Dior Addict Fluid Stick in "Kiss Me" and Sephora's Summer Surge!

As some of you know, from August 3-10 Sephora is holding their Summer Surge event that multiplies your points with purchase (with some additional goodies for those who qualify!). Beauty Insiders get 2x points, VIBs get 3x points, and VIB Rouge gets 4x the points for every purchase you make this week both in-store and online, no promo code needed. The girl I spoke to yesterday said that there will be special rewards going up online, although I haven't seen them yet. VIB Rouge...if your store still has them in stock...also gets a little tote and a makeup bag with samples. Mine had some of the usual throwaways, like perfume or mascara that doesn't work on me, but there were a few really great ones including a Laura Mercier Radiance Primer, Benefit Watts Up! highlighter, and Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Styling Treatment.

Summer Surge VIB Rouge Goodies!

I spent a lot of time wandering Sephora yesterday but only ended up with one thing (for now): Dior Addict Fluid Stick in "Kiss Me".

Dior Addict Fluid Stick in "Kiss Me"

I love love love this formula (also the darling packaging, how cute!), which is somewhere between a liquid lipstick and a gloss. "Kiss Me" looked like the perfect conservative shade to try out for school, a muted cool-toned pink. It's very close to a MLBB shade, but a little lighter. Because it is a lighter shade, it does settle into lip lines a bit, but nothing really noticeable unless you're up close, so definitely not a dealbreaker for me. Wear time is about what you'd expect from a gloss/lipstick hybrid.

"Kiss Me" - No Flash

"Kiss Me" - Flash

The no-flash swatch is definitely more true-to-life, if a little warm-toned...it's definitely not bubblegum pink, but the flash highlights the coolness of the color.

You can pick up "Kiss Me" ($35) or any other Fluid Sticks wherever Dior products are sold, but like I mentioned, Sephora is running that great Summer Surge event so it's definitely worth checking out there because of the 2x/3x/4x points offer!

Happy National Lipstick Day!

Because, obviously.

I always was (and still am) more of an eyeshadow person, but there's nothing like a fierce lipstick. A good lip can make or break your whole look, and I'm a firm believer that a bright lipstick equals a brighter day. Whenever I need to feel badass, I throw on a great lipstick; a bright pink, a fuchsia, a summery coral, a bold nude, a statement red. I know it can seem intimidating at first to wear an intense lip out, especially if you're not used to it, but from personal experience it brings out self-confidence that you may not have even thought you had!

Choosing a favorite lipstick is a little bit like choosing a favorite child, if you had, say, a hundred children. Yet there's one that I always have tucked away in my lipstick basket for those moments where I need to feel like, yeah, I'm a bad bitch. I bought it hesitantly, not just because it was pricey (lord knows I have no problem with that, I say as my wallet cries) but because I wasn't sure the color would suit me. It immediately became what I affectionately refer to as my "power lipstick". I use it rarely and for special occasions...I wore it to my college graduation, for example...because it's a little like my special secret weapon. Insta-fierce, just add lipstick.

Behold, Tom Ford "Violet Fatale":

You can't even see the "TF" in the lipstick anymore because it's so well-loved. I was afraid it would lean too purple on me, but it's just pink enough for me to pull off. Tom Ford has one of my favorite lipstick formulas, probably tied with Guerlain Rouge G, though they're both very much splurge purchases and I can't blame anyone for looking at the prices and shaking their heads. However, both formulas last essentially all day and sit comfortably, two things that I rarely find together in a lipstick, which is why they're top-tier products for me.

Guerlain Rouge G in Grenade from my Instagram

I had a longer "Celebration of Lipstick!" post planned, but that's going to be another time! I hope everyone celebrated National Lipstick Day, and if you haven't yet, there's still time!

What's your favorite lipstick?

My Lips...But Better

Every beauty junkie has her own personal mission to find the ideal, everyday lip product that just works with her natural lip shade, enhancing it without concealing it. In the beauty world, this shade or shades is referred to as MLBB...my lips but better. As much as I love bright, flashy lipsticks in fun, bold colors, there are plenty of times where I need a MLBB shade to either bring attention to the rest of my face or just for an everyday coverup. I can't tell you how many times I've gotten a ferret nip right on the lip that I want to just erase!

As of right now, I've found four amazing products that achieve that MLBB look, so I decided to do a fun little writeup of the products that I love and reach for often! My favorite four are:

• Guerlain Rouge Automatique in 100 Apres L'Ondee
• Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Memento
• NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Sex Machine
• YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in 08 Pink In Confidence

Guerlain, OCC, NARS, YSL

Guerlain's Rouge Automatique is a sheerer formula than their legendary Rouge Gs (which are one of my favorite full-coverage lipsticks ever), but it does a great job enhancing the natural lip color without overpowering it. The super-convenient packaging is also one of my favorites...slide the little button up and the lipstick pops out the top! 100 Apres L'Ondee is very close to my natural lip shade, so it's definitely a go-to for me!

OCC Lip Tars are fantastic, opaque, long wearing liquid lipsticks. You just need a little dab of liquid to cover your lips, and the formula will set and stay put for hours and hours. Memento is a rose-mauve that is slightly brighter than my lips and is definitely very opaque, but it's the only long-wearing full-coverage shade that I can put in the MLBB category so I love it for days when I won't have time for touch-ups.

NARS Velvet Matte lip pencil in Sex Machine was my very first MLBB color, as you can tell from the picture because it's certainly well-loved. I adore the simple pencil application, which is why this is a makeup bag staple for me. It hides all of the little flaws in my lips while giving a smooth, matte finish that is natural but lovely. I always, always have this one in my bag.

YSL Rouge Volupte Shines are sheerer but extremely hydrating lipstick that feels like a balm gliding on and leaves a wonderful shine. It's probably the most moisturizing and comfortable lipstick formula I've ever worn. 08 Pink in Confidence is a glossy MLBB shade, so it's perfect for days I want a subtle but shiny lip.

Guerlain, OCC, NARS, YSL (no flash)

 Guerlain, OCC, NARS, YSL (flash)

As you can tell, each shade has its own look that I can use to enhance when I'm not feeling a statement lip (which happens, I swear). Some are sheerer, while some are more opaque. I love all of them, though, and they each get heavy rotation in my makeup roster!

Feel free to share your favorite MLBB shade!

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Native

By now, most of you (or probably all of you!) have heard of Urban Decay's new Revolution lipstick line. With 22 fantastic shades, there's one...or more...for everyone. I fell in love with, say, at least half of them, and picked a few to try out the formula and I've been nothing but impressed! One of my most-used shades is the light pink Native, which works as a nice pinky-nude on me.

Gorgeous, isn't it? The packaging is a sleek purple-gunmetal, which is always lovely. The formula itself is creamy but not too thick, a little bit thinner than Too Faced's La Creme formula and with more slip.

Native (with flash)

Native (no flash)

As you can tell, it's definitely one of the lighter colors in the range, but for those of us who are crazy pale, it's perfect perfect perfect for a no-fuss goes-with-everything lip. Being such a light color, this shade in particular doesn't wear as long as the brighter colors (which have unbelievable wear time), but it's quite long-lasting and the formula isn't drying whatsoever so it's a dream to wear.

Native and all of the other shades ($22) can be purchased from Urban Decay's site, and all of the shades minus the two exclusive to UD's site (Protest and Strip) are at your local Sephora!

Things I Love: Le Metier de Beaute Lip Creme

As an apology for being so sporadic lately, here's a fun beauty post!

Le Metier de Beaute is one of my favorite brands, and has been ever since I first discovered them. I was first enamored by their eye kaleidoscopes (which are still a staple for me!) and the rest is history. I've been known to call other cities and other states to get my hands on counter exclusives. I could wax poetic about my favorite LMdB products for ages...don't get me started on Creme Fresh Tints!...but today I'll be focusing on their Lip Creme formula.

Described as "a hybrid of gloss and lipstick", Lip Cremes span that whole spectrum, from the sheerer shades all the way to the brightest and most pigmented. They have a light, glossy texture that slides on smoothly and is never thick or sticky.

Le Metier de Beaute Lip Cremes in (L-R) Creme de la Creme, Sweet Creme, Peche Creme, Fraise Creme, and Red Velvet

Creme de la Creme, Sweet Creme, Peche Creme, Fraise Creme, and Red Velvet (With Flash)

 Creme de la Creme, Sweet Creme, Peche Creme, Fraise Creme, and Red Velvet (Without Flash)

I unfortunately only have these five, but as you can see they're perfect for layering, a little kick, or a big bang. One of my favorite things about Lip Cremes is how hydrating they are. I hate when a lipstick or lip gloss...particularly after they've been worn for a bit...seem to leave your lips a bit sad and dry. Lip Cremes are one of my favorite if not my very favorite in terms of moisture. My lips never, ever feel dry, even after I've had them on for hours. In fact, they may even leave my lips a bit softer!

Lip Cremes can be found at your local LMdB counter if you're lucky enough to have one, or online at the usual retailers: Nordstrom, Saks, Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman.

Friday Fabulousness: Favorite Pink Light Lipstick

No, not my favorite light pink lipstick (that's a whole other post!), but my

Favorite Pink Light Lipstick

To me, there are a few different types of lipstick. There's the full opaque formulas (such as Tom Ford or most of Guerlain's Rouge Gs), and then there are slightly sheerer, not quite as heavy ones. Guerlain's Rouge Automatique and YSL's Rouge Volupte Shines are two of my favorite "lighter" formulas. Rouge Automatiques are less slippery and balm-like than Rouge Volupte Shines, so they do tend to last longer but are not quite as moisturizing. I do love them both, but today's post will be focusing on my favorite Rouge Volupte Shine: 6 Pink in Devotion ($34).

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine in 6 Pink in Devotion

As I mentioned above, this formula is more of a lipstick-balm hybrid than a straight-up lipstick, yet it's more pigmented than a tinted balm such as Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment. It also leaves a lovely, glossy finish. Pink in Devotion is described as a "bright hibiscus pink", which I think describes it spot on. The sheerer formula allows for a bright color to be worn in a more subtle way. I think it's a great "beginner bright" for those who aren't quite ready to go full-on in-your-face! The formula is so smooth, and although that comes with the downside of a shorter wear time, it's tremendously comfortable and moisturizing. There is a slight fruity scent, which personally I love but may be a dealbreaker for some.

Pink in Devotion (without flash)

Pink in Devotion (with flash)

Check it out at Sephora, Nordstrom, YSL, or anywhere YSL Beauty is sold!