Review: MAC In Synch Lip Liner!

MAC In Synch Lip Liner Pencil

MAC In Synch Lip Liner Pencil

In Synch is described on the MAC website as a bright, yellow pink. In Synch was first launched in MAC's Too Fabulous Collection and then re-launched in the recent Quite Cute Collection. The color is indeed a yellow toned, bright peach-pink. When swatching the lip liner in the store, I automatically thought it would be a fabulous liner to pair with many of my favorite coral-pink and peach-pink lipsticks. MAC Shygirl, perhaps?

Upon bringing my nifty new purchase home, I realized the color is much lighter than I thought it was. Darn that tricky department store lighting! I thought it would be something like Illamasqua Obey in Lip Liner form (here), but there are absolutely no coral tones present in In Synch. In fact, the color is actually lighter than my lips.

Speaking for myself, I don't have a very distinct lip outline, so lip liner is a necessity for me. I typically like using liners that are a bit warmer than my natural lip color, or a color very similar (mocha, caramel pinks & nudes, etc.) Considering this shade is actually lighter than my lips, it's not going to provide me with that slightly darker border for my lip that I like, but it does work well in a couple of other ways. It's a pretty good color for those who wear very nude lip colors. If you like Creme d' Nude, Myth or any similar shades, this may be a good choice for you for a subtle liner. It can also be applied slightly outside your natural lip line to give the effect of fuller lips. The lip liner itself, is a beautiful color and the way I like to wear it, is all over my lips, with a nude, pink or peach lip gloss over it. For my skin tone, it makes a great pinky-nude lip. When using this lip liner, I do suggest applying a coat of lip balm prior (or on top) as the texture is a bit dry.

Lined and filled my lips in with MAC In Synch and applied a thin coat of MAC Prr Lip glass on top!

Makeupalley rating of 3.7/5 based on 20 reviews, with a 60% re-purchase rate. (view here)

What mainly brought down the rating of this product mainly, is the formulation. A small handful of the reviewers complained that In Synch isn't as creamy as other MAC lip liners and is drying on the lips. One of my favorite bloggers (Karen) just posted a review for this product as well and mentioned it's a bit drying, but it hasn't stopped her from wearing it continuously this past month. (Click here to read her review)

Comparisons: MAC In Synch Lip Liner, MAC Myth Lipstick, Illamasqua Obey Lipstick & MAC Myth mixed over Illamasqua Obey. None of the shades are dupes for In Synch, but from the comparisons, you can get an idea of the depth of color. It is almost as light as Myth and just as vibrant as Obey.

Do you own this lip liner? What do you think of it?

Review: Wet n Wild Coloricon Lip Pencil in #712 Willow + a few comparisons!

Wet n Wild Color Icon Lip Liner comes in a small variety of everyday, wearable shades. There are six (6) shades in total, and my favorite of the six is #712 Willow.

Willow is a caramel nude shade that is suitable for a wide range of lip colors. It's a bit warmer than my natural lip color and works exceptionally well paired with warm nudes, peaches and pinks.

When it comes to lip liner, I prefer a dry formula opposed to a creamy formula, because the drier consistency pencils tend to hold up better through meals, beverages and average wear throughout the day. This particular pencil has a great formula. In comparison to MAC Lip Pencils, it's quite similar in texture, but a little less creamy. It doesn't glide as well as MAC, but it's not so dry where it tugs my lips and crumbles up. Overall, a fantastic deal for the price (99 cents).

Wet n Wild Coloricon Lip Pencil in #712 Willow

Wet n Wild Coloricon Lip Pencil in #712 Willow

Wet n Wild Willow Lip Pencil, MAC Hover Lip Pencil, MAC Subculture Lip Pencil, Sephora Nano #2 Lip Pencil

Willow is actually very similar to all of the shades swatched, but it has the warmest tone of the four.

Wet n Wild Willow Lip Pencil, MAC Peachstock Lipstick and MAC Clear Lip glass.

Lip Liner

Lip Liner Tips

By Maria

Lipstick is the most important component of any make up. In fact, when the word make up is said the first thing that comes to anyone's mind is, lipstick. And why not, after all lipstick attracts attention and also makes the lips to look good. But as lipstick attracts attention, it is very necessary that the lipstick looks perfect. And for making the lipstick look perfect, certain things to be paid attention to very carefully, like the color of the lipstick, moisturizing the lips and the border of the lips. Lip liner does this job. Let's see some lip liner tips. Read on makeup.

Why to Apply a Lip Liner

As the name suggests, lip liner is meant to create a line, a border for the lips. Many a time, you must have experienced smudging and spreading of lipstick above and below your lips. It becomes a difficult task to rub off the extra lipstick especially, when you are done with your whole makeup! You must have also faced the problem of lipstick fading on the wrong time, i.e., when the party is in full swing! Lip liner is a remedy to all these problems. Lip liner is nothing but a type of colored cosmetic pencil, which comes with a sharpener! Lip liner gives an outline to your lips, which prevent the lipstick from bleeding. Lip liner also helps to keep the lipstick on the lips for a longer time. Besides all these uses, the main advantage of lip liner is that it gives the lips a concrete shape, which makes them stand out and look full. Read on natural looking makeup.

Lip Liner Tutorial - Types of Lip Liners

Now that we know the advantages of lip liners, let us see how and which lip liner to choose. Unlike lipsticks, there are no liquid lip liners. The ones which claim to be liquid, are actually in cream form. But cream lip liners are not much used. The ones which are popular, are the traditional lip liners which come along with a sharpener and the other, which is mechanical. There are advantages and disadvantages of both forms. Read on homemade lip gloss.

The advantages of classic lip liner is that you can sharpen the pencil whenever you want and that's why there is no danger of bacteria, and you also get a fine point every time, which is not possible in case of mechanical lip liner. The classic liner is kinda dry, which makes it is easier to carry. The advantages of mechanical lip liner is that you do not need to sharp it every now and then. Mechanical lip liners have a wetter look, which makes them look more natural, but it also becomes difficult to maintain them. Talking about the color of the lip liner, remember that lip liner should compulsorily match the color of the lipstick. One darker is okay, but it should never be dark than that and nor should it be lighter than the lipstick. The reasons are obvious, if the lip liner is fainter than the lipstick, it won't be seen, which means it will be useless. And if it is darker than the lipstick, only a border of lip liner will be seen on your lips, which will look comical as well as drastic! If you are not sure which color to buy or if you are not getting the same shade as the lipstick, go for colorless wax pencil. It will be the safest as it will perform the same job as other lip liners but without imparting any color. When it comes to price, you do not need to buy the costliest lip liners. The best lip liner can be as cheap as your lip balm! So just for the best brand. This was all the basic information about lip liners, now lets see some lip liner tips, starting from lip liner application.

Lip Liner Application

• First of all clean your lips well, remove any signs of lip balm or gloss.
• Be sure that the pencil is sharp enough. In case of mechanical lip liner, refrigerate it for a couple of minutes.
• In case it becomes very pointed, do not try breaking the point! Just rub it onto a tissue.
• To start with, make a dot in center of your upper as well as lower lip. In the same way, make a few more dots on the entire lips, keep a distance between them.
• Start joining the dots one by one, with a firm hand. Continue till the edge of the lips.
• Now wait for a second and carefully check in the mirror if any space is left, if you notice any space, fill it with light strokes.
• You can apply lipstick now. See to it that the lip liner and lipstick look smooth.

These were some of the lip liner tips. I would like to give a parting lip liner tip. If your lips are thinner, apply very little lip liner, on the lip line as well as a bit above your original lip line. To make the lips smaller, apply a bit darker color than your lipstick and also apply a bit of foundation before applying the lip liner. Hope these lip liner tricks and tips help you to have irresistible lips!

Lipstick Trends

how the recession affects lipstick trends

By Maria!

During recessions we’re forever being fed little “gems” of information like how the length of a woman’s skirt is dependent on the economy. Yes, it was interesting the first time we read it, but this fact has been recycled over and over again by media outlets that just can’t get enough of the “r” word.

Less obvious, and more interesting (for beauty junkies, at least) is how telling of the times the colour and shape of a woman’s lips are. According to prominent trend forecaster Li Edelkoort there is a definite link between lip trends and the celebrities of the time, societal emphasis on particular body parts, and, most importantly, the economic and financial status of society in general.

During the first economic depression of the 30s women drew their lips outwards with square edges that emphasised the stern, perfectionist appearance of the era. Lip colour was a glossy reddish brown and reflected the sober mood

that saw women opt for a steely, androgynous appearance.

All in all a stark contrast to the plumped pouts of the 1960s, which wore only soft, discreet colours. The rejection of conventional beauty, prosperity and consumption, and the sudden shift in sexuality (which saw the most focused-upon body parts become boobs and bums) meant that mother-of-pearl and baby pinks, were chosen for their subtle effects throughout the hippie era.

The 60s were followed by three decades of bold lips that made a statement, but now in the financial crisis of the noughties, it seems we’ve reverted to the more natural look of the flower power generation. The return of traditional family values and a quest for balance and happiness rather than material richness have paved the way for the return of natural beauty. On-trend lips are soft, natural, and slicked with a shimmering beige, pale pink or apricot shade. Perfect for channelling fresh-faced, radiant beauty.

MAC Lipliner Swatches!

Chicory - Soft, muted peachy brown.

Lure- A muted, browned coral (LE).

Spice- Pink cinnamon stick.Cedar - A rich, rose-flushed brown (LE).

Stripdown - Creamy brown-beige.

Subculture - Underground pink.

Hover - Rich, caramel brown.

From Left to Right: MAC Chicory, Lure, Spice, Cedar, Stripdown, Subculture and Hover.

My most worn are Stripdown, Hover and Spice. Chicory and Lure are a little too red toned for every day wear and subculture is the exact same color as my lips, so it really doesn't do much.

View all shades on the MAC website here.