If you watch enough YouTube videos or follow the beauty community on Instagram, you would have definitely heard about Gerard Cosmetics. If there’s one brand that’s been busy courting the vloggers, it’s Gerard Cosmetics (formerly known as Whitening Lightening/ Color Your Smile). Being the sucker that I am, I was unable to resist the siren song of lipstick. They promised me intense color payoff and long-wearing formulas. I caved and over the past few months have been quickly slowly building quite the collection.
The lipsticks, in a nutshell, are good. They’re not NARS Audacious level greatness but at the same time they don’t totally suck. I guess “meh” would be a good word for them. I can see why they hype exists, it’s a decent formula.
What I was trying to say in my video is that these are creamy matte lipsticks so they tend to drag on the lips when applied (especially 1995 and Fire Engine). Rodeo Drive and Berry Smoothie don’t do this and I’m not sure if it’s because they’re newer to the lineup or if it’s just me. I highly recommend applying lip balm underneath and exfoliating your lips otherwise it is #stugglecity. It will accentuate every line and flake. I do love Fire Engine, a blue based red, that gives you an Old Hollywood-esque vibe without being costume-y. I’ve been wearing it nonstop and even bought a backup (I briefly had a panic attack about almost finishing my RiRi Woo lipstick and this is a close third (Ruby Woo, obviously is second).
Must Haves: Fire Engine, 1995, and Berry Smoothie
Skip (if you’re dark skin): Nude, Buttercup
Available online. Check their Instagram for discount codes or just stalk the vloggers (they often have 30%-50% off codes or bundles)
I previously featured the Dual Intensity eyeshadows in a 
I actually love using the shadows dry since they are velvety, smooth, and pretty buildable. The finely milled shadows are easily blended giving you a bit of control when applying. For night, I’ve used the shadows wet (well I’ll spritz my brush with MAC Fix+ or Glossier Rosewater Spray) and hot dahm! The color is more intense and longer lasting when wet so go for it. Although there are eight shadows the ability to where it wet or dry gives you a bit more versatility. For the price, you can’t go wrong!
The palette consists of twelve matte eyeshadows ranging from yellowed beige to deep black. It’s neither too cool nor too warm so I definitely think it’s something everyone can benefit from. The shadows are super soft and not chalky making it easy to blend. I’ve been grabbing this palette for my everyday eye since all of the colors are wearable.
My favorite color is Dreamer, a dark warm brown that provides opaque coverage. It lasts pretty much all day (eight hours) for me making it my staple. Another favorite is Bombshell which is a pigmented blackened purple. Super Mom and Free Spirit are two shades that don’t do much against my skin tone but if you’re fair or lighter skin, I imagine they’d be beautiful.
