Le Metier de Beaute Colour Core Lipstick in Paris

I have no idea what's up with the Le Metier de Beaute brand.  It looks like most of the major retailers, Nordstrom, Saks, Neiman Marcus, etc, have very limited stock of their items.  The brand's facebook page still seems fairly active, so maybe they're just between collections.

colour core lipstick in Paris

Anyway ... this is a brand I'm curious about.  Le Metier de Beaute is very pricey and there are no counters anywhere near me, so I'm very reluctant to shell out the money for an unknown.  Usually.  However, on some of the makeup sites I read, people mentioned that a lot of products were available at deep discounts at Saks Off Fifth (Saks Fifth Avenue's overstock/outlet brick and mortar store).

There is a Saks Off Fifth just up the road from me, so I stopped in last weekend.  I was disappointed because there was nothing from Le Metier de Beaute to be found in their regular cosmetics area, but as I looked around, I found a display right near the counter and it was deeply discounted.  The sticker price on the Le Metier de Beaute items were about 65% off each and then when they rang up at the register, they gave me an additional 10 - 20% off (I'm not sure why, but I'm not complaining) per item.

One of the items I picked up is this beauty.  It's the Colour Core Lipstick in Paris and it is a bright cool fuchsia pink.  I don't think this is quite radiant orchid, but it's close and either way, it's perfect for spring.

The packaging is interesting, and not necessarily in a good way as far as I'm concerned.  The bullet is encased in a black rubberized coating very similar to NARS packaging.  It's difficult to tell from my pictures, but the bullet is actually ribbed.  So black rubberized coating plus ribbed texture mean that this thing is going to pick up and hold on to every bit of dust, powder or light colored liquid and cream product it comes into contact with, which does not please me.  The bullet is very slim and is very easy to knock over, which is also a pet peeve of mine. 

The lipstick itself is a bit on the sheer side.  It took several passes to get full opacity.  The formula feels lightweight and fairly moisturizing on the lips.  I wear all lipsticks on top of MAC's Prep+Prime lip primer, which undoubtedly extends wear time, but I got a solid 4 hours out of this formula with only minor staining.

Le Metier de Beaute Colour Core Lipsticks contain 3.8 grams of product and typically retail for $32.  I got this on clearance at Saks Off Fifth for around $7.  I'm not impressed enough with the packaging or the formula to seek out more of this brand at full price, but at $7 they're totally worth it.

Have any of you checked out the Le Metier de Beaute sale at Saks Off Fifth?  If so, what did you pick up?

Overall:  7/10

MAC satin finish lipstick in Brave

For quite a while now, I've had the MAC lipstick, Brave on my makeup wishlist.  The other day, I traded in some Back To MAC empties and I finally picked it up.  There's nothing new or sparkly about this lipstick.  It's been part of MAC's permanent collection for a long time.

MAC describes the color as 'pink-beige with white pearl'.  Eh, I can sort of see that but mostly, this reads as a muted pinky peach color to me.  And I don't really detect much of a pearl at all.

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(indirect natural light)

For me, this is a very work appropriate, everyday sort of shade.  It's just sort of a mindless option.  It applies easily, wears easily and has good staying power.  It doesn't require a lot of upkeep, it isn't uncomfortable to wear. It's definitely not a nude on me, but it's a very natural color.

The MAC lipstick in Brave has a satin finish and contains 3 grams of product.  It retails for $15, or if you have 6 MAC empties, you can trade them in for a full size lipstick.  For more information on which MAC products qualify, see the Back to MAC page at the MAC site.

Overall:  10/10

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Naked

Starting in Spring 2012, Urban Decay has made significant headway in reformulating most of their cosmetics line (for the better, from what I can tell).  Their eyeshadows were reformulated in Spring 2012 and in Summer 2013, they released their new line of Revolution lipsticks.  Urban Decay overhauled both the packaging and the formula of their lipsticks.

I will admit to being fairly oblivious to Urban Decay's previous line of lipsticks.  I didn't own any and I wasn't even remotely curious about them.  I didn't tend to hear anything about them, good or bad.   But when the reformulated lipstick line launched, the reviews tended to be solidly favorable across the board.

The packaging is nice, very slim and shiny.  The bullet is significantly taller than a MAC or drugstore bullet and the actual product is not very wide, which makes precise application easier.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to pick up the Revolution lipstick in Naked.  The color is described by Urban Decay as "nude-pink" and the revolution formula is supposed to be "insanely pigmented".  I don't know about that last part.  It took a couple of swipes to get opaque coverage, which really isn't a deal breaker for me.

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The lipstick definitely applied shiny at first, but after an hour or so, the shine was pretty much gone.  The lipstick wore for probably 3 - 4 hours before I needed to re-apply.  This color is very forgiving, so it wore off nicely. I can't speak to how the darker and more intense colors wear.  The formula is comfortable on the lips.  I don't know about Urban Decay's claims that it's nourishing.  It definitely didn't feel like a lip balm, but it wasn't drying either.

The Urban Decay revolution lipsticks contain 2.55 grams of product, which is less than a standard drugstore lipstick, and retail for $22.  I don't feel like this formula is significantly better than what I could find at the drugstore, so I won't be buying anymore of these.  The Urban Decay revolution lipsticks are available directly from Urban Decay, at Ulta or Sephora.  I bought mine at Sephora.

Overall:  7/10

Milani Color Statement Lipstick in #17 Plumrose

Yet again, I saw another Milani lipstick in one of Cora from Vintage or Tacky's videos and I had to have it.  And yet again, the Milani lipstick did not disappoint.  This time it was Milani's #17, Plumrose, from their Color Statement line.

Plumrose is a deep warm pink with a cream finish.  This is a lovely lipstick.  It's a lovely formula that applies evenly and opaquely.  It is moisturizing and super easy to wear.  Honestly, the finish on this lipstick really reminds me of a Tom Ford lipstick, though at 1/10th of the cost.

I wear Plumrose both as a full on lipstick, or just gently patted in as a stain.  It wears fantastically well in both applications.

Milani describes the Color Statement line as "The lightweight creamy formula contains Vitamins A, C, & E to moisturize and nourish lips."  I don't know that I'd call it lightweight, but it is lovely.  It is also paraben free.  It contains 3.97 grams and retails for $5.49 wherever Milani is sold.

Overall:  10/10

Maybelline ColorSensational Vivid Lipstick in On Fire Red

Okay, so this review has been a very long time in the making.  I picked up the Maybelline Vivid Lipstick in On Fire Red last winter and am just now getting around to reviewing.  Oops!  But it all works out because now I can review it just in time for holiday party season.

I have several lipsticks from the Maybelline Vivid line and overall, they are just fantastic quality.  On Fire Red is a classic primary red, slightly blue based.  It applied really well, very even.  I did need a couple of swiped for total opacity, but overall it was great.

The formula is very smooth and moisturizing and it wore really well.  I didn't have a problem with it settling into lip lines or clinging to texture, even when worn without a lip primer.  It also didn't feather on me, which is something of a miracle for a lipstick this creamy and pigmented.

The formula did stain my lips a bit (but show me a red that doesn't, ha!).  It's not a super long wearing formula, but I did get a good 6 hours of wear out of it before I really needed to touch up.  Obviously, if you're doing a lot of eating and/or drinking, that wear time will be diminished.

Maybelline ColorSensational Vivid Lipsticks contain .15oz of product and are available wherever Maybelline is sold.  I picked mine up at Target for under $6.

Overall:  10/10

CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in #280 Rapture

In the process of trying to find a good coral lipstick for summer, I picked up the CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in #280, Rapture.  It is a nude/coral with a frost finish.

I'm not a fan of frost lipsticks at all, but this one isn't bad.  It isn't super reflective and the color is dark enough that I didn't feel like it gave me the dreaded jizz lips.  The formula on this lipstick is nice.  It's very creamy and easy to wear.  Not super moisturizing, but comfortable and not at all drying.

I did need a couple of swipes to get opaque coverage, but the lipstick is very pigmented and despite it being a creamy formula, I didn't have a problem with it migrating and feathering.

CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipsticks contain .12 oz of product and retail for around $7 wherever CoverGirl is sold.  I got mine at CVS.

Overall:  7/10

Rouge Bunny Rouge Colour Burst Lipstick in Word of Mouth

While some of my recent Rouge Bunny Rouge haul was disappointing, the lipsticks certainly were not.  I am in love with these things!  First off, the packaging is to die for.  They are packaged in metal.  They feel very substantial, they close very securely and they have a high gloss black finish.  They are beautiful!

I picked up several shades, but the first I'm going to review is the Rouge Bunny Rouge Colour Burst Lipstick in Word of Mouth.  

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Rouge Bunny Rouge describes Word of Mouth as "Creamy, shiny finish cool cherry syrup - The little black dress of lipsticks, very pretty and feminine".  While I would describe the color as a medium browny red, I agree with just about everything else they said.  This color is incredibly versatile and flattering.

(daybulb)

You need a couple of swipes to get full opacity, but it wears well and is very comfortable on the lips.  I adore this color.  If you are someone who is drawn to red lipstick, but isn't ready to commit to fire engine red lips, this is a great introductory color.

Rouge Bunny Rouge Colour Burst Lipstick in Word of Mouth contains 3.8 grams of product and is available for $24 from BeautyHabit (or 24 Euros plus shipping direct from the RBR website).  I got mine from BeautyHabit.

Overall:  10/10

Flower Beauty Petite Fleurs Pocket Triplets PF4 and PF7

The Petite Fleurs Pocket Triplets by Flower Beauty are something I have been curious about since the line launched.  My local Wal-Mart has been sold out of them for weeks, but the last time I checked, they had restocked so I picked up two of the lip triplets (there are triplets for eyes as well).

Did it seem gimmicky when I picked it up?  Yes.

Are they gimmicky?  Yes.

OMG, YES.

These things are truly awful.  Really, I cannot state enough how truly awful they are.

I think that all of the pocket triplet shades are shades from the full Flower Beauty line, but I could be wrong because I don't think that there is a dark brown lipstick in their regular line.  Yes, you read that right, dark brown.  Not nude, not a shade that caters to women of color, just an ugly dark brown lipstick.

The texture on these lipstick are horrible.  Drying, patchy.

The packaging just baffles me.  It's like they tried to design the worst packaging possible.  It's flimsy, cheap looking, holds a minuscule amount of product, the way the little bullets fit together it is almost impossible to not gouge the hell out of the product while trying to use it.

As with the rest of the Flower Beauty line, all of the descriptive information is on the plastic wrap around the product, so once you open it, you have no idea what it is, how much product it contains, what colors it contains ... nothing.

I got so fed up in trying to swatch these that I just stopped and tossed them in my daughter's dress up drawer.  Maybe she'll get some use out of them.

Overall:  0/10

Milani Color Statement Lipstick in 12 Flamingo Pose

Most of you probably already know about Milani's new Color Statement Lipstick line, but let me tell you about it anyway ;)

Here's what Milani has to say about the line:

Make a statement without saying a word!  True Instant Color. One stroke, full coverage application. This next generation lipstick gives the ultimate in color, texture and finish.  The lightweight creamy formula contains Vitamins A, C, & E to moisturize and nourish lips.  Paraben-free. Available in Vinyl, Metallic, Cream, Shimmer, Pearl & Matte finish.

I had a 20% off coupon for CVS, so I decided to go ahead and pick up one of the Color Statement lipsticks in #12, Flamingo Pose.  Cora at VintageOrTacky used it in one of her recent tutorials and I thought it looked perfect for spring.

Milani describes the color as flamingo coral cream.  That is a pretty apt description.  It's definitely a coral lipstick, but it's a cool coral, so it doesn't look orange on the lips.  It is incredibly pigmented.  It is totally opaque in one swipe and it stains like crazy.

The formula is on the thicker, stiffer side, but I didn't find it uncomfortable to wear.  As I said, it does stain the lips, so the wear time is extended.  I got six hours out of it before it started looking really gnarly.

The Color Statement lipsticks contain 3.97 grams of product and retail for $5.49 wherever Milani is sold.  I got mine on sale at CVS.

Overall:  8/10

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick in Grande Dame

MAC revamped and relaunched their Mineralize range in early 2013.  They discontinued their Mineralize foundation, replacing it with the Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 foundation.  They also added a new range of 12 permanent Mineralize Rich lipsticks.

All of the packaging for the Mineralize products is similar, so the Mineralize Rich Lipstick bullets look different than any of the other MAC lipstick bullets.

The lid has a magnetic closure which holds the cap on securely.  The only other lipsticks I've seen with packaging like that are the Burberry lipsticks, so it may be gimmicky, but I like it ;)

Last weekend, I picked up the Mineralize Rich lipstick in Grande Dame.

MAC describes Grande Dame as "midtonal neutral rose cream".  Honestly, I'm not sure what the hell that is supposed to mean.  It's a medium neutral pink.  I don't think cream really applies as this is a slightly frosty lipstick with some super fine glitter.  Sitting here staring at the lipstick, I can definitely see the glitter in it, but I don't notice it at all on the lips (it should be noted that I am not particularly sensitive to texture on the lips, if you are, buyer beware.)

Grande Dame has surprisingly good color payoff, considering some swatches I've seen of the more vibrant colors.  I feel like Grande Dame really delivers on color.  And the texture is fantastic.  I find it super moisturizing without being sheer.  I also got really decent wear time out of it - 3 1/2 - 4 hours easily.

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks contain .14oz of product and retail for $22.

Overall:  8/10

Maybelline Super Stay 14hr Lipstick #65 Ravishing Rouge

I've seen a lot of beauty bloggers and YouTube gurus from the UK talking about the Maybelline SuperStay 14hr Lipsticks laterly, specifically several of the reds.  Now, I'm sure there are great reasons for this, but I have no idea why the colors, names and numbering for products differ between the US and Europe.  A lot of times, the products look identical, but they're labeled completely differently.

Anyway, the specific colors of red lipsticks in this range that were touted by the UK bloggers and gurus aren't available in the US.  And I'm not sure how swatches between the UK name/number might line up with the US name/number.

So ... I just picked out what I thought was the prettiest red in the range, #65 Ravishing Rouge, and bought it.

Given the 14 hour claim, I was really expecting a different texture.  This lipstick goes on surprisingly sheer and glossy.  I needed a couple of passes to get complete opacity.  I expected it to be a thick or even latex-y feeling formula, but it was very light and thin.

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The color is a bright, true red.  The flash picture looks rather orangey, but I don't think it looks that way in real life.  It is just a very bright red.

Application was very smooth, given the lightweight formula, though as I said before, I did need a couple of passes.  It wore really well and also stained the lips.  I'm not sure I'd say it was a 14 hour wear time.  While my lips were still red after 14 hours, they were looking rather worse for the wear.

Maybelline SuperStay 14hr Lipsticks contain .12oz of product and retail for between $6 - $10 depending on where you buy them.

Overall: 8/10