Review: Take a Break From Matte Lips and Embrace YSL's Volupte Tint-In-Oil!

As much as I love a matte lip, I feel as if this trend has been in the spotlight for quite some time. My lips have been feeling a bit drier as of late, especially since I've been out in the sun more, so I wanted to give my lips a break from sporting the matte lip and give it some much needed hydration and moisture.

I had purchased the Yves Saint Laurent Volupte Tint-In-Oil ($32.00 USD) a few months back when it was colder. I didn't really use it as much since I hate smudging lip products all over my scarves. So it sat waiting patiently in my drawer, until now. I feel like this is a perfect lip gloss or the summer. It doesn't feel heavy, leaves your lips feeling hydrated, and also leaves a nice stain.

The product comes housed in YSL's beautiful packaging, So not only are you paying top dollar for the product, you're paying for the packaging. The silver tube looks luxurious and is embossed with the infamous YSL logo. The logo coloring depends on what shade you decide upon. Since I decided on Pink About Me 8, my tube comes with a pink stripe. I can't but feel glam every time I whip it out of my purse.

As far as application, you can apply it as lightly or as liberally as you want. The applicator is a unique shape and gives not only great precision but also applies the product uniformly. I don't need to dip the applicator back into the tube to get more product. However, if I do want to make my lips extra glossy, I can apply two coats. Once applied, this product is not sticky at all but feels smooth and buttery. It immediately makes my lips look plumper and fills my lip lines which I'm all for. You can even top a lipstick with this lip oil to give it high shine and some additional moisture.

There are many reviews that complain about the lack of color when it comes to this lip oil and with some the shades I do agree. YSL touts this as a "revolutionary lip color" yet some of these shades will look the same on your lips, especially if you have pigmented lips like I do. I settled on Pink About Me because it was one of the deeper colors but I originally had my eye on Undress Me, thinking it would be a pinky nude, but when I swatched this in the store, it was pretty much a clear gloss. So I would say, if you are unsure of the shade you want, go to the store and test the colors before you make the decision.

The other complaint I've seen people have is the fact this is not very long lasting. I didn't expect this to be long lasting, especially since it's not a tacky gloss. However, I can see why people would not want to shell out money for a product that doesn't last very long. For me, this can last up to 3 hours with no eating or drinking.

I am absolutely in love with the YSL Volupte Tint-In-Oil. If I could, I would definitely purchase all the shades. Lip oils, especially this one, are a lovely addition to a collection. While I may not be able to get all the shades, this will be a definite repurchase for me once I finished this tube.

Purchase here

Review Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Pure Hollywood

Anastasia Beverly Hills has quickly become a very popular brand. It was no surprise that when the liquid lipsticks came out, everyone would be quick to snatch these up...including myself.

The shades from the line are quite beautiful, ranging from nudey pinks to even a metallic blue. Out of all the shades (before her newly released ones) I settled for Pure Hollywood. It's the second lightest out of the bunch and could be described as a peachy pink nude. Of course the color I wanted is the one that's hard to find. The few times I went to the Macy's stand, it was sold out. Finally one day I wandered in and they must have just restocked the liquid lipsticks because there were five Pure Hollywood's just chillin in their cubby spot. I took it as a sign and purchased it on the spot.

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipsticks will set you back $20.00 USD for 0.11 fl. oz. While it's not crazy expensive it's not inexpensive either. To be honest, ABH has some beautiful shades but if you are unsure of how your lips will react to a drying, matte formula, there are other options to try. Sephora Cream Lip Stains will cost you $14.00 USD and the ColorPop Ultra Matte liquid lipsticks will only cost you $6.00. The Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks cost $20.00 USD but comes with more product (0.22 oz.).

While I love the color I selected, I found this formula to be very drying. I know all liquid lipsticks will dry down to a very matte texture since that is what helps the staying power but this one was painfully dry for me. After about four hours, my lips screamed at me to put on some damn lip balm. As the color wears on, it settles into the cracks of your lips, making lips look quite dry.

The formula itself is very liquidy which means you have to be precise with application. The first time I applied this, I pressed my lips together and found it made the color uneven and patchy. So no lip smushing for this product! Once you let the color do its magic on your lips, it evenly settles and dries down.

Overall, while I am impressed with the color, the formula isn't the greatest for me. So unless there is another shade I really wanted (probably a darker, more forgiving shade), I won't be purchasing another of the ABH liquid lipsticks.

My Current Favorite Lipsticks (90's Edition)

On Instagram yesterday in honor of National Lipstick Day, I posted a photo of what was in my current lipstick rotation. I happened to notice that all the lipsticks were pretty similar in shades despite ranging from drugstore to high end. Lately I have been loving the "90's" shades. I think it's part nostalgia that I totally dig these shades so much. I remember growing up as a kid and lip colors were either nude, red, or a brown-y mauve shade. While the shades aren't exactly as brown as I remember, these shades still make me reminisce of my tween years rockin' a nude/brown lip.

1. Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 13 (Marvelous Mauve)- It took me forever to get my hands on this lip color because it was forever sold out in every Sephora location I went to. Now that I have it, I am not disappointed. This is a beautiful dusty rose color that slightly darkens after application. For me it's a great everyday color. If you are interested in this shade, Sephora has currently marked them down. I think perhaps they are discontinuing the shades. Sad panda.
2. NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Tres Leches- Holy pigmentation, Batman! This is a shade that some wouldn't consider 90's but it's more of a nudey brown and for me a MLBB shade. 
3. MAC Faux- A Back 2 Mac pick, which I wrote about here, this is another MLBB shade and one of the many shades people have selected to get that Kylie Jenner lip.
4. MAC Whirl- When everyone went fanatical for Whirl lip liner I kinda went "meh." I'm not much of a lip liner girl. To be honest, I hate buying expensive ones because I don't use them much so I never paid attention to Whirl until MAC came out with it in lipstick form. Now this will be a staple in my rotation. It's one of my favorite colors to wear to work.
5. Maybelline Untainted Spice- Brought to my attention by Hollyannaeree, this was an unexpected favorite. I thought it would be too brown but in actuality, this shade is flattering on many skin tones. It's a little darker than Whirl and isn't matte.
6. Maybelline Touch of Spice- A rosy plum that leans more pink than brown. I included this in the group because it's definitely another lipstick I reach for often.
7. Urban Decay Matte Revolution in 1993- At first I didn't pay much attention to this lipstick because: 1-I was trying to avoid purchasing anymore colors and 2-I try to avoid hype and impulse purchases. However, when I swatched it in the store, the tiny Gollum voice of "Precious" crept in. This is my latest purchase but I am in absolute love with it. It's not as matte as Whirl but the pigmentation is beautifully opaque. 

If you are looking for a 90's lipstick, I would recommend 1993 or Untainted Spice out of the bunch I personally picked. Whirl is a close third but it may be too drying for some.

So what's your favorite 90's lipstick? Or what is your favorite lipstick in general? Is there a shade that you consider your signature one? Please let me know!

Review: Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop

I absolutely enjoy watching Jaclyn Hill on YouTube. Her energy and "YAAAASSSSS" moments are not only infectious but they make me laugh pretty hard too. Not only is she funny, she knows her stuff about cosmetics. So when she announced that she was coming out with a highlighter with the very popular Becca cosmetics, I knew this would be a hit. Finally released in all Sephora stores 7/16, I knew this would be pretty hard to get your hands on. Luckily I was able to find it in the city on my way home from work.

Champagne Pop ($38 USD) is on the Sephora site is described as a "soft white gold with pinky peach undertones." It's a beautiful color, definitely peachy. On my skin, it appears like a soft gold. When applied, it's a beautiful beam. I absolutely love it.

If anyone has ever tried or owned any of the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors, you know how buttery and smooth these powders are. I personally always wanted one but never bit the bullet to purchase it...until now. According to Temptalia's review, Champagne Pop is a mix of Opal and Moonstone. So if you have both, you really don't need this one.

The texture is very soft. When you use a brush the powder kicks up. Perhaps my only concern is how fragile the product is. I know one solid drop to the floor and this baby will shatter. So be extra careful.

I personally love this highlighter but those with acne scarring or uneven textured skin will probably not enjoy this. Matte highlighters are a much better choice to accentuate the high points on your face without bringing attention to your pores. The staying power of this highlight is great. It was still going strong even after a long day running around coordinating a wedding.

If you are interested in the Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop, I highly recommend you place your order now. They are still in stock online here. You better hurry though, I know that once this sells out, they will not restock it.

Have you tried Champagne Pop yet? What are your thoughts?