Burt's Bees Ultra Conditioning Balm

Hello,

Somehow while owning probably 50 lip balms I found myself lip balm-less at work, with suddenly crazy chapped lips.  The nearest store is the Wal-Mart from Hell, and it is always super messy and half the beauty items are open.  But my lips needed relief!  So I chose Burt's Bees Ultra Conditioning Balm.

 

The biggest reason I choose this balm is because it said 4 hour moisturization and it is supposedly 100% natural.  Here's the description from their website "Kiss dry lips goodbye. Clinically proven to offer 4 hours of long-lasting moisturization, this ultra-hydrating lip conditioner is infused with rich Kokum, Shea, and Cocoa Butters. Giving you more butters and less wax than other balms, so your lips will be left soft and super smooth. It also lovingly replenishes your skin with no added flavors or fragrances. It’s hydration at its very highest"

 

 

It also says hypoallergenic - let's define that "designed to reduce or minimize the possibility of an allergic response, as by containing relatively few or no potentially irritating substances" -from dictionary.com  I just want to talk about that for a minute - most people think hypoallergenic means there is no fragrance, or that you can't be allergic to it - there is always something you can be allergic to!  They also often have a lot of masking agents in them to get rid on NATURAL scent (everything has a smell - so if you are buying something fragrance free it most likely has more chemical agents in it than you think to take OUT the smell.  Ok that's my rant on un-natural "natural" products.

 

 

So taking that all in - did it work?  It feels good when you first put it on - but 4 hours of moisturization - No!  Like an hour and 1/2.  It's $4 on Burtsbees.com.  The reviews on Burt's Bees are very mixed as well either one star or a few 5's.  I have come to the conclusion I just need to drink more water rather than using lip balm! 

 

Anybody have a lip balm recommendation that really makes their lips better?!?

 

Jasmine

 





The Color Whisperer

Hello!

Today I wanted to share the 2 Color Whisper "lipsticks" I bought recently.  Calling these lipsticks, is kind of like calling the Revlon Lip Butters lipsticks.  Some are more pigmented, but they feel much more like a balm.  So let's see what I got:

Berry Ready on the left and Bare to be Bold on right

The colors I choose were Berry Ready and Bare to be Bold.  I really wasn't sure what either was going to look like.  Maybelline describes this product as: "Get truly translucent gel color. Sexy, soft, see through color.  No heavy waxes or oils.  Just a kiss of shine."

I am always on the hunt for a good "nude" lipstick so that's why I grabbed Bare to be Bold, and I thought the Berry Ready would actually be lighter than what it turned out to be, as they said "soft see through color".  The colors are very comfortable to wear and you can easily put a little balm underneath if you are feeling chapped (as I was when I wore Bare to be Bold). 

Berry Ready
 

Berry Ready appears much lighter in this photo, I was quite surprised how pigmented this color was.  You can get a better sense of the color from the swatch above on my arm.  But I still like the color.

Bare to be Bold

Bare to be Bold on the other hand is lighter than I thought it would be it is just a tinge more color than clear.  It gives your natural lip color a bit of beige. 

These are comfortable to wear so that's a plus but I'm not totally in love with the colors.

Jasmine

Oh la la Lips ... Milani Flamingo Pose

Hello!

Today I wanted to share one of the new Color Statement Lipsticks from Milani. 

Their website describes them as : "Make a statement without saying a word! True Instant Color. One stroke, full coverage application. This next generation lipstick gives the ultimate in color, texture and finish. The lightweight creamy formula contains Vitamins A, C, & E to moisturize and nourish lips. Paraben-free." 

It feels very smooth on, but it does settle into lip lines and dry spots (which is only really noticeable close up).  It also has a very distinct smell (like some sort of candy) it's actually quite strong, and I don't usually notice the scent people say lipsticks have.  So heads up!

As you can see below after the lipstick wears away (about 3 hours depending on if you eat or drink) it leaves the lips lightly stained which I like:

You could also just apply a very light layer of the lipstick and blot to get this look which is almost like a matte version.

I really like this color and want to try more, but I still have two more red lipsticks I haven't even posted about yet! :0

So have you tried any of the new Milani colors?

Jasmine

Oh la la lips - Maybelline Vibrant Mandrin

Hello!

Today's lips are brought to you by Maybelline's new Vivids (a part of the Color Sensational line).  There are a lot of really great colors in this collection but I limited my self to one - Vibrant Mandrin.

The color looks just like that - in real life - almost neon.  But as you can see in the swatch it's not so frightening out of the tube, in fact I think it look fabulous on!  It's a lovely pink/coral with a bit of extra punch.

 



My only complaint would be that the pigment settles on any dry spots on your lips, so just like most vibrant lipsticks, a good exfolliation and bit of balm is necessary beforehand.  I can't wait to try Neon Red from the vivids collection!

Have you tried any of these?

Jasmine

Presents to myself - OCC Lip Tars

Hello:

Hope you all are having a good weekend!  As a make-up/skincare consultant I am working and today is actually my Tuesday.  But because I'm doing what I love, it always flies by and allows me to buy presents for myself like this gem!

Is that 5 new Lip Tars for me?  oh yes!  I got it from Sephora and usually the Lip Tars are $16 each, but this full sized set was only $49 and it came with a full size lip brush - Score!

The five colors are (from left to right) Pretty Boy, Stalker, Vintage, Grandma, and Melange.  I love OCC's names - like Grandma is totally a coral that older ladies like to rock with a modern edge.  I had to look up Melange - it's either rock formations or it can mean a literal mixture of things.  I just saw Sephora now has some of the Metallic Lip Tars so you know I'll be workin hard for the $$ this weekend so that can be my next gift to myself.  :) 

They are all amazingly pigmented and you need so little product, that these may last me my entire life.  The full size lip brush that came with them is really nice as well.  Also they are "made to be mixed" so I think Grandma and Stalker need to meet :)

Do you have a favorite Lip Tar?

Jasmine

oh la la lips... Palladio Juniper lipstick

Hello!

Once again it's time for some RED lips!  This week I tried Palladio Herbal Lipstick, which I got at Sally Beauty supply for $5.99

This lipstick comes with all sorts of benefits:

Improves lips surface and combats aging

Reduces appearance of fine lines

Creamy rich coverage

"Palladio Herbal Lipstick is enriched with peppermint for fresh breath. Added herbs like Green Tea, Chamomile, Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, Aloe Vera and Vitamin E to improve the lips surface and combat aging to reduce the appearance of fine lines.

Prevents the lips from drying or cracking, providing the natural humectants needed for a healthy look. Enriched with peppermint for fresh breath."

I will agree with the lip smoothing - but I don't know about the fresh breath, I'm going to bet if I ate some garlic-y pasta you would still know!  But it does feel nice on.

It looks like it would be much darker than NYX's Bloody Mary (reviewedHere), but it's just a tinge darker, still a blue based red, just not quite as bright.

And now for the happy girl wearing red lipstick picture!  And I am telling you there is a red for everyone!  I should change this post to "On Thursday's we wear Red (lips)!"

I already have a glossy red picked out for next Thursday!

Jasmine

Review - Victoria's Secret Plump Pout Tinted Balm

Hello!

Today I wanted to show a product I picked up before Christmas at Victoria's Secret.  It's part of their Beauty Rush collection - usually you can find them right by the register and they're usually 5 for $20 or something like that.

They also have glosses, and gloss "chubby" pencils.

The packaging on these is pretty flimsy - I think you can tell in the picture below that the plastic tube looks like it will crack pretty easily.

Now you can see on the tube it says "tinted balm" - here's the swatch:

Hmmmm, not quite what I was expecting.

Above are my lips before....

And here they are with the balm on...

It does have the plumping "tingle" but I didn't notice a big difference.  I still think there is nothing better than DuWop Lip Venom if you want real results.  I think this will go into my car for cosmetic emergencies. 


Do you have a favorite lip plumping product?

Jasmine

Review - OCC Lip Tar in Strumpet

Hello!

Today I finally tried one (yes I have 7) of my OCC Lip Tars!  And I am in love :)  It is all the things I heard it would be - Long lasting, Excellent color payoff and you only need the tiniest amount. 

I would definitely recommend exfoliating your lips before applying as it will show all your dead skin bits.  They also recommend applying clear lip tar first, but I found as long as I exfoliated and had a used a bit of balm like 20 minutes in advance it was fine.

 

Here it is swatched on my arm - I could not get a clear picture, excuse the blurriness:

 

 

And like the directions show it works best to apply it directly to the brush, you need a teeny, tiny amount.  About the size of  a large hex in a glitter polish :)

 

And the results - wa-lah:

 

 

It actually looks much more like the color of the swatch on my arm in real life - I took the pictures in 3 different kinds of light but my camera just couldn't seem to catch it, but you can see the lovely texture and coverage non the less.  And it lasts and lasts, and than fades to a stain.

 

I will definitely be trying my other colors in the next few days.

 

Have you ever tried the Lip Tars and if so what is your favorite color?

 

 

Jasmine

 

 

 

 

 

 







e.l.f Studio LIne hual (part 2)

Hello:

Today I have the second part of my e.l.f  Studio haul.  This time I wanted show the actual cosmetics I got.  Here's the whole lot below:

One thing I was really excited for was the e.l.f. Studio SPF 45 Sunscreen UVA/UVB Protection Powder:

"A portable loose powder sunscreen that can be worn alone or over any makeup for key sun protection. Shields against harmful UVA/UVB rays to prevent premature skin aging and sun damage. The soft translucent powder is infused with healthy ingredients such as Aloe Vera Extract, Grape Seed Extract and Vitamins A,C & E to help nourish and soothe the skin." - from the e.l.f. website

 

 

As you can see from the picture above I wouldn't say it is "portable" as they describe.   I wouldn't throw this in my purse, I don't think I ever "carry" loose powder.  But, that aside, it is SPF 45, it's translucent, and so I am happy to apply at home!

 

I also got the e.l.f. Studio High Definition Undereye Setting Powder:

"This light-diffusing powder camouflages fine lines, dark circles and imperfections, perfect for on camera or everyday wear. The silky powder adds a velvety finish ideal for wearing alone or setting in cream concealer. The Vitamin C & K infused formula helps to restore and strengthen skin for a revitalized appearance." - from the e.l.f. website

 

 

Although it appears white in the container it goes on "clear", it does have some very fine iridescent sparkles in it as well.

 

I also got the e.l.f. Studio Cream Eyeshadow (I got 2 of the eight shades available):

"Line, shade and contour your eyes with this ultra pigmented and creaseless cream shadow. Easy to blend for layering and building color. The silky smooth and smudge-proof formula provides long lasting color for a beautiful look all day."

 

 

I got Natural Glow (left) and Candlelight (right), I did one thin layer for the picture and it came out sparkle heavy.  These remind me of the texture of the Maybelline Color Tattoo shadows.

 

I also wanted to try the e.l.f. Studio Lip Definer & Shaper:

"Enhance your lips by creating a fuller more defined lip easily! One side highlights lips to create a beautiful youthful glow, while the other side defines lips for a perfect pouty look." - from the e.l.f. website

 

 

I really like the define color - when smudged down it it creates a very nice "my lips but better color". I'm honestly not sure how to use the "shape" definer part of the pencil.  I used it to highlight the cupids bow,and it was ok...

 

 And last but not least the HD blush in Encore:

 

"Rich and creamy HD Blush naturally sculpts and highlights the cheekbones for a soft-focus effect that is great for everyday use. The Vitamin E enriched formula conditions and hydrates the skin for a healthy, radiant glow. Velvety soft, lightweight and highly pigmented color creates a long-lasting result for all day wear."  - from the e.l.f. website

 

IT IS VERY HIGHLY PIGMENTED - You only need a dot of product - as you can see I put three dots below and then I had to buff the he!! out off it and put a bunch more foundation on so I wouldn't look like a clown.  But it does last and last and it is a pretty color.  I do want more already :)

 

 

So that's it, the only thing I didn't show was the eye primer, because well it just looks like eye primer.

 

Hope you all are almost ready for the holidays and have lots of cookies in your future :)

 

Jasmine



 

How sweet it is...NYX Sweet Pink Matte Lipstick

Hello:

Today I want to show off my new favorite lipstick NYX's Sweet Pink.  It's a fun, bright color and I'm loving the matte look.  It somehow brightens my whole face.

I got this as part of my big NYX order that I wrote about Here.
NYX Matte lipsticks come in 22 colors and are only $6.  I really haven't ever been disappointed by an NYX product. You can get them at Ulta or Nyxcosmetics.com.  I usually end up purchasing thru the website as the Ulta's near me are always sold out of half the products! 

On to the swatches:

My bare lips freshly exfoliated, so the matte lipstick goes on smoothly.

Smooth lovely pink!

And I can add a little gloss if I want to switch it up.

I think even with winter coming up I can still using this bright pink to liven up my look, I know Oxblood is the new hot color, but I always think it's not hot unless you love it!


Jasmine

Save your way to Smoooooth Lips

Hello:

Today I did lip swatches of a matte NYX lipstick I got a while back.  Because Matte lipsticks have a tendency to show any imperfection in lip texture I exfoliated my lips before hand with Fresh Sugar Lip Polish:

 

You can get it at Sephora for $22.50 and it works really well but you can get the same results from an at home exfolliant for way less from things you already have in the kitchen!

Take olive oil and add a pinch of brown sugar.
Dab on your lips and let sit for a minute. 
Then take a wet wash cloth, or use your finger, and gently rub it back and forth. Rinse with water.
Apply a lip balm or a moisturizing lipstick afterward.
WAH-LAH!!  Works just as well as the Fresh exfolliant above and you can save that money to buy more Matte lipsticks!

Jasmine

NYX Purple Rain lip pencil

Hello:

Today I did some photos of the NYX lip pencil in Purple Rain that I got with a bunch of other fun stuff you can read about in THIS post. 

 

The NYX Slim Lip Liners are super affordable at $3.49 and you can get them Here.  They have so many colors I've lost count.  I also have Fuchsia and Plush Red.  The pencils are not super creamy but rather more like a pencil eyeliner which I like because I can do a thin line or tilt it and get more coverage.

Bare Lips

With a light lining of Purple Rain



With a light coat of clear gloss

 

I really like this cool purple and think I could do some cool ombre effects with this as well.  It also works great with my pale skin tone ~ Well done NYX!

 

Jasmine

 

 

 

 

 



L'Oreal's Color Riche Balm in Rose Elixir

Hello:

Today I tried The Balm from L'Oreal's Color Riche line.  I picked color #218 Rose Elixir.

The tube cover is highly indicitive of the color housed within.  This formula is very sheer.

It does have a very balm like texture and feels much like Burt's Bee's Tinted Lip Balms, or the Revlon pencil balms.  But he color is much more sheer. 


Bare Lips

With Rose Elixir on

It is a very nice product but there are a lot like it on the market - but it's also a fun way to try a sheer version of a color you wonder if you might like.  The "balm" doesn't last thru a meal but if you don't touch your lips it gives about 2 to 3 hours of wear.

 

Do you have a favorite of all the new sheer, moisturizing lip products that popped up this summer?

 

Jasmine

 

 

Hard Candy's Visibly Wet Shockingly Glossy Lip Pencil - Sheer version

Hello:

I back with the longest titled lip pencil ever, but in their sheer formula.  It's Hard Candy's Visibly Wet Shockingly Glossy Lip pencil in Glamazon. 

I got it at Wal-Mart for $6, but it's not currently on their website.

I am having a hard time describing the color - when it's on it's almost the exact same color on my lips.  But if you look at it, you would guess it to be a orange/red.  So it seems the color in the pencil, is not terribly indicative of what you will get.  It also goes on very sheer so your just getting a hint of color.

Bare Lips

1 swipe of lip pencil

3 swipes of lip pencil

 So, I like the color but it doesn't last and isn't terribly moisturizing.  I like the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm better and it doesn't cost much more. 

Jasmine