REVIEW: Benefit Lip Lovin' Tinted Balms

~AG~
These tinted balms hydrate the lips with mango shea butter. It glides on sheer, but is buildable for more color. It is like a lip tint and lip balm all-in-one. It was surprisingly more hydrating than VDL Festival Lip Stick Glow Balm and Dior Addict Lip Glow. These tinted lip balms do wear off after eating or drinking. The staying power is decent for a tinted lip balm, about 2-3 hours.

This trio of mini-version is a great way to try all three colors - benebalm, cha cha balm and posiebalm. This mini version weighs 1.4 grams each, making it very handy for traveling. Each travel-sized version lasts me for about 2 months.

cha cha balm, posie balm and benebalm

benebalm
benebalm has a red tone. The pigment shows up surprisingly well on my skin. It creates a subtle red lips. benebalm also has a nice rose scent. Out of the three, benebalm is the most vibrant. A great lip balm/liptint to brighten the face. 

cha cha balm
The cha cha balm has a sheer peach tone, and was not as pigmented as I had expected. The peach tone was rather muted. I had really high hopes for cha cha balm because I thought it would work for my warm medium skin tone, but it was a disappointment. :(

posie balm
The posie balm has a poppy pink tone. This cool tone will work better for those that have a fairer skin tone. For my warm medium skin tone, posie balm washed out my complexion. *thumbs down*

Top to Bottom: cha cha balm, posie balm and benebalm

The usual price is S$30 for the trio of mini-size, or $10 for each mini-sized tinted balm. That is pricey for a mini-sized tinted lip balm, don't you think? However, with UOB Credit Card 15% discount, the trio costs S$25.50. After the discount, each mini tinted lip balm cost S$8.50. Still a hefty pricetag for 1.4 grams of lip balm. Out of the trio, the one I like most is benebalm because of the vibrant color. Even though I do like Benefit benebalm, I would reconsider repurchasing it because of the not-so-great value for money. But if you have cash to spare, you might want to check these moisturising tinted lip balm. 

REVIEW: Banila Co. Floral Seoul Lip Crayon in Boston Pink

The lovely floral packaging 

A handy lip crayon 

~AG~

Banila Co. Floral Seoul Lip Crayon was purchased last year for KRW 14,000 (S$17). The floral packaging attracted me to this lip crayon. The shade I selected was Boston Pink (ND 02), which is a dusty rose. The shade looks brown on packaging, but it shows up as pink (with a hint of coral) on my lips. Boston Pink reminds me of one of My Lips But Better (MLBB) lip products, NARS Sheer Lipstick Dolce Vita. Although Banila Co. Lip Crayon is more pigmented than NARS Sheer Lipstick. Banila Co. Lip Crayon has a creamy texture that is non-drying. My lips felt comfortable wearing it without any lip balm on. Banila Co. Lip Crayon has a semi-sheer finish that is great for everyday use. 

It has twist mechanism so no sharpening is required

Regarding its staying power, it lasts 2-3 hours with normal wear. Since it is not a tinted formula, the lasting power is not as great as VDL Tint Bar. The color does wear off when eating and drinking. Overall, Banila Co. Lip Crayon has a medium staying power. 

Special rounded tip

Swatches of Boston Pink

Honestly, I was not expecting much for this Lip Crayon, but it highly exceeded my expectations. What took me so long to try this product remains a mystery. But I am glad I found this Banila Co. Lip Crayon. Best of all, Banila Co. Lip Crayon is way more affordable alternative compared to NARS Sheer Lipstick. Banila Co. Lip Crayon is half the price of NARS Sheer Lipstick. Will definitely recommend this Lip Crayon to those looking for a great everyday lip color to wear.

REVIEW: Innisfree Glow Tint Stick #10

~AG~

A sleek stick design

Found this wonderful new product from Innisfree, Glow Tint Stick #10. When I tried the testers, the texture was so beautiful that I just had to get it! This Innisfree Tint Stick is very moisturizing and gives off a nice sheen. The shades available were all vibrant pinks or corals, which are great for brightening the face. Since it is a tinted lip product, it has a better staying power than regular lipstick. Even after drinking several cups of teas, the lip tint was still obvious. The lasting power is about 2-3 hours without eating. 

Packaging wise, this lip tint does not twist down, similar to VDL Expert Color Lip Cube EX. So you have to be careful to only twist a little at a time, if not your lip product will be squished. I don't know who came up with such packaging idea, but it is not a smart one! I definitely minus points for its thoughtless packaging. 

Apart from the packaging issue, I actually like Innisfree Glow Tint Stick. The Shade #10 would be described as a cool hot pink. When I swatched this shade on my wrist, it looked vert pretty. But when I actually applied it on my lips, the shade falls short of its glory. Even when I applied two layers of the lip tint, it is not as vibrant as I had hoped. It is probably because my natural lip color is a dusty rose shade. If you want to get the exact shade as seen on the tube, it is recommended that you apply concealer on your lips to mask your natural lip shade. 

Glow Tint Stick #10. A beautiful hot pink shade

 Swatches of Glow Tint Stick #10. 

The top swatch is one swipe, while the bottom swatch is two swipes

NEW BUY: Benefit lollibalm

~MG~

I saw this product at Changi Airport Shilla Duty Free and they were selling it for S$25.60. At first, I was not planning to buy this lip balm. But after seeing the not-so-expensive price, it convinced me to buy this product.

 

This is the lip balm version of lollitint, which is an orchid tint by Benefit Cosmetics. I have seen Song Ji Hyo of Running Man used the tinted version on her drama, Emergency Couple. The colour looks bright and "happy". I decided to buy the lip balm version because it will be more moisturizing then the tinted version. When I tested the lip balm on the back of my hand, the colour seems pigmented enough. I am not sure about the hydrating properties of the lip balm.

 

I still have to go through a few more lip balms in my beauty stock, before I get to this product. Please check back here again for my review on Benefit Lollibalm.

NEW: Benefit Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm

~AG~

Benefit cosmetics newest tinted lip balm conditions and hydrates with mango butter and sodium hyaluronate. It comes in 4 of Benefit Cosmetics' famous tinted lip & cheek stain colors - the benetint, lollitint, cha cha tint, posie tint. So if you are a fan of their tinted stains, their lip balms are a must-try. This sheer lip balm has buildable color for the prettiest lips. Retails fo USD $18.

I cannot wait to get my hands on one of Benefit Cosmetics tinted lip balm. The color I am leaning towards is the cha cha balm & posie balm. I will let you all know when I do try it out.

REVIEW: Chanel Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Color in Peregrina (78)

~AG~

A modern interpretation of classic creme lip colour as an homage to the rich life and legacy of 'Coco' Chanel. Lightweight lip colour glides on for easy application, and features a Hydratendre complex to help soften, soothe and condition lips - even boosting their ability to hold in moisture -for a plumper, smoother and healthier-looking appearance. A range of wearable shades with full-coverage finishes, from matte to pearl to soft shimmer.

I actually bought this Rogue Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Color two years ago. I wanted a nude lip color that will not make me look too washed out. Because it was too beautiful, I have only used it once or twice. After trying quite a few of Chanel Coco Rogue, the saleslady suggested Peregrina (78) which is a coral nude shade. I liked how it looked on my yellow-beige skintone. 

Recently, I have decided to start using it. It is a wearable shade that is great for everyday use. The texture of the lipstick is rather dry, so I usually apply my Rosebud Salve lip balm before the application of the lipstick. The picture shows just one swipe of the lipstick on top of my lip balm, it has a rather sheer texture. Without the lip balm, it has a semi-matte finish.  It retails for USD $35 which is pricy for a lipstick. I do like the shade but I do not like the dry texture and the fact that it is not very pigmented. The staying power is average - 2 or 3 hours. It wears off when eating and drinking. To sum it up, I will not re-purchase Chanel Coco Rogue Hydrating Creme Lip Color because they are more affordable and more pigmented lipstick in the market.