After mentioning my favorite lipstick formulas in another post, I thought it would be nice to swatch any formulas or colors that I haven’t shared in the past. Today I’ll be sharing some Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Colors.
Bobbi Brown Bahama Brown
Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Color – Bahama Brown
The Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Colors are richly pigmented and have a satin finish. I get my normal 4 hour wear time out of this formula. I am constantly drinking water and typically have at least a snack when I have on lipstick, so to me that is good for a cream formula. They are comfortable to wear but in comparison, they are not as creamy as the Laura Mercier Rouge Essentiel formula.
Sonia Kashuk large powder brush (left) and medium powder brush (right)
I noticed that the Sonia Kashuk Professional Brush Collection got a wardrobe update at some point and decided to try two of the powder brushes. I use and enjoy a few brushes from the current Essential Collection so I was expecting the same great quality. I purchased the medium and large powder brushes and the overall construction of these brushes is very nice. They feel sturdy and the synthetic hair is soft and gentle on the skin.
Medium Powder Brush, $20.00
Sonia Kashuk medium powder brush
This brush was the star of this order. For me, this is best for setting powder. It gives a nice coverage that isn’t too heavy. The shape is versatile for different application styles since you can use the side of the brush to pat the powder on for more coverage or use the fluffiness of the brush in more of a sweeping motion for lighter coverage. I have been able to use this brush for bronzer as well, but I do prefer how it performs with powder.
Sonia Kashuk medium powder brush
For size and shape comparison I have the medium powder brush pictured next to the Sigma F10, $25.00 and the elf flawless face brush ($6). The overall shape is the most similar to the elf brush, but the larger size does make it quicker for full face powder application. I use the Sigma brush for blush application, but it can be used for powder application so I wanted to include it since it does have a similar shape.
After mentioning my favorite lipstick formulas in another post, I thought it would be nice to swatch any formulas or colors that I haven’t shared in the past. Today I’ll be sharing my Maybelline Color Sensational Lipsticks.
Maybelline Crazy for Coffee (left) and Brick Beat (right)
These two shades are part of Maybelline’s traditional line which they used to refer to as a satin finish. They are now called “The Creams” and I think that is a more accurate description of the formula. They are comfortable, moisturizing, and provide good pigmentation. I would say they have a medium opacity. If you like a more opaque coverage, I don’t think these will do it for you. Brick Beat has a little more coverage than Crazy for Coffee, but it is still not fully opaque.
I have a love-hate relationship with this formula. I love this color, it is very flattering on me. The satin finish looks healthy on my dry skin and it doesn’t accentuate any of the texture on my cheeks. The formula is easy to blend and can be applied sheer or built up for more pigmentation.
Makeup Geek Covet, $14.00 (compact) or $9.99 (refill pan)
Makeup Geek Blush – Covet
Makeup Geek Blush Covet
Now for the hate part of the relationship. It kicks up extra powder in the pan. If you read my reviews, then you already know I don’t like powdery formulas. I’ve tried a fluffy brush and a dense brush and they both make a bit of a mess. I just personally don’t like using powdery formulas, but I keep coming back to this one for the shade and finish. It is beautiful. So if you don’t mind the powder, it is worth checking out.
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I first talked about this blush back in July 2020 and I finally decided it was time to give it a try for myself. There are only 3 shades in the Trublend So Flushed Line and I purchased 360 Sweet Seduction. There is a lighter shade called 320 Love Me as well as a darker, more vibrant shade called 345 Hot and Frenzy. Update, January 25, 2022: Covergirl has added 2 more shades, Coral Crush and Temptation.
I’m so glad I decided to give this a try because I love it just as much as the discontinued baked version of the Trublend blushes. The baked version was offered back when Covergirl was still owned by P&G and they weren’t cruelty free. If you don’t know, Covergirl is now owned by Coty and went cruelty free back in 2018.
NARS has their 20% off friends and family sale going on right now. If you are in the market for any of their products you still have time to shop until the sale ends on May 18, 2021 at 3:00 AM EST.
I want to quickly mention my issues with ordering from NARS. I have not heard other complaints about ordering directly from their website, but since I have had issues I wanted to tell you my experience. The customer service department and their responsiveness to issues have typically been great. The problem is how many issues I’ve had. Out of the 4 orders I have placed directly on their website, I’ve had issues with 3 of them. One order was missing an item, one order was damaged, and one was lost. The lost order was the one time I didn’t have a good customer service experience and had to talk to someone different in order to get a replacement order. Again, I have always received replacements or refunds (when necessary) but the repeat issues are too much hassle for me to try ordering directly from them again. Clearly, not everyone will have issues, but I thought it was worth telling you about.
Anyway, I recently received a small (1.2g) Orgasm X blush as a sample on a recent order, so I thought I’d share a swatch. The regular size NARS Blushes retail for $30.00 (4.8g) and they offer a mini size for $16.00 (2.5g).
NARS Orgasm X Blush, $30.00
NARS Orgasm X Blush (sample, 1.2g)
NARS describes this shade as a shimmering deep coral with gold pearl and I think they missed the mark on that description. At least on me, the shade is more pink than coral, and I wouldn’t say there is anything deep about it. I definitely see the gold pearl, so maybe this does actually appear to be a deep coral on other skin tones. The shade is buildable, but the more you build the more that gold pearl starts to accentuate texture. So technically, I could get more color from it, but it never builds to anything deeper.
NARS Orgasm X Blush
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Disclaimer: I purchased all products featured with my own money. For my full disclosure policy, click here.
NARS promises that its iconic lipstick will be lightweight, long lasting, and resistant to bleeding/feathering. I do think that Banned Red (pictured above) does have a decent wear time for a satin lipstick. I can get a good 4 hours of wear through drinking and a light snack before it needs to be touched up. Unfortunately for me, I do not agree that it is resistant to feathering. I have some very fine lines along my top lip that this formula creeps into. On the upside, I don’t think anyone else would notice the feathering, but it does bother me. They also say that it will leave your lips feeling hydrated, which I also don’t experience. I do think that this formula is comfortable to wear, but I don’t feel that it offers my lips any nourishment.
UPDATE (March 4, 2022): Unfortunately, the Makeup Geek brand is going out of business and will close in April 2022. The website is currently 40% off.
Makeup Geek Highlighters, L to R: Sunlight, Firework
If you’ve never tried a Makeup Geek highlighter, the formula is somewhat dry feeling to the touch, but still manages to have good pigment. They are hard pressed in the pan so they have no kick up, but they are not hard to pick up on a brush. I think that by today’s standards this is on the more subtle side of formulas, but I do think they can be built up for more impact.
The shade sunlight is described as a soft copper, ideal for medium skin tones. On me this shade accentuates more texture than I prefer to see after applying highlight. I do think that it is just the nature of this shade being a little light for me. It doesn’t come off ashy and I can get away with it, it just isn’t my ideal shade. I do go over it with my beauty blender and that helps it blend into the skin more.
Nikki From HR 