doubles as a great cuticle cream.

2. La Mer ‘The Lip Balm’: If mint is more your thing, this other luxury option is more of a solid balm with still the same nourishing hydration. The balm contains La Mer’s famous Miracle Broth™ with marine extracts, botanicals and vitamins to regenerate the delicate lip skin.

3. bliss fabulips sugar lip scrub: There are a couple different lip scrubs that are often repeated as “favorites”. I’ll tell you why I love this one: it is gentle while removing flaky mess and leaves behind Shea and Cocoa butters to soften and heal.

4. Kate Somerville ‘Quench & Correct’ Plumping Lip Gloss & Restorative Lip Treatment: This option is packed with skin care to help improve the appearance of your lips. The Correct end of the pen contains Hydra8™, boosting collagen renewal and eliminating dryness. On the other side, Quench, adds moisture and plumps. See Kate’s Winter Skin Care Tips here.

5. ChapStick Cooling & Soothing Lip Balm: I couldn’t be more tickled with the latest flavor of ChapStick: Peppermint. The same healing formula now has a cooling feel that seals in moisture while you brave the elements. I can’t think of a more festive lip balm.

image here

Chanel Fashion’s Night Out

One of the thrills of Fashion’s Night Out are the exclusive launches fetting the occassion. This year, Chanel amped up its offering with three lip and nail duos. As always, Peter Philips, the creative director of Chanel Makeup, has hit the trend perfectly with the purples, plums and beiges. There are three new colours for lips – Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet in La Délicate, La Provocante and L’Infidèle – and three new nail varnish colours to go with them – Chanel Le Vernis Délicatesse, Provocation and Infidèle. I’ve got my eyes on the vampy, purple set! How about you?

These shades will be available at select Chanel boutiques on September 6th.

Bliss fabulips treatment kit

A few weeks ago, I was talking about a facial for the hair. So why not a facial for the lips!? A healthy pout is not only prettier, but absolutely mandatory for lip color. There is nothing worse than an uneven, flakey bold lip. Might as well make an at home, mini spa treatment out of priming those lips to look their best.

The kit includes everything you need for the four step treatment:

Lift impurities and lip color with the foaming lip cleanser.
Polish lips and remove dead skin with the sugar lip scrub.
Use the volumizing instant lip plumper
Moisturize with the softening lip balm.

The lip “facial” has amazing results. But these are also great to use solo. I adore the foaming lip cleanser for removing lipstick or stain at the end of the evening. It gently cleans with Cocoa butter, shea butter and rice bran extract. Let it set for 20-30 seconds to activate and foam.

I keep the sugar lip scrub in the shower for daily exfoliation. It contains almond and walnut shell to exfoliate and nourishes with jojoba seed. It is packed with vitamins and, on its own, leaves my lips hydrated.

The lip plumper comes in handy before big events (it doesn’t tingle or irritate – just minty). Cork tree extract and peptides volumize and contour. Sodium hyaluronate keeps hydration in, boosting volume even more.

And the balm is so silky and soft. This is probably my favorite of all. It is perfect for right before bed. Waxes and oils condition delicately. Shea butter, jojoba and grape seed oils seal moisture in with a dose of Vitamin E.