Liquid Lipsticks: A Definitive(ish) Guide

SO MANY LIPSTICKS. SO LITTLE TIME. 

Ok, so first things first, I am OBSESSED with lipsticks. This is not an exaggeration. And liquid lipsticks are even more my favorites. No jokes here.

I even made a spreadsheet guys, this is superserious.

I have Lime Crime Velvetines, Beauty Bakerie Lip Whips, Kylie Kits, Colourpop Ultra Matte Lips, Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick, OCC Lip Tars, LASplash Lip Lustre, Sephora brand liquid lipstick, have tried Stila and I don't even know what else. 

So believe me when I say I take my lipstick game super serious. So let's get started- spreadsheet up top, reviews after, and i would say after trying all of these and talking to friends and taking recommendations, I will say that lipstick superiority is ALL A MATTER OF PERSONAL PREFERENCE. I hated brands others love, and am obsessed with some others hate. I would say it's tough to do a definitive 'this is best/this is worst' list, so i'm just sharing my personal experiences, listed in price order.

Kylie Lip Kits... and Colourpop:

Now, I want to get into the debate of Kylie Kits vs. Colourpop right away, cuz this seems to be a pretty serious deal on the interwebz, and for good reason. If you can get the same quality shit for a third of the price, I would 100% make a big deal out of that, along with the fact I completely support avoiding putting money into the hands of anyone in the Kardashian/Jenner family, but we need to get real here. Despite any similarities in ingredients list (read: identical) the formulas are Definitely different. Like, night and day. This is ONE HUNDRED PERCENT a case of you get what you fucking pay for. Hands down. 

Let me explain. 

I have 2 Kylie kits, 2 Kylie Metals, 2 Colourpop Ultra Mattes, and 2 Colourpop Lippie Sticks. So at this point I feel like I can make some fairly solid comparisons. First with swatches and buying online- shipping time for Colourpop is significantly longer, although cheaper. The swatches are Not accurate to the color you're getting however, whereas with Kylie the swatches are correct, however they may change over time as the formula is changed. I definitely like the packaging for Kylie over Colourpop, although it's still pretty fun. And the whole buying a lipstick with its coordinating liner really works for me---the liners are The Fucking Best I have ever used. It boggles my mind how much I love these damn lipliners. They glide on like heaven, don't get all lumpy if you go over the same spot, and hug every curve and wrinkle in the lips. They're like goddamn butter. So, those alone are worth the money for me. 

Ok, formula comparison, Kylie's last longer than Colourpop. They just do. They also dry faster and don't smudge, while one of my Colourpop smudges hardcore, and the other flakes, but my darker color has significantly more staying power through food and drink than the other, even though it does transfer color. The Only negative I have for the Kylie colors, is that godawful smell. They seriously smell like the tri-colored lip smackers lipgloss in Birthday Cake from way back in the day. I don't need that shit. However, the scent goes away as the color dries, so it's really not that bad. As far as drying goes, I felt like the Ultra Matte were drier than Kylie, but not by much. And neither are really that bad. In my experience if you just exfoliate and put on a lip mask the night before you wear your liquid lipstick, you're not gonna have a bad day of liquid lip wearing. So the moral of the story here, is Kylie lip kits are worth the $20-something, Colourpop is worth the $5-6. This isn't necessarily a bad thing- they're two different lip companies that offer similar yet different products. And it all comes down to preference. I prefer my lip colors to look exact, even though I do like the colors they turned out to be, and I have no problem buying a fun lip color for hella cheap and then splurging when I can. This just simply isn't a case of them being the same thing and one is just cheaper. Also, if you want to read a pretty good article about the debate, here's a professional story. 

Lime Crime:

Now, I've totally gone into the awesomeness that is Lime Crime Velvetines, so I won't go hard on the subject here, but if you want to read more about my Lime Crime love, you can find the post HERE. As far as liquid lips go, this probably ties with Kylie as my fave. I love the range of colors, I love the consistency, I love the lack of smudging, and they don't need as many passes as other brands to be totally opaque. In short, I wear them All The Time for a damn reason. They're really fucking good, however they can totally be drying, so if you don't take care of your lips in advance, you're gonna have a bad time. 

Ok, Black Moon Cosmetics:

I'd been wanting to try this brand for a while since my fave youtuber (Ahitsrosa) has used them and the colors are gorgeous. And let me say, they did not disappoint. So, they definitely don't Dry dry, they more so dry to a certain level of tacky, but this isn't a bad thing. They are still a matte lipstick that's not sticky, and its not coming off everywhere on everything. Where you place it is where it stays. I would say you could compare the texture to the Kylie Metals, in that it's a whipped formula, but BM is significantly thicker and smoother. I love love love this texture, and building it up after eating isn't a problem. The color is smooth, precise, opaque and crisp, and they look So Good on I just can't say no. 

Beauty Bakerie:

I've had one great experience and one not so great. The great experience the color is opaque, the finish is a little shiny, and this shit Does Not come off. You need a serious oil-based lipstick remover for this nonsense. So if you wear it a night in Vegas and plan to wear another lipstick, definitely don't forget your serious lipstick wipes or you're gonna have a bad time. The other experience was ok as far as longevity, but the lighter color I couldn't get opaque and even for the life of me, unless i covered my lips in concealer, then layered a primer, and then did two coats, which is most unfortunate. Plus they don't do returns so I'm a little iffy on this. 

NYX Lingerie:

I love how insanely lightweight the formula is- it glides on like whipped air and has great coverage while being easy to get on nice and crisp. My complaint is that it's a bit sticky and doesn't dry at all, and unlike Black Moon Cosmetics, it's not a dry tacky, but like, sticks, however it doesn't transfer onto anything. But overall it wears nicely and is easy to layer, but the longevity is definitely on the short side. I would say I prefer Black Moon for a liquid that is more cream. 

NYX Liquid Suede (New):

So I definitely prefer the lingerie after this test drive. This formula fries really sticky, and I also couldn't tell that it Had dried. The applicator and formula is not as precise as I'd like, so it was hard to get a crisp line or even make it smooth and even. The color is nice, but I had to go over the same spot to make it opaque, which isn't too bad as it didn't build up, get cakey, or need me to wait for it to dry before adding more. However after it dried, I did have to fill in spots that weren't solid and as it dried I could see problem areas. It also tends to settle in cracks of lips, which isn't my favorite, and is only good for 6 months. SIX MONTHS. It takes me minimum a year to go through a lipstick. This isn't so chill. Oh, and it transfers onto everything off of your lips. Also, as the day went on and I continued to apply more, eventually it was Incredibly dry, was balling up at the corners, flaking, and for super cakey. The long wear is not a thing on this, so overall I would say not a win. 

Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick:

This is a really nice smooth texture that goes on easily and dries quickly and somewhat powdery, but isn't crispy as it doesn't fully dry- i wouldn't say it's tacky, but it definitely transfers surfaces even though it stays on your lips. Like after eating your coverage is still pretty solid, but there is definitely a lip mark on your chin. I like the pointy applicator too, as it gave me a nice defined Cupid's bow which I feel is usually the hardest part of application for me. The color is also very smooth and opaque, with any transparent spots being easily coverable and the formula doesn't build up. The wear is super smooth too, originating from the center of the mouth and working itself off without flaking, and it's incredibly comfortable to boot. Overall I would definitely purchase in other colors. And this Grey is so flattering! One of my faves already. 

Stila Stay All Day:

I am officially a believer. This lipstick feels like heaven, doesn't transfer, and is the Most flattering nude I've encountered. It even matched my natural lip color so much, this seems more like a foundation for lips! They look so smooth and like the idea lips I wish I had every day, this Baci color is a strong investment. And it didn't get all over my chin when I was eating either, so yeah, this is a hella win. I'm not generally a big fan of Stila, but this they definitely nailed. It does have a tendency to bleed though so wearing something like UD's Ultimate Ozone, at least around the edges, is a good idea. 

Jeffree Star Velour Lipstick:

So I really really wanted to like this, but I'm not convinced with Unicorn Blood. Not only did it crazy bleed, but the applicator was hard to use, it transferred on everything, and even got on my teeth. So the color is gorgeous and completely opaque, but I def couldn't be kissin boyfriend with this on. And it also wore unevenly. So I'll try another color, I know reds can be tricky, but I was seriously disappointed. 

Follow up:

I tried 'I'm Royalty' and had a totally different experience, and the only differences were I applied Ultimate Ozone as a base on the edges and applied using a lipstick brush rather than using the actual applicator for a really precise effect. It wasn't sticky, didn't transfer, and lasted forever through drinking. So idk if this Unicorn Blood was a fluke, but I'm super down for I'm Royalty! 

MAC Liquid Lipsticks:

So I don't have a lot of pros for this, except it's not super drying and the applicator is nice and pointy. It's not really opaque, it bleeds, it transfers when drinking, it wears splotchy and it's tacky. Buuuuut I can give a few kisses without problems so I guess there's that. I won't be buying more. 

Kat Von D:

So i've worn this lipstick a few times and i'm just not in love, but that doesn't mean i'm totally ruling out this line, i just think the darker colors may not be as solid as the lighter ones. It's just so hard to get even, it transfers, and i have to wait for it to completely dry (a long-ass time) before trying to even out the color. Plus it chunks up and collects at the corners of the mouth, so that was also not fun. I intend to try others though as I've heard such great things, but i'm not convinced

Finally, I was having so much fun, I had my friend Alex draw on me with my lipsticks! A good time was had by all, especially when these suckers really don't come off! Fun fact: liquid lipstick doubles as body paint...

Play! By Sephora: First Unboxing

May 2016 - The Forces of Nature

So after being on the waitlist literally since this program was announced, I finally got in and just received my first box! Check out the whole program here.

I'm pretty stoked on it, not gonna lie. I LOVE Sephora and their products, so unlike something like Ipsy where I probably only use one product in 3 boxes, I get to try out things that I might actually really love from brands I either already use or want to try! And on top of this, it's actually really adorable. The package, bag, and informative poster are all super cute. I need to find out how to work for whoever does their design cuz it's flippin great. 

I figured I'd go through the products in order and kind of just go over how they all work, as I really want to get the most out of this happy little box. So let's get started!

I generally don't like perfume samples cuz I'm Super picky about scents- the littlest smell can give me a raging migraine, so a perfume I like is few and far between. Also, I don't typically enjoy those fairly 'feminine' scents of florals, musk, or sweet, so usually wind up going for something light and crisp. This Atelier Cologne in Orange Sanguine is so so so wonderful. I absolutely love it. The tiniest dab of the sample put out a ton of citrusy goodness that I can really smell without it being too overpowering. It's crisp and citrusy without being too 'Orange' and all the sweetness that usually comes with that. I'm really really digging it. It almost reminds me of a cross between method soap and like a nice herb garden. I don't even know why, but it calls to mind a gorgeous spring day right before summer when you get a whiff of fresh laundry on the air that's been hung to dry. 

Definitely take a sec to read the description on the postcard, I feel like it captured the essence of this fragrance quite lovely. So far, this is a 1/1 win. Love. 

Next we have the Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche in Kimchi, from their new lipstick line. I've used Bite in the past, and Love their agave lip mask, so getting to try out one of the new shades is great. Their whole natural philosophy is wonderful, and the packaging and branding is so clean and easy on the eyes. I really like the simple deviation from the usual lipstick tube look with the little scoop out of the top- reminiscent of how well-loved lipstick tends to wind up looking. So far, I love this! It smells and kind of tastes like berries, the pigmentation is Huge, it glides on crisp and smooth hugging all of my dents and creases, and isn't too shiny. Kimchi is a super bright pink, but wearable for sure. I definitely can skip a balm underneath this lipstick with how nourishing it is. The only problem I've had with Bite in the past is since it is so natural, it tends to go bad before I have a chance to use the whole tube, but I really am down to invest in these, they feel so good!

Yaasssss bright bold lipsss. 2/2 wins. 

Ok next up, Tarte's Tarteist Lip Crayon in Latergram. I've only used a Tarte mascara in the past so I'm not too familiar with the brand overall, but I am intrigued by this teeny tiny little sample. It's so cute and little! I had to use my hand as a size reference cuz it's too adorable. It definitely doesn't match the bright pink Kimchi sample, that's for sure, but it's a decently nice dark mauvey-nude shade. 

I do like this color, but the texture is not agreeing with me. I had such a hard time trying to apply it to my lips I decided to just do a little search on my hand. It's kind of waxy and hard, an I personally prefer a softer lipliner formula so I don't have to fight going over and over on my lips just to get some coverage. So we're 2/3 now, but that's ok. More fun coming. 

Ok, now on to Origins Maskimizer + Drink Up & Clear Improvement Masks. What the heck. I've never even heard of. Maskimizer. What is this?! Well, apparently it's a primer for your goddamn mask. What. Even. This I'm totally interested in finding out what it's all about, but it's supposed to increase the efficacy of your mask. I have definitely used this Clear Improvemens charcoal mask before, and totally owned a full size one for quite some time, so I am familiar with how it works. Which means it'll totally help me find out if the Maskimizer really makes a difference. 

Woo such charcoal. Many brushstrokes. So using the Clear Improvements mask, I tested the Maskimizer and took the tips to heart to apply this with a flat brush. Two things definitely occurred to me-- a brush totally makes a difference in the speed and ease of mask applying. Dayam. Two, the Maskimizer also made the goop slide right on. I didn't have to pull from one spot to evenly distribute, a little went a long way, and it felt a lot more wet as a whole. And cool too, the Maskimizer immediately felt chilly on my skin, but not in such a bad way, more like a tingling sensation. So long story short, I truly can't tell if the Maskimizer made a big difference, but the mask itself did go on a lot easier and was easier to remove, plus my skin feels nice, soft, brighter and more even, without being oily or dry. I always put moisturizer on after masks, so that might play a factor of course, but I will definitely use this Maskimizer with any other masks I do, if nothing else for the ease of the whole mask process. So we'll call this a win at 3/4. 

Moving on to the Briogeo Deep Conditioning Hair Mask, I gotta say I'm not a big fan. I've got all the colors in my hair, so I take hair care pretty seriously, and have used the whole gamut of what's available from Olaplex to R&Co and Matrix and beyond, I am firmly sticking to ColorPhlex. I'm even finding it unfortunate that I chose to use this treatment for my weekly hair washing instead of the magic that is ColorPhlex. But anyhow, we're talking about Briogeo right now. My hair was snarly instead of detangled, it was rough instead of soft, and it even took longer to dry. I'm out. 3/5 now. 

Finally, there's the Korres Wild Rose Sleeping Facial, which is supposed to brighten and moisturize. I've had good experiences with Korres in the past, but this particular product is not a good fit for me. I'll start off by saying I loved how it smelled like roses- it's one of my favorite scents in skin products- but I expected it to be more like a gel or serum texture, but it was actually more of a cream, which kind of acted more as a heavy duty moisturizer than anything else. This isn't really something I need, and woke up with a slew of brand new breakouts all over my whole damn face. Well, any product that makes my insanely sensitive skin break out is not a friend to me, so I'm definitely skipping this in the future as well. 3/6 is the final wins tally for this box, but that's really not bad! Considering I had no expectations really, and typically am annoyed by fragrance samples, I wound up liking 3 things I both wasn't anxious to try or hadn't heard of. 

Overall, I am sticking to the idea that this monthly subscription is FAR SUPERIOR to the other options out there. Like, no contest. In all fairness, I am a diehard VIB, build up those points like nobody's business, am always down to take one of the Sephora classes, and will Definitely be taking my Play! pass to my nearest Sephora to learn more about the awesome shit that came in my box, but all the same, I really feel like this box has some quality products that mostly fit what I would be looking for in new things, so the fact that half worked out is significantly higher than any monthly box I've tried in the past. Can't wait for next month!

Bite me

Got kind of a fun one today, last time i was at Sephora I decided to use a few of my points and get this fancy Bite Beauty set. I'm definitely a sucker for red lipstick, and berry for fall always piques my attention, so I definitely took the opportunity for a new addition to the lipstick set. Bite is an awesome brand, I love everything I've tried from them, from dual-ended lipsticks to lip treatments, they offer a really solid product. If you need an excuse to try it out, there're always small sets near the cash wrap at Sephora for decently cheap.

So this is the fancy little fall set in Mimosa. So cute!

On eyes today, UD Naked palette, Smog 24/7 eyeliner, Heavy Metal Glitter liner in Midnight Cowboy, and Benefit BADgal Lash mascara.

I tailored today's look around the bright red plan, with a nice gold/bronze eye and black and white outfit. 

I had some fun with the patterns today, so went with a Nasty Gal bustier, old skirt from Anthro, Black Milk Card Suit hosiery, and Michael Michaud cherry jewelry.

I LOVE Michael Michaud– I've been collecting his jewelry for years now, and every piece is a work of art inspired by nature. Seriously, it's gorgeous. Go buy some.

And it's so close to fall!! Pretty much time to whip out the booties at any chance possible. Woohoo!