CoverGirl Star Wars Limited Edition Colorlicious Lipstick in Red No. 30

Disclaimer:  I won this in a giveaway.

I've got to admit that I was not aware there were some Star Wars: The Force Awakens themed lipsticks available from CoverGirl until I won one in a smorgasbord giveaway from Unboxing Beauty recently.  I'm not sure knowing would have led me to go out and purchase them, but I've got to admit I've been enjoying the red metallic lipstick No. 30 more than I thought I would.

(Photo: Marina Maher Communications)

There were originally 6 of these limited edition lipsticks, each matched to a Star Wars inspired beauty look.  All were metallic/frosts, and the red is probably one of the more wearable of the bunch, based on pictures I've seen.  I personally like a good metallic lip, although they can be a bit tricky.

This one doesn't veer too much into obvious frost territory, although there are definitely shimmer bits in the mix. Nothing that felt too gritty to me, however, and if you want to soften the look a good balm such as By Terry's Baume de Rose will go a long way. That stuff can rescue almost any lipstick, seriously.

Colorlicious Lipstick No. 30 

Colorlicious Lipstick #30 stopped with Baume de Rose By Terry

The formula on Red No. 30 is actually pretty comfortable to wear, and indeed it has some moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter, avocado/coconut oils, and aloe leaf extract that no doubt help to keep lips feeling good. Looks like the Covergirl Star Wars items are mainly available via Amazon or ebay these days, and I'm happy to have fortuitously added this to my collection!

Light on Your Lips Lipstick in Stepping Out by Julep: Lots to Like Here

Disclaimer:  I purchased this.

I've gotten to where I try not to buy new lipsticks or glosses because I have so many.  It's tough though, because new products are released and I fall victim to that "pretty! new!" dopamine rush.  Example:  ColourPop had a 20% flash sale this past weekend and I was going to buy some of their new lip products. The site crashed, however, which was the brake I needed because the reality is I would buy colors I most likely already have, and I have more than enough. So that's where shopping your stash becomes important, which is what I'll do instead.

For example, spring is the season when I gravitate towards coral pinks and coral reds.  Stepping Out ($22) Light on Your Lips lipstick by Julep falls right in that sweet spot with it's light coral red cream finish.

Plus, I'm really liking the formula with it's plethora of interesting ingredients, such as shea butter, coffee seed oil, rosehip oil, hibiscus extract, sunflower seed oil, and squalane. 

I think Julep's cosmetic offerings tend to fly under the radar, but they are coming out with some strong products. I received Stepping Out as part of a mystery box, which means I paid a fraction of the cost for a really good lipstick. It's glossy with good color and comfortable to wear - pretty much what I look for when it comes to lipstick.

Le Métier de Beauté January VIP Box: Mixed Feelings

Mixed Feelings is not the name of the January Le Métier de Beauté (LMdB) VIP subscription box, but it does reflect how I'm feeling.  I'm baffled as to why we got two more lipsticks, having just received two lipsticks in last month's box. I'm equally baffled as to why we are getting yet another similarly hued pink. One's plenty, really.

As the card indicates, Emerge and Burnished are exclusive to the VIP program in both color and formula. There is some online chatter from subscribers who are unhappy about not receiving products from LMdB's core line, as they feel VIP subscribers may be getting products that are not up to par in comparison to in store LMdB offerings, either in color choice or formula (or both).

Burnished

Emerge

I have no idea if that's true or not, but I suppose it's possible this subscription has jumped the shark. I hope I'm wrong, and we do have another 6 months to show otherwise. As to my impressions regarding Burnished and Emerge....they're only okay.  Emerge is a bit on the chalky side and Burnished is definitely frosty/metallic, hence why I'm guessing they suggest layering the two.

Burnished

Emerge benefits from having a gloss on top to smooth out the pigment which wants to bunch up a bit (another description for chalky?).  The two layered together looks pretty when topped with By Terry's Rose de Baume, which is my go to for difficult lipsticks.  Everything looks good with Rose de Baume on top, seriously.  

Emerge

Emerge + Burnished + Rose de Baume

So there ya go, mixed feelings. Three of the 6 months thus far have featured either lipstick or lipgloss.  The only product received for year 3 VIP subscription that is part of LMdB's regular product line was the foundation brush (which I like, BTW).  Last up, comparison swatches of December's lipsticks with this month's.  Fembot is the better of the two pinks formula wise, IMO.

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!

Cassis and Currant by Le Métier de Beauté: October VIP Box

I signed up for a third year of Le Métier de Beauté  VIP subscription box, and October's box was très bien.  As far as I know these are limited edition's so if you don't subscribe to the VIP box you are out of luck, but I've still got to show them. Just so pretty!

I'm a fan of LMdB's lip cremes and all the other colors I have are light and/or sheer, so I was quite excited to receive the sheer ruby Cassis.  There are actually some blue violet flecks in the mix, but they don't really show up on the lip.  I'm calling Cassis a ruby because it reminds me of a ruby ring I own, which is a lovely red that flashes pink.  

I find these glosses to be very comfortable and long wearing, and Cassis lasted all morning on my lips even after sipping on a smoothie.  Cassis gives just enough color that I don't need to layer it over anything, and the glossiness is perfection!  Sorry for the blurriness above, that is courtesy of the remnants of Patricia.  Raindrops were definitely falling on my head (and camera) when I took this picture.

Currant is a new product (Lip Verglas) which I hope will show up in stores at some point, because it's NICE. The sheer gel formula does not lack in color at all, so you are getting the best of both worlds here: comfortable lightweight gloss + color impact.  

LMdB glosses are $36 each and I'm estimating the value of the Lip Verglas at $30, making the value of this box $66.  

Currant Lip Verglas

Cassis Lip Creme

P.S.  I highlighted and chopped on my hair this weekend, hence the lighter color. I keep thinking I'm going to let my hair grow, but when scissors get in my hands....

Topanga Satin Lippie Stix by ColourPop

Topanga is the third and last Lippie Stix that I purchased from ColourPop back at the beginning of the summer. It's described as a mid-tone dusty coral with a satin finish (coral, people!), and I think the satin finish is my favorite of the matte, satin, and glossy finishes.

I'll be honest and say I haven't worn Topanga a whole lot, mainly because I have too many lip products to chose from. These are nice budget lip colors and definitely worth a look. The pigmentation is quite good and the wear comfortable for the 3 hours or so that Topanga lasted on me.

I'm more enamored with ColourPop's eyeshadows and highlighters than their lip products, but that's just me. As a brand, I think the selection and quality really cannot be beat at their price point.

I'm also impressed with how often they are releasing not just new colors, but new products, such as the gel liner pencils and pots that I just received an email announcing. Truly impressive!