Dior | Beauty and Fashion Tech

Jan 18, 2013

Dior Addict Lipstick, a Timeless Favorite

January 18, 2013 By Carleenp 1 Comment

When searching for a brand of luxury makeup, you are sure to come across the much lauded line from designer Christian Dior as inspired by his runway collection.

Ranging from makeup to skin care to fragrance, the Dior line evokes a sense of posh luxuriousness and allows the wearer to indulge in a sumptuous treat for their face or body. Dior Addict Lipstick is one of my favorites.

One of the most popular products in the Dior line is Dior Addict lipstick. Available in over 25 shades, the 0.12 ounce lipstick typically retails for around $30 USD. The lipstick touts itself as also being able to hydrate lips and add volume while maintaining lush color and shine. I decided to compare Dior Addict lipstick in sheer bright berry pink on several important points.

Consistency - The consistency of Dior Addict lipstick is amazing. As soon as I put it on my lips, I loved the soft and smooth texture of the lipstick. It made my lips feel hydrated, and actually felt far more like a lip gloss than a lipstick. For someone who dislikes the feel of lip gloss, this would be a problem; however, lip gloss is usually my non-luxury default, so I loved it.

Appearance - I really fell in love with the way this lipstick looks on my lips. The sheer bright berry pink blended perfectly and naturally with my complexion and did not look harsh or fake despite being a few shades darker than my naked lips. The lipstick has a gorgeous sheen and the volumizer makes for a classically gorgeous pout.

Durability - This is, easily, the only place where I take issue with Dior Addict lipstick. While the appearance of color and shine look great on the lips after application, within three to four hours lipstick will need to be reapplied in order to maintain that appearance. Frequent reapplications can be frustrating and tedious when it comes to makeup, and I wish this lipstick had a bit more staying power.

Packaging - Many people I have talked to seem to be surprised or turned off by the size of the tube that Dior Addict comes in. Personally, I see this as an asset. I am someone who owns a lot of makeup, so being able to quickly locate one of my favorite lipsticks in my makeup bag is always a bonus.

In addition, I can toss my Dior Addict lipstick into the bottom of my messy purse and still fish around for it and grab it sight unseen. For this reason, I love the sleek and sexy packaging of this lipstick and find it conveniently sized for my use both at home and away.

Buy Dior Addict Lipstick

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Filed Under: Lip Products Tagged With: Dior, Lipstick

Nov 5, 2012

Six Top Fall and Winter Nail Polish Shades

November 5, 2012 By Carleenp Leave a Comment

As the seasons change, so should nail polish. The bright, bold colors of spring and summer may not work as well when the leaves start to turn. Consider switching to a new polish for fall and winter. There is an array of colors that are stylish and reflect the color palette of the season. Fall and winter colors are full of bronze, red, purple, gold and brown hues. Here is a list of six fall nail colors that are sure to make anyone’s nails sparkle.

1. Gray

Gray may seem like a drab color, but this year’s selection of grays are far from boring. Gray is a good compromise for people who are tired of the black nail trend. Grays can range from stormy, darker colors to lighter variations. With matte, glossy and glittery options, there will be a lot of people wearing gray this fall. Pictured: Nars Polish in Storm Bird.

2. Gold

Who does not love gold? The color is beautiful when paired with autumn and fits right in through the winter holidays. These colors can make anyone feel like a millionaire. Some gold nail lacquer is made with actual gold flecks, giving nails the truly golden appearance. For those who want a less flashy style, gold nail polish can be found in more subtle tones. Pictured: Butter London in West End Wonderland.

3. Navy and Deep Blue

Navy is a beautiful shade that does not clash with colors commonly seen this time of year. Navy is the perfect shade for people that are seeking a vibrant color that does not have a lot of shock value. It is a color that is suitable for work and play due to its sophistication and elegance. This shade will work well all the way through the winter months. Pictured: Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) La Laque Couture Nail Lacquer in Blue Colbalt.

4. Chocolate

Many people enjoy chocolate daily. Why not extend the love of chocolate to nails? Chocolate is another color that compliments the season. The deep browns add a touch of warmth. Anyone that thinks that chocolate may be uninteresting, consider a glossy chocolate polish or one that has a bit of sparkle. Pictured: Julep Nail Vernis in Olivia.

5. Berry

Berries are a lot of fun. The different undertones produce a spectrum of shades. Berry colors are universal. There is something that works with every wardrobe. A berry polish with black or purple undertones will have an edgier look. A berry with red undertones may be more subtle. Pictured: Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer in Graphic Berry.

6. Green

Green is probably not considered a traditional nail color, but it is a popular color trend that has survived several seasons. It may be time to pack away the neon green, but more earthy-green hues for the fall and winter are a good replacement. Green is a hip style choice. This season there is a twist. Shades associated with military fatigues are being mixed with metallics to create a glamorous look. Pictured: Sephora by O.P.I Leaf Him At The Altar.

The color of nails has become just as important as a person’s outfit. Wearing the appropriate nail color for the season has become a priority for many. It may be a sad notion to put away everything that reflected the warmer months, but fall and winter colors are just as fun. Wearing anything of these nail colors will reflect a stylish change that reflects the season.

Buy the Shades Pictured at Sephora

Filed Under: Nail Products Tagged With: Butter London, Dior, Julep, Nail Polish, Nails, Nars, Sephora by OPI, YSL

Oct 23, 2012

Get The Look: Five Steps To Fabulous Fall Makeup

October 23, 2012 By Carleenp Leave a Comment

Embracing a casually-glamorous appearance for fall is an ideal way to let a woman’s natural beauty and inner stylish sophistication shine. Following the five steps listed below will give you the foundation for creating your own unique and sophisticated style for the fall season. Also listed are products for the luxury look that is pictured.

1. Begin with beautiful, clear and clean skin.

Putting on expensive makeup and creating a beautiful style with makeup will be a loss if the skin is not prepared first. Beginning a skincare regimen is necessary if you have problems with oily or dry skin. A consistent morning and evening skincare routine will help you to obtain beautiful and clean skin that will provide a wonderful backdrop for fall makeup styles.

2. Select the proper foundation and powder that will set a basis for striking fall makeup.

Translucent loose powders applied lightly with a brush on top of a slightly-shimmering, translucent foundation base will provide the perfect backdrop for beautiful autumn makeup colors. Autumn is a great time to wear bold greens, vivid sea-blues and rustic colors. However, in order for these colors to stand out and complement your face, it is important to be gentle with the color and application of foundation and powder.

3. Let love captivate your lips by using vivid and rustic lip colors.

Apply a deep wine or a rustic light brown to the outer perimeter of the lips in the form of a lip liner pencil. Lip liner pencils help to highlight your lips and accentuate the natural curves of the mouth. Rustic brick reds and deep, orange-reds are perfect lip colors to use during the fall season. Save the pinks and purple shades for spring and summer when more playful colors and whimsical outfits are worn.

4. Bring out the eyes with glimmering colors and subtle sparkle.

The eyes and the smile are two parts of the face that people notice right away. Now that you have beautiful lips taken care of, feel free to add some pizzazz to make your eyes pop. Dramatic eye color can be used during the fall season to draw attention and intrigue. Make sure the eyebrows are carefully plucked or waxed so unwanted brow hair strays will not detract from the beauty of your eyes. Sensuous colors such as deep sea-greens and blues, golden shimmering tones and bold grey shades will bring out the colors of all shades of eyes in an attractive and dramatic fashion.

5. Enhance a glamorous eye and lip color with subtle rouge colors.

Since you are going with a light shade of foundation and powder and more vivid shades for the eyes and lips, it is important to maintain the balance of color by using a subtle shade for your cheekbones. Select a rouge color that is a few shades lighter than your natural skin tone that also has a slightly rose-colored tint to it. Apply this gently with a brush to the cheekbones in order to accentuate your cheeks.

Get The Look With These Products

Rouge G de Guerlain Jewel Lipstick Compact in Warm Red
Dior Vernis Nail Lacquer in Bright Red
Givenchy Noir Couture 4 in 1 Mascara
Lancome Blush Subtil - Oil-Free Powder Blush in Cedar Rose
Dior 5 Colour EyeShadow in Royal Khaki

On a budget? Look for similar shades, focusing on well pigmented eye shadows. L’Oreal and Milani are especially good when it comes to good pigment on a budget.

Shop for the products mentioned at Sephora