2015 Beauty Favorites - Lips


Hey, dearies! I am overwhelmed by your love and response on the 2015 Favorites post. Thank you for your continuous support. Motivates me to be the nice girl who posts often :-D As you all know, my love for lip products knows no bounds. If given a choice to keep one makeup item for life, it would be a lipstick. There is something about it that's an immediate mood-booster for me, even if the rest of my look resembles that of an asylum runaway. 

Without further ago, let me share the run down of all the products that I have discovered and loved through 2015. To the other lipsticks in the stash, I did not mean to discriminate against you:




First, let me begin by remembering those who have fallen. You are gone, but never forgotten. Your remains in my drawers are a tribute to how awesome you were in your bloom: Guerlain Chamade and Illamasqua Climax. The summers melted you before I could. I never let out an actual anguished scream on a makeup item, but I let out a big one for Guerlain, followed by a full minute of minute of silence. Yes, I have a knack of being dramatic. I still have the bullet in a container that I vow to use and end before this quarter :) Summers is generally a bad time for lipsticks. No matter how nicely I store them, the temperatures make the creamier ones prone to breakage. Hoping that this year the liquid lipsticks and plexi-glosses are a good replacement. 

My lips have natural fine lines. Certain matte formulations in the lip products make them even more pronounced and give off a feeling of them being parched. I find creamier and hydrating formula more forgiving in that regard. However, they slip and transfer during the day and that's a wee bit of a turn-off for me. This year was dedicated to liquid lipsticks. I wanted to try different lipstick formulations in liquid form and give a big round-up. I am still working on that and will hopefully grab a few more (after a spending ban) and share my findings.

Colourpop Ultra Matte Lip in Bumble & Creeper - Colourpop's release of Ultra Mattes took the beauty world by a storm. I went berserk looking for different swatches online before they released to shortlist the ones I'd like to try. When selecting more than one lip colors from the same range, I like them to be different in terms of finish/shade to have a good look at the spectrum of their offering. Bumble looked like a rose-brown color that would flatter everyone, It truly is a universal color, I feel. Creeper on the other end was a fire-engine red. It was neutral true red that brightened my face up enough to receive a nod of admiration from my hubster. Win! I wasn't quite thrilled with the formulation since it would dry my lips out within a couple of hours. To be honest, almost every other mattifying formula will be drying to your lips if you compare it with a conventional lipstick. I crossed liquid lip products off my trial list when I initially tried a few different formulations. They are more intense and brighter in pigmentation, but the ease was missing. As I adjusted my expectations and tried to make them work, I discovered some of the more forgiving shades/brands. I apply a thin layer for these two Colourpop Ultra Mattes and use a thin brush to make sharp lines. Thankfully, the drying issues are significantly decreased by this. Bumble and Creeper were from their newly launched lines. The formulation of other Ultra Mattes that have been released after the original line, an upgrade is done to make the liquid lipstick less drying and I love that!

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Antwerp & Copenhagen - I caved in to the hype of SMLC later than I should have. Truth is, I was actually too early aboard that train. The not-so-popular version of NYX liquid lipsticks was the Xtreme Lip Cream. Before purchasing that, I researched on the older line of SMLC and found out that they were less pigmented than Xtreme Lip Cream - so I ended up buying Buttery Nude almost 3 years ago. It took me a while to buy these since I was on the hunt for a bargain. One fine day, I got it through ULTA 40% off sale at the least PKR prices possible and I chose two very different shades - Copenhagen and Antwerp. The formulation is like soft mousse-cream, very light and decently opaque. Just how people either love or hate Wet n Wild Mega Last lipsticks, these have received mixed reviews. I like how this is a decent step from the conventional lipsticks and not quite drying on the lips like most liquid formula are. I love berry shades and Copenhagen is the perfect fall color. Antwerp mimics those pale pink lips and cheeks that you see in the ancient pictures of alabaster skin. The good part is, it gives the same impact on my NC20-25 skin tone with pigmented lips. The wear-time is good 4-5 hours without drying the lips. After that, I usually reapply or pat it down to a stain. This one doesn't peel off and leaves a nice stain on the lips. I recently acquired Cannes, but have not even swatched it yet. Will surely be updating you all on that one too.

Clazona 24-HR Matte Lip Gloss - It's a bit unnerving to call something a "matte" "lip gloss". Clazona could have done better than that. It is misleading because you can't tell what the end-result of this would be. Anyway, I was intrigued by Clazona as Shehrbano of From The Other Side of Mirror shared a swatch of hers over social media. The picture in the poster is also through the courtesy of Sherry. Read up on her review and check out her swatches - you will be more than interested in grabbing these budget beauties in your next trip. Locally, Clazona is available at small cosmetics stores since it might not have a full display counter. Al Fatah, Colour Collection, Quik Check and Destiny in Lahore stock these (as per my knowledge). In Karachi, Vicky's and Lifestyle Cosmetics in Khadda Market plus Naheed might stock these (among other places that I have no legit information of). For less than PKR 200, these have a variety of pinks, browns, rose, reds - all wearable colors. They are significantly drying on the lips, but the trick of thin application serves well. They are non-transferable and keep the color intact for over 6 hours.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita - The formulation of Kat Von D is the benchmark against which every other liquid lipstick is evaluated. It might not be THE pioneer of the liquid lipsticks, but certainly perfected them beyond the indie goodness. Lolita is a neutral mauve-brown shade which is a must-have for those who seek wearable liquid lipstick shades. It doesn't flake or peel off on my lips. There is a new version of Lolita in the market and appears more rose-brown with less mauve-y undertones. That one resonates better with my liking, but I would still not give up on Lolita 1. Bauhau5, Mother, Double Dare and Susperia remain on my wishlist that I hope to acquire this year.

Lime Crime Velvetine in Wicked - My interest in this one was fueled by Instagram. I grabbed it as soon as it showed up in a Facebook page instocks. The color appeared darker than what I expected and bolder than what I would have normally worn. Still, it defines awesome-ness. Berry, rich and dark velvet of awesome-ness. The consistency is just perfect. Not too thick or thin. Its comfort of wear and pigmentation are remarkable. It doesn't peel off or settle in my fine lines either. I will be checking out Pink Velvet and Salem next!

MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in Relentlessly Red - It is red, pink, coral - all wrapped into a matte and long-lasting package. If you are wanting a full-blown red color, this might not be your pick. If you can look beyond the name, you will find a velvet matte finish color that stays fresh on your lips for the 7+ hours. If you wish to grab something deeper than this, the same range has All Fired Up and I find both of these flatter your skin very much. I have been grabbing this often for all sorts of occasions and routine usage. Love it!

Colourpop Lippie Pencil in Brink - I didn't think I had it in me to love a lip pencil this much. They were considered an unnecessary step for me which I skipped almost always. Since I grabbed this in my first Colourpop haul, this is the absolutely best MLBB neutral lip liner that is creamy and precise enough to stay put throughout the day. Moreover, I love pairing it with all sorts of lipsticks. The milky light corals that stayed in my stash for so long, but were not being used... now they flatter me as I make a slight ombre or draw a natural line around the lips to make any color look more mature. With the Brink lippie stix, it just ups the amp SO much!

Makeup Revolution Amazing Lipstick in Dare - I love my red lipsticks. You can find a detailed post on the MUR Amazing lipsticks range here on the blog. Out of those, Dare stood out the most and I have been using it so often as a quick red that flatters my skin tone so much. Atomic is another intense red shade from the same collection, but I find myself reaching for Dare more often. The sad part of this would be that the packaging of these lipsticks is somewhat flimsy and I am unable to carry them around in my office bag. They're relatively soft, so you have to be extra careful with them during summers.

MAC Amplified Lipstick in Brick O La - I am wearing this right now! It is something that online swatches never convinced to buy. I spotted this during an in-store visit and was quite impressed by how wearable flesh-toned brown this is. On lips, it looks a little brighter and makes you appear more...ummm.. polished. That's what I thought of when I first wore it to office. Since then, it has become one of the most used MAC lipsticks of my collection.

MAC Lipstick in Viva Glam Miley Cyrus - I was smitten by the lip color when I first saw it at Instagram in a pre-release image. I am not a fan of Miley, but the shade was so darn good. It went out of stock almost immediately and I couldn't grab one when I wanted to. Later, on my usual Al Fatah browsing in Lahore, they had these lipsticks available and the lady informed that they are just unpacking these for display. I couldn't be happier. That is the quickest I have made the decision on something :P It is very similar to Impassioned, but leans more pink on me. It is another one of those bold face brightening shades. If you find Candy Yum Yum too out there and would like a lighter fuchsia to make your lips pop - this is it!

Revlon Kissable Just Bitten Balm Stain in Honey - I have raved enough about this one for years. Just to reiterate for those who are reading this up for the first time - this balm stain is your best friend for making your natural lip color a bit more enhanced. It applies sheer, but you can build it up to your liking. It is never opaque, but more like a translucent finish at its best. My recommendation would be to not swipe it too much because you'd end up getting the stain to be patchier as the time lapses. For more even and gorgeous stain on your lips, 2-3 swipes would be more than enough.

Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Plumrose - It had been a part of my stash for over a year, but I rarely reached out for this. So much so, that I handed it down to my Mom who is a fan of neutral shades. Once she came to visit me and I HAD to ask what color was she wearing because it looked breathtakingly beautiful flesh color with mauve undertones. When I found out, I had to take it back - LOL :D No, actually, it is still with her, but I totally wore it when stepping out for a drink or a quick trip to the market. The watermelon-y fragrance that I hated in Color Statement lipsticks is gone, Thank God! The wear time and finish is pretty decent and they are very comfortable to wear. I do recommend this!

Makeup Revolution I Heart Makeup Super Wow Stick in Call Me - If you haven't already, head over to my review post and check out the swatch for this collection. You are bound to fall in love with the bright & bold colors. Call Me is my favorite and they are the perfect velvet mattes that do not budge. They give a suede-like finish on your lips once they set and will last you through a hot day with meals and drinks. Call Me is the closest to my ultimate love - RUBY WOO <3 perhaps even brighter. Comparisons of the two are also shared on the blog :) For an economical price tag, you get one of the best lip formulations I tried in 2015. Available at Daraz.PK and Reforma.PK :)

Colourpop Lippie Stix in Go Fish - I got this without looking at any reviews and the finish was described as 'hyperglossy', so I thought it would not be opaque or long-lasting. Well, I was wrong on both accords. It is slightly creamier than their cream finish and a hint of glossy finish that would make your lips appear voluptuous. The shade is my FAVORITE! It is a perfect balance between pink and coral to flatter me with and without makeup. It is bold and a total statement lip color that you can sport with minimal or natural makeup. It lasts SO well and stains the lips very nicely for over 7 hours :-) Oh, and it photographs brilliantly ;-)

.....and that's a wrap!

There were many lip shades that I couldn't include since I HAD to make finite number of choices that fit in a poster :-D Some of those are highlighted in the Monthly Favorites post - all of which you can see on my Facebook page albums.

What lip colors have you loved and would like to recommend?

My wishlist this year includes (but is not limited to):

- NARS in Dolce Vita, Dragon Girl, Yu
- Estee Lauder Color Envy
- Bite Luminous Creme Lipstick
- MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lip Color
- Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick
- Guerlain/Lancome/Chanel/Bobbi Brown - different high end formulations

Do let me know what you aim to try this year?

Cheers,

Bia


6 comments:

  1. Omg Bia! This post is breaking all. My patience now!! Love your picks as always... My love for clazona is building everyday!

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  2. colourpop lippies nd mac retro i luved..it...luv ur lippies collection aswell.. Anastesia bivilryhills are best lip cole

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  3. Loved loved reading this!! Gotta give some of them a try. I have yet to jump on the liquid lipstick craze though.

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  4. Yes! This post has some of my all time favorite lippies. Lolita, NYX SMLC in Copenhagen, Bumble and the Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain in Honey are must haves for lipstick lovers in my opinion.
    Looking forward to buy ABH and Lime Crime liquid lipsticks this year.
    Loved this amazing compilation, Bia. Thank you :)

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  5. Great picks bia. MUR Call Me is definitely among my fav lip products from 2015. Colorpop ultra mattes are so worth the hype. Gonna get bumble and creeper soon IA :)

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