For at least two years now, I’ve been searching for the perfect cool-toned pale pink blush, something that will give me that fresh-faced but slightly artificial k-beauty look. Here’s Jiwon of Spica for BNT International, back in March 2014: Source: Omona They Didn’t. Spica disbanded last month. 😦 And here’s Irene of Red Velvet for… Read More In Pursuit of Pastel Pink, Part 1: NARS Blush in Threesome
I never paid much attention to Wet n Wild until recently. They’ve truly stepped up their game in the past couple of years, and perhaps the best evidence for that is their new line of “Liquid Catsuit” lipsticks ($4.99 each). By the time Wet n Wild got around to creating liquid matte lipsticks, every sane… Read More Drugstore Liquid Lipsticks, Part 2: Wet n Wild Liquid Catsuit Lipsticks in Nudist Peach and Missy and Fierce
Milani was perhaps the first drugstore brand to release a true matte liquid lipstick, back in the summer of 2015. I tried one of the original limited-edition shades—Crush, a dark brown—but hated it. The lipstick went on patchy, felt painfully dry within an hour, wore off in noticeable flakes, and had a strong root-beer-float smell.… Read More Drugstore Liquid Lipsticks, Part 1: Milani Amore Matte Metallic Lip Crème in The Ultimatte
Having devoted the better part of a decade to studying Renaissance (we in the biz prefer “early modern”) literature, I perked up when I heard that Anastasia Beverly Hills had released an eyeshadow palette called “Modern Renaissance.” The palette came out in mid-2016 and started a warm-neutrals trend that, as of February 2017, shows little… Read More How Renaissance Is the ABH Modern Renaissance Palette?
Surprise! I’m allowing myself to write one quick post during this hiatus. Today I’ll be skipping over my backlog of unreviewed products to take a look at my most recent purchase, a new product that hasn’t yet received much attention online. Sephora massively expanded its Cream Lip Stain range last month, adding twenty-seven new shades,… Read More Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 25 Coral Sunset
One of the best lipstick formulas that I’ve discovered in 2016 is the NYX Liquid Suede formula. I generally prefer solid to liquid lipstick, but I’ve somehow collected three Liquid Suedes: Amethyst, Stone Fox, and most recently Brooklyn Thorn, one of the 12 new shades released this past spring. I have no idea what the… Read More NYX Liquid Suede and Suede Matte Lip Liner in Brooklyn Thorn
After my disappointing experience with Lipstick Queen Black Lace Rabbit, I probably should have given up on finding my ideal sheer black lipstick. But I’m nothing if not perverse, so while I was in New York last month, I popped into the Upper West Side Sephora to do some fieldwork. The first sheer black I… Read More Sheer Black Lipsticks, Part 2: Estée Lauder, Givenchy, Urban Decay
During my trip to LA in August, my chronic absent-mindedness struck again: I managed to lose my tube of NARS Dolce Vita, my trusty “purse lipstick.” Despite my usual preference for bold matte or semi-matte lipsticks, I like having a sheer MLBB on me at all times, in case I don’t have a chance to… Read More Dolce Vita Dupe: Revlon Super Lustrous Sheer Lipstick in Pink Truffle
Lipstick Queen is a brand that confuses the hell out of me. When I first heard of it, about five years ago, I got the sense that it specialized in high-quality, beautifully packaged, somewhat overpriced renditions of traditional lipstick shades. Despite reading favorable reviews online, I found the shade range uninspiring and the price point… Read More Lipstick Queen Black Lace Rabbit: Just Another Gimmick?
Hey there! Just a quick review to prove to you that I haven’t quit blogging, and to prove to myself that there’s more to life than watching American democracy go down the toilet while I revise my dissertation abstract for the dozenth time. Today we’ll look at a product I’ve been using and enjoying for… Read More Kiko Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in Golden Mauve
Auxiliary Beauty 