Giorgio Armani Gloss d'Armani in 401.

So yesterday I got to meet the awesomeness that is PinkSith. Can I just say since she met me with no makeup on...that she didn't implode !?!?! It's a sigh of relief that I'm not that scary looking in person (with no makeup). Ok maybe I am, but I can live in denial LOL.

We went shopping and dropped into Neiman Marcus. I was on a mission to buy the Armani Eyes to Kill Intense eyeshadows, but then...we saw...what it was...what I had been waiting for for MANY MONTHS...

GLOSS D'ARMANI. I stopped dead in my tracks and stared, and then swatched like a maniac. I was like a 5 year old in a candy store. I couldn't decide which ones I wanted to get.

their lip shimmers are discontinued and are replaced with the Gloss d'Armani. They're supposed to be long-lasting gloss. If you all didn't know already, I'm like a moth to a flame with the darker/red colors, as is PinkSith. So of course it should be no surprise that we both got 401.

What I am a bit peeved about: the numbering of these glosses doesn't match the corresponding lipsticks. 401 Rouge d'Armani is an orange red, versus the Gloss d'Armani is a cool red. ok maybe it's just because I'm OCD. 

Packaging: Armani changed the design so it would be more consistent with their Rouge d'Armani. The packaging is in a clear tube, with the oval cap that resembles the Rouge d'Armani lipsticks. The applicator is definitely different. It's a long doe foot that's slightly slanted. You will see in the photo below. 

Texture and formula: Ok so this is where it gets interesting. The formula/texture is very...hmmm..odd at first. I want to say they're gel like, but not a typical gel formula. Like it's not a formula where you can rub your lips together really easily. The formula definitely isn't sticky either. You can feel that there's some binding aspect to it, but not the gloss adhering to your lips where it's drying your lips out. It's really an interesting, yet curious formula. As I did 2 test runs last night to see how long lasting it is, I realized why the formula is designed the way it is: it's transfer resistant. I was like "HOLY MOLY". I was concerned that with this formula that I would get the deathly white ring on my lips over time since the formula is a bit odd, but no, totally wears off really nicely.

Maybe someone can give a better description of the formula itself, because it's not what I was expecting at all. I like it a lot because it's long lasting and it doesn't dry your lips out either. It feels really cool. :D 401 is like a hair away from being a full on opaque gloss. Keep in mind some of the Armani glosses are more sheer than others (like 403, which I will review probably tomorrow).

Lasting power: So I did two separate test runs with 401 last night since I was out and about. The lasting power on average was about almost 4 hours with some visible fading, but you can still tell there was some gloss on. Usually with gloss it lasts about 2 hours and it's completely gone on me. 

Size and price: they are a smidgen bigger (6.5 mL versus the lip shimmer 6.0 mL) for $28

Photo time :D

Left is GA lip shimmer #7, on the right it's Gloss d'Armani in 401

 The Applicator.

Left to right:

Gloss d'Armani in 401.
Lip Shimmer #7

Le Metier de Beaute Petit Poudrier Imperial Gardens Palette: Gift with Purchase

In three days, you can pre-order your Bergdorf Goodman makeup goodies for their Gift Card Event. 

It's from April 6th-10th

Spend $150 and get a $25 Gift Card
Spend $500 and get a $100 Gift Card
Spend $1000+ and get a $250 Gift Card

There are some Gift with Purchases (GWPs) being offered from different lines, but I'll be discussing Le Metier de Beaute's GWP :D ! I got the Le Metier de Beaute GWP as a gift (free) for the sole purpose to give my review and to show you the colors. From the mailer I got you have to spend $125 at Le Metier de Beaute to be entitled for the GWP, but to get the Gift Card, you have to spend $150. 

The palette is Imperial Gardens--it's a beautiful lip and cheek palette. It's about the size of a business card. It contains 4 lip colors, and a blush color. It's a beautiful palette. The texture of the lip colors are like the lip kaleidoscope palettes.

To those of you who know me, I'm anti lip palettes...why you ask? Because it can get messy over time. The bigger the lip palette is, the messier it looks and it's so off putting. Luckily for me, this palette isn't overly big so even if it does get messy (I'm a klutz), it's pretty easy to clean. 

Colors -- Clockwise from top left:  There's a purple with a tinge of brown lip color with golden sparkles, which I personally like by itself, but it can be mixed with other colors. Then there's this gorgeous shimmery red that has some pink to it, with pretty golden sparkles. Definitely my favorite lip color out of the bunch.  Then you have this creamy peachy pink with very subtle shimmer that barely shows up, it has pink and almost a red sparkle to it, definitely unique. Then the last color is this light brown-champagne shade, with multi-dimensional sparkles. 

As for the blush color. This is the definite winner. The GWP is honestly worth it just for the blush. It's so beautiful and I have yet to see a color like this in cream form. It's like a dusty pink-mauve color. I'm seriously INFATUATED. I'm dead serious...Seriously, really, infatuated. I think you can use the blush as a lip color too, but I haven't tried it on my lips. Just stating a potential option. :)

Dear Le Metier de Beaute: Please make this cream blush a permanent color in your collection. I seriously hope you're reading this and taking it into consideration.

I will apologize upfront because I have serious limited arm movement, therefore difficulty to swatch the colors evenly. I will say the light brown champagne shade was hard to apply since it was the last color for me to swatch. Plus I didn't have the best applicator on me. I do hope you guys get the idea of how awesome it is.

Onto the pictures and swatches:

Left to Right:

The cream blush

Then the four lip colors from top left, clockwise.

*To note, the purple color looks more brown in photos than in person.

Is it worth getting?: For a Gift with Purchase, I think it's very versatile and just straight up beautiful. The cream blush...wow, just WOW.

To make your Le Metier de Beaute order, here's their phone number: 212-872-8612

Hourglass Aura lip stains +

So today I went to Sephora to kill some time. I was on a special mission to test out Hourglass Aura lip stains...and so I did. I haven't had the best experience with Hourglass cosmetics in general...reason being their lipsticks slide and slightly bleed. A little odd, I know...but I'm saying that's my personal experience with them. I know there are people who like them, so I say give them a shot if you'd like. I was willing to see what else Hourglass offers since someone asked me about the lip stains.


Packaging: They are in a click type pen form, and the applicator is a sponge. At first I crinkled my nose because it's similar in design to Ellis Faas blushes. I will say I am impressed with this particular sponge because it's a bit flexible. It's not a stiff sponge and applying the lip stain is really easy and there's a no fuss application.

Formula: I didn't try these on my lips since they're Sephora testers, but this stuff doesn't budge AT ALL. They don't feel drying on my arm, and the finish is so pretty. I'm quite impressed with these since most lip stains tend to be a gel like texture, whereas this is not. It's not runny, but it's not creamy either. Definitely a unique formula to say the least.

Price: $26

From left to right:

Scarlet
Flush
Petal


Are these worth having? For me the winner out of the three is definitely Flush. It's a nice pinky red where it's wearable for a lot of people. I also like petal too in terms of the color, but I don't feel like it's the best color on your lips because of the shimmer factor.  Scarlet is nice, if it's a color that you would see yourself wearing often. I like purples, but I only wear them once in a blue moon.

Rouge Bunny Rouge Word of Mouth Lipstick +

Rouge Bunny Rouge is a relatively new makeup line based from Russia. I've heard of this line through the grapevine of the makeup community. What makes me sad is that it's not sold in the United States, but it is sold on Zuneta. Anyway, a little bit about the brand:

What makes the website in of itself stand out is the very visual and beautiful layout. Another aspect are their intense descriptions of the products, as seen on their lipstick page seen here:

The fiercely beautiful royal dragonflies from the Enchanted Garden inspired us to concoct this glorious beam of a lipstick for you.

Their buzzing intensity has been poured into the most vividly delectable hues imaginable, to make your lips appear instantly fuller, and bewitchingly luminous.

Ok, sounds a little over the top (to me), but at least the theme is original, unlike most products that are based off of something sexual, like say NARS blushes. It sounds pretty and glamourous, but does it really live up to their descriptions? For Word of Mouth lipstick, yes, it does. 

Packaging: It comes in a sleek black tube, with a flowery/garden like design on the bottom of the tube. I do wish that it had a magnetic enclosure, but it's a small con. My main concern is the cap falling off in my bag, but the lid doesn't easily slide off either. The tube is sturdy, which I like.

Texture: Can I just take a few moments to discuss this? It's what I've dreamed in terms of what my dream lipbalm and lipstick in one would feel like on my lips. It's definitely a full coverage lipstick, but the balm feeling is amazing. It's really a unique formula in of itself. It has been a long time since I've been really blown away with such a texture.

Longevity: It's not as long-lasting as my Giorgio Armani Rouge d'Armani lipstick, but you do get a few hours with it. The best part is due to the brilliant texture, it wears off to a beautiful balmy stain. When it does wear off, the balm feeling remains and your lips feel so moisturized and hydrated. 

The color itself, well let's see some photos:

 

The box that it comes in.

 From left to right:

Rouge Bunny Rouge Word of Mouth 

Rouge Bunny Rouge Raw Silence

The closest color that I have in my makeup vault is probably Shu Uemura.

from left to right:

Word of Mouth

Shu Uemura RD 175.

Is it worth getting: Yes !! Word of Mouth is such a soft shade that even fair ladies would feel comfortable wearing it. I know this color will be a staple in my makeup bag with my pretty Rouge d'Armani lipsticks. I'll be buying more Rouge Bunny Rouge when I return from vacation. :)

Le Metier de Beaute Lip Cremes +

As you can see, I photographed a lot of the Le Metier de Beaute counter here and over here. I had the hardest time taking photos of the lipcremes due to the flash (the reflectiveness of the tubes). When I took the pictures without flash, the colors were not accurate, due to the lighting at Bergdorf Goodman. But it never hurts to practice with the camera a bazillion times in my bedroom to photograph what I personally have. I'll have a second stab at the lipcremes when I go to Bergdorf Goodman in the near future.

These lip cremes are one of the standouts of Le Metier de Beaute. I adore them because they're comfortable on your lips, not sticky, and the iridescence is just awesome. They're $36 for .22 fl oz. Once you've tried one of these, you'll never go back to any other brand for lipglosses. It's one of the products you have to try for yourself, and believe me, I've tried MANY. The shades are meant to be mixed  with other colors.

And here we go: 

from left to right:

Creme de la Creme

Toffee 

Vanilla Rose

Sweet Creme

Framboise

from left to right:

Creme de la Creme

Toffee

Vanilla Rose

Sweet Creme

Framboise

Creme de la Creme: nice nude shade with pretty multi dimensional sparkles. I like using this over a dark shade to lighten it up. I personally cannot wear this one alone due to the color and the texture on top of bare lips, it looks a little odd. I didn't care for it at first, but it's won me over with time. It's not sticky, it has an awesome duration on my lips. I've worn this on top of Framboise and it's soooo pretty. 

Toffee: Gorgeous warm bronze/peach shade. I want to wear this alone during the summer, but I love it when it's mixed with Framboise.  

Vanilla Rose: A nice light pink with pink/red sparkles. I can wear this over a nude lipliner, but not straight on the lips, since they're really pigmented. I love pairing this with Giorgio Armani 103 lipstick, or Framboise. mmmm

Sweet Creme: The consistency is similar (but not quite) to a MAC plushglass, but the texture is a lot nicer, no funky gunk that collects on your lip over time (MAC plushglasses has this effect on my lips). I can wear this one alone and it's my personal favorite because it lightens my natural lipcolor. This is my HG lipcreme, if I had to pick one.

Framboise: Need I say more? This consistency is almost like a liquid lipstick, but it's definitely a gloss.  It's true framboise color with red and other pretty sparkles. You can see a more detailed review on Temptalia and how it looks on her. It seems she loves it a lot, since she reviewed it twice.

I  wish they had more colors, but at the same time, too many choices can be overwhelming. Be aware that they are fragranced, but I can't think off the top of my head what the smell reminds me of. It's a vanilla like smell, and it's not a strong scent either. 

Red Lipsticks Part I

I know there are some people out there that would like to see some swatches of red lipsticks. Well, here's Part I:

From Left to Right: 

Shu RD 128
MAC Merry Mistress (this is a red-red)
Shu RD 195
Shu RD 165
Shu RD 165M
Shu RD 190

Just a quick observation: GA 128 is an orange red, and it's the only warm red I own. This needs to change, but you can at least see how different it looks in undertone compared to blue based reds.

---

From Left to Right:
Shu RD 175

MAC Red no 5
Shu RD 198
NARS Red Lizard
MAC Russian Red
GA 400

GA 400 is a smidgen darker and slightly more burgundy than Russian Red. MAC red no. 5 has more sparkle in person.

Part II will entail darker reds I own. :)

Giorgio Armani Rouge d'Armani swatches +

My personal favorite lipstick formula is from Giorgio Armani. It's creamy, but not too creamy. They're not drying, and the lasting power is amazing. I've tried:

Dolce & Gabbana: nice color selection, but the lasting power is so short. 

Chanel: not that long lasting, and I'm never that impressed with their color selection, although I know a lot of people love their lipsticks.
MAC: they're drying, the Amplified Cremes are nice, but not as long-lasting.
NARS (non mattes) they're ok, but not long lasting
Hourglass: the formula is too runny, although I can only speak for their red lipsticks.  
Guerlain: this stuff just slides off after a short while. 
Edward Bess: too creamy for me personally
Tom Ford: medicore lasting power, you can refer to my Smoke Red review 
YSL: too creamy, the smell is nauseating, and not long lasting at all.
Clinique: I like the texture, but not long lasting either.
Makeup Forever: nice texture and formula, but again, not as long lasting. I will say that they're better than most lipsticks out there, worth trying if you can.
Shu Uemura: this is my other favorite formula (Rouge Unlimited and their creme mattes), but this will have its own review. 

Ok aside from the formula, the color selection is pretty amazing considering that this particular formula hasn't been out that long. 

Duration: 6 hours and that entails drinking several drinks, eating 2 meals, and lots of talking. No touchup required during this time. 

Packaging: durable with a magnetic clasp. There's a bit of heft to them, but for me it's not an issue. 

What I personally own and swatches:

From top to bottom:

103
400
403
506
513
516
601

The shade I get most compliments on?: 513

What got me interested in this line?: Finding my HG pinky nude, and a GA MA chose 103 for me. It's my first Rouge d'Armani and it's my HG pinky nude. 

Which color I've been wearing as of late: 516

Downside: none. It's fragrance free and even if you have flakies on your lips, this lipstick formula doesn't accentuate them. Maybe the only downside is the price ( for some); it's $30. This has got to be my favorite item from Giorgio Armani, along with their fluid sheers. I'd pay $60 for these lipsticks, that's how much I love them. They really are that awesome. :)

Ellis Faas Milky Lips 201

In light of the Christmas season, I wanted to share with you one of my favorite reds: Ellis Faas Milky Lips 201. It's a makeup line where all the products are bullet shaped, brush tip or sponge applicator as seen below:

This is definitely a line that has GREAT products, but the standout items are their lipsticks and concealer. Now, for those of you who know me, I'm a die hard fiend (yes, fiend) for red lipsticks. Now, every line has a nice red, but most of the mainstream lines have a blue based red. As much as I love a blue based red, the mainstream lines have the same blue based red l/s and it does get a bit...well, boring. To those out there who love red lipstick, we are always looking for a unique shade. You know, that shade that people can't help but ask, "What color are you wearing !??!" That shade of red that stops traffic, that people pause and look at you. Unfortunately for people like me, there aren't many lines that have that kind of red. 

Ok so back to Ellis Faas, she's known for her awesome shades of red. She actually has 9 lipsticks, but they come in different finishes: Creamy, Milky, and Glazed. As much of a skeptic as I am, I had to try them out. Yes, she has awesome reds, my favorite being Milky Lips 201 (aka ELLIS RED). Can we discuss how gorgeous it is? Well, I'd rather just show the picture: 

From top to bottom:

Ellis Faas Milky lips 201

MAC Russian Red

NARS Trans Siberian

NARS Fire Down Below

It's a glorious blood red. It's not a blue red, it's a true blood red. I can't even explain how gorgeous it is. Definitely one of a kind shade and worth buying if you have the opportunity. The lasting power is great, but I do recommend wearing a lipliner with this one since it's definitely a bit milky in texture. It wears off to a nice stain too. I've worn the shade once and some guy walked into a wall when he saw me. :) Fortunately for a lot of people, Ellis Faas is now sold at Space NK, as well as Bergdorf Goodman.

Seeing Lauren's good question to see how 201 looks in comparison to Chanel Dragon, they're similar..you can say Dragon is the blue/burgundy not as unique sister of 201. Why you ask? Dragon's undertone is blue/burgundy based, whereas 201 is a true blood red. They're both pretty, but 201 is the winner (it lasts longer, slightly nicer texture and a more unique shade). 

My conclusion: RUN, do not walk to your nearest Space NK or Bergdorf whether it's in store or online.

Ellis Red from the Ellis Faas website

Tom Ford Smoke Red lipstick +

So I purchased this on Fashion Night out and this was recommended to me by the Tom Ford MA as the perfect color for fall. I purchased it with the intention of seeing Tom Ford himself, but that didn't happen, but back to the lipstick itself:

It's a lovely shade of cool-burgundy red, a bit deep in color, but it's not super bright. I consider this a "wearable" red, as in I can see this being flattering on a lot of skintones. It's definitely creamy in texture, with some slip to the lips, with the added benefit that it's not drying. What is a bit of a downer is I can't apply it with one swipe and be out the door. There's no smell to the lipstick, or at least none that I can detect. What I found out now about is if I do wear this alone (no primer, lipliner) it does feather VERY slightly into the second hour. It doesn't feather anymore after that, which isn't bad at all (given no primer/lipliner).

As for lasting power: it's not a long lasting lipstick, but it does leave a nice stain over time. I can get about 3.5 hours of this lipstick with a meal and a beverage (the color applied with lipliner and primer).

Pictures of the lipstick are seen below. I did one quick swipe so you can see how it applies, with no base, no lipliner, no blotting, straight from the tube (no lipbrush). As you can see, it will require two swipes so it can go completely opaque (as seen on my upper lip in the natural lighting).

Me wearing it indoors, with flash.

 

This is a picture of me wearing it next to a window in natural lighting, with no flash. 

I do adore the color for the fall. Is it worth the $45? If you want to indulge yourself for a lovely lipstick, with nice packaging then sure. I do think there are great lipsticks with longer lasting power and nice packaging as well for a bit less though. Do I regret the purchase? No. Will I buy another Tom Ford lipstick? Not really, unless they come out with a long-lasting formula and maybe I'd consider it.

NARS Pure Matte lipsticks in Terre de Feu and Tonkin

So today I went into the city to take a peek at Saks Fifth Avenue. I hadn't been there in a long time, so I figured that I should go.

I see a display with NARS lipsticks as soon as I enter the store

So I take a peek at the counter and saw these most GORGEOUS shades.

On the left side from top to bottom:

Vesuvio
Bangkok
Terre de Feu

On the right hand side (top to bottom)
Tashkent
Volga
Tonkin






So the MA there showed me the colors and it was instant love. I've always been a NARS girl when it comes to matte red lipsticks. I purchased Terre de Feu and Tonkin. Swatches are below:

Top to bottom:
Terre de Feu
Tonkin
Albatross lipgloss (Sephora exclusive).

I'm NC25/30 for reference














They are VERY matte, so if you do have dry lips, wear a sheer layer of balm underneath so it's not drying. I tried these without balm, and they are a bit dry, but I've worn drier lipsticks, so it's not that bad. There is no smell with either shade, which is a definite plus. I don't mind a smell, but I'm sure there are people out there who do. I didn't get to swatch the other shades, but these two were my favorite out of the bunch. I want to get Vesuvio, but at a later date. :)

As for Albatross lipgloss, Shawn Snell who was at Sephora today at an event suggested it to me. He applied it over Terre de Feu and WOW. Talk about SERIOUS dimension. I couldn't help but stare at how my lips looked. Definitely a must have lipgloss if you want to add dimension, or to sheer out a lip color. These lipsticks will be released in other stores on October 1st. :)

OH and I got a "Paper Tiger" mini cream eyeshadow as my GWP today:

From L to R: Terre de Feu, Tonkin, Albatross lipgloss.