Review: Korres Lip Butter in Pomegranate

I was actually looking for Quince shade in this product, but since they seem impossible to find, I bought this one instead...so here we go!

The packaging: This comes in a small tub with the top colored in the corresponding shade. Nothing too fancy or special here, but I definitely think the packaging and the labeling are simple and clean.

The scent: This has a fruity scent - it is mango? Raspberry? Something tropical? Anyway, the scent isn't overpowering and doesn't linger.

The product: Pomegranate is described as a sheer coral shade. I definitely agree, but it leans more on the pink side of coral. This product is like a thicker tinted balm than anything else. It goes on with a hint of color, but you can build up the color with more layers. As it's just tinted, you never get full opacity. This lasted for about 3-4 hours on my lips, and was both comfortable and hydrating. My only problem with this is that it comes in a tub-form. As I've mentioned before, I definitely don't like the idea of sticking my finger in this tub to apply it to my lips...especially if I'm out and have to do this (oh god, just imagine the germs!). I know they used to make this in a squeeze tube, but I don't see those anymore, so this will have to do. 

Cost: $12. For me personally, I think I could find better tinted lip balms for this price point, so this is a pass for me. 

Questions? Comments? Let me know! 

Review: Stila After Glow Lip Color in Festival Fuschia

I ordered this on a whim not thinking much about it, but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise! I don't buy many Stila products, so this was definitely a product that made me want to start exploring more Stila lippies.

The packaging: I am not a fan of Stila packaging. This came in a cardboard box, which I find pointless. It seems like a waste of paper. The product itself is in a twist-up tube, which was definitely a plus in my book.

The scent: There is a fruity berry scent to this, but I couldn't smell it after a few minutes of applying.

The product: Festival Fuschia is a bright medium pink on me. It glided on effortlessly without tugging or pulling on my lips. It wasn't drying, but it wasn't very hydrating either. It lasted about 3 hours on me before I had to reapply. Since it has a balm-like texture, reapplication was very easy. I absolutely loved the color it turned out to be, and was surprised that it didn't end up being a true shocking fuschia shade. These After Glow Lip Colors contain black light responsive pigments, so under black light, these are supposed to glow into a neon/fluorescent shade. However, I don't have a black light, so I wasn't able to test out that effect. Regardless, it's a gorgeous shade!

Cost: $9.00 on the Stila website as of now! Go and get it - it's a steal at that price! 

Questions? Comments? Let me know! 
 

Review: Marc Jacobs Lip Lock Moisture Balm in Makeout

My obsession with all lip products has no bounds as evidenced by this purchase. When I showed this to my brother, he could not believe how someone could pay $24 for a lip balm. He pointed me in the direction of a CVS where he told me I could buy lip balm for 99 cents, and called me all sorts of names. But the joke's on him! I have all the drugstore lip balms, so............I win? Right? Anyway.

The packaging: Well, since we are paying $24 for a balm, the packaging is very posh. The tube is a screw-on, screw-off (heehee) tube, and it feels nice and heavy in my hands. The brand's name is splashed on the side of the tube. 

The scent: It has a great minty scent. Some mint-scented products can be overwhelming on my nose and make me sneeze, but this scent just makes me feel energized. It lingers, so if you are sensitive, make sure to sniff it before buying.

The product: This goes on very heavy. It really feels like I'm applying a thin layer of butter on to my lips. It is very hydrating and lasts...forever. I usually apply this before I go to bed, and when I wake up, it's still on my lips. It is not sticky at all either. The only problem I have with this product is that it is very soft. When I'm applying it, I'm always worried that it's going to come apart in the tube. Other than that, this product has been a lifesaver during this weird freezing weather we've been having this year. 

Cost: $24. This has been my go-to lip balm this year, so yes, it's worth it.

Questions? Comments? Let me know! 
 

Review: Benefit Ultra Plush Lip Gloss in A-Lister, Fauxmance, Kiss You, Lollibop, Poutrageous, and Icebreaker

This review, like most of mine, is very overdue. I picked up this 6-pack gift set after the holidays, and forgot to review these. 

The packaging: These glosses come in a standard lip gloss tube (much like Lancome's Juicy Tubes) with a white cap. I like glosses that come with an applicator, so that was the only thing I disliked about the packaging.

The scent: These all had a fruity, mango-ish scent to them. The scent wore off quickly, so it wasn't a problem.

The product: Oh god. I love these. They definitely live up to their name of "ultra plush." These glosses hug your lips and feel so good on. It actually felt like my lips turned into two very soft pillows. They are not sticky at all and are hydrating. I usually avoid lip glosses because I hate how most are sticky, so these definitely proved me wrong. The downside to these are that they don't last long on lips, so you're frequently reapplying. Also, there is very little color pay-off with these. These are sheer to basically transparent. 

A-Lister is a light, milky peach color. This was my least favorite because it literally looked like I had peach-colored milk on my lips. With my coloring, this shade looked horrible.

Fauxmance is a berry, almost-mauve color. This seems like it's a MLBB shade.

Kiss You is a purplish-pink color, and is actually a great way to wear this year's color of the year, Radiant Orchid. It delivers a very sheer wash of this color on lips.

Lollibop is a bright, hot pink. If you want to test out hot pink on your lips, but are timid, try this sheer gloss.

Poutrageous is a coral color.

Icebreaker (no photo) is clear. 

Favorites: The two I would re-purchase are Kiss You and Icebreaker, but I'm fairly certain it would be easy to find cheaper dupes of these.

Cost: Individually these glosses are $16 each. Is it worth it? If you're a huge fan of lip gloss, then yes, RUN to purchase these! 

Questions? Comments? Let me know! 

Review: Lipstick Queen Hello Sailor Lipstick

Blue lipstick? Yes. Lipstick Queen promises that this product will transform to a berry color when applied to lips. Does it deliver? Somewhat.

The packaging: This comes in a cute box with the words "Hello Sailor" and "Lipstick Queen" on the side in a blue and white scheme. The tube inside is brushed deep blue color, and the product itself is a beautiful deep ocean blue shade. The novelty factor of this product is what really made me stop and do a double take...and eventually purchase it. Also, It is pretty interesting to see people's reaction when you pull this out and apply it.

The scent: No detectable scent noted, so...whew.

The product: So it does not go on blue when applied, but leaves a very faint blue - almost purple - sheen on your lips. After several minutes, it transformed to a sheer berry color on my lips. I wasn't impressed by the tint it left because I felt like I could achieve the same tint by buying a tinted balm by any drugstore brand. Also, it wore off quickly meaning it didn't even hit the 2 hour mark. However, there are good points to this product. It is hydrating and moisturizing since it contains Vitamin E, and I think this could be layered on top of other lipsticks to turn any shade into a deeper berry. 

Favorite: So far, I haven't really been impressed with any Lipstick Queen products. I just don't think they work well on my lips. Am I the only one who isn't in love with this brand?

Cost: $25. I think this is ridiculously overpriced, and again feel like you could find a better product at drugstores for a much cheaper price.

Questions? Comments? Let me know! 

Review: Givenchy Hydra Sparkling Magic Lip & Cheek Balm

So I haven't been updating as regularly as I planned, but I do have a good excuse. I've been studying for boards and still am, but I thought I'd bang out several reviews that I've been wanting to do during this study break.

The first review is on Givenchy's Hydra Magic Balm. I love products that "magically" transform into customized tints when applied. I really am a sucker for these kinds of products. I have similar products by Smashbox and Dior, but those will be reviewed at another time.

The packaging:  This comes in a square box and the product is packaged in a small circular jar. The jar itself is a transparent ocean blue and the lid is silver. It looks like it would be holding eye cream, not a lip product. It's a good size to throw into a make-up bag.

The scent: It has a faint floral smell to it, but it doesn't linger when applied. You really have to sniff deeply to smell it anyway.

The product: This goes on smoothly and isn't sticky at all. On first application, it leaves a very fair pink tint, but as you let it settle, it does grow into a very rosy tint (at least on my lips). I felt like this was pretty hydrating too. 

Cost: $31 for 0.17oz jar. Is this worth it? No. There are other products that give you a customized tint for way less money. This really seems like you're just paying for the brand name. But if you love Givenchy products and have extra cash lying around, then go for it!

Questions? Comments? Let me know!