It's always difficult to find just the right lipstick that's fun and professional at the same time. I'm definitely one to experiment and go out of the box occasionally, but for the most part, dusty pinks are my jam. From lipsticks to lip butters, here are the 6 that I keep in my work bag (ranked from longest lasting to shortest lasting).

Bite Beauty in Glace
This may very well be one of my favorite matte formulas. Unlike most matte formulas, this one is soft, moisturizing, and lasts while I sip my tea throughout the day. It's also a great darker dusty pink to wear in the fall or pair with cool toned outfits

Rimmel Kate Moss 17
A nice muted coral, this is a great compliment to warm toned outfits, and a nice pop of color that isn't overwhelming. I actually got complimented on this very color the other day. The formula is slightly more drying that the Bite Beauty one described above, but it is still a great lipstick that is quite long lasting. It typically stays fairly well on my lips all the way up until lunch (if you know a lipstick that can last through lunch, let me know).

Loreal in Fairest Nude
If you were ever curious to know what my exact lip color is, this is it. This lipstick is a nice nude with maroon and pink tones. It is moisturizing and long lasting (maybe a little less so than the above two because it is more moisturizing). I pair this with outfits that have more muted colors to create a sophisticated look.

Revlon HD in Rose
The initial reason I purchased this lipstick (and 3 of her sisters) was because of an awesome sale at Target, and I am ever so grateful. This line of lip colors melts into my lips and stays put for the most part until lunch. It feels like my lips with slightly more moisture. Don't be fearful of the bright colors in the tube as when they go on the lips they blend in a bit to the natural color of your lips. This color in particular is a nice and gentle pink that I pair with pink/purple clothes.

Shea Moisture Lipstick in Sarah
I received this color in an Ipsy bag a few months back. I was a little hesitant to try it on as the color is so bright and has a blue iridescence to it. However, when I first applied it on a more relaxed day at work (I was onboarding some of the new hires), it looked gorgeous. When applied lightly and spread out with your fingers, this is a nice, true pink. The more you apply, the darker it is the more of the blue iridescence appears. It is moisturizing and lasts more so because of the dark color as opposed to the quality of the lipstick. It does fade throughout my cups of tea, but all in all, it's a good pick.

Revlon Lip Butter in Juicy Papaya
This lip butter is among the least lasting and also the most moisturizing. It requires reapplication every now and then, but as long as that doesn't bother you, it is a great color and feel on the lips. It comes off as a nice orange tinge -- not too bright, but enough to say "hello". I wear this with warm toned outfits. It also smells fantastic. One downside is that it tends to melt, so be careful with how much pressure you apply!

Maybelline Color Whisper in Lust for Blush
This is the  least lasting of the bunch, but the most moisturizing. It is a light pink that goes on very smoothly and adds instant moisture. I pair this with pastel colors or on days when I would like more moisture on my lips. It also smells like Fruit Loops, which is a big plus.

<BE

I've recently used up a few of my everyday staples. Of course, I instantly went out and bought replacements (comparisons will come shortly!), but I was sad for a short while nonetheless. One positive from this sad time is that I can give a full review of these products!

Nars Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder in Translucent
I bought this product on a whim. I was at Nordstrom with a dear friend who was on the search for a foundation. We walked over to the Nars section where a makeup artist tried the tinted moisturizer and light reflecting powder on her. I was instantly amazed and said, "Ooh! Me next!" The powder is miraculous. It gives the perfect blend of matte and shine to my face. It wears for the full day — I put it on in the morning, lasts all day through work even with touching my face, and I sometimes am too lazy to take it off until I'm ready to go to bed. I can touch my face and not feel like I am smudging my face makeup. It feels like real skin. I pair this with my Nars Tinted Moisturizer (I use Groenland). I've also recently turned Michelle onto it, who now swears by it. Give it a go!

Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer
I got this stuff many years back when I bought my first ever round of makeup. I wore it to all of my dance showcases and it stayed on all night, through all of the sweat and dancing. I loved it so much that I bought it again and started wearing it daily to work. It is a thicker texture, almost like a more liquid foundation. It dries quickly, which is perfect for those hit-the-snooze-button mornings where I need to get ready in only a few minutes. My eye shadow stays in place all day with this stuff, with only minimal movement (I've been using an Elf palette, which probably isn't the highest of qualities to last 8 hours). Highly recommend it. (To replace this loss, I purchased the Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. I will post a comparison soon!)

Lancôme Hyponose Mascara
I've used this mascara, like the lid primer, since I started wearing makeup. I wore it to all of my dance shows because it gave the perfect amount of drama to my eyes. I wore it to work a few times and feel just as happy about it. It's not too dramatic for work, giving me some added volume and some more length. One coat and you're good to go. If you're getting ready for a fun night out, do two coats for even more vavoom!

This is my first "big girl" perfume purchase and only second perfume bottle that I own. Sad, I know, but I'm working on it! I went into Sephora on a mission to find a perfume because 1) I needed more points (off to that VIB status), and 2) at the time I only owned 1 perfume and that is just sad. I was bummed after smelling so many and not falling in love with any. As I was about to leave, I saw this beautiful green bottle and had to try it out.

For those of you that don't know French, Google translate says the title of the perfume means "Rooftop Garden." Let me tell you, my friends, this is the perfect smell for me. It's fresh and slightly sweet. I feel like a walking garden... in the best way possible. The smell is perfect for Spring. I am writing this in my cubicle at 4pm, and I can still smell the perfume when I move my hair around (I sprayed it behind each ear).

Before buying this, I read reviews saying that people were disappointed in how long it lasts. I am perfectly happy with it. If I could still smell it as strongly as when I put it on this morning, I would go crazy. I think it wears off at a good pace and is definitely worth trying.

See ya next time,
Vivian of BE