Lipstick Collection | Updated

It's that time again where I basically show you my lipstick collection and we can fawn over it. Hell, maybe even exchange some thoughts and what not. I love make up as a whole, but lipstick is definitely one of my top 3. I'm such a huge fan of any lipstick color as long as I can work it. Anyway, these are my lipsticks; please excuse how I change background on one of the groups but I forgot to shoot it with the others. 

NUDES

Revlon Creme Brule | Rimmel Nude Delight | Wet n Wild Bare It All | Limecrime Cosmopop | Revlon Smoked Peach | Topshop Dessert | NARS Honolulu Honey | MAC Honey Love | MAC Shy Girl

PINKS

NYX Strawberry Daiquiri | NYX Sweet Pink | MAC Viva Glam Gaga | Covergirl Eternal | L'Oreal Summer Rose | L'Oreal Sunset Angora | NYX Milan

BERRIES

 Covergirl Sultry | Make-Up Forever Intense 19 | MAC Twig

REDS

 Kat Von D Adora | L'Oreal True Red | MAC Ruby Woo | NYX Monte Carlo

PLUMS

 Urban Decay Apocalypse | Revlon Va Va Violet | MAC Diva | Wet n Wild 917B | Tom Ford Black Orchid | Kat Von D Oh My Goth | Wet n Wild Black Orchid

MAC | Honey Love Alternative

There's seriously nothing better than finding a dupe or alternative to a higher end product. Especially when the alternative is way cheaper. In this case I found an alternative for MAC's Honey Love (my favorite nude lipstick). I say alternative because its a similar color but a bit darker, making it not a dupe. Anyway, I'm talking about Wet n' Wild's Bare It All (902C) matte lipstick. I mean, the similarities are very close, especially when applied. Plus, the price is less than $3 compared to $14.50! Bargaaaaaaain~

The texture of both is matte, although the Bare It All is a bit more drying on the lips than Honey Love. As I said, Bare It All is a bit darker than Honey Love but they both have that pink undertone. These are the types of nude that I find fit my lips and skin tone best. I still prefer Honey Love over Bare It All but its always nice to find a cheaper alternative. For those who like Honey Love but don't which to spend the money, you can check out the Wet n' Wild one. Regardless, you get a very flattering nude.

Wet n Wild on the left | MAC on the right

Alternatives | MAC Diva & Tom Ford Black Orchid

  It's happened to us all. We come across this lipstick we just need to get , and maybe it's a bit over priced but you get it anyway. Well, almost every lipstick has a dupe or an alternative. Something that comes very close to what you want and the difference in finish is different...and also the price. I was playing around with this MAC lipstick I got called Diva and I remembered a Wet 'n' Wild lipstick I had that seemed similar. When I swatched them side by side I was amazed with how similar they looked. I mean, MAC lipsticks are $15 and the WnW one cost be literally ¢69! Makes one regret the damn buy. Anyway, then I decided to go even further and try it next to my Tom Ford lipstick and I was struck again with how similar they were...even in the names!

 Although the lipsticks aren't dupes for one another they are very good alternatives. Don't want to spend $15-$50 but want that color? Then venture out there and find something similar or even a dupe. Each of the lipsticks have a different finish, which also takes a roll on which you choose to spend your money on, and they all have a slight difference in the hues used but trust me they all are very similar.

  The MAC Diva lipstick is a matte lipstick. Meaning the finish will have no shine and will be drying
It applies very smoothly and is rich in color (as are most MAC lipsticks). I don't find it's that drying, but I personally love matte lipsticks. It gets down to what you prefer so I suggest trying it on at the store before purchase. And last, the wear is very good. I've been known to wear this for 8hrs without more than one touch up for good measure.

  This is the Wet n Wild Black Orchid lipstick that I got for ¢69 at a drugstore. Like the MAC lipstick, it goes on very smoothly when applied. It's a very pigmented lipstick, especially for the price, but the finish is not matte. The finish of this lipstick definitely has a sheen to it but it's not too much and does not dry your lips. This lipstick also has a good wear, although you will have to touch up after eating and drinking, but with that price who cares?!

  And lastly the Tom Ford Black Orchid that I got for $30. It applies smoothly and very buttery. The finish has a slight sheen to it without overpowering. As for the wear, I don't know yet since I've yet to try it on...I'm too intimidated by it. Ha!

 And here are the swatches. Although MAC Diva looks a bit more red-ish here in person it looks very much the same. It has a purple/red hue undertone to it that is very lovely and vampire like. Then we have Wet n Wild's Black Orchid that has a more purple/brown undertone to it. And last we have Tom Ford's Black Orchid that has a brown undertone to it. Again, I'm not saying the WnW one is a dupe, but an alternative and something to consider before buying. Do any of you have some good alternatives or dupes?

Two for $2

 I've been trying out this Wet n Wild duo I got at the drugstore for $2. Think about it that's a good deal, right? I got the more neutral/naked eyeshadow trio with a mascara. The shadow trio is very nice, pigmented and portable. However, I don't tend to choose it often (nothing against it). In it's defense, I've basically forgone eyeshadows and liners, now I go out with just mascara. For the mascara, well I'm a bit apprehensive. At first I liked the fact that it painted my lashes black, which is what I look for in a mascara. My lashes are long so I tend to stray away from "volumizing" mascaras. But after using this for some weeks I did notice that my eyes were watering a lot during the day, so I've stopped using it. And yes, the eye watering has now stopped. Also, the mascara formula is very watery. My conclusion is, yes to the eyeshadow trio and no to the mascara.