YSL VOLUPTÉ SHEER CANDY Glossy Balm Crystal Color Review and Swatches

A new gloss balm from YSL!  I was excited to see this added to their collection, because Natasha and I were big fans of their Sheer Sensual Gloss Balm.  They are super moisturizing, with a sheer wash of color that feels great on your lips.


The new collection of gloss balms comes in 6 different shades that retails for $30 USD each.  YSL says this balm is a sheer veil of brilliant color that is boosted with a vitamin and antioxidant rich fruit extract.  I am reviewing 3 shades from this collection, #2 Dewy Papaya (sheer fresh peach), #3 Juicy Grapefruit (sheer fresh baby pink with golden shimmer), and #5 Mouthwatering Berry (sheer reddish blackberry).

Everything about this new product reminded me of their Gloss Volupte Sheer Sensual.  The scent and texture were almost exactly the same.  The scent always reminds me of mangos or something fruity that I cannot pinpoint.  The coverage is completely sheer to light and does leave your lips super moisturized.

Another view:

#2 and #3 were hard to photograph as they were nearly invisible.  #5 is pretty pigmented (but still sheer).

The only color noticeable is #5.  Overall, these are a great balm.  They are light-weight, moisturizing, and fruity scented.  I just cannot justify $30 USD a tube for these.  I think there are cheaper balm/gloss's out that can suffice! They are the same formula as before and seems like YSL hasn't updated it at all. (I could be wrong).  They have a great texture, just wish the price was a little lower for the balm.

This was purchased by me.

Nars Velvet Lip Gloss 'Club Mix' Duplicates!

A few weeks ago I posted on the Nars Velvet Lip Gloss Pencils ($24), and was sad to report there was no duplicate for my favorite shade, "Club Mix." I have been pining over that color ever since. Well, I am happy to admit that I stand corrected. I was in Sephora yesterday (I know, big surprise), and decided to play around with some of their lipsticks. Sephora Collection Lip Attitude-Star ($12), is somewhere in between a lipstick and a gloss. I tried on S12 (Plum Vertigo) and S11 (Audacious Violet). The Plum Vertigo is a dead-ringer for NARS Velvet Lip Gloss Pencil in Club Mix!!! Same consistency, same color, same shine--everything, but 1/2 the price! I'm pretty sure there was a Hallelujah chorus in the background, when I made this discovery. 

L to R: #1 - NARS Club Mix, #2 - Sephora Plum Vertigo, #3 - Sephora Audacious Violet

Both of the Sephora colors shown above are stunning (they look far different than in the tube), and will look stunning on every skin tone. On a side note, the Audacious Violet by Sephora, looks very, very similar to the now sold-out, limited edition, Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipstick in Wild Violet. I know you are running out the door to buy these, right now, so once you get back, let us know what you think!


These were purchased by me.

Bright Lips for Spring 2011 Swatches - Part Two

As promised, this part of our bright lips for spring, focuses on hot pinks and bold fuchsias. There are literally 100’s of hot pinks/fuchsias out this season, from drugstores to department stores, there is a one for each of you. I actually found myself loving these funky, bright colors, and am really excited to add them to my spring/summer look!

1. Wet n' Wild Lipstick in #521 Blue Rose: a fierce, fuchsia with just enough shimmer. If you are lucky enough to have a deep skin tone, this is stunning! $1
2. Ulta Extreme Wear Lip Stain #11: deep fruit punch color stain, great for medium to deep skin. Looks fantastic under a shiny gloss. $8
3. NYC Liquid Lipshine in Fashion Avenue Fuchsia—shimmering warm fuchsia gloss with loads of color. Looks great on every skin tone. I LOVE this one! $3
4. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Fifth Avenue Fuchsia: dark, matte magenta. Looks great on medium to deep skin. Very wearable. Really liked this one! $7
5. NYC Kiss Gloss in Murray Hill Melon: bright, neon pink. Sheer enough to look good on every skin tone. $2
6. Bath and Body Works Liplicious Tasty Lip Color in Fruit Punch: sparkly, hot pink. It looks smells and taste great! Good for fair to medium skin. $7
7. Sephora Ultra Vinyl Lip Pencil in Gorgeous Peach: the name is decieving. It is a gorgeous, gold kissed strawberry. A dupe for Nars New Lover Gloss Pencil. Looks great on everyone! **Not pictured here, but worth mentioning are the Miami Pink (bright, glossy bubblegum pink—light skin tones) and Strawberry Delish (vivid strawberry/magenta pink—medium to deep skin tones). These are swatched in my post on the NARS gloss pencils** $12
8. Essence Glossy Lip Balm in Pink Dragonfruit: vibrant, hot pink, in a sparkling, sheer formula. So sexy on fair skin! $1

.These items were purchased by me

Bright Lips for Spring 2011 Swatches - Part One

Bright, 80’s inspired, colorful lips are all over the place right now. On runways, in magazines, on TV—bold lips are the new fashion accessory. I admit, that this trend had me very doubtful. As you know, I love nude lips, so this is a whole new venture for me!


I have decided to post this review in two parts: #1-corals/oranges and #2 bright pinks. I have tried to narrow it down to my favorite in each category. (Just so you know, I just can’t see spending lots of $ on a color I am only going to wear every so often, so I tried to keep most of the products under $10).

1. Maybelline Color Sensational in Coral Crush: bright, saturated, neon coral. Best on deep skin tones. $7


2. Revlon Super Lustrous in Kiss Me Coral: creamy, carrot orange. Looks good on medium to deep skin tones. Suprisingly wearable. $5


3. Revlon Colorstay Mineral Lipglaze in Continuous Coral: deep, opaque, shimmery coral. Beautiful on deep skin, good on medium skin. I really liked it layered over the Ulta stain. $9


4. 
Ulta Extreme Wear Lip Stain #10: sheer, true coral. Lightweight stain, layerable for deeper intensity. Looks good on all skin tones. $8


5. Lipfusion Gloss in Boca Babe: very sheer, true orange. Light to medium skin. $38 (for full size, mine was a free sample)


6. 
Tokidoki Fantastico Lip Ink in Cactus Friends: bright, true coral stain. Sharpie-style applicator, good for medium to dark skin. $10


7. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Coral Reef: opaque, cream gloss in a light, coral color. All skin tones. $7


8. Rimmel Moisture Renewal in Coral Shimmer: shimmery, peachy-pink. Beautiful on fair skin! $5.50


9. Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss in Red Delicious: unlike the name, it’s a beautiful, sheer, shimmering melon. Great on all skin tones! $7


10. YSL Gloss Volupte #1: super shiny, glossy, sheer peachy-coral. Stunning on fair skin, or those who need to ease into this coral lip thing. $30

Deeper skin tones really can rock all of the bold, bright colors, with ease, so go for it!! For fair and medium skin, its all about finding the right shade. I find that glosses are the easiest to wear, and you can layer them over a stain for more intensity! Stay tuned for part 2, bright pink lips!

All items were purchased by me, unless stated free sample.

Covergirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm Review

I recently just picked up the new Covergirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm.  Its a lightweight balm that has sheer color.  Contains mango and shea butter to make your lips feels good.  Also has SPF 15 in the formula (love!).

Overall, I really liked these!  The colors go on shear and feel good on your lips.  The darker color, Pinot, had a good amount of color too it, but still shear.  They remind me of the YSL sheer sensual gloss stick but with a different formula.  Very easy to apply and did not feel greasy!  Has anyone else tried these yet?

These products were purchased by me.

Nude Lips

My obsession for mascaras is rivaled only by my love for nude lip color. It can be hard to find the right shade for a sexy nude pout. I love a nude lip, and I am always looking for a new nude lipstick or gloss. I have compiled a list of my favorite nudes, for every budget and skin tone:

Some of my favorite lip colors are:

• NYC Long-Wearing Lip Color #480--long wear, brown-nude. Good for med to dark skin. $5
• MAC Faerie Glen--neutral nude with a natural finish. Great for fair to med skin. One of my favorite nude lipsticks, ever! A nude lip HG for me. $15
• NARS Cruising--sheer light nude pink. Beautiful on fair skin. $24
• Essence Lipstick--creamy, pale mauve-pink. Good for light skin tones. $2.50
• L'oreal Endless Lipcolour in In The Buff--matte finish, neutral nude. Fair skin tones. $8
• Armani Shine Lipstick #50---sheer, high shine light pink. Good for most skin tones. $27
• L'oreal Infallible in Linda's Beige--LOVE this long wear beige-pink lip color. It goes on very sheer, gives my "no color" lips the perfect amount of color. So pretty for med skin. $11
• Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm in Tiger Lilly--super sheer and shiny peachy-nude. Very moisturizing, great for all skin. Perfect if you love a natural look. $5
• NARS Velvet Lip Pencil in Hopi--high shine, glossy sheer peach. Good on all skin tones. $24
• MAC Viva Glam V (not pictured, I lost my tube)--gorgeous neutral pink on every single skin tone. This color looks fabulous on everyone! $14.50

Lipstick swatches L to R: NYC #480, MAC Faerie Glen, NARS Cruising, Essence Creamy Nude, L'oreal In The Buff, Armani #50, L'oreal Linda's Beige, Burt's Bees Tiger Lily, NARS Hopi.

Below are some of my favorite nude lip glosses:

• LipFusion Gloss in Clear--lightens any color it is layered over. Great if you have lips that are pretty pigmented. $38
• Essence XXXL Nudes Gloss in Pure Beauty--smells like buttercream, light cream color. Also very good for very pigmented lips, or to lighten any color its layered over. $2
• Essence XXXL Nudes Gloss in Toffee Forever--This is my new HG of nude glosses!!! Who knew $2 could be so fantastic! This lipcolor is similar to the new MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2, except it looks soooo much better. Its way more wearable, 1/7th of the cost, and smells like hot cocoa! It looks brown in the photo, but its actually light sandy nude. I can't rave enough about it. Run, don't walk to your nearest Ulta, and pick up a tube (or 10). Its only $2, but worth much more! (BTW-if you get allure magazine, they have a $3.50 off $10 purchase ULTA coupon)
• LipFusion Gloss in Bare--nice peachy-pink with delicate shimmer. Good for med-dark skin. $38
• Essence XXXL Nudes Gloss in Nude Kiss--light natural pink, light buttercream scent. Beautiful gloss, very similar in color and finish to MAC Viva Glam V Gloss, but less sticky. I am so impressed with the Essence glosses, such great quality, but so affordable :)
• YSL Gloss Volupte #5--sheer, shiny nude gloss in a beautiful gold lipstick applicator. Smells like mango, great for a "no make-up" look. I keep one in my gym bag. $30

Gloss swatches L to R: LipFusion Clear, Essence Pure Beauty, Essence Toffee Forever, LipFusion Bare, Essence Nude Kiss, YSL #5.


I also want to mention that the best nude lip liner that I have ever found is MAC Lip Pencil in Subculture, it goes well with all of the above lipsticks and glosses. It is my HG. ($13) For a close second, I recommend Sephora Nano Lip Liner in 02 Cute Caramel, a bit more brown based, but also good. ($5)


All of the above products were purchased by me.