Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color SPF 12 #8 Bikini Pink

I must say, I'm a fan of this lipstick range. As I mentioned in my post about 9 Bare Pink, I haven't been a huge Bobbi Brown-er. I think I shall try to pay more attention in the future. Anyway...

I would describe 8 Bikini Pink as a sort of light, sort of bright, sort of neutral-toned, candy pink. I know, I know, my color descriptions are nothing short of genius. Regardless, it's really pretty. It has a cream finish and feels very lightweight and quasi-moisturizing. 

When I first saw this on other blogs and such, I thought of MAC Creme Cup, as did everyone else. Incidentally, Bikini Pink is very close to Creme Cup, but a tad more bright and pigmented. I also thought that this lipstick is a mix between YSL Rouge Volupte 1 Nude Beige and 7 Lingerie Pink (kinda). While I love the Rouge Voluptes, they're not a low-maintenance lipstick. They require attention and tending to, which doesn't always appeal to me. 

If you're into the other lipsticks I mentioned, then I would advise giving Bikini Pink a swatch at the counter. It has a fun energy to it. It's a modern take on the "mod" lipstick look thinger. I dig it. 

xxx ~R

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color SPF 12 #9 Bare Pink

I haven't purchased anything from Bobbi Brown in a while, only because it's not a brand that gets me goin'. In their defense, I'm not their target market, so I doubt anyone at Bobbi Brown headquarters would lose sleep over my lack of patronage. But, I digress...

I would describe 9 Bare Pink as a light-medium, caramel nude with a hint of pink. The name makes sense and doesn't, all at the same time. The finish of this lipstick is very smooth, creamy and quite pigmented. This formula reminds me a little of MAC Cremesheen lipsticks, but better, in every possible way. 

What prompted me to buy this lipstick was seeing it on Lette76 (her YT channel)/ Lette Sheriff (her blog). She has dark hair and NC25 (I think) skin, and it just looks beautiful on her. I can pull this shade off, but just barely (pun intended). For me, it's on the verge of being too "nude', but the warmth of the caramel/peach undertones keeps it from looking dead. It's actually a refreshing switch-up for me, as I don't own many true nude lipsticks. 

Similar products that come to mind are YSL Rouge Volupte 2 Sensual Silk and MAC Blankety lipstick. Both of those shades are more neutral/cool-toned than warm, but you guys get the drift. 

xxx ~R

MAC Light Sunshine Beauty Powder

This was a totally random and unplanned purchase that turned into an immediate obsession. This never happens, especially with MAC limited edition collections. Twas a twist of fate. A beautiful accident, if you will. So...

I would describe Light Sunshine Beauty Powder as a neutral, pale, glowing, natural pink highlighter. It has small micro-shimmer (borderline micro-glitter) particles in it that seem to disappear upon application. Initially, I thought this was going to have a satin-like finish, but it definitely turns into a subtle glow after it's blended into the skin. It's truly beautiful. I've been using it every time I wear makeup, which is unlike me. My Dior highlighters are sitting in jealousy. 

As I already prefaced, I had no intentions on purchasing this. It was a very random "Sure, throw that in too" type of deal. Light Sunshine is a limited edition item that was re-promoted with the FashionFlower collection. I couldn't be more surprised and/or elated with this product. It's *exactly* the type of highlighter shade and texture I've been searching for, but have been unable to find. I've been wanting a powder version of Armani Fluid Sheer No.7, and this is pretty close (although No.7 is a bit more obvious, with a slightly cooler undertone). 

I think that if you're anywhere from NC/NW10-25, this could be a favorite for you, as well. I think it might be useless and potentially too stark on medium or dark skin tones, but fellow fair people could easily use this as a highlighter or brightening powder. In my opinion, this is a must-have. It's not a want, nor a desire. It's a need. 

xxx ~R

Laura's Blog Sale!

My epically hilarious friend, Laura, is having a big ole blog sale. She's selling a bunch of MAC limited edition items, as well as some Urban Decay and other brands. She even has a living, breathing MAC Moth Brown eye shadow! It's the unicorn of MAC eye shadows. Anyway, make sure to check out her blog sale HERE. I hope you guys find stuff you like!

xxx ~R

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine 55 Romance

I'm just not that into this lipstick. I'll attempt to describe the color and then elaborate on that statement. Alors...

 

I would describe 55 Romance as a medium, mostly neutral, rosy pink. This particular Rouge Coco Shine doesn't contain any micro-shimmer or glitter particles. This shade is very similar to 57 Aventure, albeit more sheer and less warm in tone. 

To be honest, I have no idea why I purchased this shade, as I had already bought and sold its doppelganger, 57 Aventure. There's just something missing from this shade. I think it falls too much in the middle of the spectrum. I seem to like something either really obvious or nearly non-existent. Maybe I'm "extreme"?

My advice would be that if you want a sheer lipstick similar to this one, Dior Addict 578 Dior Kiss is a much better choice. 578 Dior Kiss is a little bit brighter and more warm-toned, but most importantly, more pigmented than Romance. I don't know, maybe I'm just getting old and crotchety. Well, I'm actually quite certain that I'm getting old. And, relatively crotchety. #crotchety

xxx ~R

Dani's Blog Sale Part Dos

Firstly, I wanted to thank all of you that participated in Daniela's first blog sale. It was really exciting to see, and I really appreciate the support and readership I get from y'all. She sold out within one day, which was super dope.

She has added some more items (including fancy Guerlain foundation and some Bobbi Brown stuff), which can be found HERE. I hope you guys see something you like!!

xxx ~R

Dolce and Gabbana Blush 33 Rosebud

I've never been a huge blush person. I mean, I know that it's an important step in completing the overall "look", but I've just always run under the assumption that blush is blush. I'm wrong, from time to time. So...

I would describe 33 Rosebud as a very peach-toned pink, with a satin finish. There aren't any visible micro-shimmer particles or anything, but this manages to impart a subtle glow, in some mysterious/magical way.

What I find so amazing about Dolce and Gabbana blushes is how finely milled, smooth and buildable they are. It takes a lot of work to over-do it with these blushes, and Rosebud is no different. It looks quite bright in the packaging, but the genius formula keeps one from going overboard and looking crazy. 

I'm terrible at swatching blushes on my hands/arms, so the best I can do is a mug shot. Hopefully, you can get an idea of how it would translate onto your skin. Make sure to check my posts on 25 Caramel and 35 Delight as well, because they're gorgeous. And, probably two of my favorite blushes ever. 

xxx ~R

Chanel Ombres Contraste Eye Shadow Duo 20 Taupe-Delicat

This is probably the most boring looking eye shadow duo/palette I've ever purchased in my life. Having said that...

I would describe the brown shade in 20 Taupe-Delicat as an almost cool-toned, ashy, matte brown. The shimmery shade in the duo is a sandy, pale beige. Very simple, but so beautiful.

What I find so incredible about these eye shadow duos are the fact that they're quite pigmented, whilst still being very smooth, soft and easy to blend. I've raved about them previously, in my posts about 40 Misty-Soft and 50 Berry-Rose. I love how one can achieve a complete look with only two colors. 

I would recommend 20 Taupe-Delicat to anyone and everyone. It's brainless makeup-ing that results in looking more polished, fresh and awake (with minimal effort and product). That's what we call "priceless". 

xxx ~R

Le Metier de Beaute True Colour Eye Shadow Fire Lily

If you enjoy bringing major attention to your eyes, then this is the shade for you. It's very intense, obvious and vibrant. Full-on, as they say. So...

 

Fire Lily

L-R: MAC Cranberry, LMdB Fire Lily, MAC Star Violet, MAC Falling Star (dc'd)

I would describe Fire Lily as a bright, super pigmented, reddened pink. It has a Shimmer finish, but isn't as smooth and buttery feeling some other Shimmer LMdB shadows, such as Corinthian, Bordeaux and Fig. The way Fire Lily feels and applies is quite reminiscent of MAC Lustre shadows, sans the glitter fall out and questionable pigmentation.

In the photo above, I used Fire Lily on the lid, with the deep purple shadow from the Dolce and Gabbana 135 Vulcano quad in the crease. The look I did was very tame/subdued, compared to what I would normally do. If I were to go the full way with this shadow, I would use it as an all-over wash, with a thick line of black, liquid liner (slightly/tastefully winged out).

I think this shadow is special, mostly because I don't own anything like it. MAC shadows like Star Violet and Cranberry look boring in comparison. All in all, I'd say that Fire Lily gets an A+ for effect/drama.

 

xxx ~R

Dani's Blog Sale

My lovely friend, Daniela, is having her first blog sale! She has some really nice stuff up (Chanel, Dior, NARS, Guerlain), so make sure to check it out HERE.


***EDITED***


Dani has only 1 blush left, and it's my favorite pink blush *ever*, Dior Bronze Harmonie de Blush Rose Brazilia. If you're NC/NW10-20ish, it gives the most natural pink flush. It's perfect. It doesn't look dazzling in the pan, but it's magical upon application. I will post about it soon, as well as its sister, Coral Riviera.

xxx ~R

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick 23 Corail Poetique

If this lipstick doesn't scream "Summer", then I don't know what does. Well, pinks are pretty Summer-y too, but you get what I'm saying. Moving along...

I would describe 23 Corail Poetique as a semi-bright, pink-toned apricot, with a cream finish. This color is just straight up pretty, and easily flattering on a ton of skin tones. 

What this lipstick reminds me of is a combination of YSL Rouge Pur 144 Silky Apricot and YSL Rouge Volupte 30 Faubourg Peach. It has the orangey-peach base of Silky Apricot and the pastel pink element of Faubourg Peach. I think it's a *perfect* amalgamation of the two. This falls into the "highly recommend" category. Just sayin'.  

xxx ~R

Le Metier de Beaute True Colour Eye Shadow Fig

My most recent Le Metier order was this shadow, as well as Fire Lily. Out of the two, I predicted that Fire Lily was going to be *the* color, and that Fig was going to be an ancillary delight. Incorrect. So...

I would describe Fig as a deep, aubergine purple with a warm, brown undertone. This is one of the most complex eye shadows that I've dealt with in a while, but definitely in a good way. Originally, I was going to pair this with Fire Lily, with Fire Lily on the lid and Fig blended in the crease. I decided that I wanted to see what Fig could do on its own, and I'm unabashedly elated with the results. 

For the look above, I primed the eyes with MAC Painterly Paint Pot. Next, I applied Fig to the lids and slightly into the crease, using a sponge-tip applicator (in order to get a full, packed-on effect). After that, I took a little bit more of the Fig and worked it into the crease and blended it upward, using a MAC 217 tapered blending brush. To my surprise, Fig took on a different hue, resulting in a warm, orange-tinged plume of smokey gorgeousness. I don't know how else to describe it. Essentially, Fig allows you to create a completed purple, smokey eye with only one product. This doesn't happen very often *ever*, at least not for me. 

I genuinely cannot say enough good things about the Le Metier de Beaute Shimmer finish eye shadows, from the shades themselves, to the buttery texture and insane pigmentation. I don't understand how they're formulated/able to do what they do, but the complexity and dimension you can get with just one shadow is unlike anything else I've come across. Historically speaking, I've always had trouble finding purple eye shadows that 1) I like and 2) look good on, so Fig was a complete and unexpected surprise. The best kind, one could say. 

xxx ~R

YSL Rouge Pur Couture Lipstick 26 Rose Libertin

This is the type of shade that you're either going to love or loathe. Or, not care about at all. Regardless, I quite enjoy this color and so, I wanted to share. Having said that...

I would describe 26 Rose Libertin as a vibrant, cool/lavender-toned pink with a glowing, shimmery finish. Just as with 24 Blond Ingenu, it's not frosted, but there's a definite pearlescent glow-ish effect going on. I suppose this shade has a bit more shimmer in it than Blond Ingenu, but just by a fraction (as Lisa Eldridge would say). 

As I prefaced, not everyone is going to fall in love with this color. It's very obvious and very intense. Personally, I love the way it looks on. In person, Rose Libertin looks slightly less cool-toned than when photographed. I assume that the shimmer throws off the camera a bit, as I've noticed with other swatches. 

Either way, I'm a fan of this color and think it's very...fun. Yeah, for a lack of a better term, fun. It feels girly and whimsical and semi-ridiculous, which is the whole point of all this makeup business. Although I don't own it, Chanel Hydrabase lipstick in Coco Pink (dc'd) was/is very similar to 26 Rose Libertin (from what I've gathered). So, if you like(d) Coco Pink, you'd probably enjoy this one as well. I think. Pretty sure. Maybe. I don't know. 

xxx ~R