Product Smackdown: Long-Lasting Lip Colors
A bold lipstick is a surefire way to brighten up your look, and it's pretty obvious that here at R29, we're big fans of the bold. Problem is, most dramatic lip hues are also high-maintenance, requiring tons of touch-ups to keep the color looking vibrant. Long-wearing lipsticks promise to keep their color for hours on end, but we've been burned before by empty pout promises, so we challenged three staffers to put their money where their mouths are and test out the latest stay-put lippies. They tried out an all-natural tint, a drugstore stain, and a high-end lip color for five hours to see how each held up to coffee breaks, office pizza parties, accidental napkin wipings, and multiple meetings. Read on for their lip diaries and to find out which new long-wear reigns supreme.
Who: Julia Anderson, senior brand integration manager
The Contender: Clark's Botanicals Ultra Rich Lip Tint
This all-natural lip tint is free of scary chemicals, but does the trade-off for all that natural goodness mean a lip color that slips off after a few hours?
10:28 a.m.: "I like the idea of color in a squeezable gloss form. Anything that resembles Vaseline Lip Therapy I can totally get behind. Cons? It took caking about four layers of goop on for the color to even begin to pop. Right out of the gate, I'm a little hesitant about its staying power."
12:35 p.m.: "I considered sushi a smart lunch option in my noble effort to preserve my pucker's stain. But with all the chewing and soda sipping I'm guessing a lot of the shine has worn off — the red gloss on my Diet Coke can is a pretty sure sign."
1:54 p.m.: "My work station in the R29 office has a subtle draft that makes makes me a little sniffly. I go to blow my nose and see some lipstick smudges on the tissue. Argh!"
2:30 p.m.: "Lots of calls and meetings mean stress-induced pursed lips. I catch a glance of my pout in my iPhone and notice that most of the ruby color and glossy sheen has faded."
Result: "My lipstick stayed in place for probably an hour or two before heading seriously south. I might grab this if I needed a touch of color and shine for a quick snapshot, but not for long-lasting pigment."
Clark's Botanical Ultra Rich Lip Tint in Rachel Red, $19, available at Clark's Botanicals.
Photos: By Erin Yamagata, Courtesy of Clark's Botanicals
Who: Julia Anderson, senior brand integration manager
The Contender: Clark's Botanicals Ultra Rich Lip Tint
This all-natural lip tint is free of scary chemicals, but does the trade-off for all that natural goodness mean a lip color that slips off after a few hours?
10:28 a.m.: "I like the idea of color in a squeezable gloss form. Anything that resembles Vaseline Lip Therapy I can totally get behind. Cons? It took caking about four layers of goop on for the color to even begin to pop. Right out of the gate, I'm a little hesitant about its staying power."
12:35 p.m.: "I considered sushi a smart lunch option in my noble effort to preserve my pucker's stain. But with all the chewing and soda sipping I'm guessing a lot of the shine has worn off — the red gloss on my Diet Coke can is a pretty sure sign."
1:54 p.m.: "My work station in the R29 office has a subtle draft that makes makes me a little sniffly. I go to blow my nose and see some lipstick smudges on the tissue. Argh!"
2:30 p.m.: "Lots of calls and meetings mean stress-induced pursed lips. I catch a glance of my pout in my iPhone and notice that most of the ruby color and glossy sheen has faded."
Result: "My lipstick stayed in place for probably an hour or two before heading seriously south. I might grab this if I needed a touch of color and shine for a quick snapshot, but not for long-lasting pigment."
Clark's Botanical Ultra Rich Lip Tint in Rachel Red, $19, available at Clark's Botanicals.
Photos: By Erin Yamagata, Courtesy of Clark's Botanicals
The Trippiest Lipstick Ad We've Ever Seen — And It Works
Lipstick ads are all pretty much the same in theory: Pretty model/celebrity applies lipstick, runs dramatically through a city in beautiful clothes, meets up with male-model boyfriend, pouts and smiles at the camera. They get their point across (look how pretty our lipstick makes your lips look!), but they don't tend to be all that stimulating. We didn't expect Lancôme to be the ones to challenge that convention, but lo and behold, the storied French brand is letting their freak flag fly with this little gem.
More of a music video than a commercial, it was created to introduce the brand's new Rouge In Love lipsticks. Directed by Adria Petty (one of the masterminds behind Beyoncé's "Countdown" video) and featuring a song by French pop duo Brigitte, the video is like a surrealist take on a typical cosmetics ad — disembodied lips sing along to the words of the song and apply the new lipsticks to their floating pouts while the Eiffel Tower and Times Square loom in the background. Lancôme spokesmodel Emma Watson even makes a few appearances, on bus ads and Jumbotrons.
It's definitely a bit strange, but it's also highly entertaining, so kudos to the brand for trying something different. Also, those lipsticks look amazing and we want every single shade, so looks like this little experiment was a success, at least in our case.
More of a music video than a commercial, it was created to introduce the brand's new Rouge In Love lipsticks. Directed by Adria Petty (one of the masterminds behind Beyoncé's "Countdown" video) and featuring a song by French pop duo Brigitte, the video is like a surrealist take on a typical cosmetics ad — disembodied lips sing along to the words of the song and apply the new lipsticks to their floating pouts while the Eiffel Tower and Times Square loom in the background. Lancôme spokesmodel Emma Watson even makes a few appearances, on bus ads and Jumbotrons.
It's definitely a bit strange, but it's also highly entertaining, so kudos to the brand for trying something different. Also, those lipsticks look amazing and we want every single shade, so looks like this little experiment was a success, at least in our case.
Steal The Extra-Sexy Tom Ford Makeup Look (With Tips From Tom!)
Although combining bold eyes, cheeks, and lips is usually a no-no,
with the launch of Tom Ford's full beauty line late last year — and
with it, those over-the-top sexy ads — we're sort of inclined to give
the retro-sexpot look a go. Of course, we'd like to do it without
looking like a total '80s train wreck when it's all said and done. And
that's where the newly unveiled Tom Ford Beauty makeup counter at
Neiman Marcus comes in. We hit the new shop-in-shop of sorts, armed
with our real-girl model, Becca Blanco of Ruby Press, to get a
step-by-step tutorial in extra-provocative makeup. Click through to get the low down on how to create the throwback look for yourself, with tips from Mr. Tom Ford himself (!), plus a
splurge vs. steal guide to the key products involved.
Photographed by Molly DeCoudreaux
Photographed by Molly DeCoudreaux
La La Anthony: Reality Star, Basketball Wife, & Now…Makeup Mogul
On her reality show, La La’s Full Court Life, we all see that La La Anthony lives a pretty hectic life. Well, apparently she managed to find at least a little bit of free time amidst all the craziness. Actually, more than just a little bit — enough time to work on her very own makeup line. The former MTV personality announced yesterday that she's teamed up with her good friend, Loren Ridinger (senior vice president of Market America/SHOP.com), to create a collection of beauty products dubbed Motives for La La. And while Ridinger already has her own wildly popular cosmetics line, La La’s will be different because it’s a collection of mineral-based lipsticks, blushes, and eyeshadows created especially for African-American and Latino skin tones.
The real-life basketball wife will introduce her new venture next month during Market America’s 2012 World Conference, taking place in Miami. Historically, this conference has been attended by about 25,000 people, which makes us think La La’s new business could be a great fallback plan, you know, just in case her husband's whole basketball dream doesn't work out.
Photo: Courtesy of Motives.
Macaron Makeup? Oh Hell Yeah! Laduree To Launch Cosmetics Line
We didn't think there was any possible way we could love Ladurée any more than we already do, but then came the news this week that the prestigious patisserie is launching their own cosmetics line. That's right people, there's going to be delicious, decadant, macaron makeup for you to obsess over in 2012. According to
WWD
, the line will feature "20 different blush colors in the form of cameos," plus foundation and lip color. We're really hoping that the lippies are infused with Ladurée's famous flavors — maybe that will help us stick to our "stop stuffing our faces with macarons" New Year's resolution.
Photos: Via Ladurée
Are You Ready For This Jelly? Win An Itty-Bitty, Blinged-Out Lip Balm
It's no secret that we love us some sparkle. Pair that with a twee little container and we're on it like a hipster at a flannel sale. Which is why we can't stop ooh-ing and aah-ing over this crystallized lip balm from Vaseline — it features all the hydrating goodness we've come to expect from the brand, but comes housed in a mini version of the iconic tub that's been swathed in Swarovski crystals, designed by none other than Bravo's Mad Fashion star (and Project Runway alum), Chris March.
These limited edition (only 100 were made) tiny treasures aren't available in stores, but you can steal one for yourself by telling us the most creative way you stay moisturized in the comments. The winner will be picked on December 27.Want more chances to win? Try your luck at winning a mini sparkler by swinging by Vaseline's website today at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, for a one-day flash giveaway of the special Swarovski jars!
Vaseline Lip Therapy, $1.79, available at Target.
Photo courtesy of M Booth PR
Has The Age Of Photoshopped Beauty Ads Come To An End?
After the National Advertising Division – the U.S. Ad industry gumshoe – called out a recent CoverGirl ad for misrepresenting their product, there's been a lot of talk of banning the use of Photoshop and other virtual imaging that deceivingly alters beauty ads. CoverGirl voluntarily pulled ads for its NatureLuxe Mousse Mascara for being misleading; it claimed to enhance the volume of lashes by 2x, but in the (very) fine print disclosed that the model's lashes had been enhanced, post-production.NAD director Andrea Levine told Business Insider , “You can’t use a photograph to demonstrate how a cosmetic will look after it is applied to a woman’s face and then – in the mice type – have a disclosure that says ‘okay, not really.’”
While we are in the industry of writing about these "incredible" products, we're definitely ones for standing up for what's right. Maybe this will urge brands to really be honest with their consumers.
What's your take on it? If this becomes a trend, what other industries will be subject to this kind if scrutiny next? (Fashionista)
Photo: Via CoverGirl
Get Psyched! Here Comes Iris Apfel For MAC
We're always stoked when MAC unveils a new collection, but this latest one has us at hyperventilation levels of excitement: Iris Apfel For MAC. The 90-year-old fashion icon, known for her oversized round spectacles and bold fashion sense, was one of the early pioneers of high-low fashion. The self-described "geriatric starlet" has seen a recent resurgence in the public eye thanks to her fashion line on HSN, and we can only hope this cool collection with MAC will help introduce the boho doyenne to a new generation of soon-to-be-smitten followers. Click through to take a peek at the line — it launches January 5 and is rife with bright, fashion-forward hues that are a fitting homage to this "rare bird of fashion."
Photo: Courtesy of MAC
Photo: Courtesy of MAC
Super-Glam Beauty For Your Packed Party Schedule
We wait all year to break out our favorite metallics and glitter, especially when it comes to beauty. And as much fun as our youthful days of pink potions and scented glosses were, now's the time to get into sophisticated glam that's still glitzy but definitely not My Little Pony. Your holiday party schedule is officially up and running, and you've probably got your hands (and closets) full styling yourself through 2012. So, let us make your holiday party beauty routine super-easy in the shiniest, prettiest way. Check out our top seasonal, well, twinkle, and upgrade to a magical makeup look that's like December—a total party!
Urban Decay Goes Naked...Again
When Urban Decay first released its Naked Palette two years ago, people lost their damn minds. The 12-shade eyeshadow palette was the brand's take on the neutral look and quickly became the subject of tons of tweets, innumerable video tutorials, and a raging resale business on eBay. People looking to purchase it found quite often that stores had sold out, and shoppers were put on mile-long waiting lists. Well, get ready for the frenzy to start all over again, because here comes Naked2. The new collection of nudes centers around a taupe color palette, in contrast to the original's bronze tones. It features 12 shades, five of them never before seen, housed in a sleek tin. It also includes a double-ended shadow brush and a mini tube of Naked Lip Junkie Lipgloss. If you want to get your nude on, you better move quickly: Naked2 just launched this week and the first shipment is already sold out. Get on that waiting list now before you miss out!
Urban Decay Naked2 Palette, $50, available at Urban Decay.
Photo: Courtesy of Urban Decay
Nicki Minaj & Ricky Martin Get Glam For MAC
Celebrity collaborations are nothing new in beauty and fashion — stars lend their recognizable names to a brand to help boost buzz and bring in a new demographic. This year alone we've seen everything from a Muppets nail polish line with OPI to Sofia Vergara's unlikely collection for Kmart. But one of the most longstanding and successful celebrity collaborations is also one of the industry's most respected: MAC's Viva Glam campaign.Created to help raise funds and awareness for AIDS research, past collabs have featured everyone from Lady Gaga to Lil' Kim. This year's faces of the campaign are none other than Nicki Minaj and Ricky Martin. The minute we heard the news, we knew the pictures were going to be amazing. Shot by the brilliant David LaChapelle, this teaser gives us a taste of the Viva Glam collection that will launch in February (with profits going to the MAC AIDS Fund).
Who's been your favorite Viva Glam celebrity spokesperson of all time?
Photo: Courtesy of MAC
Sunday Riley To Launch Makeup Line This Spring — We Want It Now…
One of our favorite anti-aging skincare lines has decided to give us another thing to be thankful for this holiday season: Sunday Riley is launching a cosmetics line. The collection isn't set to hit beauty counters until February, but we scored a preview of her first foray into makeup. When most brands branch out into new endeavors, they may decide to start small. Not Sunday Riley — she's serving up her diehard fans with a full spectrum of makeup, including blush, lip gloss, tinted primer, lipstick, foundation, finishing powders, and eyeshadows. Each product will come in an array of cool options ripe for the picking. Think: 32 eyeshadows and 23 lipstick hues, each one more covetable than the last. And, because Sunday's not one to leave your skin hanging, each product is infused with good-for-your-skin ingredients.
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