Tarte Gifts From The Lipstick Tree Achiote Color Collection Swatches and Review

Something I picked up during the Chic Week sale at Sephora was the Tarte Gifts From The Lipstick Tree Achiote Color Collection.  I saw it when it came out last summer and put it on my wish list, but decided not to buy it.  Then, once it was gone (it was limited edition last year), I was really sorry I didn't get it.  So, when I saw it was brought back this summer, I decided I had to have it.  It says on Sephora's website that it is still limited edition, so maybe it's here just for the summer.

The blush is very long wearing, as all of the Amazonian Clay 12-Hour blushes are, and it is a completely matte, dark coral with a little coolness to it.

The lip luster is a little darker and warmer than the blush, and it contains gold shimmer.  It has a minty smell and cooling sensation on the lips.  It wears about 3 hours on me and feel nicely moisturizing.  It is a twist-up self-sharpening chubby crayon.

The Maracuja lip gloss matches the color of the blush, but with golden shimmer in it.  It is a fairly well pigmented gloss.  It also has the minty smell and cooling sensation on the lips like the lip luster.  The gloss is pretty think and only a little sticky.  It is long wearing for a gloss, I think because of the thickness.  It has a brush for application.

I love the blush and the lip luster.  The Maracuja lipgloss is less appealing to me, and I think part of it is the packaging.  It is really pretty to look at with the flowers on the ends and the gloss color showing through the clear part in the middle, but in order to dispense the gloss you have to click the end of the pen a bunch of times.  Not twist it, but push it down.  I find it either gets too much gloss flowing, or not enough.  Plus the clicking is not exactly quiet.

Swatches from left:  Amazonian Clay Blush in Achiote, Lipsurgence Lip Luster in Achiote, Maracuja Lip Gloss in Achiote (natural light)

(with flash)

(indoor light)

Wearing Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Achiote and Lipsurgence Lip Luster in Achiote

Tarte Maracuja Lip Gloss in Achiote

Tarte Lipsurgence Lip Luster in Achiote

The Lipsurgence lip luster in Achiote is available by itself, but the blush and Maracuja lip gloss don't seem to be sold other than in this kit.  The collection is $42.00.

Sally Hansen Colorfast Tint + Moisture Balm in In the Pink Swatches

Another chubby stick tinted lip balm!  This one is from Sally Hansen and was just launched in drugstores for the spring.  It comes in ten colors that include nudes, pinks, plums, and a red.  I bought the lightest pink color, In the Pink.

Sally Hansen says:  A nourishing lip balm with a hint of tint and boost of moisturizing shine. The lightweight formula smoothes and hydrates lips, for 30% more moisturized lips, instantly! The results? Visibly healthier lips that feel rejuvenated and renewed.

Like other crayons of this kind, it is twist-up/self-sharpening and the color of the packaging matches the color of the balm.  It gives the lips some shine and has a lightweight, somewhat balmy texture as it is applied.  It has a faint, slightly marshmallowy scent that disappears once applied, and it has no taste.

In the Pink is a warm, slightly peachy, neutral pink that has a little sparkle.  This color is fairly sheer and imparts a natural color to the lips.

Sally Hansen Colorfast Tint + Moisture Balm in In the Pink (indoor light)

(with flash)

(no color)

In the Pink lip swatch

This balm is only somewhat moisturizing and it wears off after only a couple of hours.  It seems like reapplication is necessary to keep the hydrated feel on the lips, and my lips do feel somewhat dry after it wears off.  I think there are some better lip crayons out there, but if you don't mind frequently swiping this on your lips, it has a nice price ($4.99) and pretty color selection.

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Juicy Peach Swatches

I love the Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick (in Fresh Papaya) that I bought recently that I decided to buy another color.  I chose Juicy Peach, a light sparkling peach color.  I love the feel of these on the lips, the scent (citrusy!), the soft shine they give, and how soft my lips feel even after they wear off.

Juicy peach seems more sheer than Fresh Papaya, but that may be just because it is a lighter color.  I think this is a beautiful natural color that gives a tiny bit of warm peach and some shimmer to the lips.

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Juicy Peach swatch (indoor light)

(with flash)

Out of focus so you can see the sparkle!

(natural light)

lip swatch!

From left:  Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Fresh Papaya and in Juicy Peach

Thanks for checking out my swatches!

CoverGirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm Review

CoverGirl introduced a line of chubby lip pencils called LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm for the spring.  They come in 16 colors, are self-sharpening, and contain shea and mango butters for hydration.  These are described by CoverGirl as having sheer color, a smooth look, and having a soft shine without a sticky feeling.

These are packaged in a black tube with a cap that matches the color of the balm. The name of the color isn't anywhere on the stick once you remove the plastic wrapping, but it has a sticker on the bottom with the number of the color.

I decided to try Ballet Twist, a light nude pink with gold pearlecence.

Without flash

With flash

It has a faint "lipsticky" scent when applied, but isn't noticeable after application.

It feels lightweight and smooth (although it catches a little on dry flakes on my chapped lips), however this formula doesn't give as much shine (although CoverGirl does describe them as having soft shine) as I was expecting, nor quite as much hydration.  Don't get me wrong, it's still moisturizing, but less than I expected.  I like my balms on the thicker side.

Most of the shine comes from the gold in this color.  I think the Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks and the Clinique Chubby Sticks give more shine and moisture.  They are also a little more slick than the CoverGirl Gloss Balm on the lips.

GoverGirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm in Ballet Twist

This lasts 2-3 hours on me before I feel like I need to reapply it.

I do think this is a very pretty color, and I do like the formula, although I think I prefer the Neutrogena Color Stick formula.

Have you tried any of the CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balms?

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick Review in Fresh Papaya

Looking for a less expensive option to the Clinique Chubby Stick Color Balms?  A slew of drugstore brands are jumping on the jumbo lip pencil balm bandwagon.  I tried Neutrogena's version recently and thought I would share my thoughts.

Neutrogena's MoistureSmooth Color Sticks come in 8 colors range from peaches and pinks to berrys and plums.  With spring coming (I hope sooner rather than later!) I was looking for a color that would work well with both coral and pink blushes, so I chose Fresh Papaya, which is a juicy coral with a hint of pink and has gold shimmer.

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Fresh Papaya

The packaging very similar to clinique----- these are self-sharpening for on the go convenience.  You get 0.1 oz for $16 for the Clinique Chubby Stick and 0.11 oz for around $8 for the Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick.

From left:  Clinique Mega Melon, Neutrogena Fresh Papaya (indoor light)

It has a smooth, but not slick, never sticky feel on the lips.  It definitely has more of a balmy texture than a glossy or lipstick texture.  It has rather good color payoff and more opaque than sheer.  I did find that the color does catch on any flakes on my lips, so a good exfoliation might be needed prior to application.

natural light

However, one of the nicest things about these balms is  what they do for your lips while you are wearing them, and after they have worn off.  Neutrogena says:  MoistureSmooth Color Sticks instantly moisturize lips, while continuously conditioning them so they are softer and smoother in just 3 days with nothing on them. 
I have found this to be mostly true.  They are very moisturizing and make my lips feel soft even after the balm has worn off (after about three hours).  I can't speak to the "softer and smoother after 3 days" claim because I rarely wear the same lip color 3 days in a row.  It lasts about 3 hours on my lips.

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Fresh Papaya lip swatch

The other thing of note about this balm is the scent.  It has a very strong citrusy smell the dissipates after a few minutes.  I personally like the scent, but for those who are sensitive to fragrances you should be aware of this.

Overall, I really do love the MoistureSmooth Color Sticks and I think I might try Sweet Watermelon (a cool toned pink) next.

How about you?  Tried any of these yet?  I think I also want to try the Covergirl Jumbo Gloss Balms.