Insert Witty Title About How I Really Like The L'oréal Colour Caresse By Colour Riche Lipsticks Here

When I first heard of the L'oréal Colour Riche Colour Caresse Lipsticks, I immediately wanted to purchase them... But they hadn't been released in Canada yet, so I ended up playing the waiting game. But during the waiting game, real life took over, and I soon forgot about them. There was also the fact that I hadn't stepped foot into a drugstore in what felt like ages, so I wasn't even aware they were available in Canada til literally the week before I purchased it -- which was like, a month or two ago (possibly three, omg >_<). This post has been sitting in Blogger as a draft since then.

Ah, well... Better late then never, right?

So... What's so different about these lipsticks? Well, my friend, let me tell you...

L'oréal has formulated the Colour Caresse lipsticks to have 50% less wax than your regular lipstick. They've also developed a Lightfeel System that is supposed to feel incredibly lightweight and is "never sticky or heavy."

Pretty big claims, don't you think? But I must say, these claims are actually pretty accurate! The Colour Caresse lipsticks are what I expected the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters to be like -- the pigmentation of a lipstick with the feel of a lip balm. It feels so comfortable on the lips, I can actually forget I'm wearing it. In fact, in terms of consistency and feel, I would compare the Colour Caresse lipsticks to one of my favourite ever lip products - MAC's Tinted Lip Conditioners.

However, it definitely doesn't hydrate like a lip conditioner/balm. It's definitely not the most hydrating lipstick out there, but I do love how it fades to a stain; it leaves a nice touch of colour, even if I don't reapply.

I chose Violet Chiffon, Velvety Fuchsia, and Cherry Tulle -- all very pretty shades! My most worn are definitely Velvety Fuchsia and Cherry Tulle. But I must say, my favourite has to be Violet Chiffon. As much as I love purple, it's not really represented well in my lipstick collection and after seeing it on the stunning Rema of The Burgundy Book, I knew I had to get it for myself.

These lipsticks apply smoothly and for the most part, evenly. My lips are fairly pigmented and a little bit of the natural pinkness comes through when I apply 1-2 layers of this lipstick. When applying more, I found that Cherry Tulle tended to not distribute pigment as evenly, while Velvety Fuchsia and Violet Chiffon stayed even.

L-R: Velvety Fuchsia, Cherry Tulle, Violet Chiffon

Velvety Fuchsia

Cherry Tulle

Violet Chiffon

Because these lipsticks are so lightweight, they're pretty damn easy to wear. I like to reach for one of these if I'm in a hurry to get ready and want to add colour to my look. So if you're scared of lipsticks, you may want to start out with a "lipstick hybrid" like those in the Colour Caresse line. With 12 lovely shades to choose from (3 of which are in the neutral territory) and a $5.99 CAD price tag, you can't really go wrong.

What are your favourite lightweight lipsticks?

Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Tannin: Another Red To Fall In Love With

I mentioned in the previous post that I was absolutely craving a red lipstick... Well, I had my choice of two and like the true Lipstick Bandit I am, I couldn't pick just one. Every woman needs multiple red lipsticks, right? (Just agree with me)

When I swatched Tannin for the first time, I knew it was exactly the kind of red I was looking for. And since Mascate is a matte finish, I decided that purchasing a red lipstick with a different finish - think MAC Amplified Crème - was completely justified. (Just agree with me, again)

I'm already a fan of Bite's Luminous Crème Lipsticks (Mulberry was my first purchase), so I knew I was going to love Tannin, too...

Tannin is described by Bite as "poppy red" and at first, I didn't agree. Probably because I have a Joe Fresh lipstick called Poppy and that one is more of an orange-red. Then I realized that this shade definitely looks like the colour of poppies worn on Remembrance Day.

The Luminous Crème Lipsticks have a very creamy consistency and are very easy to apply. Because they're so creamy, there's a lot of slip, so I find it best to do thin layers to build up the colour. It can apply opaque straight away; but I find that when I do that, the product moves around too much. For example, if I apply straight from the bullet and then rub my lips together, the product shifts and separates in some areas. It's definitely not a good look. So I apply lip primer first (MAC Prep + Prime Lip, as per usual), then layer the lipstick on, either by dotting it onto the lip or by using a lip brush. I find this decreases the chances of it moving around on me throughout the day.

I find the Luminous Crème Lipsticks to be very comfortable to wear -- it doesn't dry out my lips, nor does it irritate them. This formula is a real winner for me and the colour, even more so. I mean, look at it! So if you're looking for a gorgeous red lipstick that has a creamy formula and is feels good on the lips, then Tannin is for you!

What's your favourite red lipstick?

NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Mascate: A Must-Have For Red Lip Aficionados

About a month ago, I had this intense hankering for a red lipstick... But I wasn't looking for any old red lipstick. No, it was a particular red that I was looking for.

I wanted something deep, but not vamp. A dark red that doesn't look too brown and doesn't look too orange. I don't remember if I took to Twitter or if I messaged my fellow Lipstick Bandits on Whatsapp (I have a feeling it might've been the latter); but after various suggestions, my girl Larie mentioned Mascate. One google search later and I knew I found The One.

Off to Sephora I went and my life has not been the same ever since... Incidentally, this lipstick is my official introduction to NARS products and what an introduction it was!

Here's some tidbits about the Pure Matte Lipsticks...

What it is:
An ultra-matte, super rich lipstick with the supple feel of a hydrating lip treatment.

What it does:
This matte lipstick moisturizes and and soothes lips while depositing vivid, dramatic colour onto the lips.

What else you need to know:
The formula includes mango butter at levels known to provide additional comfort and moisture.

Mascate is described by NARS as a Bold Red and it's definitely BOLD! Now while I tend to steer away from anything too dark, I've never been scared of anything bold. Mascate is an attention grabber in every sense. It's exactly the kind of red I was looking for and the matte finish just adds to the drama.

The formula's pretty impressive, as well... It applies smoothly, though not as smoothly as a creamier lipstick with a non-matte finish would, so I find it best to apply with a lip brush. It goes on opaque straight away if you apply straight from the tube, but it does require a few layers to build up to true opacity when using a brush.

I don't have a lot of matte lipsticks since I find them to be drying. But this lipstick is probably the most comfortable matte I've ever worn. That said, my lips are mad dry, so I always have to wear vaseline underneath; so I can't really say exactly how hydrating or moisturizing it is.

This lipstick doesn't have a lot of slip, so it stays put quite well. I once wore it without a lip primer and it stuck around through a meal. Obviously, there was wear around the seam of the mouth, but it was nothing that couldn't be fixed by a quick rub of the lips. However, layered on top of a lip primer (I quite like MAC's Prep + Prime Lip) and this baby really lasts through the night. I mean, if you wanna look sexy, might as well look sexy for the whole night, right? ;)

BA-BAM!

And that's one word that describes Mascate perfectly -- sexy. Every woman needs this particular shade in their life. Forreal.

Seriously, go buy it...

Sporting Mascate... Recognize the lovely on the right? :)

Are you a fan of the NARS Pure Matte Lipsticks?

The Bandit Is A Vamp...

Aaaand, we're back! Trust the Lipstick Bandits to get me out of my little hidey-hole. :p

If you haven't guessed by the title, we are getting our vamp on this time around. I normally shy away from really dark lipsticks as I feel it makes my lips look too thick (yes, you read that right); but I've been  becoming more and more accepting of their fullness in the past year, and I thought: why not take the plunge?

That said, I'm actually not a stranger to dark, vampy lipsticks... Back in my dancing days, I used to wear this MAC lipstick called Media -- it was perfect for the stage, since you wanted something that could be visible under bright stage lights. But I never wore it offstage since it was just a bit too dark for my liking.

But since the Bandits chose to go Vamp with this latest round of posts, I have challenged myself to wear this particular lipstick in public at least once before the end of the year... Wish me luck, lovelies!

Anyway, for my vamp lipstick, I chose:

Tan-ta-na-naaaaaan!

Welcome to the Dark Side, ladies...

I was briefly toying with the idea of purchasing Media again, but I decided to choose something different this time around. Dark Side is described by MAC as a "deep burgundy" shade and is an Amplified Creme finish, which is probably my favourite kind of MAC finish.

It's comfortable to wear and comfortable to apply -- there's nothing new with this particular lipstick, as it's from MAC's permanent line. So if you own a MAC Amplified Creme lipstick, then you know what to expect with Dark Side.

If you ask the other Bandits if this shade is "vampy enough", they'll probably say no. But I like to think of it as an "Intro To Vamp" type of shade. It's not quite too dark, but definitely dark enough to stretch your comfort some a little bit. Still, it's a stunning shade, and if you're looking to challenge yourself when it comes to lipsticks, then this one is for you!

Now, I don't know about you, but when I think of Vamp, I think: DRAMA! So for my full face shot, I decided to bring on the drama...

To get a more vamp look, I decided to layer Dark Side of MAC's Vino Lip Pencil and it definitely amps up the drama... After seeing how well this combination works, I'm definitely more inspired to wear darker, more dramatic shades. (I'm not quite at Larie Level, though :p)

Aaaaanyway, here comes the fun part -- YOU get to check out what the Vamp Lipstick of choice was for the other Bandits:

• Beauty Reflections
• Call It Beauty
• Eye Heart It
• Getting Cheeky
• Glitter Geek
• Makeup Morsels
• Messy Wands
• Musing on Beauty
• My Funny Valentine
• My Women Stuff
• Rocaille Writes
• theNotice: a beauty blog‎

Are you a fan of the Vampy look?

Lipstick Bandits: Summer Sheers Make Me Feel Fine...

The Lipstick Bandits are back and this time, we're talking about sheer lippies!

Now, I've said it before on this blog - so much so that I probably sound like a broken record :p - but sheers aren't really my thing. That said, there are some sheer lipsticks that have caught my eye in the past year; but for this post, I thought I would resurrect a product that I reviewed at the beginning of June. The product in question? Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in En Vogue.

One of the things I love about this lipstick is that despite its sheerness, it's still pigmented enough that the colour shows up on my lips. And what a lovely colour it is! En Vogue is described as a "bright coral," but since it's a sheer formula, it won't frighten anyone who's scared of bright, vivid shades. There's also some slight shimmer shot through, which gives my lips such a pretty, glossy finish. 

(my face was not cooperating with me so you get this lame, cop-out of a full face shot)

(also went overboard with the blush... if there was an MUA card, mine would be revoked)

(Rae-Rae, I know you're gonna want to photoshop the shiz out of this :p)

Anyhoo... Although I love me some En Vogue, I can't say I'm fully on board the Sheer Train. Here's why: My lips are fairly pigmented, but there are some days where they're more pink and others where they're more neutral. When I took the full face shot yesterday, my lips were more pink, so the coral-y goodness wasn't as evident as it was on the day I took the lip swatch photo. 

Still, En Vogue is one of those lipsticks that is easy to wear ; you don't have to think too much about it, just slap it on and BOOM -- prettified. Such is the nature of sheer lipsticks, I suppose! :)

So now we come to my favourite part: checking out the other Lipstick Bandits' Summer Sheer picks! We're missing the beautiful Jenny of My Funny Valentine, but show her some love anyway and be sure to go check out each Bandit's post. I'm sure you will love what they're going to feature -- I know I always do!

• Beauty Reflections
• Bloomin' Beauty Blog
• Call It Beauty
• Eye Heart It
• Getting Cheeky
• Glitter Geek
• Makeup Morsels
• Messy Wands
• Musing on Beauty
• My Women Stuff
• Rocaille Writes
• theNotice: a beauty blog‎

What's your favourite sheer lipstick?

Bright Mattes With Joe Fresh!

I'm not sure I can think of anything sexier than a bright, matte lip...

Um, wellll... *pitiful sigh*

But I digress!

Bright, matte lips are über sexy and what better time to rock them than in the Summer? I mean, don't get me wrong, I would rock bright matte's any time I feel like it. But I just have this image of a white sundress, sexy shades, tousled hair, minimal makeup, and bright matte lips; it's très summer-y, no?

These two lipsticks from Joe Fresh have actually been in my possession for a while now, but I've only just gotten round to writing about them. Slacker beauty blogger likes to to slack off,  yo. But it's still Summer, so I'm counting this as a victory. *proceeds to lunge*

Joe Fresh makes excellent lipsticks, I think, and their mattes are no exception. I purchased Fuchsia and Melon (no colour descriptions needed here, me thinks), which are two shades that I'm quite fond of at the moment.

As all other matte formulas I've tried (which isn't that many, admittedly), the texture feels quite lightweight and it smoothes onto the lips easily. It does accentuate dry flakes, though; which, again, is something I find all my matte lipsticks do... Well, all matte lipsticks in general. I also find that I have to use a lip liner, otherwise it'll feather around the edge of my lips.

I purchased Fuchsia specifically for a performance I had back in June. It's been on my radar since I saw it on The Glitter Geek (there it is again... I told you, Arianne is a fountain of makeup knowledge!) and I have to say, I prefer how it looks on Arianne. It looks very blue-pink on me, which is not the look I was going for. It's also not quite as matte as Melon; as you can see in the lip swatch above, there is still a bit of sheen on my lips... It's still a very pretty shade, though!

Now, when I think of the word "melon," I think of something more pastel. As you can see, this shade is a bit more tangerine-y than melon, but I'm not really bothered; I just like to nitpick! :p

As with other Joe Fresh lipsticks, Fuchsia and Melon are quite pigmented and opacity can be attained with just a swipe or two. That said, like other lightweight lipsticks, it's really best to keep the layering to a minimum as it tends to not apply evenly the more you put on.

Unfortunately, because my lips are so insanely dry at the moment (I'm sure you can tell from all the lip swatch photos. And check out those crazy-dry corners, yo!), I can't wear lipsticks. But once in a while, I'll put it on when I'm at home and don't have to impress anyone because it makes me feel like a true Lipstick Bandit again. =/


And now for some fun!


Well, bright lips are supposed to be fun, aren't they? So I thought I would experiment a bit with Fuchsia and Melon. Here's what I came up with...

Colour-blocked lips, which I first saw in an editorial photo and was also done by The Notice and Getting Cheeky for the Summer Brights Lipstick Bandit post. 

Ombré lips, which has been all over the blogosphere at this point, I think. This is just my humble take on it. I actually really like this one -- it's subtle enough that I would actually wear it out.

What's your favourite matte lipstick?

NEW From MAC's Heavenly Creature's Collection

I haven't really been paying attention to MAC collections this season, to be honest. But when I stopped by my local MAC store last week, I figured it wouldn't hurt to swatch a few products from the Heavenly Creature's collection. Lo and behold, there were two products that caught my eye: a Cremesheen Glass in the shade Galaxy Rose and a lipstick in the shade Cut a Caper.

Galaxy Rose is described as a "mid-tone violet pink," a shade that's not really present in my stash (at least in the form of a gloss). I really fell in love with the colour; the depth of the shade gives it a more sophisticated, but still feminine look - as opposed to the girlier look that lighter, softer pinks tend to have (which I still love!).

As a gloss, it doesn't last very long on my lips; not that I expected it to. But it does fade in a very natural and subtle way. There's also some tackiness, though it's definitely not the stickiest lipgloss I've ever tried. All in all, a typical MAC formula...

MAC Cremesheen Glasses are $22.50 CAD.

Cut a Caper, which is a repromote from MAC's A Tartan Tale Collection, is also a product that I chose to purchase because I didn't have anything quite like it. Described as a "mid-tone peach pink," it's a shade that I would call a softer, more pastel version of coral. All of my peach/coral/orange shades are fairly vibrant, so I really like that Cut a Caper is more understated. Perfect for when I want to wear something on the bright side but don't want to make that bold a statement.

It's your standard lustre lipstick from MAC -- same formula, same texture, same scent. Though I did find that this lipstick didn't last quite as long as other MAC lipsticks I own. 

MAC Lipsticks are $17.50 CAD.

Galaxy Rose

Cut a Caper

Both shades are just utterly gorgeous! 

I'm particularly enjoying Cut a Caper at the moment, as I've now got a shade that I can wear with some of my less used blushes (Immortal Flower, namely) that is still quite appropriate for daytime or more conservative functions. 

Galaxy Rose, what can I say? It's just so beautiful -- feminine and chic, without looking too precious. I need more shades like this in my life!

Have a fantastic week, lovelies!

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in En Vogue - The Lipstick I Bought Twice

When I stopped by a Chanel counter a few weeks ago, it was for the express purpose of getting a sample of their new Perfection Lumière foundation. While I was there, I asked if they had the Summer 2012 products available for purchase yet, and the sales associate proceeded to show me the nail polishes, the Glossimers, and the Rouge Coco Shines. I'd had my eye on En Vogue (described as a "bright coral") already, so I made my purchase.

Then I went home and checked for swatches online (the counter hadn't received their samples yet) and was disappointed. With my pigmented lips, that was not going to do anything but add some shine. So I made my way back and returned En Vogue.

(apologies for the grossness - I had to retake the photo after I'd already tried it)

Fast forward to the end of May, and it's once again in my possession. Why? Well... Last week, when I was having a really crap day, I decided to participate in some retail therapy and ended up at the Chanel counter once again. This time, there was a tester. I swatched it and was pleased with what I saw, so I made the purchase (again); and this time, I definitely won't be returning it. 

See, I was mistaken - it's actually pigmented enough for my lips! Provided, that is, that I give it a few good swipes. Because of the formula and the sheen of the Rouge Coco Shines, you have to apply a little bit more than you would a regular lipstick in order to see the colour. 

And what a lovely colour it is! 

It's a soft coral (not really bright, as described), which looks very natural and not at all bright. It's the type of shade you can wear without really having to think about what to wear with it. The texture is nice and light, as well; it doesn't feel like anything more than a lip balm! They're not long-wearing, though, and they practically disappear after a meal. But that doesn't bother me because the texture makes re-application simple and easy. Also, unless a lip product disappears before the 3 hour mark (when I usually have a snack or a meal), it won't bother me in the slightest. 

This Rouge Coco Shine is exactly the kind or product I would wear every day: non-drying and feels comfortable, but still makes your lips look pretty and polished. 

I'm so glad to have En Vogue back in my life!

What's your favourite everyday lip product?

Monthly Favourites - March 2012

Dear March,

I'm glad to see you go. You have kicked me in the behind too many times and showed me who's boss. Well, guess what? You're done now, so I get to be the boss again! *insert evil laughter here*

I don't know what it was about March, but my blogging mojo pretty much disappeared throughout this month. But now it's the brand new month of April; so fingers crossed, I will be getting back into the swing of things!

As always, I give you my favourite products from this past month...

Yes To Cucumbers Natural Glow Facial Towelettes

I've been wanting to try products from the Yes To line, and I finally had the chance when I ran out of makeup remover wipes.

What I love about these wipes is that they remove makeup effectively, they have a light, fresh scent, the cloths are super soft, and each wipe also has the largest surface area of any makeup remover wipes I've ever tried. I also love that these wipes aren't very wet; that means they don't leave any residue behind, which is always lovely. 

Now if that wasn't awesome enough, they are also: 98.7% natural, biodegradable, FSC certified, dermatologically & opthalmologically tested, oil-free, non-comodogenic, and hypoallergenic. All for the price of $7.99 CAD. 

I am SOLD!

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Plus & Medium Dark

Just how I was able to walk out of Nordstrom with a Medium Dark MSFN, I cannot tell you.

That said, it has proven to be quite useful for me. I either use it to contour or to layer on top of a foundation that is too light for me. Meanwhile, Medium Plus is my regular go-to shade. I also layer Medium Plus on top of a sheerer foundation to give myself just a bit more coverage. In both cases, these MSFN's perform absolutely beautifully.

I love these babies! They provide great coverage and feel über light on the skin. They're perfect for if you want very natural coverage and for touching up throughout the day (Medium Plus was a lifesaver last Summer), so go ahead and get yourself another to keep in your purse!

MAC Mineralize Blush in Subtle Breeze

My current favourite blush <3.

I love that this shade looks good with a lot of different lipsticks. Because it's so utterly wearable, I can wear a coral lipstick with this blush and still not look like a clown. It blends to smoothly and evenly over my skin; it never looks patchy! The texture is so soft, too... 

Read my original review here.

MAC Eyeshadow in Quarry

My go-to eye makeup look has looked like thus: a champagne shade all over the lid, Quarry along the crease for some definition, and black eyeliner. I've loved using this eyeshadow for contouring (even on my cheeks) for more than a year now, but I've been giving it some serious usage this month. The shade is perfect for when I'm planning on using cooler tones on my cheeks and lips. 

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Shade 01 & Lancôme Rouge in Love Lipstick in Rose Boudoir

My current favourite lipsticks.

Rose Boudoir is an amazing shade. It's bright, it's fun, and it looks even more amazing on. The formula of the Rouge in Love lipsticks are absolutely lovely - so lightweight, I forget that I'm wearing lipstick! If you would like to know more about Rouge in love lipsticks, click here to read my original, in-depth review.

The Rimmel lipstick is also wonderful. It glides on smoothly and is very pigmented. I love that this lipstick fades into a nice stain-like, shade after a while. And even if you're eating, it doesn't wear off in a patchy way. To read my original review of these lipsticks, click here.

Sephora Collection I.T. Stippling Brush

Probably my favourite buy from the last month or so. If you guys are familiar with Sephora's I.T. brushes, you will know that they are not cheap. BUT, they were phasing this style of brush out, so I was able to buy it for $11 CAD ($30 original). What's even more awesome is that I've been wanting to a buy a brush just like this one for ages. Huzzah and all that jazz!

I love using this brush with very pigmented foundations. It blends the product beautifully and sheers out the coverage of the foundation. It's not the softest brush, but it doesn't hurt, either. 

Also, it's hot pink! Oh, and I love that the brush handle is rather thin and that it tapers at the end. It gives the brush a great look and makes it easier to hold if you have smallish hands like me.

In other news...


Check out what my nails look like right now:

Aren't they fun? I love them so much! Winnie, one of my closest and dearest and bestest friends, did them on Monday! I would love it if you checked out here blog >> CLICK HERE <<. She does lots of amazing nail art, so if you're interested in that sort of thing, then her blog is for you! :)

I showed you mine, now show me yours!

What are your March Favourites?