Nyx's African Queen Wears the Crown For Most Creative Shade

When I first started getting into makeup a few years ago, I always reached for Nyx. If you're ever looking for quality products with an inexpensive price tag, Nyx Cosmetics is your best bet. African Queen is one of my favorite shades from their Mega Shine Lip Gloss line. This shade is a deep fuchsia color with a heavy blue undertone. You can even see flecks of blue in the formula. I have never seen anything like it...definitely one of a kind.

The Gloss Over

• Long Lasting- When paired with a lipliner this gloss lasts 4 -5 hours
• Pigmentation- It's thick formula allows you to apply very little with excellent coverage
• Applicator- The doe foot applicator makes it easy for precise application...no mess no fuss 

 The only downside to Nyx's glosses is the smell. When you open the tube your nostrils are immediately attacked with a cherry cough syrup aroma.  Overall great product and worth every penny (minus the cough syrup).

Rating: 4/5

Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick Review and Swatches

I'm not the biggest Nicki Minaj fan, however, the makeup artistry she represents is fabulous. Pink is the most versatile lip color and looks good on all skin tones. I never thought to purchase Viva Glam Nicki because I thought it was a powder pink color, similar to  MAC's St. Germaine. Well, that was an inaccurate assumption!

Viva Glam Nicki is a barbelicous pink color with a Satin finish. MAC's Satin finish lipsticks are a mix of their amplified creme and matte formulas. In other words...the lipstick is semi-creamy with a beautiful matte finish. If you prefer lipsticks with a high level of pigmentation, definitely look into MAC's Satin finishes.

All sales of this lipstick is donated toward people suffering from H.I.V/A.I.D.S .

Swooned by MAC Again: Product Review on MAC's Pink Swoon

My daily routine does not consist of blush, however, when I do decide to add a bit of rouge to my cheeks I reach for MAC's Pink Swoon (6 g / 0.21 oz $20.00). What's so amazing about this blush is that it looks great on all skin-tones due to its Sheertone finish. MAC's Sheertone line offers a matte finish that applies lightly. I love Sheertone finishes because it's impossible to accidentally apply too much blush and you can build up the color to the pigmentation that you would like. Sheertone finish blushes are perfect for someone who prefers blendable blush with a light finish.

3 Looks ONE Lipstick

As the proud owner of over 30 lipsticks, it's no secret I have a slight obsession. Some lipsticks do not get enough kudos and MAC Cosmetics's Up The Amp is heaven in a tube. This product comes from their Amplified Creme line which is a moisturizing formula with excellent pigmentation. Up The Amp is a gorgeous lilac lipstick with a blue undertone. I asked a MAC makeup artist: what's the one lipstick women of color shy away from that you feel is perfect for our skin-tone? She selected this color. I've been in love every since.

To showcase the versatility of this product, I created 3 different looks with the same lipstick. 

Swatches (from top to bottom)

NYX- Deep Purple Lip Liner ($3.50)

MAC- Up The Amp ($14.50)

NYX- Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Gold ($5.50)  

What's your favorite versatile lipstick? I'm always on the look out for something new!