Lancome Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss Swatches & Review

Lancome Juicy Tubes Jelly Lip Gloss in Magic Spell (left) and

Lancome Juicy Tubes Smoothie Lip Gloss in Simmer (right).

These glosses come in easy to use, portable squeeze tubes and that's really nice and all but I am really not liking the consistency of these glosses.  I find both of them to be tacky, sticky and grainy feeling on my lips.  Both of them leave my lips shiny (as Lancome claims for them to do) but I always want to wipe these off after I put them on.  I find these glosses to have a slightly sweet scent but hardly any taste. 

Pros - Portable, convenient to carry, give shine to the lips, have a slight shimmer which can be nice.

Cons - Sticky, tacky and grainy feeling; sheer color (don't reach for these if you want intense pigmentation), expensive ($18 at Sephora).

In my opinion, definitely seek out another kind of lip gloss.  And for that matter, what are your favorite lip glosses?  I would love to hear some suggestions.

Disclaimer:  I received these glosses as a gift.

'Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof - Long Lasting Eyeliner' Swatch & Review

A swatch that shows this Lancome eyeliner smudged out (top) and a bolder swatch (bottom)

I have been using Lancome Le Stylo Waterproof - Long Lasting Eyeliner off and on for the past few weeks.  It's not a bad eyeliner but it definitely isn't great either, it doesn't do what it claims.  I find it to be smudgy and it doesn't last all day.  The color is nice and bold when you first apply it but I find it fades to more of a gray/black after a few hours.  Personally, I like waterproof eyeliners that are an inky, deep black and do not budge for the entire day!

Pros - Eyeliner/smudger in one, self sharpening, attractive casing with caps for the eyeliner and smudger part.

Cons - Expensive ($24.50 at Sephora - look for better deals!), smudges easily throughout the day, not a true black after a few hours, fades from the lids even with a primer on.

Overall, save your money any don't splurge on this eyeliner.  There are way better options out there.

Have you tried this eyeliner?  What is your favorite eyeliner?

Disclaimer:  I received this eyeliner as a gift.

Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick 'Rosy Blush' swatch

Clinique Blushwear Cream Stick in 'Rosy Blush' (which is a yellow pink rose color)

I think that cream blushes are great and overall, I pretty impressed with this one. It blends nicely and lasts all throughout the day.  I swatched this so you can see both the color and then how it blends (which I blended it out above the swatch of color). 

If you are a big blush fan (which I am sometimes), definitely check Clinique's version out.  It's portable, applies easily and easy to use. I am going to check out their Glow Blush next, I think.

'MAC Green Gel Cleanser' Review

MAC Cosmetics describe this cleanser as follows:

Fresh, vibrant, skin-tingling cleanser with refreshing extracts of cucumber and algae. Full-on foam, yet delightfully soap-free. Conditions, nourishes and hydrates leaving skin clean, clear, smooth and protected. For a blast of freshness for the skin; just activate with water.

I have been using this cleanser for the past couple of weeks and I have to say, it's one MAC product I don't think I will be buying again.  I think that the foaminess of it is OK but I don't think that it cleans my skin as well as other face washes that I have tried.  I would take my Basis Cleaner Clean Face Wash over this any day.  This MAC face wash just doesn't live up to everything that I expect from MAC (and I love their facewipes, more on that later!)

I will definitely use the rest of this face wash as I haven't had any adverse effects occur from it just doesn't seem to do everything that it claims to.  I definitely don't have a 'skin tingling' experience when I use it.

Pros - light scent, rinses clean, a little goes a long way, attractive packaging.

Cons - Expensive ($19.50), doesn't leave my skin feeling as deeply cleaned as other face washes, doesn't remove waterproof makeup (you definitely need a makeup remover to remove your makeup before using this).

Has anyone else used this face wash?  What do you think of it?

Lipstick Queen Wine Sinner Lipstick

Sinner Lipstick (Lipstick Queen) is:

All pigment no shimmer or frosting. It is positively naughty to get lipstick this opaque, rich and creamy with a matte yet silky finish. But it doesn't have to be all about your dark side... There are gorgeous pinks, berries, nudes and even a coral to choose from. Lipstick that makes you look so good you can go ahead and be bad!

Lipstick Queen Sinner Lipstick in Rouge

This lipstick is richly pigmented (has 90% pigmentation), feels moist on the lips and  lasts a long time.  Another great product by Lipstick Queen!  I think that this would be great to try in a multitude of different colors (if red is too much for you to wear). 

I think that the Saint and Sinner lipsticks are pretty fantastic!  Each one can be worn to match a different mood.  They are a splurge but not much more so than a MAC lipstick so if you are really into lipstick, definitely check Lipstick Queen out!

If you have tried Lipstick Queen, what do you think?

Disclaimer: product provided by Lipstick Queen for review.

Lipstick Queen Saint Rouge

Saint Lipstick (Lipstick Queen) is:

The sheerest, moistest, most serene lipsticks you have ever tried. Just a hint of beautiful color but enough depth to make an impact whether it be a pink nude or a deep blackberry.  Absolutely no glitter (Saints are far too humble for such audacity).  Soul and style in one little stick.

Lipstick Queen - Saint Lipstick in Rouge

This lipstick is great.  It is moist, easy to apply, slightly pigmented (10% to be exact) and lasts for a long time.  I think that Lipstick Queen did a great job with this sheer formula.  I know I am really liking it for days when I want to wear some color on my lips but don't want to have a super bold look going on.

Disclaimer: product sent to me for review by Lipstick Queen.

Lipstick Queen Black Tie Optional

Lipstick Queen describes this lipstick as:

Total Seduction - think black lace stockings for your lips. This shade was designed to be extremely wearable, Super SHEER and oh so chic.

Sexy on its own, seductive layered over any lip shade for extra incredible depth.
Straight from the Boudoir to you.

I really like the idea of this lipstick but I think the formula needs to be worked out on this one some more.  It feels dry and almost waxy on the lips and it doesn't apply smoothly or evenly.  I think the idea for a 'wearable' black is fantastic but this a Lipstick Queen item I would skip until they adjust the formula of the lipstick.

I am definitely going to try mixing this with other lipsticks to see if it helps change or add dimension in order to make a color different.

Disclaimer: product sent for review by Lipstick Queen.

Lipstick Queen Invisible Lipliner [Product Shot & Review]

Lipstick Queen describes this lipliner as:

This fabulous wind up Mechanical liner (no sharpener needed!) goes on invisible to create a defined lip edge and perfect those little imperfections we all have.
Your best kept secret...Invisible Liner is a must have!

I bought this lipliner as kind of a tester product to see how I felt about Lipstick Queen.  I wanted a lipliner that would help my red lipstick to stay in place throughout the day without having it bleed into everything around my mouth (as red or dark lipsticks tend to do).  I would swatch this but obviously, there is nothing to see, it applies clear and smooth.  I feel that it evens out the feel of my lips and allows my lipstick to apply evenly. 

I think this lipliner helps my lipstick bleed less but I definitely do not think that it completely stops my lipstick from bleeding.  If it did completely stop the bleeding of lipstick, it would totally be the perfect lipliner.

More about Lipstick Queen and my feelings about it in the near future!