Lipstick Review Vol. 1

Top row: NYX Matte lipstick in "Pure Red" / Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in "Plum Velour" (No. 850)

Bottom row: Rimmel Lasting Finish lipstick in "Bordeaux" (No. 124) / NARS Satin Lip Pencil in "Rikugien"

If you know me at all, you're probably thinking: "How did it take THIS LONG for this girl to do a lipstick review?!" I don't really have an answer for why it's taken me so long, but I finally did it! For each review you can expect a general description of each shade, plus a rating out of 5 stars. So here we go with the first of many!

1. NYX Matte lipstick in "Pure Red" — This is actually one of my favorite colors, but (and this is a really big but) one of my least favorite formulas. The red has just a hint of scarlet-orange and is great for my lighter skin tone. I always get a ton of compliments when I wear it, and I like to use it as an alternative for a darker, more "red" red. But color does not equal comfort, and this stuff feels pretty gross on my lips by the end of the day. Maybe it's the matte formula, but it's a bit thick and it always seems to get chunks in it throughout the day — even after I've thoroughly treated my lips. Rating: 2.5 stars.

2. Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in "Plum Velour" (No. 850) — Again, I love love love the color of this lipstick. It's the perfect non-intense purple for fall (or year-round, really). The problem, again, is the formula. It's weird because I have two other shades in this same lipstick and they are both great, but this one is super thin and rubs off almost instantly. Seriously, you will not make it through a cup of coffee with this one! It feels like I'm wearing Baby Lips, which is great, but as for long-lasting wear — not your best bet. Rating: 3 stars.

3. Rimmel Lasting Finish lipstick in "Bordeaux" (No. 124) — Oxblood lipstick is my favorite fall beauty trend. I just love the vampy-but-classy look of a wine-colored lip — there's something about it that just makes you look and feel mysterious, you know? This one is a great shade and a great formula (finally!), but the bad thing with dark colors is that they tend to bleed around the edges of your lips. I use this matching lip pencil to line my lips before applying the color all over, which usually helps. I want to try this lip protector to see if it works any better, because you absolutely need to have clean lines to pull off a dark lip shade. Rating: 4 stars.

4. NARS Satin Lip Pencil in "Rikugien" — This is my fourth NARS lip pencil, but it was part of the free birthday gift at Sephora, so I didn't get to pick out the color. I probably wouldn't have chosen this one on my own, but I actually really liked it for a more natural shade. It's got a bit of a pearly tone to it, and it essentially just accentuates the natural color of your lips. It feels nice and lasts fairly well, but I probably wouldn't pay the retail price of $26 because I think you could easily find a drugstore dupe for much cheaper. Rating: 3.5 stars.

That's it for Volume 1! Let me know if you have any questions about any of these, and if you have suggestions for lipsticks you'd like me to review, send them my way! I have plenty more to write about, but I'm always up for trying new lipsticks ;) 

P.S. The key to healthy lips and my fall wish list