Review| Innisfree Creammellow Lipsticks in #9 and #10

I believe Innisfree is a Korean makeup brand with loads of praise for its skincare products, but I was actually more interested in their Creammellow Lipsticks (~$12 on EBay). After a lot of consideration and perusing of swatches of this entire range, I picked up #9 Blueberry Burgundy,  #10 Latte Brown, and later came back for (not pictured) #4 Coral Grapefruit. 

They're all very similar, so just pick a color that you think would work better with your fairer or deeper coloring. 

#9 on the left and #10 on the right. #10 looks a lot more nude-brown on my lips. 

#4 is third from the left in this set of swatches. 

Again, the shade range is same-same so you won't need to buy more than one to try. However, these are really the *best* balm stains that I've tried. They beat out my other favorite, MAC Huggables in terms of moisture, longevity, comfort on the lips, and opacity of color. A lot of "balm stains" dry out my lips (see: Clinique and Revlon) and make my lips peel in sheets. These are comfortable and creamy without bleeding outside of lip lines as they retain a sense of "tackiness" on the lips. 

They wear for 2-3 hours and can be reapplied liberally. I stash them in my purse for touch ups once my lipstick has worn off. 

I'm wearing #9 here and it's not too vampy for this transition weather between the end of summer and fall. 

xo Be

First Look| Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipsticks

I love these!

Like many things Colourpop, their Ultra Matte Liquid Lipsticks ($6 each) are getting a whole lotta hype on the interwebz. We've already established that matte liquid lipsticks are having their moment...right? My favorite formulation is KVD (creamy, nice to lips, great color selection) and least favorite is Stila (bleedfest and drying AF.)

When I heard that these CP varieties were "super drying", "patchy and crumbles on the lips", "prone to explosion from the tube" (wait, what??), and "smears everywhere" I giggled at the high expectations for low price point.

But those colors! The range goes from pale nudes to vampy fall favorites and bright blue/black/unwearable freaky colors. They originally broke the internet with their 25 shade launch and just released 8 limited edition shades for fall.

I chose Bumble, Tulle, Trap and Beeper from the fall collection. There's plenty of swatches online so feel free to look elsewhere for swatches on a variety of skintones. I'm just here to confirm that the formula is decent and affordable.

Pros:

• At $6 bucks each you can afford to try 5 out with free shipping with little regret. 
• They are thinner in consistency without being liquid-fluid. I had no problems spreading them out and being precise with lip lines. 
• They don't have a scent and come in clear packaging. 
• I didn't notice any peeling or crumbling and they wear evenly off all at once. 
• They aren't anymore drying on the lips than a regular matte lipstick for me. 

Cons: 

• They accentuate lip lines. Luckily, I didn't notice any problems with transferring if I put a lip balm on top or underneath to smooth them out. 
• You cannot layer coat after coat with them. Use a precise hand and get the lines right the first time, or you're just fucked. 
• They can make your lips feel tight. 
• They are not long-wearing. They disappear completely after a greasy meal but generally transfer resistant. 

From left to right:

Bumble looks almost terracotta in many swatches, but it's a darker berry brown on my lips. I wish it pulled a little more orange on me.

Tulle is a dark brown-red brick shade on me...it's a darkened Bumble. It's vampy without being in yo face. 

Trap looks unwearable on many because it's a mauve that leans mostly grey. LA girls seem to really love this one but it takes a special steel resolve to rock this in Northern CA where most women don't wear a full face everyday. I can look *dead* with this on, so I have to really pile on the blush and keep a light wash of champagne sparkle on the lids. 

Beeper (LE) is a mid-toned true brown. I've gotten confused men on the streets half checking me out/confusingly staring/throwing up in disgust all at once with this one. It looks really gorgeous with a smokey brown eye look but it's another "fashion" look.

I'm content with the ones I have since I took ages and ages to look at swatches and decide for myself. I believe people experienced flaking and patchiness with the darkest shades but I had no problems with the ones I've purchased.

xo Be

Edit| High End Lip Products for Summer

I'm not one for high end lipstick hoarding. I've never had a lipstick go rotten on me but I've never been able to use up a lipstick completely. When I buy high end lipsticks, I usually cling onto their beauty so hard that I forget (or purposefully try not) to use them up. In the end, they sit like ancient relics on my vanity until I get scared and toss them into the fridge to prevent further death and decay.

However, since I've been honest with myself and purging what I don't need from my collection, I've had a lot more opportunities to start putting my lips to high end, rare, fancy lipsticks that feel too luxurious to use.

I've also had a chance to pick up more fun, summery colors that aren't too opaque and serious for both work and play.

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First, I gave the YSL Babydoll Kiss and Blush in 5 Rouge Effrontee ($39) a good effort. When these were first released I gave them the side eye and moved along. Stains for blushes and cheek? Probably either too drying, sheer, or complete shit for both cheeks and lips. To my pleasant surprise, these nail polish shaped stains act like an opaque matte liquid lipstick on the lips and a lovely stain on the cheeks that lasts an entire day. Rouge Effrontee is a hot pink coral that's very flattering and bright.

On the glossy, watery, balmy end of the spectrum, the YSL Glossy Stain in 7 Corail Aquatique ($36) is a revisit of a favored formula for me. While I still think that the Revlon Moisture Stains are great dupes of this formula (a little thinner and patchier), Corail Aquatique is an easy-to-wear muted peach that could pass as MLBB if you're a Kpop princess.

Then shit got REALLY REAL, and I bit the bullet for two Guerlain Rouge Automatiques ($37 each) in Nahema and Insolence. It's hard to explain these colors without calling everything peach or coral, so I guess you could say that every shade I purchased is a mutation of coral.

Besides the adorable trap door/slide down for lipstick to come up contraption that may lead to many lipsticks ruined in the palm of your hands, the formula is...amazing. It glides on, imparting color that's moisturizing, doesn't bleed all over lip lines, and stays on for a solid 6 hours before fading evenly. 

*pupils dilate, grabs all teh Guerlain*

Here are swatches with Insolence on the left and Nahema on the right (two swipes versus one for each color). 

Because all of these options are on the sheerer side without being too in yo face about their pigment, I don't feel afraid to wear lipstick. All of them can be applied without a mirror and I don't have to blot anything down or feel self-conscious about stares. Isn't comfort what makes makeup fun in the first place? 

xo Be

Review| Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stains

Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain ($9.99) offers another product on the market that claims to do everything a liquid lipstick can while offering comfort on the lips. With the release of 12 shades from nudes to vamps you can find a color for every whim. The market has truly been saturated with the hybrid glosses of modern times. We only want lip products that are lipsticks, glosses, balms, and stains in one.

I picked:
Parisian Passion, a deep vampy plum
India Intrigue, a midtone jewel pink
Shanghai Sizzle, an orange red

Rio Rush, a bright blue based pink
Cannes Crush, a true coral

To be honest, I didn't expect miracles with this one. I really enjoy the formulation of recent hybrid gloss stains but their scents are often off putting. The Maybelline Elixirs are phenomenal if they didn't smell like cedar chips and mung bean. (Others smell vanilla...good for them!)

A nice ole' tamper proof seal makes it less of a germ playground before you get to use it.

Like other glossy stains, this one comes with a doefoot applicator. I made the mistake of trying to apply the product directly onto my entire lips with the doefoot. The formula is way too watery to allow an even coating so it's better if you use your fingers to spread the product onto your lips. Otherwise you end up with a streaky/gloopy mess!

These swatches are swiped twice for full opacity, but they are still pretty darn pigmented! 

Again, do notice that they have a sheen to them without being ultra glossy. 

Besides the formula/applicator dilemma, I have nothing but raves for the Moisture Stains. It may come as a huge surprise, but I think these are dupes for Dior Fluid Sticks for a fraction of the price. Yes, really!

1. The formula is wet/watery but dries to a balmy consistency that isn't sticky or prone to bleeding outside of the lip lines. It's not goopy or sticky in the least.

2. Although they are thin they pack a lot of pigmentation for a single swipe and shows up opaque on the lips with one layer.

3. There isn't a discernible scent or taste which is a huge plus in my book. 

4. The gloss wears off after a meal but the color stains your lips slightly for 3-4 hours before fading. As expensive as Fluid Sticks come, they wear and last the same way.

5. Like the name says, it's very comfortable on the lips. I have chronically peeling lips and these don't make them feel dry or tight. In fact, they are almost as moisturizing as a real lip balm and I can truly wear it alone.

Here is Cannes Crush after a super greasy meal of fried rice and sausage. It's not ultra vibrant but still stains the lips with a hint of color that doesn't scream "I'm trying to look perfect!!"

Here is India Intrigue freshly applied. The overall look is not quite glossy or matte, but more like a satin lip pencil without any heaviness on the lips.

I probably will only pick up one or two more, but I really do enjoy my current small collection. These are perfect to stash in a handbag and reapply throughout the day. 

xo Be

First Look| Too Faced Melted Liquified Longwear Lipstick (Melted Peony & Melted Coral)

Ever bought something (or things...) and instantly regretted it the moment you tried it on at home? Or to keep it real, after trying it in your car using your rearview mirror the moment you get into the parking lot? 

Too Faced Melted Liquified Longwear Lipsticks ($21) are on every beauty blogger's #selfie and available at Sephora, Ulta, and online. Admittedly, I was curious to try them because of how much I worship their La Creme formulation. This time they came up short of expectations.

It's not that the packaging isn't adorable or that the six colors released aren't ultra pigmented and amazingly curated. It's my darn reptilian lips. I was cautious enough to only pick two colors because I know my lips don't always do well with stains. Melted Coral and Melted Peony are both perfect shades for spring and the soon coming summer.

Don't be fooled by the huge packaging. It's split up inside to house the tube in only half the box.  

You see, despite the claims of it being "creamy, comfortable, intense color, lasts for hours, made of unicorn shit, etc..." the Melted lipstick is not a "liquid lipstick gloss stain" mutant as advertised. In fact, it resembles a satiny lipstick that goes comes out of a rather unsanitary squeeze foam tip. 

It's the reason why I didn't swatch these directly on my lips at Sephora, out of fear of catching herpes and unpleasant germs.

Here is one coat of Melted Peony applied directly on my lips. You've seen this shot before. Look closely and you'll see the power grid of America's east coast from outer space on my lips. The color likes to congregate around the outer portion of the lips and really sink into any crevice it can find. Another thing to note is that the color isn't as striking and bright on the lips as swatches may suggest.

Let me just go through the claims and slash them down for you. Seriously, if your lips are at all sensitive or prone to dryness you can go ahead and just take these out of your fantasy Sephora cart. Those blessed with naturally soft, pouty, and perfect lips need not talk to me.

Creamy? Not even. Compared to their La Cremes and other lipsticks, they come out in a liquid form but don't have a balmy feel to them. They don't feel heavy nor particularly light on the lips. The biggest nay is how quickly the formula settle into every crevice and crack of your lips if you don't apply a balm underneath. 

Glossy? Meh. I found them to swatch rather glossy but they didn't have a huge shine factor on the lips and dried down to a satin finish. Intense color? You betcha. A little squeeze, a little dab, and a little swipe gives me full on lipstick pigmentation in a liquidy texture.

Comfortable? Kinda. They didn't make my lips peel or flake severely but they were too dry to be worn alone. I found it best to layer a moisturizing lip gloss on top or to wear a balm underneath. My lips certainly felt tight when I used it alone; bummer as the packaging and applicator is so touch up friendly.

Long lasting? Sure, if you only eat a cube of cheese when you feel faint. As for me, I reapplied every three hours. Both colors transferred onto my cup when I had tea and ran away completely whenever I ate. I usually have a problem with color transferring onto my chin (I must make exaggerated eating faces) but the color leaves evenly so there's no unsightly ring around the lips. They do stain your lips very slightly after they wear off. 

See how non-glossy the color is on the lips? Not as advertised. I'm very suspicious that I've bought a bad batch where the formula is super matte and drying. 

Overall, I won't be purchasing any other shades and I'm contemplating a return on these! I don't like the extra work put in just to make them wearable, and the overall product is nothing to write home about. Don't be fooled by bright colors; you'll find a much better formulation in other spring releases!

xo Be

Review| Lime Crime Velvetine Liquid to Matte Lip Stain in Red Velvet

To be honest with you, I don't give two flying forks about whether a product is vegan and cruelty free or not. That's not to say I actively avoid such brands, but I find that I will buy whatever I find to be the most efficient and useful product on the market. 

And on the flip side, I could care less if there's controversy about a brand's image or owner's scandal. 

That's why I went ahead and ordered this Lime Crime Velvetine in Red Velvet ($20 retail) because I was infatuated with lip swatches online and wanted a long wearing red lipstick for work. 

When the product arrived, I was really surprised at the small size of the tube. I don't know why, but I must have been expecting something that resembles a gloss stick more than a lipstick. 

The instructions are pretty much spot on. I would advise you apply the thinnest layer to the center of your lips and use the doe foot applicator to draw the lines of your lips. Make sure to work quickly and keep a makeup remover cloth close by, because as soon as this sets in the wrong place...good luck. 

A cotton pad soaked in an oil based makeup remover (like Neutrogena's or Lancome's) and a firm swipe will remove it from your lips. 

As you can see, the color isn't as deep or vampy as I thought it would be, especially from seeing it on other people's lips. I don't have very pigmented lips, so the color shows up very bright on me. This picture was taken under indirect sunlight and seconds after application. See how it still looks wet?

 I had tried it on the night before under dim yellow bulbs and my husband took one look and said, "Are you going to the club?"

Well no...I was about to use this for work but....

"Cuz you look like you're going to the club."

*one single tear*

See how imperfect my application looks? It really does take a lot of patience to apply this product. My lip lines are naturally crooked and uneven, so I had to overfill in some areas. The color dries down to a velvet finish as the name suggests but isn't matte or dry in the least. You can top with a gloss and it won't budge even when the gloss does.

Here is a less-closer look of Red Velvet on my lips, after it has had a few minutes to dry down. As you can see, it isn't bright to the point of clubbing makeup, but I would still need a darker wine or deep red liner if I wanted to wear it for work. It's a very classic red color that reminds me of MAC Ruby Woo. Not to mention, it makes my teeth look blindingly white! 

And yes, I would rock it to the club. I see this one lasting through lots of shots and embarrassing trips to the porcelain throne. 

The best part is how non-drying it is for a longwear product. By hour two or three, my lips are usually peeling from any product. This stuff dries down to the point where it doesn't budge, but doesn't look flakey or horrendous even after you've had a drink of water or eaten a meal. Seriously, after a meal! I wore it for 10 hour straight to test the product and found it looking great after 5 hours, good after 8, and decent at 10 hours in. It can tend to emphasize lip lines, so I wear it over the thinnest layer of balm. What's weird about it is that it makes my lips look very plump overall, even if you can see the lines. 

I'm not sure I would recommend that you reapply the product over itself to touch up. If anything, a tinted lip balm in red would really help to keep it from looking patchy (which it doesn't) or worn. 

I may try the Pink Velvet shade next for summer, it looks phenomenal!

xo, Be.

First Look| Rimmel Apocalips Lip Lacquer

Imagine my sheer giddiness as I stumbled upon a humble display case for Rimmel's Apocalips Lip Lacquers.

My first thought, "OH MY GOD!!! IT"S HERE!?"

My second thought, "MUST BUY ALL. MUST BUY ALL."

There are 14 colors available in the U.S. release (May of 2013, I had never seen them in my life...) and my display case had about 10 or so colors. I really like the fact that they are doe-foot and shaped like pencils for my hoarding *ahem* storing convenience.

Well, I walked away from Rite-Aid 30 dollars poorer (I picked five at around 5.49 retail each) feeling like I had the best selection of apparently magical lip products at my disposal. After all, they were like the unicorns of the makeup world, available only in the UK or something posh like that. I'd always looked at swatches, dreaming of the day where I could hold a bunch of them in both hands and laugh maniacally. 

Hm. Priorities.

 I've always been unhappy with lip lacquers because they tend to be very drying and perhaps too long wearing (to the point where you can't fix them without going bonkers...I'm looking at you MUFE...) I usually stick to a lipstick or a gloss and don't really enjoy glossy lipsticks unless it's the summertime and the color is a bright fuchsia pink.

I chose (from left to right): 303 Apocaliptic, 401 Aurora, 101 Celestial, 500 Luna, 600 Nude Eclipse. 

Apocaliptic is a bright pink with blue tones, and stained my arm when I went to remove it. 

Aurora is a bright coral leaning red.

Celestial is a mauvey pink that could be MLBB.

Luna is a coral that leans orange.

Nude Eclipse is a brownish beige nude that doesn't wash my complexion out.

This is outdoors, but with no direct sunlight. These swatches were made with one pass with the exception of Nude Eclipse, which showed up opaque with a second swipe. 

This is outdoors, closer to direct sunlight. 

They have a faint scent like artificial fruit, but it isn't cloying or overpowering in the least. The doe foot applicator isn't too large and dispenses enough product for one lip at a time. I love the color payoff and non sticky texture. You can definitely feel them on the lips, but they aren't dry, goopy, or thick. I wouldn't call them stains, but the brighter colors might leave a faint color behind after wear. I touch up at around 3 hours. 

Overall, these wear for a decent amount of time, plump out your lips well, and have great color payoff without being drying in the least bit. I opted out of shimmery colors for ethical reasons, but the opacity of these Apocalips are to die for. Not to mention their names are so cute and celestial and totally unrelated to anything about the Apocalypse even if they are just lip products. 

So, I'm going back to Rite-Aid and hoppin' on the bandwagon after what, like 400 years after the release? It's okay, awesomeness is forever.

XO, Be

First Look| L'oreal Le Matte and La Laque.

I finally have ventured outside of my 10 mile zone to another Target in search of these mystical lipsticks. And they are indeed mystical. I hadn't been able to find them for the past few weeks, even though it's been out for at least two months now. Such is the life of limited edition items; they get clamored over by crazy makeup enthusiasts and disappear, never to come back.

Ah, but I've finally found them. Here are some swatches and pictures for your enjoyment. You may live vicariously through me.

From left to right: 414 I Lacque You A Lot, 413 Lacque-onic, 409 Matte for Me. Below, the order is reversed.

 

Matte for me is a blue based pink, in the same family as MAC's Girl About Town/Crosswires/Impassioned.

Lacque-onic is my favorite, a true red with a shine. 

I Lacque You A Lot is an orange-red that seems similar to MAC's Lady Danger with a shine. 

None of the colors are particularly wearable for every day (work/school) unless you're the adventurous type, but they are beautiful nonetheless. They remind me of NARS' matte and satin lip pencils with a much lower price point, and dare I say they are much less drying? I'd love to pick up even more, but I received the matte shade in a swap and only found the other two at Target. Also, I believe they retail for about 8 to 10 dollars (if you can find them, try to buy a few just in case!)

All three shades are very opaque and pigmented, long wearing, and not prone to bleeding or drying. The matte shade applies like a satin and dries down to a matte and wore down to a light stain after three hours. The La Laques are a little more prone to feathering if not laid on top of a liner, but they do not slide around.

The only downside is that they smell rather outdated and "drugstore", which is a given. I really hope that these are just L'oreal's way of testing the waters before jumping in with a more extensive collection.

Have you been able to find these at your local drugstore or Target? I think most people are having good luck with Target. Let me know what you think!

Be