In my ‘About Me’ section, I alluded to the similarities between conceptual furniture and lipstick. Yes, both are statement pieces. Furniture changes the dynamics and flow of a space whilst lipsticks add dimension to the face through various colours; matte and metallic finishes.
As consumers, we are able to purchase furniture pieces and lipsticks via a variety of outlets. Manufactured goods are either sent directly to the retailers or more commonly to wholesalers. These wholesalers sell these manufactured goods in large quantities at low prices to the retailers.
In the two scenarios, contracts are an important element for both parties as it ensures expectations are explicitly communicated; the terms that are negotiated and the price a party agrees to sell economic resources to another at a fixed cost. In this way, if there is a contract breach, the contract is legally enforceable in a court of law. Both parties can use that contract as a tool to safeguard their resources.
This got me thinking – what if contracts were used as a tool in personal relationships? I don’t mean agreements such as prenups that are used to establish financial rights of each spouse in the event of a divorce. I’m talking about using a contract to safeguard ‘emotional resources’ in a relationship. Hence, if a party failed to provide the emotional support that was originally agreed upon in the contract, that same party would be held accountable in a court of law and could potentially be prosecuted.
This got me thinking again – in this court of law, what would be the prosecutor’s closing statement to the jury?
‘Ladies and Gentlemen, Is rejection avoidable? If one party rejects another party, who is to blame? The rejectee or the Rejecter? Let’s start again, how much self – reflection does one have to go through to feel whole again after being rejected? Who has the answers to these fucking questions? C’mon Jury, I dare you to answer at least one question.
Yes, you’ve guessed it, the rejectee is angry. Anger doesn’t quite cover what they are feeling. Enraged, confused, infuriated to the limit. The rejectee doesn’t say anything or act out when the Rejecter is suffocating them, suffocating them with their presence and messages. The rejectee understands them, there for them, listens to them, cries with them but the minute the rejectee starts needing them that little bit more, the Rejector shuts the rejectee out from their life.
Completely shuts them out, pretend they don’t exist, that they have no impact or relevance to their life. Just like that. Reducing them to nothing. Nada. So again, back to the question, who is to blame? the rejectee or the Rejecter? One means, the rejectee, should have known and understood the dynamics of the relationship prior, right? Right? Was this contract breached – did the rejectee overstep the limits and boundaries in this contract? Was clinginess and neurotic behaviours only meant for the Rejector, not the rejectee?
Answer these questions! Was the rejectee at fault? Should the rejectee have read the contract thoroughly? The rejectee should have known this relationship was on a fixed -term basis. They were never permanent. They should have known the relationship was subjected only subjected to the Rejector’s terms and conditions, until the Rejector terminated the contract. Without the need of notice.
Was the rejectee at fault? Didn’t they read all the terms and conditions? Where it clearly states, the rejectee agrees to devote their whole working time and attention to the Rejector. Doesn’t it state the rejectee’s performance and conduct will be monitored and the Rejector reserves the right to make any changes in this period?
So, we’re all in agreement then, it must be my fault’
Eating food that contains Chilli Powder + Skin Allergic Reaction + Hives/ Red Bumps on my lips =?
Hazard a guess… No lipstick for Ms. Mara 🙁
However, after undergoing an intensive lips care regiment after the initial allergic symptoms had subsided, my lips are back to new after two weeks.
If you want to know the exact lip care regiment, carry on reading!
Do not touch the inflamed red bumps
I know it’s difficult, trust me I know, especially as these fuckers are ON YOUR LIPS!
But the more you aggravate the red bumps; the faster it spreads; the slower the healing process and the shitter you feel – so please don’t touch. I can’t stress how important this is.
Hydration
When the itching has diminished and it’s not inflamed anymore ( i.e. red bumps aren’t evident only flesh coloured bumps), then the next plan of attack is hydration. Moisture really should be your best friend when dealing with dry, chapped lips. My personal favourites are coconut oil, shea butter and good old Vaseline! The fatty acids in coconut oil ( Caprylic, Lauric and Capric) are known to reduce inflammation internally and externally. These moisturising benefits make coconut oil one of the best solutions for any type of skin conditions.
Shea Butter is next on my list. Not only is shear butter moisturising but it smooths the skin! Did you know the oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids protect the skin from drying out and aids in the skin’s natural collagen production? So make sure you grab some shea butter asap! But remember not all shea butters are created equally – they have different grades.
Grade A shea butter retains the most natural vitamins as it’s raw and unrefined. Grade B is classed as refined and Class C as highly refined (basically Class C is a shit version of B and an even shitter version of A)
Last but not least is Vaseline – this is truly a ‘wonder-woman’ jelly. It soothes chapped lips; aids in treating minor wounds like scratches and forms a protective barrier on the skin’s surface to prevent germs re-infecting the surface.
So I normally put coconut oil on my lips, followed by shea butter and then put Vaseline over the oil and butter to lock everything in.
Exfoliation
Only when you start to see a 75% improvement, i.e soft, less chapped and dead skin on your lips is evident, THAT’s when you exfoliate. There is no need to waste your money on a lip exfoliation kit when you can make it quickly in your kitchen. All you need is some brown or white sugar, honey and coconut oil.
Apply this softly on the lips and use a circular motion getting the product on the lips. Afterwards, use lukewarm water (or cold water if lips are slightly tender) to wash away the sugar mix.
Hydration
Yupp, my lovely readers – more moisture after exfoliation – pile it on!
Follow this routine
Routine is key for seeing any results – for example if you constantly eat well and exercise; you are bound to have a fitter physique. Likewise, constant hydration and exfoliation will put the bounce back in your lips…
If you have used this regiment to get back your luscious lips, please let me know in comments and see you in my next post.
It’s national lipstick day dolls tomorrow (29th of July) so of course I had to talk about the power of a good lipstick!
This will be an interactive piece so leave your comments down below and let’s get started:
8 Reasons Why Lipstick Can Turn Your Shitty Monday Morning Around
Even if you have on no other makeup just the lipstick, you’ll look put together, and in turn feel put together.
Lipstick has the ability to lift your mood and mind-set
It enhances your smile
It brightens your complexion
Any lipstick shade, the sexual red shade or a warm chocolate brown or soft pinky peach colour, can give you a confidence boost to take on the day
That moment when you find a lipstick at a discounted price in stores or online, you instantly feel whole again:
Ok I have to pause on this point, my cousin showed me the other day LimeCrime Cosmetics were having a 30% discount plus a free, a FREE shade and I almost died. I know death is the opposite of feeling whole as aforementioned, but shush you get what I’m saying
And we’re back
7. There’s an instant bond between people who wear lipstick which means you can expand your social circle with just this wonderful beauty product.
Story time again: I was at some fancy work event, fuck knows the name of event and I was introduced by blah, blah and blah. This lady was talking to me about the weather and the rain in the UK. What did she expect me to say? Or did she want me to carry on with the boring weather conversation? Honestly, this conversation ranked lower than your friend or sibling telling you about their latest shit.
However, the moment she opened her bag to look for her Ruby Woo Mac lipstick and was talking about the red shade, I instantaneously felt a connection to her. Ok, a small lie, connection is a slightly strong word as she was still a boring fuck. But at least, there was a connection on some level.
8.You take better care of your lips in terms of hydration and exfoliation as your lips become the focal point. Basically, the struggle of having chapped lips never becomes real or deep for you!
There you have it folks, 8 reasons why Lipsticks are a true blessing.
If you want more articles like this, let me know and as always, stay fab with your lippie this Saturday x
I spent 100 pounds on liquid lipsticks this Tuesday – yupp let that sink in!
So yesterday, I vowed not to spend any money on lipsticks this Spring. Going cold turkey and I believed I could do it!
The next day, I don’t know now but I ended up on the Beauty Bay website and I bought Cherry Blossom. LOOOL I’m trying to decipher how that happened after I specifically, I SPECIFICALLY, said I was going cold turkey. I’m so irate so I thought my doll readers could help me figure this one out! Ok here comes my internal monologue:
Uptight Mara: Why are you on Beauty Bay? You know they have over 20 lipstick brands, C’mon now – get off the site
Relaxed Mara: Relaaxx Uptight Mara, I’m just looking at the website. I’m not honestly going to buy any more lipsticks! I know you keep reminding me about my lipstick budget each month and the 100 pounds – calm down
Uptight Mara: Then get off the site then! There is nothing else to see – you literally have every colour imaginable from light to dark colours
Relaxed Mara: Can you fuck off Uptight Mara? Ahah I’m just looking at the Coloured Raine collection – I’m not going to buy any – just seeing if there are new editions.
Uptight Mara: There aren’t
Relaxed Mara: You don’t know anything. Omgosh look at this red! What’s the name? Cherry Blossom! Damn! I think I’m in love – it’s like a deep red with muted cherry tones. It looks so regal … I should get it because I’m a queen and this lipstick is fitting!
Uptight Mara: Firstly Relaxed Mara, you aren’t getting this shade. Secondly, you already HAVE a deep red. Do you remember Wicked by LimeCrime? You have this colour. Plus your cousin has bloodmoon if you really want to use a deep red.
Relaxed Mara: You can’t tell me what to do. My LimeCrime – Wicked shade is over 3 years old. Why the hell would I want to put some mouldy shit on my lips? And I don’t want to put bloodmoon on my lips – the shade is streaky AF and it’s a cranberry red. I want a cherry red!
Uptight Mara: You need to calm down on the profanities and act like your name and relax. You don’t even wear red- cranberry or cherry! Brown and purple are your main colours.
Relaxed Mara: Shut the hell up – I didn’t use profanities, when did I? And the term is swear words with your bougie arse. I’m getting the shade. It’s good to change it up now and again and experiment with different colours. It’s nice to know you’re still as anal as ever ahaha!
Uptight Mara: Shit is a swear word, have you forgotten? Or is your mind so consumed with lipsticks that it’s incapable to think and reason?
Relaxed Mara: Next you’re going to say Hell is a swear word? Or is ‘Lipstick’ a swear word? Loool
Uptight Mara: Your words don’t faze me – you’re not getting the shade
Relaxed Mara: ………
Uptight Mara: Are you there Relaxed Mara?
Relaxed Mara: …….
Uptight Mara: Ok, I’m going to go now – make sure you don’t buy Cherry Blossom
Relaxed Mara: Ok
Uptight Mara exits and Relaxed Mara is left by herself
Relaxed Mara: LOOL, she didn’t think I would listen to her! Look at the shade – it’s calling me and soon it’ll come home to me. Don’t worry my sweet Cherry Blossom you’ll be mine soon…
Honestly, my dolls, the rest of the conversation is quite hazy to me and all I remember is getting the ‘your order has been despatched’ email. I knew at that moment I had screwed up! LOOOOL
Make sure you comment down below your impulsive spends, I want to know J, and a long prayer would be lovely!
Apologies dolls, it’s been a while- forgive me! I felt compelled to write this article and you’ll see why 🙂
So I was scrolling through Coloured Raine’s website and I saw ‘Roulette’. I instantaneously fell in love – the colour is so unique. It’s a burgundy shade with deep purple undertones. It looked sultry and I knew it was the one! Lool I know what you’re thinking – Mara calm down it’s just lipstick. But no, this colour was intense and it would suit any outfit!
I have other Coloured Raine lipsticks including Tootsie and Truffle Raine. If you want a review about these products, check out my ‘Brown is the New Red’ post. The formula and pigmentation for these two were spot on. Ok back to this story:
So after 2 weeks (due to the international shipping), Roulette finally arrived at my doorstep. I tore open the box and put it on my lips. Man, was I disappointed! This is what it looked like with 2 coats:
Roulette with 2 coats!
Yes, a mess! A messy mess! It’s a mess from the pit of hell! The formula is not good as it’s patchy and this formula needs a lot of improvement.
Roulette with 4 coats_wet
When this lipstick finally dries, it crumbles and it’s impossible to even out. This is extremely frustrating as it’s just a lovely shade but it’s unwearable.
Roulette with 4 coats_dryRoulette Liptube
This is Roulette after 30 minutes of application. I ate some crisps and drank some water. I have no words..
30 minutes after applying Roulette
I’m a big fan and lover of Coloured Raine products, but Roulette missed the mark MAJORLY.
Instead of only loading one bullet in the revolver and pulling the trigger at this lipstick, it would be fully LOADED. In this way, this lipstick would be eradicated from the face of the earth!
Dolls, I would give this 0.5/5 – [0.5 point was allocated due to the lovely colour]
See you in my next post and please free feel to comment on the worst lipstick you have received down below xx
The struggle is real for mocha/chocolate skin complexions when searching for nude lipsticks. But behold, I have come up with the three commandments for finding the one – that ultimate nude lipstick:
Commandment 1:
Thou shalt have an idea of the nude shade thy is seeking before looking online or in store
Dolls, you need to know the nude colour you are seeking. If the nude lipstick is too light, then you end up looking ashy and dehydrated – not cute! If the nude lipstick is too dark, then it’s not a nude lipstick anymore. My advice would be to get a nude lipstick that’s one to two shades darker than your skin tone. The nude lipstick shouldn’t be the exact colour as your skin tone as there will be no contrast. When that happens, your lips lose dimension; look washed out and they become a secondary character. God forbid! – Your lips should be the protagonist in this nude fairy-tale.
If you must wear a colour that’s lighter than your skin tone, a dark brown lip-liner is imperative. It’s important as OXYGEN ! I’m serious because the lip-liner allows the light colour to blend seamlessly with your skin.
Commandment 2:
Thou shalt be clear about thy budget
Are you looking for high end or high street products? There are three categories lipsticks in general fall under: Designer, High End and High –Street
Tom Ford Lipsticks, Chanel Lip Matte Lipsticks, Gucci etc all fall under the Designer category. A lipstick in this category would retail for around £40- £60. But beware, dolls! Price doesn’t necessarily equate to quality. Before purchasing any lipstick, it’s crucial to read reviews; watch lipstick swatches to see the pigmentation, consistency and wear time.
In the High – End category, Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Gerard Cosmetics, Dose of Colours, Kylie Cosmetics, Coloured Raine, LimeCrime etc all fall under here. The lipsticks are around £12 – £30.
Maybelline, L’oreal, Rimmel London and NYX Lipsticks are in the High Street Category and retail for £5 – £9.
Planning and monitoring your lipstick budget is crucial as it will ensure there is enough money for the things you need and the things you desire. It gives you an overall picture of your financial health; decrease your stress levels and identity wasteful expenditures. So dolls, is purchasing a nude lippie a wasteful expenditure? Absolutely Not!
But…which category should I purchase the nude lippie from? It depends on the individual m’dear and what your budget allows.
Commandment3:
Verily, verily I say unto thee, mixing lipsticks is key for that custom nude shade
For all my lipstick junkies out there, how many lipsticks do you own? Don’t worry, I’ll wait for you to count.
2…. 20? 50? No 100?
Did you know two lipsticks in your collection can be used together to make that magical nude colour? So I repeat, do not throw away any shades you feel look too light or don’t suit you. For this resurrection to occur, you would need two nude shades (a lipstick one/two shades darker and another lipstick two shades lighter)
First Step: Prime your lips
We want the lips to be moisturised with a matte balm so the nude colour will pop.
Second Step: Start Application
Start with the dark – coloured base on your top and bottom lips. When the lipstick is drying down and becomes slightly tacky, apply the lighter – coloured base on the centre of both lips. Press your lips together to mix the colours together. To avoid that harsh light straight line on the top lip, gently pat in the lighter shade with your finger.
If you do not want the darker colour to be the prominent colour, mix the two colours together with a stiff – bristled lip brush on the back of your hand first and then apply. You won’t get a gradient effect with this second method.
My ultimate nude combination has to be Truffle Raine – Coloured Raine as the dark base and Iced Mocha – Gerard Cosmetics as the light shade. This is perfect as Truffle Raine is a shade darker than my skin tone and the Iced Mocha is about two shades lighter.
Truffle Raine was reviewed in my Brown is the new Red post so check out the link here:
I utilised method one to mix the colours. See below:
So dolls, we have now reached the end of this post. What should I call these Three Commandments for nude lippies? Let me know in the comments. In addition, if you have any useful tips managing your lipstick budget, please leave a comment below to share with the other dolls.
As always, have a lovely day and I’ll catch you in my next post! xx
Team Metal! You didn’t think I’d forgot about you? Never! Team Matte had their shining glory with the ‘Brown is the new Red’ post, but now it’s your turn. Forget the shimmery eyeshadows, binding highlighters; it’s all about the metallic lip glow.
The metallic lipstick is the new kid on the block, rather old kid from the 90’s just reinvented. So why is the metallic lip the new beauty trend?
Well my metallic dolls, there are three main reasons:
They make a big statement.
These bad boys are fun, cool, and add dimension to the lips. Who doesn’t love a pouty lip?
They add highlight to the face
I am TALKING about that glow – that liquefied metal glow! That glow that gives you whiplash from turning your neck too quickly! Ok Mara ahah calm down, next point
They are an extension from matte lipsticks
Ok, Team Matte, I know you are seething at the moment, but hear me out. Metallic finishes are perfect for people who want the shine of a lipgloss but still want that matte effect. So really, without matte lipsticks, metallic lipsticks wouldn’t be around. I can see Team Matte are starting to smile now!
So Team Metal, I have searched endlessly for two amazing metallic lipsticks to share with you.
I have finally FOUND the promise land! The crème de la crème! The garden of Eden! Are you ready? Introducing the hydra metal – matte Underworld and Grape Crush lipsticks by Gerard Cosmetics. These lipsticks will be reviewed on their pigmentation, consistency, comfort, staying power and value for money
Underworld – Gerard Cosmetics
This lipstick is described on the GC website as ‘a colour that reflects the darkness and mystery all around us. Ultra sultry and a true statement lip’. Sounds mysterious. The colour reminds me of a soft brown with purple undertones.
Underworld liptube
UnderworldUnderworld
Pigmentation: Just like its hydra matte counterparts, this lipstick is highly pigmented. You only need one or two dips of the product for your top and bottom lips. On my skin tone, the lip product looks like melted bronze with added purple swarovski crystals. For my fair- skinned dolls, this shade would look darker due to the contrast.
Consistency: The formula has a ‘moussey’ texture compared to the matte lipsticks. The micas in this metal- matte are shimmer pigments and these give off a pearlescent shine. When applied on the lips, it’s not tacky; delivers a silky feel and it’s water resistant.
Comfort: Underworld is very hydrating and moisturising. It is very soft on the lip and you don’t feel like you are wearing a lipstick.
Staying Power: There is no flaking or cracking! I wore this on a night-out. Applied this at 7p.m and came home around 3a.m. At 3 a.m, it was 85% intact. I found the lipstick in my inner lips came off slightly but this lipstick fades beautifully.
Value for Money: 11.50 pounds – that’s 0.22ml per pound (2.5 ml in the liptube). Dolls, you NEED to get this colour – it’s completely worth it! I’ll link where you can get these products at the end of this post.
5/5
Grape Crush – Gerard Cosmetics
Described as ‘an effervescent purple that really pops’ on GC’s website, this colour will surely stand you out from the crowd! This hue is a gorgeous metallic purple that shimmers and gleams!
GrapeCrush liptube
GrapeCrush
Pigmentation: The pigment in this!! Let’s take a minute of silence to marvel at this beautiful colour. Ok 40 more seconds to go, let’s extend this appreciation for 60 more seconds.
GrapeCrush
….
Ok and we are back! I literally want to take this lipstick and colour my whole body with this shade. Purple is truly a magical colour and it shows. On my skin tone, the lip product is an intense, luxurious vivid colour.
Consistency: The formula feels the same as UnderWorld. It has the same ‘moussey’ texture due to the micas. Grape Crush is very easy to apply on the lips
Comfort: The metal – matte lipsticks are cruelty – free, no animal testing, gluten free and paraben free. Grape Crush dries down to an ultra-matte finish and it’s hydrating! The best of both worlds.
Staying Power: The staying power is incredible but I have to give ‘Underworld’ the slight edge. Both lipsticks didn’t peel or crack but Underworld looks more intact after the 7 hour mark.
Value for Money: 11.50 pounds – that’s 0.22ml per pound (2.5 ml in the liptube). GET THIS COLOUR!
4.5/5 ( 0.5 deduction for the staying power element)
So Team METAL and Team MATTE, who do you think won the overall lipstick battle: Metallic Matte Lipsticks or Matte Lipsticks? Let me know in the comments below!
#Team Matte and #Team Metal, thanks for reading and see you in the next post xx
Just as the title suggests, forget rival colours such as the traditional red or the popular mauve tone, brown is the 90’s beauty trend making a comeback and is bolder than ever!
A vast spectrum of brown shades can be created by mixing just primary colours: red, blue and yellow. Each brown has its own complementary colour, depending on the ratio of primary colours used to create the shade.
The majority of people think brown lipsticks are synonymous with nude shades. I agree to an extent – it can be a nude depending on the person’s skin tone. However, unlike nudes, browns can be amped up as it can add dimension to the lips.
First step: Consider your skin’s undertone
Before picking out a brown lipstick, know the different undertones. The different undertones are warm, cool and neutral. Figuring out your personal glow can be taxing, but the general rule is people with cool undertones have veins that appear bluish in colour; have ash blonde or dark brown hair and suit blues, violets and emerald green (‘jewels) tones. Warm undertones’ veins appear greenish in colour; can have black, brown or golden blonde hair and suit oranges, bronzes, brick reds (‘earthly’) tones. Neutral undertones can pull off any colour but do tend to favour one undertone
Second step: Consider your skin tone
For my fair skinned dolls, muted rosy, pinkish-browns look great as brown lipsticks. For my warm skinned dolls, warm chocolate brown really brings out your mocha skin tone. For darker skin tones, any colour light or dark browns can suit. The trick is if you have a light lipstick, use a dark brown lipliner to create an ombre effect so the light colour can blend seamlessly with your darker skin tone.
A big misconception that people often make is thinking that someone with cool undertones should automatically have fair skin and, conversely believing that those with warm undertones correspond to warmer/darker skin tones. However this isn’t always the case as hair colour, seasons even lighting can shift the way one perceives undertone; it’s not only saturation.
Now to the fun part, the lipsticks swatches and review!!
I have hand-selected 4 ‘true to colour’ cocoa brown liquid lipsticks to review. Each colour will be put to the test in regards to its pigmentation, consistency, comfort level, staying power and value for money.
I have shades Salem (LimeCrime), Chocolate Wasted ( Dose of Colors), Tootsie ( Coloured Raine) and Truffle Raine (Coloured Raine).
My UK dolls! Attention – these shades can be found on the Beauty Bay website – http://www.beautybay.com/ – as they stock these international brands. This is a god-send as shipping from America to UK can take up to 2 weeks plus the cruel 15.00 USD shipping fee. Beauty Bay’s warehouse is based in Manchester so the lipsticks come very quickly to your door!
Salem – Limecrime
This can be described as a true brown waterproof matte liquid lipstick. Think of melting warm chocolate – that’s the colour! This is one of the first liquid lipsticks I used constantly without getting chapped lips.
Salem lip tubeSalem
Pigmentation: Highly pigmented, very opaque, you only need one- two dips of the product for your top and bottom lip. It’s a mocha colour.
Consistency: The formula is amazing, LimeCrime products are PETA verified vegan and cruelty free. Salem doesn’t contain any animal-derived ingredients. It’s more liquid in texture compared to the other liquid lipsticks. It is easy to apply and glides on smoothly.
Comfort: Note that if you haven’t used liquid lipsticks before, this might feel dry to use, especially in comparison to matte lipsticks. To negate this effect, I would recommend applying some lip balm before applying Salem. This will make the lips feel more comfortable, yet still retain the matte effect.
Staying Power: This isn’t going anywhere!! I wore this to work. Applied this at 7 and came home around 5. Dolls, I DID NOT NEED TO REAPPLY! Trust me, the lips went through it – food, hot drinks, cold drinks, talking etc and they still looked good #humble
Value for Money: 16 pounds. Do I think it’s worth it? Yes, I do. Will I understand if my readers don’t want to spend 16 pounds on a 2.6ml lipstick? – that’s 0.16ml per pound. Not really, dolls!
A solid 5/5
Chocolate Wasted – Dose of Colors
This hue is a dark chocolate colour – looks like Godiva chocolate. Just a rich gorgeous colour.
Chocolate Wasted lip tubeChocolate Wasted
Pigmentation: Good pigmentation and good opacity. The coverage is quite decent and I needed only one dip in the product to cover my top and bottom lips
Consistency: The formula feels different to LimeCrime. It’s more ‘moosy’ in texture and not as runny. It applies evenly and overall, a good product
Comfort: The formula is cruelty – free, vegan, gluten free and paraben free. This is more comfortable on the lips than LimeCrime’s formula. It is hydrating; moisturising and dries down to a satin matte as opposed to an ultra matte finish. They do not dry as fast as a normal liquid lipstick so allow for extra time to dry.
Staying Power: Unfortunately, ‘Chocolate Wasted’ lacked LimeCrime’s staying power. Throughout the day, the lipstick in inner rim of my lips started to crack and wear and I had to re-apply. The good thing is the peeling wasn’t that visible.
Value for Money: 16 pounds – 4.7ml so that’s 0.29ml per pound. Better value than Limecrime
An excellent 4/5
Tootsie – Coloured Raine
Have you ever seen bittersweet chocolate? The deepest brown shade of chocolate that almost looks black. Now envisage red undertones. Put these images together and you get Tootsie! Which is an apt name, given the lipstick literally resembles a Tootsie.
Tootsie lip tubeTootsie
Pigmentation: The pigment in this!! Such a rich dark deep burgundy-brown shade
Consistency: The formula feels similar to LimeCrime. It’s runnier and like the others, it applies well on the lips. These are cruelty free, paraben free and vegan.
Staying Power: I’ve observed throughout the years, lighter shades have a greater staying power than their darker counterparts. However, this shade held its own. The only flaw in its design I would draw your attention to is this – around the 6 hour mark, the Tootsie lipstick tends to ‘feather’ into the lines around the mouth. This is not cute – therefore I would advise purchasing an anti-feathering lip liner or lip primer!
Value for Money: 15 pounds. There is 4ml in the lipbox so that’s around 0.27ml per pound… that’s more value for money than LimeCrime and Dose of Colours.
A good 3/5
Truffle Raine – Coloured Raine
This is a very interesting shade – I haven’t seen a shade like this on the market before. There are absolutely no red tones in this brown! That’s not common. How do I describe this colour? It’s a warm chocolate shade with olive undertones. Yes, green subtle tones.
Truffle Raine lip tubeTruffle Raine
Pigmentation: Very opaque; covers all corners accurately; needed only one dip in the product to cover my top and bottom lips.
Consistency: The formula feels the same as Tootsie as both are Coloured Raine products. These are cruelty free, paraben fee and vegan.
Comfort: Same as Tootsie
Staying Power: Unlike Tootsie, this lipstick didn’t feather, crack during the day and didn’t smudge.
Value for Money: 15 pounds. There is 4ml in the tube so that’s around 0.27ml per pound. That’s very good value for money.
A solid 5/5
Final Verdict: These shades ranging from warm chocolate to the deepest dark cocoa hue can suit all skin tones! All gorgeous hues and I would recommend all my readers to purchase all these liquid lipsticks liquids.
Now for the winner! (Drum roll please…) — Salem and Truffle Raine! Congrats!
From T to B: Salem, Truffle Raine, Chocolate Wasted, Tootsie
So Team MATTE, what do you think of these cocoa shades? Any favourites? Team METAL, do you want a metallic lipstick edition?
