Guys. There are some beauty products that scream your name and like Siren’s song you cannot escape it. When I saw the Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipsticks at Sephora I was intrigued. Is it a gloss? Is it matte? Is the mainstream version of OCC Lip Tars? A girl needed answers! Being the intrepid beauty journalist that I am (HA!), I picked up two of the brightest shades and set forth to test out and see if it was worth it.
According to the brand Melted provides “the staying power of a stain, the intense color of a liquid lipstick and the high shine of a gloss” and since that seems like a whole lot to promise in one product, I had high hopes. For starters the applicator is pretty great and allows you to apply a little or a lot of product. It is buildable and the consistency is light to medium. At first it seems like a whole lotta color because these are insanely pigmented so be careful when you’re squeezing the product out. Application is smooth and you’re left with a rich, opaque color on your lips. I didn’t find any of the shades to be drying and they leave a semi matte finish. In terms of wear, these get on and stay on. The color lasted me pretty much an entire beach day (it leaves a stain behind once the color is gone). Above I have Melted Violet (a gorgeous magenta color that will be getting a lot of wear this summer) and Melted Fuchsia (a BRIGHT blue based pink).
If you’ve tried OCC Lip Tars but found them to be too messy, give these a go. I love how intense and opaque the colors are and the sponge tip applicator applies the color beautifully.
The Melted lipsticks retail for $21 and are available at Sephora and Too Faced.
In between running around NYC looking at studios masquerading as one bedrooms and shopping for the apartment I’ve yet to actually sign a lease on*, I’ve taken up a new hobby in the form of shopping for neutral eye palettes. I’m not sure how one relates to the other (they don’t) but I felt like giving you guys a quick summary of what I’ve been up to these past few weeks.
I don’t know what the impetus was for this new found love of all things neutral but I’m sure it was somewhere in between Urban Decay’s Naked 1 (holy grail) and Naked 2 (not so much holy grail). I used to long for bright blues and vivid hues but here I am proclaiming my love for warm an cozy every day colors.
It could also very well be because the beauty industry as a whole has gone nude because very one and their momma is releasing an eyeshadow palette got to replace your entire makeup collection (lol as if that’ll ever happen). Below is a breakdown of a few I’m loving.
Sigma Beauty Warm Neutrals Eye Shadow Palette: released last month, this was my go-to makeup item all throughout December. The 12 colors are warm and rich varying between shimmers, frosts, sheen, and matte finishes. As my first time trying out sigma eye makeup, I was loving the texture of each shadow. Neither chalky or powdery, these applied nicely without primer and lasted me through all of my holiday parties and now stands at attention on my vanity.
‘The NARSissist’ Eye Palette: named after its social media handles, NARS took 15 of their best-selling hues and put them in one handy palette. While I prefer the texture of the cinematic eyeshadow the brand released in the Guy Bourdin collection, this is a nice palette for those who love the brand and is looking to invest in a collection without having to worry about depotting and spending too much. To best benefit from these, apply a primer underneath for ease of application. Also do yourself a favor and follow them on Instagram and Twitter - @NARSissist is one I the few beauty brands that’s able to sell me products and entertain at the same damn time.
Urban Decay Naked 3: I was on the fence about this and truth be told only ordered it because of the hype (and I’m sorta Type A so there was no way I wasn’t going to complete my naked collection). While Naked 2 left me yearning for more, Naked 3 surprised me with its rose toned neutrals - something I’ve never actually owned before. All of my nude eyeshadows tend to be on the brown side á la Naked 1, but these colors are pretty and oh so buttery. There are some colors I could do without (the really pale ones) but dear lord I need a full sized version of Buzz, Trick, and Factory.
Smashbox Full Exposure Palette: I probably own like four Smashbox items so I was shocked at how quick I was to hit “Add to Cart” with this one. I haven’t played around much with it but I can definitely say this is the palette to reach for when creating a smokey eye (the NARS is perfect as well but since that’s sold out - WOMP! - it may be worth looking at this one in the meantime).
Too Faced The Chocolate Bar Eye Palette: whatever I picked this up only because a) I had time to kill before going to view an apartment, and b) each shade supposedly smells like cocoa. I mean. Hello. 16 matte and shimmer shades that smell like chocolate, housed in a chocolate like tin. The highlight shades do scare me (the matte more than the shimmer) because there’s an epidemic of supremely highlighted brow bones in African American women and I refuse to become one of them.
Clinique All About Shadow 8-Pan Palette: Holy wow, Clinique! I typically go to Clinique for foundations or skincare but this came as a total surprise. Although it’s a tinier palette than any of the others mentioned, its compact nature makes it perfect for on-the-go.
Honorable mention goes to not a palette but a few affordable eyeshadows that you can put in a palette: Makeup Geek eyeshadows. I guess being an OG beauty blogger, Marlena knows what women are looking for. Her individual shadows are like buttah and sooooo pigmented. At $6 each (those in a pan are $12) I love the formulation and longevity. My favorite shades are: Brown Sugar, Glamorous, Gold Digger, and Mocha.
Disclosure: samples were provided for editorial consideration.
Guys, the weather situation is stress inducing. One day it’s cold, the next it’s hot. Even on the days when it’s hot, the temperature will drop at, like, 6pm and my BARE legs are freezing. I’m in a perpetual state of confusion - in MAY- and all I want is for it to end. Yesterday I ended up at a Too Faced Cosmetics event that temporarily relieved me from this stress with pink and white decor (the key true to my heart) that seemed like a real-life version of a certain somebody’s Pinterest board. There were pretty drinks in mason jars, beauty products galore and, more importantly, mini-foods.
I mean…
We were there to fête the brands extensive bronzer collection (seriously something for everyone) as well as a few other products. A sneak peek at a couple of the products I received…
Bronzed & Poreless: a pore perfecting bronzer that’s infused with the same ingredients that made the brand’s Primed & Poreless (primer) famous. The bronzer claims to minimize the appearance of pores, fine lines, and imperfections. It’s also filled with Vitamins A, C, & E (antioxidants), Mulberry Extract for brightening and is fragrance and oil free.
Endless Summer - 16 Hour Long Wear Bronzer: 16 hours is a long time - and a hefty claim from a brand! I’m curious to see how this lasts and will definitely report back from the trenches. The brand has an exclusive “Double Bond” formula that combines staying power technology with long wear pigments. It’s also said to be good for contouring but I do wish it came in a darker shade for us darker skin women
Sweet Sun Shines Lip Gloss: I seriously haven’t looked at lip gloss seriously since I’ve dedicated my life to lipstick (deep, whoa) BUT I did fall in love with these guys, especially Papaya Slushie which is a gorgeous orange shade. It looks neon in the tube but fear not, it imparts a hint of color and the shimmer isn’t intense. It’s lightweight, non sticky, and lasted a solid two hours (my coffee and allergies prevented it from staying any longer). These are great for summer when lipstick is too much and you’re looking for something that’s quick but pretty. Perfect for the beach!
Et voilà! My brief moment with summer. It definitely makes going back to reality a little bit better when your makeup is as fun as this. There will be more reviews to come but I just had to share the cuteness provided by Too Faced.
Too Faced Cosmetics are available at Sephora, Ulta, Macy’s and online friends. Go get ‘em!
So here’s the deal: I was asked to be part of Glam’s Beauty Board and considering I review beauty products for a living fun, I decided - what the hey! Why not!?! When I received the package, not only was I shocked at the abundance (how was I to test it all!) but I was pretty excited (nail polish, hand creams, and perfume — everything a gal wants and needs!) But do they work?
Eyes:
Long name aside the Almay Intense i-color Liquid Shadow Color Primer allows you to wear it as a shadow alone or underneath similar colors to make a bigger impact. I received the shade for green (I have brown) but the color is a pretty shimmery tan (oily skin beware as it creases). Almay Intense i-color Powder Shadow looks great for creating a natural, everyday look whether layered over the primer. For something that packs a bit more punch and fills the “OMG, what makeup do I pack” conundrum, Too Faced’s Glamour to Go Spun Sugar Edition is your go-to! The colors can give you a neutral eye or smokey eye look for night. Not to mention it has highlighter and bronzer for a full face look. No eye makeup look is complete without mascara and Buxom’s Lash Mascara has quickly made its way into my everyday makeup bag. The unique thing about this mascara is its “S” shaped wand that applies the vitamin-rich formula to lashes. Lashes are somewhat evenly coated and fans out lashes for bit of dramatic look. Do not be afraid of the brush at first! It was a bit intimidating when you look at it but applying is a dream and it packs a punch for sure.
Hands & Nails:
These China Glaze Polishes SCREAM holiday fun and are the perfect colors to wear to holiday bashes. China Glaze Pizzazz is a burst of glitter and With Love is beautiful red that takes one coat for full opaque look. A new staple in my handbag is Burt’s Bees Ultimate Care Hand Cream. Hard to believe I never used this before but I’ve quickly become reliant on this since it’s been helping my severely dry skin these past few days. A non-greasy formula, it quickly absorbs into skin and leaves me able to text and type within seconds (nothing is worst than waiting for my lotion to skin in or I leave little smudges all over my keyboard and screens - sexy).
Face:
Start of by cleansing with Goldfaden MD Pure Start Gentle Detoxifying Facial Cleanser (what’s with the long names, ha!) is a clear gel that becomes a thicker lather with a really nice scent. For those seeking even an even skintone, Vichy Laboratoires ProEven promises to reduce the look of excess melanin and leaves skin looking luminous.
For the face, Philosophy’s Full of Promise Dual-Action Restoring Cream is said to lift and firm skin - I didn’t see this but then I also don’t need anything to be firmed or lifted (yet). It’s a pretty rich cream that doesn’t leave you feeling greasy nor does it leave your face tight and begging for more hydration in the cold.
For makeup, I fell head over heels for the Physicians Formula pH Matchmaker. This blush is high impact, ladies! I applied a little bit - with the brush that comes with it since it wasn’t bad quality - and my face looked radiant. Not too pink or fair, it really made my face look like I just stepped off the slopes (if I were the skiing type, y’know?).
Misc.
Hair: Umberto Beverly Hills Repair Treatment Masque a thick mask that is applied to wet hair then washed for hair that is left softer and shinier. Scent: The infamous Philosophy Living Grace Perfume This fragrance was formulated to help center a woman’s mood, enabling her to fully embrace the beauty of living in the present moment each day. While I tend to prefer the fresh, clean scents in the summer and heavier scents in the winter but with Lily of the Valley and Warm Musk this is a lovely scent for day and totally work appropriate. Susan Posnick Color Essential Moisturizing Lipsticks were a surprising addition as I’ve never tried any products from this brand. A bit on the sheer side but buildable these two lipsticks were a great addition. I applied London, a bronzed berry color that’s wearable and flattering on just about every skin tone. Santa Fe is a coppery color with golden undertones that makes for a great nude for women of color.
Disclosure: This post includes products that were provided by Glam for consideration. It also may contain an affiliate link, a link that gives us a small commission if you purchase the item.
When I saw the Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipsticks at Sephora I was intrigued. Is it a gloss? Is it matte? Is the mainstream version of OCC Lip Tars? A girl needed answers! Being the intrepid beauty journalist that I am (HA!), I picked up two of the brightest shades and set forth to test out and see if it was worth it.
I didn’t find any of the shades to be drying and they leave a semi matte finish. In terms of wear, these get on and stay on. The color lasted me pretty much an entire beach day (it leaves a stain behind once the color is gone). Above I have Melted Violet (a gorgeous magenta color that will be getting a lot of wear this summer) and Melted Fuchsia (a BRIGHT blue based pink).
