I just love the blotted lip-look but try as I may, it’s not always easily obtainable. The BUXOM brand is trying to make it easier with their PillowPout Creamy Plumping Lip Powder ($22 @ buxomcosmetics.com, ulta.com, sephora.com).
What It Is: A unique lip powder that delivers a blotted, semi-matte finish for all-day, comfortable wear.
There’s almost nothing better than a great eye liner and try as I might, good smudgy ones are hard to come by but I think this next one fits the bill beautifully.
BUXOM just came out with SexySmoky Kajal PowderLiner Eyeliner in two colors, Sultry Black and Smoldering Brown ($21 @ buxomcosmetics.com) and here’s What it is: An intensely pigmented eyeliner with wet powder, lasting wear technology. Tapered sponge tip applicator creates either a precise liner or smoky look. Formula-infused cap reloads color with every twist.
There seems to be a place for just about everything in this world, even this liquid lipstick. When I first received the package of BUXOM's new Va-Va-Plump Shiny Liquid Lipstick ($20 @ buxomcosmetics.com, ulta.com, nordstrom.com), I ripped the package open and immediately applied one and then waited, and waited, and waited. Waited for it to dry down but it wasn't. It wasn't acting like I thought it should when I know good and well that I can't control people, places or things! To me, a liquid lipstick should dry down to a matte finish and either be fully transfer-proof or only somewhat transfer-proof, but here we had one of those ones that I’ve tried before that transferred color onto everything - mugs, hands, other parts of the face etc.
These BUXOM Metalix Lip Glide ($22 @ buxomcosmetics.com, macys.com) seem to be one of those all-or-none lippies in that they look really good when just applied and not so good when they’re wearing off.
What it is: A limited-edition metallic-fused lip color collection. Provides mind-melting shimmer and cosmic shine that saturates lips for a rich lustrous look in just one swipe.
One of my super tip-top lippies that acts-like-a-liquid-lipstick-but-is-a-matte-lipstick is from the BUXOM line. I’ve written about a few of these True Nude Lip Foundation ($20 @ buxomcosmetics.com) shades here and there since they came out but not all at once, so here they are, swatches and all.
The reason I think these act a lot like a liquid lipstick or are the closest thing to it that I’ve seen is that they are totally non-drying on the lips, wear for hours, yet they are not hard to take off like a traditional liquid lipstick. Also, these Buxom colors are not as thickly pigmented as a liquid lipstick. Otherwise, I feel like these act a lot like them or at least more than any other matte lipstick I’ve ever tried.
One odd trait is the smell. The smell is not a dessert smell or cupcakes, it’s more like … crayons. Yup, the smell is sort of like Crayola crayons. ColourPop’s Lip Stix also have this scent, though lighter, and the packaging of these two are the same, hmmmm…
Lastly, they have a shade in this collection called Naked, which is colorless. I use it as a primer on lips before applying one of the colors.
Shown here in Bare
The one thing I pray to the lipstick Gods is that they make more colors with this formula. I’ve tweeted Buxom a couple of times so hopefully they’ll hear my prayers. Until then, I'll just bask in these ones!
From L to R:
Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.
There seems to be a bit of buzz on the above mascaras:
So I thought I’d do a post about all three comparing how they look, apply and last. First up is L’Oreal.
L’Oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise ($8.99 @ target.com) - Our 1st mascara for voluptuous volume & length now with even more black pigments. Soft wavy bristle brush holds maximum formula for a dramatic volumizing charge. 200+ bristles catch every lash for a full fringe effect.
My thoughts – I thought this one was good for a daytime work look. It doesn’t give over-the-top lashes but just enough on each hair. The brush reminded me of the one from Better Than Sex.
Urban Decay Troublemaker ($24 @ urbandecay.com, ulta.com) – Get super-fat, super-long, sex-proof lashes. This mascara is so good it should be illegal. Urban Decay's Troublemaker Mascara delivers 13.7x the lash volume,* and sexy, fluttery, intensely black lashes. The failsafe formula volumizes and lengthens as it separates, while UD's custom brush grabs onto lashes, curling as it coats. UD loaded up this mascara with insane benefits - for thicker, impossibly long, perfectly fanned-out lashes.
My thoughts – I had super high expectations for this one and for me, it just didn’t deliver. My lashes were not as big as they could have been. I mean, look at the picture! I did try to build it and build it. If you are looking for definition, this one seems to do that well.
Buxom Big Tease Plumping Mascara ($22 @ ulta.com) – (this one) instantly plumps lashes, delivering maximum volume, and noticeably longer lashes for a full and flirty look. A unique blend of 3 high-performing and perfectly calibrated waxes delivers a smooth and creamy application experience, coating every surface, from root to tip, resulting in heavyweight volume, length, & lift. A conical shaped brush releases just the right amount of product and allows you to reach base-to-tip intensity, while individual chisel-tipped fibers divide and conquer every lash for a non-clumpy, lash multiplying effect.
My thoughts – out of all three mascaras, this one delivered the most fierce and, well, plumped up lashes, however, it was also the most difficult one to work with. The conical brush helped but it was like applying 3 coats at one time and I felt a tad clumpy in places even though I went over and over areas. What I did like about this mascara is is that you can applying this mascara over already mascara’d lashes. Like go to work, come home, get ready to go out and use this mascara to create a night time sexy look. This one has a place on my makeup table.
Disclosure: Samples of these items were provided for review purposes.
It seems like the holiday season arrives earlier and earlier each year, dontcha think? Or do I just say that each year? Since we are all so inundated, I don’t begin my holiday gift coverage until the day after Thanksgiving but I have been known to run an early post here and there, so consider this one of those posts.
So how did I pick these? I really looked at each selection as a, “would I love to receive this as a gift?” So below are ones that I so approve for anyone on your list.
1. BUXOM Stone Cold Babe Set ($42 @ sephora.com) – I’ve always said that if you are looking to buy yourself some new makeup, the holidays are some of the best times to do it and you can really score some serious deals like this set from Buxom. This set contains their limited edition Fire & Frost Eyeshadow Palette with 12 gorgeous shades and a Mini Buxom Lash Mascara.
2. ARTIS Palm Brush ($65 @ artisbrush.com, dillards.com, spacenk.com) – really any brush from the Artis line would be considered a gourmet gift to me. The latest release is this brush that can be used to apply lotion, self-tanner, face cream, really anything that needs max coverage. It was designed to fit comfortably in your hand and feels so luxe on the skin, like you’d expect only from Artis.
3. PIXI BEAUTY Rose Oil Blend ($24/1oz @ pixibeauty.com, target.com) – anything with roses is always an acceptable gift and this one is just so good for the skin. It contains almond, jojoba, rosehips, rose geranium, orange peel and pomegranate seed oils, among others. Use this as an additive to your existing moisturizer.
4. J.O.I. Spotlite HD ($59.95) Spotlite HD Professional ($89.95) – what you use to put on your makeup is just as important as the makeup you use. Believe me, I know. I grew up with one of those 3-tiered poorly lighted mirrors that probably did more harm than good! This J.O.I. portable mirror I wrote about a few months ago will make sure you to always have the right lighting at the tip of your fingers. Both @ wearejoi.com.
5. MAC Nutcracker Sweet Red Mini Lipstick Kit ($35 @ maccosmetics.com, dillards.com, nordstrom.com) – no makeup brand does holidays better than MAC! And every recipient on your list is sure to open this cute box with 4 lippies in it and say, “ohhhh!”. Guaranteed winning set here.
Disclosure: Some of these items were provided for review purposes. Some I bought.
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Here is a big release from BAREMINERALS with their barePRO Performance Wear Powder Foundation ($30/10g @ bareminerals.com, sephora.com, dermstore.com, ulta.com) and their goal with this one is to #FREETHEFACE as in not have this feel like anything on the face. Ok, I’m down.
Let's check out the deets ...
BAREMINERALS just came out with a huge collection of lippies called GEN NUDE. It’s comprised of lipsticks, lipgloss, liquid lipcolors and lip liners. 60 shade offerings in all!
Nude lippies are a funny thing. It would seem that since its nude, it would go with all skin tones but that’s not the case. I recently threw out an expensive nude liquid lipstick after determining that it was too pink for me.
Let's check out some from each collection!
I think I’ve been around the liquid lipstick block a few times now and with the latest ones I’ve tried being on the indie side, I have some more observations. It seems that just about every brand is coming out with their own version these days, which is great, but not so great when you kinda know what formula works for you, and you don’t get it when you open the tube. If you’re on the liquid lipstick (will abbreviate to LL) bandwagon, do you know which form you like best? I think I do, now that I’ve tried quite a few different brands:
Chanel, Wet N Wild, Tarte, Buxom (part of BareMinerals), ColourPop, Motives, Cailyn Cosmetics, L’Oreal, Make Up For Ever, Stila, Laura Mercier, Merle Norman, NARS, Lime Crime, Ofra Cosmetics, Fyinnae, Maybelline, Ciate London, L'Oreal, Napoleon Perdis, Houglass Cosmetics, CoverGirl, LipSense by SeneGence, Giorgio Armani, Sephora, Kat Von D, MAC, Makeup Monster, LA Splash Cosmetics, Caked, Beauty Bakerie.
Brands on my list to try: The new ones from Smashbox, Anastasia Beverly Hills (I know, I know, I'm like the only one on the planet but I've read mixed reviews), Jeffree Star, Milani (drugstores are always out of the Amore Mattes!), Lonely Planet.
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