Let me start by formally writing this down that there is no
such thing as “too many lipsticks”. Be it a traditional black bullet of MAC
lipstick or Kylie’s liquid lipsticks, we need them all! Remember those days when hunting for the
perfect lipstick meant browsing the kiosks at Agha’s or D.Watson with a friend
or sister? Well the scenario has completely changed,
Enters Sephora and Super
Drug products in Pakistan! *drum-roll please*
The lipstick market has diversified and spun around 180
degrees with hundreds of international brands like YSL, Stila , SMASHBOX
,Inglot, HUDA beauty, Jeffree Star at our disposal right away. A big fat
THANKYOU to all the Cosmetic pages on Facebook and Instagram doing the noble
deed of reducing the gap between makeup hoarders and a ton of new stuff everyday!
Last year many high end brands introduced us to a more
“revolutionized” and “modern” version of lipstick, they called it a liquid
lipstick. “Ease of a gloss and pigmentation of a lipstick!”, chanted every
brand. All the YouTube beauty bloggers were thrilled while we had our
reservations. Soon after, YouTube was overtaken by this product, I still
remember each and every one of the beauty bloggers I followed on YouTube raving
about it. What’s so special, after all? I
Wondered. I started noticing a huge number of price quotes being requested by
masses on various social media makeup supplier pages. People have gone gaga over
an over-priced celebrity makeup item again! Soon Drugstore brands like Revlon,
Rimmel, Maybelline etc followed and resurfaced with affordable and better
formulas that gave serious competition to their higher end competitors.
Weeks later I decided to test out the hype and got my hands
on two shades of the Rimmel Provocalips 16 HR lip color and boy was I
impressed! I LOVED IT! Intense color payoff in one swipe, stays put all day,
totally comfortable on the lips, no feathering or turning into a melted mess in
higher temperatures, survives eating and drinking and perfectly matte! BAM! I
didn’t expected such genius formulas from the drugstore but boy I was wrong.
In the couple of months after I ordered a few more from the
drugstore and higher end to test the theory and I had my fair share of hits and
misses. Some drugstore formulas were totally comparable to their higher
counterparts, some were opaque on single pigmentation but feathered after some
time while others didn’t dry matte at all and kept staining coffee cups.
The very concept of a liquid lipstick had me impressed and
perplexed at the same time. Impressing because it delivered long wear intense
color payoff on every application and perplexed because there was no fixed
definition of a liquid lipstick. Every brand came by their own names, lip
lacquers, cream sheens, velvet mattes etc. Unfortunately every good product has
a downside too. Here is what I gathered from my experience.
PROS
- ·
5 GOLD stars on providing intense color on your
lips. The color you see in the bottle is the color you get on your lips every
time in one single swipe! Now how amazing is that!? They definitely are melted
lipstick in a bottle. Jeffree Star liquid lipsticks tops the list.
- ·
No need for reapplication or those frequent
visits to the washroom to fix your lipstick. Most of the formulas out there (
the ones that specifically say all day wear, etc) donot budge for upto 8-9
hours straight. Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick and Rimmel Provocalips get you
through the entire day.
- ·
Since it is a melted lipstick in a bottle no
need to toss them in the fridge during summers. Throw them in your handbag and
you’re good to go. No spills and no melted mess.
- ·
No need to wear a lip liner underneath. Try the
trusted Stila All Day Liquid Lipstick.
- ·
The design of the doe-foot applicator ensures easy
application. The tapered brush helps you apply the liquid lipstick easily with
precision especially in the cupid’s bow and the inner corners of the lips.
- ·
Comes in Mini- versions or in value sets and
gift packs during the holiday season. You can invest in either of these to try
different shades and formulas at a lesser price tag. Log on to Sephora’s
website to grab these goodie packs.
- ·
The matte ones set under a minute and when it does
it doesn’t budge. Only a makeup remover can take it off!
CONS
- ·
Some brands have jumped onto the bandwagon
without perfecting their formulas unfortunately. Look out for such “Big
Claims”. Always read blogger reviews before investing your money.
- ·
EXPENSIVE! Higher price tag doesn’t mean
superior formula. Watch out! These babies can burn a hole in your pocket hence
do your homework before buying one.
- ·
Since most of the formulas out there claim to be
absolutely matte hence they can settle into the fine lines and make them your
lips look parched. Always exfoliate your lips and moisturize them before
applying your liquid lipstick.
- ·
The formulas can be unforgiving on your lips.
Some products are dual ended, with liquid lipstick on one end and a clear balm
on another. The balm can be applied on top of the lipstick whenever they feel
dry.
- ·
Some formulas like the Vivid mattes and Ultra
HD’s do not dry matte at all. They will transfer throughout the day and re-application
will be required.
- ·
Some formulas stay put for upto 8 hours but can
start to fade in the inner side of the lips and corners of the mouth. Some will
start to bleed hence back them up with a lip liner underneath.
- ·
Some are strongly scented.
Wet Application
After it sets to a Matte Finish.
That was quite a post but let us know which products have
worked for you and which ones have been disappointed. Love to hear back!
Fatiha.
Hello Beautiful!
Fatiha is 27 and obsessed with anything and everything beauty and fashion related. She has a Masters in Project Management and work as a freelancer but writing and beauty blogging is what makes her happy! Currently she is setting up her own blog but you can follow her on Instagram and Facebook.
This, for sure was an interesting read! I hope ya'll find it as interesting and informative as I did. I'd love to know what are your takes on Liquid Lipsticks also which ones are your favorite?
If you want to guest post on my Blog, feel free to contact me at thegulezehrablog@gmail.com. I'd love to have you over.
Until next time, Good Luck & Ciao!
