Quick Summer Update: Peach Lips

The sun is shining, the weather is warming up and it's time to update your makeup look for spring and summer. One of my favorite two second updates is adding a peach lip. Peach warms up skin better than pink, but isn't as extreme as coral or orange. It also looks amazing with warm tones on eyes like gold and bronze or cool tones like gray. Check out my two favorite peaches below. 

NARS lip gloss in Giza is my ultimate peach because it's pigmented, shiny and isn't too orange. It warms up skin and shows a tan (no matter how slight). It's the perfect complement to a bronzy look, yet is neutral enough to not overpower smoky eyes. It's definitely a spring/summer staple for me.

DHC Moisture Care Liquid Lipcolor in OR06 is a moisturizing peach gloss with a subtle shimmer that is sheer enough to work on pretty much any skin tone. Plus I love that the brush is long and helps define the contours of the lips.

Must Have: MAC Peacocky Collection

MAC introduces about a bazillion collections each year and sometimes it's a process to navigate through all the new products; which is the exact reason I really only cover the collections that I consider must haves. MAC Peacocky Collection feels like classic MAC to me, which I love. It's not about kitschy packaging or campaigns, it's about amazing colors and formulas that are richly pigmented.

The Mega Metal shadows in particular are the perfect eye shadows. The formulas are super pigmented, really smooth, can be used wet or dry and the color selection is divine - neutrals with some pops of color. Quick note though - as the name implies they do have a shimmery, metallic finish, so if you're into matte, these may not be for you.

Mega Metal Shadow Suggested Retail Price $19.50 US

• Peek-at-You – Frosted yellow white
• Dalliance – Light champagne
• Prance – Frosted mauve pearl
• Top of the Posh – Frosted white pink
• Tweet Me – Gold bronze
• Mating Call – Dirty frosted violet
• Odalisque – Deep teal
• Sexpectations – Metallic burgundy
• Paparazz-she – Deep copper bronze
• Ego – Forest green
• Noir Plum – True purple with silver pearl
• Dandizette – Navy with silver pearl
• Spectacle of Yourself – Deep bronze
• Centre Stage – Frosted chocolate brown
• Unflappable – Frosted black with purple pearl

Kissable Lipcolour Suggested Retail Price $18.00 US

• Enchantée – Light blue pink
• Woo Me – Light pinky nude
• So Vain – Muted dirty coral
• Vanity Fair – Mid-tone blue pink
• Exxxhibitionist – Red-toned coral
• Strut Your Stuff – Bright true red
• Scandelicious – Blue fuchsia
• Peacocky – Sky blue with red pearl
• Super – Muted neutral brown
• Temper Tantra – Mid-tone reddish brown
• Flaunting It – Grey mauve
• Love Peck – Blackened blood red

MAC Peacocky is now available on the MAC website so get shopping! 

Beauty Crush: Too Faced Lip Injection

I'll let you in on a secret: 9 out of 10 lip plumpers don't work. But Too Faced Lip Injection does, and really well at that. It's definitely one of those no pain no gain plumpers that produces a serious tingle, verging on a sting, but lips get a noticeable boost in plumpness so it's all worth it to me. Plus Lip Injection gives a serious shine and has a cinnamon taste that's fab. 

Because of the tingly-blood-rushing-to-your-lips-effect, you can use this alone for that pinky bitten lip look, or layer over lipstick.

Pick up at Sephora for $18.50 and then practice your best Angelina Jolie pouty lip face in the mirror.

New: NARS Limited Edition Lip Gloss Collection for Sephora

Love NARS blush shades like Oasis and Angelika? Well now you can get them in a lip gloss with the new NARS limited edition collection for Sephora. The new shades, priced at $24 each are (l to r):

• Oasis (sparkling pink champagne)
• Luster (sheer golden apricot)
• Super Orgasm (peachy pink with gold glitter)
• Angelika (cotton candy pink with gold and silver sparkle)
• Albatross (luminous glow)

Scoop up the new shades, available now, at Sephora.com.

MAC Alice + Olivia Collection

MAC Cosmetics has teamed up with one of my absolute favorite designers, Alice + Olivia - they are IT if you're looking for a fabulous party dress moment. So of course it's no surprise that the collection is definitely party makeup-esque (or everyday if you're adventurous). I've been having a serious turquoise and pink fetish as of late (it all started with Chanel's summer collection) so I'm all over this. The goods hit counters July 8th or you can just be sneaky and buy online now. If you spend $50, you get free shipping.

MAC Cosmetics Alice + Olivia Collection:

Nail Lacquer ($12)

    * Morning.After – Creamy, get-noticed turquoise
    * So Rich So Pretty – A party-ready purple with a hint of frost
    * Military – Black matte with silver suede

 Dazzleglass Creme ($18)

    * Sparklicious – Creamy, softest pink with multidimensional pearl
    * If It’s Pink – Shimmering, hot to trot pink
    * I.Want.Candy – Electric yellow with a sparkling edge

Pigment ($19.50)

    * Later – Deepest black with a hint of purple pearl
    * If It Sparkles – Frosty white plus a touch of pink
    * Partylicious - Groovy turquoise mixed with silver sparkle

Meltproof Your Makeup

It's a cooker out there babies, and it's not breaking anytime soon. With tomorrow's high reaching 100, if you plan on spending anymore than 30 seconds outdoors, you're susceptible to the dreaded makeup meltdown. You know you've been there: mascara that ends up on your cheek, eyelids creased to the heavens and streaky foundation and blush. Luckily a few tips and strategic products can keep makeup meltdown to a minimum, and you can actually stay outside for longer than five minutes - not that you want to.

Face:

Primer is your best friend here, preferably an oil-free, oil-controlling version, such as Smashbox PhotoFinish Light, which is my personal favorite when I need a matte finish. Unless you desperately need it, skip foundation and just use concealer under eyes and on any discoloration. My pick for amazing all day coverage: Laura Mercier Secret Camoflauge covers flawlessly and won't cake up. Set with loose powder (Bare Escentuals Mineral Veil is my all time favorite) and dust on matte bronzer like tarte's new matte and waterproof version of Park Avenue Princess.

Eyes:

Nothing compares to tarte's Lock & Roll 12-hour eyeshadow when you need crease and waterproof shadow that really holds up to the elements. This stuff stays on so well you can skip the eye primer altogether. Finish with a few coats of waterproof mascara. My fave is Revlon 3-D Extreme.

Cheeks:

Powder is really the way you want to go here since creams and gels can add to the sticky factor. Try Benefit CORALista for a natural summer flush without any shimmer, which is the last thing that should be in your products in this kind of heat. 

Lips:

Stains are perfect for an all-day juicy tint that stands up to heat and humidity, won't feather, and won't goop up like gloss or lipstick. Cover Girl Outlast Lip Stain comes in an easy-to-use marker application and won't rub or smear.

Hope everyone had a fabulous 4th. I adore fireworks, and even wanted them to go off as my now-husband and I were walking out of our reception venue at our wedding, but thought it was a little over the top, even for moi.

My Favorite Lip Product: the Glostick

Ok, so this isn't a real term, I just made this up now when thinking of a word to marry two things a la Brangelina. I've been having a problem with my lip color lately because I'm so over lip gloss being totally sheer and wearing off after five minutes, yet I'm not in love with the full coverage "hey you're wearing lipstick look" of lipstick. Enter the solution: the Glostick (pronounced like glow-stick). 

A Glostick is a super creamy and moisturizing semi-sheer lipstick with a shiny finish. Luckily fab makeup brands Dior and Clinique make my two favorite Glosticks, and they are everything you've been dreaming of and more.

Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick is a translucent, long lasting lipstick that has a creamy high shine finish. I love this product so much I find myself slathering it on almost like a lip balm. It feels so light and moisturizing, yet delivers real color payoff with a nice shine that isn't overly glossy/tacky. Plus every single shade is completely wearable since the formula is translucent (sheer). Pick up at Sephora for $26.

The name Clinique Color Surge Butter Shine lipstick pretty much says it all. Rich, creamy color, lips drenched in moisture, and a nice natural shine are all what you'll get from this amazing $14 Glostick. Like the Dior, the colors are beyond wearable - if you've ever wanted to try red, berry, coral, Glosticks are the time to do it. Visit the Clinique site to view colors and purchase.

What's your favorite? Gloss, lipstick or Glostick?

Votre Vu Duette - A Perfect Combo

At first you wouldn't think a hand cream/lip balm duo is a total must have, but I've been finding that I can't live without Votre Vu's Duette, Luxe Lips moisturizing lip balm and Tarte D'Amande luxe hand creme duo. Votre Vu is a fairly new French skin care company that utilizes natural ingredients, but it also super luxe at the same time.

Luxe Lips is a silky, lightweight balm that smooths lips and imparts a natural shine. Coconut oil and shea butter nourish, while UV filters protect from the environment so you can reapply all day. It also smells delish!

 Tarte D'Amande is a rich hand creme that absorbs quickly and doesn't leave a greasy residue behind (a must for me when choosing hand creams!) Sunflower, jojoba and grape seed oils moisturize, soothe and provide antioxidant protection. 

The package is so pretty I keep it on display in my bathroom and it's also great to toss in your bag for touch ups on the go. I also totally love that the lip balm compartment has a mirror so it won't end up all over your face - total genius.

Head to the Votre Vu website for more info and to order. 


Disclosure: a press sample was provided for editorial consideration.

The Stain Game

Do you wish your lipcolor could last hours without feathering, smearing or rubbing off? Then you might want to try a lip stain. Stains literally, temporarily stain the lips with color for hours of kissproof and waterproof wear. The main thing to remember with a stain is that it's not creamy or moisturizing like some lipsticks and glosses are so you really have to make sure your lips are exfoliated since every flake and line will show. My fave lip exfoliation tip? Apply some balm, then take a washcloth and rub in circular motions until lips are smooth. No need for those expensive exfoliators! Check out my favorite stains below.

Benefit Benetint is the original lip and cheek stain. It's a sheer, rosy/berry tint for lips and cheeks that wears on for hours and is completely waterproof. Perfect for when you want a just bitten lip moment. I'm pretty partial to Posietint as well, which is a really pretty poppy pink shade that's perfect for spring and summer.

tarte recently rolled out its Natural Lipstain with LipSurgence Technology, which is clinically proven to increase moisture content by 6000%, which tackles the problem of most lipstains, which is dryness. Each peppermint-infused stain leaves behind a hint of tint without parabens, pertrochemicals and all that stuff we don't want. I love Joy, a juicy peach.

When certain cosmetics hit the masses, you know it's a full on trend. Cover Girl Outlast Lip Stain is super lightweight and literally reminds me of a marker with a felt tip applicator. It uses water-based colorants to keep lips stained all day, but it can be drying so carry some clear balm with you. The shades are brighter on than they appear in the packaging so keep that in mind. My favorite is Teasing Blush, a natural flushed pink shade.

Sunscreen Bootcamp: Lips

If you've ever had a sunburn on your lips it's enough to scar you for life (not literally). But the memories of the severe dryness, redness, cracking and peeling that happen when lips get sunburned make me an SPF lip balm nazi. Lips usually don't get sunburned on a normal day out and about, it's more likely to happen if you're logging serious beach hours or are on a tropical getaway. Nonetheless it's always smart to keep a nourishing SPF lip balm on hand. Check out my favorites below. 

MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner is a supernourishing balm that locks in moisture with Almond oil and Shea Butter and has the added bonus of SPF 15 and a sheer wash of color. I love Petting Pink for a natural look and Gentle Coral for when I want a little more color payoff.

 

Bare Escentuals Lip Guard combines SPF 15, sheer color, Vitamins A, C and E to nourish, heal and protect and antioxidant-rich Grape Seed oil to fight environmental damage. The squeeze tube is perfect for throwing in your beach bag. 

And sometimes you just want old faithful. Blistex Lip Massage Lip Balm with SPF 15 is a moisturizing formula that goes on clear, and the classic has been updated with the added bonus of a massaging applicator that smooths away rough spots. Plus, you can't beat the under $5 price tag.

The Only Lip Palette You'll Ever Need

If you're like me, you have about 20 lipsticks and glosses in your purse on any given day. It's gotten so bad that airport security makes me put them all into my already-stuffed-to-the-brim toiletry baggie to be x-rayed (who knew a lip gloss addiction made me a terrorist suspect). As much as I can't live without a million shades of lip color, the whole routine of fishing around in my bag and deciding between gloss, lipstick, neutral, red, plum, shiny, matte etc. is getting exhausting. That's why I'm so in love with the Bobbi Brown Basic Lip Palette, which contains Naked lip gloss (the perfect neutral, shiny gloss), Posey Shimmer lip gloss (a glossy clear pink with shimmer), Brownie lip color (a pinky brown full coverage natural finish lipstick) and Rum Raisin lip color (a dark yet neutral raisiny shade).

With these four shades you can create day, evening, glossy, full color, neutral and more bold looks. Each looks perfect by itself and can be mixed together for a custom shade. So free up some space in your bag without sacrificing the lip look you crave and pick up the Bobbi Brown Basic Lip Palette on Nordstrom.com.

Put the Lime in the Coconut

It's still vacation mode here at Beauty is the New Black, and I keep imagining I'm back in St. Lucia in the sand and sun and not enduring 100 mph winds on the East Coast. Here's me, sans a speck of makeup, trying coconut milk straight out of the coconut. It's surprisingly spicy and sort of peppery, as opposed to sweet. This inspired me to round up my fave coconut scented products, in an effort to bring a little bit of the islands here to the dead of winter.

Noah's Naturals Coconut Vanilla hand and foot cream smells so delish you could eat it (but please don't). It's also insanely moisturizing and really rich, perfect for dry winter feet and hands. Sweet Almond oil and Coneflower extract get the job done, while the yummy sweet scent makes you forget that it's 2 degrees out. Plus one product does double duty for only $7.99. Pick it up at retailers like Walgreens.

What I wouldn't give to own every single scent of Philosophy shampoo, bath and shower gel. It's impossible to pick which scent is my favorite, but Coconut Frosting is definitely leading the pack. I love that these are three-in-one, so they're perfect for traveling, and this formula, thanks to its conditioning agents really quench skin and hair. Plus it's not sickeningly sweet like some Coconut-scented products. It's just enough scent.

I love Kiehl's lip balm #1, check out a previous post here. It's so moisturizing, healing and protecting, and bonus: it comes in a delicious coconut flavor. I love a good flavored lip balm, but sometimes they can be more about the flavor and not so much about the moisture. Kiehl's is the perfect balance of a lip balm that works with a sweet flavor.

Give Us a Kiss

So I recently flew to New Jersey for my best friend's wedding and it was a glorious 60 degrees. I arrive back to Indiana and it's 30 and snowing and I'm pretty certain this will be a regular occurrence until about May. Ever since the drop in temp my lips have been severely chapped; and the fact that I bite them (really not good if they're already dry and cracked) isn't helping matters. It's officially time to bring in the big guns - check out my top three lip savers below.

Smith's Rosebud Salve is an all in one moisturizing wonder. Not only is it one of my fave travel products (check out my post here for more on that) but I love that it can be used under or over lip color. There's nothing worse than when you put on lipstick only to discover it goes on completely unevenly due to your dry, cracked situation. This salve smooths things out, looks nice on its own and is super moisturizing.

I love Kiehl's Lip Balm #1, both in the original formula with SPF 4 and the SPF 15 variety. The consistency is so smooth and super hydrating without feeling sticky or greasy. This balm leaves a nice, natural sheen behind and is perfect to put on before bed.

Philosophy Kiss Me Very Emollient lip balm is exactly what the name describes: it has a super rich, balm/salve-like consistency and it moisturizes so well courtesy of Vitamin E, kiwi and almond oils, you don't have to reapply it 20 times a day. I'm partial to the clear, which leaves a natural shine and the pink, which infuses lips with just a hint of natural pink tint.

The Perfect Pink: Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Blush

I'm always on the hunt for the perfect pink lip gloss, but finding it is harder than you think. Everything is either too pink, too pale, too shimmery, too watery, not enough shine, too much shine, it's definitely a process. But by chance I received Laura Mercier Lip Glace in Blush from an event gift bag and it was love at first application. Let's talk color first: it's the perfect, true pink shade that really looks good on everyone. The Laura Mercier site describes it as a medium rose brown, which I think is misleading because it's much more of a natural pink shade, the color we wish our lips were without anything on them.

The formula is just as swoon-worthy. It's a full coverage, high shine gloss without any pearl or shimmer and it smells just like marshmallows or vanilla cupcakes, I can't decide which. It feels incredible on thanks to Laura Mercier's Lip Complex, a blend of moisturizing, anti-aging, and plumping ingredients. Scoop it up in Sephora stores or the Laura Mercier site for $22 and it will truly be your everyday go-to gloss.

Beauty Crush: L'Oreal HIP Jelly Balm

I love the look of a smooth lip with a hint of color and a natural shine, and L'Oreal HiP Jelly Balm will give you just that. It's so hard to find a lipcolor for those days when you don't want the intense color of a lipstick, or the high shine/stickiness of a gloss. But if you're like me a regular old lip balm just will not do; I need some sort of color payoff here. And that whole routine of apply balm, top with lipstick, top with more balm gets old pretty quickly.

I was so happy to find this while strolling through the drugstore one day. I've never tried anything in L'Oreal's HiP line before and this stuff is amazing. It's the perfect balmy consistency, offers a nice natural shine and enough color for a finished look. Perfect for when you're hitting the gym (I hope I'm not the only person who wears gloss and mascara when working out) or when you're having a low key errand running day and need a little something on the lips. My fave shade is Plush, a nice glossy bubblegum pink. It looks whoa pink in the package, but because it's a balm it's sheer enough so that you won't get mistaken for one of The Girls Next Door or a 14-year old. Bonus: it smells and tastes totally yummy.

Three Lippies in One: Bobbi Brown Rich Color Lip Gloss

I'm a huge Bobbi fan - she does the polished, clean look like no one else. She somehow makes everything, even bright colors or glitter gloss look classically chic. And her latest introduction is right up my alley. Rich Color Lip Gloss offers three lippy benefits: the full coverage color of a lipstick, the soft shine of a gloss and the feel of a lip balm. It moisturizes and conditions all day and won't feather.

For anyone who loves the consistency and shine of a gloss, but hates the fact that it slides off in five minutes and never offers enough color payoff, scoop up one of the eight shades - ranging from neutral to deep to bright. I'd wear any of the eight shades, but my top two picks are Pink Buff, the quintessential pinky nude everyone should own and Ruby Red (still riding high on my red moment).

Available at the Bobbi Brown website for $20 each.

The Bright Lip: Don't Be Afraid

September is what I like to refer to as "The Fall Issue" month. Every magazine has this huge, bible-sized issue of what's cool, what's not, and what we should have never worn last year. And beauty, much like fashion, always has a new fall trend. I love scouring the mags for some new look inspiration, but every time the trend was bright lips I let out a huge groan. I was always more of an "emphasis on the eye and a pinky beige, peachy beige, champagne, nude, anything that looks like you're not actually wearing anything on your lips" kind of girl. I would always attempt to create this fabulous red or bright lip only to totally hate it and feel like it was way too much. 

And then when I opened up one of my September issues, there it was, staring me right in the face: 5 Hot New Beauty Trends and numero uno was Bright Lips. I thought this is it, this is my year. I started slow with a gloss (Bare Escentuals Buxom Lips in Kanani a glossy, vibrant pink with a tingly plumping effect), paired with a neutral eye and cheek. When I walked out of the bathroom my husband instantly said he liked my lip color (or more specifically "What's on your lips? I like it." Something he hasn't said in the seven years we've known each other). High on the compliment I pushed the envelope further next time and went for a full-fledged lipstick. M.A.C Lipstick in Impassioned (a warm-toned fuchsia, which works well no matter what your skin tone) was my Saturday night out test (applied with a lip brush for precision). I received rave reviews and just generally felt fabulous, but probably what I love most is a bold lip really cuts down the time on your "get ready to go out routine," without sacrificing a finished look. Think about it: it takes much less time to slick on lipstick than painstakingly creating a smoky eye. 

Just be sure to keep the rest of the face neutral and let the lips take center stage. I used NARS Orgasm blush with a very light hand, the peachy pink shade in the Smashbox Eyelights palette in Flash, drew a very thin line with black liner and swept on a few coats of Revlon 3-D Extreme mascara. The result? A polished look and a pout that begs to be noticed.