Filed In: Lip Gloss

Guerlain | Gloss D’Enfer #920 Rouge Parade, Un Soir À L’Opéra, Christmas 2014 Collection

October 8, 2014

Part of Guerlain’s Un Soir À l’Opéra Christmas 2014 Collection (see previous reviews here & here), Gloss D’Enfer #920 Rouge Parade will coat your lips in an ultra-glamourous rich ruby brilliance. Drawing on the deep red of velvet theatre curtains as inspiration, this is a shade that is steeped in glamour, elegance, and sophistication – with a healthy dose of sexy thrown in for good measure.

Guerlain | Gloss D’Enfer #920 Rouge Parade

Guerlain | Gloss D’Enfer #920 Rouge Parade (ingredients list)

Gloss D’Enfer #920 Rouge Parade, Limited Edition (CAN $33.00) | A deep crimson hue with blue undertones in the base. Thanks to the clear acrylic octagon-shaped tube, you not only see the shade you’re getting, but can monitor usage levels. The slightly up-tilted sponge applicator holds a small reservoir in its base, retrieving the right amount of gloss from the tube with every application. Lightly scented with a vanilla “floriental” (top notes: lemon, orange and bergamot accord, heart notes: rose and iris, dry-down: vanilla and tonk a bean), it approaches the senses delicately – I only notice it upon opening the tube and again upon initial application. Intensely colour saturated and highly pigmented, #920 Rouge Parade feels incredibly lightweight upon application; in fact, if not for the colour, I don’t feel like I’m putting anything on. The gloss factor is outstanding, although it does tone down through any eating or drinking. Longevity is excellent as well; I am able to get minimum 8 hours wear and minimal migrating into any fine lip lines (rather surprising for such a vivid hue).

The mega-watt shine of #920 Rouge Parade, is immediately apparent upon application, and within minutes, this silky product seems to melt right in; as my lips are rather deeply lined, the effect is as though the gloss fills in said lines and makes my lips seem that much fuller as a result. Throughout the wearing, I experience no stickiness or oily film, and definitely none of that pulling-away-from-the-inner-lips syndrome (hate that – where you have this blank space on the inner portion of the lips that no amount of gloss seems to want to cover). I absolutely LOVE how hydrating this gloss is and even long after all traces of colour are gone, I’m left with a lightly stained “bitten-lips” look, and a bonus super moisturized feeling as well.

Guerlain | Gloss D’Enfer #920 Rouge Parade

Nothing says holiday makeup like the ubiquitous red lip and what makes #920 Rouge Parade stand out, is the fact that you get: intense colour, a brilliant shine, and a smaller commitment than applying lipstick might involve, although the highly pigmented nature of this shade means you can’t just whip it out and apply mirror-free either. Absolutely stunning on its own or even layered over a similar hue for more depth, this is most definitely priced on the steep side for a gloss (although not as high as some other luxury brands), but it’s #920 Rouge Parade‘s impressive qualities – in terms of colour, application, and hydrating properties – that make it worth a look, especially for fans of that perfectly sultry red lip.

Available at all Guerlain counters as of November 1, visit www.guerlain.com for more information on the entire product range

*Disclosure: Press sample provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, Once… Collection

September 18, 2014

The Once… capsule collection recently released from British cult-fave brand Illamasqua (find my previous review here), also includes 2 Sheer Lip Glosses and I have Exquisite to show you today – a milky pink hue (the other is Opulent, a ‘rainbow beige’ shade). Perfectly in line with the faded romance theme of this entire collection, this pink shade – a traditionally girlie hue – is made modern and edgy by the contrast of [still soft] tones that it holds. Confused yet? Read on …

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, Once… Collection

Illamasqua | Once… Collection

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, ingredients

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss

Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss (US $24.00) | Described as ‘pink oyster’, Exquisite is an interesting mix of delicate petal pink and pearly hues filled with an ultra-fine pink shimmer (non-gritty) – all in a formula that is at once sheer AND somewhat opaque. Can be easily worn alone or layered over any other lip colour, making this a very versatile shade.

I’m not sure how Illamasqua managed to pull off all these contradictory factors, but it might be due to the underlying milky tone which appears to add good coverage to what would otherwise be considered a very light shade. The texture leans on the thicker side, but is non-sticky in feel and there’s a fruity-berry scent that I detect upon opening – which seems to disappear rather quickly (or perhaps I just stop smelling it), while any initial settling into lip lines smooths itself out within a few minutes of wearing. The brush is a little longer than I’m used to and I wasn’t all that keen on it at first, but after playing with this gloss for a while now, I’ve come to appreciate how easily it picks up the product from the tube, while the density and flexibility of the bristles makes application quick and effortless. Lasting power (not including eating/drinking) is pretty good, averaging about 3-4 hours before any significant fading, and even once the majority of shine wears away, your lips are still left with a light veil of colour – more of a sheen, really – and feel nicely hydrated overall.

Going through my collection of pale pink glosses, I was surprised to find that Exquisite has no match; the closest I own, is #191 Songe (LE) from the CHANEL Fall 2014 Collection – which bears the same shimmer, but is definitely more sheer and with a light grey base, and #542 AMC Lip Gloss from Inglot (now discontinued) which has a similar pink flash, but without the shimmer and milky factor (see comparison swatches at the end of the post).

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, blurred to show the shimmer

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, alternate view/lighting

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, CHANEL #191 Songe (limited edition, Fall 2014) & Inglot #542 AMC Lip Gloss (discontinued)

Illamasqua | Exquisite Sheer Lip Gloss, CHANEL #191 Songe (limited edition, Fall 2014) & Inglot #542 AMC Lip Gloss (discontinued) – alternate lighting

I make it no secret that I love pale lip hues and even though I tend to lean towards beige-y neutrals, I find myself attracted to pale pink shades as well; finding one that won’t clash with my colouring, however, is a whole other matter and thankfully, Exquisite seems to fit that bill perfectly. Neither too warm nor cool leaning, this is a shade that will work on everyone.

I’m so sad to hear that Illamasqua is phasing out their North American retail outlets, because this is a brand that deserves to be fully explored in person – and it feels like it only arrived on Canadian shores just yesterday. Still, they do offer international shipping (which I’ve heard from fellow bloggers, is quite good) and decent sales every so often (who doesn’t love a beauty sale?). You know what this means, right? Yup … travel plans!

Available now, find more information:

*Disclosure: Press sample provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Glossy Stain #40 Beige Peau & Gloss Volupté #210 Beige Nu

August 26, 2014

The recent release of the Yves Saint Laurent Beauté Cuirs Fétiches Collection for Fall 2014 has been a resounding hit for the brand, and while many of the limited edition pieces of this collection reached covetable status in record time i.e.: the Couture Palette Collector Fétiche (reviewed here), the textured nail lacquers in #52 Bleu Galuchat & #53 Taupe Grainé (reviewed here), and the matte lipsticks, such as #210 Nude Acoustic (reviewed here), I’m so happy to see that the new Glossy Stain #40 Beige Peau and Gloss Volputé #210 Beige Nu – are both items that are just as lust-worthy as the others, but even more importantly is that they are slated to become part of the permanent range. Be still my nude-lip loving heart.

Inspired by leather’s shiny alter ego, both of these products give your lips a glossy and almost patent-leather shine and while the colours themselves fall on the neutral side, they are nonetheless total must-haves for fans of that perfect nude lip.

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Glossy Stain #40 Beige Peau & Gloss Volupté #210 Beige Nu, Collection Cuirs Fétiches Fall 2014

Vernis à Lèvres/Glossy Stain #40 Beige Peau (CAN $38.00) | Perfectly named, the Glossy Stain formula is (according to the brand):

“A unique feeling for the lips with a vinyl sheen and an intense lasting colour. Not quite a lipstick, not quite a gloss, and certainly more than lip colour”

Launched in the Spring of 2012, you can basically credit YSL Glossy Stains with beginning an entire new trend for lip products. Housed in a black rectangular casing with the brand’s iconic gold cap, I appreciate that the base also has a cut-out window where you can see the colour of the product, without needing to open it up first. The applicator is a slanted & spade-shaped sponge on a relatively short wand, with a decent enough width that it grabs sufficient product to spread along your lips, while the tip with its rounded point can be used easily for more precision work. There’s a slight chemical scent to this product and while not unpleasant, I’m glad just the same that it dissipates quickly upon application. The texture is a little harder to pin down; a slightly cool feeling and watered-down gloss, but with a higher-than-usual amount of pigment is probably as accurate as I can get it. Longevity, is unbelievable (the “stain” part of the name is bang on) and while some of the shine will eventually fade, the majority of colour will stay until removed.
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For those new to the Glossy Stain format, you should know that what you are getting here is a lightweight feeling yet long-wearing lip product, highly pigmented and which comes to a glossy finish. Upon initial application, you’ll find that #40 Beige Peau – a warm toned and tan based beige hue, appears more matte than shiny, but wait a few minutes & you’ll see the magic begin, as the colour seems to level out (almost filling in lip lines as it spreads) and the gloss factor starts to appear. Once it has set (which takes approximately 2 minutes), there’s an odd sensation of it being simultaneously wet & dry, but always light feeling without any heavy waxy sensation. This particular shade is quite light; on my lips which are naturally quite pigmented, it provides a hint of colour with plenty of shine – sort of like a “clean nude lip look” (one of my absolute fave looks, in fact) and even though you’d be tempted to think that such a light shade wouldn’t last too long, I’m still able to see plenty of colour on my cleansing pad upon removal – 8 hours after initial application.

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Vernis à Lèvres/Glossy Stain #40 Beige Peau

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Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Vernis à Lèvres/Glossy Stain #40 Beige Peau

Gloss Volupté #210 Beige Nu (CAN $35.00) | First introduced earlier this year, the Gloss Volupté formula is an intensely brilliant and non-sticky lip gloss that will leave your lips feeling incredibly soft and nourished long after the colour has worn off. Apart from the ‘Pure’ versions (as in shimmer free), these glosses also come in an Iridescent format, as well as 3 top coats – Golden (ultra fine shimmer that can be layered over lipstick or even other glosses), Pure (a crystal clear and ultra glossy finish for those who wish to avoid colour) and Smoking (a sheer black shade that adds a vampy effect when layered over lipstick, most effective over red and berry colours). The patented “kiss-shaped” applicator has been created to effectively cover your lips with an easy swipe – “Bouche à Bouche” – with the broader side depositing the majority of the colour, while the pointed tip aids in a more precise application. There’s a fruity scent (I smell hints of pineapple) to this gloss, although once applied it seems to disappear relatively quickly, while the feel of the product is so incredibly lightweight, that if it weren’t for the visible colour, you’d wonder if you’re actually applying anything at all. Staying power varies dependant on which shade you choose, with the darker colours lasting longest and lighter shades averaging about 3 hours. As to the gloss, expect an almost vinyl-like finish – truly spectacular and quite impressive. buy sinequan online www.mabvi.org/wp-content/languages/new/sinequan.html no prescription

Trying to accurately photograph #210 Beige Nu, proved extremely elusive; this is in fact more of a mauve-based nude with hints of dusty rose as opposed to a yellower-tinged beige (or “naked beige” as the press release claims). A universally flattering colour, it won’t be as apparent against highly pigmented lips or darker complexions, but it will serve to add intense shine just the same. On my lips, it seems to both deepen my natural colour and mute it somehow, and it’s exactly the type of shade I so totally love to wear, as it provides a dressed look to the lips without seeming over the top. Worn alone, it adds brilliance and a spot of colour to keep lips from looking washed out – worn over lipstick, especially a more matte shade such as #210 Nude Acoustic, it adds a gorgeous & lush depth.

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Gloss Volupté #210 Beige Nu

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Gloss Volupté #210 Beige Nu over Rouge Pur Couture The Mats #210 Nude Acoustic

Yves Saint Laurent Beauté | Glossy Stain #40 Beige Peau & Gloss Volputé #210 Beige Nu

As a lover of neutral/nude lip shades, I am so happy that both Glossy Stain #40 Beige Peau and Gloss Volupté #210 Beige Nu are part of the brand’s permanent range, because I intend to reach for these often. Apart from their totally wearable colour, it’s the unique and top-quality formula they each bear that makes them well worth investing in. To be sure, both these products fall on the higher end of the price scale and colour-wise can probably be duplicated with less expensive or mass-market brands, but once again, it is the superior feel and wear of the YSL versions that I would choose just the same, or as I like to call it “well-dressed naked lips”.

Available now at all Yves Saint Laurent Beauté counters, find more information via:

*Disclosure: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased review

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color #404 Spice, #405 Sultan & #406 Orient

August 20, 2014

Launching next month (September 2014), are three new Lip Maestro shades from Giorgio Armani Beauty: #404 Spice, #405 Sultan and #406 Orient. Described as “luminous matte red lacquer”, these are intensely pigmented yet velvety soft lip products that apply like a gloss, but with a lipstick’s opaque factor. Inspired by classic Hollywood glamour, these new hues are at once passionate and fierce, made modern by their unique new texture. The couture revolution for lips, is here.

From the first application stroke, you can tell that this is a truly innovative product: highly colour saturated yet with an extremely lightweight feel, lips are completely enveloped in colour from the start. The sponge applicator is slightly angled to provide excellent contact with the lips, while the lightly tapered head easily gives you precise control without needing to use a matching liner. Slightly cool-feeling at first, each shade comes to a semi-matte finish, appearing neither too flat nor glossy, but with a plush velvety tone – both in look and feel. Non-sticky once the colour sets, the lasting power of each shade is almost superhuman – looking as fresh at the 10 hour mark, as they did when originally applied. Any fading that may occur is easily resolved by a quick press of the lips to refresh the colour. My biggest fear was that such intensely pigmented shades would surely feather, bleed and/or creep into my surrounding lip lines, but once again I was pleased to note that any movement in that area was minimal at best – truly surprising (but oh-so-welcome) for such vivid red hues.

For all swatches below, note that each shade has been applied straight from the tube without any touch-ups using either a lip liner or lip brush, in order to keep the colour and texture true.

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color, ingredients listing

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color #404 Spice, #405 Sultan & #406 Orient

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color, logo detail

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color #404 Spice, #405 Sultan & #406 Orient

Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color #404 Spice (CAN $38.00) | An passionate crimson red hue with slightly cooler undertones in the base, although #404 Spice is so richly vibrant (without coming off as too primary) that it can be easily worn by those with warmer complexions.

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color #404 Spice

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color #404 Spice, brush side view

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color #404 Spice

Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color #405 Sultan (CAN $38.00) | A fierce brick red hue with slight brown hints in the base for added depth of tone and warmth. Less intense than #404 Spice but still maintaining the same impact, #405 Sultan is the perfect transition shade for Fall.

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color #405 Sultan

Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color #406 Orient (CAN $38.00) | A screen-siren vampy red with blackened plum hints in the base to up the “brooding factor” of this colour, without veering into Goth territory. Not for the faint of heart, #406 Orient may be exotically deep, but still maintains a level of sophistication – especially when paired with flawless skin (or as close to it as you can get) and a sexy cat-eye.

Giorgio Armani Beauty | Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color #406 Orient

Red is the colour of life, love, passion and complex emotions – and Giorgio Armani Beauty has taken this hue to a whole new level with #404 Spice, #405 Sultan and #406 Orient. While each shade packs a major impact, they are not without their quiet strengths as well, and can even be made daytime wearable provided you leave the focus on the lips (and why wouldn’t you with colours like these?). If you’re still on the hunt for that perfect red and not sure whether to go with lipstick or lipgloss, then look no further than these Lip Maestro shades – your quest may just be over.

Available as of September 2014 in Canada through Holt Renfrew, Sephora, and select Hudson’s Bay store. Find more information via the website

*Disclosure: Product samples provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

MAC Clear Water Lipglass, Limited Edition – Alluring Aquatic Summer 2014 Collection

June 19, 2014

Of the 10 lip products released with the MAC Alluring Aquatic Summer 2014 Collection (5 lipsticks & 5 glosses), the only item that drew my attention was Clear Water Lipglass, a shimmery mermaid-lips kind of shade. Definitely falling into my comfort zone of nudes-neutrals, it also happens to have that little something extra via its multi-dimensional sparkle – and versatile enough to be worn either on its own or layered.

As with many items of this collection, this particular product quickly sold out online but may still be available at some counters.

MAC Alluring Aquatic Summer 2014 Collection – Clear Water Lipglass

Clear Water Lipglass (CAN $20.00) – A semi-sheer and warm toned milky base, filled with pearlized and opalescent shimmer, in a slightly thick but non-sticky formula. Bearing the light vanilla scent that MAC Lipglasses are known for, it quickly dissipates upon wearing. As my lips are rather pigmented naturally, I prefer to wear Clear Water on its own, which gives a slight hint of colour with the shimmer providing the illusion of added fullness. Wear time was about 2.5 hours at most – as expected with a shade this light – but the some of the sparkle does tend to linger long after the gloss itself has worn off. Lips feel quite moisturized both during and after the wearing – another bonus.

MAC Alluring Aquatic Summer 2014 Collection – Clear Water Lipglass

For those that missed out on scooping this little beauty up, I have a feeling it can probably be easily duplicated by many other brands, and in fact, Clear Water Lipglass is very similar to another one of my all-time favourite (and permanent) glosses, CHANEL’s #151 Aragonite. Once the weather starts warming up, I tend to step out of the box with more vibrant lip shades, but I always come back to these almost magical-looking hues. Blame it on my inner mermaid.

Product was purchased by me.

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