Review: Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick 'Lovecraft'

 I received a mini Kat Von D studded kiss lipstick in the cult favorite color 'Lovecraft' and was excited to try out my first product from this collection! Kat Von D's lipsticks come housed in a black plastic tube covered in studs. Its very edgy in appearance and I can't think of a brand that's anything like it!

The tube does not snap closed very firmly and so I've found this little guy in my purse with out the cap on completely! This might only be a defect with the mini size but still something to note--these are so cute and might be intended for display on vanities. 

The color 'Lovecraft' is a 'matte mauve pink nude' and is one of those colors that always ends up being hit sellers among makeup lines because of the universal appeal. Worth noting is that the color swatches very rosey and warm on my wrist but appears almost purple hued with gray undertones when on my lips! 

 I definitely like how opaque and smooth this color is on the lips. I wouldn't call this lipstick revolutionary by any means as far as wear time or comfort, but I do think it is a very nice formula. The color stays put on the lips with out slipping or smearing and almost has a powdery feeling to it.

Overall, I like this lipstick and can see the appeal. The formula I would imagine caters to deeper or brighter colors quite well where you really want the lip product to be pigmented and stay put with out having to use a liquid or matte lipstick. If you've been unhappy with your lipsticks and are looking for a new formula to try I'd give this one a shot. Its definitely good and I see how it could be some people's holy grail!

Kat Von D lipsticks are $21 for 0.10oz of product ($210/oz). Check them out Here!

xxSJ

Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick in 'Fig'

After falling in love with Bite Beauty's lipstick formula from using their dual ended mini lipsticks, I decided to get my hands on one of their full-sized lipsticks!

The packaging is sleek and modern. The design is seamless using a matte, rubbery gray material with the Bite logo printed on the bottom of the tube.  The lipsticks come in 4 different styles of cap which are supposed to look like the different ways lipsticks can get worn down! The style of cap on each lipstick is dependent on color family--reds, neutrals, pinks, and berries.  The brand sets itself apart by only using edible ingredients in their lipsticks and also includes an ingredient called resveratrol, a super antioxidant. Each tube contains as much resveratrol as 5 glasses of wine!

The color I chose is 'Fig,' a gorgeous nude rose.  

Fig is a super warm pink that has peach undertones making it very wearable for my complexion. I like that the color is a bit punchy and more noticeable then a nude lip but still a neutral and professional color. 

The lipsticks are very moisturizing and last quite a while on the lips. They do transfer while eating and drinking but I find they don't smear and instead fade naturally and evenly away. 

Bite Beauty lipsticks cost $24 for 0.15oz of product. To compare with some popular brands, MAC lipsticks are $17 for 0.1oz of product, Kat Von D lipsticks are $21 for 0.1oz of product, and Urban Decay Revolution lipsticks are $22 for 0.1oz of product.

I really like the way this product feels and wears on my lips. Given that I have such a huge problem with dryness and the appearance of my lips, I will probably be repurchasing from this brand in the future. 

Check it out on Sephora's website Here!

xxSJ
Review on the duo Fig/Date
Review on the duo Musk/Lychee

MAC Lipstick in 'Plumful'

Winter is the time for hot cocoa, puffy jackets, pink cheeks, and vampy lips.  I recently purchased a popular MAC lipstick in the color 'Plumful' to hop on the deep plummy lip trend...or more like dip my toes in it. Plumful looks really vampy and deep in the tube but since its a lustre finish (my favorite finish by MAC!) it is more of a sheer wash of color that can be as buildable as you want!

This lipstick has a really pleasant glossy finish and the famous Vanilla smell MAC lippies are known for. The color is a nice wash of plummy pink that wears off relatively quickly when eating or drinking, but leaves behind a plum tint with out an unappealing ring of color around the lips. I really enjoy this color as an easy go to for day to day wear in the winter time that spices up the lips with out being too loud or dramatic. 

xxSJ

Review: Nars Dual-Intensity Eyeshadow 'Europa'

Soooooo I may or may not have treated myself. Whatcha gonna do about it? Armed with a Sephora Friends and Family 20% off discount, I bravely went on the Sephora website with a limited wallet size and Christmas shopping in mind. I decided to get a little something for myself after all was said and done since I haven't bought any makeup in ***gasp*** about 2 months. I decided to try out NARS' new dual-intensity eyeshadows.

These single eyeshadows are $29 a pop which is pretty steep for a single eyeshadow... you get 1.5g of product which is a bit more than your standard pot but still... this stuff ain't cheap! The packaging is well worth the steep price tag as the shadow comes packaged in a beautifully perfect square with magnetic closure and the NARS logo emblazoned boldly on the top. For size comparison's sake, here is the shadow next to an eyeshadow duo:

It's so little I could just die!!! These shadows are sleek and compact which allows me to give the packaging a deserved A+. Now for the color, I selected 'Europa,' which is a 'gossamer pink-peach.' The color in the pan is truly beautiful as you can see some peach and even purple holographic reflects. The design stamped into the shadow is also quite lovely!

Also, NARS gets a million points for adding the world's tiniest mirror to this compact! Just look at it!!!!

Swatched on my hand you can see that this shadow is indeed pink and has a pretty satiny finish to it. The shadow applies pretty pigmented and opaque when dry but applies with extra shimmer and metallic sheen when applied wet (hence the 'dual-intensity' name!). 

Overall I'm extremely pleased with this eyeshadow and have been wearing it quite frequently to create neutral eye looks incorporating pink onto the lid rather than a boring beige or soft brown color. The only thing stopping me from examining some other colors in this collection is the steep price tag. I would say splurge on this makeup item! Swatch some colors in store and find one that speaks to you! It's always fun to have an extra special makeup product lying around that makes you feel extra special when you wear it!

xxSJ