REVIEW: Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Shine Sculpting Lipstick in 210 Graceful

I must confess. Estee Lauder isn’t my typical brand; I grew up seeing it in older women’s vanity tables. The luxe feel of the brand has always put it beyond the reach of my student budget (then) and made me shy away from it.

All that said, I don't know what got into me when I found myself trying out lipstick at the Estee Lauder counter in MOA a few months ago. Must be their pretty model with pouty lips? Heh. I After much hemming and hawing at the counter, I gave in and got my first tube! Now I feel more grown-up. Chos! Let's talk about the one I got, the Pure Color Envy Shine Sculpting Lipstick in Graceful described as a sheer nude-pink. It was the most logical choice at that time since this is perfect for daily use in the office but now I'm actually considering other shades because of this lipstick's great qualities. 

How is this kid going to fit in with my messy lipstick collection of mostly drugstore brands??

What made me buy it aside from me being an impulsive (reformed, ehem) shopper? 

Here are the YAYs:

Luxurious packaging. The body is solid and has a certain heft when held. It’s very elegant and yet understated; something you won’t mind whipping out in a hotel restroom. ;) I have a tendency to play with its magnetic cap, heehee. 

Comfortable wear. The best description that comes to mind is that the lipstick hugs my lips when I wear it. It doesn’t dry my lips. No white flakes left either after several hours of wear. Pure joy to wear. *hands up*

Smooth application. It applies so smoothly. I call it love at first swipe. *hearts*

Sculpting? The lipstick gives off a shine that gives the lips a nice lift. Nothing too dramatic, though. The effect is very natural which is fine by me. 

Yup, this is MLBB material!

Estee Lauder in Graceful when worn by yours truly

You may notice I did not put any cons. Well, I just don't have any beef with it! I love it a lot! 

If you want something perfect for everyday use - wearable and comfortable - I daresay this is a good investment to have. No unsightly chapped lips! :-) 

I'd love to hear about your favorite MLBB lipsticks and your 'investment' lipsticks!

Be blessed always.

REVIEW: Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Backstage

The word 'backstage' brings to mind images of stage hands in black clothes, the need to stay invisible and and blend in the background like a chameleon. Well, this lipstick is anything but that. 

The Revlon Colorstay Ultimate Suede lipstick in Backstage will put you on the stoplight with its deep rich shade that lends instant sophistication to any look. It’s like a good pair of pumps or handbag that gives that much needed extra ooomph. I remember seeing Emma Stone's ad on this and just drooling over how nice and elegant it looked on her. 

The YAYs:

- Lovely shade of deep berry red

- Sturdy packaging (and the lipstick bullet doesn’t nick the cap! I’m looking at you Wet ‘n Wild)

The Swatch

The NAYs:

- SUPER drying (I thought suede was all about a smooth texture?). It starts really smooth on the lips then eventually dries uncomfortable. 

- Fades unevenly (need to retouch every so often)

- You'll need a quite a few swipes to build up the beautiful rich color. (some people see this as a pro since the color is sheer at first and yet buildable)

- Lasting power is so-so. Starts to fade after 3 hours.

The color looks beautiful, right? :) And that's the only reason why I'll still be wearing this even if it's drying. Just load up on the lip balm and...keep smiling! Hehe.

Be blessed always!

A Review: Happy Skin Shut Up and Kiss Me Moisturizing Lippie

Among different makeup items, lipsticks have a special place in my heart. All the colors and different finishes are so fascinating! The color combinations are endless! Lipsticks mainly occupy my kit and I like changing the lipstick I wear everyday depending on the day's mood.

In a previous post, I talked about Happy Skin's Second Skin Creme foundation (which happens to be my HG foundation!). I was set on buying just the foundation because I already had enough lipsticks in my kit but the curious cat in me wasn't able to resist picking up the brand's lippie. Not one, but two! So before the year ends, let me review Happy Skin's Shut Up & Kiss Me moisturizing lippie and you be the judge if it will fill your gift stockings for the season. ;)


WHAT IT DOES: (From the Happy Skin website)

Whether torrid or tame, your lips will say it all! This Happy Skin Shut Up & Kiss Me Moisturizing Lippie is sure to help you make that smackin' statement. This lip-loving moisture stick is loaded with Shea Butter and Collagen to get fans to line up for a taste of those supple, hydrated, and ultra-kissable lips. High-pigmented, and moisture-packed, this lippie glides on irresistibly smooth (without the stickiness!) and leaves behind a rich, creamy pout that's way tempting to kiss.

Top swatch: My First Time | Bottom swatch: My First Time

I picked up two shades: My First Time, a true red, and Summer Fling, a peachy shade.
More about my first time with Shut Up & Kiss Me after the break!

FOTD: Transition to Fall

I hear the word Fall and images of luxe plum lipsticks come to mind. I still feel ambivalent, though, about wearing such a deep lipcolor early in the morning when I step out of the house. It just feels a little too extreme, hehe. It's my goal though to wear plum on my lips next month, when the weather gets a little bit colder and a certain festive mood colors the air.

To ease myself into the whole plum-wearing thing, I decided to mix my plum lippie (Wet 'n Wild Sugar Plum Fairy) with a pinker shade (Wet 'n Wild Mauve Outta Here) for a more muted shade.

And what did I come up with? Ta-da!

Excuse the uneven application. :D

I was really tempted to buy MAC Rebel but I've read reviews that say Sugar Plum Fairy is an excellent dupe. So Sugar Plum Fairy it is for fall! Stay tuned for my plum lips fotd. :)

What's your fall lipcolor?

Love at First Swipe: NYX Matte Lipstick in Tea Rose

One word this week: HECTIC. I wasn't even able to push through with yesterday's dinner and show at Barbara's which I was so excited about. Nonetheless, I don't want my poor blog shriveling up just when I've started to feel a wee bit more passion for writing again.

NYX Lipstick is a favorite among bloggers - known for its affordable price range as well as the substantial quality that comes with it. Finally, I have had the time (and resources) to try this out for myself. :) Thanks to Skye Avenue for providing me my NYX fix (at a very affordable price too!). :)

Since I primarily just wanted to try this out first, I bought just two lippies: Matte Lipstick in Tea Rose and Soft Matte Lip Cream in Pink Peach Fuzz. Allow me to rave about the Matte Lipstick in this post. :)



NYX Website says:

NYX Matte Lipsticks are highly pigmented, richly formulated lipsticks that glide on smoothly, stay put and impart a non-glossy, high-fashion matte finish as they envelop lips in brilliant color. From Pure Red to Nude, Matte Lipstick is available in 22 rich, shades. 

Why it got me in Love at First Swipe? ♥

• First, the packaging. It's straightforward, not too fancy yet not too drab that I wouldn't want to bring out in public. 

Love at First Swipe: NYX Matte Lipstick in Tea Rose

One word this week: HECTIC. I wasn't even able to push through with yesterday's dinner and show at Barbara's which I was so excited about. Nonetheless, I don't want my poor blog shriveling up just when I've started to feel a wee bit more passion for writing again.

NYX Lipstick is a favorite among bloggers - known for its affordable price range as well as the substantial quality that comes with it. Finally, I have had the time (and resources) to try this out for myself. :) Thanks to Skye Avenue for providing me my NYX fix (at a very affordable price too!). :)

Since I primarily just wanted to try this out first, I bought just two lippies: Matte Lipstick in Tea Rose and Soft Matte Lip Cream in Pink Peach Fuzz. Allow me to rave about the Matte Lipstick in this post. :)



NYX Website says:

NYX Matte Lipsticks are highly pigmented, richly formulated lipsticks that glide on smoothly, stay put and impart a non-glossy, high-fashion matte finish as they envelop lips in brilliant color. From Pure Red to Nude, Matte Lipstick is available in 22 rich, shades. 

Why it got me in Love at First Swipe? ♥

• First, the packaging. It's straightforward, not too fancy yet not too drab that I wouldn't want to bring out in public. 

One Swipe = A New Look

Quick post:

I'm so late in the news but yes it's true, a swipe of lipstick can change your whole look! Talk about convenience; you won't have to wipe off an hour's worth of makeup in the evening when you go out with the girls after work.

Here's a photo of me last week on a really full and crazy day. Started my day early in the office and ended with a dinner in Greenbelt. Good thing my VMV So Clear Oil Absorbing Pressed Powder didn't give up on me all throughout. Yay! :)

In between all the stuff to be done, I had no more time to do more than a quick retouch of powder and lipstick. What saved me aside from my VMV pressed powder? Yup you guessed it right, my lippies!

From sweet pink to sophisticated red! Thanks to:

Ever Bilena Matte Lipstick in Offbeat Pink

Models Own in Scarlet (bought at a steal price from Kering Keri Store)

For the truly pressed for time, spritz on your favorite face mist and just reblend the makeup that you've already applied during the day. Don't forget to swipe on an appropriate shade of lipstick! :)

P.S. I'd love to hear all about your favorite lipstick shades. :)