Beauty Review: Wet N Wild Megalast Lip Colour

I originally bought a Wet N Wild lipstick because I liked the vampy colour. I wasn't overly pleased, however after watching some of my favourite beauty YouTubers talk about how good they were I decided to buy two more to try because sometimes different colours have different results. The verdict? I'm really glad I gave these a second chance.

WHAT THE COMPANY SAYS:

Lips take center stage! This 4-hour, longwearing lip color leaves a semi-matte, crème finish in one stroke. Glides on easily with rich, velvety color that doesn't cake, feather, or bleed. Made with hydrating skin-care ingredients: Hyaluronic Microspheres provide extraordinary adhesion to lips, an exclusive polymer complex offers cushion-like feel and texture, and natural marine plant extracts Coenzyme Q10 and Vitamins A & E help smooth lips.

AFFORDABILITY:

I bought these from Crush Cosmetics. They are listed as $5 ea. though I think I may have gotten some of these on a sale, so they were possibly cheaper again. I think that it's probably the cheapest price I have seen a lipstick. It's definitely makes trying them a little less daunting.

PACKAGING:

I am not a huge fan of the packaging. I think that it's cheap looking, but then I guess that's just what you have to expect when it only costs $5. I think my least favourite thing about the packaging is that the lipstick doesn't wind all the way down, so the lid gets little bits of lipstick on it, unless you are super careful. Because it has a sheer lid it is easy to find the colour you want when you are looking through your make-up collection.

^That is as far as it winds down.

THE FORMULA:

The lipstick is semi-matte and can be drying on the lips. I have found that applying lip balm a while before applying the lipstick prevents lips from becoming dry. The lipstick actually seals the lip balm in and makes it last longer. 

APPLICATION:

This is one of those matte lipsticks that can be a little tricky to apply. It is quite dry, so it takes a few swipes to get the colour pay off and it can appear a little patchy. This lipstick can look a bit rough around the edges so I highly recommend using a lip liner or diffusing the harsh lip-line with a cotton tip. It definitely goes on a lot smoother with a balm underneath and there isn't a real need to blot this one as it doesn't budge (much).

^The lipstick has a sticker on the bottom in a similar colour to the lipstick.

COLOUR SELECTION:

I'm not sure how many colours there are in this range, but Crush Cosmetics sells 26. I think that's a lot. I got the colours 'Ravin Rasin' 'Spiked With Rum' and 'Vamp it Up'. I 'Vamp it Up' is my least favourite as it is definitely harder to apply and needs to be touched up more often. My favourite colour is 'Spiked with Rum' and I think if you are going to try a colour I would highly recommend that one. I have been wearing 'Spiked with Rum' quite a bit recently because I think it's flattering and the mid-tone muted redd-brown shade really suits my style at the moment. 

^From Top to Bottom: 'Spiked with Rum', 'Ravin Raisin' and 'Vamp it Up'

STAYING POWER:

The staying power on these is really impressive. If I eat something a little bit tends to come of in the centre of your lips, but not much more (unless it's greasy or super hot food). I haven't noticed it bleeding or feathering (except when I eat greasy food). Even wearing lip balm underneath I notice this lipstick stays a long time. Wet n Wild says the lipstick lasts 4 hours. I think it lasts longer, it just depends what you're eating. 

^This was my arm after I wiped off the lipstick with a make-up wipe. I washed it with soap later and the stains still wouldn't come off.

THE VERDICT:

I really like these lipsticks now and I'm glad I gave them a second chance. With a few application tricks (using a cotton tip to smooth out the lip-line and wearing a good lip balm underneath) these lip colours can be amazing. I think for the price they are really good quality and I really like the colour selection. I'm definitely interested in trying out some more shades! I recommend these to anyone who is after a long lasting lippy at a decent price, however, I suggest using those application tricks as they make a huge difference.

Have you tried one of these lipsticks? What do you think about them?

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Beauty Review: Milani Color Statement Lipstick

I had heard about the Milani Color Statement Lipsticks on Kathleen Lights Youtube Channel. I can't find the actual link for the video (I will share it in the comments if I do), however her channel is great anyway so I highly recommend you all go and have a watch if you've got time.  I started off with the colour 'Black Cherry' and I liked it so much that I decided to try more colours out. 

I buy all of my Milani products through Crush Cosmetics. They can also be purchased from Milani Website. They cost $13 AU each +postage. 

What Milani Says:

Bellissimo! You know how some (lesser) lipsticks look one way in the store, and then completely different in your bathroom mirror? Color Statement is the antithesis of that. A super-luxe, grown-up girl lipstick, it delivers true instant colour in a single swipe. Laced with vitamins A and C to hydrate and nourish, this collection is all about options: Corals and Reds, Orchids and Plums, Nudes, and Pinks. Trust us, you’ll want an entire wardrobe.

MY THOUGHTS:
I thought I would break this review up into a few sections so you can find out what you really want to know, easily. I have had these lipsticks for a while so I feel like I have a bit of an idea of the quality by now. I bought all of these online, so as you know it can be a bit of a gamble choosing colours online.

PACKAGING:
These Lippies have a fake gold coloured packaging. They are super light weight and have a bit of a plastic feel to them. At first glance I think they look kind of fancy. A lot of people have complained about the packaging, they say its cheap and they don't like how dirty the packaging gets. I haven't known too many products to stay clean of fingerprints and other make-up residue, so I think this is a common fault with a lot of brands packaging. I really like how they have put the colour and the name of the shade on the bottom of the packaging.

One thing that I don't like is the way they stuck the barcode on the side. They are really hard to get off and leave a sticky residue. I would prefer if the barcode was stuck on a clear plastic wrapper or if it was somehow permanently printed on to the product.

FORMULA:

There are two different kinds of lipstick in the collection that I have. Two of them are plain satin finishes and the other four are shimmer finishes. There are considerable differences in the formula of both finishes that affect the appearance, application and wear of these lipsticks. When I was buying them I didn't even realise there were different finishes. The only way to know is to look up swatches or to go on the Milani website and click on the individual colours.

Application:

These lipsticks don't have the creamiest application. They go on a little bit sheer and you do have to build them up to get an opaque colour. The lipstick has a strong candy smell. I think it smells like gumballs. Which might be off-putting to some. The smell doesn't linger though. 

Appearance:

The Satin lipsticks look more matte if you blot them. They can also run, so I tend to use a lip-liner. The shimmery lipsticks do not require a lip-liner. The shimmer lipsticks look quite nice as the shimmers are really fine, so from few metres away your lipstick looks more like it has a hint of gloss in it than shimmer. 

Moisture:

These lipsticks are not drying, but they aren't exactly moisturising either. If you have really dry lips, use a balm instead. 

Staying Power:

The Satin finish lipsticks stain the lips a little bit. They stay on for most of the day, but come off after hot drinks or oily food. The Shimmery lipsticks have the same amount of staying power, but they fade differently. The colour fades, but some shimmer is left behind on the lips.

Both of these finishes can get tiny clumps in it on re-application. Usually it's only one or two little bits and it's not much to fuss over. Sometimes after eating certain foods there are quite a few clumps, so I have to wipe most of it off and start again.

SWATCHES:

I'm not much of a selfie queen so I couldn't even find bad pictures of myself wearing all of these colours. I have worn all of the colours (except for 'Double Espresso') quite a bit though. There were a few weeks at work where I only alternated between these lipsticks and I completely forgot about my other ones. I've got an arm swatch, a link to a facebook photo and two photo's below.

From Top to Bottom:

- 'Double Espresso'

This is a really dark shimmery brown. It doesn't really suit me unless I am wearing full coverage foundation and mostly taupe/bronze type colours.

-'Chocolate Berries'

This is a really pretty shimmery dark browny-mauve. 

-'Chilled Brandy'

This colour is hard to describe. Kind of a red wine with pink shimmers... Here is a picture of me wearing 'Chilled Brandy'

-'Violet Volt'

This one looks a lot more purple on the Milani and Crush Cosmetics sites than it does in real life. I think it's really flattering. 

-'Black Cherry'

This is a satin finish lipstick in a dark wine colour. There are pictures of me wearing it below.

-'Sangria'

This is a Satin finish and is said to be a dupe for Mac Rebel (I wouldn't know though, as I don't own any Mac). Its a dark purple/plum.

Because these are darker colours I have to wear a little bit of make-up along with them to prevent me from looking like some kind of supernatural creature. I can get away with wearing 'Chilled Brandy' or 'Violet Volt' without accompanying make-up but the rest of the colours are too dark. In the future I would like to get more colours to try out, but for now this will do.

^ This picture was taken in natural indoor lighting. I'm wearing some foundation, bronzer, blush, lipliner, eyeshadow, mascara etc in neutral shades just to even out my complexion and subtly highlight some features.

^The same make-up, room and everything except this picture was taken closer to the window... I notice that photo's by the window are always more illuminated and are sometimes more blue toned. 

OVERALL THOUGHTS:

I think this lipstick is great for the price. It's actually pretty good whether you think about the price or not. I think the shimmer colours are definitely better and I would be more inclined to recommend those. I think there is a great range to choose from and that they last pretty well and look nice on the lips. 

I will post any more photo links for these lipsticks in the comments in the future.

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Updated Swatches and Review: Lime Crime Lipsticks and Velvetines

So, I looked at my blog this morning and decided it's probably over due for a new blog post. No matter how busy I get with my random hobbies I want to be updating my blog at least once a week. I have reviewed these items before, but since I got some different colours (I actually purchased these sometime last year) I thought I should do an updated swatch and review for you all. 

I know there has been a lot of drama and controversy surrounding the brand of late (deciding to pull distribution from many online sellers and the online hacking scandal) and I would like to keep my review free of these issues. I'm still trying to decide if Lime Crime is a pain-in-the-butt hopeless mob who can't run their company or whether they have just been dealt a bad hand by the make-up gods. And, then there is all the online speculation about  Doe Deere being a copy cat who re-sells product from other companies. As far as that rumor goes; I can only find a bunch of blogs circulating it. Anyone can write a blog. 

I am a little hesitant to purchase anything more from their website (Although they promise to have fixed their online security) and would prefer that their items were available from my favourite online makeup stores. However, that doesn't change the fact that these are actually quite decent products with awesome packaging and interesting colours. I will definitely repurchase some of these items when they run-out, recommend them to friends and one day give Lime Crime's online shop a second chance...

LIME CRIME VELVETINES:

I have previously reviewed and swatched the shades 'Red Velvet' and 'Suedeberry'. Because I liked them so much, I was thrilled that Lime Crime started to release new colours and I have wanted to try nearly every one (except Black Velvet, but only because I think I'd be too pale and sallow for it). I ended up purchasing 'Pink Velvet', 'Utopia' and 'Wicked'. 'Salem', 'Riot' and 'Cashmere' are all on my wishlist.

The newer products are not quite the same as the old ones. The packaging is considerably different. I actually prefer the old packaging, because I think it suits the brand more and looks a bit classier. The only real benefit to the new packaging is that I can read the  colour name a little easier, but why does that even matter when the shade can easily be seen through the frosted tube.

I don't know if you can really tell in this picture, but the applicator is different in the new packaging. The stick is slightly shorter and the doe-foot tip is also slightly smaller. The spongy bit also seems to have longer fibres on it which makes it a bit messier to apply. I usually use a lip liner on the edges first to make sure the edges are neat. if the lip liner doesn't match I use a lip brush to apply to the outline of my lips. 'Wicked' and 'Utopia' seem to be especially messy as they are not as opaque as the other colours.

Here is a swatch on my arm of the colours I own. From top to bottom: 'Wicked', 'Red Velvet' Suedeberry', 'Pink Velvet' and 'Utopia'.

I thought that the difference in some of the formulas might have been because some colours are newer than others, but the 'Pink Velvet' formula seems to be quite similar to 'Red Velvet'. I'm starting to find over time that my 'Suedeberry' one takes ages to dry, as does 'Utopia'. 'Wicked' starts to flake pretty early on and can be quite patchy to apply. All of these have no smell except for 'Utopia' which smells like Play-Doh. 

I am wondering if the difference in formula is due to the pigments used to create the different colours, the way that some pastel lipsticks don't last as long or go on as dark as a wine colour might? I have found that applying a Lime Crime lippy underneath can make the colour last longer and stop my lips from drying out too much. 

My favourite shades are 'Red Velvet' and 'Pink Velvet'. Those are the only shades I would repurchase if mine ran out. 

~Here is a picture of me wearing 'Red Velvet'

~Here is a picture of me wearing 'Pink Velvet'

~Here is a picture of me wearing 'Suedeberry' (5th Picture in post)

I don't have pictures of me wearing the other two shades as they are so difficult  for me to wear. They need to be applied quite thick to avoid streakiness and then they don't last and flake off (because they are applied thick). If you apply them too thin they dry and settle in the cracks of your lips. 

LIME CRIME LIPSTICKS:

I have had two goes at Reviewing and Swatching my Lime Crime Lipstick collection. I have purchased three more shades since that post, but decided I wouldn't swatch all of them again, just the three shades I bought and three shades that might be thought similar. There is nothing new about these shades and I believe they have been a part of the Lime Crime range for some time. I think in the future I might like to branch out even more and try a nude like 'Babette' or a bright pastel pink like 'Countessa Fluroescent'. 

The three shades on the left are the newest ones in my collection. I only swatched the ones on the right for comparison purposes. From top to bottom, left to right: 'Airborne Unicorne' (new), 'Poisonberry', 'Geradium' (new), 'Centrifushia', 'My Beautiful Rocket' (new) and 'Cosmopop'.

I really like these three shades, though I don't wear them as much as my three favourites 'Retrofuturist' 'Glamour101' or 'Centrifushia'. I like to mix 'My Beautiful Rocket' and 'Cosmopop' together to create the perfect orange colour and I like wearing 'Geradium' only when my outfit can handle such a bright lipstick being worn with it. It is the fluro barbie lip colour I dreamed about as a child... I love 'Airborne Unicorn' however it is a bit "Out There" and you will get strange looks by passers by...

~Here is a picture of me wearing 'Airborne Unicorn'

~Here is a picture of me wearing 'My Beautiful Rocket (2nd Picture in Blog post)

And for some reason, no photos yet of 'Geradium'. 

I would definitely repurchase these three shades if they ran-out but I don't use them that often so they probably won't run out too soon...

I also found a way to overcome my problem with finding lipstick on a busy morning. I just store them in a set place in my lipstick holder so I can get used to where that colour is. I also have all the lipsticks in the holder in a colour order system. Front to back is light to dark, And left to right is warm to cool. I have two of these holders with more lipstick hiding in my other make-up storage. 

I hope this swatch and review post was helpful.

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

A Guide to All Things Lipstick

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I really wanted to come up with a creative and more "specific" name for this blog post, but the truth is that I wanted to write a detailed post about buying, wearing and storing lipstick. I didn't want to say it was strictly for vintage enthusiasts, because I think this post could be a useful resource (I hope) for people who are interested in modern styles as well. I also didn't want to label this as a beginner's guide, because I feel like no matter how experienced you are, there is always something new to learn.

I'm writing this guide, for the same reason I wrote my Vintage (Style) Can Be Appropriate post and my Saving Your Pennies: Beauty post. I know there are a lot of women out there who like the look of a bold lipstick colour, but are afraid to try it out for themselves. I also thought I would try to incorporate some tips for budding vintage enthusiasts and for people who enjoy wearing lipstick already. I'm going to avoid recommending specific products in this post because I am hoping to post up some reviews in the future (haha) and I haven't tried all there is to try (especially not in the way of high-end brands). 

WHY I WEAR LIPSTICK:

As you can probably tell by now I really like wearing lipstick. I wear lipstick probably nearly every day and I own a lot of it. I really like the way that it makes my lips stand out and I feel like it balances my appearance a bit, because I naturally don't have very pigmented lips, I have pale skin and dark hair. If I only have time to put on one cosmetic before I leave the house, it's lipstick. For me lipstick is bit of a confidence booster, but I think you also have to be confident enough to wear it. I like that it's not the kind of cosmetic you use to hide an imperfection, but rather to enhance a feature.

Some people believe that women  only wear lipstick for aesthetic reasons. I don't think this is true. Sure I want to look pretty, but I'm also a big believer in everything that lipstick stands for. Wearing lipstick during the second world war was a symbol of courage. It's also a way for me to express my creativity on a daily basis. It makes me feel like I am putting in an effort and it does make my whole look feel a little more vintage-inspired. 

I don't believe that propaganda about men being more attracted to women who wear lipstick and I don't wear it to please anyone else. While magazines and websites might have statistics that say women who wear lipstick (or make any kind of effort) are more likely to impress, I beg to differ. In my experience, while I have received some nice comments (mostly from other women) I have also been given plenty of strange looks, and had some awkward conversations. 

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CHOOSING AND BUYING LIPSTICK:

I think this is probably one of the most intimidating aspects of wearing lipstick, especially for beginners. There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a lipstick, such as: texture, wear time, moisture, compatible colour and occasion. While it can be a little tricky at first, once you figure out what you like and what works for your colouring. It can be easy to get overwhelmed by all of the different choices available, but hopefully this guide can make it a little simpler.

As far as finishes go you can get matte, satin, gloss/cream and shimmer/glitter lipsticks. Traditionally matte colours are drier and longer lasting and creamier shades are moisturising, but don't have long wear time. However, in recent years there have been moisturising matte colours and longer lasting creamy shades, so you need to decide what you want in a lipstick and do some research to find out which ranges offer those qualities.

 I find that you generally have to choose between long lasting and moisturising, though I am starting to find that a lot of long lasting lip colours tend to be less drying than they used to be and that you can wear balm underneath. If you don't want your lipstick to budge I suggest a matte or semi-matte finish. Liquid lipsticks are great for a long staying look, but I try to get a matching lip liner to neaten up the edges as it can be difficult to apply and remove.

Choosing the colour can  be a little difficult. Typical colour guides go on skin tones (such as fair, medium, dark) or undertones (such as blue or yellow) and don't take other factors such as eye colour or hair colour into account. I have been told that I have yellow undertones, but I have worn blue-based reds before and gotten complements from strangers. I have pale skin, but I have worn darker colours plenty of times and I haven't been called a goth once. I think a mid-toned dusky pink or mauve-brown suit a lot of complexions, and are both very wearable colours, so if you are really unsure that might be a nice place to start. 

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The best way to figure out what suits you is to think about what clothes you have and what colours they are. You also might find it's best to go to a beauty section of a department store and try out some testers or to get a hold of some samples. If you try a colour and you are still not sure, take a picture with your phone to help you decide. If a colour doesn't suit you, but you still really want to wear it scroll down to the "Applying lipstick" section for some tips that might help you get away with it.

Because I live in a small town, there isn't a huge range to choose from locally, so I buy a lot of my make-up online. This can be a little difficult as you don't always know what to expect. I find it's best to read some reviews and look at some swatches of the product on google images before clicking "buy". If it's a dearer product look for any cheaper options that give the same result by searching for "dupes". Sometimes paying more money is worth it, while sometimes paying extra is only because of the packaging and the designer ad campaign.

There is no rule to how many lipsticks you can buy. If you only want to try it for special occasions then one or two colours might be enough. It's completely up to you. If you don't like the feel of lipstick you can try a tinted balm, a pigmented gloss or a lip stain instead. If you can't find a matching lip liner, look for a concealer pencil. 

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APPLYING LIPSTICK:

This depends on personal preference. I like to apply a lip balm before I do the rest of my make-up, apply lip-liner first (all over), apply lipstick, blot and maybe powder if I want a super matte finish. It really depends on what I am doing that day and what lipstick I am wearing (some lipsticks I own don't need or match a lipliner). I know blotting seems wasteful, but it means it's less likely to get smeared everywhere later and it actually lasts longer. I don't agree with the foundation base for lipstick as I find it too drying and if a lip colour is really glossy or creamy I will avoid using a lipliner (and instead go for a concealer pencil) as the matte texture of a lipliner can go cakey. 

As far as underdrawing or overdrawing lips goes, its up to you. If you are happy with your lips the way they are, then just stay within your natural lip line. If your lips are not symmetrical just overdraw on the otherside to make them even. I am not a huge fan of the modern way of overdrawing lips, but I do like the 1940's Method. Also keep in mind that darker colours tend to make lips look smaller and lighter shades make them look bigger. 'Retro Makeup' by Lauren Rennells is a helpful make-up guide with plenty of tips on making lipstick last and creating different lip shapes. 

It's also important to consider what clothes and make-up you are wearing with the lipstick of choice. While matching your accessories to your lip-colour might be cute, wearing a matching dress is too much. Also, if your lipstick looks out of place, you might be wearing the wrong make-up to complement it. Also, I wouldn't recommend wearing way-out colours like bright purple or orange in a conservative workplace.

Make-up Suggestions:

• If you are wearing a colour that suits you you can get away with wearing it without make-up if you wish. 
• If you have noticeable blemishes and under-eye circles, wearing warm-toned (yellow undertones) lip colours can accentuate these imperfections. 
• If a colour seems too bright or too dark for your complexion (when you have no make-up on) you can try evening out your skin tone, wearing bronzer, defining your brows, wearing mascara/liner and a sweep of bronze/champagne eyeshadow.
• If a colour really does not suit you, but you cannot be told, your best bet of getting away with it is wearing full coverage foundation, a colour correcting powder, a defined cat eye, bronzer/contour/highlight. 
• Try not to wear dark lipstick and dark eye make-up together as this can look too heavy. Some darker lipsticks call for a little eye definition to balance out the look. 
• Brighter lipsticks need to be accompanied by a blush. I usually go a pale coral or light pink. 

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LIPSTICK ETIQUETTE:

I wouldn't say I am the most ladylike person there ever was, but I try not to be a slob. Here are a few personal rules I like to follow when it comes to lipstick.

• I wouldn't say the rules of lipstick are as strict nowadays as they were  during the 40s and 50s. I wouldn't go fixing up my lipstick at a restaurant table or the dinner table at a formal event. However, during the day, in a less formal setting I prefer to try and be as discreet as possible without leaving the room. 
• Try not to touch your mouth so you don't get lipstick everywhere. 
• Try not to wear white (especially not long sleeves) if you are wearing a notoriously messy lip colour (or one that takes a bit of work to apply).
• Carry these items with you when you go somewhere: Tissues for blotting, a tube of the lipstick, any matching lip-liners/glosses you are wearing and a compact mirror. I sometimes carry a similar shade in a moisturising formula so that I have a back-up if my lips start to go dry. 
• Avoid eating greasy food and touch up after meal times. 
• Drink from a straw, glass, or sports bottle, rather than a screw top bottle.
• Try not to rub lips together too much. 
• If you touch your face, make sure you wipe or wash hands so you don't accidentally stain other things or people. 

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LIPSTICK STORAGE and HANDLING:

If you want to get your moneys worth out of your lipstick, I don't recommend tossing them around a lot or letting them roll around in the bottom of a messy bathroom drawer. Here are some more dot points.

• Invest in a lipstick holder. This will make them easy to locate and will look pretty on display. There are plenty of cute porcelain ones on etsy for people who only have a few lip colours. If you have a lot I recommend getting one of those cheap acrylic stands from ebay or aliexpress. 
• Do not store it in the bathroom. The steam with make them go moldy real quick. Keep them in a dry and cool place out of direct sunlight. 
• Try not to drop them as they will break. 
• Try to keep packaging clean as it can stain the lining of your handbag. 
• Empty out your handbag every once in a while. You'll be surprised how many "missing" lip colours you find. 

AND NOW FOR SOME PICTURES:

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As usual I hope you all enjoyed the post and found something useful in there. Please feel free to list any of your own tips or product suggestions in the comments below.

Please note:

• I do not own these images. To view image source click on the heart icons under the photo
• I am not a make-up artist/hairdresser. Most of this post is based on my personal opinion and experience. I also spend way too much time reading beauty guides and watching youtube. Do what you want. Take this advice with as much salt as you need.
• I'm not forcing anybody to wear lipstick. If you don't want to wear it, that is totally cool. This guide is for people who want to wear it. 

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Beauty Review: NYX Matte Lipstick

I decided to purchase these lipsticks based on  the great reviews I had been reading. I really wanted a mid-tone mauve colour to  add to my collection and I thought (based on the swatch) that 'Audrey' might be that shade. The colour was not what I expected, though I did really like what I ended up with. Even though the lipstick wasn't as good as I was hoping, I really liked the colour range and ended up purchasing 'Angel' hoping that once again I might find my perfect matte mauve shade. Once again, what I got was pretty, but it wasn't what I wanted, And I didn't think these were anywhere near as good as what the other reviews were making them out to be...

WHAT NYX SAYS:

NYX Matte Lipsticks are highly pigmented, richly formulated and long-wearing. The formula glides on smoothly and stays put with a non-drying matte finish.”  

WHERE I BOUGHT THEM:

I bought mine from Crush Cosmetics

You can also get them from Target

Or directly from NYX

Please Note* These stockists are located in Australia

WHAT I THINK:

The Texture

These definitely do give a Matte appearance, however they don't feel matte on the lips. To me they feel a little muddy and they can look fairly cakey, especially after re-applying. I think they definitely feel worse than they look. They do apply smoothly; they just don;t look smooth. They are not drying, but they aren't really moisturising either. I can only just feel that I have something on my lips and it feels a little too thick and uncomfortable.

Staying Power

These are not long-lasting. If I start to rub my lips together I can feel the product moving. I have tried blotting and powdering or applying a lip seal over the top. It doesn't really help though because the formula is so thick. The best way to get it to last is to apply a matching lip-liner (or as close as possible) to the whole lip before applying the lipstick.

Packaging

A lot of people have issues with the packaging. Yes it feels light and plastic-y. Yes it has a big ugly permanent barcode on it. Apart from those things I don't think they actually look that bad. I think pretty packaging is always nice, but it doesn't always indicate a better product. 

Cost

These cost me $13 ea. Plus postage. I think that this is a pretty typical drugstore price for a lipstick, however I think you can find better quality lipsticks for the same price and less.

Pigmentation & Colour Selection

 These are really pigmented and can be applied fairly quickly. I think the pigmentation is definitely helpful considering that formula. There are some great colours to choose from and I really like the two that I have. I feel like these colours are really unique and flattering. 'Angel' especially seems unique to me, because it has a little pink in it. However, the swatches provided by NYX are not even close to accurate, which is a bit of a let down for online shoppers like me.

^From Left to Right:

'Angel' (Described as a Cardinal Red) is a dark peachy colour (almost red), with a hint of pink.

'Audrey' (Described as Mid-tone Blue Pink) is a mauvy pink colour.

I didn't do a lip-swatch as my lips are a little chapped at the moment.

Overall, I think these lip colours are a little overrated. I really like the unusual colours and will wear them anyway, but I wouldn't recommend them to anyone because they are not long-lasting or pleasant to use. I don't really understand why or how these got such positive reviews, though I think there is a large possibility that those people had tried different colours and didn't have dry lips like I do. 

I do really like the NYX range and there has only really been one or two products of theirs  that I didn't like. I hope this review was useful to you if you haven't tried out these lipsticks yet. If you have tried these before, please let me know your thoughts in the comments below. I haven't done a beauty review in a little while and I've got a lot of products to get through so please if you have time have a look at the pictures i posted up to Facebook and let me know what you would like to see a review of next. I am also contemplating a favourite nail polishes post, so let me know if you'd be interested in that too.

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Beauty Review: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains, Colorburst Matte Balms and Colorburst Lacquer Balms

I was very excited to try out the new Revlon Lacquer Balms and Matte Balms after seeing many Youtube videos generating hype about them. These Colorburst balms have only recently been released in Australia just in time for the cooler weather (very smart work Revlon). I also decided to include the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in this because the product is very similar and also by Revlon. I only bought one colour of each and the colours are all different so I have to admit that this review/comparison is not at all fair as we all know that some shades of a product are better than others even though they are supposed to be the same thing. I didn't want to go overboard with purchases though as I do already have a massive amount of lip glosses and lip sticks in my collection, so I just went for colours that I liked and that I thought would look good in the different finishes. 

I bought the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Rendezvous from Fashion Addict Website. I bought the Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in Striking and the Colorburst Lacquer Balm in Whimsical. Both Colorburst balms were purchased from Priceline Website. 

These lip products cost around $17 AU and come in a jumbo lip pencil form. Unlike most lip pencils you can actually twist these up with the silver bit at the end, rather than having to use a sharpener. The packaging is very simple yet effective. You can tell which colour you are grabbing out of your make-up bag because the packaging matches the product. The "finish" is also visible on the packaging, with the matte product having a matte packaging, the balm stain having a light shimmer on the packaging, And the lacquer balms having a really shiny packaging.

^From Left to Right: Whimsical, Striking Rendezvous

The idea of these balms is to give your lips the look that you want  without depleting them of moisture. The Kissable Balm Stain is supposed to have the added benefit of leaving your lips with a lightweight lip stain. Each of the balms has a different appearance, however, from the colours I have chosen it seems that none of these products offer an opaque colour. 

^Here is a picture of me wearing the Kissable Balm Stain in 'Rendezvous'

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in 'Rendezvous'

APPLICATION:

This balm goes on the most sheer out of all colours. It has a thick balmy texture that is almost sticky and the colour can go on a little streaky. It smells nice and minty.

MOISTURE:

I didn't feel that this product was overly moisturising, but it wasn't drying so that was good. 

APPEARANCE:

This colour is a nice light peachy-orange. It is probably a little more orange in real life than it looks in the picture. The colour has a bit of a shimmer in it. Please ignore the sparkles around the lips, that is the result of wearing 'whimsical' first and taking it off. 

STAYING POWER:

This doesn't stay on my lips for long. If I am drinking and eating it comes off pretty easily, especially in the centre of my lips. I have not noticed any lasting stain, but the colour is quite light, so I imagine that if it was staining my lips I probably would not have noticed anyway. So, yeah I'm sorry this probably was not the best colour to try out in that respect. 

When I go to reapply the balm I find that it can get quite cakey. To prevent cakiness when reapplying I recommend wiping the product off and starting again. It's a royal pain I know, but it looks so much better.

^Here is a Picture of me wearing the Colorburst Matte Balm in 'Striking'

Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm in 'Striking'

APPLICATION: This goes on smooth and feels quite velvety. The product does go on sheer (and matte- something I have never seen before) though you can build the product up to get a more opaque look (though beware it may look cakey if you do this). This one smells minty also.

MOISTURE:
This doesn't feel moisturising and is not drying either. I wouldn't recommend use on chapped lips though, mainly because it would probably look a bit gross.

APPEARANCE:
This doesn't look super velvety or harsh like some matte products do. I think this product is in between a satin and a matte finish. The Matte balms remind me a little bit of play-doh in apperance. The colours look so bright, but also a little muted at the same time and the texture is just so different to other product I have tried, because the product is sheer and matte, but it's not completely matte... I dunno if I can explain it. I just think it looks really nice.

STAYING POWER:
This is not super-long lasting. You tend to end up with the lipliner effect after eating and the same with the Kissable Balm Stain; I recommend wiping off the left-over colour before reapplication.

^Here is a Picture of me wearing the Colorburst Lacquer Balm in 'Whimsical'

Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm in 'Whimsical'

APPLICATION: This applies super smooth and feels like a lip balm. It smells like mint. And, the colour is sheer but does not apply cakey looking or streaky looking.

MOISTURE: 

This one is actually moisturising. It's not as good as some of the other lip balms I have used, but for something that has colour in it, I find the level of moisture to be impressive. 

APPEARANCE:

This looks like a coloured gloss on. The colour looks more purple in real life than it does in the picture. The Lacquer Balm is a bit on the glittery side so if you have a glitter phobia this is not for you. 

STAYING POWER:

This probably has the worst staying power out of all of them, but it reapplies without looking cakey.

Overall...

My favourite out of these is the Lacquer Balm as I don't own many products like it. I find that most lip glosses are generally quite sticky and I like that this product gives the appearance of a coloured gloss, but that it feels like a balm. I also really like the sparkles. I got over my glitter phobia a long time ago, but I understand that some people are really not going to like the Lacquer Balms because of that. If I buy any more Revlon lip products the Colorburst Lacquer Balms will definitely be the first.

My least favourite of the products is probably the Kissable Balm Stains. I don't think this feels overly pleasant on the lips and the product is really unforgiving in appearance. I think I would maybe like to try one of these in a darker shade at some stage to see if it really does stain the lips because that would make a huge difference to my opinion.

I think the Matte Balms are pretty interesting because they have an interesting texture. I think If these came on sale I would probably purchase a few. 

I think these are great products for the cooler months and for a casual look. I would probably only wear the lacquer balm one for work or an all-day event though, because it doesn't go cakey when being reapplied. I don't mind having to reapply though because I love the strong minty smell of the product. 

Are they worth $17 though? I don't think so. I have paid $17 for better products. I would recommend waiting it out for a sale or a discount code. 

Have you tried out any of the Revlon Balms? What's your favourite?

Your Favourite Blogger,

Natalie

Updated Review/Swatches: LimeCrime Lipsticks

I've been looking at my LimeCrime collection lately and thinking that I would like to talk a little more about this product as I have noticed a few more things since my earlier review which was one of my first beauty reviews. I also wanted to do a swatch of the new additions to my collection so I thought I would include the other shades so that you can compare. 

A bit of a disclaimer: I tried to get these to look as close to what they do in real life in the photos by using flash and no-flash, but I didn't have the best lighting so I apologise. I have tried to describe the colour the best I can underneath and call out inconsistencies in the photos. I also noticed that this isn't the neatest application. This is because these lip colours can stain and because applying colours and then wiping them off can get messy!

PACKAGING: 

I do love the light purple coloured plastic and the holographic unicorns, however the only indication of colour is the writing on the bottom of the tube, so I tend to find this a bit frustrating in the morning when I am trying to get ready in a hurry and I have to pick up each individual colour and read the bottom to find the one I am after. So as much as I love the packaging the fact that there is no colour sticker on the top or indicator of colour anywhere on the outside (except the bottom of the tube) means that the there isn't a real incentive to buy more colours if it means you are going to have difficulty finding the one you want in the morning. A suggestion for Doe Deere: maybe put some coloured roses or something around the unicorn in a co-relating colour?

The packaging is so-far pretty sturdy as is the lipstick inside. I am a pretty clumsy person and I haven't cracked a lid or broken a lipstick yet. I think pretty highly of what I have tried by this brand and love the colours and packaging of this product. It enables me to please my inner child and feel real classy and adult at the same time.

^Here is a picture of swatches without flash. Top to bottom: Poisonberry, Glamour101, Retrofuturist, Centrifuschia and Cosmopop.

 ^Here is a picture of swatches with flash. Top to bottom: Poisonberry, Glamour101, Retrofuturist, Centrifuschia and Cosmopop.

APPLICATION:

These colours go on very creamy and become opaque with two swipes. they do apply very smoothly and layers are not obvious. Cosmopop and Poisonberry are a slightly different consistency to the others so they are a little unforgiving compared to the others. Those two colours are a little more streaky and can cake if you apply too much.

STAYING POWER:

Like I said in my first review, they don't last through a large meal especially if it involves ice cream, chocolate or some kind of greasy food. They do stay on through most drinks though and quick snacks. Both Poisonberry and Cosmopop tend to come off a little more quickly than the others. These lipsticks can leave a bit of a stain if worn all day. Most of the colours do appear quite creamy/glossy to begin with but they do dry out a little over the course of wear. Colours also bleed a little over the course of wear and look good with a nude lip pencil.

^This is taken with flash after I rubbed the colours off. As you can see they leave a stain.

^Here is Cosmopop. Picture taken with flash. 

^Here is Cosmopop. Picture taken without flash.

COSMOPOP:

This is a pastel orange/peach. I think this colour has a sixties "nude lip" look. This colour doesn't last as long as the others or apply as easily and for that reason I don't wear it much. I also find that the colour is a bit pale. I have fairly pale skin and the colour only just looks dark enough for me too wear, so if you are not very daring and have tan/dark skin I would probably give it a miss.

^Here is Centrifuschia. Photo taken with flash.

^Here is Centrifuschia. Picture taken without.

CENTRIFUSCHIA:

The photo with flash is a more accurate representation of what this looks like in real life. The colour is a very bright purple-pink. It's kind of a medium tone lip colour. If you have really blue undertones in your skin this might make you look a little washed out. I have fairly sallow looking skin and this one seems to look okay on me.

^This is Retrofuturist. Picture taken with flash. 

^Retrofuturist without flash.

RETROFUTURIST: (sorry the pics are so messy!)

I LOVE this colour. It is a pinkish-red and it is quite a light red. I like this colour for a classy retro red.

^This is Glamour101. Taken with flash.

^This is Glamour101. Taken without flash.

GLAMOUR101: 

This is a maroon/brick red with a hint of brown. I love this for a vintage daytime look. It's such a classic colour. This colour wears really well.

^Here is Poisonberry. This picture was taken with flash.

^This is Posinberry. Picture taken without flash.

POISONBERRY:

This colour is a very dark purple with bluish tones. I suggest looking up swatches on google, because these didn't really photograph accurately. This colour can be a little difficult to apply as it is a bit more sheer than the rest and it can go a little streaky if you put on a few coats. It also comes off more quickly. I think this colour is great for people with dark skin tones. On me this colour is a little outrageous and probably not a colour that is suitable for the office. 

WHERE TO BUY:

I have bought these from ModCloth, the LimeCrime website and the Crush Cosmetics websites before. There are plenty of other sites where you can get these, but just make sure you are getting the legit thing as there are counterfeit versions out there.

Overall, I absolutely adore these. I think these lipsticks are pretty good quality and the range of colours is unbelievable (seriously, if you want a  green lipstick they have it). These lipsticks are pretty long-lasting for how creamy they are and they are not drying like most lipsticks, which is perfect if you have dry lips. I would definitely recommend these to a friend.

Your Favourite Blogger,
Natalie

P.S. Please note that I am also having issues with Google friend connect. I have been meaning to follow a few of you guys, but everytime i try to sign on there is an error. Will keep trying...