The fall trends for 2012 are all
about lips! Deep, rich lips to be specific. Many runway looks for this season
showcase deep reds, wine, and chocolate lip colors in a variety of finishes
ranging from matte to high shine. It is best paired with a very soft
neutral-colored eye and flawless skin.
I was searching for a long wear
formula that would require minimal touching up for fall. I love Make Up Forever
products and use their lipsticks, so when I saw that they came out with a long-lasting
formula I had to purchase it! I thought I would review it if any of you ladies
wanted to try out this stunning look to spice up your makeup routine.
What it is:
Aqua Rouge is a
long-lasting lip color that is a lipstick and stain hybrid. This formula is
waterproof for extra long wear. It comes in 12 shades: #1 Nude Beige, #2
Rosewood, #4 Chestnut, #5 Beige Brown, #7 Pink Brown, #8 Red, #9 Burgundy, #10
Raspberry, #11 Dark Raspberry, #13 Purple, #14 Light Rosewood, and #15 Pink.
Application:
For the best application,
I would recommend exfoliating your lips before you apply Aqua Rouge. You can
use an old toothbrush or plain sugar to gently buff away dead skin cells. Follow
up by applying a lip balm. Apply the lip color in the center of your lips and
feather out to the corners of the mouth. Pay close attention to make sure you
are creating a clean lip line with the applicator. Each end of tube can be used
alone, or together. You can also use a lip liner with this product if you'd like.
Positives:
It comes in a range of colors, from soft
beige to bold burgundy. When I swatched the colors they were all quite true to
the color when you look at it, so what you see is what you get. It's insanely,
densely pigmented with a super glossy shine. I also tried mixed colors of this
formula together to make a custom color, this was probably my favorite thing!
It's also easy to apply, smudge-proof, non-transferring, and
WATERPROOF! It can be worn alone or with the gloss over the top. You can
also layer the product to get a more intense look.
Negatives:
After a few hours of wear,
I did find that if I didn't reapply the clear gloss my lips became dry and
flaky, so I would recommend being sure you really moisturize your lips before
you apply. I also applied the color by itself without the gloss. I was not a
fan of the way this felt on my lips; it felt like it wasn't completely set. I
did like they way it looked though, it was a very beautiful matte look. When it
came time to take the product off, I tried to use a waterproof makeup remover,
which did not take off the product. I ended up having to use my Clarisonic with
a bit of facial cleanser in order to get it off. I'm not sure if this is a con,
but I wanted to share because this is a serious long wear formula! They weren't
kidding when they said it’s waterproof!
Price:
$24 at Sephora or online at www.makeupforeverusa.com
Overall:
I purchased #10 Raspberry.
It's a very vibrant, beautiful mix that doesn't look too pink, or red. When I
applied the Aqua Rouge, it went on smooth and creamy and dried quickly. It was
also comfortable to wear on my lips. If you purchase one of the bright colors I
would recommend trying to be precise as possible. If you make a mistake with
the lip line attend to it immediately or else it will be a pain to remove once
it's set. The glossy lacquer finish is absolutely gorgeous, I felt like I was
on the runway. They are also not kidding about it not transferring; I barely
needed to reapply after eating lunch and drinking water. It's great if you're
searching for a vibrant color that won't transfer, or if you want an everyday
color that lasts all day. I will definitely be recommending it to brides to
keep in their bag.
Images courtesy of: Harpersbazaar.com
