This is the first post in a series of three. In each post, I’ll wear a supposedly indelible liquid lipstick throughout a day of teaching and track its performance under a New York Times-approved double mask: a surgical mask, ear loops tightened and ends tucked in, with a cloth mask on top. The second post… Read More In Search of Maskproof Lipstick, Part 1: YSL Tatouage Couture in Crimson Rivals
I’m back with some good lipstick and some even better tidings. First, the tidings: I’m employed again! I’ll be moving back east next week to teach English at a boarding school in New England. No fewer than four people have reacted to the news with some version of “That will be great novel fodder,” so… Read More MAC Matte Lipstick in Forget-Me-Naughty
Lidstar liquid eyeshadow seems to be one of Glossier’s most divisive products. Personally, I’m a Lidstar loyalist, and I wear my Lidstars especially often in the summer. A sheer, shimmery, sweat-and-humidity-proof wash of color is my ideal eyeshadow look, and that’s exactly what Lidstar provides. But the original Lidstar shade lineup, released in early 2018… Read More Glossier Lidstar in Branch and Bun
After releasing Skywash liquid eyeshadow in early 2020, Glossier went pretty quiet for about a year. The only products it debuted during the remainder of 2020 were a new flavor of Balm Dotcom, two new shades of Cloud Paint, and some highly questionable merch, including a $75 set containing a lip gloss and a gold-plated… Read More Glossier Ultralip in Ember and Trench
Product: Bite Beauty Crystal Crème Shimmer Lip Crayon in Molten Chocolate Date Purchased: April 2020 Grade: A- Can someone tell me what the hell happened to Bite Beauty? For close to a decade, everyone knew them as the brand that produced food-grade, food-themed lip products. Then it was like we collectively glanced away for a… Read More 2020 Lipstick Chronology #5: Bite Beauty Molten Chocolate
Before I start my review, let me welcome you to the new home of Auxiliary Beauty! After years of swearing to migrate my post archive from Blogger to WordPress and purchase my own domain, I’ve finally followed through, and I’ll be making my old blog private in a week or two. Please bear with me… Read More ColourPop Lilac You a Lot Palette
Last summer, I got rid of my Illamasqua cream blush in Zygomatic, one of my all-time favorite beauty products, which I’d bought in the UK in June of 2014. I hadn’t noticed a change in its appearance, smell, or performance, but I felt increasingly uncomfortable smearing a six-year-old cream blush on my face. Unfortunately, Illamasqua… Read More Tower 28 BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm in Magic Hour
This week I’m diverging from the 2020 Lipstick Chronology in order to review my first new lipstick of 2021: NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Red Square! I spent much of my January no-buy scouring the web for a replacement for Topshop Matte Lipstick in Rio Rio, which I bought and reviewed back in June… Read More A Red for Citrus Season: NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Red Square
Product: Revlon Super Lustrous The Luscious Mattes Lipstick in Shameless Date Purchased: Feb. 15, 2020 Grade: A Revlon has made some truly bizarre marketing decisions in the last decade. The brand built its reputation on lipstick and continues to produce such heritage shades as Cherries in the Snow and Fire and Ice, yet it went… Read More 2020 Lipstick Chronology #3: Revlon Luscious Matte Lipstick in Shameless
Product: Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick in Divine Wine Date Acquired: January or February 2020 Grade: A- My mother has strong opinions about my lipstick choices, and she’s not shy about sharing those opinions. She has expressed distaste for some of my favorite lip products, such as Pat McGrath Madame Greige (“washes you out,… Read More 2020 Lipstick Chronology #2: Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick in Divine Wine
Auxiliary Beauty 