Favorite Lipsticks for Cooler Weather

I've been planning on making this post for awhile but was struggling to narrow down my choices since many of them were fairly similar. Then I figured, why narrow it at all? Some of these colors may be easier to find than others, or the finish is different enough to make it worth it. In general, my favorite formulas are the Revlon Super Lustrous (all the ones I chose from that line are the creme finish, not frost or matte) and MAC.

For swatches - both lip and arm - and a list of all the names, keep reading! It's photo heavy!

Face of the Day - 24. April

Face:

Rimmel Fix & Perfect Pro

Revlon New Complexion foundation

Urban Decay 24/7 concealer

Milani Minerals Compact Makeup

Milani Blush - Mai Tai

Eyes:

NYX HD Primer

MAC Lucky Green

Sleek Original Palette (blue only)

Wet n Wild Creme Brulee

L'Oreal Lineur Intense - Carbon Black

L'Oreal Voluminous False Lashes

Lips:

Covergirl Lip Perfection - Heavenly

I'm including a photo of the same look but with my glasses on. This is how I'll actually be wearing it - I wear these glasses 90% of the time, which is why I'm not too concerned that my eyeshadow isn't always particularly visible when my eyes are open and I'm smiling. It wouldn't be visible anyway with these frames. I prefer the way I look with glasses, I just don't do FOTD photos with them on since you wouldn't be able to see the look then!

Recent Hauls (with swatches!) - NYX, Wet n Wild, Urban Decay, Coach

Cream eyeshadows in Purple and Pinky Beige, Matte lipstick in Hippie Chic

Coach Poppy rollerball, Shine Killer primer, stay matte but not flat powder

Urban Decay 24/7 concealer

Wet n Wild lipsticks

Venturing Into High-End Cosmetics

For several reasons - including wanting to limit the growth of my collection and simple curiosity - I've decided to start experimenting more with buying high-end beauty products. Because these products are more expensive, I put more time and effort into making sure they are a product I want and will actually use. If possible, I sample products for awhile before finally buying them. Since so much more planning will go into these purchases, I think I'll spend about the same -if not even less- than when I go to the drugstore and pick up a bunch of random products pretty frequently.

That said, today I went to get some samples from Sephora of products I've been wondering about, as well as see some colors in person. I got these samples to try: (if any of you have any tips on how to best use these, I'd love to hear!)

I also tried the MUFE lipstick #37 and I loved it - the color, texture, and staying power all seemed really good. It - as well as NARS Pure Matte lipstick in Carthage and MUFE Smokey Lash mascara - are on my list of products to probably purchase eventually. 

I also stopped in the MAC store on this mall visit. I decided it was finally time to get the eyeshadow in Lucky Green that I think I've been lusting after for at least a year by now, and there were a couple lipsticks I wanted to see in person. I ended up getting the eyeshadow and the lipstick in Rebel. I am really excited for both of these and am very pleased with my purchases. 

In case you're curious, I swatched the lipstick straight from the tube and the eyeshadow with just my finger without any primer. 

Mini CVS haul, review, and face of the day

Revlon Colorstay Eyeshadow Quad - Inspired
Covergirl Lip Perfection Lipstick - Spellbound, Eternal

Face of the Day using the Revlon quad over Palladio primer and the Covergirl lipstick in Spellbound. (among other products, but those are the new ones)

I love the lipsticks - I have two others that I've had for quite awhile so I knew I liked the formula, and these colors are so pretty! The eyeshadow quad is so disappointing, though. The colors look so lovely and vibrant in the pan but just barely come off. You can't even tell I used the green at all, and the blue is after trying to pack on several layers. I should have known better considering how poorly pigmented the Revlon quads in the older packaging were, but I hoped the formula would be different as well as the packaging and color choices.

This haul was extremely affordable! Covergirl products were buy one get one 50% off and I had a $2.50 off two Covergirl products coupon from the newspaper. Beyond that, when I scanned my card at the machine, I had $5 extrabucks from the Beauty Club, $4.50 in extrabucks from something else, and a $5 off of $25 coupon that I'd put on my card from the website. After all that, I paid less than $3!

Even though the quad was essentially free, I'm still going to return it and get something else instead. Why keep something around that I'm not going to get any use out of? I'd rather try some other new products instead.

October: Haul and Swatches

ELF glitter eye Beauty Book from Target

Wet n Wild I <3 Matte palette from Walgreens

Milk of Magnesia (to use as a primer) - I am really loving this!
L'Oreal go 360 cleanser for sensitive skin - I don't have sensitive skin but I love this because I can put it over my eyes and it doesn't burn at all, which makes it easier to get all the makeup off.
Bottom left photo: Wet n Wild blushes in Pearlescent Pink and Heather Silk.
Middle set (from CVS) L-R: Milani Infinite liner, Miliani Liquif'eye liner, (accidentally switched the order of the eyeliner swatches but the lipsticks are in the right order) Milani HD Advanced Lip Color in Vivacious Fuchsia, Wet n Wild lipstick in 908C
The lipstick on the right is Rimmel Lasting Finish in In Vogue - LOVE this color! I found this at Walgreens.

If you have any questions on my thoughts on any of these products, let me know! I'd love to know what you think about any of them too.

Hot Pink Lipsticks! Updated Version

Since I still LOVE hot pink lips, I've gotten quite a few more since the last time I did a post of hot pink lipsticks! Remember, the photos are much larger if you click them! If you have any questions on any of them, let me know!

L-R: Wet n Wild 908C, Wet n Wild 552A, Milani Lip Flash - Photo Flash, Milani HD Advanced Lip Color - Vivacious Fuchsia, Wet n Wild 905D, Rimmel Lasting Finish - In Vogue, NYX - Louisiana, Covergirl Lip Perfection - Temptress, NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream - Addis Ababa, Milani Rose Hip, MAC Candy Yum Yum, Wet n Wild 511B, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick - Stormy Pink

 908C


552A

Photo Flash


Vivacious Fuchsia

905D

In Vogue

Louisiana

Temptress


Addis Ababa


Rose Hip

Candy Yum Yum


511B


Stormy Pink



Stormy Pink can hardly be called hot pink but it looks very bright in the tube. I picked up because I assumed it would be bright, since it isn't at all what it looks like I thought I'd include it as a warning! (Or if you want a toned down version)

Face of the Day - October 13

Face:
MAC Matchmaster foundation
Rimmel Match Perfection concealer
Revlon Colorstay pressed powder
Jordana blush - Coral Sandy Beach
Physician's Formula Happy Booster translucent powder

Eyes:
Palladio primer
LA Colors trio - Sand Dune
Milani Liquif'eye eyeliner - black
Maybelline The Colossal mascara

Lips:
Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick - Kiss Me Coral
Revlon Colorstay Mineral Lipglaze - Coral

Rimmel Collection and Swatches

Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliners in Pure White, Denim Blue, and Stormy Grey
Sexy Curves waterproof mascara

Vinyl Shine lipgloss (the name wore off! Sorry!)
Moisture Renew lipstick in Rosette
Lasting Finish lipstick in Airy Fairy

NYX Collection and Swatches

My NYX collection &amp; swatches.

Eyeshadow swatches are done first alone and then over NYX white eyeshadow base.

Lip products are swatched alone.

I have already done a separate post swatching all my jumbo eye pencils, which can be found here: http://vibrantbrush.blogspot.com/2011/04/nyx-jumbo-eyeshadow-pencil-swatcheswit.html

Single Eyeshadows: Top row - Cherry, Yellow Funk.
Bottom row - Black, Lime Green.

Jumbo lip pencil in Soft Fuchsia, Megashine gloss in La-La.

Lipliner pencils in Hot Red, Rose, and Pinky

Lipsticks in Louisiana, Tea Rose, and Femme.

Eyeshadow base in White, Concealer in a Jar in Fair,
Automatic brow pencil in Dark Brown, Eyeliner pencil in Acid Green

Wet n Wild Collection & Swatches

In addition to the items pictured below, I also have a clear lipgloss in a tube, but since it's clear I didn't see a point in photographing it. I appreciate any feedback about how this post is set up and suggestions for when I do other brands in the future!
NOTE: you can click on any of the images to view them larger.

Lipsticks are swatched straight from the tube.

Lipsticks

Eyeshadows are swatched first alone and then over the NYX eyeshadow base in White.

Eye Bruise Easily

Cool as a Cucumber

Spoiled Brat

Vanity

Lust

Blue had me at Hello

Comfort Zone

Look of the Day: Fuchsia

Products Used:

Face:

Palladio Primer

L’Oreal True Match compact – C1

NYX Concealer in a jar – Fair

L’Oreal True Match powder – C1

ELF Studio blush – Pink Passion

Physician’s Formula Happy Booster powder – Translucent

Eyes:

Palladio primer

Beauty Rush chubby eye stick – Lilacquer

Almay Trio for Browns (middle color – lid, top color – brow & inner corner highlights)

L’Oreal HIP duo – Reckless (bright fuchsia)

Sonia Kashuk gel liner – black

L’Oreal Telescopic mascara – carbon black (top & bottom)

L’Oreal Voluminous mascara – carbon black (top only)

Lips:

Wet n Wild lipstick – 511B

Look of the Day: Pink & Purple

Products Used:

Face:

Palladio primer

L’Oreal True Match liquid – C1

NYX concealer in a jar – Fair

L’Oreal True Match powder

Eyes:

Palladio primer

NYX jumbo eye pencil – purple

88 palette – matte lavender, matte dark purple, matte nude

Revlon Colorstay liquid liner – black

Maybelline The Colossal mascara – glam black

Lips:

MAC lipstick – Candy Yum Yum

Wet n Wild Comfort Zone Palette: Right Side

 Face products:
Palladio primer
L'Oreal True Match liquid in C1
NYX concealer in a jar in Fair
Milani blush in Mai Tai

Eye products:

Palladio eye primer

Wet n Wild Comfort Zone palette - 4 shadows on the right side (used for the purpose stamped in the shadow)

L'Oreal Voluminous mascara in Carbon Black

 Lip products:
NYX lipstick - Tea Rose
Jordana lipgloss - Darling

Wet n Wild Comfort Zone Palette: Left Side

Besides primer and mascara, this eye look is entirely from the four shadows on the left side of the Wet n Wild Comfort Zone palette. I used them for the purpose that is stamped into each shadow, with the one labeled "Definer" as liner. 

I used Palladio herbal eyeshadow primer and Maybelline The Colossal mascara in Glam Black.

I picked up the NYX Jumbo lip pencil in Soft Fuchsia on clearance at Urban Outfitters for $1.99 this week as well. I thought I would try it with this neutral look, but I just don't think it flatters my skin. I'll try using it with other products or looks because the product itself is really nice - it goes on so easily, very opaque, and feels really soft and moisturizing on the lips.

Bright Pink Lipsticks: Drugstore Comparison with MAC Candy Yum Yum

Today when I stopped in CVS I spotted several lipsticks that were very bright pink in the tube and was wondering how they compared with MAC's Candy Yum Yum (one of my favorites!)

L-R: MAC Candy Yum Yum, Milani Rose Hip, Revlon Super Lustrous Matte - 011 Stormy Pink,  Wet n Wild 511B

Same order as the tubes. Top picture is with flash, bottom is without.
As you can probably tell, none of these are actually dupes for Candy Yum Yum, but the Milani and the Wet n Wild aren't too far off in color. They're both a creme finish whereas the MAC and Revlon are matte. The Revlon is definitely the most disappointing. It was the most expensive of the three I picked up today, and it looked gorgeous in the tube, but it just applies so sheerly! It still has a really nice texture and it is a pretty color, so it would probably be perfect for those who like the idea behind Candy Yum Yum but aren't comfortable wearing really bright lipsticks.
The Wet n Wild is also pretty sheer, but it's also still bright. I was really surprised at how nicely pigmented it was, considering the price.
Of the three, Milani Rose Hip is definitely my favorite. It has a really nice texture and it lasts really well, especially for such an affordable product. The only downside to it, for me, is the smell! It's really strong and I can still smell it once it's on my lips. I can't put my finger on the smell, but it's either fruity or sweet..either way, I am not a fan! I can probably get over it, though, since otherwise the product is great.

Milani Rose Hip