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

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

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

Keep reading to see swatches and full face photos!

Click here to see swatches and full face photos!

Lipstick Bandits x Valentine’s Day

February 4, 2013 | 45 Responses

New Lipstick Bandits assignment: pink or red for Valentine’s Day.

We never think of Valentine’s Day as a big deal in our household, but this is the kind of makeup I’d wear on date night. This makeup is for the guys. Well at least I can talk about what Mr. Geeks considers as sexy makeup. It’s makeup that is “Boy Hot” rather than “Girl Hot” (terms coined by Beauty Editor here). The lips are a soft pink: MAC Lipstick in Lovelorn ($18 CDN / $15 US).

Lipstick Bandits Valentines Lips
MAC Lipstick in Lovelorn — swatch

Lovelorn is a soft blue pink lipstick with a bit of a sheen. It is neither goopy-looking, nor is it a loud (or clownish, as Mr. Geeks would say) colour. I paired it with a shimmery smokey eye, worn here in a cat eye shape that’s perfect for this cat lady.

Lipstick Bandits Valentines Eye

Lipstick Bandits Valentines 2

Get the Look

For the eyes, start with a shimmery warm brown all over the lid, crease and lower lid (Clinique Chubby Stick for Eyes in 03 Fuller Fudge). Pat on a shimmery light taupe (L’Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Tender Caramel) on the lid. Blend a mid-tone matte brown (Laura Mercier Cafe au Lait). Create the winged shape with a darker brown (Laura Mercier Coffee Ground) on the outer corner and lower lash line, and deepen it further with a blackened brown (Laura Mercier Rich Coffee).

Line the top and bottom waterlines with a waterproof black pencil (Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Perversion). Finish with a volumizing mascara (Benefit They’re Real mascara).

For the cheeks, go over with a dusting of a light reflecting bronzer (Guerlain Terracotta Light Bronzer in 03 Brunettes).

For the lips, outline the lips with a nude brown lip pencil (MAC Oak lip liner). Fill in with a pink lipstick (MAC Lovelorn Lipstick).

Keep reading to see more pictures!

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One Step Closer to Becoming a Ballerina: Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Crème Lipstick in Ballet Review, Photos, Swatches

January 22, 2013 | 27 Responses

Hourglass Femme Rouge Lipstick Ballet
Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick in Ballet

I’m back with more Hourglass love this week. I just can’t help it. Today I adooooore Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick in Ballet ($35, Sephora), a vibrant pink. This cream finish lipstick is a bit on the dry side, but that also means that it lasts longer than the usual cream lipstick. It gives the lips a plump appearance by imparting a slight sheen on the lips. It is fully opaque in one pass. The lipstick is lightly scented and I find it quite pleasant.

Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick in Ballet

Ballet’s light vibrant pink colour doesn’t lean too blue, so those with a golden undertone like myself can still wear her beautifully. If you’re unsure, pair with a brightening pink blush like I did and you. will. love.

Hourglass Femme Rouge Lipstick Ballet swatch
Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick in Ballet — swatch

For those who worry about harmful ingredients in their cosmetics, Hourglass formulates the lipstick to contain no parabens, sulfates, synthetic dyes, or phthalates. If you fall in love with this lipstick, lipstick refill cartridges are available to buy as well. Look good and feel good, am I right?

Hourglass Femme Rouge Lipstick Ballet 1
Wearing Hourglass Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick in Ballet