NARS Lip Pencils
5/23/13

After my recent foray into lipstick land, I began to notice NARS lip pencils popping up in various magazines, posts from beauty bloggers I trust, and my favorite stores. So of course I immediately wanted them and bought two. The pencils (not to be confused with lip liner) come in three formulations. There's the Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil, Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil, and Satin Lip Pencil. I immediately disregarded the Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil, as it contains "hydraulic spheres," aka sparkle/shimmer/frost. I like my lips sans frost, so I quickly moved along to the other formulas. 

The Satin Lip Pencil was first on my mind due in large part to the newest "must have" shade, Yu. Yu is a highly pigmented, bright pink color that lights up my face. While it's very bright, it's surprisingly wearable and looks great with many skin tones. The formula is glossy and application is a breeze. They're designed to build up color depending on your preference, which is nice. I was nonplussed by most of the other colors, many of which were rather neutral with the exception of a couple. Jardin de Plantes caught my fancy, but it's a NARS exclusive, meaning you'll need to buy it through them directly. Done deal. 

Next I hit the Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencil. I'm generally not a fan of matte lipsticks, as they tend to be drying. Matte lips are on trend this season, so in the spirit of branching out I selected Damned, a nice deep red. I applied my beloved By Terry Baume de Rose underneath both formulas, and still found this pencil to be a tad drying. The real draw here (no pun intended) is the staying power of matte formulas. Less applications throughout the day, and it sure makes eating and drinking far easier. That said, it comes in a broader range of colors than the Satin Lip Pencil. I'll certainly use these when I need real staying power. Tasting menu and wine pairing, anyone?

One downside is the need to purchase a NARS sharpener. Trust me on this; other sharpeners don't work. The upside is that it's a mere $6, with the pencils costing $25 each. These are great for travel since they're a lip liner and lipstick in one tiny pencil. 

The verdict? Love the Satin Lip Pencils, & the Velvet Matte Lipstick Pencils are the optimal choice for staying power on the go. Just be sure to moisturize first!

Available at: NARS, Barneys, and Nordstrom.  

YSL Rouge Volupté Lipstick
5/21/13

Until recently, I hadn't worn lipstick with any regularity since college. I love lip gloss, and Lancôme's Dreamsicle has been my pale pink, go-to shade for many years. Well, I decided to venture back into the world of lipstick and started at the top, of course. Why hello, YSL. While I'm no stranger to the brand, they have several lipstick formulations, not to mention glosses and stains. I went straight for their award-winning, top seller: Rouge Volupté. They offer about 30 glorious colors, and coveted limited editions. Each lipstick has a lovely, light rose scent. The formula allows for easy application and glides on with little effort. 

My first goal was to procure (surprise) a great, true red. N 17 Red Muse fit the bill perfectly, and I was hooked. Much like their nail lacquers, the Rouge Volupté lipsticks are highly pigmented and what you see in the tube is what you get. Red Muse is a bright, sexy red that manages to not give off a...working girl vibe. Sold. 

After such a bold choice, I veered toward the bounty of pink shades offered. From the nudest of nudes to über bright shades, I gravitated toward a lovely light and flattering shade: N 7 Lingerie Pink. It's the kind of go-with-everything, pretty pink that's modern and classic at once. 

Of course I didn't stop there. Bold Wendy took over again and scooped up a bright magenta pink: N 11 Rose Culte. Wow! This color blew me away. Shockingly beautiful. It's a blue-based red/pink that makes you feel extra girly and happy. You simply can't be sad while wearing Rose Culte. 

Then there's the case. Oh my, the case! Certainly the most luxurious, ornate lipstick case on the market. The signature YSL logo sits in a golden circle atop a band of color, matching the lipstick inside. The cases look gorgeous on a vanity tray, and they honestly make me feel happy during application. This killer gold case helps explain the $34 price tag. 

My verdict? A winner. 

Available at: YSL, Barneys, and Nordstrom.