For real, though? — never underestimate the power of a rich red lipstick and cat eyeliner.
This morning I woke up feeling like I had molasses in my head. Words hard. Bad brain. Thinking difficult.
Not even a pitcher of coffee could have fixed the way I felt. I needed the big guns, so out came MAC Blacktrack and the new Tom Ford Beauty Jasmine Rouge Lip Collection.
Everything started coming into focus as soon as I saw that black gel liner on my eyes and those rollicking red lipsticks on my lips. Shoot, even those funny symbols (letters) and sounds (words) we use to communicate started making sense. 🙂
Now, the four $48 lipsticks that comprise this red lip-loving collection may look quite alike in these pics and swatches, but I assure you, they differ, even if only in subtle ways, both in terms of color and finish.
Red obviously plays a central role here, but each of these interprets the color differently. Reckless kisses lips with a shimmery berry, while Diabolique lavishes lips in warm matte. Narcotic seduces lips with a bright matte red and fuchsia essence, while Slander electrifies lips with a shimmery blueish red.
And in classic Tom Ford style, all four feel silky smooth, cost an arm and a leg, and deliver full coverage from a single layer.
If you like red lipsticks, that may not be enough to justify this price, but if you lust after rich red lipsticks, you might want to keep one of these Jasmine Rouge Lip Collection colors in mind.
Maybe just one, though, because the four colors are quite alike.
I would probably pick one of the mattes, Diabolique or Narcotic. I think there’s just something timeless about them, and they go with pretty much anything. Plus, they should last all day long on your lips.
For those days when coffee just isn’t enough, these sure hit the spot.
PRICE: $48 each
AVAILABILITY: Available now at Neiman Marcus stores and neimanmarcus.com
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: B+ (I love everything about these except the price)
Is there a book on your nightstand?
There sure is. I just started reading one called Before Ever After, by Samantha Sotto. It’s part mystery, part romance, part historical fiction.
The summary from Amazon…
“Three years after her husband Max’s death, Shelley feels no more adjusted to being a widow than she did that first terrible day. That is, until the doorbell rings. Standing on her front step is a young man who looks so much like Max–same smile, same eyes, same age, same adorable bump in his nose–he could be Max’s long-lost relation. He introduces himself as Paolo, an Italian editor of American coffee table books, and shows Shelley some childhood photos. Paolo tells her that the man in the photos, the bearded man who Paolo says is his grandfather though he never seems to age, is Max. Her Max. And he is alive and well.
“As outrageous as Paolo’s claims seem–how could her husband be alive? And if he is, why hasn’t he looked her up? — Shelley desperately wants to know the truth. She and Paolo jet across the globe to track Max down–if it is really Max– and along the way, Shelley recounts the European package tour where they had met. As she relives Max’s stories of bloody Parisian barricades, medieval Austrian kitchens, and buried Roman boathouses, Shelley begins to piece together the story of who her husband was and what these new revelations mean for her ‘happily ever after.’ And as she and Paolo get closer to the truth, Shelley discovers that not all stories end where they are supposed to.”
I’m a few chapters in, and I’m not sure how I feel about it yet.
It’s kind of weird so far… It’s not a linear story, and the timeline jumps from era to era, so that’s a little confusing, especially when you’re reading in the middle of the night, and your (my) brain isn’t firing on all cylinders.
But I do like the writing. I’ll keep you posted along the way.
Let me know if you’re reading anything good right now. I’m always on the market for something yummy to read. 🙂
Have a great night. Talk to you soon.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Shelley says
November 7th, 2012 at 12:04 amSO GLAM! Someday I’ll get to a pay grade where I can afford these lippies. Someday -.- Anyway. Loooooooooooooove the hair! And the double-tipped wing. (By the way, hi Karen! Thank you for the Burberry goods! Not sure where I would let you know about me receiving the package. So awesome!)
Sunny @ Mostly Sunny says
November 7th, 2012 at 12:35 amAhhh I have Diabolique and it’s one of my power reds (if not THE power red)! Now I want to grab Narcotic Rouge as well! These are seriously addictive!
Teri says
November 7th, 2012 at 1:09 amI have fallen in love with the Tom Ford lipsticks, I have Diabolique and I was so amazed by the pigmentation and the finish. It wears like a real champ!
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Lacey J. says
November 7th, 2012 at 2:44 amYou look amazing. Just sayin
Marla says
November 7th, 2012 at 3:49 amYou look great in these colors but for me the lips are a little too intense. Due to my age I like to keep my lips a little softer so I don’t emphasize the fine lines and wrinkles around my mouth.
Kiss & Make-up says
November 7th, 2012 at 4:06 amKaren, you look red carpet ready, you diva! 😀 Love the look.
Icequeen81 says
November 7th, 2012 at 4:23 amI like the hair the earrings and the make up and shirt hehe.
I have similar one ( earrings) but mines are at the up side white and underside black
Tina @ My Highest Self says
November 7th, 2012 at 5:01 amTotally gorgeous shades, really love Slander on you! I need Diabolique 🙂
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Marina says
November 7th, 2012 at 5:25 amI am loving this hair style on you 🙂
Kelly - Glitter Diaries says
November 7th, 2012 at 5:32 amI agree with you! Diabolique and Narcotic look like the stand outs to me! It’s hard to choose which one I would get, I’d probably end up getting both lol
Kelly – Glitter Diaries recently posted … Annabelle TwistUp Retractable Lipstick Crayons in Royale & Bubble Review, Swatches
Ansh@Vanity No Apologies says
November 7th, 2012 at 6:27 amyou have to do a tutorial on that eyeliner!
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Brian McD aka Roulette says
November 7th, 2012 at 7:09 amJust had to say, you look sexy as HECK in these photos, love. 🙂
Keep up the good work. Tom Ford would be proud.
Michelle says
November 7th, 2012 at 8:15 amSlander is absolutely amazing on you! Unfortunately, I can’t pull of reds, but they look gorgeous in your pics 🙂
J says
November 7th, 2012 at 9:13 amYou look great in these! Makes me think of Miss Scarlet from the game Clue, ha ha. I think I like the matte finish shades of these the best.
Kim says
November 7th, 2012 at 9:48 amOK, you look crazy beautiful in these pics. It’s funny because I thought “well, I might be able to pull off Reckless, but Narcotic and Diabolique look amazing on Karen.” 🙂
The last 2 nights I’ve read The Tale of Despereaux and Paris Pan Takes the Dare. Can you tell who has 4th grade boys with book reports due? It was hard to question them and get them to understand the theme when I hadn’t read the books. Now we should be all set. Not very good recs for you, but if any comment-readers have kids that age, both books are good choices. 🙂
Tianne says
November 7th, 2012 at 11:31 amHaute mama!
Liz says
November 7th, 2012 at 1:05 pmYou look amazing. Those are pretty. Tom Ford is kind of out of my price range, so I’ll pass.
Dominique says
November 7th, 2012 at 1:56 pmGorgeous ! I don’t have Tom Ford beauty here, well I can buy online at Harrods. I purchased ” Diorling “, ” Diva “, ” Marilyn ” from the Grand Bal Collection, they look quite similar but I haven’t seen the Tom Ford ones of course. I love red lipsticks I may have 30 or more ( I bought Burberry Military Red today just great ), Tom Ford products are very classy, well pigmented it seems and elegant. I need the quads ( Enchanted, Emerald Lust ) and possibly a blush and some lipsticks ( in my dreams because it’s expensive ! )
You really look gorgeous Karen, very pretty makeups.
LauraA says
November 7th, 2012 at 3:41 pmThe lip colors are gorgeous! Also love your hair and earrings in this photo series. 🙂
Becca @ The Beauty Sample says
November 7th, 2012 at 5:06 pmWhoa–talk about some SERIOUS va-va-voom!!! LOVE the hair and lips and eyes and everything! As usual. *sigh* I don’t know HOW you do it!
PS: Please do keep us posted on this book! I read the description on my Nook the other week and was curious but passed on it. Might get it though if you recommend
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Ankita@corallista says
November 7th, 2012 at 7:45 pmDiabolique would be my pick! The shades are all cool toned, it would have been nice to have more varied reds in the collection!
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Nina says
November 8th, 2012 at 6:04 amI have that book too, but I havent cracked it open yet. Im reading a book called Atlas of Unknowns. Its good, but I feel like its one of those books that wont end. 🙂
Those reds remind me of certain reds that came out a few months ago. I still maintain that while I love Tom Ford the man, I cannot, must not fall in love with his makeup line. Much too rich for my pocketbook.
Diyana says
November 19th, 2012 at 11:51 pmSlander looks amazing on you.
virginie says
February 1st, 2013 at 12:19 pmWhere is the picture of you with Narcotic :-((???
You forgot to put it, I guess, please post it if you can…
It’s the one I was eying…..
Thanks!!!
virginie says
February 1st, 2013 at 12:21 pmMy bad I just saw it!!
Rachel says
March 22nd, 2013 at 11:33 pmi love these colors but i’m not sure if i can pull it off! i guess i’ll never know unless i try hehe.