Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipstick #75 "Forbidden Kiss"

If Snow White owned a lipstick, it would probably be Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipstick called Forbidden Kiss. This lipstick could not have had a more appropriate name. I definitely feel like I am Snow White with this lipstick on. The boldness and depth of the red lips brightens up my face. Who knows... maybe my Prince Charming himself chose this color out for me...

As Snow White was roaming through the "Cosmetic Company Outlet" Forest, she came across this shiny golden and red object. Out of curiosity, she opened it and smelled the rosy fragrance of the product. She decided to color her lips with this rouge colored stick and there and then Snow White discovered her statement lip. If only she knew then that generations of girly girls would venture on this same quest to find their perfect red statement lip and a Prince Charming too... of course!

I purchased this lipstick at the Cosmetic Company Outlet for about $18. An EL lipstick typically costs about $25. CCO's carry ESTEE LAUDER Company products, which includes MAC, BOBBI BROWN, and CLINIQUE products. The reason for the discounted price is because the Cosmetic Company Outlet mainly sells discontinued or limited edition or seasonal beauty products, but sometimes you do find permanent products. For instance, I have seen MAC lip conditioners and MAC black track fluid line gel liners sold at CCOs as well. Now, I am not sure whether Forbidden Kiss was a limited edition shade because I did not see it listed on the EL website. However, I did see a new product that may be similar - New Pure Color Vivid Shine Lipstick called Forbidden Apple. I would still ask an MUA at your local EL counter before giving up hope in case you do not have an outlet near you or the CCO near you does not carry this shade.

This lipstick is meant to have a lasting creme finish and it surely lives up to that promise. It glides on smoothly and stays in place. Of course reds do tend to smear, so be careful, but I never use a lip liner and I definitely felt like I had control when I was applying this one.

It lasts for a good portion of my day and fades into a stain after I have had a meal. I am not a fan of long wearing or stain sort of lipsticks, so the lasting power is not a major factor for me. I definitely would not like an $18 lipstick to wear off within half an hour and need constant reapplication, but this is definitely not like one of those cheap formulation lipsticks. This lasts a few hours, long enough for my day or night outing, and that suffices me. 

I have included four images so you all can have an idea of the color and its variations with in different lighting. I am not sure whether this has any prominent undertones. In my opinion, it is a pure red, but it is dark and bold, much deeper than a tomato or fire-engine or cherry-berry red, but not a vampy oxblood shade.  I cannot detect hints of plum, brown, magenta, purple, or burgundy. To state more succinctly, it is a maroon, but not a wine-burgandy shade. I think these images will give you a better concept of the color than my extensive, yet somewhat confusing description. 

This lipsticks looks, feels, and wears like a luxury lip product. Like I already mentioned it has a strong rosy scent, which I love, but some of you may not if you are sensitive to scents. The texture is so smooth and creamy, but the application is not messy. The color is a gorgeous dark red. It brightens your complexion and whitens your teeth. Overall, an "A+" lipstick and a must have for any red lip lover. 

Bisou bisou (kiss kiss) as a friend from France used to say... 

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~Meesha~

*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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Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick - Rapture

At the beginning of every season, I begin to surf the net inquiring about new and upcoming products. I, then, create a list of beauty products I want to try out and review. Sometimes the makeup artists at ULTA, Sephoras, and other makeup counters are taken off guard when I know more about their products than they do - what's new, what it is, when is it being released, etc. With Summer on its way out and Autumn on its way in, a lot of wonderful new products have been released - Urban Decay's Revolution Lipsticks, Butter London's Lip Balms and Creamy Cheek Stains, Bobbi Brown's Sheer Lip Colors, Cargo's Essential Lip Colors, and Marc Jacobs Lip Gels. 

Fortunately, a new ULTA opened up nearby and distributed cash vouchers and gift certificates to the first batch of hundred people to come in to the store. So, I was able to use coupon vouchers on a lot of these products. I wish I was the lucky duck who picked a $100 voucher. The grand opening event carried on for an entire weekend. My mom and I rushed over to the store every morning and collected about six vouchers worth $5-$10 each between the two of us. We got two bonus vouchers because my dad agreed to accompany my mom on one of the days when I was not able to attend. Some people brought extended family members and friends along. 

One by one I will be reviewing all of these wonderful lip products here on my blog. I have already reviewed the Marc Jacobs lip gel here, so be sure to take a look at that as well if you are interested. 

Today, I am sharing my review of an Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in the shade called Rapture. 

Price: $22.00

Claims: "Creamy, Badass Luxury... insane color payoff with creamy shine... plumps... and nourishing oils leave lips cushiony soft." 

Truth to the Claims? I was initially disappointed by this lip product. I tested a few shades in the store before I decided to purchase the shade Rapture. After testing out and eliminating colors off of my list of colors I had wanted to purchase, Rapture and Venom were the only two that suited me. I was mainly interested in trying out the subtle and neutral shades, such as Naked 2, Liar, Fiend, Rush, and Rapture, and the deep oxblood wine shade, Venom, for the upcoming holiday season. I may purchase Venom in the future, but I think I have enough oxblood, red wine, lip colors to last me a lifetime. 

My lips are decently pigmented, but not deeply pigmented. My lips can look parched somedays, but it is either because I need to drink more water or have been over exposed to the sun. On most days, my lips feel normal. However, when I tried the neutral to light shades in this range, my lips looked clownish and dry. The colors applied nicely, but looked prominent and pasty. Yes, these lipsticks are richly pigmented and feel creamy, but do not necessarily appear shiny and smooth. The first few times I wore Rapture, I added a balm underneath or a gloss on top to soften the appearance of the lips. 

Packaging: I like the light gray, gunmetal, chrome colored tube. I don't like the purple. I am not a big fan of true purple so perhaps that sheds light on my dislike. I would have chosen a darker gunmetal, almost a black granite shade had I been the designer. The gunmetal looks simple and not cheap; a nice variation from the common black high-end packaging. 

Color: Rapture is a shade encompassing various colors, like lavender, dusty mauve, deep lilac, mid-tone pink, taupe, and plum. I really like the versatility of this shade because could be warn in warmer months as well as cooler months. It is a deep shade, ideal for Autumn and Winter, yet it is not as dark and vampy as traditional wine, oxblood, and burgundy shades that can seem a little out of place in the Spring and Summer. 

Formula / Application: A rich semi-matte creamy formula. May need to add lip balm as a base or gloss on top for a softer, youthful, and shinier look. See above under "truth to the claims" for more detail.  

Overall: I think I have added a beautiful color to my collection. I would definitely recommend this lip product, especially the Rapture shade. I only wish more colors looked appealing on me. I am very tempted to try out Rush and Venom in the future! I still have two ULTA coupons left. Who knows? Or maybe I will save the coupons for other new products to be released soon. 

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Fall/Autumn Makeup Tutorial featuring New MARC JACOBS LOVE MARC Lip Gel # 110 Role Play

*New* MARC JACOBS LOVE MARC Makeup Collection SEPHORA

~ MARC JACOBS LOVE MARC Lip Gel # 110 Role Play ~

Price: $30.00 

I first became aware of the new Marc Jacobs makeup line while waiting for the flight to take off. For once the flight magazine had an article of interest to me. Luckily, my place of destination was Mall of America! So, I went to the Sephora in Mall of America and saw the new line in flesh. I was immediately drawn to the neutral/metallic eye shadows and bright lip lacquers. The eyeshadows were so pigmented and felt so creamy. I was tempted to purchase a palette, but decided not to because I barely ever wear eye makeup with the exception of special occasions or blog photo shoots. I also tried the lip lacquers, which were disappointing. The lacquers made me look immature, like I had smeared marmalade or a popsicle on my lips. They also felt heavy and uncomfortable. My lips felt very tight, and tingly, which overtime transcended into a burning sensation. So, be careful with the lip lacquers. I am not aware of the lip lacquers having any plumping claims, but surely felt like it. 

Believe it or not I was not even going to try the lip gels because the color range was not too enticing. Two colors caught my eye once I took a closer look - Role Play and Saboteur. I didn't even get a chance to try Saboteur as I was swept off my feet by Role Play. 

Ingredients

"Myrrh Extract, Vitamin E Oils, and Monoi Butter: Provide richness and moisturization while reducing the signs of aging. . . Octyldodecanol, Polybutene, Phenylpropyldimethylsiloxysilicate, Polyglycerl-2 Tetroisostearate, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Vp/Eicosene Copolymer, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Dicalcium Phosphate, Cetyl Peg/Ppg-I0/I Dimethicone, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Ozokerite, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Silica, Hexyl Laurate, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Propylene Carbonate, Bht, Methicone, Ethyl Vanillin, Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Carthamus Tinctorius (Sfflower) Seed Oil, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Tocopherol, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower, Tocopheryl Acetate, Carmine (Ci 75470). (+/-) Titanium Dioxide (Ci 7789i), Iron Oxides (Ci 7749i, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Red 6 (Ci I5850), Red 7 (Ci I5850), Red 7 Lake (Ci I5850), Blue I Lake (Ci 42090), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci I9i40) Yellow 6 Lake (Ci I5985)." - found @ Sephora 

Since I am not a physician or chemist, I would like to refrain from commenting on the ingredients. However, I decided to include the ingredients anyways just for kicks and giggles. "Cosmetics have chemicals in them and should be used moderately." - my wonderful mother (physician and scientist).  I have highlighted some ingredients that drew my attention. Vitamin E, Coconut, and Sunflower Oils = good; Monoi = good; Carmine = derived from insects; Silicon = not good. 

Packaging

A traditional classy black with magnetic closure. The oval and flattened shape makes it slightly unique and different from the typical rounded or rectangular shape of lipsticks. 

Color: Role play is described as a dusty rose on Sephora's website. However, on my lips and against my skin tone, Role play looks like a nude dusty baby pink with mauve undertones. In my opinion, rose shades have red/rosy or brown undertones. On me this shade appears very nude or like Kim Kardashian's trademark Turkish Delight. Role Play is also a full coverage lip color. One swipe of the cute little bullet provides a layer of rich creamy color. 

Formula / Application: If you like MAC's Creme Cup, MAC's Modesty, or MAC's Angel, then you may also like Marc Jacob's Role Play. The formula of the MAC lip colors did not suit me. MAC's Modesty, Creme Cup, and Angel made my lips look very gritty, chapped, and dry. I really liked the texture of Role Play. My description cannot justify the smooth and glossy gel-like, yet lightweight texture and appearance of this lipstick. I prefer the solid gel formula of this lip color more than creamy or creamy-sheen formulas, which feel heavy, greasy, and too emollient to stay in place. I did not find a distinct scent or taste with this lip color. My lips feel smooth and do not look parched once this lip color wears off. I am reluctant to say that I have found a lip product to intrinsically hydrate my lips, but I can surely say that this lip product does make my lips feel smooth and adds moisture on the surface. My lips were slightly chapped before I applied this product and felt smooth once the lip color wore off. 

Longevity: Role Play passed my "chow down" test. I ate a healthy, delicious, and crunchy caesar salad   after completing the makeup tutorial. An hour afterwards, I consumed a little bit of Cappuccino gelato. Yes, yum yum for my tum tum! The lip color was still there, but sort of fading. This is not a long-lasting lipstick in my opinion as Marc Jacobs or Sephora claims it to be. It lasts long enough for me though - about three to four hours. It definitely has decent staying power in comparison to other lipsticks with a comparatively comfortable and glossy formula. 

LOVE IT! Note the glossy effect of this lip color in the pictures below. I am not wearing lip balm or gloss. I am so glad I added this lipstick to my collection and would highly recommend it. I would like to try a couple more shades of these lip gels and am keeping my fingers crossed to find more colors than will suit my skin tone. 

Swatches! 

My First Fall / Autumn inspired Makeup Tutorial!

Face: Trader Joe's Enrich Moisturizing Face Lotion SPF 15, SIBU Hydrating Face Serum, and Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess Bronzer. 

I first applied the serum after washing my face. Next, I applied the lotion. Lastly, added a little bit of warmth to my cheekbones using the bronzer. I applied the bronzer with Sigma's small contour brush (F05) and then buffed it out using ELLE's blush brush. 

Brushes: Sigma Small Contour Brush F05, ELLE Blush Brush, Sigma Tapered Blending Brush E35, Eco Tools Concealer Brush, Eco Tools Angled Liner Brush, Eco Tools Angled Crease Brush, Eco Tools Shader Brush, Sonia Kashuk Shader Brush, and Sigma Pencil Eye Liner Brush E05. 

Eyes: LORAC Unzipped Palette's Unbridled Shadow, MAC Quite Natural Paint Pot, MAC Satin Taupe Shadow, MAC Black Track Fluid Line Gel Liner, Wet 'n' Wild Creme Brûlée Shadow, Essence Cappuccino, please! Shadow, and Estee Lauder Sumptuous Lash Mascara. 

1. Draw a very thick winged line using MAC's gel liner with Sigma's eye liner brush E05. 

2. Apply MAC's Quite Natural using the Eco Tools concealer brush all over the lids. Blend it out into the crease in windshield wiper motion using Lorac's Unbridled and Sigma's tapered blending brush E35.

3. Apply Wet 'n' Wild Creme Brûlée shadow on the brow bone using Eco Tools angled crease brush. Next, apply Essence Cappuccino, please! shadow in the inner corner of the eyes using the small Eco Tools shader brush. 

4. Apply Mac Satin Taupe starting at the inner corner of the eyes and blending it towards the center of the lid using Sonia Kashuk's shader brush. Emphasize the wing only with Eco Tools angled liner brush. Wrap it up with Estee Lauder Sumptuous Lash mascara. 

p.s. Although I never add anything to the water line area of the eye, I did get a little adventurous this time and lined the water line using the gel liner and blending it out with MAC Satin Taupe. I guess I wanted an extra smokey earthy sort of look. 

Hair: Naturally air dried and styled using Organix Moroccan Argan Oil. 

For the complete look I applied Marc Jacob Love Marc Lip Gel in the shade Role Play. Voila!

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Bare Minerals / Escentuals Marvelous Moxie Lipsticks in Call the Shots and Break Away

I am very excited to share my review of the Bare Minerals / Escentuals Marvelous Moxie lipsticks. I purchased two shades called Call the Shots and Break Away. I think the Moxie collection was released towards the end of this past Spring season. It was not on my agenda to try these lipsticks. I only had one Bare Minerals lipsticks from their original collection, called Bread Pudding, at that time, which I was not very pleased with. Bread Pudding is a beautiful caramel peachy nude shade, but a bit dying despite its creamy formula. 

One day this past June, I strolled into a Bare Minerals boutique because I received a Friends and Family 20% off coupon in my email. My only intention was to purchase my holy grail eye shadow primer. As I was walking towards the cash registers, the makeup artist asked me if I wanted to try out the new lipsticks. My initial instinct is to say, "no, thank you!" Instead I said, "yes sure... I want to try this one...  hmm oh and this one... ohhh and this one too!" 

I tried Call the Shots because I was on a hunt for my ideal hip 'n' happening red-orange shade. I also tested Break Away because of my inclination towards neutral pinky mauve shades. I do not usually purchase anything on impulse, unless I absolutely need it or find a bargain or like it a lot. I do not know what gave me the confidence to buy these that day. I usually ponder about the thing for quite sometime before actually investing in it because new things are out in the market every week, every month, and every season. It is so overwhelming to keep up with the continuously changing beauty and fashion trends. Every brand releases the same product - BB creams, CC creams, Night Creams, Argan Oil - but marketing it in their own unique way and tricking your mind into thinking you need it all. 

~ My Critique ~

These lipsticks are amazing! They apply like a balm and glide on smoothly. The colors appear intense and opaque in a single swipe across the lips. While applying and even after the lip color is on your lips, you will feel a very subtle cooling sensation, not a tingly or a prickly sensation, on your lips and smell peppermint for a few minutes. This does not bother me, but it might be a problem for someone who is extremely sensitive to the feel and smell of minty (menthol-like) products. These lipsticks have a creamy formula, but appear very glossy on the lips. It is quite nice to find a creamy, fully pigmented lipstick that has the glossy and juicy appearance of a sheer lipstick. For this reason, these lipsticks will not suck the moisture out of your lips. My lips feel normal and smooth once the lip color has faded away. Fortunately, most of the lipsticks I own do not strip the natural moisture of my lips even if they may not add moisture or hydrate my lips. Only water can give me that intrinsic hydration! I did a "stuff my face" test with these lipsticks and they passed. I ate thai drunken noodles (yum yum for my tum tum) while wearing Call the Shots and cappuccino flavored gelato while wearing Break Away. The lip color stayed on. Not like a matte lip stain, but it didn't wipe or fade off either. It was easy to reapply both the shades because of their emollient texture. My recorded wear-time with these lipsticks is between two to three. 

~ Price ~

$18.00 

~ Lippies' Swatches ~

Break Away is a light pink mauve. It is the ideal baby pink for olive and warm beige, with yellow undertones, skin tones. Although Break Away is a rich creamy light shade, it does not apply patchy and streaky or appear stark. Some light shades tend to sink into the lip lines, exaggerate lip lines, and make lips appear dry. Yes, you can see lip lines below, but that is natural. Some people have more puckered lips than others.  I appreciate that this shade does not exaggerate the lines or give off a dull, dry look. Most nude pinky mauve shades are too light to apply evenly on my naturally pigmented lips, but this one glides on smoothly, evenly, and is fully opaque. 

Call the Shots is a bright, true red. In my opinion, this red has warm undertones and is not a blue-toned, teeth whitening red. However, beige, olive, and tan skin tones, with yellow under-tones, need not be alarmed. This might suit you as it suits me. I was definitely uncertain about this shade when I first saw it, but my infatuation with lip colors has made me more adventurous and curious. I am so glad I bought this shade. Since Spring, I have been looking for a hot bright red in lieu of the red-orange Spring-Summer 2013 trend and this shade was the winner for me. I purchased this in June during Bare Minerals' Friends and Family sale event. Even though this is a intensely pigmented and emollient red, I was apply to outline my lips and apply it uniformly. I do not like to use lip pencils. 

For a day time subtle and casual look, use Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in the shade Break Away. 

For a more festive and spicy look, use Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in the shade Call the Shots.

I really want to try some more shades from the Moxie range. I have my eye on a deep raspberry plumy and a nude shade, but I am not sure if they will suit my skin tone. For now they are on my wish list, but I have plenty of new lipsticks lined up to review and swatch! So excited! Hope you all enjoyed this review. 

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