Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipstick in shades Bitch Perfect, Coachcella Coral: swatches, pics, review

Hello, Beautiful!

I've wanted Charlotte Tilbury's lipstick in the shade Bitch Perfect since the first day I saw it online. I finally got my hands on it (from Nordstrom) and have been in love ever since. I also picked up Coachella Coral and both shades are winners in my book! Although there was a formula difference between the two, but I think it's because I received an older tube of Bitch Perfect. More on that in the review below...

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. Lipsticks Info & Review

Cost: $32.00 each (0.12 oz full size)
Availability: Available on the Charlotte Tilbury website, at Nordstrom, and everywhere else Charlotte Tilbury is sold.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!

PRODUCT DETAILS & CLAIMS...

Enriched with a breakthrough, secret ingredient, the Lipstick Tree, an anti-oxidant that naturally protects lips from UV damage and external pollution leaving them cashmere soft and irresistible. Blended with special waxes and clever light-diffusing pigments for full-bodied, ultra-brilliant lips that ensure you leave a lasting impression!

Currently available in a range of 10 shades, curated with modern and classic icons in mind. Paraben free.

Charlotte Tilbury K.I.S.S.I.N.G. 
Fallen From The Lipstick Tree
Shades: Bitch Perfect, Coachella Coral
Continue scrolling down to see more pics of each individual shade.

I knew I was buying Bitch Perfect, but I didn't realize I would also fall in love with Coachella Coral from the videos I saw online. I'll go into detail on each shade below.

Here is what the box looks like. On the side with the UPC (not shown) the shade name is listed. Click on them to view larger.

 

Let's start with my favorite shade, Bitch Perfect.....

Although the packaging isn't heavy duty, it still looks really nice. A pretty gold style with a hint of rose in that gold tone. Her "CT" embossed on the top of the lid, and the shade name on the bottom.

When buying her lipsticks, I knew I had to get Bitch Perfect. There's a reason the word "perfect" is in the shade name; to me this is perfect. It's such a gorgeous nude shade that would look great on nearly everyone.

Judging by how the bullet looks, I think I got an old one or maybe a dud... especially because the formula of Bitch Perfect is much drier than Coachella Coral. 

This shade is so gorgeous. It looks darker in the tube than how it applies on the lips. It's a perfect pinky-peachy nude shade.

Now let's talk about Coachella Coral.....

Same pretty packaging.

This shade was a "don't need" at first, when looking at swatches on the Nordstrom website. But then I saw a video of this swatched and it completely changed my mind.

As you can see, this lipstick bullet is perfectly smooth. I really do think I got an old  Bitch Perfect because Coachella Coral applies like butter! 

I can best describe this shade as a vibrant pinky coral with an orange undertone. It may lean warmer (more orange) on your lips than pink depending on your lip coloring. For me it does lean a bit warmer, but I still see the pink in the orange coral undertone for sure. In person this shade is a bit more vibrant than how it appears in the lip swatches. It's a really beautiful bolder shade that I think would be the perfect spring and summer shade, too bad fall is here and winter will be here before we know it. But I'm one to wear whatever lip color no matter the season, so I'll rock this with a simple eye look for certain!

THE FINAL VERDICT...

I originally swatched Bitch Perfect first, and wasn't that impressed by the formula. I didn't understand why everyone said it was really creamy and had a smooth application. I thought it was a bit dry and didn't have the smoothest application (it kind of tugged at my lips just a bit). Then I swatched Coachella Coral and the difference was like night and day. Coachella Coral glides on like a dream. So I'm 99.9% sure I got an old Bitch Perfect or a factory fuck up.

In terms of shades, Bitch Perfect (no matter if the formula on mine was a bit drier) is perfection in a tube for me. I love, love, LOVE the shade and think this is a must-have for anyone who enjoys nude shades that have more pink/peach to them and that will compliment the lips and not erase them.

I also really like Coachella Coral. It's a great one for those that like a pop of vibrant coral on their lips. It is a pretty one!

I'm not even sure what other shades would really interest me from the 10 she currently has. There is one or two from the Matte Revolution line that I'm curious about (Amazing Grace and Sexy Sienna). In time I may treat myself to them.

I do think $32 is a bit spendy for a lipstick but I enjoy these shades and they won't go to waste. For a high-end lipstick, these didn't disappoint (other than the formula issue with Bitch Perfect).

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this lipstick? Have you tried this, or would you consider adding this to your beauty wish list? What shade do you like better? Discuss in the comments below!

xoxo with love & beauty,
Crystal Valentine

Tom Ford Flawless Powder Foundation - shade 4.0 Fawn: before & after, swatches, complete review

Hello, Beautiful!

I don't know who I think I am lately, but I've been splurging on luxury makeup. But after my recent makeup purge -- which was my biggest purge yet (I purged over 1,200 items... over 700 went into my recent blog sale, the rest was given away) -- I decided to treat myself to some select luxury items. I have plenty of high-end makeup, but a handful of luxury makeup products in my collection.

Tom Ford definitely falls into the luxury makeup category with the average price of one item being in the $60 to $80 range; that's expensive! And that's also why up until very recently I had never purchased any of his makeup.

If there is one makeup category I am all for splurging on, it's a foundation (liquid or powder formula). So when I decided to try a Tom Ford item, I knew I wanted to try a foundation product. I'm currently still in love with my Marc Jacobs Remarcable Full Cover Foundation, so I didn't want to try another liquid foundation, but I did want to try a powder foundation. That's when I purchased the Tom Ford Flawless Powder Foundation. Did it live up to my expectations? Am I just paying for a name? Continue reading to find out all my thoughts...

Tom Ford Flawless Powder Foundation Info & Review

Cost: $80.00 (0.24 oz full size)
Availability: Available on the Tom Ford website, at Nordstrom, and everywhere else Tom Ford makeup is sold. 

My Rating: 4 out of 5 Kisses


PRODUCT DETAILS AND CLAIMS...

This versatile foundation glides onto skin with a silky, light as air formula to create a flawless and natural-looking canvas for color. Designed to be worn as a buildable foundation offering light to medium coverage or as a luxurious finishing powder, it features micro-fine, light-reflecting powders for a luminous finish. Includes a special sponge applicator to build coverage or set the look. Use flocked white side for a sheer, natural finish. Use flat-sponge beige side for a full-coverage effect.

Currently available in 8 shades.

Tom Ford Flawless Powder Foundation
Shade: 4.0 Fawn

Here is what the front and back of the box looks like. Click on them to view larger.

 

The compact comes in a little suede pouch, which is a nice touch, but I will likely never use that pouch again. I've had products come with them before, even lipsticks, and they always end up tossed in the trash. I do plan to keep it though to use it for maybe travel to if I take this palette with me it would be a nice way to help protect it, and I guess an $80 powder is worth the extra level of protection. 

The compact is your typical Tom Ford compact size and look (same size/look as his shadow quads).

It comes with a duo-sided sponge applicator....

The flocked side is for a more sheer application of powder - great for touch-ups too.

While the sponge side will give a fuller coverage....

I chose the shade 4.0 Fawn. I had a really hard time narrowing down to one shade because I know the pics online don't really add up to what it looks like in person, and I don't have a Tom Ford counter near me to go swatch these in person. After some research, I decided that the shade Fawn would work best for me. It actually is a really perfect shade match for me! For reference, in MAC I'm NC25/NC30.

Below are several Before & After pics. Click on the pic below to view them larger. 

I applied it with the sponge side to get the coverage, and it's just one layer. You could build it up. For me, I was really impressed with the coverage on its own. It certainly can give you a good medium coverage. It's not a full/complete coverage. I have read that you can wet the sponge and apply it that way to get fuller coverage, but this foundation does not list its use as wet/dry, so I certainly won't risk ruining an $80 powder when I am happy with the coverage and how I'm using it.

I actually purchased this to use as a finishing powder to give my face a flawless, airbrushed look. But I ended up also being happy wearing it on its own. If I need to just run a quick errand I don't feel like I have to do my normal foundation routine and can instead just apply this powder foundation in about 30 seconds and be out the door.

When worn on its own you won't even feel it on your skin. It's incredibly light weight, silky smooth and looks really nice. Gives your skin a healthy look; not a flat matte that a lot of powders can give you. As the day goes on it looks more and more luminous. Doesn't look heavy or cakey at all. On me, it lasts (without a primer) for about 4 hours before I notice I need to touch-up - but even at that point you don't really need to touch it up. If anything, you may want to blot and you're good for another 1 to 3 hours. But I don't find it's very long wearing (and has no claims to be). It certainly can wear a decent length of time before you need a touch-up, especially if you use a primer and a setting spray, but just on its own you shouldn't expect it to look perfect for more than 4 to 5 hours.

This powder doesn't control oil, but it also doesn't have any claims to help with oil control - so I wasn't expecting it to control oil, but I also don't have really oil skin. My skin is combo, and more dry than anything, and I still see shine as the day goes on. If you have oily skin I don't think this is the best powder for you, unless you want to top it with an additional powder (a translucent setting powder, to help control oil). This would be best for those with normal, combo or dry skin. So pretty much anyone except those with oily skin. Slightly oily skin (meaning you fall into the combo skin category) may still love this powder. 

THE FINAL VERDICT...

I think this powder formula is beautiful - both in the texture and how it looks on your skin. It can look great on its own or as a finishing powder to give your skin that final/extra layer of flawlessness. The shade selection isn't the best; only 8 shades (currently) but I was lucky enough to fall perfectly in the 4.0 Fawn shade. If you can find your shade this powder is a nice luxury.

However, for $80 I do wish it was longer lasting and did a bit more of oil control. Those are my only two cons to this powder, and it's why I only gave this a 4 out 5 Kisses rating. If it just lasted longer I would have given this a 5 out 5 Kisses easily.

This powder is one that I really have been enjoying but I'm not sure if it's one I will re-purchase just because $80 is a lot of money and I feel like I can get longer wear from cheaper powders. Still, this is one luxury powder I'm going to enjoy having in my collection and it certainly is nice enough that I don't want to return it.

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of this powder? Have you tried this, or would you consider adding this to your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below!

xoxo with love & beauty,
Crystal Valentine

Pur Mineral Lip Lure Hydrating Lip Lacquer - 5 shades: swatches and complete review

Hello, Beautiful!

Fall is upon us and it seems a change in lip color is the number one way to welcome the season. I'm not really one for vampy shades, but I'm trying to get more comfortable with how they look on my face. The problem is my mouth/lips are small and darker shades make them look even smaller. However, when you have plenty of shine on the lips, they can look perfectly pretty - and that's exactly how the new Pur Minerals Lip Lure Hydrating Lip Lacquers look on the lips!

They're super hydrating and glossy, making your lips look beautiful and plump. I instantly fell in love with their full pigmentation, easy glide, and how great my lips looked wearing them.

Pur Minerals Lip Lure Hydrating Lip Lacquer Info:

Cost: $22.00 each (0.05 oz full size)
Availability: Available on the Pur Minerals website, at Ulta, and anywhere else Pur Minerals is sold.

My Rating: 5 out of 5 Kisses!!!

PRODUCT DETAILS & CLAIMS...

Let your lips speak for you with beautifully bold color and brilliant shine! Pur's richly pigmented lip lacquers saturate your lips in true color and pout-perfecting hydrating. Using a unique, flocked showerhead applicator, this creamy, full-coverage liquid formula creates a showstopping look in just one stroke!

Pur Minerals Lip Lure Hydrating Lip Lacquer
Shades: Belle, Graceful, Fancy, Fiery, Mystic
Continue scrolling down to see more pics of each individual shade.

Here's what the packaging looks like:

Their sleek silver packaging may not look all that alluring or eye catching, but trust me, the product inside is full-on color and gorgeous shine.

These twist-up lip colors come with a slant tip flocked applicator where the product twists up from the tube and out the top. You do need to prime these a bit - it took me around 20 to 25 clicks each to prime them, but once primed you only need to click a tiny twist to get color out.

There are five shades in the collection: Belle, Graceful, Fancy, Fiery, and Mystic.

Just look at how pigmented and bold these shades are!!!

Let's talk about each shade individually....

Pur Minerals Lip Lure Hydrating Lip Lacquer
Shade: Belle

Belle is my FAVORITE shade from the collection! It's just so, so, so pretty.

Bell is described as a perfect natural nude.

I think this is a great nude shade because your lips look alive and beautiful. It has a nice peachy undertone with a hint of pink for a perfect nude pout to go with just about any eye look. I can't stop reaching for this shade. I am obsessed!

Pur Minerals Lip Lure Hydrating Lip Lacquer
Shade: Graceful

Graceful is described as a natural beige with a hint of romance.

I'm not sure what "a hint of romance" looks like, lol, but if you're into brown shades then you'll like this one. For me, I wasn't a fan of this at all. It just wasn't flattering and the shade reminds me of a shade of baby poop. Especially in person. But I think it takes the right skintone to pull this one off. I can't.

Pur Minerals Lip Lure Hydrating Lip Lacquer
Shade: Fancy

Fancy is described as a lustrous mauve.

This is my next favorite shade. It's a gorgeous mauve berry with a pink undertone. Really great fall shade and another "safer" shade for those that prefer their nudes and pinks. I really think this shade would look great on just about everyone!

Pur Minerals Lip Lure Hydrating Lip Lacquer
Shade: Fiery

Fiery is described as a fierce siren.

This is a vibrant warm red. I rarely wear red on my lips, but this one is so pretty I'm almost craving to wear it. It's just so shiny and beautiful!

Pur Minerals Lip Lure Hydrating Lip Lacquer
Shade: Mystic

Mystic is described as a ripe black berry with a hint of raspberry.

This is another favorite from the collection for me. It's a vampy berry shade that is so gorgeous. This is one of those shades that I adore but normally don't wear because they tend to make my lips look teeny tiny. This one, however, keeps my lips looking their normal size and maybe even a bit larger due to how shiny it is. I really love this one and will be rocking this with a simple eye look all fall long!

THE FINAL VERDICT...

If you want fully pigmented, glossy, gorgeous lips for fall (or anytime), then you need to run to Ulta or to the Pur Minerals website and get the Lip Lure Hydrating Lip Lacquers!

I honestly wasn't that excited about these when I initially saw them. The packaging just doesn't show off the amazing-ness that lies within. But then you get them swatched and on your lips and it's like BAM! beautiful, full-color, shiny lips! You can't help but fall in love.

They are so incredibly pigmented, and like I mentioned at the top of this post, the darker shades don't make my lips look smaller - which is pretty rare.

I love the formula - they are hydrating and feel comfortable on the lips. I have very dry lips all the time, and these are like heaven for my lips. If you also suffer from dry lips and find that other lip lacquers/liquid lipsticks tend to dry your lips out or make them feel tight, then you'll find the Pur Minerals Lip Lure Hydrating Lip Lacquers are the moisturizing formula you've been looking for.

Because these are so pigmented, you really have to love the color because there is no wearing it sheer nor is there a need to build them up. They are full color from first touch.

The shade Belle is my favorite, followed by Fancy, then Mystic, and then Fiery. I only didn't like Graceful because I don't wear brown lips at all; they're just not flattering on me.

I really have been enjoying these, and would highly recommend them!

Now let me know what you think...

What do you think of these lip lacquers? What shade do you like best? Have you tried them, or would you consider adding them to your beauty wish list? Discuss in the comments below!

xoxo with love & beauty,
Crystal Valentine

Disclaimer: This is NOT a sponsored post. However, these products were sent to me for consideration. I am not being paid to make this post, nor has the company influenced me in any way. I have made this post because I wanted to, not because I had to. These are my honest opinions, thoughts and experiences.