Mmm...BUTTER....

Paula Deen loves her some butter and why not? The name alone just exudes decadence and an association with pure comfort. So when Revlon rolled out their latest pigmented lip balm, Lip Butter - the image of a swivel butter stick did come to my mind. Yes, I'm a little sick; I watch too much Cooking Channel and I refuse to cook with margarine!

Here are the real Lip Butters:

So why a dessert plate? Because the names are inspired by delectable sweets and the plate happens to be a gift from my husband from our first Valentine's Day together, almost four years ago.

The colors I went with are typical of my color choices: Lollipop (bright fuchsia pink) and Fig Jam (deep reddish brown).

For a product that's a balm, it packs a great amount of pigment! Judging by the great amount of slip at first application, you know this is going to be moisturizing and feel great on your lips. These lip butters contain mango, shea butter and cocoa butter. This is when I got a bit skeptical - this is just too good to be true.

You see, my lips are SUPER sensitive. It doesn't matter if a lipstick is scented or not - some formulas just do not play well with my lips. As you can tell, I'm super picky with my lipsticks. I was suspicious of this was going to set once the moisture and color settles. Would it leave a patchy stain? Would it settle in the cracks of any of the dry areas of my lips.

No, it doesn't leave a funky, patchy stain and yes, it will settle in areas where your lips may be chapped but isn't that true of any lipstick, gloss or tinted balm? It actually dries comfortably. When I did feel slight dryness, I just applied a touch of my lip balm on top of the stain. I feel that if I over apply a lipstick, I am just going to make my lips even drier. I like to test out new lipsticks for a stretch of three or more days - that gives me a good amount of time to see if a lipstick is truly a good match for my lips and it's not just pure luck. I've had many lipsticks work fine for me for a day, maybe even two days but by the third day my lips are dry, raw and burning like hell! Not this time, my lips are comfortable and happy.

If only these lip butters had a coordinating scent with their names. But because they don't make my lips scream in pain, I'm not really complaining!

These were bought from two different locations: Walgreens (around $8.00/USD) and Ulta ($7.49/USD).

I recently checked the Walgreens site and Revlon has a buy one/get one 50% off sale right now. How mad am I right now? Oh well, that just means I can go back for two more!

I hope you all had a wonderful Valentine's Day and if you believe it's an evil corporate Hallmark capitalist ploy, then I hope you had a wonderful Tuesday!

Estee Lauder - Pure Color - Sensuous Rouge

Hey, do you remember that cool gum from the 80's, Chewel?

One bite and you get the flavor burst. It was like two gums in one.

This is how I feel when I see lipstick like this new one from Estee Lauder, the new Pure Color - Sensuous Rouge Collection.

See the soft center:

According to the Estee Lauder site, the outside is the creamy color while center is a "lip-loving elixir". This lipstick contains moisturizing fruit extracts like: red raspberry seed oil, passionfruit, murumuru and shea butters. Is that the what lip-loving elixir is? You have 12 shades to choose from and I went with Rose Exposed because I lack a solid rose shade that I can wear 8 hrs at the office, on date night and even at the playground with my daughter - if I was in the mood to do so.

It is a lovely warm red-pink with a very light shimmer - a great shade to wear year round. The scent is also different. The EL lipsticks and glosses usually have a fig scent, this particular collection of lipsticks have a warm vanilla scent. If anything, it reminds me of the Tahitian Vanilla extract I bake with.

It does go on with plenty of slip and when it dries it remains comfortable on the lips. It lasted for a good four hours at the playground. I didn't really drink a whole lot during the time so that may helped with the duration of the pigment. I do like the stain it leaves on my lips. It doesn't settle into the fine lines of my lips. I will note that I did layer this on top of my Kiehl's Lip Balm #1. This hasn't left my lips raw and peeling the next day **knock on wood**

I apologize - this is actually a bit more red in person. You can actually see some of the fine shimmer.

Final Assessment: out of 12 shades, I'm pretty sure I can find at least one more to add to my collection.

This was purchased by your truly at Macy's. This is available at all fine departments stores and online.
$28/USD/.08oz

Adding to my Summer Lip Repertoire....

I am a huge fan of sexy, glossy bronze glosses for the Summer. Actually, lipstick doesn't get a whole lot of play from me during the summer months.

Until now.

Please say hello to NARS, Hot Vodoo, a semi-matte described as a molten copper, frost

I love it because it looks a bit like a peachy, copper on my NC42/NARS Syracuse skintone.

Here's a picture I took of it with my other recent go-to NARS item, South Beach (shimmering apricot) multiple.

(bottom left corner my thumbnail - OPI Black Shatter on top of UD's Big Bang)

It really does help me create a summer state of mind while I freeze my ass off in foggy, cold Bay Area temperatures (Daly City, CA to be exact!) - BOO!!

On my lips without an additives: Lip pencil or gloss

It is pretty on it's own. If I wore it this way I'd go heavier with the eye makeup/blush.

And here it is with MAC Chestnut Lip Pencil (a rediscovered old favorite!) and NARS Sweet Revenge gloss (pink grapefruit)

After many years and seasons of wearing nude pink/beige, this is a refreshing look for me. It really helps define my lips. I also like wearing this with a defined eye (smoky brown or gold shadow w/black liner) and a coral blush (Gilda, of course).

Like all NARS lipsticks I have encountered in the past, this does not disrupt my uber sensitve lips and it has a staying power of up to 2.5 - 3 hrs, depending how much you are drinking while wearing and intensity of color. The scent (or lack of) has been described either plastic to herbal. Scents are so subjective, aren't they? All I know is that it really doesn't bother me none as long as they keep my lips smooth during continuous wear.

This is part of the NARS permanent collection. Why haven't I found this sooner? I guess I was too busy trying to hoard all the sheer pink, beige glosses I could get my grubby paws on!

Bought at Sephora
Retail - $24.00/USD

LOTD - Friday, 6/10/11

Happy Friday! I don't know about you but it's been one long ass week. If you are a cubicle monkey like me, you know what I'm talking about. Then again, I'm pretty sure you college students appreciate a good Friday as well - I know I did as a SF State student.

Keeping up with my new favorite book - NARS' Makeup Your Mind: Express Yourself.

I decide to break one of my rules - never wear dark lips with black lined eyes (top/bottom lashlines). The makeovers I have been loving in this book were the ones that featured a strong defined smoky eye paired with an equally strong lip. Now, I would normally reserve this look for date nights or nights out with the girls. But why should I have to wait, right? Then again, I should use this look as a hint to the Mr. 920 that he needs to step it up and take me out on date night again!

I have been wearing this baby for a few days and I tested it out with both the traditional way I would wear it along with smoky eyes. And I am proud to say that I now love wearing a strong lip with my black lined smoky eyes.

Here's NARS Flair (Burnished Berry/Sheer finish):




(NC42/NARS Syracuse - for reference)



To really deepen this color, I have been wearing this with MAC's Chestnut (intense brown) liner and topped with NARS Ophelia (strawberry nectar)  just in the center of my pout for a bit of shine and shimmer.

The result is a lovely maroon shade.




(paired with smoky eyes for work)



Eyes - NARS Tzarine duo, MAC Coquette in crease, NARS Eyeliner Stylo in Nuit Blanches softened with black pan in the NARS Pandora duo, Chanel Inimitable Mascara, Black

Cheeks: NARS Multiple - South Beach (shimmering apricot) layered with NARS Gilda (coral)

And here it is worn in my usual comfortable way - clean, lined eyes:

I think I just mixed NARS Alhamra (golded champagne) with Abyssina (pearl sheen) then applied with my MAC #239 brush from top lashline to brow bone. I used MAC's Texture (peachy brown shimmer) in my crease. Then I lined the top lashline with NARS Eyeliner Stylo and smudged with Pandora (black) to soften line.

I think in this picture I only used South Beach to highlight. I'm sure at some point of the day I popped just a touch of Gilda blush.

I am loving this lip look. I can't wait to try out more color ideas from this book. What I'm really loving is the challenge to find dupes in my existing (MAC) stash to help recreate looks in this book.

They may not be exact dupes but they become MY translations of his looks.

And that's what Monsieur Nars wants from his fans, right?

Because it's Friday, I'd like to celebrate with a 90's flashback hit:

It came on the other day while I was at the gym training with my trainer. We both started confessing our love for Mr. George Michael. Then in my head I was prancing around like Naomi Campbell, pre-bat shit crazy, throwing cellphones at her hired help, days!

MANHUNT....LOTD

I am still playing around with my NARS gift palette and I am loving the selection of reds that are included (all permanent): Red Lizard, Fire Down Below (both semi-matte) and today's featured color Manhunt (sheer).

(top row - Baby Doll lacquer, Red Lizard - bottom: Manhunt, Fire Down Below)


This is a poppy red and frankly, I can see myself using this throughout the year. In the palette it looks bright tomato red but it goes on sheer and lovely.

It's like a cherry stain - like a cherry tomato stain actually. I have a fondness for cherry glosses and stains. Since it's a sheer finish, don't expect long last wear time. I reapplied after my 2 cups of morning coffee (yes, 2) but it does leave a really nice stain on the lips - no unattractive red lip lines in the crevices. If I'd have to guess, I'd say that I got a good 2 1/2 hours of wear time. I applied a little before 6:30 AM and reapplied again around 8:45 AM after eating breakfast.

I am really pleased with this red and I can't wait to try out the other two. I even like the Baby Doll lip lacquer - not only is it on the thick side but it's also a baby pink that works well on top of the reds!

Full size tube:
Retail $24/USD

Online, Sephora or any other major department stores that carry the NARS cosmetics line.

A New Appreciation and Love for Everything NARS!

Saturday, April 30th at Nordstrom, Westfield Center, SF - I attend my first NARS Master Class. I was able to sit in the Advanced Class. There was a bit of a wait for clean up from the last class so to ease our anxiety we were told repeatedly that champagne and appetizers were waiting for us. Shoot, I'd wait anywhere to receive free Champagne and Cheese!
It a huge Mega Event at the Nordstrom where there were rows and rows of stations and the black and white logo: NARS.

I wonder if the MAC people were annoyed.

There was also a DJ, a hairstylist and a guy taking head shots after you got your makeup done - it was a pretty big party. If anything it was just so overwhelming. I along with 11 other women were taken to a private conference room on the top floor. It was a bit of a wait but the NARS artists and employees kept promising us champagne, they already had our pre-payment fee of $50 - of course we're going to wait!

But as they opened the door we were greeted with music, the said champagne, cheese and fruit appetizers and lots and lots of NARS makeup to play with. This is my idea of a dream pajama party!



(If only I had enough counter space to have this many NARS products!)

Warning: Text heavy - I was so overwhelmed that I didn't take a whole lot of pics - I'm sorry!!

So the course was lead by NARS stylist, Janice Daoud and other leading NARS makeup artists representing Nordstrom locations across the Nation. Janice, a self-taught makeup artsit worked her way from MAC, Chanel, Trish McEvoy before coming to NARS where she worked her way to becoming a Stylist. Since then she has worked alongside Francois Nars for NY Fashion Week (Spr 2010). Her work has also been in print and she has worked on everyone from Usher, Kim Kardashian and The Pussycat Dolls. I learned a wealth of information from this young woman (she's only 33) in just two hours. I couldn't take too many notes because I was just so overwhelmed and too busy drinking champagne.

(Product booklet and a photo of Janice above)



After we all went around the room and introduced ourselves we also had to state what we wanted to learn. I, and most of the others, wanted to learn how to really perfect our skin and properly contour. Then Janice had each of us pick two items that we would never use. I actually froze because I wasn't afraid of any of these colors - I just didn't know which ones to pick. I settled on the Jolie Poupee (violets) duo and Roman Holiday (soft pastel, pink that I originally thought made me look washed out) lipstick.

I tried the skincare products once - I was really dismissive since the Makeup Cleansing Oil made me break out badly. But after trying it another time, I am willing to give it another shot. We were escorted to the ladies room to clean our faces. I tried both the Milk Cleanser and Gentle Foam Cleanser to remove my existing makeup. Since I have dry, sensitive skin I was afraid that my skin was going to freak out - especially without my prescribed ointment. My skin was a bit taut after the cleansers but that was to be expected. It wasn't too uncomfortable. Then we were instructed to exfoliate with the Hydrating Refreshing Lotion. Yes, it looks like your basic toner but when you're sweeping a cotton swab in a circular motion on your face it activates the exfoliating properties and helps dig in a clear your pores. I know, you can probably do this with an existing toner. I need to look up the ingredients to find out what kind of 'exfoliating properties' this contains and what makes it different than a Kiehl's toner I use to use nightly. Next we were given the potent EFA cream. It has a pump top dispenser - think of the polish remover bottles used in a Nail Salon - yes, like that! I love it because I won't have to dig into with my nails and fingers. This cream is a Omega 3 cocktail - Omegas, Ceramides, Super Sterol (moisturizing skin agent) in a ratio of 3:1:1. It also contains Hyaluronic Acid and Acai - 95% lipids.

In other words, it's a moisturizer I am kind of obsessed with. It did make my skin itch or break out the next day. I guess I would need to test drive it for a full week before buying. The sister component to this moisturizer is the night time EFA Night Fusion Serum. This also contains 95% lipids like the day moisturizer. It's a bit more intense and I learned from the Artists that this can also be used lightly around the eyes after applying one pump to the face and neck. This item I did purchase. I figured I really need to start with a great looking canvas before anything else. Then an application of the Nourishing Eye Cream.

Another item I also want is the Brightening Serum - "a combination of Active Phytoseed Complex, powerful antioxidants and Fennel" (NARS site description). It also has a lovely pearl pink iridescence that imparts a lovely glow. Next was the new foundation primer w/or w/out SPF. I never used this primer before but apparently the old formula left a bit of white-ish cast. I'm glad I never used it after hearing about that. It's oil-free and felt very comfortable on considering I have quite a bit of product on my face and I didn't even put any foundation yet. Next up was a bit of the Pro-Prime applied around my nose to blur and minimize my pores. This is a balm like primer that dries to a matte finish and it's recommended to be used on top of the primer but before foundation.

Okay finally getting into some color. I used the Sheer Glow Foundation, which I love and have been meaning to buy a full sized bottle. I have been able to hold on to my deluxe sample size since I tend to only wear tinted moisturizer (LM) during the week since I go to the gym during my lunch break. I did learn a great trick that I'll be using when I know I'll be taking lots of pictures - using the color I normally wear all over the face and placing a slightly lighter shade just around my nose and a bit on the forehead (somewhat a triangle formation on the face). Followed by both Copacabana and Laguna Illuminators and because I knew I had the Brightening Serum on I was scared that I was going to look like a Caesars Palace Statue in Vegas like I did after a bad MAC makeover. The final touch Punjab powder foundation applied with the giant Boton Brush. I NEED this brush!

After I applied some Smudge Proof Eye Shadow Base, I did a violet smoky eye with the Jolie Poupee duo (bright violet on lid/purple shimmer in the crease), a bit of the silver lilac shade (on lid) from the Nouveua Monde duo, and something I would have never thought of trying - touch of Mousson (silver sage) cream shadow as the last layer on my lids. Finishing up with the gunmetal shade from the Eurydice duo applied with a wet Push Eye liner brush and Larger Than Life Lengthening Mascara in Black.

Taj Mahal (burnt shimmery orange) blush on my cheekbones and Roman Holiday satin lipstick and Sweet Revenge (pink grapefruit) on top.

And here's my head shot:

(I just wished it didn't take more than 3 products to get this glow on my face)

And here's my work station after I was complete:



(Each time I looked at my glass of Champagne it was always refilled!)

Here's a closeup of my eye - sorry bathroom lighting.

and lips:



(I'm still on the fence with Roman Holiday but Sweet Revenge is my favorite pink nude gloss)

 I was pretty pleased with the overall outcome of this event. I did end up purchasing not only the Jolie Poupee duo but also the Mousson cream shadow, Taj Mahal blush (I will be using a lot this summer) and the EPA Night Serum. I hope to pick up the EPA Day Cream/Brightening serum and that Botan Brush next.
The main takeaways from this class:

The NARS approach to makeup - "Don't be too seriously, it's only makeup"
Do take your skincare more seriously and yes it does take a lot to get that 'dewy, radiant', complexion!

And on to the gift bag. What was in my goody bag?

(Deluxe sample of Orgasm polish, Makeup Cleansing Oil and Copacabana Illuminator)

But the best part - getting the Anniversary NARS palette that was a Nordstrom exclusive. I believe this came out last year?

Eye shadows:
Top Row - Alhambra, Abyssnia
Bottom Row - Ashes to Ashes, Pandora

Middle row
Top - Orgasm Blush
Bottom - South Beach Multiple

Lips:
Top: Baby Doll Lip Laquer, Red Lizard
Bottom: Manhunt, Fire Down Below

(yay more REDS!)
I feel a challenge coming on.....


As you know, I'm not a beginner - most of the time the attending makeup artists left me alone after they recommended colors to me. They knew that I knew what I was doing. But I really appreciated the NARS products I currently owned - I am now doing a lot of color mixing and having even more fun with makeup.

Will this make me an exclusive NARS convert? Probably not, I like to have just as much fun with other brands too!

Testing out a new MAC Lipstick Formula...

Happy Friday.

I did not stay up late to watch the event of the year - The Royal Wedding. Like the other lazy people in the world, I watched the highlights this morning and browsed online. Kate Middleton looked as any other woman does on her wedding day - like a Princess!

(good luck you crazy kids!)

Photo source:
AP Associated Press

Okay moving on....I decided to press my luck with a MAC lipstick. As you know, I have super SENSITIVE lips and most MAC lipstick formulas do not play well with my lips. So far I have the best luck with the Lustre formula.

I decided to take the new Sheen Supreme formula for a trial spin. These replace the former Slimshine sheers. It applies very easily and it's looks exactly as it is described - pigmented as a lipstick with the sheen of a lipglass. I am just thankful it's not as sticky as a traditional lipglass!

I wanted to take a break from the corals and pink/nude beiges that I wear so often. I chose a deep, blue plum.




(Quite the Thing! on my NC42 arm)

 I get about 2 1/2-3 hours of wear time - pretty decent. I like the amount of pigment on my lips - if I want more of a color impact I plan on pairing this with MAC Beet Lip Pencil (bright reddish-pink). But for work, I like it as is on my lips:

It's nice and wakes my face up.

Especially when I pair it with NARS Desire (cotton candy pink) blush.

So the next morning, I am sad to report I experience some rawness. Fortunately, my lips were not peeling but it is a sign that I cannot wear this continuously. But I will keep this one on rotation.

My final assessment - I am planning on picking one up in nude beige color, naturally!

Retail - $14.50 USD

Picked up at Macy's, Daly City - my least favorite MAC counter. FYI - please work on your customer service skills!

Turning a Chanel Loss into a Big Win!

I don't own a whole lot of Chanel products probably because of the hefty price tag attached to it. Yes, I only have a handful of glosses, eye pencils and lipsticks. Sadly, I had to return the two Rouge Coco Shines I reviewed a few weeks ago because once the dust settled I realized I only wanted them because everyone seemed to be loving them. I should have learned from the heartbreak of trying to obtain a Limited Edition MAC piece - for the most part, it's hype. Okay, wait I am not saying a classic Chanel item is like a flashy MAC Limited Edition Mineralize Finish Powder. I am just reminding myself that I shouldn't always follow everyone else, especially if it's going to be part of a permanent collection. I didn't wasn't feeling the RCS because I didn't like how once the color fades it would settle in the crevices of my lips - not cute. Maybe I need to try a different color. Also, I have way too many orange/red and coral glosses - something I never thought I would say.

Okay so luckily I was able to redeem my Chanel loss with a current upgrade from the Summer 2011, Les Fleurs D'Ete Chanel - the Bronze Corail palette:

(Bronzing goodness!)

Yes, the one on the right. As you can see the tester has been a bit beat up but the color on this picture is better and is not as flat as this:

This picture reminds me of an Neopolitan Ice Cream Sandwich...mmm....Ice Cream Sammich! Seriously, the coral shade is lot more vibrant in person and there is a fine shimmer in this palette that Chanel does so well - it's lovely. It leaves a shimmer on my

Corail palette on my NC 42 forearm.

The pearly, peachy champagne highlight shade is a new favorite - it gives my tan skin a lovely glow. Especially when combined with my favorite liquid highlighter than is still on my shopping list:

Instead of showing you guys a picture of this traditionally on my cheeks, I want to share on how the top 3 shades of this palette looks on my eyes.

So first off  I used UD Primer Potion in Greed (gold shimmer)
Lid is the first shade of the palette - light golden brown shimmer stripe
Crease - third shade of palette - bronze chocolate with coral bits of shimmer stripe
Highlight - second shade - champagne stripe.

I finished with LM Caviar liner in Chestnut and lots of black mascara - Chanel Inimitable Intense.

Lips: LM Lip Glace in Ambre Rose

Face - LM Tinted Moisturizer, Caramel/ Chanel Bronze Corail Palette.



(I think I got it right this time - please ignore the bright light above my head)



For $50, I'd say I'm getting my money's worth and I'm becoming a better multi-tasker. I am sensing a new, unhealthy addiction to bronzers. This is what happens when you live in the fog!

Retail - $50 - I bought this at my local Nordstrom (SF).

How to IGNITE at work...

Taking full advantage of the VIB sale at Sephora, not only did I decide to load up on my favorites - another NARS blush and a multiple but purchasing brands I normally never buy, ie. Laura Mercier haul and today's lipstick - Illmasqua's Ignite.

Yet again I was influenced by the lovely Jen at My Funny Valentine. But I have yet to concoct my own skincare. Out of sheer laziness and the general fact that I really sucked in chemistry class I prefer to "ooh and ahhh" over her homemade beauty chemistry posts!

I really love orangey-reds on her, I think she's about two shades lighter than I am. But because I am still working the nerve to wear a full on orange lip - I have found away to make it more wearble at the office, aside from wearing a tangerine gloss.



(Tangerine-red on NC 42 skin)



I remembered the advice I got from a Burberry M.A. - "use your finger to pick up the color and just pat on your lip for a softer look". Well it worked very nicely! It gave me a soft, workable tangerine stain. The natural dark tint of my lips gave it a deeper color - me likey!

This lipstick is described as matte but it's anything but that. From my horrors of matte lipstick, drying and accentuating the flakiness on my lips, this goes on like a satin finish and dries down so comfortably. Then again I applied this on top of a lip balm for good measure.

I kept my makeup super simple - Rosegold (NARS Nepal) shadow on top of my my UD primer in Greed (sparkly gold) and lined with soft walnut brown liner - LM Caviar Eye Liner in Chestnut and lots of black mascara (Dior Extase).

And of course my favorite coral blush - NARS Gilda and a swipe of the Multiple in South Beach (rich bronze). Also used tinted moisturizer - LM Caramel.

I am loving this lipstick - thanks JEN!!

What's at the Bottom of My Makeup Pouch?

In attempt to utilize all the beauty loot I have, I developed a new game - "What's at the bottom of my makeup pouch?"

In all honesty, I have one large pouch filled with lipsticks, another large bag filled with blushes, one filled w/glosses, one for shadows, a makeup case filled with more shadows and random samples - you get the point.

I HAVE A LOT OF MAKEUP! I know, I get it!

This is not a self-imposed ban or intervention, just an exercise to get me to use more of what I already have. So I picked this lipstick this morning and I forgot how much I like it. And it sets the tone for a Spring look.

MAC's Syrup - described as a cloudy, pink.

I paired it with MAC's Plum lip pencil (reddish plum) and Plushglass in Ample Pink (full soft rose)

L to R:
MAC Plum Lip Pencil
Syrup - Lustre Finish Lipstick
MAC Plushglass - Ample pink (sheer soft rose)

I am still going strong with the plummy shades. Instead of the red plum of Burberry's Prune - I am going with a pinkish plum with today's lip look.

(NC 42 for reference)

I have been doing my lips first lately to help inspire the rest of the colors for my face. You ever build a whole outfit just based on a pair of shoes?

Yeah, this is kind of like that idea.

I wanted a fresh eye so instead of a black liquid line - I went with a blue, MAC's Superslick Liquid Eye Liner in Signature Blue. And I kept the rest of the lid pretty neutral with MAC PP in Groundwork on the entire lid to browbone, the hazelnut/gold shade of NARS Hula Hula layered on top of lid (only) and Burberry's Rosewood in the crease. Then followed with lots of layers of Dior Extase black mascara.

Face - LM Tinted Moisturizer (caramel)with a drop of NARS Copacabana Illuminator mixed together (my new favorite way to wear this illuminator). Edward Bess bronzer (Daydream) and a touch of NARS Cream Blush (lokoum).

This should have taken me no longer than 10mns but I was finding a whole bunch of stuff I haven't used in a while. I really need to take an inventory of what I own.

Final Assessment - an itemized list isn't that crazy of an idea if it will help me see what I own.

Happy Friday....FYI

Sephora's VIB discount sale starts today (4/15-4/21)...
Online code: CHICWEEK.
15% off all orders and in stores with a coupon. Sorry, I don't have link to instore coupon.

Yeah just what I need - more makeup.

Burberry Prune

I realize this is not a new color from the Burberry Cosmetic line but from all the peach and orangey-red lipsticks/glosses I have been testing I am now craving to wear something with a bit more of a backbone - deep but not vampy dark or bright for the office.

I went with a classic shade from a forgotten tube found at the bottom of my lipstick pouch.

(NC 42)

Burberry Prune No. 14 Lip Cover (red-plum shade).

I apologize for the sloppy looking lip swatch. I had to use my right hand swiping this on my left wrist. It's hard to do when your a lefty.

As you can see it's pretty opaque. Although, this is a pretty heavy swatch. This lasts about 3 on me - about the time I will reapply because I feel like my lips are dry. This does not dry your lips. Once it settles it does feel comfortable and you are left with a pretty red wine like stain. Since I am regular gloss girl, I am use to a glossy feel on my lips. Also, this does not settle in the lines of my lips like most sheers do (ROUGE COCO SHINE, sadly). It has a light scent that makes me think of a luxurious skin cream. It's pleasant and doesn't linger too long. I also don't need to tell you how cool the packaging is, either.

This color may turn more red - depending on your own individual skin tone but on me it pulls a lovely red plum shade. But if I apply heavier it becomes raisin.

My final assessment - NEED to add more shades to my collection. I only own this and universally flattering Rosewood.




(yes, I am wearing my bathrobe in this pic)



Retail - $30 USD at Nordstrom or online.

My First Estee Lauder Product...EVER!

Honestly, I was never an Estee Lauder fan. I'm sorry, I was one of those girls that thought it to be a more Mature Lady brand. My Mother never really used it and if I remember correctly my Grandmother's compact was actually from Clinique. It was never really in our household - unless it was given to my Mother as a gift then it sat around collecting dust.

I apologize for I have eaten my words.

I recently purchased the new Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick by renowned makeup artist and Creative Makeup Director, Tom Pecheux. I am aware that he came to Estee Lauder in 2009 after a stint as Makeup Image Creator at Shiseido in 2007. But I am always the last to find out about everything!

Here's Cafe Chic creme - a warm, brown nude. This is a perfect everyday office lip color. I am just hoping that this won't wreck my lips in the morning. It has a light fig scent - I find that it's a touch lighter than the Edward Bess' fig scented lipsticks and glosses. There is a nice amount of slip on my lips that lasts about an hour and when it dries down it's comfortable and it stains my lips a MLBB (my lips but better) shade. Also, this is a straight creme formula - no shimmer or frost, a perfect base for a shimmer gloss if you want to layer. I know it's suppose to be long lasting but I barely got 3 hours of staying power. I'll have to test this again on a full work day.

and with flash:



(NC42)

(outside with flash)





(Please excuse my haggard appearance)



This is the perfect nude for my skintone - it has just a touch of a peach. I'll be reaching for this constantly when I do a smoky eye - charcoal, brown, violet, etc...

My final assessment - I LOVE it. I am praying that the formula plays nicely with my lips. If so, I'm going back and picking up a DATE NIGHT color.

Available now at department stores carrying the Estee Lauder collection

Retail price $24USD .013oz/3.8g

Here's a better picture and sorry for the raggedy ponytail. The weather has been awful and I'll be getting a hair cut later. Also, I would like to update you all - this did not cause my lips to itch or feel raw the next morning. I am wearing it today here at work so I will let you know how it did on my lips for a full 8hrs.