Lipstick Queen Nothing But the Nudes Collection

There's something about a witty collection that always pulls me in.

Let me introduce to you Lipstick Queen's Fall 2017 Nothing But the Nudes Collection.

This trio of balmy nudes is currently available for $24 each at Ulta, Space NK, and the brand's website. Each lipstick contains 0.12oz of product.

Two Three things pulled me into this collection. First, I've been wearing so many nudes lately that of course I'm going to check out a nude collection! Second, the names. I'll get back to them in a moment. Third, the formula. One swatch and I was smitten.

I'm going to borrow from the brand here:

"Enriched with natural oils, waxes and anti-oxidant Vitamin E, these smooth, luxe and comfortable nudes are super-charged with hydrating nutrients to impart a modern, vinyl-like look and feel to the lips."

My lips have been in terrible shape as of late. As much as I hate to admit it, they went downhill when I ran out of Balm de Rose. I just didn't want to spend $60 for lip balm in late summer/early fall! I digress. These are so soft and smooth; they're soothing to the lips. I'm so happy that glossy lips are back in. These apply like a dream.

Again, let's go back to the brand about the inspiration

"Featuring three gorgeous shades with individual interpretations of what makes a perfect nude. 

Effortlessly chic and universally flattering, this is a collection for the nude obsessed and the nuances that go into a beautiful nude experience."

There are three shades in the Nothing But the Nudes Collection: The Truth, The Whole Truth, and Nothing But the Truth.

I can't be the only one who smiles at those, can I?


Let's start with my initial selection- The Truth.

The Truth is described as "pretty pink nude." I call it a MLBB for fair or light complexions.

I know these are dark but this is the closest to real color.

It's honestly your standard pink nude, but this is the type of color I can't get enough of. I see myself living in this all fall. Last fall, it was SheaMoisture Tea Rose; this year it's going to be Lipstick Queen The Truth. This just perfects my natural lip color beautifully.


Now, let's talk about The Whole Truth.

The Whole Truth is described as "perfect peachy nude."

The Whole Truth is slightly lighter than my naturally pigmented lips, but luckily I've learned how to make these shades work To be honest, this is more of a summer nude for me- it reminds me of the 10,001 similar shades I wore all summer long.

I'm not going to share a lip swatch because of the amount of tweaking I have to do to make this work. You won't be seeing the true lip color. There's an arm swatch down below. I don't find it fair to show concealer/foundation/liner type swatches.

Lastly, it's time for Nothing But the Truth.

Nothing But the Truth is described as "beautiful beige nude." Think beige = brown.

This is the deepest shade in the collection, and for me it leans quite brown. Two or three years ago, I'd never have picked it up. Now, I've learned to embrace the modern brown lipstick. I'll be honest, I need something under this. The first lip swatch is on my lips directly, but the second one has some trusty MAC Lip Erase underneath- and that's where the cool brown comes to life.

Here's all three, swatched together:

Bottom Line: Do you probably need all three? No. We all have 10,001 nude lipsticks in our stashes. This collection caught my eye with the catchy shade names. I prefer to buy things that provoke an emotion in me- the fact that I smiled at them meant I had to have them all. I'm glad to have them, but they're not a necessity.  What is a necessity, in my opinion, is for everyone to go to their local Lipstick Queen retailer and swatch them to feel the formula. It's so good (and different than any other release from the brand I've tried... and I've tried almost all of them) that I think everyone needs one in their collection. Just find your favorite and wear with abandon. So, will it be The Truth, The Whole Truth, or Nothing But the Truth?

September 2017 Favorites

I love doing my monthly favorites... I hope that they're fun for you to read as well. I've been testing so many new products that I've tried to keep my favorites streamlined. Any links are to previous reviews that I've done on the blog for your reference.

Eyes:

Eyeshadow: I really kept reaching for three palettes this month- Natasha Denona Lila Palette, PUR Trolls Palette, and LORAC Mega Pro 1. I'd expect these three to keep popping up from time to time. I'm also still a huge fan of all of the MAC Girls Palettes.

Eyeliner and Mascara: Other than my favorite trio of ABH liners, I also reached for the long-discontinued Chanel Perle de Lune and was thrilled to bring the Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Eyeliner back into my life via the Ulta sale. Nothing like keeping it simple.


Cheeks and Face:

Blush: Dose of Colors Blush in StateMint brought me back down the rabbit hole into old habits. Chantecaille Cheek Shade in Bliss found its way back into my drawer, and I purchased a full-sized version of Tarte Paarty. When I wasn't wearing a light pink nudey blush, I was also wearing Natasha Denona Blush Duo #15.

Bronzer: I've been reaching for two bronzers- both from the drugstore- this month. I'm so close to finishing my Physician's Formula Murumuru Butter Bronzer in Light Bronze and L'Oreal Glam Bronze 01 is my cool-toned go-to.

Contour: I feel sort of like I'm cheating since I only bought this halfway through the month, but Catrice Prime & Fine Professional Contouring Palette has been my go-to since I purchased it when I want an effortless contour. I've been testing other products, but I love this little guy. Look for a full review soon.

Highlighter: I wasn't very committed to highlighters this month. Fenty Beauty Metal Moon and Becca Prismatic Amethyst probably found their way onto my cheeks the most frequently.


Lips: 

Basics: I continue to worship Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Primer, as it now allows me to comfortably wear matte liquid lips. I've also been using up my Fiona Stiles Ultra Luxe Nourishing Lip Balm.

Lipstick: I'm still fairly boring when I'm reaching for lipsticks. Hourglass GIRL Stylo in Peacemaker and Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Uber Beige are still my go-tos.

Liquid Lipstick: I discovered how much I like two formulas this month. Too Faced Melted Matte Liquified Lipstick in Freshly Baked ruled my daytime looks, whereas I've been playing with Dose of Colors Matte Liquid Lipstick in Berry Me at night. I can't wait for it to cool enough to wear it out during the day.

Lip Gloss: It was all about Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow this month. Period. End stop.


Base Products:

Primers: I've been trying to finish primers this month, so the only constants are my Too Faced Hangover Rx 3-in-1 spray- which is a must, the L'Oreal Magic Base to fill in some fine lines, and the Milk Makeup Blur Stick.

Concealers: Tarte Shape Tape. Any questions?

Foundations: I rediscovered how much I love the Chanel Perfection Luminere Velvet foundation this month. I continue to enjoy La Mer The Foundation (tell me if you'd like my thoughts), It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream and bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Hydrating Gel Cream.

Powders: I forget why I stopped using Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light under my eyes. It's one of two powders (the other being the NYX one I talked about yesterday) that set my eyes this month). In terms of all-over powder, it's been either the Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder or MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural.


Nails:

Color: I'm going back to my roots here. I had one of a few shades on my nails most of the month. Thanks to Glossybox for bringing Morgan Taylor Magician's Assistant into my life. I've also been loving some CVS finds- Pop-Arazzi Pewter Perfect & Staying Up Slate. I also pulled Chanel Alchimie out for the few days it was cool (Side note: whoa, that's digging in the archives to find that post!). I also put China Glaze Pearl Jammin' on my nails as soon as I purchased it (there's something fresh about muted pastels in fall).


Skincare and Bodycare:

Skincare:  I ran out of Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum and my skin showed it almost immediately. I now have a $80 staple in my routine. I also continue to enjoy First Aid Beauty Coconut Smoothie Priming Moisturizer.

Bodycare: I rediscovered my love for L'Occitane's almond line this month. In particular, I've been loving the L'Occitane Almond Milk Lotion. In the shower, I fell in love with Le Petit Marseillais Shower Gel in Mandarin and Lime.


That's it for my beauty favorites- but I'd love to share a few non-beauty items with you as well.


Non-Beauty:

Style-wise, I've been loving the combination of my Sam Edelman Felicia Flats, and will be picking up other colors. These come in wide, which is wonderful. I've also been wearing my Longchamp Large Le Pliage Tote on a daily basis.  This might be TMI, but I've discovered how lovely the Delimira Womens' Plus Size Maternity Bras are. I'm not pregnant, nor have I had a baby recently. However, I am a thirty-something who is naturally "blessed". Those bras give me nighttime support and actually help ease some of my back pain.

What have you been loving this month?

Color Obsession: Pinky Nude Lips

Although the products that I'm reviewing are all over the board, I've noticed a distinct trend in the lip colors that I'm purchasing and reaching for on a daily basis. Plums and wines may be a huge trend for Fall 2014, but since it's still warm I've been reaching for pinky nude lips.

I recently had the revelation that there are nudes that work well with my immensely pigmented lips. (True story: I had a MUA not believe me that I wasn't wearing a lip product recently before a makeover. Sadly, that's not the first time that it's happened.)

These are all shades that I either have purchased within the last 2 weeks or have been living in my makeup bag (Reviews linked when applicable, others coming soon):

Chanel Rouge Coco Shine 54 Boy
Lipstick Queen Saint Pinky Nude
Bite Lip Gloss Honey
Giorgio Armani Rouge d'Armani Sheers 202 Brown
Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipstick Pinkberry (in GWP packaging)
Lancome Lip Lover 314 Casse Noisette
Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G B*tch Perfect
NARS Lip Color Dolce Vita
Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Intense Nude
Tom Ford Lip Color Indian Rose
Tom Ford Lip Color Casablanca
Tom Ford Lip Color Negligee
Butter London Lippy Tinted Balm Abbey Rose
Lancome Lip Love 322 Beige Adage
NARS Audacious Lipstick Anita
NARS Lip Gloss Dolce Vita


Ever notice you're in a bit of a beauty pattern? I hesitate to call it a rut since there are so many beautiful shades. Also, I didn't realize how few of these had actually been on the blog!

That might give you a sense of why I've been rather quiet- I've got a ton of content and am trying to find the time to swatch, edit, and draft!

Lipstick Queen Jungle Queen

Today I have a product that's completely out of my comfort zone which has quickly become a favorite.  Let me assure you: don't be afraid of Lipstick Queen Jungle Queen.

When I first spotted a promo image for this lipstick at Space NK, I knew it was just a matter of time before it was mine.  I really enjoy Lipstick Queen products, and Jean Queen is actually a staple for both my mother and I.  Yesterday I bought you my favorite new orange-based peach/coral in Burberry's Golden Peach.  Lipstick Queen Jungle Queen is the perfect foil- it's the red-based coral that everyone needs in their wardrobe.

First, a few quick stats.  Jungle Queen retails for $22 and is available at Space NK, the brand's website, and Ulta.com.  My local Ulta has Lipstick Queen, and I haven't seen it in-store as of this past weekend. It weighs in at 3.5g/0.12oz of product.

Like always, Lipstick Queen nails the packaging.

The brand describes Jungle Queen as "a fiercely flattering coral", and I agree. However, it's also semi-sheer, glossy, and very red-leaning.

Shockingly, I've worn this at my conservative workplace and didn't feel out of place. It's lovely and not over-the-top. Like most Lipstick Queen products, it's not a full-coverage product, which is what makes it flattering.

Jungle Queen lasted about 3 hours if I didn't eat or drink, about average wear-time for me.  I'm not sure if this is LE for summer, but it's certainly a shade that I wouldn't wait to pick up.

 I've been using a lot of words, so here are some swatches:

Outside, no flash:

Outside, with flash:

Inside, without flash:

Inside, with flash:

And finally, on the lips:

Bottom Line: It's the perfect addition to my favorite trio of orange/coral lipsticks for summer.  It's bold, but wearable.

Lipstick Queen Hello Sailor

I've previously stated my love for Lipstick Queen and its incredible formula.  In my opinion, it's similar in terms of moisturizing ability and glossiness to Chanel's Rouge Coco Shine formula, at a significantly lower price point.

Like most beauty junkies, I heard about Hello Sailor this summer.  I read many reviews, but couldn't get my hands on the sold-out shade.  Fast forward to August, when I discovered in my Ulta ad that not only was the brand coming to stores, but my coveted Hello Sailor was in the ad.

I mis-read the ad and asked about the shade a day early. Since it was late in the day, and the display was to go up in the morning, they sold it to me a day early instead of having me reserve it for after-work pickup.  There started my obsession with the brand.

Let's start with the box- it's just adorable.

The signature Lipstick Queen tube is a metallic royal blue this time:

And for those who aren't familiar with Hello Sailor, here's the twist- it's blue.

Inside, it appears navy:

But outside, it's more of a cobalt:

Either way, it's a stunning color.  But one has to ask- on the lips?  The answer is a resounding YES YES YES!

The key is that it's the Saint formula (10% pigment).  That makes it an amazing berry-like stain.  On my lips, Hello Sailor does the same thing that Dior Lip Glow does.  The only difference is tone- Dior Lip Glow is a cheery pink, Hello Sailor a berry.


Swatched outside, in indirect light.  First, on my hand and then on my lips:

It's just lovely!

Inside, swatched on my hand and lips:

With flash

With flash

Without flash

Bottom line: There's a reason why there was a stampede of beauty junkies looking for it this summer.  I don't wear it as often as I would've thought simply because I've gotten so many amazing lipsticks lately, but it's likely to be a long-term go-to.

Pricing/Availability: $25/ via Lipstick Queen and Ulta

Lipstick Queen Jean Queen

Neither Lipstick Queen nor Jean Queen are new to the market, but I only recently discovered this brand when it expanded into my local Ulta less than a month ago.  It's hard to believe that I went decades without this line- it's my new favorite.  Yes, I find the formula superior to my beloved Chanels, Diors, and YSLs.

Today I am featuring my new daily go-to: Jean Queen.  This shade was designed to be the perfect shade to accompany that classic pair of jeans.  It may look great with jeans, but it's incredible on its own.

Let's start with the packaging.  Jean Queen is in a beautiful blue metallic bullet tube with just the right weight.  This lipstick feels significant without being heavy.

Once you open up the tube, you're greeted with a cheery pink hue.  It's saturated and just oozes classic chic.

Inside, with flash:

Outside, in indirect sun:

I could seriously stare at pictures of this shade all day long.

Lipstick Queen has two major formulas: Saint (10% opaque) and Sinner (90% opaque).  Although I suspect Jean Queen lies somewhere in the middle, it's more of a Sinner than a Saint.

Indoor swatches with flash, on my hand and on my lips:

Although I'm not necessarily a huge flash fan, this is the most true to how the shade looks right after application.


Indoor swatch without flash on my hand (you can still see the glossiness):

Finally, outdoor swatches in indirect light, on my hand and on my lips:

Jean Queen is truly one of those "my lips but better" shades. It's similar in a lot of ways to NARS Dolce Vita on my pigmented lips, but has much more shine. This formula is also one of the most comfortable on the market. It's moisturizing and feels nourishing to my lips. It has the best parts of the feel of Chanel Rouge Coco Shine and Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Shine.

Bottom Line:  This is one shade that should be flattering on most skintones, and the formula simply can't be beat. For a low-maintenance shade that's always appropriate, this should find a place into most makeup bags.

Price: $22

Availability: Lipstick Queen online, Ulta, Nordstrom