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Showing posts with label lip balm. Show all posts
Showing posts with label lip balm. Show all posts

Sunday, 8 September 2013

Not Another Maybelline Baby Lips...


Oh yes. I went there. I swore to myself that I would not become a member of 'The Maybelline Baby Lips crew'. But I did. I also swore that I wouldn't post about it. But I have.  For a good while now, us Brits have been deprived of such a cult Maybelline product and have been left twiddling our thumbs wondering if and when the infamous Baby Lips would ever arrive in the UK. And so you can imagine the excitement when finally, after all that time, we could finally get our mitts on our very own without having to book a flight half-way across the world. BIG yays. Sounds silly really. After all, it is just a lip balm. There's plenty of other lip balms in the world to satisfy our lip balm-y needs, but Baby Lips just has that 'got to have it' appeal. Maybe it's the endearing plastic packaging that half-reminds us of our 'tweenager' days, maybe it's the promise of deliciously fruity flavours, or maybe it's just because it's one of the most hyped up lip balms I've yet to come across. Either way, we all dashed to our nearest Maybelline stands in the blink of an eye.  I'm aware that the bloggosphere is simply flooded with reviews and whatnot - but I thought I'd add my two pennies worth anyway...

After a great deal of decision making, I finally settled on 'Peach Kiss'.  Anything 'peachy' is a winner in my books. The colour pay off isn't amazing - but neither did I expect it to be.  It shows up better on my arm than it does on the lips - in fact, there would be no point in trying to take a photo of it in action, as the shade does nothing more than maybe smooth out my natural lip colour slightly.  I do like a lip balm to be more or less colourless anyway as I often apply lipstick over the top. If you like a bit more colour pay off for your money then it's worth opting for 'Cherry Me' or some of the more pink-y shades.  As for the actual moisturising properties - yeah, it's quite good.  Better than some lip balms I've tried. It doesn't have that 'waxy' feel that a lot of balms tend to have. It's definitely a lot more smooth and it feels nice to apply.  I half imagined it to wear off as soon as I'd popped some on, but it doesn't. It stays on quite nicely and although it doesn't live up to the '8 Hour' claim, it stays put a lot better than some of my other balms. I love the fact it contains SPF20 - always a nice little addition! It definitely does 'quench' the lips when you apply it - and the amazing fruity smell just makes it even more addictive.

Overall, (dare I say it) I really like Maybelline's Baby Lips. I wouldn't go as far as to say it's the best lip balm ever, because it's not.  It's definitely not one I'd recommend if you were really suffering with dry lips, but it's a great everyday addition to your handbag and it's nice to apply before lipstick to prevent dry patches. It's not sticky, it doesn't 'sit' on the lips and it doesn't feel greasy or gloopy - pretty good for £2.99 - but don't expect miracles! Would I buy another one? Probably. But I reckon it's more the fun packaging and novelty factor rather than actual moisturising properties.   

There's no denying it's a fun, quirky little lip balm to own - and I half want to rush out and buy myself a pink fluffy pencilcase to store it in along with lots of glitter gel pens and miniature notebook keyrings... There's something about it that just reminds me of products I used to stuff in my pencilcase in my school days. Is that just me?...

Have you given in to Maybelline's Baby Lips yet? What's your favourite one?! Did you love it, or hate it?

Friday, 19 July 2013

Deborah Milano | Shine Creator Lipstick

Deborah Milano | Shine Creator Lipstick in Shade 7 'Shiny Cyclamen' | £8.50* (link)

I love a good lipstick me.  I think every beauty obsessed female has a 'thing' for a certain type of product, don't they? I'll often throw a lippie into my basket on a stroll through Boots and if I'm ever going to splash the cash on anything cosmetic then it's usually in the form of a lip colour. It's a sure fire way of changing your entire look in a flash - or swipe of a lipstick tube! Deborah Milano is a brand I'd never heard of before I had the chance to try it - but BOY am I glad I have now! Before I even got to try the lipstick I was really impressed with their website and the array of products on offer - I certainly have my eye on a few other products in the range...

I was sent their Shine Creator lipstick in the shade 'Shiny Cyclamen' - a beautiful raspberry pink shade. I'm usually one for reds and corals, so it was a refreshing change for me to receive something different to what I'd have probably picked myself. I found I actually quite like the raspberry tone - I must admit it suits me better now that I have a tan (and I was also pretty chuffed to find it matches one of my blazers...you've got to love matching outfit/lipstick combos!)  What I love though, is the texture and the finish.  Now, I'm a big fan of the Revlon Lip Butters (Lollipop and Creme Brulee being firm favourites of mine - if you're interested ;)!) so I was enticed very much by the 'Shine Creator' lipstick.  It feels very smooth and buttery to apply - slightly thicker in consistency to Revlon's offering. I have to say I was impressed by the staying power. Anything with 'shine' in the name often suggests a limited wear time - but the Shine Creator actually stays put pretty well.  It doesn't smudge too easily and has a non-slip formula - it's very much a buttery, glossy lipstick. After a while, it wears off to a subtle stain - the photograph above shows the gloss finish when first applied, and then the stain after a short while of pottering around the house (excuse cruddy bathroom photograph - it often gets the best light - needs must!). Even though the gloss wears off after a while, the lipstick still has a slight sheen and isn't at all drying. The colour pay-off is quite subtle but noticeable and true to the colour seen in the tube - you can layer it up for a more intense finish or slick one layer on for a more subtle, soft effect. It's worth mentioning that the lipstick also contains SPF15 which is a lovely little addition for this sunny weather we are having recently, as well as being hypoallergenic. Bonus!

Overall, I really like the Shine Creator lipstick and am intrigued to try out a coral shade... (me and my corals - obsessed much?)  It's a really good 'everyday' kind of lipstick to have in your collection. I wore this shade to an interview the other day and it looked like a nice pop of colour without being overdone. I currently have my eyes on their 'Milano Red Lipsticks' (link) which are a more pigmented option from the range of lip products on offer - definitely will be treating myself to one of those soon!  You can find the range on the Deborah Milano website here - see what you think girls! Definitely have a nosey if you're a fellow lipstick magpie like myself...

Have you tried anything from Deborah Milano? What shade tickles your fancy?