The Makeup Box

Lip Mix: Alternative to Snob? (MAC Pink Nouveau + NYX Power Lipsticks)

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I don’t know why I’ve never tried this before…

If you think MAC Snob is a little too pale or ashy for your skin tone, but you really like the concept of a retro bright, creamy mauve, try this combination.

What you’ll get is a shade that is a touch more vibrant and saturated than Snob (or Revlon Matte Lipstick in Pink Pout), which is great if either of those look too grey or dull on your skin. 

The concentrated satin texture of Pink Nouveau thickens up the waxy texture of Power, so that you get a rich opaque creme that wears beautifully and does not settle into lines on your lips the way Power does usually. If you find MAC Satins a little too drying for you, this is also a perfect way to lighten it up.

Lip swatch: Blend of MAC Pink Nouveau and NYX Power without liner or base.

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For touch-ups, I just bring both out with me, and it doesn’t take a lot of blending or tools.

1. Apply a light coat of NYX Power over each lip, and then 
2. go over with MAC Pink Nouveau. 
3. Press your lips together a few times to make sure the color is even on both lips, and that’s about it!

MAC Pink Nouveau Lipstick Dupes (Etude House and NYX Summer Breeze Matte Lipstick)

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If you don’t have access, or don’t want to pay so much for MAC’s Pink Nouveau, but want a bright pink, here are 2 quick options.

In the picture above, Pink Nouveau is on the top, NYX Matte Lipstick in Summer Breeze second, and Etude House’s VIP Girl Lipstick PK-009 at the bottom.

Note they are not 100% dupes. I’d say they are about 90-95% similar. Both are a twinge less blue-toned than Pink Nouveau, so if you are attracted to true pinks, but find Pink Nouveau a tad too “cool”, try these other two.

Texture wise, NYX Summer Breeze is MUCH closer to the satin finish of the MAC but with a faint touch more peach in the base. The Etude House lipstick is a closer color match, but glossy in texture. If you have dry lips, or don’t like a matte finish, get this.

Cost wise, the Etude House lipstick is probably only cheaper than the NYX if you’re in South Korea. It’s a little marked up in other parts of the world. But if you are just buying ONE lipstick though, getting PK-009 from your local Etude might be cheaper than footing the shipping cost for NYX.

Trusty Summer Faves of 2011

Here are some products I’ve found myself returning to again and again the past month or two, as the temperature and humidity soars.

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China Glaze Something Sweet Nail Laquer - The longest lasting polish in terms of staying chip free and shiny. I’ve worn this 2 out of 3 weeks in the past month. Unheard of for me.

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NYX Pinky Blush - Deep, bright, flattering pink which is neither too cool, nor too warm. This has a bit of frost but is extremely pigmented, so go easy with it, and use a big fluffy brush or you could look like a clown.

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NEW! The Body Shop Honey Bronze Collection #01 Light Matte Bronzing Powder - MAC’s MSF Natural in Medium Dark used to be my favorite bronzer for its ability to deepen without looking too powdery, flat, shimmery, muddy, or unnatural. This honey-combed compact just beat it hands down.

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Lip products: Revlon Pink Pop lip gloss, and MAC Pink Nouveau lipstick.

I can’t get enough hot pinks this month.

L-to-R: Revlon Pink Pop, MAC Pink Nouveau, NYX Pinky, The Body Shop Light Matte

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Bourjois 16 Hour Liner Pinceau - Amazing in terms of ease of application, and really black. It just beat my previous favorite, Revlon Colorstay. Just to illustrate, look at the big fat drop of Bourjois (left) and the stroke of Colorstay Liquid Liner (right) in the image below. The Bourjois will not bleed or seep into your fine lines, and the brush is just unexpectedly easy to use, even for a novice like me, who prefers felt tips for control most of the time.

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Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer - What is Summer without a few spots from the heat and grease? This concealer is pricey, but a little goes a very long way, and the tenacity and coverage is fantastic. (This is purely for spots though. It will be too dry for the under eye area.)

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CANMAKE Eyelash curler - Because every girl needs a pink metal curler.

Stormy: Violet and Navy Eye with Matte Pink Lips (Revlon Stormy Pink)

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Been away on a work trip, and took the chance to stock up on some Revlon goodies at the Dutyfree Shops. (Haul details in another post.)

One of the lipsticks I got was Revlon’s Stormy Pink Matte Lipstick, and I have to say this is one of the most gorgeous pinks I have seen in a long while, although the texture and opacity does leave something to be desired in my opinion. 

(And I thought I finally found a drugstore dupe for MAC Pink Nouveau…)

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Step 1: Apply a medium satin/matte purple over the inner 3/4 of the lids. I used a soft purple from the 88 palette.

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Step 2: Using a matte navy blue, blend into the outer corners and up slightly along the hollows of the sockets. I chose Revlon Matte in Riviera Blue. The shadow will blend into an indigo or blue-violet as it hits the original purple. 

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Step 3: With a navy liner, line the water line and upper lash line. I like MAC Blooz for this, but most drugstore brands have a pearlescent navy that will do just as well.

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Step 4: Apply black mascara or black wispy lashes to complete the look.

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Cheeks and Lips: I used a hot pink blush (NYX Pinky) high along the cheekbones, and then a cool-toned medium pink from Revlon (Stormy Pink*) on the lips.

*To get the sheer, patchy, cakey texture to work, I filled in my lips first with NYX Dolly Pink liner, and then ran a tiny touch of non-shiny lip balm over it. This creates a smooth base, which helps the lipstick to adhere and look more opaque.