Showing posts with label BOBBI BROWN. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BOBBI BROWN. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Sephora Beauty Haul Part 2 | ChaiTimewithMeesha

Hey y'all!  Here is Part 2 of my Sephora Haul from the Spring VIB Sale.  I have included mini-reviews and swatches for some of the items that I had a chance to try prior to filming.  Make sure to check out Part 1 if you have not watched it already as well as my collective review video (including swatches and demos) of the new Marc Jacobs products at Sephora.  Enjoy! 


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♥ Meesha 

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Thursday, October 2, 2014

Bobbi Brown 'Smokey Nudes' Creamy Matte Lip Colors: Soft Nude and Nude

A few months ago, I noticed a new collection by Bobbi Brown of four new creamy matte lip colors called the 'Smokey Nudes' collection on Nordstrom's website.  I am not sure whether this collection is a Summer or Fall limited edition release.  Also, I am not sure if this collection is limited edition or a permanent addition.  I saw this collection posted up on Nordstrom about two months back and I do check the website periodically to look for new lip color releases.  

I have always been drawn to the Bobbi Brown brand.  I believe I like the packaging and shade range.  Obviously, I will not purchase a product solely because its packaging is appealing to me.  However, despite several dissatisfying past experience, I was still eager to try this new collection.  This collection caught my attention specifically because it consisted of neutral, yet deep shades, which I presumed would suit women of color like myself.  I cannot wear a majority of the popular nude or pinky-nude lip colors in the market because of my more pigmented lips and deeper skin-tone.  The majority of beauty bloggers I follow are fair-skinned and can wear the popular, cult-favorite shades.   

Being a lip product "junkie" (dislike that word, but it seemed fitting here), I want to experiment with almost every shade out there.  I have come to terms with the fact that the nude lipsticks designed for fair skin-tones will not suit me.   However, I am still not satisfied with the availability of nude lip colors for women of color in the mainstream market.  What especially irks me is this new Kylie Jenner or 90s lip trend?  I have been wearing these sort of mauve-pink-brown shade since I began wearing lip colors five years ago.  Before the dawn of this trend, these sort of shades were considered the "grandma shades" or "mom shades" or boring or "work-appropriate."  Now because Kylie Jenner wore such a shade, she, unbeknownst to her, created a marketing scheme and cult-favorite.  

The 'Smokey Nudes' collection consists of shades that are right on point with the Kylie Jenner or 90s lip trend.  I believe the 90s lip trend was brown lip colors, as in straight up chocolate brown, sometimes mixed with mauve or red undertones.  I cannot be too certain of the trend because I was just born then and a little tyke for most of that decade.  My aunt still rocks the 90s brown lipsticks. In fact, it still appears to be one of the go to lipstick shades for the women in India, especially with a bit of icy frost added to it.  Yuck, I hate frost or shimmer in my lipsticks.  I cannot even tolerate the most subtle hint of frost or shimmer.  Kylie Jenner has altered the 90s lip trend by wearing a gradient of light to deeper mauve-pink-brown shades.  Coincidentally, new lip product releases have reflected this resurrection of an old beauty trend (Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon in Glace, Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Color in Touch of Spice, NARS Audacious Lipsticks in Barbara, Anna, and Deborah --> just to name a few of these new cult-favorites).  As a side-note, these new NARS Audacious Lipsticks are next on my Wish List.  I have only heard reviews proclaiming the excellence of these lipsticks, so I cannot wait for the Sephora VIB sale in November to purchase quite a few of the NARS Audacious Lipsticks. 

Well, let us get on with the review.  After hearing about the superior quality of the NARS Audacious Lipsticks, I almost feel like discouraging you from purchasing these Bobbi Brown lip colors, but that would be an unfair judgment on my part as I have not tried the NARS lipsticks myself.  I can advise you to test out both brands in the store, before making your investment in one over the other or compare my review of the Bobbi Brown lipsticks with someone else's review of the NARS lipsticks.  

My first gripe with the Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Colors is that they are dry and need to be worn with a lip balm underneath.  They are not as uncomfortable as MAC's matte lipsticks, but they are not as comfortable as Bite Beauty's matte creme lip crayons either.  As demonstrated in one of the pictures below, each and every crevice or line in your lips will show.  The formula is not at all a creamy matte.  Rather, it is a true-matte, but not entirely unbearable like a stain, such as the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lip Colors.  I cannot tolerate most matte lip products even with a lip balm worn underneath, but I was able to wear these Bobbi Brown shades without feeling complete discomfort.  My issue with the formula of these two lipsticks is not so much the feel, but the dry appearance.  Both lipsticks applied smoothly and when I pressed my lips together, the product felt smooth (not emollient, just smooth).  While applying, I felt no tugging or friction with the lips.  In a nutshell, I suppose I just do not like the true-matte look, especially with light or neutral shades.  

Color-wise, I liked both the shades.  Of course I was expecting Soft Nude to look on my lips as it does on my hand - a brown with something mixed in.  Instead, it looks like a rosy pink-nude. Next, Nude is not very different from Soft Nude.  Only a beauty enthusiast would notice the difference, so it might not be necessary to get both.  I prefer Soft Nude over Nude.  According to my fiancĂ©, Nude looks like the chalkier version of Soft Nude.  By chalky he means that the shade has a gray or white cast to it, which I feel dulls my complexion and teeth color.  In my amateur makeup experience, I have observed that the gray or white undertone in lip colors seems to have a counter-brightening effect.  The names of the four shades in this collection is deceiving.  I only have two to show you.  For example, the swatches I have seen online demonstrate that warn nude (not reviewed here) is a lighter shade than soft nude (reviewed here).  I am still unsure whether I will be keeping or returning Nude.  Mr. Beau completely dislikes it and wants it to go back ASAP!  

Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Colors cost $26 each.  I find this price point to be high for the quality of the product.  It is not an ideal product.  Again, I shall reference the wisdom of my Mr. Beau, who believes that I should not invest a lot of money in a product that I have to put in additional effort to make it work, such as a lip balm or gloss or another lipstick.  It is so underwhelming to talk about disappointing products even though my reviews of sub-par products seem to be lengthier than products I absolutely love.  Fortunately, I used a $40 Nordstrom note towards the purchase of these two lipsticks.  I cannot say that the note justifies buying sub-par expensive products though because Mr. Beau received the note after he purchased almost a year's worth of formal business clothes.  Sadly, you need to accumulate a lot of points from your purchases before you receive these notes.  Other than these notes and an occasional 10% off of select beauty products, Nordstrom does not have any special sales on beauty or give out any coupons that can be used on beauty products (like Sephora's VIB Sale or ULTA 20% off high-end products coupon).  Ebates (a website too good to be true and I am curious to learn about its business semantics) occasionally has 3%, 6%, or 10% cash-back on Nordstrom purchases.  All you have to do is start a virtual shopping trip to Nordstrom's website via the Ebates website and of course create your account.  

(Soft Nude on your left and Nude on your right, with Fresh Sugar Lip Balm underneath) 

(Nude, with no Fresh Sugar Lip Balm underneath) 

(Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color in Nude)

(Bobbi Brown Creamy Matte Lip Color in Nude) 

I hope this post was informative and helpful. Your friendly comments are much appreciated.  Come back soon. Please follow, like, share, connect, and subscribe. Thank you!

Sunday, July 20, 2014

BOBBI BROWN ART STICK: Dusty Pink, Rose Brown, Sunset Orange, and Harlow Red (Kylie Jenner Lip Color Dupe)

Hey y'all! Happy Monday! It has been a long while since I posted a review.  

Today, I am reviewing the new Bobbi Brown Art Sticks.  The Bobbi Brown Art Stick collection was released this past spring, so I suppose this product is already "so last season." In case these Art Sticks no longer intrigue you, perhaps I can attract your attention by sharing a Kylie Jenner "trade-mark" lip color "dupe." This particular mauve-brown-nude shade has caught on like fire.  I am not sure why suddenly this shade has become so popular because for some of us, like me, it is a staple, everyday, natural lip color. 

 I have four shades to show you - Dusty Pink, Rose Brown, Sunset Orange, and Harlow Red.  The collection includes a total of eight shades. The Bobbi Brown Art Sticks cost $26 each and are sold in Sephora, Bobbi Brown counters in Nordstrom, Belk, and Macy's, and online. I purchased mine from Sephora during the spring VIB sale event (15% off discount).  
These boxes (pictured above) are finger-print magnets. The condition of these boxes is not really that important.  The design of the Art Sticks (see below) is nice and simple, nothing spectacular.  Bobbi Brown Art Sticks are basically jumbo sized lip pencils.  The Art Sticks are a hybrid lip product; pointed enough to outline the lips (lip liner) and wide enough to color the lips (lipstick).  Also, these Art Stick do not tug at your lips like traditional lip liners.  The Bobbi Brown Art Sticks apply very smoothly and feel soft during the application.  Unfortunately, a few minutes after applying this product, your lips begin to look very matte and dry. See the pictures at the end of this post and note that each and every line / wrinkle of my lips is emphasized.  I am not a fan of true matte or retro matte lips. I can tolerate semi-matte or creamy matte lip colors, but my dislike of true matte or retro matte lip colors is as strong as my aversion to frosty or shimmery lip colors or glosses. Even if frosty lip colors become a trend again in the future, I will not endorse it, not even if coffee (currently cannot live without one cup a day) becomes a rare commodity and I am offered a supply of it in exchange. 
Dusty PinkRose BrownSunset Orange, and Harlow Red (top to bottom) 
Dusty PinkRose BrownSunset Orange, and Harlow Red (top to bottom) 
These Art Sticks are not retractable or twist-up, so a sharpener is included with each Art Stick.  I wonder if the cost of the Art Sticks would be slightly lower if the sharpener was not included. Perhaps it would have been more cost efficient to sell (or buy) the sharpener separately? So, the customer would only have to invest once in a sharpener rather than having a separate one for each Art Stick.  Cost efficient for whom though, right? I don't think the company is concerned with what is cost efficient for the consumer or maybe they do. I am not sure! Anyway, at first the included sharpener seemed like a selling point, but once I gave it some thought, it just seemed excessive. 
Dusty Pink, Rose Brown, Sunset Orange, and Harlow Red (top to bottom) 
Dusty Pink is a blue-toned, cool-toned baby pink with a lilac undertone. 
Rose Brown is a deep mauve.  This sort of shade suits my olive-yellow-beige complexion very nicely and looks clean because it is only a bit darker than my natural lip color. Rose Brown does not appear as matte on the lips as Dusty Pink. This is my recommendation for those of you looking for a dupe for Kylie Jenner's "trade-mark" lip color that has been "trending" for a hot minute. 

Dusty Pink and Rose Brown (top to bottom) 
Sunset Orange is a bright, warm-toned orange with a red undertone.  I love this shade.  It is my favorite one of the four.  This shade is the one that first caught my attention and the only one I should have purchased.  I wish the formula was emollient because I would whole heartedly recommend this product as a must-have.  Unfortunately, wearing a lip balm underneath this shade dilutes the vibrant effect of this shade. I don't want to settle for a peachy orange tint! I would gladly sacrifice the wear-time of this product for a bit of moisture.  
Harlow Red is a classic cherry red.  The red of the red, white, and blue.  This is the least drying or dry-looking shade of the bunch. I am not sure why.  

Sunset Orange and Harlow Red (top to bottom) 
Recap... Drying. Long-lasting. True matte lip colors. Hybrid lip colors - lip liner plus lipstick. Expensive. Beautiful and trendy shades. Only eye-catching / seasonal shade - Sunset Orange. Not retractable / mechanical. Smell like No. 2 pencils (Reminding me of standardized testing, yuck!). Somewhat deceptive - apply smoothly and feel creamy, but becomes so try and feel tight within minutes of application. Precise, controlled application. 
Recommendations... Use a lip balm underneath or a lip gloss on top.  I have worn Dusty Pink paired with the Dior Fluid Stick (new) in the shade Kiss Me (#389) and Sunset Orange paired with Dior Fluid Stick (new) in the shade Mirage (#338).  

I hope this post was informative and helpful. Your friendly comments are much appreciated.  Come back soon. Thanks!
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Sunday, September 1, 2013

*New* Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Color Hot Raspberry

My review of the Bobbi Brown sheer lip colors is overdue. I was slightly reluctant to post a review of a bright lip color at this time of the year. Although it is not quite Autumn (Fall) yet here in the U.S., the market is always ahead of the game. I associate Autumn (Fall) with deeper, warmer, darker, and sometimes dull colors. 

Yesterday, I found Napoleon Perdis's Fall 2013 Collection at Target. The collection includes a few new lipstick shades, like a sheer apple red, bright fuchsia, and a brighter yellowish orange. I thought to myself, bright colors for Fall, really! So, perhaps my review of the Bobbi Brown sheer lip color in Hot Raspberry is still vogue. 

Packaging: The packaging of the sheer color lipsticks is simple - black with the brand name in white. I prefer the squared tube shape of the other Bobbi Brown lipsticks to this new rounded shape. It looks compact, definitely not bulky, which is all that I care about in regards to packaging. It does not look cheap and can be wiped easily in case it gets dirty in your handbag. Even though the YSL packaging looks so luxe, it gets scratched and dirty very easily and cannot withstand rough use as traditional black packaging does. 

Price: $25.00



Swatches! 



Color: Hot Raspberry is a richly pigmented, bright fuchsia with blue-pink undertones. I believe that this bright fuchsia suits my skin tone whereas other fuchsia lip colors do not because of the blue-pink rather than blue-purple or blue-plumy or yellow-pink undertones. I still do not feel completely comfortable wearing such a bright color because I prefer wearing neutral or deep shades. This shade reminds me of Barbies, sigh


Claims: "The sheer lip look of the season-introducing a lightweight formula for lips that delivers an effortless wash of color plus nourishing shine. The best part? Luxurious butters and oils improve the overall condition of lips, instantly and over time. Glides on smoothly and evenly for hours of feather-free wear. In a range of creamy and shimmery shades (the hardest part is having to choose.)" - from Bobbi Brown website. 

Formula & Application: The Bobbi Brown sheer lip colors (most of them) are not like typical "sheer" lipsticks. These lip colors are richly pigmented. They are creamy, yet very glossy and lightweight. I would describe the formula as a fusion of a creamy and jelly-glossy texture. Easy to apply, but not particularly buttery smooth. These obviously don't glide on with friction like a matte, but I did not find them to be buttery smooth and slippery like YSL Rouge Volupte Shine or Dior Addict lipsticks. Once applied, I felt as if I was wearing a semi-satin-creme finish lipstick, not a fusion of a lipstick-lipgloss-lipbalm. My lips felt a bit parched during and after wear. 


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Monday, August 5, 2013

Skin Care, Hair Care, Beauty, and Makeup Collective Haul - Summer 2013!!!

Summer is my favorite season. This Summer I sojourned in the Carolinas - the Outer Banks to your East and the Smokies to your West - amidst dense greenery and hop-scotch away from the authentic aroma of salt water and seafood. I am not too fond of the outdoors with the exception of beaches. 

It was quite a learning experience and awesomely memorable even though I faced some challenges here and there, like shacking up with some creepy crawly critters and other tits and bits of life. The storms were definitely unsettling, but the lush greenery, colorful flowers, sunshine, and warmth was well worth the floods.  Most of the days it rained buckets upon buckets, but every now and then came along the perfectly beautiful day. I think anyone can relate to that rush of adrenaline you feel gushing in your chest and the pep in your step on a bright Summer day, when you can sit on the patio, sipping an iced beverage, and feeling a warm breeze blanket your bare shoulders. 

What did I do on these uplifting days might you ask? Shopping among other things! Well, not every time the Sun said hello, but still I was a bit naughty. Especially naughty because I happened to find myself a partner in crime. My fellow culprit and I spent our days serving the people of the community with their legal woes and then on some evenings when we were not deathly exhausted, we lifted our spirits with some beauty blabber, retail therapy, and self-pampering. 

Today I would like to share with my readers the products I accumulated since May. My Summer is coming to an end soon as classes resume by the end of August. My time off from classes is mainly when I gather goods for haul posts and then the rest of the term I post reviews. So, please leave a comment below and let me know your requests for reviews of the products shown below. Of course I will post swatches and reviews of all or most of the products below, but if anyone is especially eager to hear about any one of these products, then do let me know by leaving me a comment. 

*** HAIR PRODUCTS ***

I purchased the following Carol's Daughters hair products at Belk. These items were 50% off when I purchased them a little over a week ago. The Belk employee in the beauty department told me that Carol's Daughters products will be on sale until their stock is finished. I wonder why Belk wants to clear their stock of this brand. Perhaps new packaging or a new release? 

The prices I have listed are the retail prices of these products. The 50% off on these items was quite a nice bargain. I checked the Belk website today and saw that the sale is still going on. I cannot comment on the stock with certainty. When my friend and I made our purchases a little over a week ago, the stock appeared limited. Don't get me wrong though. The Belk I went to had two displays. I am only saying limited in case people run wildly to Belk for this sale. 

Carol's Daughters products are also available at ULTA. 

Carol's Daughter MONOI (Strengthening / Anti-Breakage) Shampoo ($18) and Conditioner ($20)
Carol's CHOCOLAT (Anti-Frizz) Shampoo ($18) and Conditioner ($20)

Carol's Daughter CHOCOLAT (Blow-Drying) Leave-in Conditioner Cream ($22)
Carol's Daughter BLACK VANILLA (Detangling) Leave-in Conditioner Spray ($14)
Carol's Daughter MACADAMIA (Anti-Frizz) Heat Protection Serum ($18) 


*** SKIN CARE PRODUCTS ***

SIBU Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser ($17.99 @ Whole Foods or $17.95 online)
SIBU Sea Buckthorn Hydrating Serum ($39.99 @ Whole Foods or $39.95 online
GIOVANNI Detox System Step 1 Purifying Facial Cleanser ($9.99 @ Whole Foods, Earth Fare, and Walmart) 

The online links I have provided for SIBU are NOT affiliate / sponsered links. I have only inserted them for your convenience. If you find this convenient, then please comment below so I will add links for all products in future haul posts. In my opinion, hauls are most helpful if the products are still available in stores/online. 

To my knowledge SIBU is mainly sold online. I had not seen it in Whole Foods until recently. Whole Foods had a stack of $2 off coupons hanging by the display of SIBU products. One coupon applies to one item. Whole Foods also had a $ 2 off coupon a purchase of two Giovanni detox system products. 


Victoria Secret PINK Spring Break 2-in-1 Body Scrub and Wash Passionfruit Hibiscus and Jasmine Lime (Limited Edition Spring/Summer 2013) ($16.00 each / $7 - $8 each at the Semi-Annual Sale)
Bath and Body Works Body Wash Pink Chiffon (Free w/ Coupon) 


Mr. Pumice Ultimate Extra Coarse Pumi Bar ($2.79 each @ Sally's Beauty Supply) Ticklish, but great for exfoliation. One of my friends told me that this product is not only meant for feet, but is useful for exfoliating elbows and legs. Fortunately, I do not have any dry skin issues, but wearing flip flops and sandals and staying outdoors in the Summer can make your feet dirty and this product works well for scuffing off dirt. 


*** NAIL COLORS, LIP COLORS, etc... ***

OPI's Koala BerryYou're Such a Buda-pest, and Lucky Lucky Lavender. ($9 each / Buy two for $15 promotion @ ULTA / Bought two of each shade and gifted the additional shades to a friend.) 
Revlon's Lily ($4.99 @ Target) 
Essie's Navigate Her ($8 / Used a $2 off coupon on Essie @ ULTA)
Essence Nude Glam Cafe' Ole' ($0.99 @ ULTA)


All Sephora by OPI polishes are currently marked down at Sephora for $4.50 each or three for $10. I was not aware of the "three for $10" sale, so I paid $4.50 for each polish. I believe the "three for $10" sale is a recent development. 

Sephora by OPI Nail Strengthener
Sephora by OPI Casting Call 
Sephora by OPI Bare to Be Different 

NARS Pure Matte Lipstick Terre De Feu ($26 @ Sephora) This lipstick is loved and approved! I cannot wait to post a review and swatches of this one. 

NARS Lipstick Tolede ($26 @ Sephora) I will not be able to review this lipstick because I returned it. I opened it up at home and the lipstick looked peach. I had tested the color on my arm while in Sephora and it had looked like a baby pink shade. The lighting in some stores is awful and plays tricks on your mind. Yuck! I am not a fan of peach or coral pinks at all, so I returned it immediately. 


Essie's Ballet Slippers, Mint Candy AppleFiji (not pictured), Boxer Shorts, *New* Full Steam Ahead, *New* Under Where, and *New* No More Film (not pictured). ($7.79 - 8 each / Available @ Kohl's, Bed Bath and Beyond, and ULTA / Paid $5 - 6 each after in-store coupons)

Sephora by OPI Call Your Mother 

Oh my gosh moment! Following this post, I will be posting up a review of Essie Boxer Shorts and Ballet Slippers. My extremely sweet Supervising Attorney, Kim, surprised me with a gift certificate for a pedicure and Essie's Boxer Shorts. The second pedicure experience of my life, so it is still very exciting for me. I found the gift on my desk as soon as I got in to work. It was tucked away to one side and had a work related sticky note by it. I gasped when I read the label "boxer shorts." Oh my gosh! 

Essie's Boxer Shorts was quite the talk of town when it made its debut. Unfortunately, for me it was "ya snooze, ya lose." I do not know how in the world Kim came across this shade in a store. She found it at a Kohl's. I am sure I could have found it online, but I don't like to shop online, except for necessities like school books. I like to see, touch, and investigate something before I buy it. Anyways, when I eventually heard about this shade, I looked for it in Target, ULTA, and other drugstores, but could not find it. Right now I am having the same "ya snooze, ya lose" luck with Essie's Topless and Barefoot.  


*New* Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipsticks Call the Shots and Break Away. ($18 @ Bare Minerals) 

Bare Minerals Prime Time Eyelid Primer ($18 @ Bare Minerals)

*New* Bare Minerals Lash Domination Mascara ($18 @ Bare Minerals) I got the cute little sample for free.

I purchased the primer and lipsticks during the Friends and Family Sale and received 20% off my entire purchase. 


Smashbox Be Legendary Lipstick Truffle ($9.99 @ Nordstrom Rack) Smashbox lipsticks retail for $19 at Sephora and ULTA stores, but I have not seen the "truffle" shade sold at either place or on their websites. 

*New* Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Rouge Volupte' Shine # 10 Chocolate in Style ($34 @ Sephora) 

Ou la la!!! Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet #40 La Sensuelle ($34 @ Belk) One of my close friends, Alex, surprised me with a luxurious going-away gift. I still feel giddy when I recall the moment the little classy parcel was placed in my hands, while we were at work. I screamed, "oh my goodness, oh my goodness!" The Chanel gift wrapping was so classy - white paper with the Chanel logo print tied with a black bow with the Chanel written across the ribbon. I am gutted that I did not take a picture. Thank you, Alex, for this special gift. Everyone at work thought I reacted as if Prince Charming came in through the window and proposed. 

*New* Bobbi Brown Sheer Lip Color # 2 Hot Raspberry ($25 @ Belk) This shade is far out of my comfort zone, like somewhere in outer space. However, I am willing to be slightly adventurous. Being a little "coco-nut" for collecting lip colors, I suppose mauve neutral shades are not always the most exciting.



Well, that is all for the Summer shopping folks. Fall collections are already on there way to us. Fall has its own beauty wonders - deep wine lips, oxblood nails, taupe smokey eyes, boots, and fuzzy sweaters. I feel cold very easily, so accessorizing is completely pointless for me during the Fall season as I hibernate in layers of clothing and a larger than life woolen coat. I also catch a bout of winter blues as the trees shed their leaves and snow swallows up the ground. Well, perhaps I'm getting ahead of myself... 

Kim, Alex, and K & V - This Summer was well worth the creepy crawly critters because I found some very special friends. 

Have a happy happy happy day! Come back soon!


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