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An Introvert For Extrovert

An entry from April 23, 2008

It's been a long time since my last lipstick entry and so I'm enthusiastic to write about my cosmetic item of choice. To hell with eye makeup and foundation. Lipstick rules. On that note, I'm pleased to present Extrovert, a lovely, rich chocolate color from Loreal's HIP line.

I was happy and relieved to find Extrovert. When Loreal discontinued Jive Java a few years ago, I panicked. I even visited several drug stores in the Bay Area on the look out for the dwindling color. Jive Java was a mocha creme-colored lipstick that was flexible to wear. I sometimes wore it as a stain or applied it as full blast colored opaque. I loved it. On days when red lipstick was just a wee bit much, Jive Java was perfect and appropriate.

Now, Extrovert is much darker than Jive Java, but is reminiscent of Jive Java's consistency and flexibility. See, most of Loreal's post Jive Java lipsticks have the most detestable of colors, but worst of all, smell very much of wax. Well, not so with the HIP line -- after years of misses, they're finally on the right track and the colors are finally attractive and odorless! Finally, Loreal -- you made me wait for so long!!

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The Honest Politician

An entry from October 28, 2007

Lipstick Queen - Honest Politician

I first learned of matte lipsticks in 1991. I was a sophomore at Westmoor High School in Daly City and during that particular period in time, inspired by Molly Ringwald's Andie character in Pretty In Pink, I sported an ear-lengthed bob and I felt attracted to a look that we called *mod*. To be candid, I tried my best to emulate the coolest girl on the hill and her name was Branwyn -- Branwyn Bigglestone. Against her milky complexion, she wore a slick, Louise Brooks bob. Both her ears were pierced with goth embellished hoops and her fingers were covered with sterling silver rings. She wore black, 8-eye 1460 Dr. Martens over her raven tights. But her lips... her lips were best of all: they were very red, very dark, and very, very matte. I've been in love with matte lipsticks ever since.

Over a decade later, I'm here trying the matte gloss, the Honest Politician. The Honest Politician is part of Lipstick Queen's Oxymoron line of products and it's touted as lip color that feels sheer with a matte look. I found the Honest Politician to be reminiscent of Mac's discontinued Luxe -- nice and nude. Though it came with an applicator, I applied the it with a finger. The application was smooth and unlike other glosses I've tried on, the color was rich and opaque.

To my disappointment, however, even in the shade, the color was not remotely matte. To Lipstick Queen's credit, an hour after application, the color glistened less and could've pass as matte (in the shade).

Now, had Branwyn Bigglestone worn matte gloss, I might never have entered a love affair with the richness of matte color. On the contrary, Oxymoron is really not. It is neither matte nor gloss and is instead a solid, beautiful SATIN lip color through and through.

{ Read my other Lipstick Queen review, Wearing the Sinners. }

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Lipstick Queen's Oxymoron Arrived!

An entry from October 26, 2007

Lipstick Queen Package

FYI: The Honest Politician Oxymoron finally arrived! I rent a mailbox in Pacifica and after harassing Cosette, the mailbox center's proprietor, everyday for the past week, she was relieved to finally get me off her back. No more calls barraging her with, "Is it there yet? Anything from New York? Are you sure? Please check again... Oh man!". She's so happy and I'm so happy.

Will post my results as soon as I finish my bloody Lisp homework.

{ Update: Read the review here. }

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Cool cool cool

An entry from October 13, 2007

Right after I wrote my Lipstick Queen editorial, "Wearing the Sinners", I visited lipstickqueen.com and dropped a link to my editorial via their contact form:

Hello, My name is Katrina Tan and I'm a Lipstick Queen fan.
FYI: I wrote an entry about the Saints and the Sinners here:
http://www.puglyfeet.com/blog/2007/10/wearing_the_sinners.html

To my surprise and delight, I got a response:

Thank you for contacting LQ - and your wonderful editorial on your blog; it will be added to our press page.
I must say, I am most impressed with what you wrote because it is in depth and helpful to those who don't know about the line. I am a big supporter of bloggers as I think you guys are very PASSIONATE and honest and therefore it resonates more with the consumer.
Kindly send me your mailing address, I would like to send you a oxymoron (tell me which shade you would like).

I was intrigued... Oxymoron -- a matte gloss available in four colors with clever, witty names:

Minor Crisis:: "Rose-budding and Budding with Rose is this sensual pink."
Honest Politician:: "Pink meets brown and just like some politicians... a love child is born."
Deafening Silence:: "Barely there nude beige."
Free Ride:: "Peachy keen, a subtle peachy glow. "

Heck, I wanted to try them all. Since I had to choose only one, I went with Honest Politician (though I'm secretly wishing that she will send me all four =) ).

Do you believe it? Can you believe it? Is there really such a thing as a matte gloss or is it all hype? A clever marketing scheme perhaps? I've seen and experienced Deafening Silences, Minor Crises, and Free Rides in my life, but an Honest Politician? Matt Gloss?? We shall soon see...

{Update: For the review, click here.}

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Wearing the Sinners

An entry from October 11, 2007

Lipstick Queen

I don't remember when or how I first heard of LIPSTICK QUEEN, but I do know that I've known about the brand name for at least a few years now. About a month ago, I once again stumbled across Lipstick Queen's website. Inspired by the story behind Lipstick Queen's creation, I subscribed to the mailing list. The website itself is simple and attractive. However, the color sample displays are lacking. Though the verbiage for the color descriptions are compelling and induce curiosity (ie. here's the verbiage for Berry Sinner: "If a raspberry and a chocolate had a child it would be this shade. Deep brown with a delicious pinkish hue."), the illustrations aren't tempting enough to compel me to purchase lipstick that I've never tried on nor is easily accessible (at local stores).

But, joining the mailing list was fruitful. Shortly after I subscribed to the mailing list, I learned that Lipstick Queen was sold at Elizabeth Charles on Fillmore. I visited Elizabeth Charles the following week and though my trip was Red Sinner specific, they were out of stock. Instead, I tried on the Saint Red and Berry Sinner and was very pleased with both.

Are you a Saint or aSinner?

Now, for those unfamiliar with Lipstick Queen, it generally comes in two flavors -- Saints and Sinners (see above picture). There are ten flavors in each. Colors in each general category (Saint or Sinner) have a counterpart in the other category. So, a Saint Red will have a Red Sinner counterpart, a Saint Berry will have a Berry Sinner counterpart and so on. The difference lies in the strength of their pigments -- the Saints are translucent while the Sinners are opaque.

I'm ordinarily a MAC girl and I still love Santiago (the color was discontinued and I bought the last 6 tubes from the MAC Store in Berkeley). But, the Lipstick Queen colors are just as fantastic, so much so that I ordered Saint Berry and Red Sinner online. Lipstick Queen feels great on my lips -- the colors are solid for hours without drying.

Depending on my mood, the Saints can be great and dandy, but the majority of the time, I much prefer and enjoy wearing the Sinners.

Lipstick Queen → http://www.lipstickqueen.com
$18.00 per tube

{ Check out the corresponding PuglyFeet photo blog entry here.
Read my other Lipstick Queen review, The Honest Politician. }

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