Lips Archives - The Beauty Look Book

New Prada Beauty Launches

June 17, 2025

I have a roundup review of some new Prada Beauty launches. They just launched a new Light Glowing Lip Oil Stick ($50 each) and Light Glowing Highlighter Powder ($90 each). I also have some quick swatches of the Dimensions Multi-Effect Eyeshadow Palettes ($85 each) I’ve tested in today’s post. All the items are refillable. I picked mine up from Nordstrom but you can also find the launches at Sephora and Prada Beauty.

Light Glowing Lip Oil Stick

There are four shades of the Prada Light Glowing Lip Oil Stick available in the US (I think other countries might have a few more shades). I picked up the tinted ones and love the formula. They’re smooth, comfortable, hydrating and feel ultra luxurious on the lips. The pigment is very sheer though and gives the lips a barely there tint. You can definitely bring out the color with a coordinating lip pencil, but on their own they are so sheer, I don’t know that the lack of pigment justifies the steep price tag. The formula is also very soft. While I didn’t experience any breakage due to the softness, they have shifted from the base a little after application so there are dents on the sides of the lip balm from the packaging.

U016 is a light pink
U018 is also a light pink, but slightly deeper
U019 is a soft brown

I am happy with the splurges although given my darker lip tone I would have skipped U016 if I had known how sheer it would be on my lips. If you prefer something with more pigment the Hydrating Lip Balm has better color payoff (I really like the Shade Guava). Or I would recommend opting for any of the YSL tinted balms like the Candy Glow or Candy Glaze (also still spendy but not quite as expensive).

Since these are balmy oils and sheer the lasting power isn’t going to be long with these but they are easy to reapply without a mirror.

Light Glowing Highlighter Powder

I did a poll on whether or not you were interested in the new Light Glowing Highlighter Powders and most of you were turned off by the steep price tag. I do think the price is outrageous but I was really impressed with these highlighters. The colors are just SO beautiful with the perfect amount of glow. I love all three and think the texture and pigment is SO stunning, I nearly forgot about the sticker shock after swatching these.

1 Champagne is a light cool champagne on my golden olive skin, if you have light or fair skin tones I think this won’t look as pink on you as it does my skin

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2 Pink is a stunning soft cool pink

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3 Deep is a soft bronzed shimmer, it’s a skin but better tone on me

I am still struggling with some texture and dry patches on my face so it did emphasize my texture a little bit, but with a lighter hand and good blending I really love how they look on the skin. Are they worth $90? I don’t think so, but I am still very happy with the splurge. Below wearing the following lip and cheek combos, also wearing:

Foundation Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Foundation BD41
Concealer YSL Touche Eclat Shade 3
Powder Chanel Poudre Universelle Libre Shade 30
Eyeshadow Prada Dimensions Multi-Effect Eyeshadow Palette Shade 08 + 09
Eyeliner Victoria Beckham Beauty Satin Kajal Cocoa
Mascara Prada Pradascope Lash Mascara
Brows Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer in Caramel
Hair BaByliss Pro Curling Wand (1.25 inch)
Earrings Mejuri Plush Small Hoops

Light Glowing Highlighter Shade 1 Champagne and Glowing Lip Oil Stick 016 Rose, quick note, I applied the highlighter with a heavier hand to show the color, but for normal makeup wear I would combine this with a regular blush or bronzer and apply the highlighter just as a softer highlight

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Light Glowing Highlighter Shade 2 Pink and Glowing Lip Oil Stick 018 Pink

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Light Glowing Highlighter Shade 3 Deep and Glowing Lip Oil Stick 019 Brown

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Dimensions Multi-Effect Eyeshadow Palettes

Last we have a look at the Prada Dimensions Multi-Effect Eyeshadow Palettes. These are super finely milled palettes with an ultra smooth texture. They remind me of the eyeshadows from Surratt and Cle de Peau with the soft powdery almost creamy texture. I think the color combinations are SO beautiful but I have very dry eyelids so this kind of texture tends to look dry on my eyes if I pack the color on. Each palette has a good mix of finishes. I think the tones are beautiful and well thought out.

I had such high hopes for Peony but the colors match my skin tone so closely I cannot see any color payoff on my eyes. Pansy shows up better but still gives a very natural eye look. Primula has the best color payoff. I really wanted to love at least one of these for an everyday look but in the time I’ve had them I haven’t reached for very much.

Based on the feedback I’ve received from most of you it appears I’m in the minority with my eyelid area being dry, so if your eyelids are normal or oily I think these should wear very well on you.

06 Pulp has a rosewood matte, shimmery champagne, satiny yellow beige and sheer reddish pink matte
07 Peony has the most beautiful mix of soft neutrals, I really wish these showed up on my skin tone
08 Pansy has a dusty rose pink, soft satin tan, light warm pink, shimmery champagne with a duochrome shift
09 Primula has a dusty caramel tan, deep brown, brick brown and brown with green shift

Overall really love the highlighters, lip oil sticks are really pretty but so sheer I don’t know how I feel about the splurge. Eyeshadows aren’t bad, but the formula and colors aren’t something I am super in love with.

Available at Nordstrom, Sephora and Prada Beauty.

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Lips

Valentino Puffer Lip Plumper Gloss

May 29, 2025

Valentino Beauty launched a new plumping gloss called the Puffer Lip Gloss ($38 each, Nordstrom and Sephora). I received a couple shades in PR but also picked up three as the shades looked really pretty in store.

These are sheer to medium in coverage although some of the shades have more coverage than others. The plumping effect is pretty visible and the tingle and stinging sensation is strong although I didn’t get numb lips and I was able to wear these without issue.

On a scale of 1-10 for tingle I would rate these a 7.5 to 8 for stinging. They’re not quite as strong as the YSL or Charlotte Tilbury ones but still strong enough that I feel them. If you have sensitive lips I recommend proceeding with caution.

I think the colors are really pretty. Out of the shades I tried there was only one I wasn’t a huge fan of (mainly because it was so sheer).

Also wearing:

Foundation – Chanel Les Beiges Water-Fresh Tint in Medium Plus
Powder – Chantecaille Compact Makeup Powder Foundation in Cashew
Blush – Valentino Eye2Cheek Blush Shade 6
Eyeshadow – Makeup By Mario Master Mattes Eyeshadow Palette
Eyeliner – Hourglass Voyeur Gel Eyeliner in Obsidian
Mascara – Dior Diorshow Overvolume Mascara
Brows – Anastasia Brow Definer in Caramel
Tank – FP Movement
Earrings – James Allen Lab Diamonds (LOVE these!!, I bought these for myself for my birthday)
Nail Polish – Olive and June Quick Dry in Puffball (3 coats but it’s a perfect milky baby pink)

00R Dazzling Mermaid is a sheer sparkling holographic shade, this was almost clear on my lips

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300R In My Glowing Era is SO beautiful, I wish it had a little more pigment, but I love the iridescent pink shimmer and glow in this

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302R Extra Pink is a bright baby pink cream, I think it’s a flattering one and really pretty, I am now on a mission to find a lipstick this color since most baby pinks pull too pastel on me, but this one is perfect

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103R Don’t Be So Nude is a peachy nude rose with a tiny bit of shimmer, this pulls sheer so it’s almost like my lips but better, I would LOVE this in a pigmented gloss or lipstick form

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122A Warm Up is a pretty milky brown toffee shade, it also has a tiny bit of shimmer but the shimmer isn’t really visible on the lips

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Overall I really like them. Since they do sting/tingle I don’t know how often I will be reaching for them although if I apply a lip primer underneath it acts like a buffer in between my lips and the product.

Available at Nordstrom and Sephora.

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Lips YSL Beauty

New YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil, Loveshine + Candy Glaze Shades

March 19, 2025

YSL Beauty has some new lip launches for spring! As a huge fan of YSL lip colors I was excited to try the new Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss ($40 each). They’ve also added some new shades of the Loveshine Lip Oil Stick ($45 each) and Candy Glaze Lip Gloss Stick ($42). After putting to these to the test I have some hits and misses.

Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss

I received four of the new YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss as press samples. The gloss is smooth and non-sticky with stunning colors. These have beautiful packaging with a plush applicator. Pigment is 10/10 on point with perfect coverage and a nice glossy finish. These have Spicy Ginger and Pepper Oils and they have a noticeable spicy gingery scent. Plumping effect is very strong and noticeable within minutes. On me there’s a medium level for a plumping sting but the tingle is INTENSE on my lips with a slight numbing heated sensation.

They’re not as painful as the Fenty Gloss Bomb Heat, Charlotte Tilbury Plumpgasm Gloss or Maybelline Lifter Plump Gloss, but the tingle is still very strong and I found them too strong for my sensitive lips. On a tingle scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the most painful) I’d rate the YSL tingle level 8.5.

02 Lucky Moonstone is a sheer glossy light pink

44 Nude Lavalliere is a pretty neutral pink

1 Thunder Stealer is a stunning lilac with gold shimmer

8 Purple Dream is a pretty reddish plum

If your lips can handle the tingle, I do think the colors and finish are exceptionally beautiful. For me I have tried these on a few different days and I’ve decided these unfortunately are too strong for me. These launch at Sephora on 3/28 (on the app) and 3/29 online.

New Shades Loveshine Lip Oil Stick + Candy Glaze

I’m always excited for new shades of the YSL tinted balms. There are two new shades of the Candy Glaze which is my favorite formula from YSL. It’s on the thicker side but in a good way so the colors adhere well to the lips and they stay put longer than other tinted balms. They added 44 Nude Lavalliere to the lineup which is a pretty cool toned pink and 16 Watermelon High which is a warm rose. I love the colors and finish.

YSL also added new shades of the Loveshine Lip Oil Stick in 213 Pink Trip and 214 Wet Guava. Both are beautiful soft pink neutrals but since they are sheer they both look very similar on my pigmented lips. I pulled a few other pinkish neutrals I have in the same formula. While they look different swatched on the arm, on my lips they look so similar. I think I have a slight preference for Wet Guava if I had to pick just one. Both formulas/shades are all out now at Sephora.

Overall love the new Candy Glaze shades. I think the new Loveshines are pretty and will probably show up better on most of you. My natural lips are on the darker side so sheer shades don’t always show up on my lips. As much as I love the colors and finish, I think the new Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Glosses are a pass for me mainly because I can’t handle the tingle.

Available at Sephora.

Press samples sent for the oils and the others were purchased by me.

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Chanel Lips

Chanel Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue – New Shades

March 6, 2025

Chanel launched five new shades of the liquid lipstick Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue ($50 each). I’m not usually a fan of liquid lipstick formulas as they tend to look very dry on me but this one has a good glossy clear top coat on one end to seal the color and add a beautiful shine.

I picked up three of the five shades and think all three are really pretty.

186 Pink Nude is a soft neutral pink

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188 Caramel Beige is a beige brown neutral

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192 Coral Pink is a coral pink, this one applies brighter on my lips with the drydown compared to what I see in the tube

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With these I recommend applying a thin even coat first and letting them dry. If you apply too much on the lips, once it dries the product will look a bit cracked/dry. I let it set for a minute and then add the top coat. For me the top coat is essential otherwise the liquid lipstick underneath feels a bit sticky/tacky feeling. The gloss adds a nice smooth shine to the look.

I swatched a few comparisons below, many of my favorites have been discontinued. I included the numbers on them since it appears they launched a shade Intense Nude 194 in this new launch but it’s different from the Intense Nude 152 from a few years ago. These look dry in the swatches but I can assure you the top coat makes all the difference!

Pink neutrals can be tricky for me to pull of with any cool undertone but this one is perfect. Overall love for a longwear liquid lip. I still prefer a traditional lipstick or gloss format, but in terms of liquid lip formulas these are my favorite.

Available now at Chanel.com. I purchased mine from a boutique.

The new Camelia Futura Collection is live online now too and I will have a review as soon as I can post it!

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Fenty Beauty Lips

Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Sticks

March 4, 2025

Fenty launched a shimmer version of my favorite lipstick formula called the Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Sticks ($25 each). As a huge fan of the regular Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix (non-shimmer version) I ordered these immediately. They are stunning for sure but they are a little outside of my comfort zone.

Formula is thick and creamy with full opaque coverage. They have a glossy finish and the sparkle is intense. They perform just the same as the non-shimmer version, but the shimmers do have a slightly transparent quality so your natural lip (or lip liner) will show through.

The shimmer is indeed “high” and they’re more like glitter on the lips. I saw a few reviews describe this as a glitter explosion and I think that is a perfect description. The formula is still surprisingly smooth without any texture even though the sparkle is very intense. It has been a while since I’ve tried a lipstick with THIS much sparkle and as much as I love a good shimmer, my first impression was that the shimmer is too much but I put all the shades to the test and some are more wearable than others for my lip tone.

I think they actually photograph better than they look in real life and I think these would be super cute for special or going out occasions where you want a fun look.

I do really love Fu$$y and Fenty Glow the best. I love the undertone of C U in Maui but this one is a glitter explosion on my lips. Icy Amethy$t is fun for a more trendy lavender shift kind of shade, I think it’s really fun.

Wearing each shade below, also wearing:

Foundation – Dior Forever Perfect Foundation Stick 2.5N + Saie Super Glowy Gel Warmglow
Powder – Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Powder in Medium
Bronzer – Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer Luminous Bronze Light (reviewed here back in 2017, time flies!)
Eyeshadow – Natasha Denona I Need a Warm Nude Palette (review + swatches here)
Brows – Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil Shade 2.5
Mascara – Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes Mascara

Overall fun, I’m not sure I can pull them off, but I still think they’re really pretty. I personally prefer the original Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix (reviewed here) but the NEW High-Shimmer colors in the Fu$$y and Fenty Glow are beautiful.

Available now at Ulta Beauty, Sephora, Kohl’s x Sephora and Fenty Beauty.

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Lips

Rhode Peptide Lip Shape Review

February 27, 2025

Rhode launched a new lip pencil called the Peptide Lip Shape – The Contouring Lip Shaper ($24 each). I loved the teasers and as a huge fan of neutrals I was very excited to try these. I shared a try-on in action here and I was really surprised by the feedback! The feedback was very mixed and after trying these for nearly two weeks I finally have my review.

The Peptide Lip Shape is a creamy twist up lip product that I’d say is in between a lip liner and chubby stick. The formula is creamy and glides on with a very smooth application, but it has a semi-matte looking finish.

I think the colors are SO beautiful, but only a few work for me. Lighter neutrals are so difficult for me to wear because I have a darker lip tone and while many look SO good swatched on my hand, they end up looking ashy or dry on my lips because of the contrast (ie MAC Crème Cup, Blankety and Myth or Tom Ford Blush Nude look like white out on my lips).

Shades I hauled:

Bend is a peach brown beige
Twist is a neutral light brown
Lift is a light dusty pink
Lunge is a rosy beige tan
Press is a pink mauve tone
Lean is a medium brown
Balance coffee caramel brown

The biggest complaint I saw was about the lasting power and I semi disagree with the rants that came across the comments and messages about these. These aren’t long-wear lip pencils and I think most of you who were disappointed expected this to be like a lip liner. The texture of the Peptide Lip Shape is softer and the pigment/texture isn’t dense like a pencil so it’s more like a lipstick in pencil form. They’re designed to be more like a contour rather than a definer.

That being said the lasting power isn’t the best but they definitely do not disappear immediately. If I wear these all over the lip, they fade the fastest from the center of the lip, but they do linger around the edges a long time on me.

I really love the idea and concept, but I don’t love the formula. I also don’t hate them. I like these best when topped with a gloss. If I were to do my order over I would have only picked up Lunge and Press. I can make the others work with an added gloss but this makes them more high maintenance than I would like.

Swatches:

Below wearing: Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5, Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Powder in Medium, Rhode Pocket Blush in Freckle, Tom Ford Eyeshadow Quad in Peach Glamour + Makeup by Mario Master Mattes, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer Caramel, Tarte Lights, Camera Lashes Mascara

So bottom line, if you ask me are these worth the purchase? I would say they’re ok, but there are better formulas out there and I prefer a regular lip pencil than a chubby stick. I do think the Ilia Lip Sketch for a similar concept (chubby stick) is better, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the finish. The Pat McGrath Dramatique Lip Pencils are much better for lasting power, but these also pull matte and I think in general I just feel better with a glossy lip vs something that is matte. Chanel had the most incredible Lip Crayon back in the day, they’ve since discontinued it, but it was the best lip crayon I tried.

You can find the Peptide Lip Shape now at Rhode Skin.

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Lips Skincare

Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Polypeptide Lip Serum

February 24, 2025

Laneige launched a tinted lip balm called the Glaze Craze Tinted Polypeptide Lip Serum ($22 each, Sephora, Kohl’s and Laneige). I’m a huge fan of the Lip Glowy Balms and was really excited to see a new tinted lip product from Laneige!

The Glaze Craze Tinted Lip Serums are donut-inspired and each one has a different sweet gourmand scent. I really love the scents they created – they’re sweet but not too sweet. They smell like chocolate to me.

Formula is smooth, non sticky but still balmy/glossy feeling. They feel very hydrating on the lips and the pigment is just perfect for a tinted balm. The colors show up but they still have a natural looking tint to them. I think each color they created is 10/10 beautiful and very flattering.

Sugar Glaze is a tan beige brown
Peach Glaze is a pink peach
Cinnamon Sugar is a mauve cream shade
Chocolate Frosting is a chocolate brown with a reddish undertone

Below wearing:

Foundation – Armani Luminous Silk Foundation in 6.5
Powder – Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Powder in Medium
Blush – rhode Pocket Blush in Freckle
Highlighter – Chanel Jeux de Lumiere Spring 2025
Eyeshadow – Tom Ford Eyeshadow Palette in Peach Glamour
Eyeliner – Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal in Cocoa
Brows – Glossier Boy Brow Arch in Cool Brown
Mascara – L’Oreal Paradise Big Deal
Tank – Aritzia (runs small, recommend sizing up)

Laneige Sugar Glaze

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Laneige Peach Glaze

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Laneige Cinnamon Sugar

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Laneige Chocolate Frosting

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There are a few features of the serums that I’m a little iffy about – none of these are deal breakers for me, but several of you mentioned these in your DMs to me so I thought I’d point them out too. Texture can be a little thick if you apply too much product, but they are easy to blend out.

I’m undecided about the applicator they made for these balms. The Glaze Craze Lip Serums come with a cushiony donut-shaped applicator. It’s soft and squishy and I give Laneige five stars for innovation, but it can be cumbersome to use as it makes precise application challenging. Also the tip can get very messy and a little goopy over time with the product oozing.

There was one shade that seemed to settle and separate into my lip lines on bare lips (the Peach Glaze), but this can be fixed if I apply a lip liner underneath.

Overall I am happy with the purchase especially since the pigment level is exactly what I want in a tinted balm. I love that they’re not too sheer. A lot of you wanted to know how these compared to Summer Fridays Lip Butter Balms and I feel like they are very different. The Summer Fridays balms are a little thinner in texture with just a sheer hint of color while the Laneige serums is thicker and more opaque. If you like the concept of a tinted lip product that is hydrating but want something more budget-friendly, I also recommend checking out the e.l.f. Glow Reviver Lip Oils. While the formulas are not really the same, I have been a big fan of them for a tinted lip hydrator and I think they also have really great colors.

I pulled some swatches to some other balms/oils and a few glosses to compare for color.

Available now at Sephora, Kohl’s and Laneige. Have you tried these yet? What did you think?

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Older Posts

Lips

New Prada Beauty Launches

Light Glowing Lip Oil Stick

Light Glowing Highlighter Powder

Dimensions Multi-Effect Eyeshadow Palettes

Valentino Puffer Lip Plumper Gloss

New YSL Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil, Loveshine + Candy Glaze Shades

Loveshine Plumping Lip Oil Gloss

New Shades Loveshine Lip Oil Stick + Candy Glaze

Chanel Le Rouge Duo Ultra Tenue – New Shades

Fenty Gloss Bomb Stix High-Shimmer Gloss Sticks

Rhode Peptide Lip Shape Review

Laneige Glaze Craze Tinted Polypeptide Lip Serum

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