Three Essential Lipsticks That You Should Own to Change Up Your Look!

This post can help you organize and save money without sacrificing your beauty!

I love discovering all the latest makeup displays, comparing favorite shades and brands at cosmetic counters.  Lip products can be especially hard to resist when you see fresh testers almost calling to you once you spot them.  For some unexplainable reason, a new perfect shade of lipstick can magically do wonders for a woman’s spirit to make her feel prettier, more confident and even sexier.  As a result, we all probably end up with lots more lipsticks and glosses than we really need just because that shopping high was so much fun.  

Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Nude Collection Lipsticks (#42, #45, #48, #49) Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

From left to right is #45, #42, #48, and ending with #49.

Nude lips are a great makeup look that you can never get tired of wearing.  Being neutral, they can go with practically anything without worrying about clashing with your outfit or other cosmetics like Rimmel’s Lasting Finish by Kate Nude Collection of lipsticks that PR sent for this review.

This new drugstore line has 10 shades from chalky flesh tones to deep berry and brown infused nudes. The ones that showed up were #42 (light peach nude), #45 (light pink-nude), #48 (dark berry-nude), and #49 (deep coffee-nude).

How to Reattach a Broken Lipstick!

This beauty is surprised how easily it was to repair a broken lipstick.

Yesterday, I shared how to salvage your broken compacts and palettes of dry powder cosmetics like eye shadow, blush, bronzing, finishing, highlighting, and setting powders to keep on using them.  Today, I thought you might be interested in another helpful tip that happens to us from time to time regarding what to do with a damaged lipstick.

What else that irritates me is when lipstick breaks as you swivel it up.  To solve this unneeded headache, you will need a match or lighter.  All you need to do is heat up one end of lipstick and reattach with your fingers.  Keep a firm hold on the lipstick until it dries.  This solution may be messy but does the trick! 

On the subject of lipstick, hot weather can be a problem for some formulas more than others, especially some natural brands.  You might want to consider storing them in your refrigerator to help prevent melting and ward off any potential break.

How to Give Any Cream Lipstick a Matte Finish

A world of new matte lipstick looks await you once you know what to do.

If you’re trying to modernize your lip look, matte lips are the way to go.  Though it is always fun to shop for new lipsticks, I want to show you a makeup trick of how to use the ones that you have so they give you that trendy, matte finish.  After you read this post, you will have discovered a multitude of new lip color possibilities just from being creative with your current cream lipstick stash.

What I suggest is taking a box of tissues, cotton swabs, your makeup bag with your lipsticks, loose translucent powder, and eye shadows and get comfortable at your vanity or in front of a mirror.  Pull one out and put some on.  Once you finish capping that lipstick, reach for a tissue and separate it.  

Gently, press that single sheet over your freshly coated lips. Don’t smack your lips together because you need the lipstick intact for what comes next.  Now, pull out your loose translucent powder and brush some on top of the tissue.  Afterwards, lift the tissue.  You’ll notice the color changed.  To build the intensity of the matte effect, repeat with another application of the same or another cream lipstick and dusting with more powder.

Your ingenuity knows no bounds.  Another interesting way to alter that lipstick is with pressed eye shadows.   Use cotton swabs for this and save yourself the trouble of washing any loaded brush or applicator later that you lay over the lipstick.  Blot with the single sheet of tissue and deepen in the same way as the first method.

I hope that you experiment with this lipstick trick because you'll love it.

Review + Swatches: Five Winter 2016 Inspired Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks!

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Starting from left to right is #505 Red Alert, #660 In Love With Ginger, #500 Diva Red, #240 Tower of Mauve and ending with #260 Berry Rose on the right..

A well-dressed mouth this season may be wearing dramatic blood to brick reds, deep purples, mauves, berries, to earthy orange-browns.  Here are five Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipsticks that deserve a second look since they would make ideal choices for now without ruining your makeup budget.

Review + Swatches: Laura Geller Iconic Baked Sculpting Lipsticks - Ideal for Holiday Glamour!

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Laura Geller

When you’re thinking how to up your appeal for those holiday parties, you need lip products that can go the distance if you want all eyes riveted to you.  With Laura Geller’s Iconic Baked Sculpting Lipsticks ($21), you can have your bases covered with coverage that can keep up with you through a long night.  These are gorgeous, well-pigmented shades that are complete with creamy feeling color from what I have observed.

From left to right:  Lexington Ave. Coral, Madison Ave. Pink, Big Apple Red, Fifth Ave. Ruby and ending with Tribecca Tan on the right.

PR graciously sent five of the twelve from this line for me to sample.  Madison Avenue Pink is flirty, bright fuchsia pink that has just enough of the violet in the pink to liven up the color wonderfully instead of being over the top bold on the lips.  Lexington Coral has striking tones of strawberry and orange for a bright, medium coral that can be universally flattering. Big Apple Red is a soft true red that is a classic for any woman’s makeup bag.  However, if you want to give your lips a more seductive edge to them, then you might prefer Fifth Ave. Ruby.  This is a deeper crimson red for full-out glamour.  Tribecca Tan is a medium, orange-beige nude that is great for every day with how neutral it is.  

Going from right to left is Lexington Ave, Coral, Madison Ave. Pink, Big Apple Red, Fifth Ave. Ruby and ending with Tribecca Tan on the left.

These lipsticks feature fancy patterned bullets and have a magnetic sort of closure for the cap.  Though those things are nice, they are not the reason why I like them.  The formula makes your lips feel comfortable with its almond oil, apricot butter and sunflower oil even after hours later when it starts to fade or you eat some off, your lips will still feel good while you’re left with more of a vivid stain.

I label it vivid because even when you try to remove it with water-rinsing makeup cleanser, it will doesn’t budge easily.  It took two applications before I could get rid of the color off of my arm.   Now that is what I call a long-wearing, but comfortable lipstick!

Head over to Laura Geller’s website, ULTA beauty or QVC. com and do look into the Iconic Baked Sculpting Lipsticks!

Review + SWATCHES: Rouge Bunny Rouge Succulence of Dew Sheer and Colour Burst Lipsticks

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Rouge Bunny Rouge

Playing up my complexion was never easier after my first experience with the three Succulence of Dew Sheer and Colour Burst Lipsticks from Rouge Bunny Rouge. The colors that this independent European beauty brand captured enchanted me with how they took to my lips for some instant glamour.

Starting on the left are the two Succulence of Dew Sheer Lipsticks with #087 Musings followed by #089 Jasmine-Weighted Air in the middle followed by the Color Burst Lipstick in #018 Raw Silence.

The Succulence of Dew Sheer Lipsticks ($29) line consists of nine shades of which I received two. #087 Musings is a gorgeous pink nude with just enough juicy peach to invite kisses with how tempting this natural color is.

How do you like #087 Musings?

#089 Jasmine-Weighted Air is a riveting fuchsia pink that is vibrant, but yet a whimsical vision once the ultraviolet emerges within its dreamlike proportions. 

#089 Jasmine-Weighed is a lovely, bright shade that will the wearer feel like a princess.

On my lips, the Succulence of Dew formula felt delightfully lightweight and glided up effortlessly.  These lipsticks were richly colored and shiny, but laid down their weightless pigments more in a sheer manner than heavily coating the lips with thick, heavy color.  The way this color was delivered gave a fresher, lush look to my lips that lasted for about five hours before I wanted to reapply.

Starting on the left is #018 Raw Silence, the Colour Burst Lipstick with #087 Musings in the middle and ending with #089 Jasmine-Weighed Air on the right.  

#018 Raw Silence is one of the Rouge Bunny Rouge’s line of Colour Burst Lipsticks ($29).  This is a standout true red that is on the cool side when going for knockout ruby lips.  The formula is highly pigmented as well as wonderfully hydrating with a plant-based active ingredient enriched with an exclusive, patented shea butter that is capable of extra smoothness.  As far as how long this color wore, I estimate about four hours or so from morning until lunch.  Although there was still some pigment on my lips like a stain, I loved the moisturizing feel against my lips in its formula so I treated my lips to a fresh application.

Here I'm modeling Colour Burst Lipstick #018 Raw Silence.

When looking to enhance your beauty with some sensational cosmetics, I do suggest visiting Rouge Bunny Rouge because their colors and style along with performance add a sophisticated touch that will give you something extra.  

Review + Swatches: NYC New York Color Expert Last Matte Lip Color Line

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Starting on the left is NYC New York Color Expert Last Matte #452 Red Suede, #448 Smooth Beige, #450 Pure Coral, #449 Creamy Mauve and ending with #451 Velvety Fuchsia Lip Color on the right.

Regardless of what you may think, just because you pay a high price for a lipstick doesn’t guarantee that it will be the best thing that you ever put on your lips. There are some great drugstore lipsticks out there like some I recently sampled from NYC New York Color’s Expert Last Lipsticks that now includes a Matte shades line.

This collection consists of #449 Creamy Mauve (cool pink), #448 Smooth Beige (nude without pink tones), #450 Pure Coral (orange-red coral), #451 Velvety Fuchsia (riveting bright pink-violet ), and #452 Red Suede (true red).

Though advertised as a mix of matte and satin, these well-pigmented lippies have more of a creamy texture than you might expect.  They felt comfortable and lightweight on my lips as well.  I got about four hours of wear before needing to reapply.  The darker shades, however, left more of a stain effect over the pale shades.

Starting on the left to right is #448 Smooth Beige, #450 Pure Coral, #449 Creamy Mauve, #451 Velvety Fucshia, and ending with #452 Red Suede closest to my wrist.

The two palest shades, #449 Creamy Mauve and #448 Smooth Beige lighten and hardly look comparable to the color in the tube once you sample them.  The Creamy Mauve became a paler, chalkier pink than the color of the bullet whereas the Smooth Beige became an anemic, ghostly beige on me.  Both of these did not flatter my fair complexion like the deeper shades.

I adored #451 Velvety Fuchsia with how it complimented my skin tone.  The Pure Coral came off a bit bright of an orange-red coral than I’m used, but was still wearable.  The Red Suede was a dramatic red without any orange tones.

If you looking for new lipsticks, I do recommend giving NYC New York Color’s Expert Last Lipsticks ($1.99) a try whether the regular line or the new Mattes!  

 *Disclaimer: Free product was provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*     

A More Accurate Way to Judge Lip Colors That Will Save You From Buying Mistakes!

This little trick can save you time, frustration, and the need to return your purchase.

When shopping for lip colors, you might be tempted to test the shade on the back of your hand to determine whether the color will be right for you. Yet, the skin in that area is hardly as pigmented as your lips, which often leads to coming home with less than idea choices once you try the product on.  However, there is a way around that problem that I want to share with you for figuring out how to those colors more accurately.

Next time, you are hunting for new shades of lip colors, I suggest swatching the shade on your thumb.  The skin there is a closer match to the color on your lips! 

Trust me, this trick works and will please you to no end.

Get That Perfect Shade of Nude Lipstick From What You Have!

How many times have you bought a shade of nude lipstick only to find it washed out your coloring with too much beige?  Instead of bothering to return it or stashing it away with your growing collection of bad makeup choices, I want to tell you how to customize that unflattering shade and turn it into the ideal nude.

Experiment and blend to create a customized nude like this one!

All that is called for is looking through your lip gloss stash for a sheer pink gloss to layer over it.  You won’t believe how wonderfully you can transform the original dull shade just with an extra dose of healthier color to liven it up.  

If the end result of that nude-pink tone is still too ghostly for your skin, then reach into your assortment of lip gloss again and try a deeper pink gloss instead!

I hope you try this little makeup tip because you will solve this mistake easily and get a lot more mileage out of your makeup bag 

Review + SWATCHES: Rimmel London Provocalips 16 Hour Kiss Proof Lip Color (Heart Breaker, Kiss Fatal, and Playing With Fire)

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

From left to right is Rimmel Provocalips Playing With Fire, Kiss Fatal, and ending with Heart Breaker.

I love long-wearing lip colors as much as the next woman, but you have to admit they can be a bit drying. However, Rimmel London came out this Spring 2015 with their Provocalips 16 Hour Kiss Proof Lip Color and I needed to see if this new line lived up to its claims.  I was sent several to review in 750 Heart Breaker (brick red), 550 Playing With Fire (true neutral red), and 230 Kiss Fatal (mauve-plum).  

This is a two-step lip product with one clear gloss side and the other with the lip color.  When I first pulled out the lip color with its doe-foot applicator, it was a bit thinner consistency that reminded me of a liquid lipstick.  

Rimmel London Provocalips Lip Color in Heart Breaker

The product went on smoothly and dried fairly quickly.  You do need to give it a minute to set before turning that tube upside down and using that clear coat of gloss.  This is what kept my lips feeling comfortable and moist instead of dry as this type of stain product can be. 

Rimmel London Provocalips the clear side of Playing With Fire

Provocalips did last exceptionally longer than you might expect through eating and drinking without transferring to my coffee cup to kissing.  Some of the color does disappear to become more of a stain.  I had enough color after a meal without touching up.  All I did was add the clear end for more of a shine. In fact, the same thing happened after dinner because there was sufficient color still left.

Rimmel London Provocalips Lip Color in Kiss Fatal

I really loved this product because it does live up to its promises.  Although I didn’t clock it to the minute, this lippie won’t budge unless you take an oil-based remover to it.  If you don’t, you will see still have traces of it the next day.

Rimmel London Provocalips Playing With Fire

Do look for Rimmel London's Provocalips 16 Hour Kiss Proof Lip Color  because it is something want to have in your beauty stash.

Disclaimer:  Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

Some Steps to Get Your Most Beautiful Lips Ever!

Here I have on Revlon's Super Lustrous Lipstick Cherry Blossom 28

We may be born with big, small or a crooked set of lips, but thanks to cosmetics we don’t have to allow it to distract from our overall beauty.  All that is needed are the right products for the task and a little makeup know-how to turn what you may consider your worst feature into possibly an outstanding one.

Usually, we rush in with our lip products without thinking.  However, it is important to know what your mouth looks like when it is closed and relaxed first before you fill in any color.  If you do this, you will have a better eye of where to use your lip pencil and later apply the color to your best advantage.  

You may want to start priming lips first only with a bit of  foundation.  What this does is give your lips a blank canvas to work with to better change the shape and get more exact color from that lipstick.   It also sets the lipstick just as your primer does only that you’ll be able to do more as far as artistry.

Using the same color of lip liner and lipstick, start tracing a path from the corner of the mouth up to the middle with your lip pencil.  Be sure to gently round over that peak that makes up your cupid’s bow before repeating the same technique on the other side.  In a pinch, you can also use a nude lip pencil that is suited to your skin tone.

A great trick is to smile slightly and follow your natural lip line as you then fill in lipstick color on the lower lip. Stay within the lines here and make sure the color looks even on the top lip as well.  You can use a cotton swab or lip brush, but the lipstick needs to be equally balanced.

After this step, take a look at your mouth in the mirror again.  If your mouth is too small or, perhaps, you don’t have that much of an upper lip, then try leaning your lip liner just slightly on the outside edge of your natural lip line.

On the other hand, you might consider your lips too big or maybe you just have a more prominent lower lip that you can’t stand.  Now you don’t have to be so hard on yourself because there is a great trick for downsizing those lips that you’re going to love.  All you do is to take your lip liner and softly lean that pencil to the inside of your natural lip line.  

Another suggestion when trying to downplay or increase the size of lips is to rethink the choice of lip color. Light shades bring out the lips.  Dark colors do the opposite.  A better option may be to look for softer shades over extreme colors of either.

If you feel your mouth looks lopsided because you have a crooked lip, try using the same technique with the lip pencil only make a subtle adjustment to your line on the problem side.

Take care and remember some of the most celebrated beauties in the world took what others might view as a flaw and turned it into an advantage.  For example, take timeless beauty  Cindy Crawford and her mole, which became her beauty trademark.  What I’m trying to say is everyone has a flaw.  It is only a perception of how you see yourself to the world that changes how you are seen.

NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquers Review + SWATCHES!

*Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

NYC New York Color

Lip color is one of the best ways to liven up a face and have fun with makeup.  The possibilities of what you can do varying your looks from natural, classic, sophisticated too bold and edgy is endless, especially when you single in on a wonderful formula of the product such as NYC New York Color’s Expert Last Lip Lacquers that can satisfy that beauty whim without crippling your budget!

Don't be under the impression that this product will be lacking since it retails for a mere $3.99. I found rich color on the order of a liquid lipstick that felt creamy, lightweight, and quite moisturizing.  These will hold up for several hours or until eating before fading into a becoming stain.  

Wait until you hear about the gorgeous colors.  The ones I got were #600 Turtle Bay Toffee (warm brown in the tube that transforms beautifully on the lips with some red), #201 Lincoln Square Love Affair (cool-toned bright pink that looks more of a tulip shade in the tube than on the lips), #700 Tribeca Mocha (mocha laced with copper that makes a fabulous neutral), and #204 Central Park Passion (romantic and a subdued natural pink). 

NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquers starting left to right is #700 Tribeca Mocha, #204  Central Park Passion, #600 Turtle Bay Toffee and ending with #201 Lincoln Square Love Affair on the right.

 NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquer #700 Turtle Bay Toffee looks rather brown at first glance, but it warms up to a striking brick sort of red.

Here is NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquer #201 Lincoln Square Love Affair.  

This NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquer #700 Tribeca Mocha is so pretty.   This is the one to consider when shopping for neutrals, which will be extremely popular for doing the most natural look,  the trend for faces this Spring, 2015. 

Take a look at NYC New York Color Expert Last Lip Lacquer in #204 Central Park Passion.

What you got to love about NYC New York Color Cosmetics is what a great value their products are without sacrificing quality.  Their lip products never seem to disappoint, including this line of Expert Last Lip Lacquers.  I can't wait to see what this company comes up with next to beautify us with!  Do go shopping and try them out.

*Disclaimer: Free product was provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.* 

The IT Girl Set Limited Edition CC+ Lip Serum Holiday Collection Review

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Here is a photo of the IT Girl Set.

Aging is not particularly kind to women.  Besides dealing with creases that are settling in and changes in our complexion, lips thin.  A way around that particular problem is with The IT Girl CC+ Lip Serum Limited Edition Holiday Collection that I have been using from one of my favorite companies, IT Cosmetics.

This IT Girl Set ($39.50) has three of their awesome CC+ lip serums in Snow Bunny (sheer pale pink), Joy to the World (pinkish berry-plum) and Under the Mistletoe (sheer red raspberry). I think these lovely shades would be loved by most, but my favorite was a tie between Under the Mistletoe and Joy to the World for how those colors lit up my fair complexion. 

The amazing thing about this trio is that your lips get beautiful color while receiving a treatment to heal and hydrate with anti-aging ingredients such as collagen, peptides, hyaluronic acid, essential butters, and oils.  These lip serums are also intended to deal with lip lines and for color correcting.  

Take it from me, these lip serums really are wonderful products with what they can do. My dry lips instantly felt that soothing moisture coming to the rescue and were left in better condition afterwards.  Furthermore, these have a pleasing, non-sticky texture, which is just as important to me.

If you haven’t ever tried any of the CC+ lip serums from IT Cosmetics, I truly do recommend them. In fact, this set is a great place to start at a bargain price.  If purchased separately, this $39.50 priced set would run $72!

Find the IT Girl Set Limited Edition CC+ Lip Serum Holiday Collection at IT Cosmetics, QVC and qvc.com as well as ULTA stores and ulta.com.  Check it out!

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

Create Some Holiday Lip Magic With Rimmel London's Moisture Renew Raining Colours Lipsticks (Review) + SWATCHES!

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

From left to right are Rimmel's:  #360 As You Want It Victoria, #720 Notting Hill Nude, #260 Berry Frost, #300 Rose Blush, #642 Nude Delight, #550 Back to Fuchsia,  #360 Fancy, and #520 Violet Pop Moisture Renew Raining Colours Lipsticks.

If you are looking for some pretty options for new drugstore lipsticks for the holidays, I have some Rimmel London's Moisture Renew Lipstick shades that are stunning as well as inexpensive!  Do check out these beauties from their Raining Colour collection that I received for this review along with two of the older line.

Starting near my wrist and going down my arm is #720 Notting Hill Nude (peachy nude); #520 Violet Pop (violet-pink in the older line); #360 Fancy (shimmering pink in the older line); #642 Nude Delight (pale peach nude); #260 Berry Rose (plum-pink); #300 Rose Blush (warm rose-brown); #550 Back to Fuschia (wild pink), and ending with #360 As You Want It Victoria is (bright, vivid pink).

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick swatches from the Raining Colours line.

I feel the new vitamin-enriched formula does make my lips better moisturized without being overly greasy.  In addition, the new colors seem to be more pigmented and glossier than earlier, especially noticeable in the darker shades.

As far as staying power goes, this formula can last for several hours or until you eat or drink. Once you do so, you will need to pull out your tube and reapply.  

Do check these new Rimmel London Moisture Renew Lipstick shades out the next time you head to the drugstore or wherever you buy their products.

*Disclaimer: Free products were provided to facilitate this review--not my opinion.*

A More Exact Way to Buy the Lipstick Color You Want

What woman doesn’t have her share of lipstick blunders?  

Even before I started beauty blogging, I had accumulated quite a collection of tubes just trying to find just the right flattering pink hue to compliment a dress for an important event. However, I learned something along the way of how to increase your chances of coming home with that perfect lipstick color you are after.

Just find that certain lipstick color that you admired from all those others that you think will work and buy it.  The secret of getting that exact color in the tube on your lips is to prime them with just a little of your foundation first.  That tad of makeup will neutralize your underlying natural lip color and provide the plain backdrop you need to paint the true color as seen in that lipstick.

Try my suggestion and you will save yourself time, trouble, and money buying lipsticks that you aren’t happy with!  

Josie Maran’s Argan Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipsticks (Fuchsia Frolic & Happy Honey) Gives Lips Soothing Satisfaction--Review + SWATCHES

**Disclaimer:  This post has been compensated through a free product (s) or monetary payment.  Opinions are solely mine. All links are "no-follow" links.**

Argan Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipsticks Line

What if I told you that I just may have the answer to your ultimate lipstick dryness woes? Let me fill you in on the juicy details of Josie Maran Cosmetics Argan Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipsticks that I had the chance to try.

There are six stunning shades available in this line.  I was provided with two tubes in Fuschia Frolic (a bright, sheer pink) and Happy Honey (a warm rosy nude).  

Here is Fuchsia Frolic that I'm holding.

In this photo, I am modeling Fuschia Frolic.

The first thing you will notice is that the color is centered in the middle and is surrounded by a clear coating. 

Once applied, these lipsticks glide on and leave a slightly lighter shade than its brilliant core. The amount of hydration they left felt wonderful on my dry lips due to the moisture-rich argan oil in its unique 3-in-1 formulation for a glossy effect in addition to lovely color. You can build onto the color by adding more. 

As to length of wear, I would say to expect about several hours (about four) before you will want to reapply.  I put mine on after breakfast and kept it on until eating my lunch.

This is Happy Honey.

Here I'm wearing Happy Honey.

The best part about Josie Maran Argan Love Your Lip Hydrating Lipsticks ($22) is how your soothed lips will feel even afterwards.  Do check this line out and give those lips some satisfaction!