Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze (Nordstrom Exclusive)

I picked Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze from Nordstrom's beauty exclusives as an addition to the Ready-To-Wear palette, figuring the tiny pans of lip color in the compact will run out first and because I wanted an additional color that goes well with the bronze theme of the set.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in Intimate Bronze is a perfect fit. It's a delicate color, somewhere between a light pink bronze and rosy mauve, depending on the light. With my coloring it looks like a warm nude, something to wear when I want to neutralize the pink tone of my natural lip color. The shimmer is very fine and reflects the light more than actually adding fire.

The gloss is soft and moisturizing, making for a comfortable wear and helping keep the lips soft and moisturized. Its staying power is average minus, but someone with pale lips might see more of the pigment after the shine is gone.

Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss 522 Intimate Bronze($26.50) is a Nordstrom exclusive, but rumor has it this color was seen at some airport duty-free stores in Europe. It's no longer available online, as the pre-sale is over, but Nordstrom stores are still supposed to have it in stock.

All photos are mine.

Dior Addict

Dior Addict is a guilty pleasure. It's like a semi-trashy chicklit book or an episode of Giuliana & Bill. You know you shouldn't but it's too much fun. Dior Addict is loud, sweet and has no problem announcing its presence with big and bold notes- citrus, somewhat screechy orange blossom and a big sugary vanilla base with a hint of coconut. It's like a treat you buy on the boardwalk, knowing well it's all empty calories but you enjoy every shameful bite.

I never owned a bottle of Dior Addict- only samples and a quick spray at Sephora, just because. But recently I realized I had none left and a quick search found a bottle of the pure parfum on eBay. I didn't even know they made Addict in this concentration (it's probably discontinued at this point), so I had to have it. The extrait  is more or less the same as the EDP, but the harsh plastic note that usually appears before the drydown is missing and making the fragrance a bit smoother. The base is creamier and you actually smell the sandalwood, even though I don't buy the claim it's Mysore.

Addict is obviously a far departure from the classic Dior perfumes. Of course , even the iconic ones are no longer what they used to be (thank you, IFRA and cost reduction-focused perfumery). It's closer in character to some of the Poison flankers, especially Pure Poison, and seems to be aimed toward a generation that wouldn't wear Miss Dior. The ad campaign was loud and vulgar (the above is actually the tame version. In the original the bottle is tucked into her underwear she's in the process of taking off) and couldn't be more different than the gorgeous Rene Gruau illustrations from vintage ads.

Still, some days are more Jersey shore than the Hamptons. A frozen custard from Rita's and Dior Addict feel just right.

Dior Addict ($75, 1.7 oz EDP) is available from Sephora. I'd recommend an online search, though. Some retailers have it for nearly half the price.

2002 ad: imagesdeparfums.fr
A boardwalk amusement park: jerseyshoreguide.com

Dior Addict Lipcolor (Decadent Plum 993)

Because you can't have too many purple lipsticks.

The Dior SA urged me to try it on. The somewhat metallic finish scared me at first because the texture looked a bit too severe in the tube and I was worried it would cling to the scar on my bottom lip and look like a mess. But the color was, indeed, very pretty and I couldn't remember if I've tried Dior Addict in the new formula before, so I had to check it out.

They weren't kidding about the weightless formula and glide-on texture. It really is that great, which helps a lot when it comes to dark lip colors. The new Dior Addict is a real treat: great coverage, comfortable texture (though it's not moisturizing, just wears nicely without drying), lasts for hours (survives a drink, though requires reapplying after lunch) and looks pretty.

Decadent Plum (#993) is definitely a bold color, but not so much as to turn heads when I wear it in the middle of the day. It's red-based and doesn't make teeth look yellow. Actually, the color is so pretty that even my husband noticed. That's an achievement, if you consider the number of lipsticks, purple and others, I tend to try and wear. I suspect it can look great on many a complexion, unless one is suspiciously orange (but if that's the case you have bigger problems than finding the right lipstick).

Bottom line: Worthy of the swankiest holiday party.

Dior Addict Lipcolor ($26) is available from most department stores. While Sephora carries the line, Decadent Plum is not on their website, so it might be in a somewhat limited distribution. I bought it at my local Bloomingdale's.

Photos by me.

Lip Service IV: In the Red (sort of)

This is a good time as any to talk about red lipstick. I was looking at this photo of Anne Hathaway, who is very lovely. But the lip color just doesn't work. Am I the only one who sees this? It's too harsh and isn't flattering at all. Not something that would make me run to Sephora and buy the look.

Anne Hathaway isn't the only one that doesn't look her best in such bold lip color. I wasn't too impressed with Michelle Williams' Oscar makeup (though I loved the vibrant yellow dress), and I don't think that Reese Witherspoon is doing herself any favors here:


But the blondes aren't the only ones having a hard time wearing true red. This non-blonde has long ago discovered that although the idea of wearing Chanel Red or any color like it is very alluring, it doesn't work in reality, and an adjustments must be made. Catherine Zeta Jones seems to be of a similar opinion. Although she usually wears deep, reddish colors, it's never the shades I've shown above. I don't know what exactly Catherine is wearing. Maybe I should check the Elizabeth Arden counters for it. But I'm more than happy with both my old Lancome stand-by and with my newest discovery- Dior Addict in Digital Brown, which is neither digital nor brown, but is a very pleasant reddish color.

But first, let's talk Lancome. I've been using the Sugared Maple for more years than I can remember. It's always been my daytime red, something that is strong and visible enough, but never over-the-top. It's a brownish red that goes well with most of my clothes and has a pearly finish that isn't too shiny. It's interesting to note that the same color on my sister, who is a much paler non-blonde, is still very beautiful but can only work for night. It's too dark on her to be worn casually.

Lancome has made a small change to this lipstick over the years.I started using it when it was part of the Rouge Absolu line before this range became very creamy, and nowadays it's a Rouge Sensation. I don't think that the formula has changed,just the packaging, as Rouge Absolu used to include several options for a finish. The texture is what it's always been- not too dry, good staying power and good coverage. It would probably not suit very dry lips without blending it with a gloss (and then losing some of the color). I like it so much that I have a tube in just about every purse.

Lately I've been looking for a more modern take on the brownish red subject. And I've found it at Neiman's Dior counter. Dior Addict in Digital Brown looks like a lighter version of Mapled Sugar. It's a little more red and more sheer, the finish is still pearly or metallic. I think it has a better coverage, though, like SM it is a bit dry and I'd be careful using it on days that my lips tend to chap. But it stays put for hours, doesn't bleed or melt, and overall it's my new favorite. For extra comfort I do layer it with gloss: DiorKiss in Praline- a nude (on me)color that gives shine and moisture and works well with any brown lipstick.