Lancome L'Absolu Lip Lacquers - Swatches

Lancome L'Absolu Lip Lacquers ($26 each)

It's been a while since I checked Lancome's new launches, so it's no surprise that I missed these Lancome L'Absolu Lip Lacquers.  The oil-in-water emulsion formula claims to deliver high-shine, light-weight, long-lasting vivid color.  Apply a single coat for sheer color, build up with 2-3 coats for a more opaque finish.  Scroll on for swatches.

MAC Plenty of Pout Plumping Lipsticks – Swatches

MAC Plenty of Pout Plumping Lip Collection

The newest from MAC – Plenty of Pout lip collection – is supposed to be a bunch of things, but before I get to that, I have to talk about the promo photo.  Umm ... someone somewhere thought having a bee on the lip is a fun image?!  I get that they are going for the bee-stung lips concept, but I find the imagery just weird.  Anywho, moving on to the Plenty of Pout collection, it includes lipsticks (and a lipgloss) that promise full pouty lips and sheer, creamy color.  The lip plumping effect comes not from bees (thankfully) but from ginger root complex that gives a cooling sensation to the lips and moisturizing oils that give a moisturized, smoothened effect.  Most of the colors were sold out at my local MAC counter, but I did get some swatches to share here.  Scroll on for more.

Caudalie Instant Detox Face Mask

Caudalie Instant Detox Face Mask ($39/75 mL)

As someone with oily-combination skin and a long history of fighting acne breakouts (still have the scars to show for that 😭), I have been through a lot of clay-based face masks.  In general, they are a great way to tone down the oiliness and give the skin a fresh and tightened feel.  Unfortunately though, much like my experience with oil-free moisturizers and acne-fighting face washes, most clay-based face masks leave my skin feeling and looking dry, dull, and parched.  I am quite convinced pure clay-based face masks work best on younger skins or as heavy artillery on an occasional pimple.  For regular, all-over use, though, they have always seemed too drying for me.  And that's why I love the Caudalie Instant Detox face mask.

Tom Ford Liquid Lip Lacquers - Swatches

Tom Ford Liquid Lip Lacquers ($55)

Intensely saturated glossy lip colors seem to be the trend this season, and among recent launches in this category are the Tom Ford Lip Lacquers.  These liquid lip colors deliver long-lasting color and are available in three different formulations – Liquid Matte (rich creamy, dries to velvety matte), Liquid Patent (ultraglossy finish), and Liquid Metal (glossy metallic color).  Scroll on for swatches.

MAC x Aaliyah Makeup Collection - Swatches

MAC x Aaliyah Makeup Collection 

MAC x Aaliyah makeup collection is inspired by the R&B icon, singer, actress Aaliyah Haughton.  While I am not the most up to date on music or movies, Aaliyah's story of talent and determination is quite inspiring. From what I read, MAC x Aaliyah is a fan-requested creation and includes colors and products that are a reflection and interpretation of Aaliyah's style.  The collection includes an eyeshadow palette, lipglosses, lipsticks, lipliners, and a bronzer.  Scroll on for swatches.

Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hydrating Gloss Sticks - Swatches

Marc Jacobs Beauty - Enamored Hydrating Lip Gloss Sticks ($28)

Marc Jacobs Beauty's newest launch is a lip gloss and balm hybrid – Enamored Hydrating Lip Gloss Stick. The packaging design looks like the regular Marc Jacobs lip glosses, but what looks like the black cap is actually the tube housing the balm-like gloss stick.  I find the packaging quite brilliant, but it might be a bit impractical to pick out from a jumbled up bag of lip products.  Unlike regular twist-up tubes of balm, these gloss sticks have a more controlled twist, and you can actually hear/feel the clicks as you turn the glossy stick out (kind of like twist up eyeliners).  More on that in a bit.  The product itself, despite the packaging, looks and feels exactly like a very creamy, tinted lip balm.  The shade range stays around the neutral range, with a deeper shade or two and some brighter pinks and peach.  Scroll on for swatches.

Urban Decay Born To Run Eyeshadow Palette - Swatches

Urban Decay Born To Run Eyeshadow Palette ($49)

The newest eyeshadow palette by the brand that made neutrals a makeup must-have, the Urban Decay Born to Run eyeshadow palette is a step or three away from the Naked palettes.  This is a palette for those who love deep, rich colors, and is filled with warm browns, pinks, plums, and gorgeous metallics.  With its sleek, modern design and 21 eyeshadows to choose from, the Born to Run eyeshadow palette is perfect for the globetrotting girl (and guy).  Scroll on for more photos and swatches.

NARS Full Vinyl Lip Laquer - Swatches

NARS Full Vinyl Lip Laquer ($26)

NARS summer 2018 makeup includes a range of new lip lacquers/gloss – Full Vinyl Lip Lacquers.  Available in 10 shades, these lip lacquers feature intense color and a high-shine finish.  The applicator has a unique design, with one side to be used for placing the color and the other helps to apply the color evenly.  There are a couple of shimmery colors in the range and some saturated glossy finishes without any glitter in them.  The shade range does a good job of covering most makeup styles, with colors ranging from pale champagne to vampy edgy black, and some easy-to-wear neutrals.  Scroll on for swatches.

Moroccan Spice Eyeshadow Palette - Swatches | Fenty Beauty by Rihanna

Fenty Beauty by Rihanna Moroccan Spice Eyeshadow Palette ($59)

The Moroccan Spice Eyeshadow palette is one of the new products in the Fenty Beauty range.  This sleek palette features a glossy black and purple packaging and includes a generous-sized mirror.  As always, the team at Fenty Beauty has managed to stay true to the brand, including rich colors and a mix of textures, both matte and shimmery, and creating an eyeshadow palette that would work well on many skin tones.  There are a lot of warm-toned shades – copper, bronze, and browns – and there are also some cool-neutral shades, as well as some darker, deeper eyeshadows for those who want to add some drama to the eye makeup look.  Scroll on for swatches.