Kat Von D- Adora

I really love red lipstick.  Like, really, really love.  The only downside to this is that there are only so many times to invent the wheel.  I don't really love shiny reds, and so I tend to stick with just mattes, or maybe a satin finish if I'm feeling adventurous.

So imagine my surprise when I was scrolling through instagram and saw a shiny-metallic- red that looked like fun.  Its a Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in a color called Adora.  Not only is it metallic red, its a sort of firey, orange-red and not in my normal color palette at all.  Kat Von D isn't sold at Ulta, but it is sold at Sephora (which is shocking to me given that Kat Von D is a known animal lover and Sephora is not  cruelty free brand) so I slunk off to Sephora to see if I liked it.

Kat Von D lipstick is really lovely, but at $21 is on the pricier side and I didn't want to pay that much for a lipstick I couldn't try on.  I went to one Sephora, but they didn't have it.  One turned into five pretty quickly.  None of the Sephoras around me carried it.  I learned through investigation that the closest Sephora to me that actually had some was about an hour away, which is really saying something, because I can easily count ten of these stores that I could get to inside of 20 minutes.  Nobody had it.  And nobody having it only made me more curious about it.

And then in one of my many internet searches to find out more about this elusive color, I found this.  I figured it was a pretty decent price, and even if I hated the lipstick, sparkly red nail polish is right up my alley so I'd call it a win over the polish alone. 

So I ordered it.  On the same day as I placed my Colourpop order, and Colourpop beat it here by four days.  And Colourpop is kind of known for slow shipping.  I'm just saying, weak sauce, Sephora.  Weak sauce.  It got here today though, and its the cutest widdle baby colors I've ever seen.

 

I wasn't sure right away that I would love the color on me but I was sure right away that I loved the color.

 

 

After seeing it online, I pictured it grainer somehow, but it is actually really smooth.  And of course, it slides on like a dream. KVD is amazing to apply and its like wearing pillows.  I haven't always thought that her lipstick had a lot of staying power but in terms of application, its pretty much the best.  In fact, I want it to come off so I'll have to apply it again.  Its really lovely.  And it smells amazing.  Full bonus points to Kat Von D for the scent. I've worn other KVD colors before but this one is easily my favorite!

 

 

As usual, you only need one coat, and the color is very saturated.  I actually really loved it.  I didn't find the shine overwhelming, and I think in person its really fun, and a fun change of pace from the same old same old of: red. matte. red. matte. red. matte.  Its  fun color because its sort of red and sort of orange all at the same time.

 

 

I've had it on for a few hours, and my lips still feel amazing.  This is a color I'll be excited to wear over and over.

 

 

ETA: After wearing this for the past few days (and I have been, continuously, because I love the color!) I wanted to give a little bit more of an update on this product.  This lipstick, like every KVD lipstick I've tried, is soooooo close to being perfect, but not quite.  This color will grab every little piece of schmutz anywhere around my lips and cling to it.  Make sure if  you wear this that you exfoliate your lips thoroughly first! And throughout the day.  I don't know if it's because the lipstick is metallic, which means there has to be little bits of glitter in it, but it sort of balls up on itself.  I have found that I am wiping it off every few hours and starting from scratch.  It is still a joy to apply, so I don't mind, but this isn't something that you can just apply and go.  It will need to be re-done.  And its a good idea to exfoliate your lips before each application.  Sometimes, you can get by with a lip primer or some chapstick underneath a dryer formula, but that won't work with this, you will really need to wipe your lips down. 

 

Having said that, I still think the color is amazing and rich, and smells totally yummy.  Its still a good buy, just a high maintenance one.









Colourpop II-- the hunt for nudes

I've written so much about my search for the perfect nude lip color.  I fell in love with Colourpop, in terms of their formula, though I had yet to really find the colors I loved.  I'm pretty picky about my lip color (outside of red, which is always a good choice) and its hard with companies that only deal in ecommerce, because I cant try to colors on before I buy.  I hate not trying the colors before I buy. 

After our last try with Colourpop on the blog, I knew I wanted to try again.  I love this formula, and you really cannot be the $6 price point.  Colourpop tends to read a little dark on me, so I figured if I got some really light colors, it would come out just right.  Sort of.

Shockingly, this order got here really fast.  Colourpop is everywhere right now, and they warn you to expect a little wait when you order, but these were on my doorstep in less than a week, which I felt was extraordinary.

From left to right, the colors pictured are Vice Midi and Solow.  I figured one of those had to be pretty close to what I was looking for.  I fell in love with Solow the first time I put it on.

 

Its essentially the color that my lips already are, but it gives them that polished liquid look.  I wore it all weekend and found it really wearable no matter what else I had on.  Colourpop tends to be a little bit dry and these are no exception.  I also found, with all three shades, that they were really not budging.  Not even soap and water could take them off.  I had to use makeup remover and scrub.

 

It took my two tries with Midi to fall in love, but I'm there now.  Its the truest nude that I've ever work, and I really enjoy it.

 

 

I ended up wearing Midi to work today, and it had no trouble staying put through the whole day.  Both Midi and Vice are a little more sheer, so it takes a couple of coats to really get total coverage.  I didn't run into that problem with Solow, and there are worse problems to have.  Its only $6.

 

I am not loving Vice.  Its too light.  Even for me, someone who magically makes Colorpop colors appear way darker than they would on another human, cannot make it dark enough.  I took lots and lots of pictures of this one, so that someone considering Vice gets a really good idea of just how light it is.

 

 

I don't even know who could wear this color or where.  Maybe if I ever found myself as an extra in a movie about the 1960's.  I theorize that a very tan blond person could maybe bring out the peach tones in this color, but otherwise, its probably one to skip.  Its so light that it ends up being a little streaky, so I'm really not sure what to do with it. 

 

I'm sure this won't be my last order with Colourpop, as they have too many great shades that I still want to try.  I love that once the formula dries, that it isn't moving for anything, and it really gives the look of liquid that I love.  I don't understand how this company can make such an inexpensive product, but far be it from me to ask questions.  And this time, I feel like 2/3 were great choices.  For me, when I can't try them on in advance, that's a big victory.





ImPress Nails

 

All week long, I was fawing over the nails of a girl I work with.  I'd noticed her before, because she has great style, but I really loved her nails.  I couldnt figure out if they were acrylic or gel or jamberry or what.  I just new they were the cutest.

 

 

When I finally got up the nerve to ask, she told me they were an ImPress Manicure.  I have always sort of turned up my nose at press on nails.  They seem kind of tacky, and they cant possibly stay well, right? I always figured they just popped right off. 

 

From my deep love of instagram I have already been learning that there are lots of new things happening with this kind of artificial nail.  Its not like when I was a kid.  After she told me that these things are super easy to apply (no glue!) and really do stay on, and best of all, only cost $6, I figured I'd have to give them a try.

 

 

 

They had so many cute styles, but I had to choose these because yellow is my favorite color.  I figured even if they came off before the end of the day, it was only $6.  They were super easy to apply.  I just wiped my hands down with an alcohol wipe, fitted the correct size nail, peeled the back off, and stuck it on.  I learned quickly that you only get one shot at this.  Once its on, its on, so place carefully!

 

The website says the nails are designed to last seven days, and here we are on Day Five going strong.  I've showered, done about eight million loads of dishes, cleaned, worked, and taken care of my kids.  No problems at all!  I am really amazed at how well they've stayed on.

 

My co-worker, now friend, went out over her lunch break and bought enough nails to last her several weeks.  They are all so cute, I couldnt even deal with it.

 





There are so many cute styles.  They have different lengths in both square and talon style nails.  I can't believe the quality for what they cost and I have had so many compliments on them!  I will say that where the website says that they can pop right off, I haven't found that to be true. There was one nail that I realized I put on upside down, and so I needed to take it off and re-apply a new nail.  I could not get it off no matter how hard I tried, and ended up having to soak it in nail polish remover.  Some press nails can be re-used, but these aren't those.  When they come off, they kind of distort in shape, and cannot be re-applied.  Hey, for $6, you can't have everything.

If you are needing a cute nail style, and don't have the time to get into a salon, these nails seriously take five minutes to apply and with almost no effort.  These nails are cruelty free, and you should already be on their website checking out the selection.  I will definitely be using more of these.

Giovanni D:Tox Scrub- Baby Steps to a Charcoal mask

Over the weekend, my friend Angie sent me a picture of her in a charcoal mask.  I have been wanting to try charcoal for awhile now, its known for its ability to suck every bit of debris out of your skin, but I've been too chicken to try it.  I have very sensitive skin that reacts easily to a lot of products, and charcoal is no joke.  It is not messing around.  Short of something a dermatologist does to you, charcoal is about as hard core as you can get.

While I feel like I know a thing or two about beauty products, Angie knows about seven or eight things.  She's the one I ask for reviews, and for the products she likes.  She said after she does a charcoal mask, she tries to leave her face product free for the rest of the day, with the exception of a really good serum.  This stuff isn't playing around.

I told her I was scared to jump in with both feet, and she suggested that I try a charcoal scrub.  We have sons on the same football team, and now that they are becoming teenagers, a good facial scrub is really important.  She suggested Biore Charcoal Scrub because that's what she has for her son.  This lady has seven children and flawless skin, so whenever she talks about skincare, I am all ears.  After seeing how bright her skin looked after the charcoal mask, I knew I had to give a scrub a try!

As luck would have it, I found myself at a store this afternoon that carried a lot of organic and cruelty free beauty products.  It didn't take me long to find one that looked like a winner!

 

Giovanni D:Tox Scrub had the activated charcoal I was looking for, along with volcanic ash.  It also promised me lots of antioxidants, and smelled surprisingly yummy.  I was expecting the smell to not be so great, but was really happily surprised. 

 

The best way to put this on would be in a hot shower, once your pores are good and open.  I washed my face with hot water and let the mask rest on my face for a minute before I got in the shower and started scrubbing.

 

 

Keep in mind that an actual charcoal mask will not look like this.  It will look like you have smeared thick black paint all over your face.  When the mask dries, it will stick, and may hurt a tiny bit when you peel it off-I'm told- but it shouldn't be anything too insane, and should leave behind a really fresh face.

 

Here are some great charcoal masks in variety of pricepoints:

 

Feeling Beautiful Charcoal and Black Sugar Mask (there is some debate about whether the company that makes this, Freeman Beauty, is truly cruelty free.  As of the last time I checked, they are still rated cruelty free by The Leaping Bunny, so I am listing the mask here)

 

 

Derma e 2-in-1 Purifying mask

 

 

Kaeng Raeng Clarifying Charcoal Mask

 

 

 

But back to the scrub.  I could definitely feel it tingling, and my skin felt incredibly smooth after I washed the scrub off, if a tiny bit raw.  Because I have sensitive skin, I really believe that whatever charcoal products I use, I would use at night, so that my skin can rest afterward and not be in a whole lot of light.  Even now writing this, I keep touching my skin because I cant believe how soft it feels.

 





You can see that fresh out of the shower my skin is a little bit on the pink side, but I feel like it has good circulation, I can feel the blood flowing, and I know for sure that there isn't a speck of dead skin left on my face anywhere.  Dead skin is dull can clog the lines on your face, making you look older than you really are.  Its a good idea to use some kind of scrub from time to time, just to make sure that healthy new skin is at the surface.  Don't over do it though.  Exfoliating doesn't really need to be done more than 2-3 times a week, and if you are using charcoal probably less than that. 

Make sure after you use charcoal (ESPECIALLY if you do a badass mask) to put a really good serum on your skin after to help protect it.  I'm using Tata Harper Rejuvinating Serum which I got a sample of and it has lasted me ages and ages.  The product itself is $$$, but you see how little my jar is, and its lasted forever.

 

I like anti-aging serums best, because I feel like the collagen and other products they usually contain really soothe my skin when its feeling a bit exposed, but really its whatever you'd like!

 

So, my first time with charcoal went really well!  I will definitely be using this scrub again!  It isn't very expensive, I got it for about $7 on sale, but it smells like (and works like) a much pricier product!  I think I will branch out into a full on mask next, since this went so well.  I would advise you to start with a scrub or a face wash if you've never tried charcoal before, just to make sure your skin reacts well.  I am super pleased with the results, and cant wait to try more!

Besame Lipstick: Victory Red (with bonus Red Velvet and Cherry Red)

 

 

I am super excited!! I have been waiting for today since I heard that this color was coming out. Besame is, without a doubt, my most favorite lipstick on the market.  A true Treat Yo Self, its inspired by classic makeup designs from the golden age of beauty.  If you have some time to kill, go and get lost on their website, www.besamecosmetics.com.  They don't just do lipstick, they do it all, and it is all classically gorgeous.

 

I've reviewed Besame before, here and here.  Since that time, they've come out with so many new products.  They have a new line of blushes launching next week and their powder compacts are maybe the most glamorous beauty product you can buy.

 

I fell in love with Besame almost instantly, after learning of them on twitter from the lovely Hayley Atwell, who plays my sheroine, Agent Peggy Carter.  The lovely Agent Carter wears Besame's Red Velvet, and if its good enough for her, its good enough for all of us.

 

Red Velvet is a universally flattering deep red color.  Anyone can wear it, and look amazing.  There is no one of woman born who cant rock Red Velvet.  It's been my favorite since the first time I tried it. If you are new to reds and nervous as to where to start, or you want something fabulous, but aren't sure what color red works best for you, please let me recommend Red Velvet.  Its the gold standard, literally.

 

My next Besame color was Cherry Red, which is similar to Red Velvet, and yet different.  I'm sure that's a very clear explanation.  Though we're getting ahead of ourselves a bit, here is a side-by-side of Victory Red, Red Velvet, and Cherry Red, so you can see how close in tone the last two are:

 



 

Where Red Velvet is a 40's era red (1946, to be specific, making it somewhat anachronistic for Agent Carter)  Cherry Red is a 30's era red.  Whereas Red Velvet maintains its tone all day, the Cherry Red fades to almost a berry pink color, despite starting off as the darkest of the three.  On the Besame website, it looks almost pink in the tube, but in real life, it is not.  No matter how much light I used to take the above photo, it still came out dark.  Cherry Red is a lovely color, but its sort of difficult to put your finger on.  The website also says it can be used as a stain, and so it may be a bit more sheer than some of the other shades.

 

 

Anyway, I've been drooling over Victory Red since its release was announced.  As far as I cam concerned, in terms of beauty, there is no better time than the 1940's.  The looks were so classically feminine and beautiful.  And because World War II was raging, women had to be creative with very little.  That ingenuity is something to celebrate.

 

 Imagine my happiness when I got home today, and saw this in my mailbox!

 



 

 

Gabriela never disappoints, and my new treasure came complete with a history lesson, which I am always excited about.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the early part of the 20th century, American women wore red lipstick as a sign of their empowerment as they campaigned for the right to vote.  In World War II, red lips were a symbol of victory, and thus, 1941 Victory Red was born, with $5 of every sale of the $28 lipstick being donated to Hope For the Warriors, an organization that supports veterans and their families.

 

This military inspired lipstick comes in an Army-green box, rather than Besame's traditional red and gold, and it comes with a victory lapel pin, a remake of a traditional pin from the 1940's.

 

 

Right now, I am loving bright, bold summer reds, and that's exactly what this color is.  Like the other colors, it goes on like a dream, and is really easy to apply, because of its unique pointed top edge.  Its a satin finish, but to me, it wears more like a matte than the other two.  It has a little hint of a vanilla scent, and doesn't feel sticky or like you have anything on your lips at all.  I love this brand.  Think up any positive adjective in the world, and it would apply to this product.  There just isn't anything I can think of that compares to it, and I've worn a lot of lipstick.

 

 

Victory Red

 

 



 

Red Velvet

 

 

Cherry Red

 

 

 Side by side, in the same order

 

All makeup is fun.  All makeup can make you feel good, but Besame is a real treat.  Victory Red is an amazingly fun color that I will be wearing often this summer.  You really can't go wrong with any of the colors, so do something special for you this summer, and treat yourself to some Besame.  You wont be disappointed.

 











Too Faced Melted Matte Liquified Long Wear Matte Lipstick in "Lady Balls"

When I first started falling in love with makeup, Nikkie Tutorials was the person I watched most.  That's probably still true to this day.  I think she's fabulous.  She is so fun to watch and I feel like if I knew her in real life, we'd be great friends.  She is so pretty and so funny, and if you love makeup and aren't watching her, you should be. 

I feel like we have sort of the same coloring, and if I'd discovered makeup when I was 15 years younger, I feel like we'd look a little bit alike.  Not too long ago, I saw a photo of her on Instagram showing a look she did with all highlighters, and I about died when I saw her lipcolor.

 

Yeah.

 

Its like the reddest red that ever was. I fell in love with it immediately, and knowing that Ulta carries Too Faced, I set off to make it my own.  Except I couldnt find it.  Anywhere.  Not even online.  I searched through all the Too Faced colors, and there was no Lady Balls to be found. It has confounded me for days.  Because its supposed to be a melted liquid lipstick.  I checked the name a thousand times.  And finally, yesterday, I figured it out.  It is a Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick.  Matte.  I thought all the liquid lips were matte, but I guess not.  I also found out that if I wanted it, I would have to go to Sephora.  Womp womp.

 

I'm not a Sephora fan, for a number of reasons.  I think their selection is smaller than Ulta's and I don't find their staff to be as friendly.  The Sephora store brand is not cruelty free, (Ulta's is) and usually, unless I am wanting a Kat Von D product, there is nothing at Sephora that I cant get somewhere else. 

 

It was driving me crazy, this color, though, and so off I went, behind enemy lines.  And I did find the product I was looking for, and you can see there are a few differences in the packaging between what Ulta carries and what I was looking for:

 

The product Ulta sells is on the right, and I have tried it before and liked the formula, if not the colors I tried.  The kind they have at Sephora has the doe foot applicator and is more of a traditional application for a liquid lipstick.

 

 

Even though I went in looking specifically for Lady Balls, I got distracted by some of the other colors in the line.  I didnt have time to try them all on, but I did swatch them, just to see if there was anything I'd want more than Lady Balls.  I'm easily distracted that way, and my hunt for  the perfect liquid nude is never ending.

 

 

If you find yourself interested, those colors, left to right, are Miso Pretty, Child Star, Sell Out, and Feelin' Myself.





So.... Lady Balls.  Its bright, like, really bright.  It is definitely the reddest red.  I figured it was close to some other reds I have, but I found that it is actually brighter.

This is Lady Balls, Stila Liquid Lipstick in Beso, and Kat Von D liquid in Outlaw.  I loved the color right away, we were definitely meant for each other.

in direct sunlight

 

 

in indirect sunlight

 

I am sad to say that I did not love the formula.  I found it to be drying, and yet sticky at the same time.  Not sticky in the type of way where your hair would get caught in it, but sticky in the way where I could feel it on my lips all day long.  I was very aware that it was there, and not so much in a good way.  I also found it sort of feathering and migrating throughout the day.  These are problems that can be fixed.  A lip primer and a lipliner would probably be a good solution, but I feel like this lipstick was kind of high maintenance.

 

 I also wasnt really dressed right for the color.  This is RED and I was pretty casual, and this isn't really a casual red.  I always say that red lipstick and sunglasses are all you need, and thats typically true, but this is a dressed up red. Also, indoor lighting is probably not the most flattering of this color on me.  Because it is so bright, and I am so pale, it was a little bit strong indoors.  Someone with more color in their skin could probably do this more justice than I am doing.

 

 

It was an ill-timed blind date for Lady Balls and me.  I am sure under different circumstances, with the right tools, and at the right time, we could have loved each other, but yesterday, it was not to be.  I saw my mom at the end of the day, and she said, "its really hard to get used to your face with all that makeup on."  And by then, I kind of agreed with her.