The Perfect Fall Lip: NARS Baiser de Feu Bold Lip Kit

As Fall emerges, so do the rich, deep shades of lipstick. Vampy colours of plum, berry, and burgundy start coming out of the woodwork, and I think I've snatched up some of this season's best! Back in August, I had a makeover at NARS that I was super pleased with, in part because the lovely makeup artist dipped into the Baiser de Feu Bold Lip Kit.

Baiser de Feu features three of NARS' prettiest plum lip colours, with a variety of matte, sheer, and glossy formulas. You can really mix and match to customize the depth and finish of the look!

To start, the kit comes in a matte, black box that depicts its iconic lipstick tubes on the front:

And the back features the details and ingredients of each of the goodies inside and a little picture of them on the bottom right:

On the top is a cheeky little quote from Francois Nars himself, expressing just how alluring a vampy lip can be!

Peeking in the box, you can see the tops of the three lip products, and a little pouch for the included tote bag. Got to love the consistency of the sleek, matte black packaging!

As for the products themselves (the best part, of course!), Baiser de Feu includes a gloss, Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Como, a rich, matte lip pencil, Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned, and a glaze-finish lip colour, Sheer Lipstick in Damage.

Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Como is a semi-sheer, shiny berry colour with subtle gold shimmer. It feels rich on the lips without being sticky or greasy. Looks great on its own or over top of the other two colours in the kit!

Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Damned is a bold, cool-toned burgundy scarlet that is perfect for a matte statement lip. Pair it with a pinch of blush and a couple swipes of mascara and you're good to go!

Sheer Lipstick in Damage is a subtle raspberry plum shade. It looks quite deep in the tube, but the beauty is in its sheerness. It leaves a lovely wash on the lips, which is perfect for work or those who want to try a plummy shade without committing to a full-on formula.

And swatches!

(L-R): Como on its own, Damage with Como over top, Damage on its own, Damned with Como over top, Damned on its own

As you can see from the swatches, the shades work incredibly well together, so you can really customize your look depending on how saturated, glossy, sheer, or matte you want your lips to be!

Plus, the kit comes with a chic little black tote bag, with the brand's logo on the front (see below) and a cheeky quote on the back (see the first pic, above):

Here's a photo of me wearing Damage. It's sheer, plummy goodness!

Wearing NARS Sheer Lipstick in Damage

And with a touch of Como on top, it adds a glossy dimension that kicks things up a bit:

Wearing NARS Sheer Lipstick in Damage topped with Larger Than Life Lip Gloss in Como

I haven't included a shot of me wearing Damned, but I'm planning a Look of the Day with it soon, so stay tuned!

I really couldn't be happier with Baiser de Feu- it's a fool-proof set to create the perfect Fall lip! The variety of textures and finishes is so handy and I can see the shades, though bold, as being pretty universally flattering. So if you're a lover of plummy, burgundy lips, you definitely have to check this out!

Have you tried any of the shades in the Baiser de Feu  kit? What are some of your favourite Fall lip colours?

Thanks for reading! :)

Feel Unique Haul (featuring Antipodes, Daniel Sandler, and more!)

Hi, everyone! In a previous post I gave a sneak peek at my Feel Unique haul, and now it's time for the whole she-bang! I'd heard of Feel Unique from a few UK-based bloggers and was definitely curious, especially since the site carries brands that I can't find here in Toronto. When I got wind that they were having a sale, I finally caved! It was so difficult to narrow down the order to a reasonable selection (as their offerings are so lovely!), but here are the goodies that made the final edit:

(L-R, Front to Back): Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) BB Cream in Light, Antipodes Divine Face Oil Organic Avocado Oil & Rosehip, Elemental Herbology Age Support Bio Cellular Cleanse, Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask, Daniel Sandler Watercolour Creme Bronzer in Fiji, Daniel Sandler Micro Bubble Lipstick in Micro Red, Daniel Sandler Watercolour Fluid Blush in Cherub

The package arrived on my doorstep after the first day of my new job, which was perfect timing. What a nice treat! (And the credit card statement is due after my first pay cheque comes in, which is also fortuitous timing ;)

I've sampled everything from the lot so far, some more than others. I've included my preliminary thoughts below, and will definitely be featuring some more in-depth reviews of some later on!


Antipodes Aura Manuka Honey Mask
This has been raved about so much in the blogosphere lately that it was difficult to ignore. First, I've been dying to try Antipodes in general, as brands that are natural, effective, and super chic can be tough to find. I was tempted by the Manuka Honey Mask in particular because it claimed to deep clean while hydrating deeply, something my sensitive, oily skin is always up for! I've tried this a few times so far and it's really lived up to its claims. The smell is incredible and it does what it promises: my skin feels clean and plump, never dry or greasy. No complaints so far!


Antipodes Divine Face Oil- Organic Avocado Oil & Rosehip
This lovely item was featured in my most recent wishlist and was a craving spurred by the lovely Gita at Odds and Ends, one of my favourite blogs. She had claimed that this facial oil was fantastic for oily, sensitive, blemish-prone skin, and I was inclined to trust her judgement. I'm so glad I did! I've been using this oil every morning underneath my foundation primer and it does an incredible job at hydrating and nourishing my skin without feeling greasy. Using only 2 drops (a little goes a long way), it leaves my skin shine-free (with the help of foundation and powder) all day, which seems like a miracle, given that it's an oil! Plus, I do think it's helping fade my acne marks and the scent is lovely (soft and herbal), so this has been a total winner!

Elemental Herbology Bio-Cellular Super Cleanse
This purchase was completely on a whim. While I had heard great things about Elemental Herbology and had sampled some of their skin care a while back, I had heard nothing about this particular cleanser. But the description reeled me in- it promised to deep cleanse without stripping the skin and touted ingredients that would help brighten and hydrate while purifying. It all sounded promising! I have used this only once so far, only to find it didn't do a fantastic job at removing makeup. But not to despair; I will try to use this as a morning cleanser when the weather gets colder. I still have hope that it could be a good fit!


Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) B.B. Cream in Light
This is a goody that I've been curious about ever since Kat at Kitsch Snitch raved about it earlier last year. She claimed that it was an excellent B.B. Cream for oilier skin types, offering good coverage and keeping things shine-free. I purchased the North American version of the combination/oily skin formula a while back, but was discouraged to find that the lightest shade in the range was light/medium, which was a smidge too dark for my NC15/20 complexion. When I saw that the UK version has a straight-up "Light" shade, I was thrilled! I've only used this a couple times so far, so the jury is still out, but the shade is a perfect match!

Daniel Sandler Micro Bubble Lipstick in Micro Red
I had been super curious about the Daniel Sandler line for a while, but had heard nothing specific about their lipstick. As soon as I did a web search for Micro Red, I knew it was a shade I had to own! I'm a sucker for warm-toned reds, and this one is a stunning, vibrant barely orange scarlet with a matte, yet moisturizing finish. It reminds me of my beloved MAC Lady Bug Lipstick, but with a more pigmented, less shiny formula. It creates instant glam, while still remaining quite wearable. An immediate favourite!


Daniel Sandler Watercolour Fluid Blusher in Cherub
This was a Daniel Sandler product that I had heard some buzz about and was definitely eager to try. Selecting a shade was tough, but I opted for Cherub, a slightly cool, soft pink. The formula is quite liquid (as the name suggests) and one tiny drop is all that's needed. Upon first application, I was instantly smitten! The formula melts effortlessly into the skin, blending easily and drying to a glowy, yet not remotely greasy finish. And it really lasts all day! I've been wearing this to work almost every day- really the perfect office-friendly pop of colour that's still going strong when 5pm rolls around!


Daniel Sandler Watercolour Creme Bronzer in Fiji
This was a product I picked up almost exclusively because of a rave from Viola at Killer Colours. The bronzer looks quite dark and intimidating in the pan, but it was so incredibly flattering on Viola's skin that I had to give it a go! While Fiji is rather dark when applied heavily, the texture is quite light and incredibly blendable. It really leaves a lovely, warm glow to the skin! This may be a bit deep for my skin during the wintertime (though I'll continue to try different application techniques), but I will definitely be wearing this like crazy next summer!

And swatches of the makeup goodies!

(L-R): Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector (Combination to Oily Skin) B.B. Cream in Light, Daniel Sandler Watercolour Cream Bronzer in Fiji, Daniel Sandler Watercolour Fluid Blush in Cherub, Daniel Sandler Micro Bubble Lipstick in Micro Red (against my NC15 skin)

And that's it! Overall, I'm super pleased with everything I picked up from Feel Unique and would be eager to order from them again. Some of these goodies are already staples in my rotation, and others I'm dying to test out further.

Have you ever ordered from Feel Unique? What are some favourites from the brands I featured here? Did I tempt you with anything? ;)

Thanks for reading! xo

Veracious Product Review: NYX Love in Florence Meet My Romeo Palette

Hi, everyone! Since starting my new job, I've been extra cautious with the makeup I'm wearing day-to-day. While feeling out the implicit dress code of the office, I've been opting to stay on the conservative side of things, shying away from my go-to fuchsia lips and black winged liner. While I hope to eventually find a balance of colour that fits with the work setting and my personal tastes, at the moment I've been extra motivated to find neutral, wearable shades that are professional, yet don't cramp my style!

At the same time, as I'm still waiting for my first pay cheque, I've also been motivated to find budget-friendly goodies that will get me through the 9-to-5. Enter the NYX Love in Florence 5 Colour Shadow Palettes! NYX promises that this collection of palettes will let you "discover la dolce vita" via "richly-pigmented hues and sexy combinations designed for all eye colours and skin tones" (from nyx.com). Who wouldn't want to channel a sexy Italian aesthetic at a frugal price?!

The palette I opted for was Meet My Romeo, which NYX describes as a selection of "shimmery and matte neutrals". Something about it reminded me of the new Tom Ford Ombre Eye Colour Trio Palette in She Wolf, which I've been totally lusting after (click here for Temptalia's review), so at only $10.99 CAD I had to take Meet My Romeo home with me!

The palette has a cute little bow detailing on the side, something fun to look at every time I open it up!

As you can see, the palette consists of 5 shades, 3 in rectangle-shaped segments and two long, thin strips. I can best describe the shades as:

 

Rectangles:

· Left: Sheer, shimmery beige that can pull slightly warm (golden) or cool (silver) depending on the lighting. Super pretty as a wash all over the lid.

· Middle: A slightly warm ivory shade with more subtle shimmer. Perfect as a highlight shade for brow bone and inner corners of the eye on my NC15/20 skin. Less sheer than the left shade.

· Right: A semi-sheer mid-tone brown shade that also pulls warm (coppery) or cool (taupe) depending on the lighting. As you'll see in the shots below, it has a subtle purple undertone, which I think is super pretty!

Strips:

 

· Top: A warm, matte chestnut brown that is perfect for adding definition to the crease

· Bottom: A deep, cool matte taupe with sparse silver glitter, also nice in the crease or could be applied more heavily as a smokey eyeliner

Here are a couple more shots of the palette:

 

And swatches!

I've swatched the shades in the 3 larger, rectangle pans first (L-R) and the two thinner strips second (Top-Bottom). As you cans see, the shades in the rectangle pans are much more shimmery and those in the thin strip pans have a matte finish, though the darkest shade does have glitter:

And you can see that the shades have the ability to pull warm or cool, depending on the lighting!

Here's a close-up of a look I created with Meet My Romeo, using the light shimmery brown all over my lid and up into the crease, the darker shimmery brown on the crease and outer corner, the two matte shades mixed to give extra definition to the crease, and the ivory shade on my brow bones and inner corners of the eye:

And a full breakdown of my impressions:

Pros:

• A nice mix of cool- and warm-toned shades (none too warm or cool) to suit a variety of skin tones
• Mix of shimmery and matte finishes makes the palette super versatile and capable of creating interesting, multi-faceted looks
• Office-friendly, though a smokier look could definitely be created with this as well!
• With the help of my trusty Urban Decay Primer Potion, these shadows wear well all day!
• Cute packaging that is still relatively sleek and compact
• At less than $11, I find this to be an excellent value!
• Cruelty-free, which is always a bonus!

Cons:

• There is definitely some noticeable glitter/shimmer fallout from the shimmery brown shades and dark taupe shade, which may require a bit of extra cleanup (or lead to a subtle buildup of shimmer under the eyes throughout the day)
• The shimmery shades are on the sheer side of things (which I hope you can tell from the swatches), which is fine if you're going for a more subtle look, but not the best if you're trying to create a bolder look
• The name "Meet My Romeo" rubs me the wrong way for some reason, but that's totally a personal preference!

And a couple more shots of Meet My Romeo within the context of a completed makeup look:

And please excuse the sleepy eyes- these photos were taken at 7:30, pre-caffeine. Proof that this has become one of my go-to palettes for the 9 to 5!

And that's it! Overall, I'm super happy with this palette. Though you have to watch out a bit for the glitter fallout, it's otherwise excellent at creating a soft, neutral eye with both matte and shimmery touches. Perfect for the office, but could definitely be played up to create a more smokey effect. So the versatility is a plus!

Are these shadows that would catch your eye as well? Have you tried any of the Love in Florence palettes? What is your favourite NYX palette?

Thanks for reading! :)

Look of the Day: No Regrets

Hi, everyone! Time for another Look of the Day! The title of this one is inspired both by a lovely lip colour (gushed about below) and the fact that there has been a lot of changes, big (new job, eek!) and small (new haircut, which is no small leap in my books), in my life lately. Changes that I'm embracing whole-heartedly, with no regrets!

The lip product that I'm alluding to is one of the standouts from Marc Jacobs' new cosmetics line, available at Sephora. I've always been a fan of the brand's edgy, playful aesthetic, so of course my curiosities were piqued. While perusing the collection, my attention was drawn to a collection of vibrantly pigmented lip lacquers, the Lust for Lacquer Lip Vinyls. 

We all know I'm a sucker for a shiny red, so I tested out No Regrets, a warm strawberry shade. Instantly smitten! It felt tingly upon application, leaving my lips feeling plump and moisturized, with no hint of stickiness. The pigmentation is impressive, as is the wear-time. As the colour begins to fade, it leaves a flattering pinky-red stain that is equally flattering as its full-on incarnation. I really have no complaints about No Regrets! 

Marc Jacobs Lust for Laquer Lip Vinyl in No Regrets

As for the rest of the look, I opted for warm shimmery eyes and tawny-coral cheeks. I wanted the shadow and blush to be strong while still letting the lips be the central focus. For the eyes, I layered MAC Woodwinked (a frosty bronze) with Stila Oasis (a shimmery golden peach) to add warmth and a reflective finish. For cheeks, I combined the ultimate shimmery coral blush, BeneFit Coralista with a matte tawny peach, Illamasqua Beg. Love the way they looked together!

Here's another view of the look, followed by a full breakdown of everything I used!

The Breakdown:

Foundation Primer: Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer
Foundation: Garnier Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream (Combination to Oily Skin formula) in Light (UK version)
Concealers: BeneFit Fake-Up in Light (under eyes) and MAC Select Cover-Up in NC20 (on blemishes)
Powder: MAC Blot Powder in Medium
Highligher: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim Light
Blush: BeneFit Coralista layered with Illamasqua Powder Blush in Beg

Brows: Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Ash Blonde/Taupe and Anastasia Tinted Brow Gel in Caramel
Eye Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original
Eye Shadow: MAC Eye Shadow in Woodwinked (blended all over the lid and crease) layered with Stila Eye Shadow in Oasis (lid and crease) with Laura Mercier Eye Shadow in Sandstone as a highlight (on brow bone and inner corners)
Eyeliner: Tarte smoderEyes Clay Liner in Brown (on upper lash line) and NYX Wonder Pencil in Light (on lower waterline)
Mascara: Revlon Lash Potion Mascara in Black

Lipstick: Marc Jacobs Lust for Lacquer Lip Vinyl in No Regrets


And a few more shots of the look:

And that's it! Glad I was finally able to feature No Regrets Lip Vinyl, as it's been a favourite for about a month now. And this look definitely got me excited for Fall-inspired makeup. Look out for more vampy lips and falling leaves hues to come!

Have any of you given the new Marc Jacobs line a go? What are some of your favourite red lip glosses?

Thanks for reading! xo

August Empties!

Hey, everyone! Apologies again for my absence lately. The new job has been great but it's been tough getting used to the schedule. Really hoping to get back on track with blogging soon!

A concrete example of my hectic schedule is that you're getting my August Empties post a full two weeks late. But better late than never! August was another month where I felt that I'd hardly finished anything, so I was pleasantly surprised when I poured out my empties bag to discover quite the trove!

August saw me finishing off a variety of hair care, skin care, and makeup products. Hopefully you enjoy reading a bit more about them!

Carol's Daughter Monoi Repairing Shampoo and Conditioner (minis)
A couple weeks ago I mentioned another gem from this line, the Monoi Repairing Hair Mask, which has been keeping my hair silky and hydrated over the summer. The Shampoo and Conditioner from the range were equally lovely! With an incredibly rich texture and a sweet, floral gardenia and vanilla scent, these were truly a pleasure to use! They're definitely best for when hair is parched, so I'll be especially tempted to buy full sizes of these during the winter months when my tresses tend to get particularly dehydrated. This was my first intro to Carol's Daughter and I was thoroughly impressed!


Clinique High Impact Mascara in Black (GWP size)
It's no secret that Clinique mascaras are my absolute favourite! Amazing quality for the price, they make my lashes full and dramatic without clumping or smudging. I'm not even tempted by the array of super high-end options out there! High Impact does a great job at lengthening and thickening the lashes, so I'm always happy to score a small tube of it in a gift with purchase. It's a slight runner-up to my all-time fave, Lash Doubling Mascara, but it's a close second for sure. To see me wearing it recently, click here! 


B.Kamins Purifying Mask*
B. Kamins is a brand that doesn't get a ton of hype in a blogosphere, but it's been a saviour for my acne-prone skin! The Purifying Mask is clay-based to deep clean and features glycolic and fruit-based acids to exfoliate the skin and reduce pigmentation caused by breakouts. It does sting like crazy when on the face, but it never leaves my skin tight, red, or irritated. It really worked wonders to keep my complexion clear and smooth. B. Kamins was kind enough to send me this full-sized product (after I tested out the mini version in the Clear Skin Kit, here!) and I'm definitely tempted to re-purchase!

Marcelle Essentials Purity Foaming Cleansing Gel
Including this one was a bit of a cheat, as I didn't really finish it up this month. But I found it lurking in my gym bag (yes, sadly abandoned for the past few months) and thought I'd feature it here since it was all used up! Marcelle's Foaming Cleansing Gel was my go-to for several months, as it did a great job at cleansing my oily skin without irritating it. This was probably the third tube of this I've polished off, which shows how much I loved it! I am trying to stay away from foaming cleansers at the moment, though, as they can be stripping to the skin, so I'm not rushing out to repurchase this. But it does deserve a mention as one of my most-used products from the past couple years!


Hard Candy Welcome Matte Translucent Pressed Powder
This gem of a mattifying powder has been discontinued recently, which is a huge bummer! Welcome Matte was a lovely, lightweight, translucent mattifying powder that kept oil at bay without leaving skin cakey or chalky. It's not quite as elegant as my go-to MAC Blot Powder, but for about $6, it was really a winner! So sad to see this one go; will have to start a new search for an affordable mattifying powder for times when I don't want to splurge on Blot. To see me wearing it, see here!


Jurlique Purely Bright Radiance Serum (sample)
I've mentioned before that one of my biggest skin care concerns is the fact that breakouts tend to leave reddish scars that last. And last. And last. So the search for a brightening/dark spot lightening treatment that suits my oily, sensitive skin has been on for a while now. I received a sample of Jurlique's Radiance Serum from Sephora recently, so was curious to give it a go! I was a bit hesitant, since many naturally-based products tend to irritate my skin, but I'd heard great things about Jurlique, which calmed my worry. The first few times I tried this, my skin looked amazing. Clear, even, glowing. I was ecstatic! While using up the rest of the pouch, however, the effect began to wane and the serum seemed to start irritating my face, potentially causing some breakouts. So, my opinion of this is understandably mixed, but I am tempted to grab another sample since the initial results were impressive!

REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask (sample)
After hearing what felt like dozens of raves for this mask, I was thrilled to receive a mini-sized version of it from Sephora recently! As with my hesitations about Jurlique, I had similar reservations about REN; though I'd hear such good things about the brand, botanically-based lines tend to disagree with my sensitive skin. But I gave this a try and I'm so happy I did! First off, the scent and texture are heavenly. If there were such as thing as pineapple honey (if there is, please let me know. I want it!), it would have the fragrance and texture of the Radiance Renewal Mask. It was a pleasure to spread over my skin and I was pleased to find that it didn't tingle  or burn my face whatsoever. After rinsing it off, my skin felt ultimately smooth, clear, and hydrated. So lovely! On the downside, I have suspicions that this broke me out slightly, so I definitely want to sample this again before I deem it as true love :)



Organix Nourishing Coconut Milk Conditioner
This is a product that I've gushed about on the blog a few times lately. In fact, it also made an appearance in my May Empties post, which means I went through this in about 3 months (another handy feature of doing Empties posts, I can keep track of how quickly I finish things up!). Though far from all-natural, this conditioner does an excellent job at hydrating my hair without weighing it down. And the scent is incredibly, like sweet, fresh coconut. If you have dry hair and love tropical scents, you need to give this a go!


Boots Long Lashes Waterproof Mascara in Black
Boots is another brand that has surprised me with the quality of its mascara. Last year Shoppers Drug Mart had several Boots cosmetics products on clearance (discontinued, perhaps?) and I snagged lots of the mascaras at around $4 each. My favourite that I tried was the Maximum Volume Waterproof formula (amazing volume!), but Long Lashes also did a pretty good job at adding length and volume without clumping or smudging. It was a great light-weight mascara to wear during the steamy summer months!


And that's it! Hope you enjoyed the mini reviews of all the goodies that saw their last drop in August. Here's a final, jumbo-sized shot:

Have you tried any of the products I featured here? Have I tempted you with anything? What have you finished up recently?

Thanks for reading! Happy weekend :)


*The product marked with the asterisk was given to me as a PR sample. Thanks, B. Kamins!

Summer Roundup #4: My Top 5 Summer Lip Colours

Hi, everyone! Time for the next installment of my Summer Roundup series, where I share with you my ultimate favourite goodies from this past summer. The products that I haven't been able to live without since the warmer weather emerged. We all know I'm a bit of a lipstick fiend, so it's no surprise that today's post is all about lips!

The summer months always lead me to gravitate towards lip colours that are reminiscent of tropical coral, juicy citrus, and cherry popsicles. Summertime is my favourite time of year to sport uber-vibrant shades, but I also tend to choose formulas that are lightweight and comfortable on the lips.

This Summer's picks include a mix of lip butters, lip glosses, and balm stains, in addition to traditional lipsticks. They truly run the whole gamut of formulas! It was incredibly difficult to narrow it down to 5 picks, but the ultimate edit led to this:

Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous

Milani Colour Statement Lipstick in Flirty Fuchsia and

YSL Rouge Volupte Sheer Candy in Luscious Cherry

Yes, Revlon is strongly represented here, but I feel they deserve it! Their lip products have always been top-notch and they have so many lovely summery shades! I was happy to see that 4 out of 5 picks on my list were highly affordable options and that the one luxe offering among them is beyond beautiful, both in terms of shade and packaging (thanks, YSL). So worth a splurge!

Here's a peek at them, uncapped:

(L-R): Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya, Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous, Milani Colour Statement Lipstick in Flirty Fuchsia, YSL Rouge Volupte Sheer Candy in Luscious Cherry

And swatches!

In Sunlight

(L-R): Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya, Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous, Milani Colour Statement Lipstick in Flirty Fuchsia, YSL Rouge Volupte Sheer Candy in Luscious Cherry

Under Artificial Lighting

Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya: Just the name of this one makes me think about summer! Ripe fruit, mmmm... This was one of the new Lip Butter releases for Summer 2013 and I'm so glad I picked it up! It's a subtle pinky coral that's a few notches above nude, but still neutral enough to wear with just about anything, including a smokey eye. The finish is semi-sheer (but can be built up) and the formula is moisturizing with a touch of shine. Perfect for a no-fuss summery makeup look!

Revlon ColourBurst Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef: I apologize in advance if this feature makes you fall in love with this gloss, as it's been discontinued. Makeup sadness. Revlon has re-launched their Super Lustrous Lip Gloss line, completely overhauling the shade range (including a new and admittedly lovely colour, Coral Kiss), leaving Coral Reef in the dust. I was lucky enough to grab a backup of this before the old line was taken out of stock, as this truly is my favourite summer lip gloss ever! It's a sheer peachy coral that leaves lips looking shiny and full. Though the shade is no longer, I had to mention it here (if only as a tribute) because I wore it tons this year!

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef

Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous: This may not be the most versatile Balm Stain (Honey might take that title), but it's definitely my most-worn, especially during the Spring and Summer. Overall, I find the Balm Stains to be incredible for summer- they hold up to the humid weather without any hint of heaviness, stickiness, or dryness. Rendezvous is a bold, but wearable orange coral shade that leaves a flattering slightly glossy finish. I chose to wear it on my sister's wedding day (wanted a lip shade that had personality without being overpowering), which is saying a lot!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous

Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Sheer Candy in Luscious Cherry: Although I first purchased this during the wintertime, I didn't find it to be a regular in my rotation until Summer rolled around. This is a sheer, shiny cherry shade with subtle shimmer that can be built up to a bold red and leaves a flattering pinky stain as it wears off. It smells like sweet fruit and the packaging just can't be beat. It's my go-to when I want a bold lip without committing to a heavy, opaque formula. 

YSL Rouge Volupte Sheer Candy in Luscious Cherry

Milani Colour Statement Lipstick in Flirty Fuchsia: A summer lipstick favourites list would not be complete without a bold fuchsia shade, my favourite! Though I own quite a few bright pink lipsticks (see header pic above for evidence), it was Milani Flirty Fuchsia that stood out the most this summer. It was a complete steal (around $5 at Walgreens), has sleek packaging, and a fresh watermelon scent reminiscent of a refreshing summer snack. The shade itself is a bold, blue-based fuchsia with a satin finish. Although the formula is fully opaque, it feels incredibly light and comfortable on the lips and is long-wearing, even on the hottest days! If applied lightly, it mimics the coveted cherry popsicle-stained  effect. What says summer more than that?

Milani Colour Statement Lipstick in Flirty Fuchsia

And one more shot of Flirty Fuchsia, since it's so lovely!

And that's it! Hope you enjoyed taking a peek at the shades that left my lips feeling fun and summery over the past few months. While I'm looking forward to sporting richer, deeper hues for Fall, these cheery colours will always be in my arsenal when I want to channel a warm weather feel. 

Have you tried any of the lip products I featured here? What were your must-have summer lip shades this year?

Thanks for reading! :)