MICA Beauty Tinted Lip Balm in Fiesta - swatches

*Disclaimer - Product shown was purchased by passengerelement blog.  I am in no way affiliated with this company or am being paid for my review*

Potted lip products.  Either you love them or hate them.  I for one am for them.  So I have to be extra careful  that I wash and sanitize my hands every time I use it.  Alright, I can do it.  :)  Inside one of my Ipsy bags from a few months ago was this pot of pigment...

Mica Tinted Lip Balm in Fiesta

Mica Tinted Lip Balm in Fiesta came in an Ipsy bag I had a few months ago.  I do pay for this subscription and you can find out how you can get it by checking out ipsy.com.  As far as size reference, the size here and the current size on the MICA Beauty site are different.  This is a small plastic pot with screw-on top.  Inside is a decent amount of lip balm, considering it is sample size.  On MICA's website, you can find the full size version of this lip balm for $30.00 USD.  The full size is 0.14oz/4g full of product and also comes with a top that contains a covered lip brush...a feature I really like about this lip product.  The tinted lip balm range comes in 10 shades and nude to deep reds.

MICA Beauty Fiesta tinted lip balm / flash

Fiesta tinted lip balm is unique in formula.  When I first used this, I first noticed how thin the consistency was. Thin?  A thin lip balm?  Yup, I know.  It was thin going on and also felt a bit powdery.  But what got me about this lip balm was the insane color payoff!  When I think tinted, I tend to think "hint of color".  This is FULL ON COLOR folks!

MICA Beauty tinted lip balm - no flash/ overcast

When I first saw the color in the pot, I thought, this is going to be a mulberry kind of shade, too dark, will do nothing to brighten up my face.  WRONG!  Fiesta is a matte, raspberry shade that can be sheered out to a dark fuchsia like color.  Now, is color payoff enough to win you over?  I experienced major dry out wearing this product alone.  When I used a lip base underneath or a gloss on the top, though still pretty, it wasn't the awesome matte texture of first application.  And also, I feel like that since you lose that matte goodness, you lose the color with it as well.  When worn with a base or gloss this yielded much better wear than before.

you can find MICA Beauty Tinted Lip Balm in Fiesta and other colors  HERE



*Disclaimer - Product shown was purchased by passengerelement blog.  I am in no way affiliated with this company or am being paid for my review*

My Favorite Nudes - Maybelline ColorSensational Lipgloss in Iced Chocolate (swatch)

I am a red lippie girl through and through.  But there are times where I get a hankering for a luscious nude lip. I would not call myself a connoisseur of nude lip products, but I am particular enough that I will hunt and hunt for the perfect color and texture.  Maybelline's ColorSensational lipgloss in Iced Chocolate is one I could not live without!

Maybelline ColorSensational Iced Chocolate - overcast/no flash

Iced Chocolate is one of 12 glosses from the permanent range of colorsensational glosses.  You get .17floz of product in the tube.  These retail for around $7.50 USD, but have luck finding them on sale plenty of times, and Maybelline is good about doing coupons for lip products often.

Maybelline CS Iced Chocolate - overcast/no flash

This gloss has what I like to call a "cushion" effect.  Sits very nicely on the lips...the formula, although it covers completely, is not thick.  It really does a fantastic job of coating the lips and making them feel soft and saturated.  Iced Chocolate does have silver micro sparkles but they are not in your face, they add more to the look of shine than glitter.  I find this gloss moisturizing enough to be able to go about 3 hours before I need to reapply but your mileage may vary there.

I do not have the world's most pigmented lips.  They are somewhere between pigmented and washed out :(
Even with this, what I love about Iced Chocolate is that it gives the perfect amount of creamy nude with a slight hint of healthy pink!  In the picture above it comes off pinkier than it really is.  I can imagine that on someone with more pigmented lips, this would actually take on a more rosey tone.

What more could you ask for in a drugstore gloss...

awesome price point
healthy nude look ( a my lips but better if you will)
amazing texture and formula

Thanks for stopping by!

Jordana easyshine 12 Sugar Cookie swatch

Do I have an awesome drugstore find for you today!

Jordana easyshine in 12 Sugar Cookie

Jordana 12 Sugar Cookie - outdoor, no flash, overcast

This fantastic lip balm type product was purchased for $1.99 USD at Walgreen's.  I know that you can get them online as well at HERE.  Size is net wt. 0.07 / 1.9 grams.  It is enclosed in classic twist up mechanism, all plastic.  From what I have seen there is twelve colors total in this line.  In my findings, I have only seen Jordana products at Walgreen's.

Jordana easyshines are very glossy lip balms.  If you visit their site, it is even under the lip balm label.  Sugar Cookie is an amazing neutral that works year round for me.  Upon first application, you get a ton of shine and a decent tint of color.  I cannot speak for all of the easyshines, but the ones I do own, have had decent pigment to them.

Jordana easyshine 12 Sugar Cookie - outdoor/overcast/no flash

From this swatch, on my skin it runs a bit reddish brown.  On my lips, it appears a lovely sheer caramel color.

Jordana easyshine 12 Sugar Cookie - flash/overcast/outdoor

With or without flash, this little balm is beautiful on lips like mine, with little to no pigment, and those with naturally pigmented lips!  This lip balm does not last a long time on me, especially if I am eating or drinking.  I would say with normal wear, I get about an hour to two of decent wear.  Once you lose the glossiness, there is a hint of the caramel color left, which I LOVE!  I do not know if all of the colors will leave one.

I have two of these in my collection and plan to get more!  Here's hoping they release more colors :)

YSL Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Lipstick in 11 Rose Culte

This post is not intended for those weak at heart.  What I have for you today is a lipstick so beautiful, daring, vibrant and naughty that I have gotten hot flashes just looking at it.  What is it you ask?

Yves Saint Laurent's (YSL) Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual lipstick in 11 Rose Culte

YSL RV Silky Sensual ingredient list

YSL RV Silky Sensual ingredient list

Alright, enough packaging pics / ingredient information...right?

YSL Rouge Volupte Silky Sensual Radiance - Rose Culte

I purchased this lovely tube of silky goodness at Sephora for $34.00 USD.  Size is net wt. 0.14 oz / 4g of product and it is all contained in a lovely, gold colored, metallic casing.  What I love is how heavy and luxe it feels.  Outside of the main compartment, is a stenciled out YSL insignia with a color ribbon inside, that in this case, it exactly true to the color within.  This is part of the Silky Sensual Radiant line...as YSL has a few other options for Rouges and Voluptes.

Warning:  Those who are sensitive to scented products may not like this.  Those who do, start drooling!
The scent of this is so yummy and appropriate for summer, somewhere between fruity and floral.  It is  impactful upon application, but fades away rather quickly I would say.

The wear of this lipstick is fantastic.  It seems to morph the longer it is on your lips.  Upon first application, this has such a silky, glossy finish...and it is so light on the lips.  This is not a thick formula which boggles my mind as this product is so pigmented.  The lip feel is so light.  Once blended, shine turns into sheen and the lips look lovely.  I love this as a stain as it blends out beautifully...looking semi-matte after the shine wears off.  Do note that on me, this product has stained my lips.  I have tried this both on moisturized and unmoisturized lips and the same effect was that of staining my lips.

YSL RV Silky Sensual #11 Rose Culte - Outdoor, no flash

This is the perfect vivid Fuchsia.  Freshly applied, there is a lot of pink to this color.  Once it has had a chance to sit on the lips, you can really see the cherry red notes pop out!  I have to touch on this point again, as it is really awesome...this is really pigmented and looks thick, almost like a matte lipstick.  But it is a phenomenally light product...perfect for the summer season.

Do you need one of these?  Of course you do!

Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Icon - Swatch

hourglass opaque rouge liquid ls ICON

The red lip.  An almost everyday staple of my beauty routine.  Here we have Hourglass' Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick in Icon.  I purchased this lovely item at Sephora for $28.00 USD.  The container is a shiny, lacquered plastic screw top bottle.  This screws very tightly...I have never had any trouble with it rolling around my makeup bag.  In the bottle, you receive 3g/0.10 us oz of liquid lipstick.

Here are a few things to note in case you are allergic to certain ingredients...

Ingredients

Icon is described as a true blue based red.  I find the formula is 50/50.  I love that the liquid itself feels light upon application.  Once it sets, though, it is dry.  Those with dry lips or are prone to getting dry throughout the day may want to steer clear.  It has wonderful wear time.  With minimal drinking and eating, I have had a successful 7 hours of wear without touch ups.  There is a light chemical scent to it that may bother you if allergic to scent.

hourglass ICON swatch - outdoor/direct sunlight/no flash

I recommend that you let the lipstick set once you have it on your lips to ensure an even application.  The first few hours were comfortable for me to wear, anything after that did feel a bit drying, but I applied a waxy balm and that took care of it.  The finish is semi matte with just the tiniest bit of a sheen.  There is no sparkle or shimmer in this formula.

Will definitely be a repurchase for me with other colors in the liquid lipstick line.

Enjoy.


*product mentioned was purchased by thepassengerelement.*

Wet n Wild Mega Last Lip Color in Cherry Picking/Stoplight Red (swatches)

I am a sucker for bright lips. I am a sucker for red lips. I am a sucker for magenta/fuchsia lips. It is getting to be a problem for my wallet. What has not been are these awesome finds from the ultra affordable Wet n Wild line...

Wet n Wild Mega Last Lip Color

T: 965 Cherry Picking / B: 911D Stoplight Red

These little tubes of awesome can be found most retailers for between $2-$3 USD.  For that price you get 0.11oz/3.3g worth of product.  The bullet comes enclosed in a black, twist up casing with clear plastic cover.  Nothing special really, though I do like that for a drugstore product the case closes nice and tight. As far as these two colors, I have noticed no difference in the formula between both colors.  The finish to this lipstick is an extremely creamy, semi-matte lipstick.  This does have a bit of slip, so first couple hours of wear are nice and comfortable.

WnW Mega Last lc in 965 Cherry Picking

I will start with Cherry Picking.  Now, when I swatched/wore this, it is an extremely vivid magenta with red/blue hints that leans more red.  When I have looked at other swatches of this online, I have seen it look like a dull rose, head on primary red, and melon pink.

Swatch: WnW 965 Cherry Picking (overcast/outdoor/no flash)

Swatch: WnW 965 Cherry Picking (overcast/outdoor/flash)

Up next we have 911D in Stoplight Red...

WnW Mega Last ls Stoplight  Red 911D

And now for this lovely red.  Stoplight Red is a blue based red that is creamy and semi-matte.  I love the very retro quality of this red.

Swatch: WnW Mega Last ls Stoplight Red (overcast/outdoor)

Swatch: WnW Mega Last ls Stoplight Red (outdoor/overcast/flash)

Overall, great wear on this formula.  Even when I primer with a good lip balm, these dry out my lips.  After a few hours of wear, they get dry and somewhat crumbly.  I like to apply a good waxy balm over them to extend the the wear to ultimate comfort.  They had a nice variety of colors from these bright, lively ones, to nudes and neutrals.  I have not had any trouble finding these anywhere.

Do yourself a favor and purchase a few of these...they are lovely, and who can beat that price! :)

See you later :)

Napoleon Perdis Set lip balm in Baja Red (swatch)

One of my favorite things in the entire world...lip balm.  Cannot have enough of it around.  Check my purse, and guaranteed that there are at least 5 lip balms rolling around in there.

What I have for you today is Napoleon Perdis Set lip balm in Baja Red.

This little pot of joy comes from the Napoleon Perdis line sold at Target.  This pot runs for around $8.00 USD and can only be found at Target.  The lip balm comes in a screw top, plastic pot and contains 3.6g of
product.

Inside is a semi waxy, soft tinted balm.  On the lips, it is a "dry" application.  Nothing about this balm is shiny, glossy or wet.  It has a comfortable feel on the lips.  The balm is said to contain vitamin E, C, A and also shea butter.  Baja Red has no scent.  Though the moisturization does not last all day, it is still nice on the lips for a couple of hours.

swatch/overcast-outdoor

The swatch above is one swipe of my finger in the pot.  The color is a bright cherry.  Classic/retro.  The formula is buildable...It never gets too opaque, but that is exactly what I love about the color and formulation.

A good basic balm that is a beautiful color.  How can you go wrong?

NYX Lip Haul - swatches

Remember these?

NYX lippies! / Outdoor, overcast

Let me get this out...I am addicted to NYX lip products.  They cover quite a range of products, finishes, color ranges...they just get it!  Here is what I picked up from Ulta a few weeks ago.  Do note that some of these are repurchases, just in different colors.  I will continue to go back to all of these formulations.

Lt: Scarlett, T: Bonfire, Rt: Tea Rose

Left: Pump it Up lip plumper in Scarlett.  A sheerly tinted, lip plumping gloss that works!  The color Scarlett is just a tinge of a pinkish red.  This is in a tube with doe foot applicator and can be found for around $5.49 USD.  The formula is not sticky whatsoever.  It adheres nicely to the lips without causing anything to get stuck to them :).  This does sting people.  I am not a wimp, especially for all things beauty, but it does have a bite.  Licking this is not advised...but I can tell you, after my burny tongue, this does not taste like anything.  You just get the tingly sensation and that does not last very long.  A slight flush does occur on the lips...natural, and no ring around the mouth looking painful thing either! Double yay!

Top: Xtreme Lip Cream in Bonfire.  Thick, matte, long lasting, staining perfection in a bottle!  An intensely pigmented product this is a gloss, cream, and stain in one.  I would call this one a bright reddish rose.  It comes in tube packaging with a doe foot applicator and usually retails around $5.99 USD.  The lip creams are thick...really thick.  They have a nice glide on the lips and play well with other products.  Upon application, the formula is very creamy and shiny.  After a few hours of wear, it dries down to a comfortable matte.  And even longer into wear, it thins out to a stain.  The wear is very comfortable in all of its incarnations.

Right: Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Tea Rose.  A sheer, non-sticky gloss with milky attributes.  Like the others, it  comes in a tube with long doe foot applicator.  I have found this at retail for $5.49 USD.  Tea Rose is a very MLBB color.  A mix between a bubblegum pink and healthy beige.  This formula is light on the lips, and though it does wear away after about 2 hours in my experience, it leaves a nice non tinted sheen on the lips.  Very moisturizing and an easy choice on days when I want a quick, no fuss lip.

Outdoor, no flash, overcast

Coming up next...Revlon lippies! :)

NYX Xtreme Lip Cream - Strawberry Jam

NYX Xtreme Lip Cream - Strawberry Jam

Yes.  Beautiful summer sun.  Bright colors...yes please!

Here I have NYX's Xtreme Lip Cream in Strawberry Jam.  NYX calls this a hybrid between a lipstick, lipgloss and a stain.  I agree with aforementioned descriptors.  This is a encased in a plastic tube with screw top.  Inside is a normal doe foot applicator.

XLC09 Strawberry Jam
Net.Wt. 0.23oz(7ml)

open view - NYX Xtreme Lip Cream Strawberry Jam

This really is a lipstick with lipgloss mixed in with a stain.  This color in particular looks like a reddened, blue based pink mixed with latex.  The shine in this at first application verges on patent leather!  This is very thick and emollient in the beginning.  There is a scent to this that is slightly sweet, not organic, not chemically, not really anything.  Sugary.  This is an extremely opaque gloss, but I do warn you, that the gloss part of this equation is not long lasting.  I have worn this for an 8 hour work day and two things are true in my experience, first shiny, then matte stain.  The shine/moisture factor of this gloss does wear off after a few hours, and it turns into the most beautiful matte lipstain.  I have a few of these lip creams and they are very pigmented.  This has stained my hands, lips.  For those that do not like stains, this may not be for you.  I find that it does remain a bit tacky so that I may rub my lips together, but once set as a stain, does not offer any type of moisture.

NYX XLC Strawberry Jam - direct sunlight

NYX XLC Strawberry Jam - direct sunlight

I purchased this product at Ulta.  These run for $6.00 USD.

Learn more at www.nyxcosmetics.com

Thanks for stopping by!

Summer Staple 1 - theBalm Staniac in Beauty Queen

Hello everyone!

I hope everyone is finally getting a well deserved cool off period.  Here in the Midwest, we were getting pummeled with heat and little to no rain.  This past week has been a godsend for the rain and break in heat.

Today I have for you a product that I often overlooked, but has become a staple this summer...theBalm's Staniac in Beauty Queen.  They describe this as a "hint of tint for cheeks and lips".  The tint comes in a tube with a wand and doe foot applicator.  You get 8.5g or 0.3 oz of gel tint.  Screw top ensures for a nice, tight seal on the bottle.

theBalm Staniac in Beauty Queen

The formula of this tint is a gel, which I found a bit interesting to work with at first.  For a tint/gel, this is actually forgiving as long as you don't wait an eternity.  Beauty Queen is a berry pink, very sheer, but extremely buildable.  I am not usually a fan of light stains...they never seem to work for me.  But Staniac did. On lips is actually very nice, though prepping is important.  On cheeks it is bright, sheer, and almost dewy if you do not powder over it.  

swatch - direct sun light

This is one pass of the wand, blended out.  A pinky, berry stain.  I like that this lasts through some serious summer temps and also through my sweat.  One of the biggest pluses about this tint is that it is not sticky.  Once rubbed into the skin, its smooth and dry and good to go!  I throw this on top of some tinted moisturizer, lightly powder my oily areas, wp mascara, lip conditioner and I am out the door :)

Summer staples that are fast, easy and always worth letting someone else know.  :D

Stash Discovery - Prescriptives Lip Polish in ARDOR

Prescriptives Lip Polish in Ardor 14

TA-DA!!!  Why I waited to so long to use this I have no idea!  This is one exceptional little pot of goodness.  One thing you will learn about me is that I am all about a bright lip.  Reds especially.  Most of my lip products are red, red toned...you get the idea.  I had purchased this at beautyticket.com a few years back when they were selling makeup (when did they go all skincare on us?).

This gloss is enclosed in a plastic, screw top style jar.  The jar itself is frosted plastic and the top is clear so you can see the product.  I believe this was already out of stores when I scored it on beautyticket.  Here is this lovely gloss for your enjoyment!

This pot is filled with a slightly thick, slightly sticky, gorgeously sheer gloss.  It has a nice cling to the lips and the stick helps it last throughout its wear time.  My favorite way of wearing this is over any matte red lipstick or red lipstain.  Once this wears away, it leaves behind a semi shiny, light red stain.  I consider this to be a true red.  I really do wish I would have gotten more of these when I could find them, but alas...I did not.  The pot itself has lasted quite awhile without the product changing or going rancid.

Blended swatch of Ardor

Thanks for looking everyone :)

What's in my makeup bag? 04/2012

I am one of those people that will walk around with a 1,000 lb handbag.  And most of that is my makeup bag, sadly.  I forget to clean it out and it just piles up!

Yummy makeup bag insides :)

Way too many lip products!  In order are:

• L'Oreal Color Riche Balm in Nourishing Nude
• Mustela Hydra Stick (used for lips and cheeks)
• Dior Lip Glow and Lip Maximizer
• Rosebud Salve
• Benefit's Benetint Balm

Everyday essentials

Items used daily:

• EcoTools baby kabuki
• NYX lipliner in 828 Ever
• LORAC Front of the line Pro liquid liner
• Makeup for Ever Smoky Lash mascara
• A colorscience sample pot (filled with Coty Airspun powder)
• Estee Lauder Double Matte compact in Medium 3
• Rohto V Ice eye drops
• Stila Kohl Kajal in Onyx
• Stila Convertible Color in Orchid #8 (I think, this is not sold stand alone, I got it in a kit)
• Urban Decay De Slick in a Tube sample size

Am well aware I probably do not need this much.  But then again, you never know when you need to look drop dead gorgeous when you are on the go!!! :)

See ya later xoxo

Ulta Haul - 3/25/2012

How is everyone doing on this calm Sunday night?

We had a quirky weather weekend here in the land of Michigan.  Rain, sun, cold, heat, you name it, it was here. It was also a busy weekend for Mr. R and I as we went shopping, cleaned the apartment, hung out with friends, ran errands.

Saturday brought about a small window of me time and that equaled to a haul at Ulta.  They are having their 21 days of Beauty.  To learn more about it, GO HERE.

Here is the damage... :)

Haulage - Ulta 3.24.12

They had a ton of big name kits on sale!  I decided to go with LORAC's Lashes, Luster, Liner kit ($29 usd) and Cargo's Fresh Face Complexion kit in Medium ($32 usd) This was on sale for $10 off!  [i will be making more in depth posts about these kits]

For skincare, I picked up Exuviance's SkinRise Bionic Tonic pads.  These are a part of my routine and cannot do without them.  From H2O, they had a b1g1 for their products, and I picked up the Oasis mist.  Just a normal mineral spritz I like to use in the summer or to remove any powdery look.

To end with the makeup, Urban Decay's Last Call shadow made it into my basket!  Along with lip liners and a soft matte lip cream from NYX, a LORAC Behind the Scenes primer that was $10 usd this weekend!!!!!  Benefit's Benetint balm was on my wish list...sorry for adding the Fresh Sugar lip treatment, that was from a Sephora haul two weeks ago that I had cast aside.

For the Urban Decay purchase, I received a deluxe De Slick facial spray.

As stated above, I will do individual posts about all the products shown.

What did you guys and gals haul this weekend?

Birchbox March 2012 (Back to Blogging!)

Hey guys and gals!

I am back.  Yes, it has been quite some time and I am back with Birchbox.  I am sure you are all aware of what Birchbox is (monthly sample service).  If not, please go HERE to learn more :)

On to the March Birchbox...

Birchbox March 2012

These past two months for me and Birchbox have been good, actually.  In this month's box, I received a full size Tarte Lipsurgence tint in Amused, a full size Essie LuxeEffects topcoat in A cut above, 10 pack of Shiseido blotting papers, sample vial of Annick Goutal's Petite Cherie and a twist band.  

I was extremely happy with what I got!  The topcoat is just over the top and the Tarte lip stain, although not a color I would have purchased on my own before, turned out to be a perfect color.

I have tried to sign up for myglam bag, but was not lucky or fast enough to get a subscription.  Do you all feel that these services are worth it?

Revlon Crushed Velvet - Push Up Plum (swatch) DISC

There is nothing like the perfect red, wine, brown, burgundy lip to put you in the fall/winter mood!  No trouble with that here since it has been cold and we have already had a bit of snow.  I present to you Revlon Crush Velvet lipstick in Push Up Plum!

This is a creamy, beautiful plummy red color that has been over-sprayed with the most beautiful shimmer.  The shimmer does not run throughout the lip color...which was not good when I first swatched it as I was hoping to get a silvery red color out of this.  But the more and more I used this, the more I loved it!  The formulation is very smooth and creamy.  I do not find this lipstick to be too drying.  I think this collection came out a few years ago...along with a glittery eye shadow,  liquid lip/cheek stain, etc.  This was the only color of the lipsticks that I picked up.

I find this to be a great year round color as I am a huge fan of all shades of red for any time of year.  This is especially striking with a pale wash over the eye, very thin liner, tons of lashes/mascara, and a defined cheek.  With a color this bold, I like to keep the eyes and cheeks very innocent, and vamp up the mouth as much as I can.

This lipstick is no longer available in stores.  You may find it online or stores like Big Lots or Dollar Tree now.

What are your favorite fall/winter lip looks?