GET IT BEAUTY Blind Test #3 Pink Lipstick

Top 3 Pigmented Pink Lipsticks

get it beauty is a korean beauty talk show where they invite experts from the relevant fields to share insights with beauty lovers. one of the things they do is the blind test, and it is what you think it is.

i read that they changed the format slightly this year. instead of pitting random products against each other, they now pit previous year's champion against new challengers.

here is the ranking for pigmented and buttery smooth pink lipsticks!

1. ETUDE HOUSE | DEAR MY WISH LIPSTICK | PK002 | 3.5g | 9500 won

pigmented, hugs your lips perfectly. formulated with vegetable squalane for moisture and shine.

2. LANCOME | L'ABSOLU ROUGE | 368 | 4.2g | 39,000 won 

vivid colour, creamy texture, and very moisturizing.

3. ESTEE LAUDER | PURE COLOR ENVY SHINE LIPSTICK | 480 | 3.4g | 39,000 won

designed to complement asian skin tones, the blue pigments freshens up the face.

4. NARS | AUDACIOUS LIPSTICK | NATALIE | 4.2g | 39,000 won

true to its colour in just one swipe, applies smoothly with matte finish.

5. ESPOIR | LIPSTICK NOWEAR M | PK002 N.Y. PINK | 3.7g | 19,000 won

2014 blind test #1! matte lipstick with soft texture. 

i read that the previous year champion (espoir lipstick) took last place because matte lips aren't trendy anymore. really? i've been wanted to try etude house's lipstick, this ranking just gave me one more reason to try it out.

Maybelline ColorSensational SoNude - Rosy Rebel (Review and Swatch)

Maybelline ColorSensational SoNude - Rosy Rebel

a light pastel shade that covered my lips in just one swipe! this would be my favourite if they change one thing..

nude lips really hit me hard for a while after my radar picked them up from american makeup looks. while i love bold and vivid colours on my lips, i also see the beauty in soft nudes.

the maybelline colorsensational so nude collection is a set of milky nude colours. as they are mostly pastel shades, they work best on fair skin. if you're familar with maybelline products, the colorsensational line promises vivid colour payoff, and so far, that's true.

i'm not sure if this product line is still available in singapore. i can't seem to find it on their official website anymore. they are available in japan, but under a different name "water shiny milky so nude"


"brighten up pigments and smoothing essence" printed on the plastic sleeve that wraps the lipstick.


i got it in the shade NU34S rosy rebel. initially, i wanted NU36S because it's closer to the nude that i want - a toned down brownish beige.. but it was out of stock. :( so i picked this shade instead.

there are 4 shades in the collection. honestly, they're all so lovely, it was hard for me to choose.

just like the bold matte, none of the product name is actually printed on the outer casing. the holographic effect over the neon pink casing is quite pretty though! the inner plastic casing is the same as the bold matte. this is the first time i'm nitpicking a product for its packaging.


ingredient list! it contains a lot more polymers as compared to the bold matte lipstick, so it's no wonder they have a pretty different feel to it. (hint: i don't really like it)

pretty close to the official swatches huh?

NU34S rosy rebel is a pastel peachy pink. pigmentation is superb, as you can see it pretty much covered my lips entirely with just one layer! it's much redder than what i wanted, but that's okay.

the texture is slightly different from the bold mattes. this glided over my lips easily too, but it has a slightly slick feel to it. they may go on unevenly and requires a few more swipes to even things out.

it does hydrate my lips for the first few hours but that's it.

there is something else i observed - this lipstick seem to be formulated to be long wearing. how so? because it feels exactly the same as the revlon ultimate suede lipsticks, AND I HATE THAT! if you've used the latter, you'd know the lipstick will set and form a film over your lips. a very uncomfortable plastic film that reminds me of its presence on my lips every single time i speak or do something. on the bright side, it does cling onto my skin throughout the entire day. there was one time when i applied this lipstick on in the morning, then i went out and forgot to bring the lipstick with me so there's no way i can reapply it. i tried removing it with my tissue but it just won't work. at the end of the day, my lips had patches of the lipstick still on, and my poor lips were totally parched. :(

IMHO

i am pleasantly surprised by the pigmentation, because most pastel products usually end up sheer and thinned out. but not these. they covered my original lip colour in one setting and it definitely could have been my favourite pastel lipstick if not for the fact that it sets into that yucky plastic film. it makes smacking my lips hard, and i become self conscious about smacking my lips because i know i'll risk bunching the products together (my experience with the revlon ultimate suede. it was so sticky!!!).

to maybelline, you did a good job on the pigments, but the formulation could have been better. i'd rather it do without that "long wear" thing. i don't mind reapplying my lipsticks at all! i have to, because no lipstick can provide me with hydration for a straight 8 hours anyway.

if you love revlon's ultimate suede, these may be the thing for you. it's just not my cup of tea.

it's kind of a blessing in disguise that the NU36S was out of stock, because now i can continue my hunt for that colour. i'm looking at the loreal color riche because i love the formulation to death.

i purchased this lipstick for SGD$17.90 when it was having a one for one promotion.

Maybelline ColorSensational Bold Matte - Cheeky Coral (Swatch and Review)

Maybelline ColorSensational Bold Matte - Cheeky Coral

a pigmented, vivid lipstick that glides over my lips like butter? and it's (semi)matte!?

off the official website, maybelline has positioned this lipstick to be a matte lipstick that delivers vibrant and vivid colours. does it live up to the claims?


the lipstick series and names are printed on a plastic sleeve, not on the case itself. seems to be infused with honey for better hydration.


i got it in the colour MAT3, cheek coral.

image source: maybelline official website

there are 5 colours available in singapore, this is the only orange shade and definitely doesn't look coral to me.


ingredients list. the lipstick is infused with hydrating components, albeit in small quantities as they appear to be at the bottom of the list.


once i removed the plastic sleeve, it reveals the matte plastic cover and a metallic looking (but also plastic) lipstick container. i'm kind of bummed out that the inner case isn't made of metal.

official swatches from maybelline

MAT3 cheek coral is a bright orange on me. you'll get better colour payoff with at least 2 layers of the product as you can see from the swatches. compare it to the official swatch online and you'll notice the online swatches is way off.

the finish isn't totally matte though! it still retains a little sheen to it, but definitely not as glossy as a lip gloss would be. the lipstick is pretty lightweight, i don't feel much on my lips upon application. the texture is slightly different when compared to the revlon super lustrous matte lipstick. this feels more airy and bouncy, while the latter feels a little more skin hugging. don't get me wrong, i don't mean that the maybelline lipstick feels heavy, i just mean the pigments tend to glide over each other more easily (and hence lesser tugging). think massaging a whipped cream versus a solid shea butter over your skin. get the idea?

the lipstick glides over my lips very smoothly and easily, maybelline did a good job with the formula as the lipstick was really a breeze to use. no tugging at all! and it also feels hydrating, which is something i don't usually expect from a matte lipstick.

IMHO

i am really surprised by the colour payoff when swatching these at the drugstore. on my hands, one swipe is enough to showcase their full pigmentation. ditching the marketing claims, the formula is indeed quite hydrating. however, i do need to apply a lip balm throughout the day. at least it's more hydrating than the revlon matte lipstick!

the formula is not long wearing, but it does stay on my quite well until i decide to eat or drink. i don't remember having too much transfers or staining when i drink from a glass after the lipstick has dried out a little, i quite like that!

overall, i really like the formula of this lipstick! it's my first time trying out maybelline's lipstick actually! i'd buy more if they ever change the material of the inner casing from plastic to metal. i like to feel more weight to my lipsticks!

i purchased this from watsons for $17.90 when it was having a buy one get one free promotion!

6 Lip Colours For Spring

Some Lip Colour For You To Try This Spring!

even though there isn't any hard rules that say we can only wear certain colours during the different seasons, sometimes it's nice to get a little inspiration when we're bored of what we've been wearing for a while and start to dig through our pile of lipsticks to see if we can rekindle our love for a long forgotten lipstick. assuming you have a lipstick addiction like me, and many other vain friends i've made over instagram :P

i always wondered why people always wear pastel shades during spring. even though there aren't much flowers in places i've grown up, the word "spring" brings an image of blossoms to my mind - petals of flowers in shades of pink, apricot and corals form the main colour palette of nature.

after the months of autumn and winter, it's time to embrace juicy and translucent lips again. you'll notice a lot of makeup looks featuring glossy and plump looking lips.

the original MAQUIA website featured the following 6 colours for spring. i've done some translation of the editor's comment and added some of my own as well!

SOFT NUDE | JUICY BLOOD ORANGE | SYRUPY PEACH

1. TOM FORD BEAUTY | LIP COLOR 17A FLYNN
a flattering warm pink that can add a sense of feminity and colour to freshen up your look. from the limited edition miniatures "tom ford lips and boys".

2. THREE | SHIMMERING LIP JAM 08 RED SHOE TWIST
a mixture of red and orange in a translucent finish, this will allow you to wear the reds without having that heavy winter feel.

3. JILL STUART | LIP JEWEL 24 RUBY BIJOU
with just a tinge of colour, the transparency colour will plump up your lips to give you a youthful look. isn't that what spring is all about? part of the 2015 spring colour collection.

SHINY RASPBERRY PINK | CREAMY STRAWBERRY RED | SEMI MATTE MILKY ROSE

4. VISEE | COLOUR POLISH LIPSTICK PK820
a blue based pink will add a pop of colour to chase away the winter blues, while the shine formula make it look less intimidating. this lipstick is said to be really pigmented. you'll hear from me when i finally lay hands on this.

5. LUNASOL | STAIN COLOUR LIPS 03 ENERGY PINK
transitioning from the winter matte lips, a creamy strawberry red lips will add cuteness to all ladies. as it's able to stain your lips, you can get away with long lasting colours even after the lipstick wears away!

6. CHANEL | LE CRAYON LEVRES 91 ROSE DELICAT
for the working professionals who need a toned down look, a semi matte milk rose lip liner will be most appropriate as it look less girly than pink. the semi matte finish may just con others into thinking it's your own lips.

now that my skin is getting better, i hope to be able to carry off pastel shades because they'll look odd against pink or reddish skin :( i'm dying to try nude pink, peach, and raspberry pink. as for finish, i'll go for creamy or shiny for light shades, and juicy translucent finish for darker shades!

what colours and finish will you be sporting this spring?

images taken from the MAQUIA website.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Matte 010 Wine Not (Swatches & Review)

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Matte 010 Wine Not


i got this lipstick when i was in the fall state of mind, even though singapore does not have autumn, but my mind was obsessed with the typical fall colour - wine. some call it ox blood, or a deep berry shade. but wine suits it to a T, it's a deep reddish purple shade, and this is in a matte formula! SO FALL.

the revlon super lustrous lipstick line needs no further introduction i guess. it's supposed to be super moisturizing, as the name suggest.






one swipe on the left, 3 swipes on the right.



010 wine not is a deep raisin shade - reddish and purplish, with a hint of brown. it resembles the red velvet cupcake's interior colour. this lipstick is in matte finish, and boy, it really is matte.

application is pretty smooth - it doesn't tug, neither does it glide like butter. it deposits a thin layer of pigments, which can be built up based on your liking. it doesn't glide like the matte balms do, maybe that's why it only deposits a small amount of product with each swipe. the colour may emphasize dry skin, and may apply uneven on dry lips.

the lipstick is unscented.


IMHO:
i love this colour, that's the reason why i bought it in the first place. it took me some time to get used to the application as it wasn't as smooth as the other lipsticks (but it's still pretty smooth consider it's a matte lipstick. and i was comparing it to the creamy and shine formula that i own), once i got used to it, there's nothing to stop me from loving this lipstick. the matte formula makes it harder to transfer to cups (due to the lesser oil content), which means the lipstick stays on my lips much longer than the shine formula lipsticks. the other thing i like about it's smooth (but not buttery smooth) application is that it won't over deposit the products, which gives me more control over the colour and intensity.

but it may apply unevenly (after i blot my lip balm off). i don't know if it's my lips or the product :/

i usually have some lip balm on before i apply any lipsticks, and how much i have on will affect the colour that gets transferred to my lips. hence, it's best to blot off any excess lip balm prior to applying this lipstick if you want a fuller look.

however, this is not going to be moisturizing enough if i intend to wear this throughout the entire day. reapplication would be much appreciated by your lips, especially with a thin layer of lip balm before applying the lipstick again. i did try to add a layer of gloss over it, which defeats the purpose of it being matte, but sometimes i like to switch things up :P

each product have their own drawbacks. i love its long lasting power and the colour, and will love it even more if it is a little more moisturizing. i'm greedy, i know.

i bought this when guardian was having a sale for $13.90.

MAKEUP LOOK




worn lightly as a tint.



also worn lightly as a tint.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Polish Glam 2 and Glam 14 (Swatches and Review)

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Polish Glam 2 and Glam 14

you might have already seen this from my sasa mini haul, this is a more detailed review and swatching entry.

these lip polishes are also called color elixirs over in the states. i think the term "elixir" sounds more magical, i can almost picture a glowing pot of lip lacquer filled with pixie dust and iridescent glow. in asia, we only have 10 colours, that's half of that in the states. WHYYYYYYYYYYY!? i hope they release an orange here soon. :(

these lip products (i don't know what to call them, really) are a hybrid of a lip balm, lipstick, and lip gloss. so you can expect it to be very nourishing, high pigmentation and gloss.

i picked up glam 2 (i THINK it's captivating carnation equivalent 065) and glam 14 (should be caramel infused 080), a pretty vibrant pink and a nude colour with a slight reddish undertone.


i am really in love with their design. that's the only reason why i chose them over the za liquid rouge even though their colours are very similar. don't they look like the dior fluid sticks?


the applicator is flat and slightly tapered at the end. it's made of angora fur!?!? whatever, because it does feel very very soft on my lips.


swatched on my arm.


photographed at a slightly different angle to capture the fine shimmer and glossy finish.


GLAM 2//


GLAM 14//

GLAM 2 is a vibrant pink, almost like a watered down hot pink.

GLAM 14 is a brownish colour with some reddish hue to it.

both products contains a load of micro shimmer, and they aren't scented.

IMHO:
i'll address all those three claims point by point! TL;DR - I LOVE THIS PRODUCT.

nourishing like a lip balm - YESSSSS! it's a very amazing feeling. i would describe the feeling to be marshmellow like - puffy and lightweight - yes, there is definitely volume to it, but it doesn't feel heavy on my lips. it feels more like a layer of water wrapping my lips (as opposed to oils), hence it doesn't feel sticky at all. my lips feel really nourished. also, when i smack my lips together to distribute the product, my lips glide over each other almost frictionlessly. this is very rare for a gloss like product because 1. it's usually only this lubricated if it's very oily and has a thin consistency, 2. thicker products usually have a sticky feeling. you can say i'm really amused by the lip polish!

pigmented like a lipstick - 70% yes. it's more so for glam 14 than for glam 2. you can see from the swatches how glam 2 appeared to have a more candy-translucent look even at full coverage mode, while glam 14 looks much more opaque and creamy. but then again, i'm really liking how both colours build up on my lips. i used 2 layers to achieve full coverage.

shiny like a lip gloss - HELL YESSS! just see for yourself! shiny lips make my lips look plumper, as well as erasing my lip lines :P

the first few times i wore it, i thought the colour go on rather uneven-ly, most probably due to the two phase nature of the product. when i try to apply a second later, the additional product tend to stay on top of the gloss for some reason. i realize that i have to really press the applicator against my lip to distribute the product. i didn't do that initially because i thought i'd push away the first layer of the product (if that made any sense), but i realize it will redistribute itself after they finally merge together. so.. just go on and massage your lips with that angora fur applicator if you want an even application. :D

there's something interesting i'd like to note down as well. remember i said the product doesn't feel sticky at all? after i blot off the product, my lips starts feeling sticky. maybe the oils are retained on the surface of my lips? it's not unpleasant, just a vast difference from when i have the product on. also, the micro shimmer will stay on your lips. it's not very visible in photo, but i can see it in person. thankfully, those shimmer are too fine for me to feel it on my lips.

while these lip polishes aren't designed to be long lasting, i've gotten a full 5-6 hours of wear (without eating or drinking though!) from it. by the end of my day my lips are still very moisturized, some of the glossy shine did wear off with time but overall it still look plump and hydrated. worlds apart from the l'oreal shine caresse (which does leave my lips feeling more raisin-ish at the end of the day). they do transfer to cups and glasses. just don't expect them to be long wearing throughout your lunch and dinner, that'd be asking for too much from this moisturizing little things. it's already a feat that they accomplished that non-sticky yet super moisturizing and balm-y texture, let's leave the long wearing part for future developments ;)

my dad got this for me for HKD$89 each.

IN A NUTSHELL
1. very nourishing
2. not sticky (unless you blot it off)
3. colour true to tube, full coverage in 2 coats
4. very glossy
5. soft and comfortable applicator
6. lovely packaging design
7. hydrates for at least 6 hours (without eating or drinking).

MAKEUP LOOK


GLAM 2//


GLAM 14//

Innisfree Creamy Tint Lip Mousse 05 Sweet Vitamin Red (Swatch and Review)

Innisfree Creamy Tint Lip Mousse 05 Sweet Vitamin Red (Swatch and Review)


first swatch (and probably the only colour swatch!) from my innisfree purchases from my korean beauty haul! out of the three items i picked out from innisfree, this is the only colour makeup product.

just why did i buy this full bodied red out of the 7 colours!? well, i don't have a red lipstick yet, and knowing how pigmented and rich this product is, i thought it'll be a good and sure way to get my first red lips.


as the box suggests, the product is touted to be
1. vivid colour,
2. light fitting,
3. long lasting.

it's enriched with camelia oil which helps with hydration and moisturizing.

from it's official website, you can wear this as a light tint, a full on lip colour, and as a cheek colour.


the doe foot application is slightly tapered at the end for a more precise application.


swatched on my lips. i blotted it off while it's still wet, hence most of the products came off.


05 vitamin red is a bright and vibrant red, looks neutral to me so it works for both warm and cool undertone.

it can be worn as a tint by spreading a tiny bit of product out on the lips, or as a full-on red lips. the colour is very vibrant and almost has a neon opacity to it.

the product is not a lip stain, however it will dry down over time to form a thin veil of colour over your lips.

the lip mousse is scented - smells like candy to me.


IMHO:
one thing i really like about korean lip products: they know how to make the colour pop. i think this is a technology that a lot of western brands have not caught on yet. i don't know what they added into the formula to make the lip colour stand out like this. now i really want to get the other shades from this line as well knowing how opaque the colour is. IT IS TRUE TO THE TUBE! what you see is what you get! the colour payoff is definitely more opaque than a tint (a tint is more watery and translucent, while a mousse as more punch to it)

as for longevity, it lasted me a good day even though the colour didn't look as vibrant as before. once it dries down it is a little harder for it to be removed by rubbing your lips with a tissue. blotting gets almost nothing off.

is it really light fitting? HELL YES!!! again!!! i'm so impressed by korean beauty products. once it dries down, it becomes a lip hugging colour layer that feels just like your own skin.

however, it does dry out over time and if you don't apply any lip balm, it may make your lips feel dry.

i'm not kidding when i say i want to buy more shades. i'm so interested in shades 3 and 4, the former being a coral pink, the latter a hot pink.

MAKEUP LOOK

freshly applied: it looks kind of wet and uneven because i wanted more colour on the inner part of my lips.


after half a day, the sheen is gone, but the colour is still there. it's not a stain, just a very thin layer of product sticking close to my lips.

worn lightly as a tint.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Crytal Lip Jewels 25 Berry Fizz Shimmer (Swatches & Review)

Estee Lauder Pure Color Crytal Lip Jewels 25 Berry Fizz Shimmer

the estee lauder pure color crystal lipstick line aims to give you a light weight lipstick that is packed with strong and vivid colours. the packaging is simply adorable yet elegant at the same time. this isn't the full size, and i believe this little lipstick i have here is part of the travel package where they come in packages of three.


the little golden cover reveals a hidden mirror when it's disengaged from the lipstick. oh so thoughtful!




one swipe on the left, and 2-3 swipes on the right. the colour builds up nicely without the heavy feeling.



the colour i have here is a sheer dark pink shade that is very similar to revlon's colourburst cherry ice (except it's a little more pink). it appears slightly reddish, but when compared to a true red, you'll realize this has more blue tones in it as you can see below.



the estee lauder pure color crystal lip color is filled with shimmer, as the name suggests. it's not visible while on the lips, but after i've blotted it on a piece of paper those shimmer are very obvious. the application is very light weight and extremely pleasant as it feels so comfortable on the lips. it has a very calming and sweet scent too, i can't quite pin point what it smells like.. a blend of cotton candy perhaps?

the lipstick glides over my lips very smoothly and deposits the pigments evenly (unlike the revlon colorburst lipstick which was so hard, i used too much force when applying it and the bullet broke on me). a few swipes will build up the colour effectively, so it gives me quite a lot of control when it comes to colour intensity. more control is always good in my books :) the finish of the lipstick has a slight sheen, and it's not sticky at all.

IMHO:
i have come to realize that high end brands are really perfecting the formula to get light weight and pigmented lip products, i guess it's the type of pigments they use - it's much more potent than drugstore brands. oh well, they have to right? otherwise people will be rambling about how they are paying for something that a drugstore product can rival. i am in love with the sweet scent of this lipstick. if not for the name, i would have thought this is a tinted lip balm because it moisturizes my lips pretty damn well. overall, i think the name has described it all - a crystal lip colour that gives you crystal clear colour. and the jewel part? just look at the packaging! too adorable.

this lipstick was gifted to me.