MAC Cyber Lipstick

The Sultry Season: MAC Cyber Lipstick

MAC Cyber Lipstick ($14.50 for 0.10 oz.) is a deep, dark, reddened purple with a satin finish. If that description sounds familiar, it’s because it’s the same one I used to describe MAC Smoked Purple, which is virtually the same, except it is a bit more pigmented and not as glossy in its sheen–but color-wise, they are the same. If you have drier lips, Cyber will be a better bet for you–it’s not as clingy or as dry as Smoked Purple, which has a more matte finish.

Is this the right purple 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 Smoked Purple Lipstick

The Sultry Season: MAC Smoked Purple Lipstick

MAC Smoked Purple Lipstick ($14.50 for 0.10 oz.) is a deep, dark reddened purple.  It’s not exactly the purple you first think of, but I find myself always gravitating back to using the word purple to describe the color.  It’s incredibly dark, certainly vampy, and it packs quite a bit of color.  It is a little on the dry side, though nothing overwhelmingly dry (a la Ruby Woo), so do take care and prep lips by exfoliating them prior to application.

Is this the right purple 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 Summer Season: Milani Magenta Madness Lipstick

Milani Magenta Madness Lipstick ($5.00) is a darkened magenta-purple with a violet sheen. It’s like a much more purple, almost downplayed version of MAC Show Orchid. It’s as if MAC Violetta and MAC Show Orchid had a baby, actually. Magenta Madness has good color pay off and applies evenly and smoothly. If you’re not sensitive to scents (synthetic ones, in particular), Milani is a great brand for highly pigmented lipsticks at a budget-friendly price.

Is this the right purple lipstick for you? Would you wear it?

The Summer Season is a series of posts featuring bright, vibrant shades of coral, orange, and pink lipsticks and lipglosses — all perfect for a summer of fun — that runs through July 2010.

See photos and swatches…

Milani Magenta Madness Lipstick

Illamasqua Fierce Intense Lipgloss

The Summer Season: Illamasqua Fierce Intense Lipgloss

Illamasqua Intense Lipgloss Fierce ($19.00 for 0.20 oz.) is a medium violet purple. Yes, it’s really, truly a purple lipgloss. This isn’t a hint of violet, a smidgen of purple–it is undeniably purple. I don’t, personally, think I’d wear this shade alone, but I’d work it with a red or burgundy lipstick mixed with it for something I could wear. Though I experienced no bleeding and the gloss goes on beautifully–smooth, evenly, and mostly opaque–the natural color of the edges of my lips are visible–I recommend using a lip brush to apply and a magenta or purple lip liner underneath. I think this will yield the most impacting pout if you’re going full-force purple.

Is this the right purple lipstick for you? Would you wear it?

The Summer Season is a series of posts featuring bright, vibrant shades of coral, orange, and pink lipsticks and lipglosses — all perfect for a summer of fun — that runs through July 2010.

See photos and swatches…

Dolce & Gabbana Violet Lipstick

The Summer Season: Dolce & Gabbana Violet Lipstick

Dolce & Gabbana Violet (#100) Shine Lipstick ($30.00) is a creamy, magenta purple with a very glossy, squishy look. It’s quite pigmented–nearly opaque–and feels incredible on lips. It’s smooth, applies evenly, and looks practically wet on lips. The lipstick has a noticeable rosy scent which may be too much for some, but luckily, I don’t mind heavier scented lipsticks, and I find that it’s not noticeable (to me, at least) when I wear it–it’s more of a scent you can smell when you smell the tube.

I have to admit I was surprised about this shade, because even though I had high hopes for a shade called “Violet,” I didn’t think I’d find a color that’s really not represented by many of the ultra high-end brands.

Is this the right purple lipstick for you? Would you wear it?

The Summer Season is a series of posts featuring bright, vibrant shades of coral, orange, and pink lipsticks and lipglosses — all perfect for a summer of fun — that runs through July 2010.

See photos and swatches…

The Summer Season: MAC Violetta Lipstick

MAC Violetta Lipstick ($14.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a red-based violet purple with a glossy sheen. It has an amplified creme finish and a permanent PRO shade (which does, occasionally, make an appearance on maccosmetics.com as part of seasonal trend reports). It has a very reddish-purple base with more of a true violet iridescent/overlay, but it looks cohesive once applied. Personally, I don’t wear Violetta on its own, but I love pairing it with iridescent or milky pinks as well as fuchsias to brighten it.

Is this the right purple lipstick for you? Would you wear it?

The Summer Season is a series of posts featuring bright, vibrant shades of coral, orange, and pink lipsticks and lipglosses — all perfect for a summer of fun — that runs through July 2010.

See photos and swatches…

MAC Violetta Lipstick