DIOR ADDICT FLUID STICKS: Mirage, Kiss Me, Tiny Pink, Rieuse, Magique, Vertigo, Artifice, Aventure, Pandore, and Vie D'Enfer

Hey y'all! I am very excited to present to you my review of the new collections liquid lipsticks recently released by Dior.  The Dior Addict Fluid Sticks made their debut in store in late Spring / early Summer.  It has taken quite a bit of time and effort to collect these shades and put together this post.  

Colors: One of the shades, Rieuse, is not shown in the first two pictures because I exchanged it with Vie D' Enfer and did not have time to retake the pictures.  Vie D'Enfer is the only shade that I was not fascinated with, so I returned it.  Rieuse, Magique, and Vertigo are quite similar and these shades appear especially similar in the color-lip-swatch pictures above. Rieuse is a peachy-pink coral.  Magique is a light magenta (pinkish-red).  Vertigo is a deep mid-tone pink with mauve and plummy undertones. Vie D'Enfer is a deep apple red with a brown undertone (more appropriate for Autumn/Winter seasons).  Mirage is a peachy nude with a brown undertone. Artifice is a fierce, pure orange.  Aventure looks very different from Artifice; it is an orange-red coral.  Pandore is a bright red-orange shade; this shades looks brighter and more vivid on lighter skin-tones.  

Availability and Price: I purchased the Dior Addict Fluid Sticks ($35) over a span of a few months. I bought a few shades during Dillard's 10% off beauty event and others online through Macy's and Sephora's websites when Ebates was having their 15% cash-back anniversary sale event.  I plan to purchase two more shades called 219 Whisper Beige and 669 Rose Tricheuse in the future. I will add pictures of these shades to this post or create an additional post.  I am waiting for a sale / coupon (Sephora VIB Sale 15% / 20% off in Nov./Dec. or Nordstrom / Dillard's cardholder rewards) because this lip product is much too expensive otherwise.  Dior Addict Fluid Sticks are available everywhere (Sephora, Dillard's, Nordstrom, Macy's), but a few shades are available in certain stores only.  This lip product is quite a splurge, but worth it! 

Formula / Application: The formula of the Dior Addict Fluid Sticks is their best feature and selling point.  The Dior Fluid Sticks are marketed as a hybrid product – gloss, color, and stain.  Although I have tested a few other new comparable lip products, such as Revlon Moisture Stains and Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Lacquers, since my introduction to the Dior Fluid Sticks, I still find that the formula of the Dior Fluid Sticks is quite unique and innovative. When I first tried the Dior Fluid Sticks at my local Dillard’s Dior counter, I was definitely surprised by the formula.  This lip product goes through three stages after you apply it to your lips.  I observed that one side of the applicator functions like a scoop, which grabs just the right amount of product, so you do not have to keep putting the applicator back in and out of the tube.  The other side of the applicator spreads and sets the product on your lips, like a good butter knife spreading out peanut butter onto bread – spreading and melting the product at once.  Stage one: you feel like your applied a cooling, water-based liquid to your lips.  At this stage, some of shades appear very bright, almost neon-like. Stage two: you feel your lips warm up (not uncomfortably), like you had a cup of chicken noodle soup on a cold day, and then the liquid sticks / seals onto your lips.  This is not at all a tacky, sticky, or uncomfortable sensation.  You almost no longer realize that you have something on your lips, unless you press your lips together.  Also, as I mentioned above, the shades appears bright, some neon-like, when first applied, but as your lips warm up, the shades become deeper.  For example, Tiny Pink looks like a pastel baby pink when I first apply it and within seconds it transforms into a muted, floral, light pink.  Magique looks like a neon hot-pink-magenta shade, which transforms into a pinky-red. Although the glossiness has sobered down by this stage, your lips still have a subtle sheen and look plump, smooth, and youthful.  Stage three: by this stage, if you have consumed food or three to four hours have passed by, the gloss and color has faded, but your lips still look deeper than their natural pigmentation or tinted.  The longevity of this lip product decreases if food or beverage(s) are consumed. 

Staying Power: The staying power is not exceptional, but it is good for a lightweight, liquid lip product. All of these shades transfer. The lighter shades such as Mirage, Kiss Me, Tiny Pink, and Rieuse do not stain your lips, while the deeper shades such Magique, Vertigo, Artifice, Aventure, Pandore, and Vie D'Enfer have a staining effect and do not disappear off of the lips as quickly. Pandore and Vie D'Enfer stayed on the lips even after eating a full meal, but still required touching up. On average these shades remain on the lips for about three to fours hours and as I mentioned above the longevity decreases if you consume a solid meal. 

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!

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REVLON COLORSTAY MOISTURE STAINS: Milan Moment, Cannes Crush, Rio Rush, and Barcelona Nights

Hey y'all! I know I have been gone "a hot minute," as people say nowadays to express their brief absence.   I have visited my blog almost daily since I wrote my last review, but had no energy left to write something. Well, today I decided to just go for it. 

The new liquid lip colors from Revlon called the Colorstay Moisture Stains are some of my favorite lip products at the moment.  So, I suppose I just gave away the happy ending here.  I have been anxiously waiting to write my review of this product because I am very pleased with it.  So, let us get on with it. 

This collection has quite a few shades - bright to vampy shades. The four I chose are absolutely beautiful and give off a tropical vibe.  Having as many lip colors as I do, I did not really feel the need to try any of the Revlon Moisture Stains. When I first caught a glimpse of this new lip product collection on the web, the color selection did not seem to be anything to be excited about.  My lack of desire to try these was strengthened by the reviews I read and heard.  I observed that other beauty bloggers were not swept off their feet by this new product release. Some said that the colors were common, other complained that the application was patchy.  

The first shade I tried is called Barcelona Nights.  I will admit that when I first applied this shade, I experienced the patchy texture and almost gave up on the product.  The product looks like mousse (or a spongy-liquid?) when you first swipe it across your lips.  My advice is to melt the product by using the applicator to smooth out the product.  Do not pick up and apply more product with each swipe, but simply continue to swipe the applicator across your lips two or three times.  Trust me this does not take up much time.  So, before you huff and puff and complain that you don't have time to smooth out the product, just think about it. C'mon, life does not have to be so fast paced! To my surprise, Barcelona Nights transformed from a bright shade to a deeper shade in the course of the wear and eventually faded into a natural stain, meaning my lips' natural pigmentation deepened. 

I did not experience this staining effect with the remaining three shades. Therefore, I am sorry to say, but the lasting power of the Revlon Moisture Stains is below average.  I do find the need to reapply this product throughout the day, especially after eating or drinking.  However, this factor does not discount my overall impression of this product.  Why? I am quite fond of the formula and texture.  The Moisture Stains feel as if you are applying water or a cooling (not medicinal, not minty) gel-like substance to your lips. It is difficult to find a liquid lip color that is richly pigmented, yet  lightweight and not sticky.  In addition to feeling lightweight, this product is moisturizing.  Yes, I said it! Of course do not expect this to be a treatment for chapped and dry lips, but this lip product does make my lips feel soft and smooth and look hydrated. Often liquid lip color can absorb the natural moisture of your lips and this does not. 

I would like to note that I am more fond of the formula and texture of the Revlon Moisture Stains than the L'Oreal Extraordinaire and Maybelline Color Elixirs lip colors. By no means am I implying that I dislike the L'Oreal and Maybelline versions of a lip-color-gloss-balm hybrid, but I have been using the Revlon Moisture Stains more often.  In my opinion, the main difference between the Revlon Moisture Stains and L'Oreal Extraordinaire or Maybelline Elixirs is that the latter two of the three versions feel oil-based and more emollient, while the Revlon version feels watery.  The Revlon Moisture Stains are an excellent and affordable alternative to the new Dior Fluid Sticks (review coming soon).  I would also recommend the Moisture Stains as an alternative to the Lancome Lip Lovers lip colors I reviewed in my previous post.  

Milan Moment is my favorite shade to wear to work these days.  It is a muted, conservative option for those of us infatuated by the current orange lip color trend.  This shade is a sheer, light orange with a warm brown undertone. Cannes Crush is slightly similar to Milan Moment, but different enough.  I would describe it as coral with dominant pink undertone balanced with a recessive orange undertone. Rio Rush is a bright, electric, neon hot-pink with blue and lavender undertones.  Barcelona Nights is a bright magenta shade or, in other words, a pinkish red (not deep or purple enough to be a fuchsia or berry shade). 

I will not delve into the packaging, except to mention that I like it.  I think it is eye-catching. The tube is somewhat transparent, but tinted. The tube is tinted externally with the same shade as the product inside, yet you can still see the product inside through the plastic. The packaging does not look cheap.  I almost always like Revlon's packaging designs. The name of the brand, product, and shade are clearly stated.  Lastly, I want to make an observation regarding the scent of this product.  The scent is not at all overwhelming and is reminiscent of the scent of the YSL Glossy Stains. It is a treat to find a drug-store lip product that does not have a typical cosmetic chemical-artificial-sweet smell.

Milan Moment, Cannes Crush, Rio Rush, and Barcelona Nights (left to right)

Milan Moment, Cannes Crush, Rio Rush, and Barcelona Nights (left to right)

Cannes Crush, Rio Rush, Barcelona Nights, and Milan Moment (left to right) 

Barcelona Nights, Rio Rush, Cannes Crush, and Milan Moment (left to right) 

Milan Moment, Cannes Crush, Rio Rush, and Barcelona Nights (top to bottom) 

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

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LANCOME LIP LOVER: Beige Adage (332), Rose Des Nymphes (333), Rose Contre-Temps (321), Rose Des Cygnes (338), Orange Manege (336), and Framboise Etoile (355)

Hey y'all! Happy Wednesday! How is everyone doing today? We are half way away from the weekend. Woohoo! It is my week off though, so I don't know why I am saying, "woohoo." I don't recall from English class if using so many quotations is grammatically allowed, but I want to demonstrate my excitement.  Yes, I am always excited when I am talking about lip colors.  If I am in a bad mood, I usually cannot talk about it because it is one of the things that makes me happy.  Although a materialistic infatuation, I have always been a fan of lip products - balms, glosses, lipsticks.  Not surprising at all, but it annoyed my mother a lot when I was younger (still does, I think).   

I purchased the Lancome Lip Lover Dewy Color Lip Perfector back in early April during the Sephora VIB sale event. I bought a total of seven shades as you can see below. I plan to give some of these to my cousin-sisters because they both love lip glosses as well.  One of the shades is not color swatched below because I decided not to use it and returned it.  This shade was called Lip Lover 337 and it was too similar to Rose Des Nymphes 333.  Although I absolutely love the actual product, I regret purchasing so many shades.  As you will note below, some of the shades are very similar that you simply cannot justify having both, especially at $23 price point. Also, all of the shades seem to be a variation of pink (i.e., mauve-pink, red-pink). I paid around $19 - 20 (for each one) because I had a 15% off coupon. Fortunately, I am planning on sharing mine. 

If this price point is not within your budget, then I suggest trying out the following options instead: Revlon Moisture Stains (new), Milani Power Lip Lasting and Moisturizing Lip Stains (see my review here), Maybelline Color Elixirs (see my review here), and L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Liquid Lipsticks (see my review here and here). I will be reviewing the Revlon Moisture Stains soon. Although I enjoy using all of these liquid hybrid multi-tasking lip products, my favorite is definitely the Milani Power Lip Stains. 

Lately, I am really drawn to the liquid lip color and crayon lip color trend. I think the reason I enjoy using these two types of lip products is because they leave my lips feeling smooth.  Normal lipsticks tends to constrict my lips and exaggerate my lip lines over the wear-time, which I fear cannot be good for the lips in the long run.  I also am not a fan of pure glosses because of the tacky, sticky feel and weak pigmentation. I have to carefully select my lip products because I must wear them in conjunction with a balm that has sunscreen. My skin is very sensitive to sun exposure, so I have to drown my face in sunscreen.  Hence, the liquid lip color - the offspring of a lipstick and a gloss and raised my a lip balm - is perfection for me! See below for my review of each individual shade. 

Rose Des Nymphes 333, Lip Lover 337, Rose Contre-Temps 321,  Rose Des Cygnes 338, Beige Adage 332, Orange Manege 336, Framboise Etoile 355 (left to right) 

Rose Contre-Temps 321,  Rose Des Cygnes 338, Beige Adage 332, Rose Des Nymphes 333, Lip Lover 337, Orange Manege 336, Framboise Etoile 355 (left to right) 

Framboise Etoile 355, Orange Manege 336, Rose Des Cygnes 338, Rose Contre-Temps 321, Beige Adage 332, Rose Des Nymphes 333 (left to right) 

Framboise Etoile 355, Orange Manege 336, Rose Des Cygnes 338, Rose Contre-Temps 321, Beige Adage 332, Rose Des Nymphes 333 (left to right) 

Rose Des Nymphes 333, Beige Adage 332, Rose Des Cygnes 338, Rose Contre-Temps 321, Orange Manege 336, Framboise Etoile 355 (top to bottom) 

Rose Des Nymphes 333 - This shade is a warm-toned, medium pink. It is semi-sheer and requires two to three layers to show up on my lips. I am presuming that this shade will appear darker people with a lighter skin-tone than mine. 

Beige Adage 332 - This shade is a milky baby pink with warm and yellow undertones. It is one of my favorite shades because typically these sort of shades don't look good on me and look patchy and streaky. Luckily, this one does not and is unique to my collection. 

Rose Des Cygnes 338 - This shade is a deep mauve-pink with neutral undertones.  It is a universal, subtle, conservative shade that can suit anyone of any age. It is also a work-appropriate shade. This shade was the first one I purchased because it is my safe, go-to shade.  Lastly, 321 is more of a pure creme formula and opaque in one swipe. 

Rose Contre-Temps 321 - This shade looks light a light pink in the picture below, but in person it is more of a warm peachy-pink-brown with subtle golden shimmer. The shimmer does not appear on the lips. This shade is a lighter, less mauve, version of 338 above. You definitely do not need both of these shades.  Lighter skin-tones can opt for 321, while deeper skin-tones can opt for 338. This shade is also sheerer than 338. Again, I regret purchasing this one because of its similarity to 338. Both are beautiful colors, but you do not need both. Also, I do not need both because 321 is pretty close to my natural lip color. 

Orange Manege 336 and Framboise Etoile 355 - Both of these shades fall in the berry-pink category.  On the top, 336 is a semi-sheer cherry red.  On my arm and in the tube, it looks like a bright orange, but once applied it is more of a sheer red-pink. On the bottom, 355 is an richly pigmented, raspberry pink with blue, red, fuchsia, and cool undertones. Again, it is not necessary to purchase both shades, unless you really love wearing glossy berry lip colors.  I am not a big berry lip color wearer.  For a second opinion, take a look at my friend Margo's review of Orange Manege here and see how this shade looks on someone with a fair skin-tone. Also, keep in mind that 336 and 355 are both "dupable," even at a lower price point. 

The shades I recommend are: 338 (for playing it safe), 333 (young and flirty spring-pink), and 332 (for a Kim K pinky nude pout). Lancome Lip Lover lip colors offer the pigmentation of a lipstick and the sheer-glossy effect of a lip gloss. The best characteristic of this lip product is that it does moisturize and feel like a pleasant balm.  I am not suggesting that this product is a lip treatment, but it does maintain the moisture in my lips.  In fact, I like wearing the Lip Lover lip colors when my lips feel dehydrated. My lips feel smooth and soft while wearing the product and after it wears off.  Now, with the exception of 355, which leaves a red tint to the lips, this product is not a stain.  Moreover, it lasts a solid amount of time, but is not at all a long-lasting lip product. Reapplication is necessary after eating and drinking. The main claim on the packaging is that this product provides 8 hours of moisture. Although I did count the exact hours, this product receives full points for its moisturizing property. 

I wish the color range had more obvious variety. Honestly, it was difficult to make sure I noted the correct name of the shade.  I almost mixed up 338, 321, 333, and 332. I believe that consumers will like this product for its excellent moisturizing characteristic, but the shades are not so unique or varied that you need more than one or two. I purchased a total of seven, but decided to only keep four shades that I was truly impressed with and will make good use of.  My lesson: do not become a makeup hoarder when I get a coupon.  High-end makeup is rarely discounted. So, when I get the 10%, 15%, 20% off coupons that come around about twice a year, I stock up like a polar bear going into hibernation before the winter sets in. 

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

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MILANI POWER LIP Lasting and Moisturizing Lip Stains: Creamy Cafe, Macaroon, Raspberry Tart, Pink Lemonade, Mango Tango, Red Control, and Cabaret Blend

Hey y'all!  Everyone and their mothers have already posted a review on the new makeup releases by Milani this February.  The stores in my area only received the new lip glosses and matte blushes.  So, I assumed that I would not have the pleasure of trying out the other new lip products.  I had to make an unexpected visit home and spotted the Milani Power Lips at the local Walgreens and Meijer stores.  By this point though I had heard quite a few reviews, all of which gave me the impression that the Milani Power Lips were good, but not must-haves.  

As you can tell by the topic of this review, my reservation from buying the Milani Power Lips did not last long.  Once I heard that CVS was having a BOGO sale, I asked my Mister Beau to check if the CVS in his area carried all of the new Milani products.  Although Mister Beau was not too happy about this request, he cannot seem to say no to me because as soon as he attempts to say no, I pop up in his mind resembling either Bambi or Eyeore.  Well, thanks to my Beau I can present this review today.  I think I need to come up with a better mysterious term of endearment for him.  Mister Beau sounds like a Disney movie character, who wears a tuxedo, carries a cane, and spooks people by popping up out of smoke - a laughing Buddha-magician-jeanie hybrid. 

Hmm... don't know how or why I come up with such off tangent, verbose introductions.  Now, let us get on with our review! 

Availability / Price 

CVS, Walgreens, Meijer / $5.49 - $6.99 (pre-tax) 

Packaging

Milani has packaged the Power Lip stains in a protective manner, which makes tampering difficult.  I like this method more than the traditional peel off plastic wrapping or seal. However, I am not a fan of the design of the lip color tube itself.  The product dispenses out by twisting the area underneath the brush tip applicator.  The problem with this mechanism is that I found myself twisting for a while before the product came out and when it did come out, it was too much.  It appears that there is not a lot of product to begin with, so obviously I would not want to dispense more than the amount I want to use.  Although the wand style - which exposes the product to air and bacteria as you take the wand in and out - may not be as sanitary as the twist up style, I would prefer it more.  

The shades Raspberry Tart, Red Control, Macaroon, Cabaret Blend, Pink Lemonade, Mango Tango, and Creamy Cafe are displayed from left to right in the picture below. 

 The shades Creamy Cafe, Macaroon, Raspberry Tart, Mango Tango, Pink Lemonade, Red Control, and Cabaret Blend are displayed from left to right in the picture below.

COLORS
Please reference the pictures to get an idea of the shades available.  These shades are brighter and lighter (opposite of dull/subdued) than they appear in the following pictures.

(1) Cabaret Blend (2) Red Control (3) Pink Lemonade (4) Mango Tango (5) Raspberry Tart (6) Macaroon (7) Creamy Cafe

Formula / Application / Scent 

The Milani Power Lip stains are creamy, richly pigmented, and intensely glossy.  

Given that I purchased and kept (i.e., no returns = no regrets) seven of the eight total shades in the collection, my liking of these Power Lip stains is established.  I definitely like the concept of a liquid lipstick, but until recently I was not impressed by the formula of any that I have personally tried, with the exception of Shiseido Lacquer Rouge liquid lipsticks.  In the past few months, I have tried many liquid lip colors.  In fact, it seems like I only gravitate towards liquid lip colors these days. Perhaps this is because I have really enjoyed the formula of the new liquid lip products that I have been experimenting with, including the Milani Power Lip stains. 

I really like the consistency of the Power Lip stains; the product is neither thick nor thin. If thick, the product is usually difficult to apply and spread the product.  If thin, the product is usually sheer, streaky, or patchy.  The product here is packed with intense pigment, making one smooth swipe enough. The applicator and easily spreadable formula makes precise and clean application possible.  However, most people will want to apply this product carefully, using a mirror, because the high pigmentation can make the application messy.  

I did not experience / notice a particular taste or scent. 

Longevity / Staying Power 

The intense glossiness wears off into a subtle sheen.  The color wears off into a stain that is not subtle by any means. In my opinion, the Power Lip stains have a better than normal (4 hours) staying power.  Over the duration of the wear, the shades begin to look brighter and semi-matte (not true matte / not drying). The Power Lips are by no means true stains, but very impressive nevertheless.  I would not like wearing a true stain anyway.  

Overall, I am very fond of the Milani Power Lip stains and considered buying backups. If I had to gift or recommend an affordable liquid lipstick, I would choose Milani Power Lip stains.  The L'Oreal Extraordinaire Liquid Lipsticks, Maybelline Color Elixirs, and NYX Butter Glosses are all nice products, but the Milani Power Lip stains deserve first-place. 

I hope this post was informative and helpful. Your friendly comments are much appreciated. 

Come back soon. Thanks!

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