lip product reviews

theBalm Read My Lips Lip gloss in Snap! Review

4:46 PM

When the recent thebalm 50% off sale happened forever ago, I knew I wanted some eye palettes but was unsure of anything else to pick up. When I saw they had glosses, I was intrigued since I've never heard of them before. I figured why not and took the plunge.


The theBalm Read My Lips Lip glosses Infused with Ginseng retail for $15 but like I said, I bought this during the half off sale. There's virtually no claims, aside from ginseng being "mentally stimulating". The site does not provide shade descriptions, only swatches (on lips) of the shades. I chose Snap! as it looked like a really nice, neutral toned nude. Depending on the blush/shadows I pair with it, it can lean more orange.





It applies easily and evenly. Wears great; fades evenly and keeps lips moisturized as it fades.


Overall this gets a 9/10 from me. I wish it was slightly less orange toned, since that's how it looks in their online swatches, but that's just me nitpicking. I really love this gloss! 

foundation reviews

Foundation Review: Rms Beauty Un Cover-Up Concealer/Foundation in 000

9:20 AM

For awhile now I've been wanting to try the Rms Beauty Living Luminizer. While I was looking at that product I decided to check out the rest of their products. A youtuber I watch had mentioned their Un Cover-Up Concealer/Foundation, and usually I am very weary of buying foundations without swatching because even the lightest looking product usually ends up being dark af. But for some reason I wanted to give this one a go, and so I bought it.

It retails for $36 for .20 oz. which is....shocking considering most foundations come in the standard 1 fl oz. Although this is marketed as a concealer as well, so compared to other pot/cream concealers, this seems to be about standard. It kinda sucks though since I use it as a foundation I'm going to go through it super quickly, but it is what it is.

To my surprise, the shade 000 works! It is described as the "lightest shade for true snow whites" lmao why are foundation descriptions always so cringey. Anyways it seems to be pretty neutral toned, maybe ever so slightly leaning yellow but not much. It is said to be "completely lightweight and hydrating" and to "reduce the appearance of pores", as well as "covering imperfections and redness". It also claims "coverage that will never look heavy or dry".


I applied it with my Real Techniques sponge over my Smashbox Primer Water, and set with Too Faced Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer and Setting Spray (I've been using this as a primer lately as well, but since I know how the Smashbox one performs I wanted to use that one to test the foundation). PLEASE I kno I look like a dumb bitch let's look past it.

rms on left
rms on full face
It applies easily, I dip my sponge into the pot then apply to my face. Coverage is sheer to light, which I'm a fan of so its not an issue. Looks nice as it goes on, but it really smells like shit, like crayons. If I'm paying a mid range price, I'd expect mid range quality which definitely includes scent. It has a very dewy finish, but not overly so. My pores were definitely visible and didn't seem covered at all, nor emphasized- just visible.

full face minus lips
I checked in after 5 hours and I looked pretty much the same, although I was moving past dewy and bordering on oily. There was no settling or heaviness.



At the end of the night after 8 hours, I was looking decent but not great. I was full on oily by now, and there was slight heaviness and settling around my nose, smile lines, and on my chin. Weirdly enough my pores still didn't look huge or anything, just visible.

the nose thing happens will all foundations


Overall this gets an 8/10 from me; color and coverage are great, just wish it smelled and wore a little better. That being said I'll definitely be using this regularly especially since this review I have found that setting it with my Laura Mercier powder then the Too Faced Hangover setting spray/primer thing extends the wear time and keeps me less oily! 

Butter London

Butter London Sheer Wisdom Lush Lip Oil Review in Dusty Mauve and Royal Blood

2:17 PM

A little while ago Butter London products were half off I believe? I had been interested in their Lip Serum Oils so I picked a couple up (spoiler: I want the rest of the shades!!!)

The Butter London Sheer Wisdom Lush Lip Oils retail for $22 for /08 fl oz and are supposed to  be a "sheer wash of color" that will "revitalize, firm, and condition your lips". Lately I am soooo into glosses/stains/sheer products so this description is such a yes for me. They've also got all kinds of oils and extracts and good shit. To compare to other "lip oils"; Too Faced Sweet Peach Lip Oil goes for $19 for .14 fl oz, and Lancome Juicy Shaker Lip Oils are $22 for .3, so it seems like these Butter London ones are little on the pricey side for the amount you get.

I personally love the packaging, which has a little window that shows you how much product is left, as well as a twisty bottom that you click (and lock!) to dispense product.

The color Dusty mauve is excatly that but more pink, and Royal Blood is a wine shade, although on me it pulls slightly more red toned than purple.

Dusty Mauve on top
Royal Blood on bottom
Application is easy and the product goes on soooo smooth. I'd say pigmentation is a little more than sheer, but definitly not saturated or opaque by any means. It gives the perfect amount of color and looks so plump on the lips. They fade beautifully as well, not patchy at all. Instead they just sort of wear off the lips leaving a very slight tint not settling into any lines or anything like that.

Dusty Mauve

Royal Blood
Dusty Mauve has slighter more even application which is typical of the lighter sheer products. Ignore the bump near my bottom lip I literally got a bug bite there some time between finishing my makeup and taking these pictures like honestly...

Dusty Mauve

Royal Blood
Overall this gets a 10/10, I'm really pleased with this purchase and like I said, really want the other four shades!! These are prefect for everyday and I wear them all the time!

highlighter reviews

Highlighter Review: Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder in Incandescent

4:52 PM

During the Sephora sale awhile ago now I splurged a teeny tiny bit and bought a couple products I wouldn't normally including this; the Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Powder. Hourglass products have always intrigued me, but their price tag has always kept me away, so I figured the sale was a good time to dip my toes in.

It retails for $38 for .16 oz; for comparison Becca Pressed Skin Perfector is $38 for .28 oz and Stila's Heaven Hue Highlighter (review here) is $32 for .35 oz. The shade Incandescent is an "opalescent pearl". I think it swatches warmer than it looked when applied.




It applied very subtly and can be built up to a nice sheen, not too subtle not too blinding (which is what I prefer nowadays). There is no kickup in the pan whatsoever and I swirl my brush pretty aggressively. It lasts on me for 8 hours with little to no fading. It definitely does not emphasize texture at all.
btw I have brown hair hello



Overall this gets a 10/10 from me. This really does the job beautifully. Its pretty much my every day highlight I'd say I use it 5/7 days of the week. Its so easy and its like I know my highlight will look great without even thinking about it.