The Clinique Chubby Stick Intense added to my collection of favourite lip colours.

I've raved before many times in here, twitter and Instagram how much I love my Revlon chubby sticks. I have so many colours from their collections that could probably last me another 5 years though in general, the lifespan of lip colours (depending on how you use and store them) is only for a good 1-2 years. But the fact that I use the term "chubby sticks" instead of lip crayons or balm stains shows who coined the term more effectively. And I believe that a lot of beauty enthusiasts out there also take this term as a general name for these beauties that resemble a pencil but in a fatter, chubbier form.

Naturally, when the term chubby sticks is in place, one couldn't help but want to own one from the brand that made it popular ;)

The Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm

Remember my post not too long ago when I practically snapped up almost all the colours from the Revlon Kissable Balm Stain? They are so moisturising, colour pigments are just wonderful and the colours last an entire day for me, without having to touch up. It may fade just a little after a meal but it practically stays which made many of my friends ask what I use on my lips.

When Revlon came up with two new range of their crayon-like lip balms, the Matte and the Lacquer version, I must be one of the last few in the beauty fraternity to pick them up, I suppose. And that too, I only picked up the Lacquer version as the one colour I am interested for the Matte version is always out of stock in Guardian.

I see berry pretty colours everywhere I go.

I've been noticing a healthy increase in my lip colours in varied forms and realised that there are always that small pool of colours which I'd reach out to use. The fact that I like them so much made me wonder how I am currently preferring these beauties which are all named under the same family.

Berries.

I don't really pay much attention to current colours that are considered the "in" thing but through the years I noticed that I'd have that preference pool of colours which I'd reach out to. At one point I was choosing coral colours over everything else, then one year after finding out that Mr Oosband actually likes bright red, I've been experimenting on many shades of red. Last year I saw myself reaching out to softer pinks and the year before, I think I liked dark tones of reddish brown. The funny part was also getting gifts in the colour that I preferred. For instance, the Stila Lip Glaze up there, I got that at this year's new year gift exchange and coincidentally it is aptly named Cranberry.

As I noticed that even gifts I received from the previous years were in the colours of my choice in those respective time, it got me to wonder if it's because they came in abundance due to them being the current trend at each relevant period or because it was just a coincidence that my preference had shifted in each year.

L-R: Clinique Chubby Stick Intense in Broadest Berry, Estee Lauder Pure Color Shine in Brazen Berry, Estee Lauder Pure Color High Gloss in Berry Lush and Stila Lip Glaze in Cranberry.

Not forgetting one of my most favourite colour, Sundried Berry by Lancome's Le Lipstique. 

So I went online and checked the current trends and apparently, it was reported that even the recent Oscar showed berry lips as the "in" thing. 

According to Fashion Magazine, it was burnt-berry though... 

And apparently, the 2014 Spring Fashion Week also saw berry lips by Michael Kors on his models. It seems that a nice shade of berry would perk up a minimalistic look.

I read that berry lips was already the trend from fall of 2013. To tell you the truth, I've never really paid close attention to the colour trends of the fashion seasons but since I wonder why it is such that I have a peculiar preference at different periods of my life made me seriously question it. Funny that I'd question myself something like this for such a simple matter. But it does sound serious when I'd keep getting myself lip colours of the same family. Like how many berries do you actually need?? ;)

But really, I think that berry tones do suit many skin types. Fashion trends are many but I don't think one should choose a colour based on current trends. However, it is really wonderful to be able to choose from a large shade of the berry family and explore to see if the shades do complement our skin tone and look of the day. And what better time to explore if not for its abundance due to it being the trend...

It's nice to have a variation of colours to change your looks especially since lipsticks would usually be the main tool of every woman's makeup diet. I mean, you can still leave home without eye shadow or blusher or even foundation but I don't think any woman would leave home without lipstick (gloss, glaze and pencils included), right?

What is your preferred colour recently?

No lippie? No sweat. A lip pencil will do just as well... even better!

I remembered reading long time ago a tip from some superstar that if she needed to have a long-wearing no-bleeding lip colour, she would use a lip pencil all over her lips, just like how one would use a lipstick.

And so, just before the turn of the new year, I grabbed this precious beauty at an amazing end-of-the-year discount for just RM22 from StrawberryNet.

The Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain - more than just stains.

I have recently gone on a Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain shopping binge.

Before it came into Malaysian shores, I read about it in a friend's blog as she went nuts about them and was ecstatic to discover that another lovely friend with the same interest, was on a work trip abroad. Instantly, I asked for all of the colours featured on the blog and the lovely friend brought home these 4 colours that were available.

Rouge in Love by Lancome

Recently, Lancome invited some of us to a bloggers' party to experience for ourselves their Rouge In Love lipstick collection.

I was surprised to see the variety of colours from each of their themed group, Tonight is my night, Boudoir Time and Jolis Matins - 27 altogether!!

While there was a demonstration on how to achieve a sweet look with light makeup applications, some of the evurl girls were busy working. Hey, what better way to try out them lipsticks when everyone else is busy at the makeup demo ;)

This is Yani, Dom and Beetrice all wearing the same lip colour - 375B (Bold Fuschia). When it was applied on our lips, the colour pigments didn't look similar to each other's lips. However, in the photo, it looks quite the same, don't you think?

And once we're done putting lipstick on our lips, we played around trying them out on our faces hehe. Nah... this was actually one of the activities during the Rouge in Love party.

At the end of the day, I went home with this colour. It was unfortunate that I didn't quite get the colour I wanted but the rest of the bloggers were really sporting as we exchanged with each other the lipstick we got. Initially I received a much lighter colour that isn't suitable for my skintone. This one, 132M is also a little light for my liking but I only discovered how light it is once I bring it home. But still, a nice change from all the other colours I already own.

The lipstick is quite creamy and the colour lasts too. I didn't fall in love with it instantly probably because I didn't get the colour I like. But texture is always important to me and I think the moisturising factor is not too bad. But, due to my dry lips, the light colour does enhance the dryness of my lips and although I wanted to post a photo I took of my lips, it didn't really make the colour attractive in the photo.

At the moment, if you follow Lancome Malaysia fb page, a Rouge in Love contest is currently ongoing. Do check it out and see how you can further discover the lip colours (retails at RM75).

Have you tried the lipstick yet?

Clarins Joli Rouge Long-Wearing Moisturizing Lipstick

Remember how I mentioned that I have discovered some other products that work really great by Clarins? Well, one of them that I'd like to share with you is their Joli Rouge Long-Wearing Moisturizing lipstick.

If you scrutinise a post I did when I asked about the possibility of a woman having too many lipsticks, you might be able to spot two Clarins Joli Rouge lippie in the photos.

The positive side to the lipstick is its creaminess and lasting colour. And if you've been reading me long enough, you would know how important it is for me to use a creamy formula. The lasting colour factor would be just a bonus with any moisturising lipstick that I'd use.

Is there such a thing as a lady having too many lipsticks??

I think before it's too late, I better put up this post which I wanted to draft months ago ;)

Is there such a thing as having too many lipsticks for us ladies???

a tower of lippies??

At last count, I found that I've been lugging around 5 types of lip colours in my handbag at all times - I have a lip gloss, 1 moisturising red lippie, 1 moisturising plum lippie, 1 nude colour and one more a current favourite that I was recently gifted. And why, you ask (well, my Mr Oosband would ask) do I need to carry 5 lip colours??

Heh.

First of all, being someone sensitive to many brands of lipsticks before this, I am extremely surprised at the number of lipsticks I am now able to wear. Those that were known to make my lips itch and swell are getting lesser and although I was not able to wear shimmering colours because those glitters used to make my lips itchy and dry, I was shocked that my first shimmering colour from an Estee Lauder event in 2010 worked totally perfect for my dry lips.

From then on, I started to get adventurous and found myself acquiring many new lip products from brands I couldn't even imagine using... and they all work really well on me. Most of the brands have now come up with moisturising lip colours and I guess consumers have also started to prefer them for their moisturising benefits even if the colours do not stay on for more than 4 hours. This is good news for me because I do not mind it one bit if the colour does not last... my main aim would be for my lips to stay moisturised and the colour does not look patchy.

I'd like to think that Dior had set the platform for all other brands to follow suit. When it launched the super creamy, uber moisturising Serum de Rouge, selling at RM109 a piece, it still managed to grab the market as women are not afraid to spend for a good lip product. It's just too bad that their colours are so limited that you only get a few pieces from a range so small. However, from then on, I realised that brands started to market moisturising lip colours, all trying to fight for the piece of the market share with claims that their products are not only moisturising but with colours that last as well.

Hence, my collection started to grow and hasn't stopped since :)

So, one day, while I saw the number of lipsticks in my handbag, I wondered if I already have too many of them and found these (note: this photo was taken around 2 months ago) and more have been added to the collection! :D

they may not be too many for someone who blogs about beauty products but for someone who's only started to experiment brands other than Bobbi Brown, I think I have amassed these pretty quick, don't you think?

How many lip colours do you already own? Which one is your favourite?

Shiseido's Maquilllage True Rouge Lipstick

I got the opportunity to try out the new True Rouge from Shiseido's Maquillage collection at the recent launch. Initially, I was truly excited to try it when I was informed of the buzz elsewhere. In fact, my excitement was also due to the existing single item I own from the Maquillage range which I so love.

Now you already know how I felt about the signature packaging of the Maquillage range which I thought looked weird. The True Rouge, though, is kinda unique. Yes, it still has that octagonal basic structure but what I liked about this tube is that it gives out a 'pop' sound akin to when you open up a champagne bottle. You know... when you let air out from an air-tight container. Am I making any sense??

Secondly, the tube comes in a nice metal casing that feels luxurious - not those cheap thin flimsy material. It's thick, luxuriously black and pretty sturdy to the grip.

Then, the lipstick is shaped in a unique form where the double slant-end gives you that perfect fit to colour your lips in just one swipe. Apparently, the angled shape is cut to fit the angle and curve of most lips... and it may be true.

Well, those are the plus points of the True Rouge. However, formulation wise, though it claims to be moisturising, long-lasting and gives your lips a plump-like appearance, I don't think all those points worked in my favour. Yes, the lipstick is easy to apply but when my lips are dry to begin with, I feel that the True Rouge is not moisturising enough unless I first apply lip balm. I don't think it lasted that long compared to other lipsticks I am used to wearing that do not have a similar promise and it doesn't make my lips look any fuller. I am not sure why... could it be due to a colour that does not complement me or could it be that it is more suited for normal lips without any problems?

The truth is, I keep comparing this to the Shimmering Rouge and I feel that that lipstick is far more superior than True Rouge in terms of hydration, long hold and plumped up feeling. With Shimmering Rouge, I can just apply it direct on my patchy rough dry lips (I have naturally dry lips) and it could just smoothen and moisten my lips for hours. The colour would stay vibrant and I don't need to touch up after a meal and drinks. Therefore, I do not think the True Rouge works as well.

the ingredients to True Rouge.

another product, the Maquillage Moisture Base UV to be reviewed.

Have you checked out the True Rouge? Do you like it?

The Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

*image credit

I was pulled in by all the hype of Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter, when madame Paris B posted a strong review just before the long weekend *grrrr*. I even got upset when I could not get any opportunity to actually check them out during the four-day break *double grrrr*

Yesterday though, as I was checking out a small Guardian outlet just before I attended a meeting, I finally managed to get my hands on them testers but wasn't quite sure if it fell short of my expectations.

I am not sure whether the excitement worn out due to the frustration of not being able to check them out earlier or the fact that I only had less than 10 minutes to thoroughly make up my mind or I'll be late for my meeting.

And when you're short of time, it is hard to decide... I mean, I didn't really fall in love with them the moment I swatched the colours on my wrist. I guess it felt like any other lipsticks I have. Then, I also actually liked four of the colours and three of them are almost alike!

Although at first I wanted to get Macaroon because it looked like a really pretty burgundy on MWS post but on my wrist, it looked reddish orange, a warmer tone than Cherry Tart. I liked Strawberry Shortcake, a nice light pink but was afraid that the colour might be too light for my complexion.

The lip butter is like a lipgloss but with better colour intensity. Logically, with balmy, super moisturising lipsticks, like a lipgloss, would not have much staying power. Therefore, you should expect that the colour, although more intense, would come out really well when applied but may fade as quickly as a couple of hours.

That said, I thought I would be happier if I were to get a stronger colour instead of those originally light. And with that thought, I chose Cherry Tart - it looked like a strong red and would definitely not disappear on my lips too easily.

I didn't like the plasticky cover, though, but since I didn't want to miss all the hype, I thought it'd be safe for me to try just one colour first.

When I got home, I wasn't sure if it was a purchase that I should have made at all... I mean, I already have so many lip colours... so why do I want to add something that I could probably already have in my collection. But oh well, the purchase was already made and what better way than to swipe the colour on my lips to see if it was really all that good.

Yesterday, I didn't fall in love with it. I was probably just tired, or had too many things on my mind, and so yeah, I didn't think much of it.

But this morning, was a different story.

I began to realise what all the hype was all about. The lip butter is super moisturising that it smoothes out the lips totally! I have dry lips and have always appreciated those lip products that contain silicon because it magnifies the lips (visually) and almost temporarily eliminate those lines synonymous with dry lips. And at RM24.90 for the lip butter, I get at least one of those effect (and not bothered if it doesn't magnify my lips).

It is so smooth and you could increase the intensity of the colour by applying more layers. It doesn't feel heavy on the lips with more layers and my lips feel really hydrated. When observed closer, it also contains some specks of glitters but it doesn't really show on the lips so I guess, that isn't a huge factor for me.

With this sudden attraction to it, I become very disappointed that we consumers in Malaysia do not get the full range of colours. There are only 8 colours available and I wish I could get my hands on many other colours I saw on Emma Stone and fans of the lip butter, worldwide.

Have you gotten into this hype yet? What do you think of the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters?

Calvin Klein lip colours

I think today is the last day of the promotion in StrawberryNet where purchases of a certain amount will get you a complimentary lip colour from Calvin Klein.

I have never heard of Calvin Klein makeup and even if I did, I don't think I'd trust that brand for my makeup needs. I mean, if you've been following my posts from back then, you'd know that I have very sensitive lips and can only use lipsticks of only two brands - Bobbi Brown and Dior. I've tried many others - cheap or expensive, but they all seem to make my lips itch at the end of the day, which can leave my lips swollen at times.

But, I must say that a free lippie from the online site not too long ago totally surprised me when not only did I discover that the brand produces such a creamy lippie, the colour is absolutely gorgeous as well. And, my lips did not get any bad reaction from continuous use. Good, right?

Hence, recently when a promotion was up again on StrawberryNet and the price was so low (they're like less than RM50 a piece!), I took the opportunity to get some of Calvin Klein's lip colours.

Lipsticks (L-R): Trust & Perfect Stranger. Lipgloss: Moonbeam

On my lips is Perfect Stranger + Moonbeam

Would you try cosmetics from brands unfamiliar to you?

Dior's brilliant products: Serum de Rouge & Dior Addict Lip Maximizer

As I've mentioned in my personal blog, I have extremely sensitive lips and I thought there was only one brand of lip colour that could protect my lips with repeated use.

But around late last year, a friend did a review on Dior's Serum de Rouge and I was intrigued with it because not only did it contain moisturising serum, the packaging was uber gorgeous too! When I met up with her for a buka puasa gathering among ex-schoolmates, she brought the lipstick with her and showed me it's creamy texture.

there were plenty of positive reviews for this sexy lippie.

Having super dry chapped lips every hour of every day is never a joy to me. And I so hate having to wear lip balm all the time because my lips will stain anything it touches, especially so when I am playing with my darling Jada and I am not able to kiss her chubby cheeks or blow into her tummy with my mouth. So, I am game for any lippie that will not only make my lips kissy-dewy-gorgeous yet has all the properties that could keep my lips moisturised even after the colour has faded throughout the day.

The thing is, this particular lippie costs RM109 for a stick. Very costly, no?? But at that time, I just couldn't resist its sexiness, especially for its ultra moisturising properties, as shared by my friend, Yani.

It glides on very smoothly and the colour pretty much stays on throughout the few hours before your next meal (say lunch or tea time). Now we all know that moisturising lipsticks do not have staying power but I must say that even after a meal, although most of the colour has come off, there is still some hints of shade on my lips, that I don't really have to touch up if I am lazy... and I would appear looking very natural.

I got a coral and a rosy shade but I have finished up the rosy one and now that it is out, I suddenly realised that I just couldn't get to deposit it into the trash can. It is just too gorgeous! But what can I do with it? It isn't recyclable...

I just wish that Dior would do a recycling campaign the way MAC does with their compact cases... say get a free lippie (or even a discount voucher) with every 6 (or even 10!) Rouge de Serum used-up sticks.

And while we're on this topic, I would also like to write about this brilliant product from Dior - the Dior Addict Lip Maximizer. A make-up artist for Dior, Alias Bahari, introduced me to this magic gloss cum lip balm that plumps up the lips instantly due to the presence of collagen in its list of ingredients. Most importantly, it moisturises my lips with a cool minty effect.

If you've read my previous post on my love for minty stuff, you would understand why I didn't think twice about getting this as well.

The best thing about it is that you could use it as a night treatment. Alias told me to use it every night before going to bed for 7 days and you'll see the difference to your lips. Well, since I am not a very disciplined person for all these consecutive days challenges since I have other things on my hands (plus the fact that I would sometimes be too sleepy to even remember to put it on), I didn't get to make it a full 7 days. However, a good 3 consecutive nights was sufficient for it to prove to me that it works! My lips felt smooth for an entire day even without lip colour and my chapped lips were a thing of the past.

Useful tip: is to wipe off the wand on a clean piece of tissue everytime after you have applied it to your lips. Everytime.

Indulge, if you can. It costs RM80 at the time of purchase, which was probably some time in December 2009.