MAC’s new lipsticks will turn you into a Valli girl

When it comes to MAC collections, you snooze, you lose.

Fans of the brand are so quick to snatch up new releases that collections sell out in a flash.

The latest one, and the reason many lipstick lovers hit the malls bright and early on September 1, is MAC’s collaboration with Giambattista Valli.

The Paris-based Italian designer has won over fashionable women with creations that combine elegance and whimsy, timelessness and femininity. Stars like Amy Adams, Charlize Theron, Lena Dunham, Reese Witherspoon and Rihanna have been spotted wearing his designs on the red carpet. Jessica Biel wore a petal pink Giambattista Valli gown when she married Justin Timberlake.

Now, MAC fans around the world will get to enjoy Valli’s aesthetic with his collection of six lip products which, he says, was inspired partly by an interview David Letterman did with Anna Wintour. “Letterman asked, “How can you change the wardrobe of a woman with just $20?” Anna replied, “You go out and pick a brand new lipstick.” I thought that was so brilliant. So my idea was to put together the Valli colors — reds, pinks and fuchsia — hues that fit any kind of personality.”

There are five matte lipsticks in the collection, all named after friends he grew up with, his Valli girls—independent, stylish women who enjoy freedom and do their own thing. Valli said, “Their personality makes them a leader.”

Bianca B is a pale white-pink. Tats is a bright hot pink. Margherita is a yellow bright peach, Charlotte is a rich yellow-red and Eugenie is a dark cherry with blue undertones.

There’s also a Crystal Glaze Gloss called Lena, a clear gloss with multicolored pearl that can be layered over lipstick to make it shine.

We love that the bullets show the color of the lipstick inside, making it easy to know which one to grab and swipe on for a little Valli girl vibe.

MAC X Giambattista Valli is available at MAC Glorietta, Rustan’s Shangri-La, SM Mall of Asia, Trinoma, Rockwell, Ayala Center Cebu, Eastwood, Alabang, SM Aura, Megamall, Robinsons Place Magnolia, Robinsons Place Manila, SM Makati and SM North Edsa.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

No wax, just water

Women who’ve gone through a lot of lipsticks and glosses can tell how waxy their lip product is after drinking water. When water comes in contact with an extremely waxy lipstick, you’re left with an uncomfortable feeling as the lipstick components—particularly wax—are broken down by the water.

At a glance, Dior’s latest hybrid lip color, the Fluid Stick, looks like the regular Dior Addict lipsticks, except for a transparent cap showing off the lipstick’s shape and shade. However, the knob at the end of the tube unscrews to reveal a wand and color applicator.

The optical illusion created by the tube is intentional, an echo of the characteristics of the brand’s new formula.

The Fluid Stick eschews wax—a staple base for most lip color—completely, using water instead as base for the intense pigments encapsulated in gloss beads. The advantage of using water instead of wax is that you won’t get the weighed-down feel typical in waxy formulas.

Because the Fluid Stick is water-based, applying it for the first time results in a shiny and wet glossy texture on the lips. But once the water evaporates, the pigment sits on the lips comfortably. You’d feel like you’re not wearing anything at all.

Even though it’s water-based, the pigments are not sheer. One coat is enough for vibrant and intense coverage.



To make application easier, the tip of the applicator is shaped like a brand-new lipstick’s tip, allowing you to contour lips easily and to enable you to apply the product mirror-free (every woman should learn how to apply lip color without a mirror).

The lightweight formula is perfect for our hot weather, and for those going to the beach (applying an opaque lip color helps protect lips from sunburn).

Fluid Stick comes in 16 shades, with names inspired by memorable couture pieces from Dior’s rich fashion history. Because coral is always a staple during summer, try Aventure, a pure coral that goes well with all skin tones. For those who prefer a bold hue, try Pandore, categorized as a pure and flamboyant red (it’s also what Dior Addict model Sasha Luss is wearing in the ads shot by Steven Meisel). If you want to stay on trend, Wonderland is a fuchsia that echoes one of the year’s trend colors.

Dior is available at G/F Rustan’s The Beauty Source, Shangri-La Plaza.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Pink lipstick for Mom

Shades of pink lipstick will be a staple for Spring-Summer 2013 (March to August) and maybe even for Fall-Winter abroad. Why? Pink goes very well with emerald green, the proclaimed color of the year.

Bright pinks, especially in fuchsia, magenta and rose, are flattering on those with olive undertones and a beautiful contrast to dark hair. This would be an economical but much-appreciated gift for Mother’s Day, especially for those with a limited budget.

I have had chapped, dry, flaky lips since childhood, so these formulas feel very uncomfortable to me. I usually have to first apply lip balm like Burt’s Bees or Chapstick on exfoliated dry lips before putting on lipstick.

Avoid balms with the texture of petroleum jelly or the lipstick will slide all over the place and refuse to stay on. If you do not have dry lip problems, you will love these.

Revlon Colorstay Suede lipstick (P575 each) has 22 shades in all, so you will definitely find at least one that suits you even if it’s not pink. There is no color transfer on skin and glass once it sets, unless you come into contact with an oily substance which will cause pigment to break down and smear.

My personal favorite shade is Backstage, a deep plum wine with buildable coverage so the first swipe looks like sheer burgundy rose petals. This shade can be worn all year round; you can add more layers to make it darker for the “ber” months.

Alas, like all long-lasting lipsticks, this set to very matte after 40 minutes and felt like drying paint when I pursed my lips together. They felt tight and dry after an hour despite my applying lip balm before the lipstick. I applied gloss on top, which lessened the lipstick’s staying power but made my lips look luscious and feel comfortable.

I had to wipe off and reapply on the five-hour mark to start fresh. Friends of mine with no lip problems lasted seven hours before they noticed fading at the corners and inner lips. Since it’s summer, my lips were fairly comfy but I foresee great discomfort for those who will use this on colder dry months without lip balm and occasional lip gloss on top.

My favorite Revlon long-staying formula is still Colorburst lipbutter and Superlustrous.

Bestseller

MAC Candy Yum Yum (P1,000) is neon pink that is surprisingly flattering to even kayumanggi and morena women. It is a current bestseller and said to be very similar to NARS Schiap. Women with deep coffee tones are more suitable to deep berry pinks or those with purple tones. Luckily, MAC lipstick has a wide range of colors so you will definitely find at least a dozen flattering pinks.

Clinique Chubby Stick Intense (P920) is very moisturizing with a high pigment content. The crayon-like shape and tip make coloring within the lines easy.

Just-bitten effect

Plushest Punch is an über bright fuchsia pink with very high moisture and medium shine. When it fades, it has a “just-bitten” effect. The color fades evenly and feels like a lip balm, shines like gloss but has the opaque color of cream. The color was a bit eye-popping for me, though, and I prefer Grandest Grape (purple berry) and Curviest Caramel (Your Lip).

Fashion 21 Pink Obsession Collection (P155 each) feels light on the lips. I’m not crazy about the pearly pink packaging, but thankfully there is no frosted shade in the collection. Hot Diva is fuchsia, Dream Girl is pink beige, Baby Chic is pinky peach, Sexy Lady is pink salmon, Pretty Daisy is Pink Coral, Berry Princess is a light berry pink and Blushing Teen is a warm pink. I can only wear Dream Girl and Hot Diva as everything else turns orange on me.

Colors register differently with each person, so it’s best to test colors personally on finger pads because they have similar undertones to lips and you will see the reaction on your skin.  Do not just buy what looks good on a friend, even if her skin tone is similar to yours.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net