Lipstick Queen Jean Queen Lipstick & Lip Gloss Review & Swatches

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I must confess, I have had brand new tubes of Lipstick Queen's Jean Queen Lipstick and Jean Queen Lip Gloss sitting unused, unswatched, and unloved in a drawer since some time last year. I guess that neither looked overwhelmingly exciting in their tubes so they just sat and sat and sat- that is until the other day when they both caught my eye when I opened that overstuffed drawer that has turned into a no man's land for makeup that isn't in rotation, and hasn't yet been reviewed. So I pulled them both out of the drawer for the sole purpose of reviewing them. What I didn't expect is that I would really love both them both a great deal!

They just seemed rather blah, and too muted for my cool pale coloring, but the lesson learned: don't make assumptions- looks can be deceiving! On my lips this is the quintessential MLBB lipstick. It is a pink with just enough red to make it a very interesting hue. If that was not enough, this lipstick really excels with respect to texture: It is a soft, smooth, creamy, shiny sheer lipstick with enough slip that it just glides on my lips like satin. It is so unbelievably comfortable to wear that I find myself rubbing my lips together just to feel the silky texture (of course that reduces wear time, but I don't care!). The formula is so sheer that it is it really more like a tinted lip balm than a lipstick. It is less pigmented than many of the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters, and the Chanel Rouge Coco Shines (notwithstanding the darker shades in both lines).  

It is weightless, moisturizing, and unscented- which are traits seldom found in the same lipstick. Lipstick Queen suggests that this is a universally flattering shade, but I have a hard time buying sweeping generalizations that one color will be equally flattering on all skin-tones- I just don't see how that is possible given the vast disparity in pigmentation, hue, undertone, texture etc. That said, this is a lovely color that livens up my lips, and it is sheer enough that I can apply it without a mirror without looking like a clown gone wrong! 

Lipstick Queen describes Jean Queen as, The Ultimate lip color to wear with jeans! Jean Queen is a lovingly created special pink that offsets the blue in the denim and lights up your whole face at the same time. Special emollients and moisturizing ingredients provide a super silky feel on the lips and just the right amount of shine to contrast with the very matte nature of denim. The lipstick is super sheer and glides on for that pouty stain look.

Jean Queen Lip Gloss is nearly identical in color to the lipstick, though it is a touch lighter, a touch more sheer, and seems to be a little bit more blue-based than the lipstick. Like the lipstick, the lip gloss is ridiculously comfortable to wear. It is neither sticky nor goopy, and it isn't too thick. They are formulated to be worn together or separately, and are intended to be the perfect accompaniment to jeans. 

I varied the outdoor lighting in the pictures below in order to try to capture the colors as realistically as possible. Additionally, I really applied the gloss very thickly- so while it appears quite pigmented in these swatches be assured that it is actually quite sheer when applied to the lips in a normal fashion.

Overall assessment: I LOVE THESE!! I tend to reach for the lipstick the most because I am really partial to the texture and silky smooth lightweight finish. I can't believe that I was so wasteful that they sat unloved and unused for so long. I definitely recommend them both highly!

$18.00 each at Barneys New York

Jean-Luc Godard Weekend- Traffic Jam Scene

This is what is looks like when civilization breaks down on the road à la Godard! His famous film Weekend (1967) is a great Pop Culture critique, and a hilarious commentary before we head out on the road over the weekend.

Bon weekend!

MAC Too Supreme Collection 2012: Sheen Supreme Lipsticks in Royal Azalea & Asian Flower Review and Swatches

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipsticks from the Too Supreme Collection according to MAC were inspired by, "East Asia's chic celebrated in fresh shades of Sheen Supreme Lipstick and new Sheen Supreme Lipglass. With a finish that redefines shine, these soft succulent shades have a smooth, lush pearl-rich sheen no other lip colour can match."

I only picked up two of the shades: Royal Azalea (bright mid-tone pink, Cream formula) and Asian Flower (creamy lavender, Cream formula). Unlike so many recent MAC collections the Sheen Supreme Lipsticks are a part of their permanent range.

In describing this formula, MAC asserts that, "combining the colour impact of a Lipstick with the shine sheen of a Lipglass, Sheen Supreme creates the perfect hybrid - with no compromise. Lightweight, non-sticky, slick to apply and comfortable to wear. This is a must-have for those who have craved this type of fusion." I do love how lightweight and non-sticky, and slick to apply these Sheen Supreme Lipsticks are. I would also add that that these two colors have lovely pigmentation and aren't in the least bit patchy in their application. The bad news is that both of them dried my lips out, and I know that others have made the same complaint. The only way that I can wear these is on top of a moisturizing lip balm- which makes me reach for them less often than I normally would.

Overall assessment: The colors are gorgeous, and the texture and finish are lovely. However, I find this formula to be drying on my lips. I can only comfortably wear them on top of a moisturizing lip balm.

3.6 g /0.12 US oz $14.50 Where MAC is sold.

NARS Cosmetics Will Launch Andy Warhol Collection

Untitled from Marilyn Monroe (1967). MOMA

According to Julie Naughton at WWD,

Nars Cosmetics is giving Andy Warhol another 15 minutes of fame with a new color cosmetics collection expected this fall. Nars Andy Warhol — created by François Nars under a license with The Andy Warhol Foundation — is intended to evoke the cool, image-rich, character-laden world of Warhol in a limited edition collection said to showcase innovative packaging, formulas and shades. The project, which will be launched in the U.S. in October and elsewhere in November, is said to be the brand’s largest strategic collaboration to date.

Well count me among the very excited! I love Andy Warhol's work, his carefully self-crafted enigmatic public persona, and his commentary on the commodification of culture is as valid today as it was then. I am very curious to see what François Nars is going to come up with! That I love Warhol & NARS makes this all the more exciting! Are you interested in this collaboration? Do tell.

YSL Short Film: Rouge Pur Couture Vernis à Lèvres

 A very charming short film!

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Rouge Bunny Rouge When Birds Are Singing Long Lasting Eye Shadow: Delicate Hummingbird- Review & Swatches

Rouge Bunny Rouge is an extraordinarily high quality luxury niche makeup company that has developed a cult following in the beauty blogging community that is undeniable, and that is quite infectious (to read more about the company and my review of Abyssinian Catbird click here). The quality of RBR products is on par with any of the highest quality luxury makeup lines currently available in the marketplace. In addition to the astounding quality of their products, the entire line is conceived in the most charming, enchanting, and magical way imaginable. The fairytale narrative that magically shrouds their products makes the spectator feel as though they are embarking on a magical journey in search of the Holy Grail in an enchanted alternative universe (trust me when I tell you- you will find the Holy Grail here). There is a good reason that you will repeatedly find people speaking of "falling down the rabbit hole" of RBR, and this becomes all the more evident when you find yourself "Beyond the Looking Glass." Even their website welcomes you to the entrance of a magical secret land with butterflies flying about beckoning you to enter the Enchanted Garden. It is as though you are defenseless against the charms of this line once it has sprinkled you with its intoxicating fairy dust.

Once you enter the realm of the When Birds are Singing... Long-Lasting Eye Shadow collection you are not only greeted by beautiful collection eye shadows, but you are further educated about their beginnings in this lovely Enchanted Garden. The firefly festival is eagerly awaited all year in the Enchanted Garden. For then on this very special day, the best voices of the bird-world feed on tiny fireworks to embellish their voices and then gather to perform a single concert together. Their jubilant musical notes are inscribed in a syrup of figs and milk and preserved in tiny pots to be enjoyed all year round. Like this golden froth of musical syrup, WHEN BIRDS ARE SINGING... eye shadows are a time defying exotic enigma. This is plumage to adorn you in shades as deliciously mellow as soft silence that flows, or as brilliantly potent as jewelled notes. So addictive are these morsels that you’ll be causing your own kaleidoscopic ripples every time you wear them. Trust me- once you enter you will be hooked!

Delicate Hummingbird is a complex and multidimensional shade that RBR describes as a cool, dusty sugar-frosted plum, iridescent with pink shimmer. This is the quintessential purple eye shadow, it is simply the perfect embodiment of this glorious color, or as Zuzu*s Petals from Everyday Beauty would say it is "Purple perfection." I am nearly irrationally in love with this eye shadow, seriously. Purple has been my favorite color my entire life, and by this I mean to say that never was there a day that I wavered in my devotion to this regal color. My my birthstone is purple, my first bike was a purple Schwinn, I've lived in purple bedrooms at certain points in my life- I think that you get the picture.

The texture of this eye shadow is buttery soft, lightweight, creamy and buildable. In the words of RBR: Discover a new powder eye shadow with an astonishing lightweight, creamy touch and unprecedented adherence. This formula creates pure dynamic iridescence while it maintains second skin effect. It has extended 8-hour wear that will stay perfect and look freshly applied all day. Orange-derived Flavonoid improves blood microcirculation, enhances luminosity and serves as free radicals scavenger. I have never experienced any fallout from Delicate Hummingbird, or any of the RBR eye shadows for that matter. RBR eyeshadows are delightful to work with, and the end result is magical eye shadow that make you see the world in an entirely different light. Okay, the last bit of hyperbole aside- this is a wonderful eyeshadow that is a heavyweight performer. I use it both with and without primer, and while it does last a bit longer with primer I found either way works just fine. Without primer there was some fading at the end of a very long day, but that is to be expected.

 Indoors

 Indoors

 Outdoors Direct Light

 Outdoors Direct Light

Whether you are enchanted by the fantasy that adds to the magical allure of this brand or not, you are sure to be wowed by the unbelievably high quality of their products.

Overall assessment: There's no turning back for me- I am way too far down the rabbit hole for that! Every product that I have from Rouge Bunny Rouge has Holy Grail status in my stash. A+++++

The pricing of RBR products is high given their luxury product status, however their products truly are worth every penny.

Availability: Rouge Bunny Rouge is available through Zuneta out of the U.K., and they ship Internationally. Fear not, Zuneta has extraordinary customer service, and they are delightful to interact with.

$35.13 USD 0.084 oz/ 2.4g

Rouge Bunny Rouge GIFT WITH PURCHASE from Zuneta!

I'm in a state of Rouge Bunny Rouge bliss. I have found makeup nirvana! Yesterday I received my most recent RBR order from Zuneta, and today I woke up to an email from Zuneta saying that they are having an RBR GWP! Buy any two RBR products and: Get a free Rouge Bunny Rouge Glassy Gloss - Sweet Excesses in Crisp Sorbet when you order any 2 products from Rouge Bunny Rouge. A gorgeously soft sheer ice pink shade with coral & gold opalescence. Only available until stocks last.

If Happiness Could Come in a Box, This is What it Would Look Like: Part II

Yesterday was a day filled with surprises that came in lovely boxes. My husband surprised me by bringing home dinner from El Metate in Pasadena.  He often goes there for lunch and thought that their delectable Camarones del Diablo would be perfect for dinner. HE WAS RIGHT!! To make things even better, he found a Zuneta box sitting on the front porch. WOO HOO! This girl is on sensory overload!

If Happiness Could Come in a Box, This is What it Would Look Like: Part I Rouge Bunny Rouge

Rouge Bunny Rouge Loose Glitter Pigment Fire Drops in Caress of Mink

Rouge Bunny Rouge Original Skin Blush For Love of Roses in Gracilis

Rouge Bunny Rouge Long-Lasting Matte Eyeshadow- When Birds are Singing in Sweet Dust Seriema

Rouge Bunny Rouge & Becca samples

I received my Zuneta Rouge Bunny Rouge order last night!! I am so excited that I can barely contain myself. Naturally I will be reviewing and swatching everything, but I thought that I would share the RBR love with you immediately! 

Must Read Post from Everyday Beauty: Living with Lobster Face (aka Battling Rosacea)

Whether you or someone you know has Rosacea, or whether you or someone you know has spent excessive time in the sun- then you really need to read this brilliantly written, wonderfully insightful, and abundantly informative blog post from one of the very best beauty bloggers on the block! Please share this with everyone that you know- particularly before we revisit the sun-drenched days of summer.

Sun damaged Skin

Rosacea

N.B.: If you don't already subscribe to Everyday Beauty, you really should!

I've Been Tagged by Marcia from Beauty Info Zone!

March 26, 2012

lola's secret beauty blog was tagged by the lovely Marcia from Beauty Info Zone!

The Rules

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves on their blog.

2. Answer the questions the tagger has set for you plus add eleven questions for the people you have tagged to answer

3. Choose eleven people and link them in your tag

4. Go to their page and tell them

5. No tag backs

6. You legitimately have to tag

Here are 11 things about Lola:

1) I am obsessed with Hakuhodo brushes, Sunday Riley Skincare and makeup, and Rouge Bunny Rouge makeup. 

2) I am originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, but live in Los Angeles with my husband, cats and dog.

3) I have been obsessed with skincare and makeup since I was an early teen. My big introduction into the world of high-end makeup was when, as a teenager, my mom took me to I. Magnin on Union Square in San Francisco. It was there that I was indoctrinated into the world of Erno Laszlo Skincare, Chanel makeup, and YSL makeup. There was no turning back after that!

4) I have always loved rearranging furniture in my house. I started this at about 8 years old when I moved my parents' bedroom into a different room in the house (without their knowledge or consent)! My husband is no longer shocked when he comes home to find that the whole house has been rearranged.

5) I've always been a bit of a tomboy, and despite the fact that I love makeup and all things pretty- I am happiest wearing sweats and jeans!

6) When I have an idea, I tend to act on it (within reason, of course). There was an ugly closet in my bedroom that was a tacky add-on that didn't match the room (or the architecture of a 1920s house). I woke up one Saturday morning tired of looking at it, and decided to demolish it by myself. I tore it out, patched, primed, painted, and sanded and retouched the floor by the time that my husband got home from surfing late that afternoon. He just looked at me and shook his head and said "you're nuts, how did you do that?! That looks great, but seriously nobody helped you?!" I have many more stories like that one!

7) I am in love with authentic Mid-Century Modern furniture. 

8) I am a huge proponent of animal rescue, and all of our cats and our dog are rescues. That is Jasper (back) and Zeus (front)- I found them sitting like this I did not try to pose them!

9) I love painting the rooms in my house, and if I can't find a color that I like I create it myself. I just add different colors until it is just right. I do the same thing with my makeup as well!

10) As a teen I used to melt down and mix my mom's and sister's old lipsticks and create new colors that they preferred. I did this for myself all of the time as well. Now I don't bother to melt them down- I either mix them directly on my lips, or on a palette.

11) When I am not working, or blogging I tend to like to relax by dreaming up some new crazy project to undertake.

Here are the 11 questions I was asked:

1) What is your favorite green eyeshadow?
For a more subtle olive green MAKE UP FOR EVER #123 which is a lovely khaki green shimmer. It always makes my hazel colored eyes pop. For a brighter green MAC's long ago discontinued Fresh Green Mix Mineralize Eye Shadow. MAC Mineralize eye shadows usually make my eyes itch. This is the only one that I have and it doesn't bother my eyes at all.

2) What countries have you traveled to?
England, France and Mexico.

3) Have you ever been on a cruise?
No.

4) Are you a good sleeper?
Yes- except when I have a cat walk across my head in the middle of night!

5) What are your 3 desert island items NOT counting lip balm and sunscreen? (My desert island provides those!)
Sunday Riley Juno Transformative Lipid Serum, Sunday Riley Good Genes, and kai deodorant.

6) How long have you been blogging?
Since July 2010, but lola's secret beauty blog started in 2011.

7) Where’s your favorite place to shop?
Barneys New York.

8) What hobbies or obsessions do you have?
Makeup and skincare- which led to blogging about it as an outlet for my obsession. 

9) How would you wear your hair if you could?
Hmm. Well, I have naturally curly hair, and when it's well-behaved I am quite happy with it. I would say I would wear it with nice soft shiny curls with no frizzies whatsoever.

10) What lipstick brand would you choose over all others? I tend to wear more lip glosses than lipsticks, but lately I have been loving Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Royallieu. However, I am eagerly awaiting the new Sunday Riley Lipsticks and want to try out the Rouge Bunny Rouge lipsticks, and I suspect both will cause me to have new favorites. 

11) You can’t live without what? Love, friendship and continued learning.

Here are my 11 questions for my TAGGIES:

1) What is your one Holy Grail Skincare item?
2) What is the most over-hyped beauty product that you purchased and regretted?
3) What is your favorite place to vacation or visit?
4) What is your most extravagant beauty splurge, and will you repurchase it?
5) What is your best beauty find?
6) What is your most bold makeup choice?
7) If you could only shop at one cosmetics counter (or line) which would you choose?
8) What is your favorite place to shop?
9) What current beauty trend(s) do you love, and what current beauty trend(s) do you hate?
10) What is the first makeup product that you remember using?
11) If you could pick one thing that you really wanted your readers to know about you personally, what would it be?

Who I’m tagging. Please go visit them- they are phenomenal bloggers.
Blushing Noir
British Beauty Blogger
drivel about frivol
Everyday Beauty
Front Row Beauty
Karla Sugar
Modesty Brown
Musings of a Muse
Pink Sith
Product Doctor Beauty Blog
Rola's Fountain of Youth

V.I.B. Chic Week at Sephora 15% OFF SALE! March 29- April 6, 2012

You must be a V.I.B. Beauty Insider. The 15% discount is both in-store and online Code: CHICVIB

Revlon ColorStay 16 Hour Eye Shadow Quad- Addictive (500) Review & Swatches

To say that Revlon has stepped up to the plate, and therefore has been instrumental in helping bridge the gap between high-end and low-end cosmetic quality- is an understatement. Their Colorburst Lip Butters were a real game changer that created a renewed interest in the line that appealed to drugstore and luxury brand shoppers alike. In fact, I have personally witnessed many a fashionista grabbing the Lip Butters from the displays by the handfuls. With all of this in mind, I headed to my local CVS to see whether or not I wanted to give Revlon's new ColorStay 16 Hour Eye Shadows the same opportunity to potentially wow me in the way that the Lip Butters had. It just so happened that CVS was having the buy one get the second 1/2 off sale- so I decided to give a few a try. Don't you just wish that the department stores did that?! Can you imagine going to the Chanel counter and getting that kind of a deal?! 

I selected 7 (see pictures here) of the 16 shades available, and so far I am quite impressed by the quality from my preliminary swatching and playing with the colors. Addictive (#500) is a very neutral quad, so neutral in fact, that with the exception of the slightly warmer brown (#4) it should work across most skin tones (with warm or cool undertones). I swatched vigorously- so it is unlikely that one would pack on color to the extent that I did for these swatches. Even so, the first two colors are barely there- but not in a bad way. In fact color #2 is a nice all over the lid wash of color if you are going for a natural look. Color #3 is worth the price of admission alone-- it's a buildable taupish shade that is really lovely. At first it reminded me of a cooled down MAC Patina, or a less purple NARS Lhasa, but as you can see from the swatches at the bottom, #3 is quite different from them. Click on photos to enlarge.

All four colors in this quad are buttery soft and apply with great ease. I tried them with and without a primer and both ways the colors did last without creasing or fading on my non-oily lids. I did not test their claims about lasting 16 hours so I can neither validate, nor refute the accuracy of this claim. I will say, however, that the soft and smooth texture does remind me of higher end shadows. There wasn't a gritty or chalky one in the bunch. The palette seems nearly matte, but the first three shades have the slightest amount of sheen that gives a bit more dimension. However, numbers 1 & 2 are so light that it's barely detectable. Number 3, on the other hand, has greater depth and complexity. #4 is more of a matte brown shade. I would recommend mixing the colors to see what kind of interesting custom taupe shades you can create.

Photo taken indoors.

Photo taken outdoors in the sun.

Photo taken outdoors in less direct light.

 Both photos taken outdoors with varied lighting.

Overall assessment: I'm quite pleased with this quad. The overall quality is very good, and it is a nice neutral palette at a bargain price.

0.16 oz./4.8 g $7.49-$7.79 at CVS, Rite Aid or Walgreens. Check out their prices at Target as well. They are often on sale- so you can snap them up for even less.

Hey There Delilah

After shredding half of her toys in my office Delilah got a hold of an old costume in the garage- so per her request she got to play dress up. By the way, she loves this song! Have a lovely weekend!