BrownGal Makeup

 One of my most common gripe with cosmetic companies is that every time I find a shade of lipstick, lip gloss, eye shadow, foundation (whatever!) that I really, really love. Invariably, the brand discontinues my favorite product.  Like almost ALWAYS.  I'm still waiting for MAC to bring back my all time favorite lipstick shade - Chelsea.   The MAC Chelsea lipstick was the nude lipstick for the brown skinned girl.  It was almost perfect. I had such high hopes for the MAC Chelsea shade with the MAC x Aaliyah collection.   Apparently, the MAC Chelsea color was the favorite of the late R&B singer Aaliyah. I can see why. The MAC Chelsea shade was one of the most flattering shade of lipstick available for brown skinned girls back in the 90's.  So when MAC came out with the Aaliyah collection, I was super excited.  I couldn't wait. But, of course, MAC did not bring back my beloved lipstick color.  I felt that collection was such a let d...

While wandering the aisles of my neighborhood Ulta, I came across a Kylie Jenner display with most of the Kylie Jenner Velvet Liquid Lipsticks sold out.  Now, I'm not the type of person that would ever consider trying a Kylie Jenner lipstick or any Kardashian product for that matter. Most likely because of the reality star stigma attached to it. I've always treated reality star merchandise as poor quality junk with the promoter out to make a quick buck. Out of curiosity, I tried out a few testers for the liquid lipsticks to swatch on my hand and the Kylie Jenner Velvet Liquid Lipstick in the color 'Shook' reminded me so much of a YSL Liquid Lipstick from a gazillion years ago that used to be my go to brown matte.  On impulse, I purchased the Kyle Jenner Velvet Liquid Lipstick in Shook.  I liked the intensity and depth of color (very pigmented).  Kylie Jenner's website describes the color as a mahogany color.  On my skin tone, it shows as a flat brown with sl...

Es Vedra is the name of an island off the coast of Ibiza (the Spanish party island). It is the most popular place in Ibiza to see the sunset.  The sunset in Es Vedra is known for it's beautiful orange and pink color.  It is also the inspiration for Charlotte Tilbury's Es Vedra beach stick.  Charlotte Tilbury's Beach Stick in Es Vedra is part of Charlotte's 'Makeup in a Minute' Range.  It is a coral hued lip and cheek color in a stick form.  It comes in a roll up tube in Charlotte's signature rose gold packaging. The color is supposed to be highly pigmented and goes on smooth and creamy. For application on your cheeks, you are supposed to apply the product on your cheek bones and blend it into your skin. On my skin tone (Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder shade 9), the first application on my cheeks is very sheer.  It feels like a swipe of gold sparkles (which seems to be blended into this color).  It requires a few swipes of this product for the c...

Giacomo is a Tom Ford lipstick from his Lips & Boys collection.  It is supposed to be moisturizing, long lasting and have a smooth velvet texture.  It also has a 'pearlescent, metallized finish' and comes in a 'clutch-sized case' and very sleek black & gold packaging.  The color of Giacomo is described as a 'playful pink' color.  The pros: This is indeed a highly moisturizing lipstick.  It shows as a slightly dark pink color in the tube.   If you have slightly darker lips, on first application this lipstick is quite sheer and will look like a translucent pink shade.  However, the color is buildable and doesn't feel heavy or flaky with multiple applications. On my Indian, darker skin tone, this shows up as a nice, natural, wearable pink with slight blue undertones.  It is long lasting (as long as you don't eat or drink anything).  It is easy to wear for long periods of time and feels like you are wearing lip balm. Th...