Expensive Gift Ideas

YSL Rouge Volupte Sensual Radiant Lipstick

A reader recently asked me what the best pigmented and moisturizing lipstick was and my answer was Yves Saint Laurent ROUGE VOLUPTÉSilky Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15. The YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick line is packed full of pigment, yet the YSL lipsticks are comfortable to wear. Needless to say, they also last very well. Furthermore, YSL packaging is always gorgeous!

Most of the YSL lipstick shades are not for someone who is shy about lip color. For the most part, they are bright and vibrant. They also pack in pigment, so there is nothing sheer or mild about them! With that said, you actually can wear most YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick on them on the sheer side by being careful with the application. Then build them up for more color punch.

For the neutral shade lover like me, finding a YSL Rouge Volupte lipstick that isn’t too intimidating can be difficult, but I like several of them. Below are YSL Lipstick swatches of my four favorite shades. From left to right: Nude Beige, Spicy Pink, Opera Rose, Exquisite Plum. Opera Rose is new—it is part of the 2010 YSL spring collection.

YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick is pricey, but it ranks among the best there is. If you find a shade that you like, it is well worth it. Plus, every girl needs a luxury lippie or two (or three, or four, or more….)

Popularity: 1% [?]

Five Top Holiday Beauty Gifts

Here are my top five holiday lip items that are great either as gifts or for yourself!

(1) Sephora Favorites Lip Service Deluxe Sampler ($119 Value) Lip Service Deluxe Sampler: Sephora Favorites are a great way to try a number of products at a great price. Sephora does a nice job at putting these together with quality items, and they make a great gift or a good personal sampler.

(2) Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment SPF 15 : Fresh Sugar Rose is delightful, but a bit on the expensive side. That is why it is a great gift or personal splurge item.

(3) MAC Lip Kit : MAC Cosmetics always put out a nice set of lip kits for the holidays.

(4) NARS ‘D. Lovely’ Lip Gloss Duo Set: Nars put out this great lip gloss selection for the holidays.

(5) Juicy Loves Sephora Bowler Lip Gloss Charm Crystal (light pink): This Juicy Couture lip gloss charm, sold exclusively at Sephora is so darn cute!

Popularity: 5% [?]

Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives: Lip Items

Nordstrom Beauty Exclusives are available for preorder with shipping starting on July 17, 2009. These exclusive items will be available only through Nordstrom for a limited time. there are a number of lip items available. Here is a sampling. for more visit the Nordstrom website.

The Bobbi Brown Must-Have Set , includes a great lip palette.

You can get this beautiful Chanel Pink Lip Gloss .

With its little keychain and glosses, I think the Clinique Best of Clinique Lip Gloss Set is adorable.

I saved my favorite for last. I think I might buy this one. The Giorgio Armani Summer Sheers Set is a great way to obtain a pretty sheer summer lip look. From the picture I love the shades! It is a bit pricey for my budget though, so I’ll have to ponder it!

Popularity: 16% [?]

Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick

Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick is just what the name says, a high shine lipstick. I love the packaging on this one and it always feels luxurious to carry around Dior items.

The lipstick is on the sheer side. If you want a lot of color, take a look at some of the other Dior lipsticks instead (all Dior lip products are quite wonderful). It has a nice moisturizing feel to it and it gives off a good glossy shine. In many ways, Dior Addict High Shine Lipstick is really more like a glossy tinted balm.

The pink shades on this one are especially nice. I tend to wear mine as one of my spring lip colors.

Look for this at Dior counters in better department stores or at Sephora (which I linked to).

Comparison shop for Dior Cosmetics

Popularity: 11% [?]

M.A.C Hello Kitty Kouture Dazzle Glass Swatches

My M.A.C Cosmetics Hello Kitty Kouture dazzle glasses arrived! The charm on the tubes is..well..charming. The shades will also be of good use to me. I like the lighter shade over just about any lip color, and the brighter pink I tend to wear alone.

My husband also saw the receipt for the purchase of the two dazzle glasses and the Swarovski crystal mirrored powder compact and told me that he really didn’t want to know how much this stuff costs!

It was definitely my splurge of the month!

Popularity: 26% [?]

M.A.C. Cosmetics Hello Kitty Kouture

Hello Kitty Kouture is now available at the MAC Cosmetics website and will be in freestanding MAC stores beginning tomorrow (March 5, 2009). This high end collection features two new Dazzleglass shades with silver chain pendants, featuring Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals on black and with a pink crystal bow ($28 each). I bought both and will post swatches when they arrive. It also includes a a polished silver Sheer Mystery Powder compact, featuring Hello Kitty outlined in white Swarovski crystals and with a pink crystal bow ($90).