Riri Woo: Swatched and compared!

Well hello there!  I was all set to post my long overdue MAC collection haul but I figured this was a bit more exciting.  The lovely Riri Woo retro matte lipstick from MAC!  I jumped in the queue as soon as it popped up (about 14 minutes prior to the "official" launch time) and snagged one with only a short wait in the virtual waiting room.  This lipstick is the first item from what will be four total collections from Rihanna's collaboration with MAC Cosmetics and "Riri Woo" will be featured in all launches.  So, if you missed it this time, you will get another chance or three.  It retails for $15.00 USD and comes in standard MAC packaging with Rihanna's engraved signature on the actual lipstick bullet.  A couple of the re-releases will be in special packaging for you collectors.

Riri Woo is a darker, bluer version of the famous "works on everyone" red, Ruby Woo.  This is the exact same formula as Ruby Woo, a retro matte, which people either love or hate.  I'm of the love squad for the formula as I know to prep my lips with MAC's Prep & Prime Lip first so it glides on smooth and doesn't dry my lips.  You can use a balm like EOS or something comparable but for mattes and the retro mattes (Ruby Woo is the only permanent color in this formula), P&P Lip never lets me down.  There are many comparison photos of Ruby Woo vs. Riri Woo out there so I decided to instead compare it to my latest fave MAC red, the LE matte "Ronnie Red"(from the Archie's Girl collection).  I wore Ronnie Red at work today until my Riri Woo was delivered in the afternoon.  Ladies and gents, ain't she a beaut?  I love this color and the velvety goodness that is the retro matte formula.  Grab one later this summer if you dig the pics below.  As always, sharing the swatches is cool as long as you give credit.  Got it?  Great!

Riri Woo: Soooo pretty!

Close-up of the Riri signature

Riri Woo on the lips w/no liner.
It makes my teeth look super white, LOL.

Ronnie Red (Top)
Riri Woo (Bottom)

Until next time....stay chic!

Beauty Supply Treasures: Kiss New York's Envy Me palettes! (Picture heavy!)

As often occurs when I go out to run errands at Target, Walmart and the like, I have an overwhelming urge to stop in the local beauty supply stores nearby.  You know, just to see what's new in lashes, hair creams and budget-conscious makeup not available at the nearest CVS/Walgreens/etc.  On a recent trip to a "Beauty & Wig," I found a new baked blush/bronzer/highlighter trio by Kiss New York for only $5.99 (MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes sell for $30 USD).  It gave me results that can stand up some of the top brands, based on swatches and early performance.

There is a palette that features a matte/satin blush but the other two have a sheen similar to some of MAC's Mineralized blushes.  The bronzers are all sunkissed/shimmery but not ridiculously glittery (I'm looking at you Physician's Formula) and the highlighters give a beautiful glow to the high points of the face.  As you will see in the pics below, the bronzer is the largest dome, followed by the blush and then the highlighter.  I find the size of each dome to be easy to work with and they are in proportion to how the products are to be used anyway (i.e. bronzer on perimeter of the face, blush on cheeks only and highlighter on small areas like the browbone, bridge of nose, top of cheekbones).

L-R: Terracotta Glow, Peach Glow, Big O Glow

If you don't like to glow, don't get these. However, if you don't mind having a little sheen on your skin, grab at least one.  I could do without the superfluous plastic dome packaging because it makes storing these a pain in the neck but I like the product so much, I'm overlooking that.  I don't know if these are available on any beauty supply store's websites but if you have access "around the way" to a "Beauty & Hair," "Hair & Wig," "Cosmo" or something similar, you can try these out for between $5-7 each.

L-R: Terracotta Glow, Peach Glow, Big O Glow

Terracotta Glow (Satin peach blush, medium bronzer, golden highlight)

"Teracotta" Glow: Note the little diagram on the label.

The Terracotta trio is the softest -toned of the three shades.

Look at that sheen.....so pretty.

Close-up to show the shimmer, which buffs in nicely.

Peach Glow

Peach Glow: This blush reminds me a bit of NARS Orgasm blush
 and the highlighter 's giving me Albatross tease.

The Big O Glow: Look at that bronzer!  

I love the way this blush so vibrant yet melts into my skin.

As you can see, you'll get quite the bang for your buck if you can locate these in your 'hood.  I think they are worth the hunt and a true treasure.  Hope you enjoyed the swatches!