Happy Sunday! Thanks for sticking with me through my Best of 2014 series! It's been a blast picking out the best and brightest of the year, and hearing about your favorites. Today's post will close out the series, and you may say I saved the best for last: L I P S !
LIP BALM
DRUGSTORE: Aquaphor Healing Ointment, $5.26 USD (two 10 gram tubes). Non-sticky, scent and taste-free, budget-friendly, and ultra hydrating. Aquaphor will always be one of my HG balms!
HIGH-END: Supergoop! Acai Fusion Lip Balm SPF 30, $8.50 USD. Super smooth and moisturizing, this balm packs SPF 30 making it a perfect daytime companion. It has no taste, but smells like a tropical vacation in a tube. My two HG balms without SPF are Glossier Balm Dotcom, $12.00 USD (mega moisturizing, scent and taste-free, and the tube packs 20 ml of product!) and Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask, $26.00 USD (truly a repairing salve that works miracles on dry lips!).
LIPGLOSS
DRUGSTORE: CoverGirl Colorlicious Lip Gloss in Plumlicious, $6.39 USD. Super comfortable (non-sticky) and nicely pigmented, this gorgeous violet gloss leaves your lips feeling hydrated. The doe foot wand makes application a breeze!
HIGH-END: NARS Lip Gloss in Salamanca, $26.00 USD. Another ultra smooth, non-sticky hero, this watermelon pink gloss lived in my purse all summer and accompanied me on my honeymoon to Puerto Rico. This one also comes with a doe foot applicator, which is my personal preference to a brush, roller ball, or chisel tip squeeze tube.
LIPSTICK
HIGH-END: MAC Lustre Lipstick in Syrup, $ USD. This cool rosy pink looks different on everyone due to the Lustre formula; less pigment allows for one's natural lip color to show through a bit and influence the resulting shade. I love it because it's comfortable to wear and has that great low-maintenaince, mirror-free application thing going for it!
What was your favorite lip product this year?
WAHOO. Been waiting on this part of the series!! Firstly, yay for Balm Dotcom and introducing it to me. It has seriously made me such a balm snob!
ReplyDeleteThe CoverGirl Coverlicious lip gloss looks so much fun, and I'm so happy to hear it isn't sticky. I cannot tell you how much I can't do MAC Lip Glass. Cannot. Can. Not. And I'm so sad because they are so much fun! I've also been eyeing NARS lip glosses from a far ever since they changed their formula (wasn't that like 100 years ago?)...
LOL to cool as a cucumber brown lips, rock 'em sock 'em, gurl. I have been having a mini love affair with Maybelline lipsticks, particularly their Colorsensationals. I love the brown that Touchable Taupe is and would like to add that to my collection. I'll be on the hunt! And who doesn't LOOOOOOVE a no-mirror application? Props to MAC's Syrup Lustre formula!
Mucho Love and Chicken Soep *which is on the menu for dinnah child*
<3
Ooooo that Taupe shade is lovely. Thanks for the excellent reviews and swatches! I had two favorite lipsticks in 2014 both were ridiculously cheap in comparison to my MAC and Nars shades. Of course right? Rimmel 84, and Rimmel Kate Moss 107. 84 is a lovely berry shade and 107 is a matte finish mauve. They just always seem to top off my look. (:
ReplyDeleteThat Covergirl gloss looks amazing and the kind of colour I'm drawn to! My favourite lipsticks in 2014 were Tom Ford True Coral (which I'm almost finished...OMG an expensive repurchase is on the cards there!) and my trusty old Revlon Just Kissable Balm Stain in Honey which I keep coming back to because it goes with any look so it basically lives in my purse - Yes, I already have a backup of this one :)
ReplyDeleteSo this is where we differ a bit, sister ;-) But I do like your picks! I love that you always list a high-end option and a more budget-proof option.
ReplyDeleteOMG I don't hv any of these! In 2014 my favourite has to be Bobbi Brown's creamy matte lip colors!! Love the texture and the shades
ReplyDeleteNars lipglosses are definitely ones of the best! I only have one shade- Angelica but I love it. And Maybelline lipsticks are always great. My favorite lip product of 2014, if I were to choose just one, would be Nars Audacious lipstick, I just love everything about it.
ReplyDeleteI love that you cover such a variety :D Syrup wasn't a great color for me, but I need to pick up a few wearable pinks again...something a little brighter, maybe!
ReplyDeleteI have to second the Agave Lip Mask for healing Little D's skin! Although, I looked for a drugstore alternative and found Burt's Bees Kokum Butter balm (the squeeze tube) starts with the same main ingredients...Lanolin and castor seed oil!
ReplyDeleteI really want to try the Glossier Balm Dotcom! I have seen people raving about it and I am super curious! :D Good price, too, huh? And look at the tube of your Bite Agave Lip Mask?! Whatever happened to it??! Poor little thing! LOL!
ReplyDeletei really need to check out that mac one. i've never seen it before!
ReplyDeleteooh bring on that cover girl colorlicious lip gloss!! so yummy looking! and you can't beat a good tube of aquaphor - i use it on the whole entire families lips!!
ReplyDeletethe covergirl gloss looks awesome! that is such a neat color!
ReplyDeleteYes i remember admiring Syrup on you when you had it on your lipsticktag pics on Instagram! Hey if you like the 90s type browns youll probably love Lolita from kat Von D . ..i thought of you when I used it today actually! Oh wow plumlicious is gorgeous too..I always passed on it ..i thought i had read some bad reviews or something but this post is changing my mind Kristen! I still don't *love* my BITE beauty lip mask sigh ..but i hate it less each time I use it lol ! I think maybe its my champagne one?Anywhooo...nice picks Kristen and yes any LIPS series ARE the best so good on ya saving it for last:)
ReplyDeleteOMG the state of that Bite agave tube CRACKS ME UP. I like the look of the new tinted one but won't buy it if that's what happens! Then you almost sold me on Supergoop until the tropical scent bit. I never see it in the stores around here so I'll just have to wait until a sniff test can happen. :)
ReplyDeleteWow so it is true what people say, the Bite lip masks have horrible packaging! I wouldn't mind it that much because it's something I'd only use before bedtime, but then again, especially considering the price point, they really could do better!
ReplyDeleteI agree, they need to revisit the packaging. There are tons of salves, balms, and lotions that come in plastic tubes that look just as good when you're squeezing out the last drop as they did the day you bought them. I will say, though, that the Agave Lip Mask is the most healing lip product I've ever used, hands down. I will put up with whatever rinky dink packaging they put out because the product inside is truly magical!
ReplyDeletePretty much what I said above to Sunny also applies here, lol! The Bite Agave Lip Mask packaging is definitely not the bomb, but the balm itself is my HG lip healing angel for life!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Dee! Syrup is a true love. I do love me some pinky browns ("prowns"?) so I will check out KvD Lolita! Thanks! Ha! Not hating the lip mask less after each use is good, I guess?! I've never tried the Champagne version but have heard tons of people say it's not like the regular one. I live for the regular one, even though the packaging needs improvement! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, PopChampagne! :) It really is pigmented and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Ok, be right over withe the Plumlicious! And yas to Aquaphor! I mean is there anything it can't do? It's fave for life status.
ReplyDeleteSyrup is such an Elle color! Check it before you wreck it, girl! ;)
ReplyDeleteHa ha! "Poor little thing", lolol! The Agave Lip Mask has been tossed around in multiple purses and loved heavily. The packaging could be improved, but as long as they never change the awesomeness of the actual balm itself, I'll keep buying it! The Balm Dotcom is awesome! I may or may not have another Glossier Phase 1 Kit on hand to give away...:) Stay tuned!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad the Agave Lip Mask took care of your baby's skin! I love that stuff. Thanks for the drugstore dupe - I will look for that fo sho!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Larie! :D You do look great in bright lip colors. There is no way I could rock Toxic Tale, for example, but it looks smashing on you!
ReplyDeleteOoh, NARS Angelika is gorgeous! You got Anna from the Audacious line, right? Did you have a breaking in period with it where it was a tad dry? I have Anita and I'm not in love, but several Audacious lovers have said to give it time and that it will get better with continued use?
ReplyDeleteOh, you made me want to try SO many things this year, the Bobbi Brown Creamy Mattes topping the list! And that Dior powder you're trying to kill, lol!
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Yes, you do prefer brighter lip colors than me, but I think you'd dig NARS Salamanca - it's bright and glossy, not quite as pink as you normally go, but I think it'd be beautiful with your baby browns. And thanks - I always think it's possible to find something that's cheaper that works just as well!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, that CoverGirl gloss is a total Vita-riffic shade! :) Whoa, kudos to you for almost finishing a Tom Ford lipstick! Wow! Although yes, that one's a pricey repurchase - ouch! I do not have Honey and I keep looking for it! It's been sold out for a few weeks. Essie Button named it as one of her favorites of the year and I think that's when it started disappearing from shelves, lol! Glad you already have your back up! I have fallen in love with L'Oreal Glossy Balm in Lovely Mocha. I love how hydrating it is AND that I can put it on without a mirror. That's a win-win!
ReplyDeleteI love finding bargains that work as well as, or better, than their pricey sisters. There's a reason those Kate Moss Rimmel lippies are such cult favorites! Thank you for the kind words, Kiki!
ReplyDeleteYAS! Agave Lip Mask 4-Eva (do you remember this from "Fear" starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Walhberg? I feel like you would get this reference!)! And lol - yay - I'm never "on trend" so this whole marsala thing is making me feel cool, ha!
ReplyDeleteAgreed, Jenny!! Aquaphor is a multi-purpose ninja, and I also have it in tub form, lol! I just got a NYX Butter Lipstick and MAN -- I can see what all the fuss is about! Quite lovely to wear. I live for comfortable lipstick! I need to get that on a mug. ;)
ReplyDeleteHa Stephanie! A balm snob! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI agree about MAC Lip Glass! It saddens me to the depths of the ocean blue because they have the most gorgeous colors and finishes! But the sticky factor is just WAY TOO HIGH. I wish they'd expand their Cremesheen Glass line. It's non-sticky but the shade range is so much smaller.
Touchable Taupe would be so fabulous on you! Definitely give it a whirl if you see it oot n' aboot! Maybelline lipsticks are definitely my drugstore favorite. I feel like every other line has fragrance in the formula that I'm not fond of. Maybelline's are just lovely. The Mattes are amazing!
Hope you enjoyed your chickens! What?! XOXO
I did not even know Cremesheen Glass was AN OPTION!?! Now that I think about it though, have you posted one on Instagram? It's a matte/frosted package rather than a glassy/see-through one? Agreed with the fragrances! I have so many L'Oreal lipsticks that I love the color in, but hate the formula and SCENT YUCK UGH.
ReplyDeleteChickens thoroughly enjoyed.... HAHAH. Double WHAT?!
Damn, you have a great memory! Yes, I do own one Cremesheen Glass from their Holiday 2013 Divine Night collection called Private Party! It's a beaut, and best of all - NO STICKY NONSENSE! And yes, I love L'Oreal. Like we're good friends, and I didn't want to call her out but...sister needs to stop with the perfume-y lipstick scents! I have 2 from them that I LOVE but rarely wear because the scent is just not my cuppa tea. Freida's Nude is STUNNING but the scent is really holding it back!
ReplyDeletePeace and chickens to the sky! ;)
OH MY GARSH YOU OWN FREIDA'S NUDE, TOOOOOOO!?! YES I feel the SAME FREAKING WAY. 2015 goals; TWISTED PEPPERMINT, Bathe in Vanilla Bean Noel, find a L'Oreal that don't stank up the elevator, and I'm going to get some Cremesheen Glass on mah hands... er, lips...
ReplyDeleteCHICKEN.
MAC Syrup has to be one of the prettiest lipsticks out there - I love it! It can be used for any occasion. Both the NARS and Covergirl lipglosses look really nice - I haven't tried either but do you think the NARS one is worth the money? Great post (as always!) :)
ReplyDeleteBest response comment ever!!! I love anything that ends in all caps chicken!!!! Cracking up, Stephanka Lu!!!
ReplyDeleteAw man, the Bite balm is fantastic, I wish you'd gotten ahold of it, Emma! I hope you like the new CoverGirl lippies! They pack a pigmented punch for sure! :)
ReplyDeleteYes! Another Syrup fan! I agree, it's quite multi-faceted and works for anything! I am a huge fan of the NARS lip glosses. They're 100% free of stickiness, scent and taste, and they're just so comfortable. I live for this one and Eternal Red. The closest dupe I can think of is MAC Cremesheen Glass, but those are vanilla scented (though non-sticky, unlike Lip Glass). Revlon ColorBurst glosses were the most similar to the NARS, all the way down to the doe foot applicator, but I think they've been reformulated and now they contain shimmer? I could be crazy!
ReplyDelete