LORAC Alter Ego Lipsticks: Seductress, CEO, Duchess, Jet Setter and Secret Agent

Seductress, CEO, Duchess, and Jet Setter (left to right - top to bottom) 

Seductress, CEO, Duchess, Jet Setter, and Secret Agent (top to bottom) 

Seductress - is a unique shade in my opinion. It photographs brighter than how it appears in person. I would describe it as a bright rose. 

CEO - is a deep true mauve shade with taupe-brown undertones. This shade could be a "my lips but better" shade for some people and for others, who have an deep olive beige skin tone, this could be an ideal nude. 

Duchess - is a pink-nude. 

Jet Setter - is my favorite of the bunch.  It is a vibrant, neon purple with magenta, blue, and red undertones.  Usually purple based shades can pull out the yellow tone in your teeth, even if your teeth are a normal, healthy white, but with this shade you do not have to worry about the "yellow-teeth" issue. 

Secret Agent - is a dark milk chocolate shade. It looks like melted chocolate on my lips, but dry. Yes! We will discuss the dryness shortly. 

I was anticipating the arrival of these Alter Ego lipsticks even since LORAC began posting teasers on Instagram. The lipstick shades look delicious! 

Sadly, my affinity to these Alter Ego lipsticks end at the shade selection. These lipstick apply smoothly and feel lightweight and creamy on the lips. However, the texture and formula of these lipsticks is awkward. Awkward, you ask? Can I say awful? Yes, the texture of these lipsticks is like a velvet mousse. This lipstick withers away and begins to look patchy if your lips get wet. Do not be fooled by the smooth and creamy feel of these lipsticks because once you take a look at your lips in the mirror, you get a reality check. The formula is actually very matte and drying.  I feel the need to apply a gloss or lip balm with these lipsticks, which simply steals the appeal of the actual true colors of the lipsticks.  Seductress, CEO, and Jet Setter appear less dry than Duchess and Secret Agent. Jet Setter looks the best as you can realize from the pictures above. The only two shades I would personally recommend from this collection are Jet Setter and Seductress.  Although these lipsticks have an affordable price tag - $16 each, I really do not believe that these are a must-have.  I returned Duchess and Secret Agent immediately after taking pictures for this review.  I would have returned CEO as well because there is nothing special about the shade, but I kept it because my aunt may like the color. 

LORAC is one of my favorite brands, so I definitely recommend trying other products from this brand. I have enjoyed the LORAC Unzipped palette, LORAC pro-stain blush in Rosy Glow, and LORAC Breakthrough Performance Lipstick with SPF 15 in Leading Lady. Unfortunately, these lipsticks were not a hit for me, but I am glad that through this experience I found a flattering neon purple shade (Jet Setter). 

I purchased my first two shades at ULTA, using a 20% off (special non-exclusions / can be used on prestige brands). I purchased the remaining three at Kohl's, using Kohl's cash (Kohl's coupons cannot be used on prestige cosmetics, but you may use the Kohl's cash). 

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

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Beauty / Makeup Haul: MAC, Urban Decay, CHANEL, Estee Lauder, LORAC, Bare Minerals, Giorgio Armani

Hey y'all. 

Here is a preview of the products that I have purchased over the last couple of months and will review for you all in the coming weeks. I plan on reviewing and swatching at least one product/brand per week in the coming weeks. Please be patient because the entire month of November and beginning of December will be very busy and hectic for me as the school semester is coming to an end. Also, my camera decided to take an "early retirement" and is no longer "working" for Strawberry Hearts Chocolate Darts. For now I have an "interim" camera, Sony DSLR, and I am not too happy with it. It definitely takes crisp pictures, however, it is not as user friendly, especially for taking vain selfies, as my Canon Powershot. I am hoping to find a replacement at the Black Friday conference. 

These products are in the high-end range. I decided to post drugstore products, such as the new lip products by Revlon and Maybelline, separately. Perhaps I will have a review and swatches of the new Revlon Color Burst Matte and Lacquer Balms up by this Sunday. 

Nordstroms: CHANEL featuring HOLIDAY 2013 Collection*, Giorgio Armani 

Giorgia Armani Rouge Ecstasy Plum # 602 "Mania"; $34 each

CHANEL Rouge Allure Velvet # 327 "La Desiree" (*New* / *Limited Edition) and #36 "La Caline" (Limited Quantity); $34 each 

Macy's: MAC featuring MAC Divine Night Holiday Collection* 

*New* MAC Pro Long Wear Paint Pot "Stormy Pink"; $20 

MAC Eyeshadow "Quarry"; $15

*New* MAC Lipstick "Private Party" (*Limited Edition); $16.50 

*New* MAC Mineralize Blush "Lavish Living" (*Limited Edition); $27.50 

ULTA & Urban Decay (online): Urban Decay 

 *New* Urban Decay Revolution Lipsticks - Liar, Rush, Strip (UD online exclusive), Venom, and Shame; $22 each
I purchased some of these lipsticks during the UD F&F Sale (20% off) and received $5-10 off on some of the other shades at ULTA. Luckily, a new ULTA opened up near me and gave out $5, $10, and $100 certificates to the first 100 guests at the grand opening event.
Take a look at my review (and swatches) of this lipstick in the shade "Rapture" here. I am looking forward to sharing swatches of these other shades soon. 

Kohl's: LORAC

*New* LORAC Pro Power Cheek Stain "Rosy Glow"; $22 

As if my excitement about Kohl's carrying Essie since last year was not enough, now Kohl's is carrying  a wide range of some very popular makeup brands. Last weekend, I saw the new revamped cosmetic department at Kohl's. The brands I noticed were The Balm, Pur Minerals, Samantha Chapman, and LORAC. Unfortunately, these brands are excluded from the infamously tempting 15%, 20%, 30% coupon that Kohl's sends out every single week. I was really appreciative of the fact that Kohl's, unlike Belk, Macy's, or Dillard's did not have a catch-all list of "exclusions," but sadly now the coupons do not apply on select brands. I still managed to get this blush for free! Yes, FREE! How? Apparently, I was allowed to use my $20 Kohl's cash for this blush. 

ULTA: Bare Minerals 

 Bare Minerals Lash Domination 10-in-1 Mascara; $18 

I used my "non-exclusions/entire purchase" 20% off coupon, which ULTA sends out randomly once a year, on this item.
Take a look at my review of this mascara here.

Cosmetic Company Outlet: Estee Lauder

Estee Lauder Pure Color #11 Deep Lilac; $15 

Dillard's: Estee Lauder

 *New* Estee Lauder High Intensity Lip Lacquers #11 "Wet Plum" and #12 "Amber Glow"; $25 each

I used a 10% off coupon on these items. Dillard's sends out these coupons to Dillard's card holders. Sadly, the coupons are sent out once in a blue moon and 10% off seems so insignificant, especially because you only receive this coupon after spending a significant amount. 

I created a "Wish List" page, which lists the products that I would like to purchase and try out in the future. However, I am fully abstaining from purchasing any new products until the New Year. Well, fingers crossed that I stick to my words. 

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