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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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 Pink, Rose Brown, Sunset Orange, and Harlow Red (top to bottom) 

Dusty Pink, Rose Brown, Sunset 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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L'OREAL GLOSSY BALM Lip Crayons: Innocent Coral, Lovely Mocha, and Vintage Rose

Hey y'all! Today, I am sharing my review of the new L'Oreal Glossy Balms.  I first heard about this product through the Nouveau Cheap blog. 

Sidebar! I think most people, especially those of us who are actively engaged in social media and beauty blogging or v-logging, are familiar with blogs like Temptalia, Nouveau Cheap, and Musings of a Muse.  These three beauty blogs are the best source, in my opinion, for learning about new and upcoming makeup, skincare, and other beauty products. I became familiar with these blogs while in law school.  Often my study breaks involved a visit to these websites.  I found it quite refreshing to read a blog post in between reading cases.  Eventually, I was motivated by these blogs to create my own blog and hopefully I can also become a valued source of product reviews and pictures.  

After reading a brief post - mainly a preview - on Nouveau Cheap, I decided that I would not to try out any of the L'Oreal Glossy Balms because the shades did not seem unique or inviting.  A few days later, I visited Target to purchase protein bars.  The protein bars that I like are not found in the grocery/breakfast foods isle, but in the pharmacy department.  Well, the beauty and pharmacy department are almost always in the same vicinity in Target. So, I could not really resist taking a glance through the beauty isle, which is when I found the L'Oreal Glossy Balms.  During this trip, I purchased the shades Innocent Coral and Lovely Mocha.  Afterwards, I purchased three more shades - Vintage Rose, Baby Berry, and Pink Me Up. I was also tempted to purchase Petite Plum, but decided to get it at a later time.  Let me begin by saying that I absolutely loved Innocent Coral and Lovely Mocha and extremely disliked the Baby Berry and Pink Me Up.  Thus, I decided not to bother talking about the latter two shades.  If you have a similar skin-tone to mine (reference: MAC NC35 or Revlon True Beige), I would not recommend Baby Berry at all, while Pink Me Up might suit you as per your personal taste. Another point I would like to note is that Vintage Rose and Lovely Mocha are similar enough that both are not needed. Of the two, I would recommend Lovely Mocha because Vintage Rose is more sheer and has very subtle shimmer, while Lovely Mocha is creamy and opaque.  

All in all, I am quite fond of Innocent Coral and Lovely Mocha and recommend them to you.  Both shades are beautiful and suit my skin-tone.  Also, I categorize these shades as work-appropaite without looking boring, like the ever-popular muted rosy brown lip color. These days I am working as a judicial extern, so I obviously, yet sadly, do not feel comfortable wearing bright or bold lip colors.  This week I wore a muted orange manicure and felt overly conscious and awkward. Vagabond status! I felt more comfortable once I observed a law clerk and another extern wearing gorgeous statement necklaces that added a pop of color to their dress-suits.  

So, what all features of the L'Oreal Glossy Balms do I like? L'Oreal Glossy Balms offer excellent pigmentation and medium coverage, which can become full coverage in a couple additional swipes. In my experience, sometimes lip products that are nicely pigmented, fall short in regards to formula, and vise versa.  The lip crayon do not compromise on the formula/texture.  In this case,"balm" was appropriately used as part of the product's name.  I found this product to be non-drying, lightweight, smooth, but not overly emollient, and decently moisturizing* (*not a lip treatment balm though). Lastly, this may only be my experience, but I felt that once these Glossy Balms wore off, my lips were subtly stained or looked slightly deeper than their natural pigmentation. (emphasis added).  The staying power is neither weak, no exceptional.  I am constantly drinking water and consume coffee twice a day, so my lip products tend to transfer onto the cup or bottle and gradually fade off in about three hours on average. 

Although I like both Innocent Coral and Lovely Mocha, the former is my favorite of the two.  Innocent Coral is a medium pink, while Lovely Mocha is a rich light mauve, with cool purple-blue base.  Innocent Coral appears to have a red base on my arm, but on the lips it looks neutral to blue-toned.  Lovely Mocha also looks like it has neutral undertones, but at times it looks cool-toned on the lips. Vintage Rose is basically identical to the natural pigmentation of my lips.  I would describe it as a muted pink with a subtle rosy brown base. 

Innocent Coral, Lovely Mocha, Vintage Rose (top --> bottom)

Innocent Coral, Lovely Mocha, Vintage Rose (left --> right)

Innocent Coral, Lovely Mocha, Vintage Rose (bottom --> top)

Innocent Coral, Lovely Mocha, Vintage Rose (top --> bottom) 

Wearing Lovely Mocha... 

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

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NYX Butter Glosses: Red Velvet, Cherry Pie, Praline, Angel Food Cake, and Madeleine

Hey y'all! Happy Sunday, everyone.  If you have not yet heard about the butter glosses, then you must be living under a rock.  Well, I suppose same applies to me because I did not try these myself until this past March.  NYX Butter Gloss is a well-liked product. Since the end of last year, I have become quite adventurous with makeup and experimented with different brands and a broader range of colors.    After reading and hearing positive reviews of NYX products, I decided to purchase a few of the NYX Butter Glosses when NYX released a few new shades.  The original line of NYX Butter Glosses were released a couple of years ago and recently they released more shades, which offer richer pigmentation than the original ones.  All of the shades mentioned below, except for Cherry Pie, are newly released shades.  NYX Butter Glosses are affordably priced at about $4.99 and can cost even less if you purchase them during a sale.  NYX cosmetics are sold online on the company's website and at all ULTA stores. Some CVS and Target stores are now also carrying this brand.  

Dessert, anyone? Dessert names are obviously a marketing scheme of some sort. Praline, Angel Food Cake, Madeleine, Cherry Pie, and Red Velvet (left to right) 

Red Velvet, Cherry Pie, Praline, Angel Food Cake, and Madeleine (top to bottom) 

Red Velvet, Cherry Pie, Praline, Angel Food Cake, and Madeleine (top to bottom) 

So, now that I have tried out the NYX Butter Glosses myself, do I agree with the other beauty bloggers? Are NYX Butter Glosses worth the hype? Yes! 

The NYX Butter Glosses exude the aroma of a bakery - fresh out of the oven vanilla cupcakes. The pigmentation varies from shade to shade, but overall is excellent.  One of the reasons I dislike glosses and prefer glossy lipsticks or liquid lipsticks is because generally glosses do not provide rich pigmentation. NYX Butter Glosses are an exception as demonstrated by the picture above.  It is very disappointing when brands release a massive collection of glosses in 20 different shades, but once you apply the shades, there is weak to absolutely no color pay off.  Lastly, I like the formula and texture of this product. This gloss is unlike most glosses that I have tried.  It does not feel sticky, tacky, or heavy. It pairs well with a lipstick worn underneath and does not drag the base color away.  Again, it is pigmented enough that it does not have to be paired with a lipstick underneath.  The staying power is obviously mediocre, but not poor, because this is not a sticky gloss.  This gloss feels luxurious, lightweight, smooth, but not slippery, and does not dry (or "exfoliate") your lips as some sticky glosses tend to do.  Although I love red, orange, and other bright shades, at heart I am most drawn to neutral shades, so Praline, Angel Food Cake, and Madeleine are my favorite shades.  

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

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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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