The Quest for a Holy Grail Semi-Matte Lipstick Stops Here: Givenchy Le Rouge Reviews, Photos, Swatches

May 8, 2013 | 28 Responses

Brace yourselves, ladies and gentlemen. Here come today’s pretties!

Givenchy Le Rouge 102 and 301
Givenchy Le Rouge 102 Beige Plume and 301 Magnolia Organza

Givenchy Le Rouge (CDN $38 / US $36, exclusively at Sephora) is a modern semi-matte lipstick. It is silky, lightweight and reflects light to bring dimension to the lips. Both shades I tried are packed with pigment so they cover the lips in one swipe. This is the best semi-matte formula I’ve ever tried. Its velvety texture is something I would liken to Giorgio Armani’s Maestro Foundation. It doesn’t migrate out of my lip lines after I apply; it just sets to a beautiful silky, almost powder-like finish. This lipstick is longer lasting than most of my lipsticks. It may or may not have outlasted a McDonald’s combo of quarter pounder with cheese and french fries. Ahem.

Givenchy Le Rouge Packaging
Givenchy Le Rouge — Packaging

Givenchy did not only make a great makeup product here, but they also cased the bullets in hefty, soft leather and chrome covers. Meow! So sexy. If the packaging was fugly I probably would still want to buy all the lipsticks! anyway.

Givenchy Le Rouge 102 Beige Plume
Givenchy Le Rouge 102 Beige Plume

102 Beige Plume is peachy brown. On me, it is a warm nude colour that is a safe bet for the office. It’s sweet and demure, and so perfect.

Givenchy Le Rouge 102 Beige Plume Swatch
Givenchy Le Rouge 102 Beige Plume Swatch

Wearing Givenchy Le Rouge 102 Beige Plume
Wearing Givenchy Le Rouge 102 Beige Plume

301 Magnolia Organza is a vibrant reddish pink. It’s hard not to feel a little bit sassy with this one on. Work it, baby!

Givenchy Le Rouge 301 Magnolia Organza
Givenchy Le Rouge 301 Magnolia Organza

Keep reading to see swatches and full face photos!

Click here to see swatches and full face photos!

The Looks of Summer 2013

May 2, 2013 | 9 Responses

The Looks of Summer 2013 by Glitter Geek

As we are finally transitioning into spring season, it’s time to look at what lies ahead for Summer 2013 makeup collections. Surprise surprise! Radiant, bronzed skin is in at Giorgio Armani, Bobbi Brown, MAC, Laura Mercier and Clarins. The most surprising collection — or I really should say shocking — is Chanel. This atypical Chanel collection brings vibrant colours inspired by butterfly wings, including four brightly coloured mascaras (blue, aqua, lime and yellow). My favourite visuals and collections — I can’t choose just one! — are from Dior and YSL. The beauty blogger world is all abuzz about the Dior Nude Tan Paradise Blush and Bronzer Duos. I’ve only started to discover the items from YSL’s Marrakesh-inspired collection, but I fall in love with each new product as I apply it for the first time. The coral glossy stain I used here is a must-see! NARS and Revlon will make colour junkies very happy with all the punchy colours their little hearts desire.

What new collection and/or product release are you most excited about for this summer? I’d love to hear it and maybe, build the wishlist!

No Makeup Makeup: Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick and Corrector Reviews, Photos, Swatches

May 1, 2013 | 12 Responses

I got a chance to test out two of Bobbi Brown’s best selling products, so I immediately jumped at the opportunity to review them here. I received Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick in 4.5 Warm Natural ($50 online, in Sephora, Murale and Holt Renfrew) and Corrector in Peach ($30) and have been using them for a week so it’s time for a closer look.

Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick 4.5 and Peach Corrector
Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick in 4.5 Warm Natural / Corrector in Peach

The Foundation Stick in Warm Natural has strong golden undertones, and so it warms up and brightens my complexion nicely. It’s a great match for my skin because I am on the yellow side of the spectrum. It’s been a while since I have used a cream foundation, and so I can certainly tell that this feels heavier than the lightweight liquid foundations I’ve tried of late. It is an incredibly versatile formula; it can be sheered out by using a wet sponge (I used a damp Beauty Blender) or can be applied as a creamy full-coverage concealer. It’s no wonder that Bobbi Brown recommends it for everyone’s purse. It lasts an exceptionally long time, easily wearing through a normal work day.

The Corrector in Peach is fantastic for cancelling out darkness under my eyes and around my mouth. This is a hard but creamy formula (say what?!), and needs to be set with a powder in order to stay in place. I think it is the perfect base for a concealer. I know my favourite under eye concealer, NARS Radiant Creamy, will look even more radiant on top of Peach Corrector.

Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick 4.5 and Peach Corrector Swatches
Bobbi Brown Foundation Stick in 4.5 Warm Natural / Corrector in Peach swatches

So the first thing I do is draw a warrior mask on my face with the Bobbi Foundation Stick. You can also pick up product from the tube on to your brush, but this is how I use it with a Beauty Blender sponge. I concentrate around the nose, mouth, and cheeks area where I need the most coverage.