Sorry for the absence. I was away for a few days and then I had a lot of work to catch up on, relatives visiting and just busy withย family stuff. But it feels nice be writing again! Today’s agenda is mainly lipsticks. Sheer nudes are my most worn typeย of lipstick. I don’t mind that they don’t last long, I like reapplying them throughout the day. It’s part of myย Instagram and lipstickย 5 minutes breaks at work.ย A lot of the time I also like to use lip liner underneath.
This post has been in the making for several months. I thought of it in March, took pictures in April, edited the photos inย May and finally, I’m getting around to writing it. You’ll see below an largeย amount of lipsticks for one person but the positive outcome I want to focus on, is that there hasn’t been a new addition in the ‘sheer nudes’ category since March. Yay for self-control!
I want to get the redundant bits out of the way. Most of these lipsticksย are very moisturising and smooth to apply, slippy and hence not very long lasting. Swatches of sheer lipsticks are very dependent on the underlying pigmentation and hence, these may not look the same on everyone. But I feel like seeing them against a lipstick that you might already own would give you a better sense of the opacity, amount of sheen etc.ย Some of these are discontinued or hard to find but I wanted to include them anyway because they are very well loved.
A lot of these are higher end lipsticks and it might seem like madness to spend so much on a sheer nude but,ย it’s the type of lipstick I love to wear the most. I’m more likely to use these up than a matte red and hence, I don’t mind spending more on it.
Burberry Lip Mist in Copper is sadly discontinued now but I believe there is an alternative in the new Kisses range. I’m just not sure if they have a colour exactly like this. I felt like it was unique because it’s a very light warm brown. The warm tones keep this from washing me out and at the same time they do give that sheer tint. The packaging is gorgeous and Burberry is definitely one of my favourites when it comes to unconventional heavy packaging. I rediscovered Copper this year and had a good 1-2 months of wearing just this to work everyday. I’ve moved on to using others now but itย is very well loved.
YSL Volupte Sheer Candy in Belle Cannelle (14)ย is apparently a Sephora exclusive which I can no longer find on the website. I was able to find this on the YSL website a while back though, so I’m not sure if it’s discontinued. Shade no. 13 is also a warm tone and looks similar. I’m a fan of the YSL Rouge Volupte for their creamyย weightless formulas and mango scent. This is the only one I have triedย from the Volupte Sheer Candy range and it does not disappoint! If you have dry chapped lips, this will smoothen it out and youย getย a very smooth glassy sheen.
Nars Lipstick inย Dolce Vita was an impulse purchase I came to love! It looks very pink which is what initially scared me. This shade in a creamy opaque formula would wash me out for sure but when sheer, it gives my lips a healthy rosy tint. You can build this colour up quite aย bit to be almost opaque. These lipsticks are also quite tiny and easy to fit even in the tiniest minaudiere.
Happy to report thatย Mac Lipstick in Hug Me was in fact free and the result of a Back 2 Mac! I initially looked at Jubilee which is also a Lustre finish but it was a lot lighter than I expected. Hug Me is more pink but I can’t build it up too much because then it does look a tad bit too light for me. The shade has that milky base to it, not a clear one, if that makes sense.
Next is an old favourite and one of the few lipsticks I’ve actually repurchased! Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle is hard to find these days but the colour this yet again that perfect brown/pink balanced mix I always look for. This particular shade I have loved ever since the lip butters were launched. There’s a small bit left and I don’t really use this anymore but I still hold on to it for reference. It’s very slippy but it’s one of the more affordable formulas. I’m sure there are otherย options out there though.
This section is more about lip balms. I forgot to document the Fresh Lip Balms but the Nude and Honey shades are also ones I really like. I have the mini versions and I love carrying them around in my handbag.ย Clarins Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector inย Rosewoodย was purchased last year and I like how compact it is. While there’s nothing really wrong with it, I feel like the balm is very delicate and prone to breakage. The vanilla scent is also a bit too strong for my liking. I willย stick to the lip gloss variant in the future.
Clarins Instant Light Lip Perfector inย Rosewood Shimmer andย Toffee Pink Shimmer look very distinct here but nearly the same on my lips. This is very light and faint pigment wise but I mainly love the glossy, light and hydrating formula. They are a bit overpriced for what they are and the spongey applicatorย isn’t a good sight after the first few tries but I do love these. Rosewood is a warm brown while Toffee Pink is a rose shade.
Dior Lip Glowย is more like a balm and gives my lips more of a pink tint but I still consider it a nude because for me it’sย an alternative to ones above. The packaging alone is enough to entice you but yes, it is an overpriced lip balm. I still dig it though. Once I use up the pink one, I might go for the coral.
Givenchy Rouge Interdit Vinyl inย Noir Revelateur was purchased just because it looks black. I might never really wear a black lipstick but the fact that it looks black superficiallyย is enough for me to overlook the gimmick and enjoy using this. Formula wise it feels similar to Dior Lip Glowย as it is hydrating and more balmy. On my lips it’s a light berry tone which can be built up to a darker colour. The colour is just a tiny bit lighter than Cliniqueย Almost Lipstick in Black Honey which is a similar buildable brown nude though it leans more red. I also like how slim and minimal the Clinique packaging here is, can be easily mistaken for a pen.
Possibly the only itemย here I dislike isย Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm in Ingenue for the menthol it carries. Truthfully, I rarely use this unless it’s in my monthly rotation because I hate the tingly feeling when I apply this. But the colour is a very pretty warm brown and I can’t bring myself to give this up.
Last but not least is my holy grail but sadly discontinuedย Cle de Peau Enriched Lip Luminizer in 203. I find this to be the perfect sheer nude shade, buildable to almost opaque. It’s very creamy and I love the application, it covers the lip well and is very precise. Like Revlon Pink Truffle, I might always hold on to this because the colour is perfection!
Here come the swatches!
I’m rather enjoying this series where I display all the neutral makeup I have. I did one for blushes and I have one for lip liners in the pipeline. Let me know if I should do more of these! Also, I hope all of you have a good weekend ahead! I’ll be spending mine reading and maybe taking more blog photos.
Nars Lipstick inย Dolce Vita –ย Sephora, Nordstrom
Mac Lipstick in Hug Me – Mac, Nordstrom, Nykaa
Claris Instant Light Lip Balm Perfector inย Rosewood – Nordstrom
Clarins ย Instant Light Lip Perfector inย Rosewood Shimmer/ Toffee Pink – Nordstrom
Dior Lip Glow –ย Sephora, Nordstrom
Givenchy Rouge Interdit Vinyl inย Noir Revelateur –ย Sephora
Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm in Ingenue – Nykaa
Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey –ย Sephora, Nordstrom
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