Current Obsessions | Nude Lips

When I was planning this post, I was going to call it current favorites: lip products, thinking I was going to tell you about all of my favorite lip colours. But as I was lining them up, I noticed that every single one of them was a pinky nude. Is this really all I've been wearing these past months? It seems so. A few years ago I wouldn't be caught dead in nude lips, and here I am, a true nude lip lover. There, I said it! But even though they're all in the same colour range, this is still a post about my favorite lip products of the moment. Top to bottom:

• Bobbi Brown Lip Liner in Pink Mauve (£16/$22) Every girl (or boy) needs a nude lipliner in their arsenal, and this has been my favorite this summer. Being a lip product addict, I do of course have several super similar nudes, but there's just something about Bobbi Brown lipliners. I find that this works well with all of the lipsticks/glosses in this post, except maybe Ballet Twist from CoverGirl, which honestly doesn't need a liner. This mauvy pink (obviously) can also be worn by itself, if you want to channel that very hip 90s matte lip.
• CoverGirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm in 205 Ballet Twist ($8.99) I picked this up on a whim while I was in the US, because I rembered Tiffany D had raved about it. I'm not usually a fan of drugstore lip products, but this is just so simple to use I can't help but like it. The formula is nowhere near amazing, but the sheer peachy pink nude is so flattering, and since it's so light it doesn't need too much precision, so I find myself just throwing this on if I don't want to go without lipstick, but actual lipstick feels like it may be too much.
• Hourglass Extreme Sheen lipgloss in Canvas (£21/$28) This completly opaque pink mauve lipgloss was love at first sight, and I find myself loving it for a sexy lip when I'm wearing a full face of makeup. It's that 90s lip, but with a gorgeous shine. It's not sticky, and it stays put longer than regular lip glosses. This is the darkest of the shades.
• Tom Ford Lip Color in 12 Nude Vanille (£37/$50) It may not come as a surprise that this is included, but I love it so much I don't mind writing about it again. This had been almost unused in my collection for years, because I feel it is a bit light to wear on it's own, but paired with the Chantecaille lipgloss in Lucky (below) it's a perfect nude lip that works both day and night. The formula of this lipstick is great, and doesn't look nasty with a gloss on top. And let's not forget the packaging, which is just so luxurious.
• Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss in Lucky (£26/$33) Ever since picking this up last December, this has been my holy grail lipgloss. It's light pink with gold shimmer (transforming it into a peachy pink) colours works with just about any lipstick, and looks great on it's own too. It's not sticky either, and I honestly think it is the perfect universal lipgloss. I think this is one everyone could wear and love. If you just want one lipgloss in your makeup bag, this is it.
• Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Fig ($24) This lipstick has been my number one go-to lipstick this summer, and I've been carrying it with me everywhere I go. I've probably mentioned this in several favorites videos, that's how much I love it. I hate that Bite Beauty is only available at Sephora, but atleast they ship to several new destinations now (including UK, Germany and Norway), and have stores all over the world. This is only bordering on nude, as it is a light pink, but on me it wears nude. The formula is buttery soft, and wears well. Great light shade for any pale and light skinned girls!
• NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Sex Machine (£18/$25) This was a favorite years ago, and as you will see in tomorrows video (declutter part 3) I rediscovered this last week. Pulling it from my collection, I immediately remembered why I loved it so much all those years ago. This is another pencil type lipstick, and I love that style in particular because it's so easy and quick to use. The colour is very similar to Canvas, but with more pink. This is a matte lipstick, but not so much that it's drying. It's very soft, and it has small amounts of microshimmer, which gives it a satin-like effect on the lips. This is another handbag favorite, and a shade that I think would work well on many skintones.

Chanel Joues Contraste in 80 Jersey and 170 Rose Glacier

With the launch of Chanels new powder foundation, Aqualumière Loose Powder, they also launched two new Joues Contraste blushes (£31/$45). They launched in Europe, Asia and the Middle East a few weeks ago, and should launch in the US in September. The colours are 80 Jersey, which is more or less a light orange shade with matching microshimmer, and 170 Rose Glacier which is a beautiful and bright pink, with gold microshimmer. They both have the typical Joues Contraste rose smell, which I'm personally not a big fan of. I have heard that Jersey will be a Europe exclusive, but I can't be sure until I read anything about the US launch. Both are limited edition.

For years now the Joues Contraste blushes have been some of my favorites. I'm a complete sucker for packaging so of course I love anything Chanel puts out. The colours are always beautiful, the formula is not powdery and they're always so radiant, even if it's not a shimmery shade. They're easy to work with, and wear well. From time to time I hear that there are two different formulas to these blushes and that the US versions are different from the rest of the world. I don't know if that has changed, because it has been a while, but unless otherwise mentioned, all of mine are from Europe.

170 Rose Glacier is my favorite of the two. It is a very bright, fun pink that I personally feel would be best suited for a heavy nighttime makeup. It may have a bit too much shimmer for some. I pulled some other blushes from my collection for swatches, and I would say the most similar blush that I own is NARS Orgasm. They are both pink with gold shimmer, although the gold is much more muted in Rose Glacier.

70 Jersey is the most unique of the two shades. As you can see from the swatches I didn't really have any that are particularly similar. It looks quite brown on my computer screen, but I assure you it is orange, with a slight hint of brown. The blush that swatches the closest in person is Chanel Joues Contraste Espiègle (LE shade from spring 2011), although Jersey is a bit more brown with less shimmer.

Tom Ford Nude Dip Eye Color Quad

 Today I wanted to introduce you to my new eyeshadow quad, Tom Ford's Nude Dip, from his fall 2014 collection. It seems that everyone and their mother has been going crazy over this, and having it in my hands, I understand why. This is actually my first ever Tom Ford makeup product outside of lipstick. I often have trouble buying eyeshadow palettes, because I feel that I have to want every colour in it, not just one or two. When I first saw the pictures of this quad, I knew it would suit me perfectly. It launched in the US a few weeks ago, and sold out in a blink, so I was checking Selfridges twice a day for weeks, to make sure I got my hands on one. I'm so happy to have this as my first TF quad, and I think this will be used very often.

The four shades are all very metallic, and buttery soft. You can use them both wet and dry, but I haven't found a good technique for using them wet yet. The colours are a champagne, a light pink, a taupey grey and a dark brown shade. The first three are the most metallic (just the way mama likes it!), and the brown is almost a matte metallic with a warm microshimmer. The light pink is easily my favorite, and I think that the dark brown can easily be duped. They are an absolute dream to work with, and I experienced no fall-out. This is the most expensive eyeshadow quad I own, but hands down also the best one. It just feels so luxurious, and I think that's what one would expect from a quad in it's price range. I can't wait to layer the two lightest shades over By Terry Ombre Blackstar eyeshadow eyeshadows for the most metallic eye ever!

Now, I know that this is more or less sold out, but Harrods still has it in stock, and they ship to tons of locations worldside. You can also check your local Tom Ford boutique or counter if you have one, as they may still have them in stock.

What's in my makeup bag?

This weekend, my husband, son and I went on a little trip to the East Coast. The trip was about familytime, with no special occasions that would require big amounts of makeup, so I only brought my bare essentials. Of course, my essentials change all the time, so I though I would show you what that means this month. I managed to fit everything into my tiny, little pouch from Victoria's Secret (similar HERE and HERE). To be honest, I didn't even use everything!

For the face, the first thing I brought was my Le Blanc de Chanel Sheer Illuminating Base. I've had this for a while and it's been my favorite these past weeks. I only love this with some foundations though and it works well with Clè de Peau Beatè's Refining Fluid Foundation with SPF 24, which gives gorgeous looking, but natural, coverage. Also From Clè de Peau, I brought my favorite concealer from them, which I dab underneath my eyes for non-cakey full coverage, and I apply a little bit on my eyelids as well instead of a primer. To set everything I use Les Violettes Translucent Compact Powder Mattifying Veil from Guerlain, which I've recently gone back to. It's great for a glowing matte complexion. To top everything off I brought my favorite blush, the gorgeously pink, but very natural looking Provocative from Dolce & Gabbana.

The only eyeshadow I brought is my current favorite MAC's Artistic Licence from the recent Moody Blooms collection. It's such a gorgeous rose gold shade that brings out my blue eyes. I've been using this as my everyday eyeshadow this summer. To line I brought my favorite white pencil, Chanel's Le Crayon Kohl in Blanc to brighten my eyes, and Dior's new Addict IT-Line liquid eyeliner (reviewed HERE), which is so easy to use with a glossy and true black result. I had to bring the matching mascara as well, which is the Dior Addict IT-Lash mascara (reviewed HERE). My eyebrow pencil can come as now shock, it's the eyebrow pencil in 203 from Clé de Peau.

Lips is the only thing I actually brought options for, and I went for what's currently my three favorite natural looks. The first option is the Fig lipstick from Bite Beauty, a gorgeous mauvy pink my lips but better shade with amazing formula. For a more glam look I went for my favorite combo this month, Tom Ford lipstick in Nude Vanille and Chantecaille lipgloss in Lucky. Last but not least? You guessed it, even more Clé de Peau, with the Enriched Lip Luminizer in 204 Bellini.

Believe it or not, that's all I brought, even though I am a complete product junkie. And with my excellent packing skills, yes, it did all fit into that little makeup bag.Would you have managed to get through a weekend with such a small makeup bag?

Dior Addict IT-Line

Dior Addict IT-Line (£24.50/$31/9.7ml) is Diors latest liquid eyeliner that launched this summer. It falls into their Addict range, and the packaging is created to match the Addict lip products and fragrances. It launched together with the Dior Addict IT-Lash mascara that I reviewed HERE. They both come in four shades, black, pink, purple and blue. The formula is a regular non-waterproof formula.

When I got this a few months ago I couldn't remember when I last used a liquid eyeliner. I used then all the way through high school, and for a few years after that. Until I discovered the glorious invention that is gel eyeliner. But let's face it, gel eyeliner is a hassle, since I wanted to get something simpler for everyday use, and the choice fell on this because I thought you may like to see it reviewed.

Let me start off by talking about the brush. I'm glad to say that it is an actual brush, and not a felt tip. The handle is quite long (which doesn't look great compared to the mascara, but is practical). It's quite easy to work with, allthough making thin, even lines may not be the easiest task. I would say it is very good quality for this type of brush though. I do really like the packing, it's sleek and cute, and of course, perfectly matches the Addict range.

The formula is also a big plus. It's not too liquid, and it glides on easily, and gives a true, black line (you may need to work with it a few places though). It dries rather quickly, and I have not experienced any smudging or transfer of colour. The end result is actually a bit glossy, which I think gives a nice touch. As long as you don't cry, it sits put through the day, and on me it usually looks almost the same in the evening as in the morning, but with a little bit of wear of course. What's most important to me is that it doesn't flake off in any way, and you can't scratch it off in pieces either. 

All in all, I think this is a liquid eyeliner that is a good buy. I'm not 100% sure about the other colours, but I think they could look cute paired with black on the right person. Allthough I still prefer gel eyeliner over any liquid liner, this is an easy, everyday product that works well. I'll add some swatches of the other liners as well, but know that the blue and purple are not sparkly, that's just some transfer after a swatching party.

Dior Addict IT-Lash

Dior Addict IT-Lash (£22/$26/9ml) is Diors latest mascara that launched this summer. It falls into their Addict range, and the packaging is created to match the Addict lip products and fragrances. It launched together with the Dior Addict IT-Line liquid eyeliner that I will be reviewing tomorrow. They both come in four shades, black, pink, purple and blue. The formula is a regular non-waterproof formula.

When this first came a few months ago I was very hesitant for two reasons. One, I'm not a huge fan of Dior mascaras, and two, I'm not a fan of plastic mascara wands either. But I'm glad to say I was happily surprised. The formula is what I would call a medium in every single way. It's not too thick or too thin, and it doesn't dry too quick or too slow. It goes on very beautiful without anything even resembling a clump. Dior recommend applying it in a zig-zag motion, and if you do that it has a nice lengthening effect. It's not very volumising with just one coat (or atleast not in my opinion), but it has such a perfect drying time that you can go back after the first application and add more for volume. And it still looks nice. I have not experienced any kind of fallout or drizzling during wear, and it comes off easily when using eye make-up remover.

The brush, or wand if you may, is of the plastic kind with silicone bristles I guess I'm going to call them. I feel that many of that kind feel very hard on my lashes, but this doesn't. I would have to say it's almost idential to the CoverGirl Lash Blast wand. I do quite like it, and I feel that brushes are what really make a mascara. This is definetly for the lengthening and seperating junkie.

I actually love the packaging. It's almost a bit cheesy and reminds me of the 90s (my first high end lipstick was actually a Dior Addict lipstick), but the shiny black just looks so nice. It also clicks when it's screwed on properly, which is always nice. I think that this is a good addition to the Dior mascara range, and it's very different from the DiorShow mascaras.