Korres Lip Butter ($12.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a tinted lip balm; it promises a “shiny, tinted finish” with a “rich buttery” texture that “leaves lips deeply moisturized.” It appears that Korres is exiting Sephora, but Beautylish carries quite a few of Korres’ products, including the Lip Butters (which I had trouble finding at any other retailers)–readers are reporting that some local Sephoras will be keeping the skincare range, so we’ll see what stays and goes! Each shade in the range has a scent that is similar to its name, so Quince has a sweet, almost fruity scent, while Wild Rose has a subtle rosy scent, but both are subtle and I really didn’t notice them until I went back to double-check. The formula is light-medium in thickness, smooth, gel-like, and comfortable to wear. It’s very hydrating while worn as well as for a few hours after the color and shine have worn away. They are shorter-wearing, and they’re in a pot, which may be a deal-breaker for some.

Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter ($12.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a cool-toned, reddish-berry with a glossy shine. It had semi-sheer color coverage where lips were noticeably tinted but the color was still translucent. It wore well for two and a half hours. Revlon Fuchsia Finery (P, $7.99) is cooler-toned. MAC Astral (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery. Milani Berry Tempting (05) (P, $5.49) is darker. See comparison swatches.

Korres Quince Lip Butter ($12.00 for 0.21 oz.) is a medium, rosy pink with subtle neutral-to-warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had semi-sheer color; a noticeable tint that helped to brighten and even out my natural lip color while amplifying the pink tones to it. The color wore well for two and a half hours. Urban Decay Flushed (P, $19.00) is lighter, more opaque. Paul and Joe Beaute Carnaval (06) (P, $29.00) is is lighter. Maybelline Captivating Carnation (080) (P, $8.99) is cooler-toned. See comparison swatches.

Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter

Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter

Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter

Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter

Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter

Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter

Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter

Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter

Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter

Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter

Korres Quince Lip Butter

Korres Quince Lip Butter

Korres Quince Lip Butter

Korres Quince Lip Butter

Korres Quince Lip Butter

Korres Quince Lip Butter

Korres Quince Lip Butter

Korres Quince Lip Butter

Navy Blue Eyeliners: Your Guide

I think navy blue might be the color I have the most shades for!

1. Bobbi Brown Black Navy is a deep, dark navy that almost looks purple.
2. Make Up For Ever #8K is a deep navy blue. It is a touch darker than Dolce & Gabbana #8.
3. bareMinerals Noon is a blackened navy blue. (LE)
4. Dolce & Gabbana #8 is a deep navy blue with a sheen. It is a bit lighter than MUFE #8K.
5. Estee Lauder Blackened Sapphire is a rich, blackened navy blue with a matte finish. (LE)
6. MAC Marine Ultra is a lighter, but a darker blue with more brightness than other shades here.
7. MAC Prussian is a navy blue with a purple tinge and a soft sheen.
8. MAC Blooz is a blackened navy blue with a hint of purple. It is very similar to Givenchy #14.
9. Givenchy #14 is a blackened navy blue with a hint of purple. It is very similar to MAC Blooz.
10. NARS Rue Saint-Honore is a dark navy blue with a soft sheen. It is a touch more intense compared to Dolce & Gabbana #8 and MUFE #8K.
11. YSL Oriental Blue #3 is a rich, navy blue with a matte finish. It is a touch lighter than La Prairie Midnight Blue.
12. Korres #9 is a teal-ish blue (looked navy blue in the pencil!). (DC)
13. La Prairie Midnight Blue is a rich, navy blue with a matte finish. It is a bit darker than YSL Oriental Blue.
14. Chanel Marine is a shimmering navy blue.
15. Make Up For Ever #3L is a blackened navy blue with soft sparkle.
16. MAC Fly-By-Blu is a lightened blue over a blackened navy base. (LE)
17. MAC Petrol Blue is a dark navy blue with sparkle over a blackened blue base. This shade is similar to MUFE #8K and D&G #8.
18. MAC Blue Stripe is a blackened navy blue with a subtle sheen. It is darker and less sparkly compared to MAC Petrol Blue, and a touch darker than MUFE #3L.
19. Urban Decay Binge is a lightened navy blue with a hint of purple; it is a bit lighter than the other navy blues here.
20. Tarina Tarantino Cute Robot is a rich navy blue over a blackened navy base. It is comparable to NARS Rue Saint-Honore and MAC Petrol Blue.
21. MAC Sense of Style is a darkened, teal-blue with a black base. (LE)
22. MAC Navy Stain is a navy blue with subtle sheen.
23. MAC Hyacinth is a medium-dark blue with a matte finish. (LE)
24. MAC Industrial is a lightened, medium blue with a brownish-black base. It is similar to MAC Fly-By-Blu, but it has a lighter base.
25. Urban Decay LSD is medium blue sparkle over a blackened navy base. It is a bit like MAC Fly-By-Blu. (LE)
26. Make Up For Ever #15L is a darkened cornflower blue with a barely-there sheen.

TEMPTALIA PICKS:  #5 (pigmentation, texture), #17 (intensity), #20 (pigmentation, longevity), #26 (uniqueness, longevity)

Behind-the-Series:  It was my intention to provide heavy, opaque swatches to provide an accurate color comparison.  Some eyeliners required one pass, some required five, and a few even more.  When possible, the shade name (above) is linked to the original review so you can read more about the quality, wear, etc. of a particular eyeliner.  If we’ve never done a review, there will be no link.  Shades that were limited edition will be marked with “(LE)” and shades that were discontinued will be marked with “(DC)” after the color description.  You can also find all comparisons on The Dupe List.

What’s your favorite navy blue Eyeliner? How do you like to use it?

See more swatches & comparisons!

Navy Blue Eyeliners: BB Black Navy, MUFE #8K, bareMinerals Noon,
D&G 8, EL Blackened Sapphire, MAC Marine Ultra, MAC Prussian, MAC Blooz,
Givenchy #14, NARS Rue Saint-Honore, YSL #3, Korres #9, La Prairie Midnight
Blue, Chanel Marine, MUFE #3L, MAC Fly-By-Blue, MAC Petrol Blue,
MAC Blue Stripe, UD Binge, TT Cute Robot, MAC Sense of Style,
MAC Navy Stain, MAC Hyacinth, MAC Industrial, UD LSD, MUFE #15L

Navy Blue Eyeliners: BB Black Navy, MUFE #8K, bareMinerals Noon,
D&G 8, EL Blackened Sapphire, MAC Marine Ultra, MAC Prussian, MAC Blooz,
Givenchy #14, NARS Rue Saint-Honore, YSL #3

Navy Blue Eyeliners: MAC Marine Ultra, MAC Prussian, MAC Blooz,
Givenchy #14, NARS Rue Saint-Honore, YSL #3, Korres #9, La Prairie Midnight
Blue, Chanel Marine, MUFE #3L, MAC Fly-By-Blue, MAC Petrol Blue,
MAC Blue Stripe, UD Binge

Navy Blue Eyeliners: MAC Fly-By-Blue, MAC Petrol Blue, MAC Blue Stripe,
UD Binge, TT Cute Robot, MAC Sense of Style, MAC Navy Stain, MAC Hyacinth,
MAC Industrial, UD LSD, MUFE #15L

Navy Blue Eyeliners: BB Black Navy, MUFE #8K, bareMinerals Noon,
D&G 8, EL Blackened Sapphire, MAC Marine Ultra, MAC Prussian, MAC Blooz

Navy Blue Eyeliners: MAC Prussian, MAC Blooz, Givenchy #14,
NARS Rue Saint-Honore, YSL #3, Korres #9, La Prairie Midnight Blue

Navy Blue Eyeliners: YSL #3, Korres #9, La Prairie Midnight Blue, Chanel
Marine, MUFE #3L, MAC Fly-By-Blue, MAC Petrol Blue, MAC Blue Stripe

Navy Blue Eyeliners: MAC Blue Stripe, UD Binge, TT Cute Robot,
MAC Sense of Style, MAC Navy Stain, MAC Hyacinth, MAC Industrial,
UD LSD, MUFE #15L

Dark Green Eyeliners: Your Guide

These are some of the dark greens that I had that didn’t seem like they fit in well elsewhere–a couple of these turned out more olive green than I anticipated!

1. Make Up For Ever #19L is a muted, dark green.
2. NARS Rue de Rivoli is a dirty green with hints of brown and bronze shimmer. It is a touch darker compared to Dolce & Gabbana Green Almond.
3. MAC Forever Green is a warm, olive-toned brown with hints of green sheen.
4. Urban Decay Mildew is a darkened green with subtle brown undertones.
5. shu uemura ME Green 07 is a minted green.
6. Korres #4 is a muted, mossy green with a matte finish. (DC)
7. Dolce & Gabbana Green Almond is a darkened green with a brow base. It is lighter than NARS Rue de Rovli.

TEMPTALIA PICKS:  #4 (pigmentation, longevity)

Behind-the-Series:  It was my intention to provide heavy, opaque swatches to provide an accurate color comparison.  Some eyeliners required one pass, some required five, and a few even more.  When possible, the shade name (above) is linked to the original review so you can read more about the quality, wear, etc. of a particular eyeliner.  If we’ve never done a review, there will be no link.  Shades that were limited edition will be marked with “(LE)” and shades that were discontinued will be marked with “(DC)” after the color description.  You can also find all comparisons on The Dupe List.

What’s your favorite Dark Green Eyeliner? How do you like to use it?

See more swatches & comparisons!

Dark Green Eyeliners: MUFE #19L, NARS Rue de Rivoli, MAC Forever Green,
UD Mildew, shu uemura ME Green 07, Korres #4, D&G Green Almond

Dark Green Eyeliners: MUFE #19L, NARS Rue de Rivoli, MAC Forever Green,
UD Mildew, shu uemura ME Green 07, Korres #4, D&G Green Almond

Dark Green Eyeliners: MUFE #19L, NARS Rue de Rivoli, MAC Forever Green,
UD Mildew

Dark Green Eyeliners: UD Mildew, shu uemura ME Green 07, Korres #4, D&G Green Almond

Gold Eyeliners: Your Guide

I say I love this color and that color, but it’s more apparent that I love all colors, really.  More gold eyeliner than you could fill a treasure chest with…

1. Giorgio Armani #04 is a muted yellow gold with bronze-brown tones, so it appears a little brighter than true antique gold but not extremely brassy either. (LE)
2. Dolce & Gabbana Candied is a pale, yellow gold. It’s lighter than all of the other gold eyeliners I have.
3. Make Up For Ever #9L is a medium yellow gold. It is similar to Korres #6S.
4. Guerlain Gold (01) is a warm, gold-shimmered orange. (LE)
5. Korres #6S is a yellowed gold with a shimmered finish. (DC)
6. Urban Decay Eldorado is a warm, orange-toned molten gold. It is similar to Chanel Vegas Gold.
7. Chanel Vegas Gold is a warm-toned, orange-based gold with a metallic finish. It is similar to Urban Decay Eldorado. (LE)
8. MAC Handforged is warm, coppery bronze with a metallic sheen. It is similar to MAC Going for the Gold and NARS Campo de’ Fiori.
9. MAC Going for the Gold is a golden bronze with a metallic finish. It is similar to NARS Campo de’ Fiori and MAC Handforged. (LE)
10. NARS Campo de’ Fiori is a gold-shimmered bronze with a soft sheen. It is similar to MAC Going for the Gold and MAC Handforged.
11. Urban Decay Honey is a molten, yellow gold with a metallic sheen. It is duped by Stila Koi, L’Oreal HIP Gold Chrome, and Milani Gold. (DC)
12. Stila Koi is a molten, yellow gold with a metallic sheen. It is duped by Urban Decay Honey, L’Oreal HIP Gold Chrome, and Milani Gold.
13. L’Oreal HIP Gold Chrome is a molten, yellow gold with a metallic sheen. It is duped by Urban Decay Honey, Stila Koi, and Milani Gold.
14. Milani Gold is a molten, yellow gold with a metallic sheen. It is duped by Urban Decay Honey, Stila Koi, and L’Oreal HIP Gold Chrome.

TEMPTALIA PICKS:  #9L (true gold, quality), #11 (texture, pigmentation), #14 (budget-friendly, pigmentation, quality)

Behind-the-Series:  It was my intention to provide heavy, opaque swatches to provide an accurate color comparison.  Some eyeliners required one pass, some required five, and a few even more.  When possible, the shade name (above) is linked to the original review so you can read more about the quality, wear, etc. of a particular eyeliner.  If we’ve never done a review, there will be no link.  Shades that were limited edition will be marked with “(LE)” and shades that were discontinued will be marked with “(DC)” after the color description.  You can also find all comparisons on The Dupe List.

What’s your favorite Gold Eyeliner? How do you like to use it?

See more swatches & comparisons!

Gold Eyeliners: GA #04, D&G , MUFE #9L, Guerlain Gold, Korres #6S,
UD Eldorado, Chanel Vegas Gold, MAC Handforged, MAC Going for the Gold,
NARS Campo de’ Fiori, UD Honey, Stila Koi, L’Oreal HIP Gold Chrome, Milani Gold

Gold Eyeliners: GA #04, D&G , MUFE #9L, Guerlain Gold, Korres #6S,
UD Eldorado, Chanel Vegas Gold, MAC Handforged, MAC Going for the Gold,
NARS Campo de’ Fiori, UD Honey, Stila Koi, L’Oreal HIP Gold Chrome, Milani Gold

Gold Eyeliners: GA #04, D&G , MUFE #9L, Guerlain Gold, Korres #6S

Gold Eyeliners: MUFE #9L, Guerlain Gold, Korres #6S, UD Eldorado,
Chanel Vegas Gold, MAC Handforged

Gold Eyeliners: UD Eldorado, Chanel Vegas Gold, MAC Handforged,
MAC Going for the Gold, NARS Campo de’ Fiori

Gold Eyeliners: NARS Campo de’ Fiori, UD Honey, Stila Koi, L’Oreal
HIP Gold Chrome, Milani Gold

Top 10 of 2012: Lipglosses

These are ten fantastic shades of gloss that I reviewed and tested in the past year.  You’ll notice that there are a few from Bobbi Brown’s High Shimmer range, and let’s just say it was hard not to include more!

• Bobbi Brown Firefly — iridescent pink and silver
• Chanel Merveille — muted plum-pink
• Clarins Grenadine — bright coral-pink
• Bobbi Brown Canary — gold on gold
• MAC Girl About Town — bright pink
• Korres Crocus — lavender
• MAC Ready to Roam — rich red
• Bobbi Brown Citrus — gold-shimmered coral
• Revlon Rosegold — pale rose gold
• Illamasqua Stranger — antique gold

What was your favorite lipgloss from 2012?

Bringin’ Back Coral to Cure the Winter Blues (and Dehydration!)

Korres Pomegranate Lip Butter Glaze ($14.00 for 0.34 oz.) is described as a “sheer coral.” It’s a brightened pink-tinged coral with a glossy shine. NARS Viva is pinker. Revlon Papaya is pinker and brighter. MAC Whoops! is darker. Hourglass Nectar is pinker/redder. MAC Exxxhibitionist is brighter. MAC Viva Glam Cyndi is redder.

Grr! Korres says this is sheer, but it’s so very not sheer at all. It’s very nearly opaque with the barest translucency, and I think it makes the product look incredibly lush and juicy on the lips, but it’s not as described!  The texture is very slick, not quite a gloss but thicker and shinier than the traditional lip balm.  It’s very movable on the lips as you wear it, but it always remains non-sticky and has a sweet, vanilla scent.  

Pomegranate lasted three hours on me, and after wearing it for a full day, it is definitely a hydrating formula.  If you struggle with dry lips in the winter but still want to wear color on your lips, this is something to consider.  The slick consistency means this can slide around easily, but I did not have trouble with the color bunching up or looking uneven with this shade.

Korres Pomegranate Lip Butter Glaze

Korres Pomegranate Lip Butter Glaze

Korres Pomegranate Lip Butter Glaze

Korres Pomegranate Lip Butter Glaze

Korres Pomegranate Lip Butter Glaze

Korres Pomegranate Lip Butter Glaze

Want Color in Your Lip Balm?

Korres Crocus Lip Butter Glaze ($14.00 for 0.34 oz.) is described as a “sheer lavender.” It’s a pink-tinged lavender–almost magenta–with very fine gold shimmer. MAC Flaunting It is darker, more purple. NARS Angelika is lighter. MAC Style Packed is brighter and more opaque. MAC Sassy Lassy is more opaque and pinker. MAC Loud & Lovely is pinker.

The Lip Butter Glaze formula is described as a “line-smoothing, butter lip glaze in a tube” with a “lightweight” texture that yields “vibrant and shiny color.” It has a slick, gel-gloss hybrid-like texture that glides onto the lips easily and remains movable while you wear it. It is non-sticky, yields semi-sheer to semi-opaque color, and smells of sweet vanilla (think MAC lipglosses).

The finish has a high-gloss shine–it’s really a balm-like gloss overall–which lasts for about two hours, while the product itself seems to last right around the three-hour mark. It’s hydrating while worn, and I’ve been using it after a lip-swatching-session, and it’s done a good job restoring hydration and making my lips feel whole again.  The biggest downside is that because of the really slick consistency, it can look uneven and bunch up on itself if you’re wearing too much or press your lips together.

Korres Crocus Lip Butter Glaze

Korres Crocus Lip Butter Glaze

Korres Crocus Lip Butter Glaze

Korres Crocus Lip Butter Glaze

Korres Crocus Lip Butter Glaze

Korres Crocus Lip Butter Glaze

Korres Crocus Lip Butter Glaze

5 Effortlessly Natural Blushes

My go-to for a great natural cheek color is Korres #15 Natural, which gives my cheeks a little warmth and natural color without being too pink or plum. I also really love Tarte Exposed, which gives a little more color but still retains a soft, natural result.

1. Tarina Tarantino Neopolitan Lane — soft medium brown
2. Burberry Russet — medium-dark brown with orange undertones
3. Korres #15 Natural — medium-dark brown
4. Tarte Exposed — muted rosy plum
5. Burberry Cameo — muted plum

What’s your go-to blush for a natural cheek color?