lips

Blogmas Day 12: Top 5 Holiday Reds

DSC_0180DSC_0145

Nothing embodies the “Merry and Bright”-ness of the Holiday Season like a good red lip. Christmas time is the time to do it! The time of year when you can get away with a red lip for almost any occasion, any day! So why not? Whip out that red and slap it on any day!

But not every red is a good holiday red. Some are too orangey (that’s for summertime folks) and some are too pink (maybe spring?). You need a good deep, pure red; a scarlet, if you will. I’ve got my fair share of those, but here are five that really stand out to me and are my favourite for the perfect holiday reds.

Nars Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella – You know how much I love all Nars lip pencils! So this is no exception. I absolutely love the formula, the application, the colour payoff, the wear! So this colour is my favourite of them all I’d say. I’ve worn this one a few holidays in a row now and I get countless compliments! I think I’ve actually got about three of these pencils in this shade in various bags and purses.

Marc Jacobs Lipcreme in So Rouge – Everyone who ventured into the Sephora VIB Rouge world will know about this one! The mini Marc Jacobs lipstick that comes with spending over $1k in a year….wow, thanks. A great reward. Okay, but seriously it is a great red. Bold, and a little more on the candy apple side.

L’Oreal Colour Riche Blake’s Red – These were on the market a few years ago and I thought I’d missed my chance. But alas! They’re back! So I’ve picked up a few and I’m loving them. Specifically Blake and Julianne‘s red. Blake’s is classic for the holidays – a perfect deep scarlet red no matter if your blonde like Blake or brunette like me.

L’Oreal Endless Lipstick in Crimson Joy – I believe this one’s discontinued, but I’ve been loving this holiday inspired lipstick for years! You can see it in last year’s Christmas Face post that I did. It’s a perfect scarlet lip that isn’t too overstated. And it slides on so smoothly. It’s one of the most comfortable lipsticks I own.

Sephora Lip Stain in Always Red – This one’s a classic. Every Sephora lover or blog reader knows this one. You can read my full review of it here, but as a quick synopsis it’s the longest lasting lip stain in my arsenal and it’s the PERFECT red. I reach for this one more than any when I need a long lasting red. Apply is once and pucker up all day! Perfect for those mistletoe ridden occasions.

What is your favourite holiday red?

DSC_0183

39450734432217051214

Blogmas Day 6: Sephora + Pantone Colour of the Year 2016

Screen Shot 2015-12-04 at 5.56.43 PM

Each and every year Sephora and Pantone Universe team up to bring you a range of limited edition sets in what they have deemed the ‘colour of the year’. You may remember these fun yearly colours standing out to you at the front of most Sephora locations and it’s always so exciting when the next colour of the year is announced. Starting in 2012, we have had a year of Tangerine Tango, Emerald, Radiant Orchid, and Marsala. And just announced for 2016 we have two colours coming! Rose Quartz and Serenity.

“Delight in the gentle pink of Rose Quartz; blaze beauty trails with the unexpected blue of Serenity. Wear each colour individually or break all the rules and wear them together!”

The range includes various pieces that are really taking 2016 beauty to a bold new level. Each colour of the year comes in a Matte Lipstick which will retail for $22. They are said to have quite the colour payoff, yet reviews have also noted a slight glossy hue to these lipsticks.

Also included in these Sephora + Pantone Universe pieces is a new Modern Watercolours Lip Gloss Set which retails for $28. Following the rule breaking drama of these colours, this 6 shade set is anything but conventional and understated.

And last but not least the Modern Watercolours Eye Palette which retails for $49. Again, unconventional and dramatic. Bold colours that are identical to a watercolour paint set! I can’t wait to get my hands on these.

What do you think of the 2016 colour of the year?

Screen Shot 2015-12-04 at 6.04.40 PM39450734432217051214

The Game Changing Gloss

IMG_2754

My name is Coleen…and I’m a lipstick addict. I’m not ashamed to admit it; I’ve fallen deep down into the depths of lipstick nirvana and I love it. Yet for someone who has such a strong love of lipstick, I have an equally as strong loathe of lip gloss. The sticky, shiny, wet-lip look that traps your hair in the slightest gust of wind and makes it look like you’d slide right off your beau with the slightest kiss. Yes, I know thats quite descriptive but I’m serious. I hate it.

I have a few semi-glosses that I’m a fan off, but I wouldn’t quite put them into the gloss category. It wasn’t until recently that I discovered a game changer. A lip lacquer that I can’t stop using, and can’t help but loving. And there is no denying that this is in the gloss category. It’s the new Revlon Ultra HD Lip Lacquer in the shade Petalite, and it may have officially shaken up my 23 year long lipstick/lip gloss debacle.

Similar to the Ultra HD Lipsticks, this new lip lacquer consists of Revlon’s revolutionary wax-free gel formula, which allows for high impact shine with a lightweight feel. It’s not heavy and sticky like most gloss formula’s and with a small brush applicator it is quite buildable – thin layers for a subtle shine or thicker layers for more colour. I find that the usual doffer lip gloss applicators don’t allow for that much play. After application I use my finger to pat it in a bit to lessening the shine, but the initial shine isn’t that wet glossy look that I dislike so much. The shade Petalite is my perfect natural lip shade with a hint of pink for the Spring weather. I think I’ll be wearing this on a daily bases for quite a few months. I’m in love!

What are you thoughts on the lipstick/lip gloss debate?

39450734432217051214

(follow me on instagram to see some swatches)