New Product: Wet N Wild Megalast Liquid Lip Color

Hello lovelies! While walking through CVS a few days ago, I spotted a small WnW display on a shelf and just had to have a better look at the assortment of color that was bombarding my eyeballs. Upon closer examination, I saw that the megalast lipstick that I know and love so well, was now in liquid form!!! YAY!!! And if it was in my power to do so, I would have gladly done back-handsprings through the store once I saw that they are only $3.19 AND they came with a $1.00 OFF coupon. Yes, that was NOT a typo... I got these bad boys for $2.19 a piece!!!

Now, the new Megalast Liquid Lip Colors come in 13 shades that range from nice, universally flattering nudes, to deep, rich wines. I kid you not when I say I was in the store hovering over the display like I found the crown jewels sitting on a diamond encrusted gold tray waiting for my perusal. After some serious consideration, I only grabbed 5 of the 13 shades, since a lot were already sold out. The shades I grabbed were: Click on my Hyperlink, Back to the Fuschia, Red my Mind, Cherry on Top and I Can Bare It.

Wet N Wild Megalast Liquid Lip Color

Top to Bottom: Cherry on Top, Back to the Fuchsia, Click my Hyperlink, I Can Bare It, and Red my Mind.

Now here's my take on them. The pigmentation is sssssuuuuupppppeeeerrrr!!!! I mean you have full coverage in one swipe. and what you see is exactly what you get. Some might have a problem with the applicator, which is broad and flat, but I actually like it. I was able to use the broad part to distribute the color quick and even, and then turn it on it's side to get a pit of precision to line the edges. And they took the idea of Megalast to the next level with the formula for these! They apply very wet, similar to the OCC Lip Tars, and dry down to a nice matte or satin finish. And once set, these things are HELL ON WHEELS to take off! I had to scrub with a textured baby wipe for a couple minutes to get the color off, and the lipstick peels off in little balls as you remove it. I must mention that they also left my lips really dry was well; walking through the desert without water for weeks dry... severely parched is an understatement. You need some heavy duty exfoliation and a great lip balm for these.

What I didn't like was the feel of the finish. While I dig the idea of the ElastiSilk technology, I hated the feel of these lipsticks on my lips. While fairly matte, they dried to a sticky finish, that made me cringe every time my lips touched. I really wanted to love these, but the finish could use a bit of a tweak! But honestly, for about $3.00 a pop for some fabulously pigmented lip colors, I'm going to find something to dab over the lipstick to make the finish not so tacky.

Overall, I'd say these new Wet N Wild Megalast Liquid Lip Colors are a no brainer as far as bargain and quality. I have some high end lipsticks that WISH they could pull off the intense pigmentation of these babies!!! Definitely worth the price, regardless of the finish.

Has anyone else tried these new lippies? I'd love to hear what you think!

-Miss Brina

Review: Portland Black Lipstick Company + GIVEAWAY WINNER

I'm a lipstick woman. All colors, formulas, brands... I'm not too picky. I see a shade I like, I buy it... it's very simple. That being said, I stumbled across some bee-yoo-ti-ful lipstick swatches a few weeks ago on Portrait of Mai, and fell in instant lust with all things Portland Black Lipstick Company. The swatches were so unique, so creamy, and soooooo pigmented that I HAD to head on over to their website to cop a few of my own. After much back and forth about what colors I wanted, I ended up placing an order for 8 lipstick samples, in an attempt to try out the brand for myself and narrow down what shades would suit me best before I made a full size purchase.

Now, there are 22 lipstick shades currently offered in the line, that run for only $10 a pop! That's certainly affordable. And honestly, the color payoff you get from these bad boys are better than a lot of the "popluar/it" brands that are on the tongues of the masses nowadays. And being an indie company, the customer service you get is great. I was very pleased with the ease of ordering, and the personable communication that was provided. I even received an email from the owner Kim letting me know my order had shipped (got it in 2 days!!!), apologizing for an overlooked inquiry AND giving me a very helpful and unexpected tip regarding carmine allergies. You can tell that she, and the staff of Portland Black really have a passion for their craft... and the extra samples that were included in my order were great!

Now more about the actual products I ordered. I found that they were all very creamy, absolutely non-drying, and had excellent slip and adhesion. All of the shades I ordered, with the exception of Lux et Voluptas, offered full coverage in one swipe. Some of the samples had small bits of unmixed pigment in them, but it wasn't a biggie, and they blended into the lipstick easily with the help of the lip brush I was using. While I truly LOVE all the colors I picked up (so much for the narrowing down lol), I have to say I was more partial to the application and wear of the flatter shades (the ones without any/much shimmer or metallics). My favorites in the bunch were This Corrosion, Blood Red and Artificial Amethyst.

Overall, I have nothing but good things to say about my first purchase from Portland Black Lipstick Co. and am looking forward to trying out the rest of their shades and their various glitters/powders. If you're into full coverage and unique  yet wearable shades, then I'd strongly suggest you head over to Portland Black Lipstick Company and check out all they have to offer.

Hope you enjoyed the photos!

And last but not least, the winner of the 30 Eyeshadow Rainbow Palette Giveway is...  ANN RAYE! Congratulations, I'll be emailing your shortly. 

MAC Hayley Williams- Sounds like Noise: Review/ Comparison

Hey fellow beauty junkies! I hope all has been going well with everyone. I've been on a bit of a makeup hiatus lately, but I recently picked up a new lippie from the Hayley Williams collabo with MAC and I have to say that I am impressed. Sounds like Noise is described as a "bright, true orange matte," but I can't say I wholeheartedly agree with that. SLN has more of a satin finish, and seems like more of a brighter, yellow-based, slightly more saturated pastel orange in my opinion, instead of a true/bright orange orange. I was a bit disappointed because based on the description, I thought I'd be getting a nice, matte orange... something bright and true like the orange in the AT&T logo... but this softer orange is beautiful in it's own right. I read on a few forums that it was similar to Milani Sweet Nectar (which I own), so I was kind of hesitant to make the purchase, but curiosity got the best of me and I dropped the $16.20 (after taxes) and picked this lippie up. And honestly, it isn't anything like Sweet Nectar, so I have no clue why anyone would compare the two as if they could be dupes. Sweet Nectar has a shinier finish, and is altogether deeper and more of a red-orange. Personally, I feel like Sounds like Noise isn't like any other color MAC has, and I hope they eventually decide to make it permanent, because it's a great everyday swipe and go lipstick. And I love that it's non-drying on my lips. I don't own anything like it, and since I've been wearing it daily, I think I'll have to get a backup while I still can.

I'll update in a few days with a lip swatch, but until then, here's a few swatches of Sounds like Noise next to Milani's Sweet Nectar for your enjoyment and comparison.

 (Sounds like Noise in natural daylight)

(L-R: Milani Sweet Nectar & Sounds like Noise in daylight)

(L-R: Sweet Nectar & Sounds like Noise... this pic gives the most accurate color for SLN)

(Sweet Nectar & Sounds like Noise outdoors)

(Milani Sweet Nectar & MAC Sounds like Noise outdoors/shade)

(Sweet Nectar & Sounds like Noise outdoors in direct sunlight)

(outdoors in partial sun)

All pictures (with the exception of the 1st three) were taken outdoors and in various lights WITHOUT flash.

What do you guys think of Sounds like Noise?

-Miss Brina

MAC Party Parrot- and it's accidental DUPE!!!

Let me start this off by saying... I FINALLY GOT MY PAWS ON PARTY PARROT!!!! (ya'll should see me doing my happy dance lol) I've been wanting this lipstick since it came out with the Iris Apfel collection early last year, so when it came out again with the Strength collection I was all set and ready to get my hands on it... but NO... a bunch of greedy heffas beat me to it LOL I almost cried when  it was sold out AGAIN before I could grab one, so after calling several stores and coming up short, I went the ebay route. And to be honest, I actually lucked up and got mine for just a few dollars more than I would have paid in the store (yay eBAY).

MAC Party Parrot

With Flash

 Without Flash

Anyways, upon opening it, my heart kind of dropped a little. I didn't really have anything similar to Party Parrot in my collection, so when it sold out again I happened to stumble upon Rimmel's KATE lippies in shade 06. I thought it looked kind of simliar to Party Parrot, but that "what if" was still in the back of my mind, which is why I tracked that bad boy down and paid above retail for it. But enough of my rambling. While not spot on, the Rimmel lipstick is pretty darn close to Party Parrot, just slightly deeper with a satin-ish finish. So in actuality, if you own shade 06, you can blot the shine away with a kleenex and pretty much pass on Party Parrot and save some $$$$.

Check out the pictures and let me know what you think.

 Comparison Swatches

L-R: Covergirl Fiarytale, MAC Party Parrot, Rimmel Kate 06

Covergirl Fiarytale, MAC Party Parrot, Rimmel Kate 06 (natural light-overcast)

Covergirl Fiarytale, MAC Party Parrot, Rimmel Kate 06 (inside with flash)

After seeing the swatches, what do you all think? Is the Rimmel lipstick a pretty decent dupe for Party Parrot?

Anyone else grab something from the Strength collection?

-Miss Brina

CVS Haul: Wet N Wild

 Stoplight Red and Sugar Plum Fairy

 I went into CVS today trying to pick up a WetNWild lipstick in 24K, but they didn't carry it. I swear I've been trying to get my hands on this shade for over a year, and NONE of the stores I go into it carry it (and I REFUSE to pay those outrageous ebay prices for something I can get in the store much cheaper). But I decided to make the trip worth it and picked up STOPLIGHT RED and SUGAR PLUM FAIRY after seeing a few swatches of them online. I have to say that I like SUGAR PLUM FAIRY so much more in person. I almost didn't buy it, but pictures don't do it justice, it's pretty hard to get it's true color to translate. It's so much deeper than it photographs, just a really beautiful plum shade, great for fall. And STOPLIGHT RED is just your everyday beautiful red. They go on with a bit of a sheen but after a few minutes they set to a nice satin/matte finish.... and last ALL DAY! I only retouch my lipstick once at the end of my day, and that is simply out of habit. I hear people complain about these lipsticks being cheap, and drying and how they pull when you apply them... but I mean for $1.99 I think they out preform themselves. As long as WetNWild makes these lipsticks I'll be buying them.

WNW Mega Last lipstick

WNW Sugar Plum Fairy and WNW Stoplight Red

Lip Swatches

Stoplight Red

Sugar Plum Fairy (flash)

Sugar Plum Fairy (no flash)

WNW Bronzer: Princess

I also picked up a bronzer by WNW in the shade PRINCESS. I always look at it in the store but never can talk myself into buying it... but it was only $1 on sale so I scooped that bad boy up and I'm actually really digging this bronzer. I was concerned about the shimmer (I prefer a matte bronzer) but it's not really bad, gives your skin a nice dewy effect rather than a I rolled my face in glitter look. I'll be keeping it in rotation for awhile.

All in all, I'm absolutely happy with my impromptu $5 CVS haul! And I'm really falling in love with the brand all over again. I used to rock the lippies and mascara back in high school because they were affordable aKa cheap, but the quality and variety of the products they put out is nothing to sleep on... they're like my go to DUPE brand lol

How do you guys feel about Wet N Wild products?

-Miss Brina

MAC Saigon Summer lipstick

Don't you love when you stumble across old gems in your makeup drawer!?!

Saigon Summer

I picked up this baby when the Cremesheen + Pearl lipsticks came out awhile ago, but never got around  to using until a few days ago... and it was instant love. I love and own a plethora of lipsticks in various shades, but I tend to stick towards nudes and coral for the working days, so Saigon Summer was a no brainer for me when I saw this collection. And the fact it was a Cremesheen lipstick was the cherry on top since it's my favorite finish from MAC. It is like more wearable Morange in my opinion, and can work through all seasons despite it's more summer-y tone. It kind of reminds me of Jazzed too, but  when I first saw it Vegas Volt jumped into my mind. Yet when I swatched a few other coral-esque lipsticks to compare... they all look PINK next to Saigon Summer... kind of weird.

MAC Saigon Summer

L-R: MAC Vegas Volt, MAC Lollipop Lovin', MAC Saigon Summer, MAC Sock Hop, MAC Richer Lusher

Anyhoo, anyone own saigon Summer, or any other lipstick from this collection? What's you're favorite Coral/Orange lippie?

 -Miss Brina

LOTD: MAC Korean Candy

Korean Candy is Spring to me! This is my 1st sheen supreme lipstick from MAC and I absolutely love how moisturizing, vibrant and opaque it is right from the tube. I've had it for a few months now, and it's ALWAYS in my bag since it pretty much goes with anything. It applies evenly and swatches a nice, intense coral, and can be sheered out a bit, as can be seen in the picture below.  Hope you all had a great weekend!

MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick- Korean Candy

-Miss Brina

I LOVE IT!!! NYX Xtreme Lip Cream

Let me just jump right on into this... Oh how I love these new lip creams! It was literally love at first sight when I saw these, my only dilemma was, which color do I buy first? If you've seen my review on the Soft Matte Lip Cream, then I'll simply say THESE bad boys blow those out the water! 

One of the major differences of the Xtreme and Soft Matte Lip Creams are the finishes. Soft Mattes are a creamy matte finish while the Xtreme lip creams have a dewy/moist finish.  Also, the Xtreme lip creams ALL have a much more opaque application with just one swipe. I found that with the Soft Mattes, I had to build a couple of layers to get the coverage I wanted and the color you see in the tube. But all the issues I had with those seem to have been addressed and the corrections applied to the new Xtreme Lip Creams. 

NYX Xtreme Lip Creams in SPICY & SKINTONE

Doe foot applicator

L-R: Spicy & Skintone

Indoor lighting: SKINTONE

Indoor W/Flash: SKINTONE

Low Lighting NO Flash: SKINTONE

 

Indoors W/Flash: SPICY

 

Indoors NO Flash: SPICY

 Low Lighting: SPICY

What I love most, besides the full coverage of these beauties, is the fact that they are non-drying! I don't even need to apply a balm to get that smooth and even coverage, I just swipe the wand over bare lips and I am ready to dash! And for only $6 each, I'm going to grab a couple of the other colors that I really liked, as well as a few backups of SKINTONE.... which turns out to be my HG nude lippie!!!!! Though a bit warmer (which I LOVE... stops that washed out look), it's pretty much a dupe for the discontinued MAC Underplay.  See Photos!

(w/ Flash) L-R: NYX Skintone, MAC Underplay, NYX Soft Matte in Abu Dhabi (for reference)


(NO Flash) L-R: NYX Skintone, MAC Underplay, NYX Soft Matte in Abu Dhabi (for reference)


(W/Flash) Top Lip: MAC Underplay, Bottom Lip: NYX Skintone


(Indoors) Top Lip: MAC Underplay, Bottom Lip: NYX Skintone


(Natural Light) Top Lip: MAC Underplay, Bottom Lip: NYX Skintone


(Low Lighting) Top Lip: MAC Underplay, Bottom Lip: NYX Skintone

As you can see from the photos, SKINTONE is darker and a bit warmer than UNDERPLAY on the hand, but when applied to the lips... you really can not tell the difference!!!!!

What do you guys think of the NYX Xtreme Lip Creams? Anybody else jump at the chance to try these bad boys? If not, what shades would you like to get your hands on?

P.S- How's everyone's 2012 going so far?

With Love,

Ms. Brina