I’ll be honest, as much as I enjoyed reviewing the past few products, I’m so happy to be back to liquid lipsticks! Even though they’ve lost popularity in the mainstream, I still have a ton of love for them. I’ve never had issues with most of them feeling too dry, and they’re so easy for me to wear and forget about!
Color: American Woman is described on the Sephora website as a chestnut rose, which is very accurate! It has a lot of pink in it, but I still get a distinct peach to it as well, which I think comes from the chestnut part. It’s another color in the same family as MAC’s Velvet Teddy & Pat McGrath’s Omi.
Finish: Unsurprisingly with a name like “power matte”, this lipstick goes on thin and shiny but dries down to a completely flat matte.
Packaging: Even though this is a mini, the packaging is the exact same between mini and full size. It’s a rectangular acrylic tube with a small clear window on each side. Everything else is a matte black, but not their usual soft touch packaging. The lid has NARS listed across the top, with one letter on each side.
Applicator: The applicator is so unique! I don’t believe I’ve seen anything like it. Instead of a usual fluffy doefoot or paddle, it’s a small soft applicator that is thin and pointed.
I need to preemptively start this review by saying I cannot believe I waited so long to review this product, because I’m kind of love it! I got it in a Sephora lip kit a few years ago, which really is the story for a lot of different products I review.
Color: There is very little pigment to this product with it being a balm, but it does have a very soft pinky nude tint to it. On my lips it really doesn’t have any sort of color.
Finish: Again, with this being a balm, the finish is just shiny and a little creamy if you apply a thicker layer.
Packaging: The packaging of this product is absolutely amazing and my vibe! It looks kind of like Lilly Pulitzer, which is an inspiration brand for me. The packaging is coated cardboard with plastic underneath. It has a midtone pink base and lighter pink shells scattered throughout. Some of the shells are accented in gold. When you pull the cap off, the tube the lipstick sits in is a shiny gold. The thing I really love about this one is that each shade has a different color/pattern!
Applicator: The shape of this bullet is just round; the actual formula is also very soft.
Application: Being a balm and a nude, application is basically foolproof. This is one product I feel completely comfortable applying without a mirror or looking because it’s so sheer. The round shape doesn’t make it easier or harder to apply.
There is a minty scent that dissipates quickly. I was concerned that applying this in the winter time would feel really cold, but it really hasn’t made any difference.
Transfer: With this just being a balm, there is essentially nothing to keep it from transferring, so anywhere my lips touched, the balm went. The side of my coffee cup had essentially all of the pigment come off onto it immediately. The same goes for any food I ate.
Fading: It’s honestly difficult to identify any sort of fading simply because the color is so sheer on me, that I can’t tell where it is even when freshly applied. I rely on the shine it gives my lips, which does last for a little bit. I’d say if you’re actively doing something (drinking, talking, eating, etc) that you’ll be reapplying every hour if you want to keep it on and visible. If you’re just looking for a quick hit of moisture, one application and calling it there is plenty, and it’ll fade away gracefully so you don’t need to continue checking up on it.
Comfort: The big winning aspect of this formula is unsurprisingly its comfort. It’s incredibly soft and feels really comforting on the lips. While I wouldn’t say this is a balm I’d use for super dry lip days, it is perfect when you just want something to throw on and not think about. It certainly doesn’t dry out my lips.
Overall: While this isn’t my new holy grail lip balm, the packaging and feel of the product does make it special and something I want to reach for often, especially since it is currently winter. I wouldn’t pay full price for it, but if Tarte came out with a set of them at a discounted price, I’d consider picking it up! Honestly, it’s the packaging that really elevates this product for me.
Price Point: If you want to try this yourself, you can find it at Sephora or Tarte’s website for $19. I do enjoy this formula, but I think it’s more worth it to find on sale or in a kit, like how I got it.
Switching gears from my TJMaxx shopping addiction to a previous subscription addiction, I got this gloss in a Boxycharm a while ago! Actually, I got it in an Ipsy even further back in the day, but then Boxycharm also sent me one in a full size this time. The timing was great, because the gloss from Ipsy had gone bad at that point.
This one is fresh and unopened until testing, which is an exciting experience for me!
Color: Pink Sequin is described on the Vintage Cosmetics website as a “light, sparkly icy-pink lilac”. I personally don’t see much of the lilac, but it definitely is a very soft, nearly clear gloss with a pink tint, and silvery looking glitter throughout.
Finish: The finish is a standard shiny gloss; there really wasn’t much for color payoff so it looked clear. Of course there is glitter particles throughout, which added a shimmery finish on top of the glossy look.
Packaging: The packaging of this product is quite lovely! The tube is a square shape and acrylic with the brand information printed on it. The cap is a metallic gold that matches the color of the information on the tube.
Applicator: The applicator for this gloss is a brush and not a doefoot. The brush is fine, but pretty small, and I did already have one hair that was frayed and sticking out. While this definitely didn’t impact application, I do want to note it for anyone who might be picky about their gloss brushes!
It’s been a little while since I’ve done a review of something that is 1) not a liquid lipstick, and 2) drugstore pricing!
Back in the day (AKA like 2014 and earlier), the Revlon balms were all the rage! Since then, the popularity has really died down and it seems like Revlon has decided to no longer continue with manufacturing despite the rave reviews. I’ll discuss this more in the “where you can purchase” section.
Color: Enchanting is a light peach with warm undertones. Since there isn’t a website that I can compare my observations to, you’ll just have to trust me and your own eyes!
Finish: Matte balm sounds a bit like a contraction, but the actual finish of the product is surprisingly, actually matte.
Packaging: The packaging is a simple plastic that matches the color of the product. The back of the lip crayon twists, which is how the product comes out when you need more. The tip sticks out of the actual tube.
Applicator: With this being a lip crayon, the applicator is just the product in a pointed shape. This works fine when it’s fresh, but as you continue to wear the product it will eventually wear down into a flat top, so you’ll have to adjust the way you apply it. This may mean trying to sharpen it somehow or just putting up with a flattened top instead of a point.
Application: With the product being fresh and pointy, application is pretty simple; I use the side instead of the tip of the product for applying since that speeds up the application process. If you have smaller lips, I’d suggest lining them with the tip of the product and then filling in the rest with the side to preserve the shape longer.
The color isn’t especially opaque, so I do have to go over my lips a few times to get full coverage; I have pigmented lips, so that doesn’t help. Even after going over a few times, I feel like you can still see my lip color underneath.
There is a very strong minty smell when applying. This does go away pretty quickly, but if you don’t like that smell I’d recommend passing on this.
I’m back for another review of the Huda Matte Liquid Lipsticks – this time in another very popular neutral shade! I’m pretty sure Bombshell is one of the OG lip colors.
Color: The Sephora website describes Bombshell as a “subtle pinkish nude”. This feels very accurate to the color swatched and on the lips as well. On my undertones it pulls a bit more orange, but in fairness it is considered a “subtle pinkish” nude, and not just a pink.
Finish: With this being a matte liquid lipstick, the finish ends up being just like any other liquid lipstick – a fully dried down matte with no shine.
Packaging: The packaging on this product is a sleek, square acrylic tube with a satin matte black cap. The label seems to be printed on and has stayed with no fading through the time I’ve owned it. The bottom has a sticker with the color name.
One thing to note, which may bother you, is that the square of the cap is just the slightest bit off of the square of the tube. While it’s not especially noticeable or bothersome for me, if you are someone who likes everything to look perfect I’d be weary.
Applicator: The applicator is a very standard doefoot, which works well with the consistency of this formula. I didn’t notice any fraying of it or wear that would make application more difficult.
Application: It should first be noted that like all other Huda products, this lipstick has a strong vanilla/baked good fragrance. While I personally enjoy the smell, if you are someone who doesn’t like fragranced lip products you may want to skip – the scent does linger for a few minutes after application as well but will fade.
Applying this is no different from most other liquid lipsticks. The product is very liquidy and is easy to swipe on quickly. The standard doefoot makes getting straight lines simple, and the product is completely opaque in one swipe.
I did notice that for the first 15 to 20 minutes after applying, my lips were very sticky both to the touch and to each other, but this didn’t seem to affect transfer. After that, it was completely dry.
During the height of my need to own everything Colourpop, I got myself the KathleenLights lip bundle along with lots of others – well, I’m finally getting around to sharing what I think about it!
I also want to start this review off with a note that this gloss is very old – probably close to 2 years. This means that my experience with this formula may not be the norm. I recommend checking your own glosses for any signs of being expired prior to using!
Color: Moon Child is a peach with gold flecks. The formula of the gloss is pretty thick and opaque, but it can be sheered out – you can see how that looks in the swatches below! It is a bit pale for my usual preference when fully opaque, so I prefer the look of it sheered.
Finish: With this being a gloss, of course the finish is quite shiny! Due to the formula itself being thick, I’d say it looks more creamy than glossy, with some shine coming from the flecks of glitter throughout.
Packaging: The packaging is super pretty, as it normally is with Colourpop’s collaborations! The tube is the typical acrylic, with the lid being a light rose gold. The wording on the tube as well as the pattern, which looks a bit like half suns, is also in a bronzey rose gold color.
Applicator: Colourpop doefoots are always a hit or miss for me. I find that they’re either a perfectly normal doefoot like most, or it looks like this one – a bit frayed and messy. I’m not sure if that’s because of the texture of the gloss or what, but it does make getting a perfect application a bit difficult.
I’d also like to point out that it seems that some of the Colourpop glosses come with a brush applicator, and some come with a doefoot. I don’t know if there’s a reason why it’s different between colors – if you do, please share!
Application: Since my doefoot is a bit frayed, getting a perfectly straight line on the edge of my lips was difficult to get. Fortunately, the color of this gloss is very forgiving for going outside of lip lines, plus because I prefer a less opaque look, I opted to lightly swipe it across both lips and rub them together to disperse product.
I am of the opinion that theBalm is a pretty underrated brand in the beauty sphere! They have their popular products like the Mary-Loumanizer or their eyeshadow palettes, but everything else doesn’t seem to get quite the same hype. Today I’m sharing my review on one of their lip products; their creamy lip stain.
Color: Namaste is a deep, warm pink. It looks slightly more neutral upon application, but wears into a fuchsia throughout the day.
Finish: As the name suggests, this lip stain’s finish is definitely a cream, similar to that of a bullet lipstick but with less opacity. It’s not quite shiny like many glosses, but does hold a similar vibe to one.
Packaging: theBalm is definitely known for their cute, vintage looking packaging featuring various people, and this isn’t an exception. The tube is a matte grey plastic, with a cute sticker in it featuring a red head saying the shade name. Each shade has a different character on it, which is a nice touch.
Applicator: The applicator is your standard doefoot. I didn’t feel like the shape helped or hindered in applying this product.
Application: I found getting an even application with this color to be a bit tricky, as it’s not fully opaque. I had to be careful to not swipe back and forth too much, or I would risk pulling up the product I’d already put on my lips and making it look patchy. One layer was the best bet for getting an even application, however I still wasn’t completely happy with the evenness of it.
I also had a bit of difficulty with getting the edges of my lips, as product would want to bunch up and leave a thick line – with many other products it’s easy to fix, but with this one I had to carefully dab it away or risk a more patchy appearance. I found it easiest to press and rub my lips together to disperse excess product.
Last year, MAC came out with arguably the most beautiful collection known to exist, a.k.a the Electric Wonder. With gorgeous packaging and popular, wearable shades this was sure to draw the eyes of anyone interested in traditionally feminine, “instagramable” packaging. I, of course, was no exception!
Color: Life in Sepia is a cool, mid-toned brown. On the lips, it definitely has a grey undertone – this is the kind of color that most people either love or hate. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it’s a vampy color, but it is definitely darker than a traditional nude.
Finish: As the name suggests, this is a matte finish. Even when it goes on there is very little shine, which quickly fades into a flat appearance.
Packaging: Unsurprisingly, the packaging of this lipstick is its selling point. It is a gorgeous pink marble, with veins of metallic gold scattered throughout. The inner portion of the tube is a matte gold, along with the small bit that peeks out and the MAC printed on it. The actual shape of the tube is a traditional MAC bullet lipstick.
Applicator: The shape of the actual lipstick is basic – just like any other lipstick shape with a traditional tear drop shape and a point.
Application: Applying this lipstick was as easy as any other bullet lipstick. Even after wearing it down a bit, I didn’t have problems with getting straight lines. One thing I will point out is that this particular shade is one that shows my natural lip colors on the edges if I don’t cover them completely. That just meant I had to be a little extra careful to make sure I got all the edges otherwise you could see pink, which looked a bit strange.
One other thing that is incredibly important to point out is the strong vanilla scent that MAC lipsticks have. This one is no exception – I could smell it upon application and for about 5 minutes after.
I will forever talk about how much I adore Ipsy, and this is part of the reason why! I was able to get this lip gloss as part of my bag – I love being able to try new collections from brands I enjoy!
Color: This is a mostly transparent peach gloss with tons of glitter. There is a hint of peach color in the base, but for the most part it’s clear with shimmer.
Finish: The finish of this is shiny, but more so I’d say this is a glitter finish gloss due to the lack of base pigment.
Packaging: The packaging of this gloss is a beautiful matte white cap with a plain acrylic tube and Ofra written on the cap. The product information is white, printed on the tube, and appears to have Madison Miller’s signature on it.
Applicator: The applicator functions like a basic doefoot, however it does have an interesting curve to it and a bit of a “chair” shape. I’m not sure if that really improves the application, but it is kind of fun.
Application: Application of this gloss is pretty easy. I dipped into the tube twice; once for each lip. Since the base is mostly clear I wasn’t too worried about going outside of the lip lines. One thing I do want to caution is that it can look streaky and clumpy upon initial application until you “blend” with the doefoot – so I’d be careful about applying without a mirror. You could also rub your lips together to distribute the pigment a bit more, but it was something I had noticed. This is me being nit picky!
There is a very sweet vanilla scent that dissipates after application.
Aside from primers, one product that really worked for Smashbox was their liquid lipsticks! So many people discussed them when they first came out, and even years later I still hear people talk about these being a favorite formula.
Color: Babe Alert is a corally-pink nude. It’s got a warm undertone, and is mostly pink but feels more wearable than what I’d consider a “true pink”. Sephora and Ulta both describe this as a “nude rose” – I’d say more rose than nude.
Finish: This lipstick dries down to a completely flat matte finish. Even upon initial application the actual appearance of the dry down was pretty quick; there wasn’t any period of shine.
Packaging: The lipstick that I have is a sample size, but the packaging is similar between the full size and sample size. It is a large square acrylic tube with a black cap. The label is printed directly on the tube and doesn’t appear to be a sticker.
Applicator: The applicator on this lip product is a tear drop shape with a hole (also known as a well) in the center that holds extra product. It’s got a bit of a fuzzy texture to it but I didn’t find that there was any problems with that making the edges less crisp.
Application: Applying this lipstick is very easy. The teardrop shape made getting a sharp line simple, and the well holds enough product to cover both lips without having to dip back in.
I did feel like even with applying the normal amount that comes on the applicator, the product felt thick going on. This, in turn, played in to the amount of time that it took for the product to dry & I believe also played into how it looked later on.
Karissa Talks Beauty 