The Succulent Wife's Favorite Things

Maybelline's Superstay™ Lipcolor - Really Stays

I have certainly tried my fair share of pseudo long-lasting lipsticks and lipcolors over the years . I always found them to be just...ok. And, I should also mention painful! (Remember Lip Sense from Sene Gence???? Ouch!) These so called long-lasting colors would last through a cocktail hour and then part of a meal. They never did make it through the promised 14, 16, 18 hours. Instead, when I needed to reapply, I always found that the initial layer would trigger a whole unpleasant "peeling off" effect. Not fun.

Undaunted, and still looking for that true long-lasting solution, I'm happy to report that I am thrilled with Maybelline's Superstay lipcolors.They apply cleanly and precisely and do not rub off. Worn on their own, the lighter colors look like lipstains. I make sure that this initial coat of color dries for the recommended two minutes and then apply the lip balm. You'll see, you will need to apply the balm. The Superstay dries "sticky" and the conditioning balm remedies that. Worn just like that, I will have colored lips most of the day, needing to reapply the balm only a couple of times.

When I truly need "going out" long wearing color, I apply the Superstay first, skip the balm, apply my favorite lip pencil and lip color on top. Because of the "stickiness" of the Superstay, it seems that whatever color that you put on top adheres like it was glued on. The combined colors become really saturated and beautiful.

My favorite base color for a more discrete look is the 774-Cinnamon, but the 742-Strawberry is just luscious, especially as an under color to another lipstick. Colors come off as much lighter than the packaging shows, so if you like a darker lip, choose the darkest shades that you see.

Removing the whole is as easy as using a cotton ball with eye makeup remover. It will come right off.

For the money - $9.99 regular price - this product gets a FIVE star rating. Enjoy and let me know if you have tried it!

Shu Uemura Tokyo Lash Bar Collection - Fashion for You Eyes

I’m feeling a little ambivalent about these. Or is it that I’m feeling too old? Although I would not be wearing these myself, I think that they are kind of fun. I can see that women in

Tokyo

would have no problems wearing these on the street. This might be tame for many of them… The Shu Uemura lash bars have been around for a couple of years, but these lashes are bringing it to a whole new level.

 

Let’s see where this trend goes, if anywhere…

M.A.C Cosmetics Lipstick in Twig. Can't live without it

I have been wearing the M.A.C Twig lipstick  (s soft muted brownish pink in satin finish) for about 14 or 15 years. That's my low estimate. It's my perfect neutral lipstick that actually has color. Or the effect of color? Or the effect of neutral? Either way, I came to the clear realization this morning that I cannot live without this color. I have been resisting it in the last couple of years. You know, because I'm afraid of looking like the old lady walking around with the same pale blue eyeshadow that she has been wearing for 1972. No one tells her how outdated she looks, so she still wears it. Yes, you know the one. She also has crimped hair, dyed black, with curly cues. ..

Well, I am mortified at the idea of turning into one of those ladies, that forgets that time passes by and that things need to change. Usually, I love change. Even crave it. So, I thought it was wrong that I should be clinging to this same lipstick all this time. I tried so many other alternatives. All the brands that had a "neutal". Every single one. Even the Viva Glam colors, of which ALL sales proceeds go to the MAC AIDS Funds. No other did it. The Twig is matte, has staying power and goes with EVERYTHING. So, as I applied Twig -- again -- this morning, along with its perfect companion, the Spice lip liner, I surrendered. Completely. From this point on, I will be wearing my Twig MAC lipstick as often as I wish, without guilt or self-reproach. Hey, if they're still making it, must still be cool. Enough.

O-Glow by Smashbox -- Too much fun!

I ordered this product from Sephora after reading about it in some magazine or another. Although I love my Mac blush, after 25 years or so of using some color variation or another of Mocha, I needed to try something NEW!!! The O-glow is like playing. Or rather, do you remember applying makeup to your Barbie Styling Head? That's what it feels like. The O-Glow color just glides on, darkens to a strawberry pink as you first dab it on and then smooths out as you spread the color. It's very forgiving in that it's not a stain and you can manipulate it and displace it. I wear a loose powder over it to set it.  At $26, it's a little pricey if you just to want to play, but I think that I will actually be wearing it all summer.

Here's what the "official" description has to say about it:
O-GLOW Experience instant chemistry as your complexion is transformed from so-so to oh-so-glowing! The first intuitive blush, this clear gel reacts with your personal skin chemistry to turn cheeks the exact color you blush, naturally in just seconds! O-GLOW works on every skin tone, from the lightest to the darkest, to give everyone a naturally gorgeous glow. When applied, your skin's moisture activates the energizing Goji Berry-C Complex™. It creates a microcirculatory effect, producing a rosy flush that lasts all day. This revolutionary silicone-based clear gel works on every skin tone and is microcirculating and skin energizing to keep cheeks naturally flushed for hours. O-GLOW's unique Goji Berry-C Complex™ formula is full of antioxidants like vitamin C, pomegranate seed oil and marine plankton for added healthy-skin benefits. The completely natural looking, preservative and fragrance-free formula glides on smoothly for a healthy, glowing blush that's you, only prettier.

Have fun!!!

Lip Stain Pen by Bourjois

Wow. My latest can't-live-without! This lip stain pen by Bourjois looks and feels more like a felt marker. I loved applying it. No need for lip liner because the felt tip allows for very precise application. The pen colors the lips with a blush of color at the first glide on the lips. It's a very natural just-bitten lip look. An extra coat deepens the color that still maintains a transparency. A great loong for spring and summer when I don't want my lips to feel too coated and look too dark.

Best thing? It's a long lasting formula. Indeed, it's almost 9:00 pm and my lips are still colored. My only minor complaint is that the lip stain pen does not hydrate, so I add a coat of lip balm on top of the stain. I'm curious about how long this pen will last me and I hope that it doesn't run out to fast. But so far, I'm loving it and at $15, it's a sweet little indulgence.