LIPSTICK

Tom Ford Lip Color Twist of Fate Review and Swatch

September 29, 2014

This fall Tom Ford has released a breathtaking makeup collection that once again was sold out within days of the launch. I picked up the Lip Color in Twist of Fate which is a lovely warm coral color with its matching Contouring Cheek Color Duo Stroked. I bought the Tom Ford’s fall collection online so I went for the coral theme as I just knew this color would work for my complexion without the need to see them in real life. I haven’t purchased the other set which leans more plum but I will definitely check them out in person once they become available in Australia.

Twist of Fate is a highly saturated and opaque coral color in satin finish. It has a moisturizing and non slippery texture that will hide the age/lines of your lips with a great lasting power up to 5-6 hours. It’s a beautiful and universal flattering color that is suitable to be worn all year around, but it’s not the most unique color and I am sure you will find close dupes of this if you search for it. So why the hype? Because it is by Tom Ford – the ultimate luxury beauty line that we can’t say NO to! I received emails and comments about ordering Tom Ford from Harvey Nichols through a delivery service, and it was interesting to see how many makeup devotees are willing to go that extra mile for owning them. So if you still haven’t actioned and thinking to add a coral lipstick to your collection, this one should not be missed!

Swatch of Twist of Fate – application was done by dabbing the color on using fingers as my preferred method to get a less opaque but more fresh and luminous finish. Bottom Line – Beautiful and lust-worthy! You can still find it at Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom in the US, or Harrods in the UK.

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Labels: LIPSTICK • Tom Ford

Tom Ford 2014 Fall Makeup Collection – My Picks

September 14, 2014

I am so excited to show you my recent purchase of the Tom Ford Fall 2014 Collection! After seeing the Tom Ford 2014 Fall makeup reviews and pictures trickling on the internet , I couldn’t wait until November to buy them in Australia. So as soon as I saw the collection available online including the highly coveted Eye Shadow Quad in Nude Dip, I placed my order through ShopandBox which is a parcel forwarding online service company that helps you to shop anything globally (not just from one country). My experience with them has been wonderful. The entire purchase process was simple and quick – I sent them the links where I wanted to purchase and they pretty much placed the order for me within hours after confirmation. The communication has been extremely prompt and friendly so I highly recommend this company if there is any thing you’d like to source that aren’t available in your country!

I bought all of these at Harvey Nichols through ShopandBox which is the only shop that has Nude Dip online. The Contouring Color Cheek Duo in Stroke and the Lip Color in Twist of Fate can be found at Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus which is currently running a Beauty Event.

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Labels: BLUSH • EYESHADOW • LIPSTICK • SHOP • Tom Ford

Guerlain KissKiss Shaping Cream Lip Colour 325 Rouge Kiss Review and Swatch

August 21, 2014

Currently going through a phase of bright and sheer red lips at the moment, so the newly released Guerlain KissKiss Shaping Cream Lip Colour 325 Rouge Kiss caught my attention immediately as soon as I saw this shade worn on the stunning Natalia Vodianova in their promo picture.

Love the packaging of this new range of lipsticks by Guerlain, which comes in a black lacquered tube (prone to finger prints though..) that looks much more modern and chic than the other KissKiss ranges.

Guerlain lipsticks have always been quite underrated, and this revamped version certainly deserves more attention and love for its superior quality. I have very dry lips at the moment due to the cold weather, and I am very pleased that this lipstick feels very moisturizing and does not enhance any flakes and lines on my lips. It is hydrating and silky smooth with a solid texture (harder than YSL Rouge Volupte but slightly more emollient than the Tom Ford’s sheer lipsticks), so it applies very lightweight rather than feeling like you have a thick layer of lip balm on. The pigmentation is on the rich side for a sheer lipstick – it applies to its true color with a translucent glossy finish in only 2 swipes, and you can always apply more layers to build up the opacity. It lasts for 4-5 hours on me, and it fades into a lip stain after drinking and eating.

325 Rouge Kiss is a warm translucent watermelon red in semi-gloss finish. I love a sophisticated bright red that brightens up my complexion, and the hydrating formula makes my lips appear more plumped and youthful looking.

Lip swatch of 325 Rouge Kiss

Compared to some of my other “sheer” red lipsticks

From Left to Right: Guerlain Rouge Kiss, Tom Ford Firecracker (reviewed here), YSL 12 CORAIL INCANDESCENT (reviewed here), Suqqu KARAKURENAI (reviewed here)

I bought mine here for AUD$41 (FYI Guerlain recently had a price decrease around 20% in Australia), and they are also available at Nordstrom and Saks in the US.

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Labels: GUERLAIN • LIPSTICK

Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer 06 Firecracker and 07 Paradiso Review, Swatches and FOTDs

July 26, 2014

I was very excited to be able to get my hands on these stunning new Tom Ford Lip Color Sheer in 06 FIRECRACKER and 07 PARADISO. This whole new range of lipsticks have just been released in Australia – I bought them on day 1 of the release and they will for sure sell out within days for the popular colors! It retails for $68 in Australia which is a huge splurge for a lipstick, but Tom Ford is the creme de la creme of luxury and they are worth every penny in my opinion.

These lipsticks are absolutely gorgeous in every aspect. I missed out on the first edition of Tom Ford’s lipsticks in the white tubes years ago, so I am very glad that he brought back the design again with even better textures and shades. According to the Tom Ford’s SAs the finish of these are a cross between the original Lip Color and the Lip Color Shine. They are less rich than the Lip Color, but more opaque than the Shine’s which I totally agree. They feel very weightless on the lips, and they don’t enhance any lip lines or dryness. They apply smoothly and don’t slip so the color won’t bleed. I like to apply it from the tube directly (gently because they are very saturated) then using my fingers to pat the color in, so it almost sets like a lip stain with a semi sheen. Alternatively (as suggested by the SA), you can wear it in full intensity and it will sheer out and wear into a lip stain over time. The lasting power is phenomenal as I can still see a sheer wash of color on my lips after 6 to 7 hours!

06 FIRECRACKER is a stunning warm red – the color is like the more subtle version of the Tom Ford’s Lip Color in Wild Ginger. I have been very into bold lips lately and I find that warm red is easier to wear during the day for my complexion.

07 PARADISO is a gorgeous warm pink that would look great on anyone. This was the one that caught my attention first out of the entire range, and it totally lived up to my expectations – Simply perfection!

In my FOTDs today I also wore some of the makeup products that I have just recently reviewed including the YSL CC Cream (reviewed here) and the YSL 5 Colors Couture Palette 04 Saharienne (reviewed here) which I can’t rave enough about .

FOTD with 06 FIRECRACKER

FOTD with 07 PARADISO

Full List of products used:

– YSL CC Cream in Lavender (reviewed here)

– YSL Touche Eclat Foundation (review coming soon)

– YSL 5 Colors Couture Palette 04 Saharienne

– Chanel Cream Blush Intonation

– Shu Uemura Eye Brow Pencil 02 Seal Brown

I bought mine at DJ and they are still available online (link here)! Harrods also still have some limited colors left for UK purchases.

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Labels: LIPSTICK • Tom Ford • YSL

Chanel Notes De Printemps – Rouge Allure Fougueuse and Rouge Coco Triomphe Review and Swatches

January 2, 2014

Chanel Rouge Allure 138 Fougueuse and Rouge Coco 60 Triomphe are my picks for the lipsticks from the Chanel Notes De Printemps Spring Collection. I always gravitate towards fresh and pretty lip colors that goes well with my everyday makeup so naturally I picked up these two stunners.

In general, Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Lip Color has a semi-opaque finish with a satin sheen. The texture is moderately hydrating, silky smooth and not as slippery as those super “buttery lipsticks”, so they are easier to apply if you are on the go (without a mirror) and it has decent staying power. It doesn’t feel moisturizing enough on the lips compared to the ones with an emollient texture. However, rest assured that it won’t enhance any dry lines and flakes on the lips.

Rouge Coco 60 Triomphe is a beautiful pink with coral undertone. As it is semi-opaque I applied several coats to show the true color in the swatch below.

In general, Rouge Allure Luminous Intense Lip Color is more opaque than Rouge Coco, and the color is also more intense and brighter. It also has a very smooth and rich texture with a satin sheen. It has amazing lasting power with up to 5-6 hours of wear, and the trade-off is that it feels slightly dry on the lips after wearing it for a while (as with most long lasting lipsticks).

Rouge Allure 138 Fougueuse is a cool bright pink with blue undertone – a great color to complement any pink blushes in spring!

Comparison Swatches:

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Labels: CHANEL • LIPSTICK

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks Review and Swatches

July 29, 2013

A very belated review for the YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks! I had them as soon as they were released but I have this odd habit of keeping beautifully packaged lipsticks in brand new condition for as long as I can..so the long delay. Anyhow I finally decided to use them and they are totally living up to my expectations. I picked up the shades 06 PINK IN DEVOTION, 12 CORAIL INCANDESCENT; 13 PINK IN PARIS, and 16 ORANGE IMPERTINENT which are all permanent to the YSL makeup line, so if you like any of them it’s never too late to pick up a few more!

The packaging of ‘Rouge Volupte Shine’ are identical to the classic ‘Rouge Volupte’ Lipsticks – they are elegant and glamourous. YSL have had this packaging for a while and I am still very smitten by the look of them to date. The texture is a great improvement compared to the original in my opinion. They still have this melting buttery and smooth texture, but with a much more hydrating formula so they don’t make my lips appear as dry as with the original Rouge Volupte. The pigmentation is fairy rich for a sheer lipstick – one to two swipes are enough to cover my original lip color, with a translucent finish. The sheer lipsticks have been a great hit these days, because they add a subtle watery shine to the lips without looking too ‘greasy’ which I absolutely adore. Compared with the Chanel Rouge Coco Shine, I agree with many reviewers that they are very similar in terms of texture and finish. However the YSL RVS have a longer lasting power and the colors are more pigmented.

06 PINK IN DEVOTION is a a bright hibiscus pink. Swatches with 2 swipes and it doesn’t show up as bright as it looks from the tube. The pink leans slightly cool that would look very flattering on people with a cool complexion.

12 CORAIL INCANDESCENT is a bright coral pink with a hint of watermelon red undertone. It is a universal flattering pink shade that helps to instantly brighten up your complexion.

13 PINK IN PARIS is a muted rose pink. It is warmer than 06 Pink in Devotion so it would be an easier pink to pull off if you are after a true pink on the lips.
16 ORANGE IMPERTINENT is not as orange as the name suggests. It is actually a coral pink that is quite similar to 12 CORAIL INCANDESCENT, and it shows up more of a peachy pink coral that is less red than 12. I had a hard time choosing between them so I brought back both shades in the end!Group Swatches:

A compilation of lip swatches for you to compare:

Bottom Line: YLS Rouge Volupte Shine Lipsticks are totally worth the splurge. They have a wide range of wearable to dramatic colors to choose from and the quality is top notch for a high end sheer lipstick. They retail for $34 in the US and are available here or here. You can also get them from Harrods with international shipping and VAT Tax deduction available.

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Labels: LIPSTICK • YSL

Suqqu Lipsticks Reviews and Swatches – Creamy Glow and Creamy Glow Moist

May 1, 2013

Long time readers would know that Suqqu Creamy Glow are my holy grail lipsticks. Knowing that they will be discontinued soon and replaced by a new range, I went into panic mode and ordered some more shades to complete my collection. I currently own shades 01, 10, 18, and my newest additions include 03 TSUYAZAKURA, 05 SUZUMECHA, and 11 SHAREGAKI. Picking a lip color from Suqqu is a no-brainer, as it’s such a classic beauty brand with mainly a neutral color palette designed for everyday wear. In addition to the Creamy Glow, I have also bought a lipstick from the Creamy Glow Moist range which is their newer release. Unfortunately I don’t find the texture and finish as amazing as the original creamy glow, so I am very glad with my purchase of these backups just in case the coming range doesn’t live up to my expectations!

To recap, the Suqqu Creamy Glow lipsticks have the most amazing texture. They are very rich in pigment, yet retain some translucency when applied so it makes your lips appear so moist and youthful. The texture is buttery soft and glides on like weightless silk, and it has enough slip so the product won’t get caught between the dry lines or skin. It also doesn’t bleed with a superb lasting power. There is not a single flaw I can pick! Click here and here for the full reviews and swatches of 01, 10 and 18.

However, the Suqqu Creamy Glow Moist is not as fantastic. The texture is noticeably thicker and more balmy so it feels quite heavy on the lips (like some balmy lip balms). It is slightly more sheer (which doesn’t bother me) but I don’t find the formula is as moisturizing.

Reviews and Swatches of Creamy glow 03 TSUYAZAKURA, 05 SUZUMECHA, 11 SHAREGAKI and Creamy Glow Moist 01 HARUOTO

Suqqu Creamy Glow 03 TSUYAZAKURA – a beautiful neutral pink. Compared to 01 SAEBANA, it is slightly rosier, and has a warmer pink tone so it is more suitable for a wider range of skintone.

Suqqu Creamy Glow 05 SUZUMECHA – a beigey peachy pink which makes a perfect fool-proof “your lips but better” shade.

Suqqu Creamy Glow 11 SHAREGAKI – similar to 05 SUZUMECHA but peachier, and is also similar to 10 URUMISHU but more subtle and less tangerine.

Suqqu Creamy Glow Moist 01 HARUOTO – similar to 05 SUZUMECHA but more nude and beige. As you can see in the swatch, the finish of this has a lesser sheen to it.

Group swatches of all my Suqqu!

I have also compiled all the swatches (except 18 KARAKURENAI) into one picture so it is easier for you to compare the differences in the undertone.

Bottom Line: You gotta get your hands on the Suqqu Creamy Glow lipsticks before they are gone!

Suqqu can be found here with international shipping and VAT deductions available at checkout.

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Labels: LIPSTICK • SUQQU

Gradient Lips Tutorial with Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet 42 L’eclatane Spring 2013

March 20, 2013

I’ve been really liking this lip look lately – application is relatively more complex than just smearing a layer of lip color on, but the end result is simply effortless sexy with a touch of innocence. If you think the look of perfectly defined lips is too serious and grown-up, then this tutorial might help you to achieve a baby-like sexy pout which has been dominating in the Japanese and Korean beauty magazines.

The main product featured in this post is the Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet 42 L’eclatante from the Spring 2013 Collection. I actually have purchased quite a lot of products from this collection and loving them all! Since there have already been tons of reviews available on the internet, I thought I’ll share my takes on how I wear them in my tutorial/fotd posts. The color of this lipstick is absolutely to-die for – you know you are wearing a beautiful lip color when there are girls on the street stopping you and asking for the shade number! It can look quite bright if applied directly from the tubes, and I normally like to apply it with either my fingers or a lip brush to tone down the color, and finish with some lip balm/gloss otherwise it can make my lips look flakey and dry.

Tutorial with Chanel Allure Velvet L’eclatante

1. Prep the lips with exfoliation first as it helps to remove the dead skin, moisturize, and improve blood circulation to make the lips appear more plumped.

2. Conceal the lip lines using a concealer – the key is to completely blur out the lip lines.

3. Use a very pale pink lip pencil (or a lipstick), go over the lip lines that was concealed in the previous step, all the way towards the middle of the lips.

4. Use a bright pink lipstick (about 3-4 shades brighter than the lip pencil), apply the color from the centre of lips outward but do not go over the lip lines. The key is to use your finger or a lip brush to blend out the harsh edge for a gradient effect.