Urban Decay Vice Lipstick & 24/7 Glide-On Lipliner in Weirdo

I've preached it in the past, so I'm going to live it now.

Although I love chasing the latest and the greatest like everyone else, it's nice to just discover items in a line's permanent collection. Even though I have a pile of new releases to review, I'd like to introduce you to my new lip obsession.

Every time I've wanted a peachy nude over the past few weeks, I've been reaching for Urban Decay's Vice lipstick ($17) and 24/7 Glide-On Liner ($20) in Wierdo. This shade launched with the 100+ shades in Urban Decay's current lip lineup last summer.

According to Sephora, Weirdo is a "pale baby pink" in the cream formula. On my pigmented lips, I'd call it a peachy nude,

Let's talk about the Vice lipstick formula for a minute. As I mentioned, each of these retail for $17. There are a number of formulas (cream, matte, mega matte, metallic, sheer, etc). Wierdo is a cream.

I went for an extended time without wearing any of my Vice lipsticks but the Naked Heat palette made me realize just how lovely they are.

Vice lipsticks come in a two-toned bullet, with the gold end being the handle. OK, let's look at Wierdo specifically. I was looking for a nude when I wandered past the Urban Decay display.

This photo shows the pale pink a little more- but it's peach on the lips.

Let's swatch this in studio lights:

I also purchased the matching 24/7 Glide-On Lipliner, which retails for $20. Honestly, Urban Decay produces one of my favorite lipliners. It's just the price of collecting them all that reigns me in.

I feel like Urban Decay fairly recently redid their package to this black box. It's sleek, with the liner shade depicted on the outside.

Let's get into the liner:

Here's what the liner looks like alone on my lips:

Here's a swatch of both under studio/photography lighting:

Here's a swatch of both in ambient lighting (super dark):

Finally, a shot in studio lighting of the two products layered that's true to what the eye really sees:

Such a lovely shade!

These, like any cream, aren't the world's longest wearing formula. I like to reapply every time I eat; you don't need to do so more often than that. I haven't seen much buzz about this shade but I adore it!

Bottom Line: This is one of my new favorite lipstick formulas, and I've found my go-to peachy nude for the moment. The cream formula is exceptionally comfortable.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Metallic Luster Liners & Darkside Waterproof Gel Liner

Today I'm happy to share with you one of the best discoveries I've made in the past few months. I use these products almost daily- so I'm well overdue to share these.

Anastasia Beverly Hills has three eyeliners in the permanent lineup. Let's start with my favorite lower waterline shades these days: the Metallic Luster Liners ($18), which contain 1.2g/0.04oz of product each.

There are two shades- Liquid Gold and Liquid Silver.

These are just your standard creamy liners. Let's check out what ABH's website has to say about these pencils:

"A creamy, waterproof metallic eyeliner pencil that glides on effortlessly. Swipe Anastasia Beverly Hills Metallic Luster Liner over lash lines to create the look of liquid metal. 

Can be used to highlight inner eye corners and the Cupid's bow
Won’t crease, fade, or flake
Available in 2 shades"

Let's start out by talking about Liquid Gold. I use this almost daily with any warm looks. It's a lovely change from nude liners to brighten the eye and adds a touch of glamour to any eye look. I find it's the perfect accent, and it lasts all day in my waterline.

Liquid Silver, the other shade, is likewise used in any cool-toned looks. It illuminates and brightens my waterline. It also lasts all day- these are truly creamy and pigmented dreams.

Overall, these are a staple in my drawer. (I'll swatch down below). I will continue to repurchase over and over. The only downside I see is price: due to the creamy formula, you can go through these relatively quickly.

Next, let's move to the Darkside. ($18)

The Darkside Waterproof Eyeliner is a waterproof gel liner that has a near-daily presence on my upper waterline. It doesn't smudge or transfer. I used to be partial to the Hourglass liners, but this one has stolen my heart.

It looks like your average waterproof liner:

Honestly, it's the performance that I adore. This is one of the best liners that I've tried, and it's displaced both the Hourglass and my Chanel Style Yeux Waterproof liners for waterline work.


These swatches don't do these justice. Ignore Darkside and focus on the metallic liners in this studio lighting shot:

Darkside is a little closer to reality here. It's awesome.

Bottom Line: These live in my everyday makeup drawer for a reason. I haven't heard much about these, hence why I wanted to highlight them.

NYX HD Studio Photogenic Concealer

After having settled into a concealer rhythm (OK, maybe a rut. But it worked.), I've found myself exploring concealers again. I'm reminded why I cling to my HGs so tightly- there are good, bad, and ugly concealers out there. I won't spoiler this review.

Today we're talking about the NYX HD Studio Photogenic Concealer. At $4.99, it's one of the cheapest concealers I've tried in awhile, and with its 23 shades, has one of the better shade ranges. After checking Ulta's website and discovering that my preferred shade was out of stock, I headed out to one of my local NYX Stores to find it. It's not a new release, but it's new to me.

One small caveat: I have a couple of the color correcting shades. But I've never tried the skin toned versions.

I tested Shade 00 Alabaster- the lightest of the range. According to NYX's website, this is "alabaster with neutral undertones".

With regards to the applicator, it's the normal doe foot.

I have to admit that even Shade 00 was a slight bit dark on me.

However, I think it is doable. Let's go to the eye shots so I can show you how I worked a slightly too-dark shade. First shade is unblended, second is blended out.

I'm getting all real up in here- look at those naked lashes and natural brows!

Yes, it's a bit dark but it's workable. I do like to blend in a bit of Shape Tape when I'm not testing this on its own to lighten it up.

Let's talk wear time, creasing, and overall impressions.

I love this concealer. I love it enough that I wish there was a lighter shade! It requires a bit of finessing under my eye to really cover everything, but it's perfect for a natural day. It lasts all day, and doesn't crease on me. I can't recommend this highly enough.

Bottom Line: This is a drugstore gem, and now I understand why it's so widely stocked. I recommend finding a shade that matches you and enjoying!

Dose of Colors Lip Gloss in Bellini

Today I have something different from a brand that I'm enjoying getting to know, Dose of Colors. I haven't yet gotten enough nerve to try their liquid lipsticks, and it's too hot to have regular lipstick shipped.

So, we're going to try the brand's Lip Gloss formula. These retail for $15 each and contain 0.16oz/3.5g of formula. They're also cruelty free, gluten free, paraben free, and vegan.

I purchased mine through Ulta, which offers 11 shades on their website. I finally settled on Bellini, a peachy shade. If you'd like to see the lip swatches I used to make a decision on the shade, click here. There are some bold and beautiful shades, but remember that I work in a conservative office environment.

Here's what Bellini looks like. This is a nice component and looks sleek.  At first glance, I'm getting NARS Orgasm vibes here.

Let's take a look at the wand, since that's one of the key things I look for in a lip gloss:

It's a flat doe foot. I don't get the most precise application, but it gets the job done nicely.

Before I show the swatches, let's go back to the actual shade description. On Ulta.com, Bellini is described as "peach nectar with flecks of gold." Got it.

That looks about right- the flecks don't really translate on the swatch, but they did make my lips shine.

I purposely didn't line so that you could see the pigmentation on my lips. It's impressive for a gloss!

This isn't an overly sticky gloss, and it held up about 4 hours, and mostly through a light drink of water. Aside from that, you'll need to touch up.

Bottom Line: I'm really impressed with this formula. Bellini is a beachy shade that's perfect for a vacation. Now, I just need somewhere warm to go!

Maybelline's Bringing the Metallic Back: Master Precise Ink Metallic for Summer 2017

Along with their multitude of metallic releases, Maybelline quietly launched a new liner formula- Master Precise Ink Metallic.

I started out with 540 Violet to test the formula and applicator. Normally I'd purchase at least two shades in a line to test but given my worries about the applicator... I wanted to wait.

Because the writing on it is metallic, it was hard to photograph!

Here's the good/bad news (depending on your perspective): It's a brush applicator.

For me, it's a deal breaker. I'm glad I didn't purchase more than one.

Here's a swatch:

I love the shade, and think it would be awesome for someone that could actually work with a brush tip applicator.

I tried a graphic look with it. I don't think I like this look, but hey... I'm trying.

FYI, I used Sephora tape on my eye to form the shape. See what I mean about the shade? It's lovely.

I tested this for about eight hours and it remained the same level of metallic and beautiful the whole time. A+ on the formula. If you can handle the applicator, you'll probably adore this new liner.

Bottom Line: I really need to get with it when it comes to brush applicators, because this really made my eyes pop. it's a really cool new offering and I'll keep playing with it. I highly recommend picking one of these up (I found mine cheapest at Walmart) at your local retailer.

Stila Aqua Glow Serum Foundation

Although I don't need any more foundation, I couldn't resist a recent sale on Ulta.com that allowed me to scoop this up and give it a good test.

Let's go to the box for the claims.

• Medium to full, build able coverage with a natural, radiant finish.
• Advanced multi-reflective color pigments play with light to instantly even skin tone and reduce the appearance of imperfections
• Contains an Electrolyte Balance System, a carefully combined complex of Ionized Water, advanced Hyaluronic Acid and essential minerals to help hydrate and nourish for skin that glows with healthy radiance. 
• Fragrance-free.

And now the directions:

Shake well before use. Using your fingers or brush #33, blend over face, building where more coverage is needed.

So, I totally discarded the directions and did my own thing. That's makeup, right? I dabbed with my finger and then used a damp beauty sponge. I used 2.5 pumps for my entire face, and that gave me an even medium coverage.

I was prepared to detest this foundation. Here's the truth: I fell in love with the finish so much that I did a whole cream products face because I didn't want to powder!

Like some of the other recent posts I've done, I took the following in-post notes in real time to capture my thoughts as the day progressed. (Yeah, we'll get to that creasing concealer soon. It's in the bad pile.)

Application: Similar consistency to Bobbi Brown serum foundation. More body than NYX dropper foundation and Catrice. Nice medium coverage in one coat- don't want to powder.

0h30: Rest of makeup on, cream products blended nicely on top. I'm rocking a very natural, summer-appropriate look today.

2h30: Overall, looking good. Serious issues around my nose- add that to the "must powder areas." Blame that on tester error. Everywhere I see foundation without powder otherwise just looks like natural, radiant skin.

3h30: Hmmm... a bit more wear.

4h30: Oh my goodness, where did it go?!? Breakdown on my cheeks even. That said, I need to try this powdered all over for a fair try.

5h30: OK, this is odd. My forehead is in-tact; my cheeks, nose, and chin broke down. Time to take this off.

Given that I always powder, I decided to give this a second chance. It wasn't the most long-wearing foundation, but using Laura Mercier translucent powder prolonged the breakdown until about 7-8 hours.

I don't think this is meant for me this time of year, but I'll pull it back out of the drawer after the heat and humidity break. If you have normal-dry skin (I morph from that to a combo-oily beast with our heat and humidity each summer), I think you'll like it. Likewise, if you don't need to powder your foundations, I really think you should get a sample to try. I love the overall look the first few hours.

Let's talk about the mechanics of the foundation for a second. This is a dropper foundation:

It performed about the same (although a little worse in the long run) than the other droppers in my drawer (that's the NYX, Bobbi Brown, and Catrice if you're wondering).

In terms of shade match, I went with Fair, the lightest.

Not an exact match, but workable with my NW13-15 skin. This is a fairly limited range, with only 10 shades. Not a fan of that.


Bottom Line: Given the number of foundations that I have in my drawer, it says something that I'm determined to make this work overall. I think I tried it the wrong type of year for me- and don't recommend it for oily skinned friends.