LipSurgence Lip Creme in Stunning by Tarte

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

Stunning is something I've been reaching for quite a bit in the last few weeks, no doubt due to the warming weather and brighter days we've been having.  It's a color I associate with spring!

I like Tarte's LipSurgence lip creme formula, as I find them hydrating enough to wear on their own. Despite Stunning being a lighter color, it has enough pigmentation to make it more than a lip balm, so I get color + moisture = winning :-)  Wear time is probably only 2-3 hours, but I'll take comfort over longevity.

I received Stunning as part of the Gift or Get Beauty set I picked up back in November, but it was also part of the holiday Dressed to the Nines LipSurgence Lip Creme gift set.  I'm guessing they were offering leftovers of these mini-sized tubes in other gift sets, as I'm not seeing Stunning in the regular lineup of colors. Too bad, as this melon pink is perfect for spring.  Perfect.

Moody LipSurgence Lip Tint by Tarte

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

I got Tarte's Moody ($24) back in November as part of a customizable set they were offering. I chose it because I thought it would be perfect for the fall season and because I wanted to step outside of the usual peachy pinks I gravitate towards. Turns out it was a great color choice!

Described as a deep berry and definitely a moody cabernet in the tube, Moody applies as more of a sheer berry stain.  It's lightweight but with a nice glaze that leaves my lips a lovely reddish stain.

I find the LipSurgence Lip Tint formula comfortable to wear but not as hydrating as I would like. The lighter formula also means I need to reapply every few hours, but it does not provide enough moisture for me to rely on it solely.  So, there's that.  I also think theses are a tad on the high price side at $24, but considering I paid a fraction that, no complaints here.

Overall though, I'm really enjoying Moody for it's super wearable color!

December Le Métier de Beauté VIP Box: Lipcentric

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

Le Métier de Beauté's December VIP box featured 2 lipsticks and a clear lip pencil.  The online rumblings have been less than positive regarding this lipcentric offering, which I'll articulate more on below.  However, I'm not unhappy with this month's box.

Why, you may ask?  Well, there's also a nice makeup bag that feels and looks like thick leather (although it's not).  While I don't need more makeup bags, I do appreciate getting ones that have a quality feel/look if I'm going to get them in a subscription box.  I throw out ones that feel cheap or flimsy, but I'll hang on to this one.

The lip pencil in Translucide is a clear color meant to line lips to prevent feathering of lipstick. Exciting?  Not really. I've bought similar products from Too Faced and Urban Decay before, so another one is not unwelcome.

Celestica (shade)

Celestica (sun)

The two lipsticks do not appear to be a part of Le Métier de Beauté's current line, which means they could be coming out in spring or they were made just for the VIP boxes.  However, I doubt these were made just for the VIP boxes, as those products usually just say "VIP" on the label.  Some of the discontent I saw online from other VIP subscribers had to do with feeling like the subscription boxes were getting items of less quality than regular LMdB products.  However, these feel good on and the cases have a nice heft/look to them, so I'm leaning more on the side that these are potential new releases.  We shall see, I guess.

Fembot (shade)

Fembot (sun)

These two Lambent lip colors both have a shimmer to them.  The shimmer bits do not feel gritty on  and the lipstick is surprisingly lightweight yet plush feeling. The name "Fembot" really is perfect for the pink color, yet it's not an unwearable frosty pink.  I may end up wearing Fembot for my Christmas Eve look.  If it's going to be an unseasonably 76 degrees today (which it is, along with a monsoon), I'll wear spring colors.  So there.

Call me Pollyanna, but I like my December VIP box. Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

NARS Cruella and Rikugien Lip Pencils

I think Sephora's 2015 birthday gift of NARS lip pencils will actually get some some use by me as opposed to languishing in neglected makeup land.  These are niiiiice.  Let's take a look.

Cruella is a classic vampy matte red with pigment that goes on for years.  It was also surprisingly comfortable for a matte and did not make my lips feel parched or uncomfortable.  I usually apply a smidgeon of lip balm underneath to help combat dryness, but I probably could have foregone that and still have been okay.

I wore Cruella on my birthday and was surprised at how light it felt for such an intense color.  I had no migration issues and it wore well.  Bonus:  it does stain so my lips had color even a lunch of Thai salad/soup/chicken pad thai.  Yum.

Rikugien is the satin version lip pencil and its a soft rose pink shimmer.  I wore this to an official function at the university I work at.  Typically, I try to wear understated makeup for such occasions, and Rikugien was a perfect complement for the outdoor event.

Rikugien's shimmer is not enough to look frosty, just enough to keep it from looking flat and give a bit of oomph to the lips.

Rikugien was not as long lasting as Cruella, but it did wear comfortably and my lips were not screaming for more moisture.  I can see this becoming a work staple for when I want quick color without having to worry about precision application.

I'm on week two of my vacation/staycation and this week involves no work related responsibilities, so it really feels like vacation now.  That should mean more regular posting to the blog and catching up on house/yard related things. Exciting, I know :-)

Honeypot Sheer Lip Lube by Laqa & Co.

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

When I think of colors I want to wear in the spring, pink is at the front of the line.  Even better, make it a soft orchid pink lip pencil called Honeypot, and I'm envisioning bees buzzing from flower to flower as I bask in the warm afternoon sun. 

I received Honeypot by Laqa & Co. in my April Birchbox, which I've been to post about.  The chunky lip pencil is a glossy, semi-sheer lip balm that gives enough color to work on it's own or as a topper over another color.

It's peppermint/shea butter formula wears comfortably for about 2-3 hours, which is about average for me with this kind of product.  I did not find it particularly moisturizing, but neither did it irritate or dry out my lips.

The full-sized version of this is $20, but you can get a free deluxe sized Honeypot at Birchbox right now when you spend $35 on Laqa & Co. products, just so you know :-)

Le Métier de Beauté Nudite and Rouge Dualistic Lip Pencils

Le Métier de Beauté's VIP subscription box continues to knock it out of the park this year!  I'm behind in posting what I've received, but here is November's box, which arrived in late October:-)

The two lip pencils and samples of the Peau Vierge Anti-Aging Day and Night cream were encased in this sweet black patent bag.

I already own the peachy brown Nudite, but the rosy Rouge is a welcome addition and my favorite of the two colors.  It seemed to apply a bit smoother than Nudite as well.  Both can be built up to an opaque matte finish that is easy to wear on their own or layered under a lipstick. They feel slightly dry on but I did not notice them drying out my lips.

Rouge

Nudite

Nudite, Rouge

Nudite

Rouge

The Dualistic lip pencils are $38 dollars each.  I know, crazy expensive.  I like these but I've found equally good lip pencils at a fraction of that price from NYX and Essence.  Regardless, I'm quite happy to have them and continue to love the Le Métier de Beauté VIP subscription program! 

Rouge Dualistic lip pencil

MAKE Super Matte Lip Pencil

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

MAKE's Super Matte Lip Pencil is something a bit unique, or at least I don't have anything like it in my collection.  It's a colorless swivel up lip pencil and can be applied on top of lipstick to reduce shine for a mattifying effect.  I love a good matte lipstick, but finding an effective matte formula that doesn't dry out my lips has been a challenge.  Could this be a better option?

Well, I'd say yes!  The Super Matte Lip Pencil does indeed mattify when used on top of the lipsticks I've tried.  Furthermore, I can put a balm on underneath the lipstick and still get a matte finish with the pencil, which helps cut down on the dry lips effect.

My lips feel comfortable and I get extended wear with the Super Matte Lip Pencil.  The only issue I've experienced are some little nubby bits on my lips.  I can't figure out if they are byproducts of the pencil mixing with the lipstick or dead skin.  It's a bit irritating but nothing that's a deal breaker.  Also, I find the top a bit hard to remove.

Givenchy's Le Rouge Rose Dressing mattified

Maybelline's Vibrant Mandarin mattifed

Urban Decay's Catfight mattified

I love that I now have a selection of lipstick colors that can now go from high shine to matte in a flash with the Super Matte Lip Pencil.  Good find IMO, and reasonably priced at $23!

Vibrant Mandarin mattified