Without doubt, lipsticks are my thing. I love how easy it is to just throw them on and change your complete look, how easy you can go from demure to vamp to alien. And the last years (basically since I started blogging) there have been a lot of lipstick innovations. Nowadays you can rock black, blue and green lipsticks easily (or at least buy them), you can choose between glossy, glittery, matte; lipsticks in bullets or liquid ones.
And whenever I feel like being in a slump, either blog-wise or makeup-wise, I turn to lipstick. I’ve to admit that I’m always on the lookout for the next best lipstick (one day I’ll find that unicorn lippie that’s at the same time long-lasting and moisturising), and while I was a serial buyer of corals when my hair was beachy bronde, now that it’s more of a reddish aubergine colour I live for purples and nudes. In short, I’m a lipstick whore. And who’s better than a promiscuous lipstick lover than finding out which lipsticks held up through the years? I looked at my lipstick reviews and revisited the lipsticks that hold up (or didn’t).
Soft and glossy
Oh my beloved Huggables. MAC nixed them (on the German site, you can still snatch up three excellent colours!), and I haven’t worn them a lot in Shanghai. They just melt so very easily! But in Germany’s Fall, Winter, Spring (and sometimes Summer)? They can’t be beat. And I wear them happily once or twice each season (that in itself is a feat) and wonder why I don’t wear them more often. (Because I’ve got a shitload of products, that’s why.) Truth is, I often reach for a lipgloss instead of a Huggable, which is dumb – Huggables are easily as moisturising, but less sticky. MAC, you’re stupid.
Liquid lipstick (old school)
Estée Lauder Pure Colour Envy
My first liquid lipstick. I remember that I absolutely loved them, and consequently forgot about them when the next lipstick came along. Estée Lauder also apparently can understand that phenomenon: They relaunched them in a matte and a shiny version. Are they good? I don’t know. Do I want to try them, based on my experiences with the ones I own? Not particularly.
Matte liquid lipsticks
Still very good. I reach for both my colours often when I want to wear a matte lip. It’s a very lightweight liquid lipstick that still manages to be a bit more forgiving than many other liquid lipsticks. I still hate the clumsy applicator, especially for darker shades, but right now, it lives in my handbag – which is always a good indicator for stuff that I actually use.
Astrid hated this one, but I got lucky and got a shade that is absolutely gorgeous – always a good first step. Nevertheless, after I tested and written about it, I don’t think I used it until we moved and I reorganised my setup and drawer system. When I tried it again I was astonished how nice it was – it feels drier than the Matte Shakers, though, and it’s not particularly long-lasting. Eat, drink, talk – and it’s gone. Buy again? Nope.
Huda Beauty Liquid Matte
The awesome shade ‘Trophy Wife’ (original review here) always blinds me to the fact that this is just a mediocre formula – it’s thin but sticky, and it wears off unevenly. It’s only redeeming feature is – the colour.
Peripera peri’s Ink Velvet
Peri’s Ink Velvets have an awesome satin finish and they give a great stain. I love that I can top those with a lipgloss after the initial application wears down and I still have a bit of colour left and can give my lips some TLC. I’ve since branched out to their original formula (peri’s Ink, a glossy formula that wears down to a similarly lovely stain) and the airy Ink Velvets. Stay away from those: Elf Light Rose is maybe a year old, and the stench from it is worse than anything I ever experienced in a lip product.
Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink
These are still as weird as ever, and depending on the day I absolutely hate or love them. My reviews mirror that. It comes down to the question whether you love (or at least can tolerate) that thick, sticky feeling on your lips. When it comes to longevity, though, they can’t be beat. I’ve never seen anything like them.
Matte Metallic liquid lipsticks
Sephora Lip Stains
I dabbled with a lot of Metallic liquid lipsticks – Maybelline’s are underwhelming (where’s the metal?!), IsaDora’s crumble (more about both here), but Sephora’s are quite good! I love the metallic neutral of Frosted Rose, although its staying power isn’t something to write home about. They are decently comfortable to wear, and the colour selection and price are good.
Do you have any perennial favourites?
Please note that this review is not sponsored in any way. We buy products ourselves, with our own money, and don’t accept exchanging goods, or money, for reviews. We are completely independent, and our reviews reflect that.
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