Showing posts with label TARTE. Show all posts
Showing posts with label TARTE. Show all posts

Monday, February 8, 2016

Liquid Lipsticks Extravaganza ft. Kylie Cosmetics, Tarte, The Balm Cosmetics, Maybelline, Gerard and more ... | ChaiTimewithMeesha

Hello, Beauties! Liquid lipsticks, specifically of the matte formulation, have acquired a large cult following of the masses. Cosmetic brands left and right, be they luxury, high-end, or drug-store, are releasing their version or interpretation of the perfect matte liquid lipstick formula.  Over the last few months, I have taken on the quest of testing out these matte liquid lipsticks from several brands for my beautiful Lipstick-Loving-Peeps.  On my YouTube channel and Instagram page, I have reviewed liquid lipsticks (matte and non-matte) from brands such as Kylie Cosmetics, Girlactik, Dose of Colors, Giorgio Armani, Anastasia Beverly Hills, Tarte, Milani, Revlon, Maybelline, NYX, The Balm, Colour Pop, and Dior.  And there is more to follow soon! 

Let us take a slight drive down memory lane, shall we? If y'all prefer to skip ahead to the next paragraph, then please feel free to do so.  My blog is a diary of sorts and I like my posts to be somewhat personal in nature.  Some of you may consider it off-tangent or long-winded... Well, y'all have been warned! Liquid lipsticks were present in the market ever since and even before my curiosity and love for makeup developed. I think I was in the final year of high-school, preparing myself for occasions like senior prom and graduation, when I began experimenting with makeup. Some of my peers had already started wearing a full face of makeup back then, but thanks to my parents (I really do appreciate their strictness today) I did not dare wear anything more than my mother's lipsticks.  Anyway, I fondly remember the evening my mom took me makeup shopping for these two special occasions.  She bought be a coppery gold eyeshadow by L'Oreal and a baby pink blush by Physician's Formula.  My mom's policy was that there is a time and place for everything. She discouraged impulsiveness because she believed that it created insatiable expectations, which ultimately result in dissatisfaction and disdain.  Today, thanks to my mom, I feel very comfortable without makeup and don't feel the need to use it as a guard, but rather to make myself feel dolled-up once in a while for outings, occasions, and filming.  I love you, my Momma Bear.  

I was never a fan of lip gloss because it was too sheer for my liking, but liquid lipsticks - basically glosses with the pigmentation of an opaque lipstick really intrigued me.  Well, there were three types of liquid lipsticks back then: opaque glossy, which didn't stay in place; opaque patent-shine lacquers, which felt too tacky; and matte, ultra drying ones called "stains," which were paired with clear balms to make them feel more comfortable (they really were not the least bit comfortable though).  I shall label these "Originals." The weak points of these opaque glosses and lacquers was that they were not lightweight, felt sticky like honey or oil, and transferred everywhere possible.  The stains, on the other hand, were so drying that my lips look abnormally wrinkly (given my age) and felt itchy, hot, and irritated. Although I do really like some creamy liquid lipsticks at present (ex., Too Faced Chocolate Honey), I prefer the semi-matte liquid lipsticks, which set to a flat, matte finish and are not drying. I don't care to compromise on the staying power and transfer-proof features because I like to remove my lipstick prior to eating anyway.  Even liquid lipsticks that are transfer-proof and long-wearing breakdown near the inner portion of the lips while consuming foods with an oil base and that are generally not dry.  

The first few Originals I tried were from two brands at Kohl's called Flirt and American Beauty and drug-store brands such as Covergirl and Maybelline.  Back then I thought a store like Sephora and makeup counters in department stores, like Macy's were for the high-society people.  Now social media has changed the demographics for brands as a new, fast-paced affordable medium for advertising.  There are so many baby brands on the rise, like Colour Pop, merely two years old and competing with a long time established high-end brand such as MAC Cosmetics.  Now Kohl's carries prestige brands on which coupons cannot be used.  Drugstore prices have sneakily increased, but coupons justify the margin in the minds of the consumer.  Anyway, my point is that I tried what was affordable back then, but the quality might not have been ideal.  

While in college, I recall trying one of the Stila's Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks (another Original) in the popular shade Patina and it was so drying that I absolutely hated it.  More recently, during law school I had contemplated purchasing the very famous Lolita by Kat Von D and it was also so trying that I decided not to commit to it.  In a nutshell, my impression of liquid lipsticks was bad - a strong dislike! I decided that my lips were simply too delicate for these super drying lipsticks.  I could not fathom why anyone enjoyed wearing them.  

The majority of matte liquid lipsticks that are surfacing today are much better than the "Originals" I described above.  My new perception, "where have you been all my makeup-loving life?"  I am guilty of completely shafting "those regular lipsticks" at the moment.  Most of my lipstick collection is being neglected because I am so intrigued by these liquid lipsticks.  The biggest selling point of liquid lipsticks for me is the way they set into a flat, velvet like, deepened version of the liquid.  So without further ado, I would like to share my reviews of many new Liquid Lipsticks, which I am calling the "Liquid Lipstick Extravaganza" (listed/linked below).  

... ... ...

The "ChaiTimewithMeesha" Menu

Kylie Cosmetics by Kylie Jenner: The Kylie Lip Kit 

Tarte Tarteist Lip Paints 

The Balm Cosmetics Meet Matte Hughes Liquid Lipsticks 

Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Colors 

Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipsticks

Please like, comment, share, follow, and subscribe! 

Yours Truly,
The Lipsticks-Ninja
Meesha 

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Thursday, January 23, 2014

BEAUTY HAUL! ULTA! (Birthday Edition + Brief Reviews)

Hey y'all!!! 

I have not posted a beauty "haul" in a long while. Honestly, I feel a little awkward just showing y'all products I have gotten without a review or swatches. Product reviews are the main reason I have a blog. 

However, I do enjoy and look forward to haul videos on Youtube. It is a nice way of discovering new things or similar to friends sharing what all they bought at the end of a shopping trip. Moreover, I always receive positive feedback when I post a haul, so maybe it is interesting. 

My Beau took me shopping recently for my birthday and gifted the items I have shown below. I am truly lucky to have a best friend and partner like him. I don't say this because he bought me makeup, but because he is always so patient with me and on my special day he was extra-patient and involved. He gave me his opinion about what colors looked suitable on me, what did not, and what I should try out for my blog, etc. For the one hour we spent in ULTA, his company was priceless. For someone who is a complete "dude" being patient with a full on "girly girl" makes me one lucky duck! 

I plan to review most of these items in the following weeks. Please comment below to let me know if y'all have any special review requests and I will do my best to fulfill it.

Coupon-ing! It will drive you crazy! ULTA recently emailed a Friends and Family 20% off coupon with very limited exclusions to anyone who signed up for the coupon on their website. This coupon was for one-time use and applied to the entire purchase.  I received my very first 20% off (no exclusion, entire purchase) coupon last year in late March. I received it again in October of last year. The F&F coupon was similar in that it could be used on most high-end brands, but some items, like UD Naked 1, 2, and 3 palettes, were excluded. I recently received yet another 20% off (entire purchase, including prestige brands) coupon in my email with different limited exclusions, such as fragrances. I like that ULTA sends out these coupons once in a while, like once every season, not only because I get a discount, but also discipline myself. It is also something to look forward to, like a gift. I am a ULTA platinum rewards member, so I received a free CK One mascara and $10 off anything (including prestige) coupon.

Viva La Juicy by Juicy Couture (3.4 fl. oz. $90) is my signature scent. I hope it never gets discontinued or retired because never have I ever liked a perfume as much as I adore this one. This is the fragrance I imagine I will wear as a bride. I received 20% off on this and paid nothing for it in actual money. Why? I have been saving my reward points for months and finally had enough to cover the price of this perfume. ULTA had a different reward program before the current one and even then I accumulated my points and got this same fragrance. This was my first luxe fragrance. Although I did use it sparingly, my first bottle lasted me quite a few years.
Viva La Juicy is not a musky-mature or a heavily sweet scent. It is a light (but not faint) floral scent with a subtle hint of fruitiness. It reminds me of a garden. I like to describe scents by what I am reminded of. This fragrance is not rosy. It is not herbal (lavender) or too citrusy. It is definitely not sweet like a bakery or fruity candy.

Clarisonic Cashmere Luxe Brush ($30) feels nothing like I had imagined it would. I definitely underestimated it. The first brush I tried was the one for acne-combination skin. The second brush I tried was for pores and it was so rough. I did not use it consistently because it really irritated my skin. It continued the "purging" even after the initial two-week purge that the brand claims will happen when you first use the system or change to a new brush. I never had any reaction to the acne brush though, so I returned the one for pores because I had bought a two-pack. It was expensive and I didn't want to waste my money. I purchased the Cashmere Luxe brush instead. This one is the most expensive. It feels  like the bristles are made from butter! Yes, butter! So far my skin has not become irritated, but it does not feel as squeaky clean as it did with the acne brush. This difference could also be attributed to the fact that I am using a different cleanser now.

Essie Good to Go Top Coat ($10) is much better (out of this world better) than Seche Vite or OPI. I would highly recommend this top-coat. I have been using this one for a couple of years now. I cannot sit still and wait too long for my nails to dry. I always seem to paint my nails on the go and in a rush or while I am doing something else. This allows my polish to dry within seconds, almost immediately.

Carol's Daughter Macadamia Oil Heat-Protectant Serum ($20) is an amazing styling product. I only like to use oils to style my hair. I don't like to use hair sprays, creams, mousse, or gels because those products make my hair feel stiff, tacky, and dry. I want to be able to run my fingers through my hair. This product feels lighter than oil, but conceals my split ends and makes my hair look set-in-place and silky smooth. I get a keratin treatment done once or twice in a year, so I don't fuss much with my hair otherwise. I don't use any heating/styling tools. Lastly, this serum smells like baked, warm, nutty, sweet dessert.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush ($8.99) 


Laura Geller Color Drenched Lip Gloss in Raspberry Roast ($19) 
*New* Too Faced La Creme Lipstick in Pink Chocolate ($22) 
*New* Tarte Amazonian Butter Lipsticks in Tulip and Plummy Rose ($16 each)
Benefit Cosmetics Cheek Powder in Dallas ($28)
Victoria Secret Matte Eyeshadow ($3 / Semi-annual clearance)
*New* Cover Girl Lip Perfection in Delicious ($6.99 / Limited Edition Spring 2014 "Pastelicious"Collection) 


Free! Free! Free! The following items are birthday gifts from ULTA, SEPHORA, and Bare Minerals. This year ULTA is giving out a free CK One mascara during your birthday month. This promotion might be limited to platinum reward members only, but I am not sure. I believe this year SEPHORA is giving out free Make Up For Ever Mascara-Lipstick-Eyeliner birthday gift-set to its VIB members. Bare Minerals sent me an email notification for a free eyeshadow. I am not a fan of mineral shadows, so I am going to save it for my aunt. 


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Thursday, September 5, 2013

Tarte Airblush Maracuja Blush Shimmering Poppy and Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint Fiery (Review and Swatches)

I recently purchased four new products by Tarte: two blushes and two lip colors. I was not planning on trying these products until the Benefit Brow Bar Artist at ULTA suggested I try the Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint in a bright red shade. I refused to try it at first because it looked so bright, but then I could not resist. Obviously, when you wave a bone at a dog, it'll want to play fetch, right? I guess the MUA had a sharp eye because the lip color was surprisingly gorgeous. One of those lip colors that made me squeal out of excitement. 

 When I first began blogging about makeup, I would write about any product that I discovered as I was myself discovering the tricks and treats of the beauty world. However, in the past year, I became more focused on reviewing new products rather than the "oldies, but goodies." Well, today I have one of each to share with you - a new blush and an esteemed lip product. 

Tarte Airblush Maracuja Blush Shimmering Poppy 
Color: An orange-coral shade with subtle golden sheen. Awful pigmentation. The color looks so rich in the pan, but once I applied it on my face it looked like a yellowish orange sheen on my cheeks. This cheek product made me look greasy and dull. Once I applied it I thought to myself, "well what was the point of washing my face?"  
Price: $25.00 
Formula: A whipped creamy jelly-like texture. 
Application: Requires the use of a stippling brush or fingers. 
Longevity: What staying power? 
Overall: I would never ever recommend this product. Do not waste your money on this blush. It looks beautiful, but its functionality is disappointing. If you would not mind a yellowish orange gloss on your cheeks that feels a bit sticky icky like you have jam smeared on your face, then go for it. My face's glow from within was actually wiped out by this product. 







Tarte LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint Fiery
Color: A richly pigmented bright true red! One swipe and your lips look hot like chili peppers! 
Packaging: I don't know what it is about these chubby lip pencil lipsticks that makes them look so adorable. I would much rather have all my lip colors shaped like this jumbo crayon / chubby pencil than boring little rectangular black tubes. 
Price: $24.00
Formula/Application: This lip product and particular shade has a semi-matte creamy texture. This is not a traditional matte lip product. It applies smoothly and stays smooth once applied. It does not tighten, constrict, or dry out your lips. I don't feel the need to wear a lip balm or gloss. However, this does not stand true for some of the other shades in this collection such as Exposed and Hope, which do look matte, exaggerating your lip lines, and requiring a balm or gloss in order to avoid a "feverish zombie" appearance. The crayon-like shape of the bullet allows precise and effortless application. 
Longevity: This lip color does wear off after eating a meal. This shade wears off into a subtle rosy tint on your lips, but this does not have the tough rigid staying power of a traditional matte lip stain. 
Overall: I would highly recommend trying out this product. I have not been pleased with any "jumbo chubby pencil balm stain" sort of product with the exception of this one. I have tried Clinique, Revlon, CoverGirl, Hard Candy, and Jordana, and none of them impressed me. I did not even bother to try Neutrogena or Sally Hansen. I like this product and shade so much I could wear it every single day, but I don't think it is subtle enough for school. I really hope that Tarte releases more shades of this product in the future. 




I am wearing both products in this picture. 


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