Lip Service

The Sea of Lipsticks found at the MAC Counter

One thing a girl is always in need of is a good pucker me up! Lip service. Lipstick can transform your whole face by adding some color to your overall look. Besides using the usual go-to Pink's and Cherry Reds- this season models picked it up a notch with a lot of Orange/Coral colors down the runway shows. Orange has been one of my favorite alternatives to Red, I personally use MAC's Matte Lipstick in "MORANGE." Models were also spotted with both deep and vibrant purples and the ever so-classic subtle Nudes. For a nude shade, I like MAC's Lipstick in "HONEYLOVE."

The beautiful thing about lipsticks is that no matter the brand you can always bet on finding a shade that fits you and your mood. From high brand lipsticks to drugstore brand alternatives. Each lipstick is equally fit to make your Lips POP! I like mixing highs brands lipsticks to wear for special occasions or a night out on the town with drugstore lows for a more everyday look. The best part about drugstore cosmetics is that if you aren't fully satisfied with the product you could always return it. Just save your receipt and you're good to go to the next color that pleases your mood =)

Beauty Tip: To keep lips flake-free, don't forget to moisturize daily with your favorite lip balm. I am currently using Lipsyl Beeswax, which you can find at your local drugstore. I love that it has a retractable handle so there is no need to use your fingers. And for the best results, the key to beautiful healthy lips is EXFOLIATING. Body and Lip scrubs are my best friends. One of the easiest and cost less scrubs I like, can be found from ingredients right in your kitchen. My favorite: Mix granulated sugar with equal parts of Honey and whalaa. You got a homemade scrub. Apply enough on your lips and scrub for about 3-5 minutes. Rinse Off. 

These are some of my favorite lipstick picks I recently purchased on my last beauty run. I think I'm becoming addicted to lipsticks =) Beware for future posts!

-THE LOWS-

I picked these up from Walgreen's. The best part they were having a sale on both Rimmel & Revlon Lipsticks. It slashed the cost by half so I saved from $2- $4 on each lipstick.

My picks:

Rimmel Moisture Renew Lip Colour in

Coral Shimmer #120

(Reg. $6.99)

Revlon Color Burst Lipstick in

Soft Nude #70

(Reg. $8.99)

I love Revlon's packaging and that the lipstick has "REVLON" engraved right onto it. The color on the outside of the packaging is pretty accurate of what you will find inside. I love that with one swipe you get the full color. Works so your lipstick color lasts without having to keep reapplying.

-THE HIGHS-

After seeing the Vanessa Paradis ad's for CHANEL's new line of Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour on my way to work everyday, I had to go see what the fuss was about. Vanessa Paradis (Johnny Depp's wife btw) is gorgeous. She cleans up very well. The opposite of what the tabloids say of Johnny and his family's personal hygiene. But that is besides the point here. CHANEL's new lipstick line pays homage to the life of Coco Chanel in 30 unique shades. Each color is rich and beautiful in its on way.  I will say I am really satisfied with this product. The color is very rich so no need for constant re-applying here. 

I was lucky customer #2 at the CHANEL counter when I purchased the lipstick. As the color Vanessa Paradis wears, #5 Mademoiselle," is selling out just as fast as their "Particuliere" Nail Polish from their latest Spring 2010 Collection. If you can get your hands on one without getting ripped off online on Ebay or such, I say do it. This lipstick is the perfect splash of pink-red, great for any skin tone. Check out Rouge COCO #5 in "Mademoiselle." 

Rouge Coco #5 "MADEMOISELLE" (Ret. $30)

MADEMOISELLE Exposed

Close up of the custom CHANEL engraving =)

I instantly fell in love with this lipstick. Not only is the packaging sooo COCO CHANEL but I love the sweet smell and how creamy the texture of the lipstick is. The color added a natural more cherry pink tone to my lips, which I can use both day and night! You can't ask for any better even with it's hefty price. But don't forget that just because it's name brand it doesn't necessarily mean it's better. So stay alert about all those gimmicks that if it cost more it must mean its better than your ordinary lipstick. I know I  rather pay for the quality of an item than the brand.

My second pick:

Rouge d'Armani Lipstick in #508 (Ret. $30)

Close up of Giorgio Armani's Rouge Lipstick in #508

This Barbie-Pink Sheer textured lipstick came recommended by my favorite Benefit Brow Bar Gal Rachel!!! (The only girl I let come near my eyebrows besides myself.) I'm not too big on waxing my brows. I just recently started getting them waxed within the past year since I was always afraid they would leave me with pencil thin eyebrows. I prefer fuller eyebrows and rarely color them in. Well Rachel never fails me and I love her sweet personality. That is an extra bonus every time I visit her. 

Well as she was working on my brows, I noticed her gorgeous lip color. Like a true makeup maven she secretly revealed it was actually not from Benefit but instead one of GIORGIO ARMANI's from their new Long Wear 8-hour Formula Collection. She was nice enough to bring the color over from the next door counter while she was "doing me up" and applied it on me. How cool is she? The shade went on more sheer than it appears on the stick but definitely with two swipes one can achieve the perfect pink. Especially since Rachel is rather fair skin and I am on the tanner side. What's even more cool is the packaging.

After finishing at the Benefit counter, I walked over to GIORGIO ARMANI and the lady gladly explained the product and how the lipstick case holds a magnet at the bottom so you can always keep your top attached to the bottom. Almost like gravity, pretty cool, huh? The lipsticks are an 8-hour formula. And after asking Rachel, she said she had been wearing it all day without no need to re-apply. 

Furthermore, Rachel told me MAC carries a similar color for a cheaper price. MAC lipsticks usually retail for $14. The only difference is its matte texture. MAC lipstick in "Please Me." Both shades of pink do come close, the only noticeable difference is one is sheer and the other one is Matte. I had my sister Alessandra model for me MAC's color to compare to the Armani one I had on. 

MAC Matte Lipstick in "Please Me" (Ret. $14)

I did a swatch of both GIORGIO ARMANI's #508 & MAC's "Please Me" to compare colors. The far left swatch is GIORGIO ARMANI #503 (lipstick not pictured), Middle is MAC's "Please Me," Right is GIORGIO ARMANI #508)