Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro in #400 (The Red)

Giorgio Armani's Lip Maestro in #400 (The Red) was part of a Sephora gift set available to VIB insiders that I picked up back in June (you can see reviews of Fluid Sheer #2 here and Black Ecstasy mascara here).  It's a classic vampy red and boy is this baby packing serious color!

I do not wear red lips often and this one intimidated the crap out of me.  In fact, I blotted it down several times before I left the house.  Don't get me wrong - it's gorgeous and is a fantastic liquid lipstick formula.  It's just too much for me!

I didn't experience any bleeding but I do think a lip liner is in order with such an intense color (I didn't use one).  After blotting down a few times I was more comfortable with the look, perhaps because intense color+matte makes me feel less like my lips are screaming "look at me, look at me!".  

This is an all day kind of color as it does stain the lips.  I found the formula moderately comfortable, although my lips need some type of balm after wearing anything for 4+ hours.

Thumbs up on the formula but I need a less intense color, like maybe #500 (Blush).  Or I need to get more comfortable outside of my comfort zone, more likely.

Cynthia Rowley Beauty Lip Stain in Heartthrob

Given that Valentines Day is right around the corner, it seems appropriate to show you the aptly named Heartthrob.  I received this mini in a Birchbox and wasn't expecting much, to be honest.  A soft coral red, this lip (and cheek) stain pleasantly surprised me. 

The formula is more of a lip butter, with minimal stickiness but a decent wear time of 3 hours or so.  It's also moderately moisturizing, which is tres important in the dead of winter. Okay, it was 76 degrees yesterday in Mobile, but my lips need mega moisture all year round.

Does it really stain my lips?  Yes, as a repeat application during the day and a quick check of the mirror show lips that are progressively more pigmented. 

A full sized lip stain is $20, but Birchbox has a trio set available for $45.  Unfortunately, Heartthrob is not one of them and I can't seem to find it anywhere.  The other full sized versions on both Birchbox's and Cynthia Rowley's site are sold out.  Not sure if that is due to popularity or because they are no longer available, but there ya go.

Baby Boo Cheek & Lip Gel Stain by Vincent Longo

Baby Boo is a lovely rose red/pink gel stain that gives your lips or cheeks a realistic looking flush of color.  I've been really impressed with the entire color line of Vincent Longo gel stains, as they really do work well as both a cheek or a lip stain, which is not always the case with items purporting to be multi-taskers. 

I put a few dots on my cheek and then blend out with my regular blush brush.  I haven't had any issues with the gel disrupting my foundation, and I get all day (8-9 hours) wear with these. 

For lips, I exfoliate first, apply the gel with the applicator, let dry, and then reapply again.  Top with a clear balm and you're good to go.

Available in 7 different shades ($24), Baby Boo is one that I gravitate towards on a regular basis.  The gel stains were recently reformulated and are now gluten and paraben free.  Good stuff!

Cupid's Breath Cheek & Lip Tint by Vincent Longo

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

I've got another Vincent Longo Cheek & Lip Tint to show you today called Cupid's Breath.  Seriously, these things are fantastic!  Just so, so easy to work with.

Cupid's Breath is a soft warm coral that gives my skin a very natural looking flush.  I'm always surprised at how soft these look on the cheek yet give a punch of color to the lips.  Vincent Longo's stains are the only dual cheek and lip stain I've tried that I can say truly works well for both!

I know some people get skeeved out by using the same applicator for your lips and face, but fortunately I'm not one of them.  I place about 3 dots on my cheek and then blend with my blush brush.  On my lips, I apply two layers, letting each dry before using clear gloss on top for moisture and shine.

I purchased all six of the Vincent Longo stains from All Cosmetics Wholesale & Retail at 80% off, and it's easily my best bargain of the year.  The stains normally cost $24.

Neo Aura Lip & Cheek Stain Gel by Vincent Longo

New Aura is a warm honey brown lip and cheek stain by Vincent, one of the six that I recently picked up for a song.  Loving the formula on these, which makes them so easy to use!

Neo Aura has a orangish undertone that I really like, but you'll notice that it definitely leans toward a brownish red on the lips.  The biggest surprise for me with these lip and cheek stains is how well they perform in each area - which is not always the case with multi-tasking products. 

Topped with clear lip balm

I've not noticed that these dry out my lips and find them comfortable to wear.  They do contain aloe vera oil extract, which would help in that area.  Regularly priced at $24 each, consider me a fan.  I'm happy to have gotten all six!

L'Oreal Rose On and On and Lilac Ever After Colour Riche Caresse Wet Shine Stains

Marketed as a next generation lip stain, these Colour Riche Caresse Wet Shine Stains are supposed to combine the lasting color of a  lip stain with the high shine of a lip gloss.  Best of both worlds, right?  I've got mixed feelings about them....but a bit of background first.

Rose On and On

These are supposedly dupes for the more expensive Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stains.  L'Oreal is the parent company of YSL, so that could very well be, as we do occasionally see similar products released across the brands at different price points.  The reviews I've seen comparing the Caresse Wet Shine Stains with the Rouge Pur Couture Glossy Stains do say they have similar formulas, but the less expensive L'Oreal version has less of a color impact.

Based on my experience with the two I've got, Rose On and On and Lilac Ever After, I'd say the sheerness claims are true.  One layer gives a sheer gloss look, but successive layers (I averaged 2-3 layers when I wore them) build up color, although they still look sheer to me. 

Rose On and On, Lilac Ever After (2 layers each)

Stain left behind

On the plus side, they do have a glossy shine and I found them fairly long wearing at 3-4 hours.  They also leave a slight stain, as evidenced by my arm swatch after I wiped them off.  I also found them comfortable to wear, although I would not call them hydrating despite their 30% water content or the Omega 3, Vitamin E, and Argan oil in them.  My lips did feel slightly rough the next day, so I'd say they are a bit drying, although I couldn't tell while I wore them.

Rose On and On

On the negative side, they don't really look like the colors in the tube, and the difference on the lips between the two colors I got is slight.  Again, applying multiple layers helps deepen the color, so I would put on a layer, do my brows, put on another layer, apply mascara, put on another layer....you get the idea. 

Lilac Ever After

I'd say overall the positives outweigh the negatives for me and I do like them.  I bought mine from Ulta when they were having a BOGO offer, which made them less expensive then their normal $9.99.  If you've tried these, what did you think?

Ulta Double Duty Lip Stain and Balm in Romance

There's a part of me that wants to rock a vibrant lip and then there's the part of me that is self-conscious when I do.  But, I keep trying, especially in light of all the bright pink lips I've been seeing in springtime ads.

Enter Double Duty Lip Stain and Balm in Romance, which I picked up on sale for $3 recently at Ulta.  One side is a felt tip liner for the stain and the other is a sheer balm for sheen and moisture.  In the picture below, I applied the balm over the stain and then below it, and while it does have a slight tint, it is barely visible.

The stain side of Romance applied well and does indeed stain the lips, but I was not impressed with the balm side.  It's more waxy feeling than balmy, imparted almost no shine, and left my lips feeling dry and tight. 

I would say the stain lasts for several hours even with eating and drinking, as my lips still have color to them after coffee and a pancake brunch.  They are not a vibrant pink, but they are darker than my natural lip color. 

Romance with a clear gloss on top

So, for the $3 I paid, I'm satisfied.  I'm not so sure if I would be for the regular price of $8, however.  Ulta is always running sales, however, so it should be easy to pick them up at a cheaper price.  There are currently 5 colors available.

Disclaimer: I purchased this.

My Top Lip Product Picks from 2012

Gosh, there were a lot of great lip products that were both released in 2012 or that I discovered in 2012.  Here are my top picks, in no particular order:

• Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters:  Why yes, yes I did buy a lot of these.  All the colors that I thought I could wear, which turned out to be nine.  So yes, yes I do like these!  I like that they do not dry out my lips and provide enough glossy color that I can get away with wearing these on their own and not feel like I'm missing anything.  I've done multiple posts on these, but here is Cherry Tart and Candy Apple.  I'm going to pick Tutti Frutti and Sweet Tart as my two favorite lip butter colors. 

•  Tarte Lipsurgence Lip Tints continue to be my favorite of the lip products released in the roll up pencil format.  I love the more natural ingredient list and how they do moisturize as well as provide subtle color.  The lids cracking were a major downside, but now that I'm aware of that problem, I make sure to replace them gently.

• My favorite balm stain is a discontinued product, unfortunately, but maybe you got to pick one up when they were on sale at Sephora.  Tokidoki's Gelato Lip Balm Stain in Mozzarella was a great shade of pink that really did leave behind a delicate stain yet didn't dry my lips out. 

• Another brand that was discontinued at Ulta was a favorite lip gloss of mine, Sula Beauty's Beautiful Stranger, to be precise.  It's the beige shimmer above and I used that tube right up, I liked it so much.  Figures I discover things only when they are steeply discounted because they are being phased out.  Oh well.

Memento

• I got my first Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetic Lip Tars in 2012 and I'm still fascinated with them.  So pigmented, opaque, and smooth.  I ended up buying both the warm and cool set from Beauty.com and have had lots of fun mixing these to make lip colors to match my FOTD's.  I believe these were my favorite lip find of 2012!

Crush

• Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Lip Balm Stains were another fun favorite from 2012.  Good selection of colors, easy to wear, didn't dry out my lips, and did leave soft stains of color behind.  

•  Last, but not least, I found a red lipstick I will actually wear.  Color Design lipstick in Scarlet Blaze was part of the Lancome Sparkling Champagne holiday set.  I believe it's a special edition for the set, as I could not find it in their regular offerings.  

What were your favorite lip products of 2012? 

Disclosure:  I purchased these.