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Glow Getter: NoTS Lip Shimmer Gloss Review–Dior Lip Glow Dupe?

I’ve been in a long-term relationship for more than 5 years…with Dior Lip Glow.  I love it so much that my review of Dior Lip Glow was one of my first blog posts.  But I like to keep my options open, so I was delighted to receive the NoTS Lip Shimmer Gloss for review from Q-Depot.  The NoTS is just one of many “customized pink” lippies (i.e., uses that fancy mood-ring technology) knocking off the Dior–and just one of many that I personally own.

So how does this Korean lip balm compare to the beauty that started it all?  Read on, and for good measure, I also compare it to the e.l.f. Studio Gotta Glow Lip Tint, a recent budget entrant.

01 Dior Lip Glow NoTS Lip Shimmer Gloss elf Gotta Glow Lip Tint
Wearing Essie Splash of Grenadine

Continue reading “Glow Getter: NoTS Lip Shimmer Gloss Review–Dior Lip Glow Dupe?”

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Hot or NoTS: NoTS Lip Alive Color Mousse No. 03 Sweet Raspberry Review – Dupe for Dior Fluid Stick?

01 NoTS Lip Alive Color Mousse 03 Sweet Raspberry ReviewMmm, I’m having sweet flashbacks to “My Love From Another Star” thanks to the Lip Alive Color Mousse in 03 Sweet Raspberry by the Korean brand NoTS ($32 for 5g; provided for consideration by Q-depot).  NoTS–which stands for Noble Through Skin–is a cruelty-free* line of skincare with a few select makeup products.

*See bottom of the post for more on cruelty-free Korean cosmetics.

I confess that “My Love From Another Star” is the only K-drama I’ve ever really watched.  Nothing else has pulled me in.  I tried watching “The Producers” with Do Min Joon, I mean Kim Soo Swoon, and gave up. Continue reading “Hot or NoTS: NoTS Lip Alive Color Mousse No. 03 Sweet Raspberry Review – Dupe for Dior Fluid Stick?”

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Matte About You: Shu Uemura Tint in Gelato in AT 02 Sugar Plum & BG 01 Puffy Chocolate Review

Shu Uemura Tint in Gelato ($28) is a creamy, super-pigmented liquid intended as a lip and cheek color. I’ve only used them as lipsticks since I’m generally not too skilled with liquid blushes.

01 Shu Uemura Tint in Gelato ReviewLovely Indya at Bella Noir Beauty gave me AT 02 Sugar Plum and BG 01 Puffy Chocolate (the shades are inspired by gelato) and will be helping me swatch and demonstrate the colors. Sugar Plum is a rich, strong, cool-toned pink with a touch of purple. Puffy Chocolate is a tan beige, not nearly as dark as its name suggests.

Continue reading “Matte About You: Shu Uemura Tint in Gelato in AT 02 Sugar Plum & BG 01 Puffy Chocolate Review”

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All Glow-n Up: Review of Tarte LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Gloss in Energy

I eagerly cashed in my Sephora points for a deluxe sample when I saw the Tarte LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Gloss. It’s one of those pH-reactive/customized pink products in the same vein as Dior Lip Glow, which you know I’m all about.

01 Tarte Lipsurgence Skintuitive Energy Lip Gloss ReviewMy secret hope was that this would be like the long-discontinued Dior Addict Crystal Gloss. Oh man, that was from 2010. It was meant to work much like how Dior Lip Glow does, except that it turned bright fuchsia on my lips (not at all subtle like Dior Lip Glow), which I loved because it was an instantly fun, happy look. Continue reading “All Glow-n Up: Review of Tarte LipSurgence Skintuitive Lip Gloss in Energy”

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Peach DOOM: Mamonde Stamping Edge Lip Tint in 06 Peach Bloom Review + Swatches

The Mamonde Stamping Edge Lip Tint seemed so promising. A dual-ended pen, it has a pointed cushion/sponge on one end and a balmy crayon on the other. The shade 06 Peach Bloom caught my eye. The cushion side was a smooth, matte, pigmented bright peach that applied easily with slight pressure. The balm end swiveled up to reveal a glossy, sheer peach balm. In short: I swatched, I swooned, I bought. 01 Mamonde Stamping Edge Lip Tint 06 Peach Blossom Review

Continue reading “Peach DOOM: Mamonde Stamping Edge Lip Tint in 06 Peach Bloom Review + Swatches”

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Hot or Not? Laneige Water Drop Tint in Hot Pink Review + Swatches

What’s that you say? You want MOAR reviews of Laneige Water Drop Tints? Well I’m happy to oblige with a review of my seventh Water Drop Tint. I saw this at Aritaum in San Gabriel, Calif., and initially resisted. But it beckoned—nay, compelled–me to return. And so I introduce . . . Hot Pink! ($22 at Aritaum.)

01 Laneige Water Drop Tint Hot Pink ReviewIsn’t she puuurrrrty?

Continue reading “Hot or Not? Laneige Water Drop Tint in Hot Pink Review + Swatches”

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Deck the Hauls: Aritaum in San Gabriel + Hauls

We met up in the San Gabriel Valley (you know, the other valley in LA) for some major hauling of Asian cosmetics.

We hit up our old favorites (see this post), including (not in that post) Maneki Neko in the Santa Anita Mall, Takashima in Arcadia, and Art Land in the San Gabriel Superstore.

But what’s the biggest development on the shopping front? The Amore store in the Focus/99 Ranch Plaza in San Gabriel is now an Aritaum. I REPEAT, WE HAVE AN ARITAUM.

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Continue reading “Deck the Hauls: Aritaum in San Gabriel + Hauls”

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Karma Karma Camellia: Laneige Water Drop Tint in Camellia Red Review + Swatch

01 Laneige Water Drop Tint Camellia Red Review - Outdoors
In direct sunlight

I swear, this is my last Laneige Water Drop Tint review until new colors are released.  Today I bring you Camellia Red, a soft medium red with neutral to slightly cool undertones.  This is my sixth Water Drop Tint!  (Check out my full review of the formula here.)

02 Laneige Water Drop Tint Camellia Red Review

Continue reading “Karma Karma Camellia: Laneige Water Drop Tint in Camellia Red Review + Swatch”