The Sultry Season: NYX Violet Ray Lipstick

NYX Violet Ray Round Lipstick ($4.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a deep raspberry red with fuchsia sheen.  it’s semi-opaque and goes on a touch streaky, but it’s a great affordable option for a sultry lip this season.  It wears about three to four hours, but it’s not drying at all.  I like how there is some glossiness in the finish, which helps to make it look smoother.  This is a versatile shade that works for the vampier fall lip but also as more festive holiday lip color.

Is this the right berry for you? Would you wear it?

The Sultry Season is a series of posts featuring deep, rich shades of brown, berry, plum, and wine lipsticks and lipglosses — just right for autumn — that runs through October 2010.

See photos and swatches…

NYX Violet Ray Lipstick

The Sultry Season: Tom Ford Moroccan Rouge Lipstick

Tom Ford Moroccan Rouge Lip Color ($45.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a reddened plum with subtle fuchsia micro-shimmer.  It is nearly opaque, but you can see my lip freckle peeking through just slightly.  There’s a nice glossy shine while the lipstick itself is creamy and applies like a dream.  All of Tom Ford’s lipsticks are vanilla-scented but taste-free, and I get about five or six hours of wear with darker shades like Moroccan Rouge.

You can see previous reviews of Tom Ford’s lipsticks here.

Is this the right berry for you? Would you wear it?

The Sultry Season is a series of posts featuring deep, rich shades of brown, berry, plum, and wine lipsticks and lipglosses — just right for autumn — that runs through October 2010.

See photos and swatches…

Tom Ford Moroccan Rouge Lipstick

The Sultry Season: Maybelline Bit of Berry Lipstick

Maybelline Bit of Berry Lipstick ($8.29 for 0.15 oz.) is a beautiful plummy pink cream with rich, opaque color and a slightly glossy sheen.  This is what I consider a drugstore gem, and it’s definitely one of the best Color Sensational lipsticks I’ve come across in texture and consistency, as well.  It’s very creamy, which makes application a cinch, but it’s also incredibly pigmented and completely covers my lip freckle!  I love that the color isn’t too cool, either.  It lasts three to four hours on me, which is about average.  I wish the lipstick smelled less synthetic and sweet, but otherwise, this one’s a keeper.

(You should be able to pick one up for less than $8, which is full retail price–drugstore.com has it for $6.22 at the moment.)

Is this the right berry for you? Would you wear it?

The Sultry Season is a series of posts featuring deep, rich shades of brown, berry, plum, and wine lipsticks and lipglosses — just right for autumn — that runs through October 2010.

See photos and swatches…

Most awkward smile ever, LOL! Sorry!

Maybelline Bit of Berry Lipstick

Hourglass Nocturnal Lipstick

The Sultry Season: Hourglass Nocturnal Lipstick

Hourglass Nocturnal Femme Rouge Velvet Creme Lipstick ($30.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a softened raspberry pink with a subtle sheen.  It’s a rich, opaque shade that applies in just one or two layers (depending on the pressure).  It’s lightweight, moisturizing enough to wear for hours without needing gloss on top or balm underneath.  There’s a very faint vanilla scent but no taste. It is also supposed to be refillable, but I haven’t yet spotted refills available, though I have heard they are coming and will only be available via Hourglass’ website.

Hourglass touts the Femme Rouge line to be water-resistant, long-lasting, and moisturizing, and it delivers pretty well on all three points.  Just don’t interpret water-resistant as “I can drink a cup of coffee and no lipstick stains will be left on the cup,” because in reality, water-resistant really means water won’t make it slip off, but pressing your lips against a glass will.  It transfers a lot less than the average lipstick, and it does make it through a cuppa java well enough not to need reapplication.  Otherwise, it wears four to six hours on me, and my lips don’t feel dried out after wearing it for a full six hours.

Is this the right berry for you? Would you wear it?

The Sultry Season is a series of posts featuring deep, rich shades of brown, berry, plum, and wine lipsticks and lipglosses — just right for autumn — that runs through October 2010.

See photos and swatches…

The Sultry Season: Benefit Ms. Behavin’ Lipstick Lipstick

Benefit Ms. Behavin’ Lipstick ($18.00 for oz.) is creamy mulberry in their Silky Finish line-up.  It’s a reddened berry with dark fuchsia micro-shimmer.  It has a very glaze-like finish–it’s got that look of a sheer lipstick, but it’s not that sheer (though it’s not opaque!).  There’s a nice natural glossiness to the lipstick as well, so it can be worn alone without looking dry.  I find Benefit’s Silky Finish lipsticks are moisturizing, lightweight, and comfortable to wear.

Is this the right berry for you? Would you wear it?

The Sultry Season is a series of posts featuring deep, rich shades of brown, berry, plum, and wine lipsticks and lipglosses — just right for autumn — that runs through October 2010.

See photos and swatches…

Benefit Ms. Behavin’ Lipstick

The Sultry Season: MAC Odyssey Lipstick

MAC Odyssey Lipstick ($14.50 for 0.10 oz.) is an opaque, berry-wine with a frost finish.  Odyssey is definitely a staple MAC shade for me–it’s perfect for the fall and winter, but it’s not too dark.  It’s a great choice for someone who doesn’t quite want to go ultra dark but still wants something with more depth than a milky pink, too.  It works well on both cool and warm skin tones, and it’s not overly frosty either.   During the holidays, you can add a little gold or red lipgloss to make it more festive.

Is this the right berry for you? Would you wear it?

The Sultry Season is a series of posts featuring deep, rich shades of brown, berry, plum, and wine lipsticks and lipglosses — just right for autumn — that runs through October 2010.

See photos and swatches…

MAC Odyssey Lipstick