The Lip Product Addict {Tag}

Happy National Lipstick Day! 

I was recently tagged to do this Lip Product addict tag from the beautiful MJ from MJ in the Sky with Glitter and I thought no better way to celebrate today than with a lipstick related tag; that and a bold lip of course!

1. Favourite Balm / Treatment?

Oh, Burts Bees.  I love their Grapefruit "Refreshing" balm and am nearing the end of my third tube!  One treatment that I'm interested in trying is the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask in Champagne... It's rose gold, need I say more?

2. Best Eye-Catching Red?

I love reds.  But I have to say my most eye-catching would be Viva Glam Rihanna, I talk a little more about it here but the frosted finish is stunning.  Paired with the Viva Glam Riri Lipglass and were talking ruby-red perfection.  

3. Best Luxury & Best Drugstore?

When I think "luxury" cosmetics I think Chanel, I think Tom Ford, Dior and YSL.  None of which I own... So as for my most expensive lipsticks (which also happens to be one of my favorites) I have Too Faced La Creme Lipstick in Bumbleberry.  It's formula is incredibly buttery and moisturizing and fades of evenly and naturally.  Bumbleberry is a deep "my lips but better" shade that I love for everyday.  Not to mention the sleek gold packaging feels very luxurious.  

Too Faced Bumbleberry

Best of the drugstore is easy!  Revlon Matte Balms have one of my favorite formulas; matte but not drying and extremelyyyyy pigmented.  Plus a lot of the colors in the Matte Balm line are dupes for popular MAC mattes as well.

Revlon Matte Balms (L) swatched next to popular MAC mattes.  More information here. 

4. Best MAC Lipstick?

Fabby is my most used color.  It's a mauve pink with pink frost- and a little transformer.  Put a nude colored gloss on it and it's the most beautiful neutral.  Put a pink toned gloss on it and you have a wearable light(ish) pink lip.  If you love the look of light pinks on others but aren't exactly comfortable wearing them yourself Fabby is definitely a shade you should look in to.  Perfect to live in your purse. 

Fabby swatched next to, then layered with Revlon Colorburst in Crystal Violet, taken from my Lip Duo Tag

5. The Most Disappointing?

For this category MJ chose the EOS lip balms, and I think I have to agree.  They're so cute and my favorite scents (Honey Dew and Sweet Mint) are always on my bedside table and in my bathroom but they aren't nearly as moisturizing as they could/ should be.  

6. Liner - Yes or No?

I love liner, but is it ideal for everyday? Probably not.  So as a general rule if I'm wearing a bold red, or deep berry color I will always have liner because it makes it more low maintenance and prevents the color from bleeding.  For more natural colors I usually skip the liner but do have a fav nude for those days when I want to take the extra step.  

7. Best gloss?

Yummmm, NYX Butterglosses, everybody's favorite gloss.  My favorite shade is Tiramisu (especially over Fabby)  I don't think theres anything I can say that hasn't already been said; they're buttery, soft, non-sticky, and affordable.  

8. Something extra!

Not everyday, not every week, but every so long my lips desperately need a good scrub!  I did invest in the Fresh Cosmetics sugar lip scrub but then did a little DIY science experiment and found that I could make a great one in my own kitchen.  So although I won't be repurchasing the Fresh one, I do enjoy using it in the meantime.  

Scrubbing and exfoliating your lips will remove any dead skin from the surface of your lips which will allow them to absorb moisture better, your lipstick to apply smoother and improve the overall condition of your lips.  Which we all need every once in a while!  If you're interested in my DIY pursuit you can read it here.  

Aaaand that's all I have to say! Thank you for reading, hopefully you learned something or discovered a great new product that you're curious to try now! Remember to bust out a bright pink or red lip this afternoon and celebrate National Lipstick day with a fun color choice!

If you're interested in doing this tag, please do so! I tag the following ladies and all of you as well:

Karen (KP Says)

Krystal (Little Beauty Bug)

Jasmine (Jasmine McRae)

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xoxo

MAC Pedro Lourenço Collection

It seems that lately MAC has been releasing collection after collection; its almost impossible to keep up!  The most recent being Moody Blooms (available online now), MAC Lorde, and of course the Osbournes. But before the much anticipated "Kelly and Sharon Osbourne Collection" the Pedro Lourenço collection was released online.  Although the majority of the collection is sold out there are still a few select items available online, including one of the lipsticks featured below and a few nail lacquers.  The collection has an old Hollywood feel with beautiful shimmering nudes, and bold reds.  Since red is my go to evening lip color; both for an evening out and work I chose two out of the three red lipsticks available... but now I wish I had opted for all three!

The packaging in this collection is absolutely stunning.  The lipstick is encased in black rubberised bullets (very similar to the iconic NARS packaging) with beautiful deep gold accents; even inside the boxes!  They're sleek but not flashy.  I may even prefer it over the Alluring Aquatic packaging *gasp*

Ruby: "A midtone blue red"   This lipstick is what I consider to be a true red and I think every woman needs at least one red like this in their collection.  It looks beautiful paired with a neutral eye, bold lashes and liner.  This is the only lipstick from the collection still available for order!

Roxo: "Deep red"  This shade is a deep berry red; comparable to Diva.  It, along with the four other lipsticks released, is an amplified finish; my fav!

I adore both of these shades, but I regret not purchasing "True Red" from the collection before it sold out.  It was a beautiful orange toned red very similar to Lady Danger but with that creamy amplified finish I love too much.  Personally, I would chose an amplified lipstick over a matte any day.

Ruby (left) Roxo (right)

Did you manage to get any of the beautiful pieces in the Pedro Lourenco collection? 
What other MAC collections have you been drooling over lately?

Photos inspired by: Julia's Allure; she always has the most beautiful lip swatches

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xoxo

Back2MAC {Diva Matte Lipstick}

Who doesn't love hearing the term "free lipstick"?

No seriously! When all you have to do is hoard your empty packaging for a while? Count me in.

As "cliche" as some may think, MAC is one of my favorite makeup brands.  They have what seems like unlimited selections of finishes, products, colors, and collections.  It was the first place I went when I wanted to splurge on some nice products and to this day some of their products are my go-to, ride-or-die favorites.  

It seems like it takes forever to hit pan on those beloved eye shadows and blushes, but when you do make sure to save them.  MAC has a recycling program where you can return any six empty packages and exchange them at any MAC counter for a lipstick, or online/ in any store for a lipstick, lipglass, or eye shadow.  The only items excluded from exchange are pencils that you sharpen, and the eye shadow/ blush refill tins.  But if you use MAC brush cleaner, or eye makeup remover save those bottles too!

Look for the Back2MAC stamp on returnable items

Just last week I was lucky enough to do my second ever Back2MAC exchange!  And thanks to my mum gifting me all her stored up empties I'm only one empty away from my third.  This time around I chose Diva, an "intense reddish burgundy" with a matte finish.  Admittedly, it is more of a fall appropriate color than summer but I'm so in love with it- and we all need to break the rules every once in a while.  

And how great is it to bring in a bunch of garbage, and get a free lipstick?

Pretty damn great.

What lipstick would you pick for a free Back2MAC exchange? 

I have my eyes on Lady Danger or maybe Heroine for next time.

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xoxo

MAC Playland Collection

I feel like I always say this... but I really wasn't planning on buying anything from MAC's most recent Playland collection!  This is because even though I  like bright colors some of the neons weren't exactly for me (yellow lipstick?? not quite there yet) buuuuut  as usual I got sucked in by the bright lights, loud music, and pretty colors and found myself hopping aboard the Playland train.  I find with bold limited edition collections like these I am almost always drawn to the lipsticks (maybe they're the safe choice), which is why I picked out two amplified lipsticks while shopping. I just know I will get way more wear out of a florescent lipstick then any neon pigments or pencils.     

 "Welcome to M∙A∙C Playland, a funtastical wonderland of enchantment and delight. Luscious shades of Lipstick and Lipglass liven lips in playful pinks, brilliant purples, and bright corals.  Tease and toy around with a carousel of Casual Color pots in neon orange and hot pink, to stand out bright as balloons in a blue spring sky.  Pigments and Chromographic Pencil add a cotton-candy cascase of color to this season's stylish, fun-packed fantasty."

Toying Around (left) Happy- Go- Lucky (right)

Toying Around:
Amplified finish.  "Hot coral pink."
Can you say coral?  If you're not quite ready for full blown orange lips then this is the color for you.  It is the perfect balance beween pink, orange, and red; not to mention perfect for summer.   

Happy- Go- Lucky: 
Amplified finish.  "Hot pink."

This color is everything.  The color itself is really similar to Candy Yum Yum but with a creamy amplified finish (opposed to full blown matte) which, in my opinion, makes it more wearable. I'm still on the fence about whether or not it suits me per say but I decided to pick it up anyway to play around with it and make up my mind up once and for all about such obnoxious blue- based pinks.

These are my first Amplified lipsticks from MAC and I must say that I love this finish.  When you first apply them they are so creamy and so comfortable, but as they set, they dry to a long wearing matte finish.  I didn't use a lip liner, even though it was recommended to me in store and I noticed they didn't bleed as much as some of the other reds, and purples in my collection.  I wore Happy- Go- Lucky during a 6 hour shift and I touched it up once, more so for fun then necessity.

Toying Around (left) Happy- Go- Lucky (right)

While I was swatching in store I had a hard time chosing between Happy- Go- Lucky and Red Balloon which was a beautiful pinky red (or "hot fuschia" on the MAC website).  Since Red Balloon was the safe choice for me I decided to go for Happy- Go- Lucky because I wanted to step out of my comfort zone a bit... this being said, I might have to go back for Red Balloon as well.

Did you pick up anything from the Playland collection or did you pass?

Happy May!

xoxo

#BLOGGERSDOITBETTER: MAC Dupes

Bargain:
noun

Something bought or offered for sale cheaper than usual or expected.
Creating a look for less 

 Or... my first thought: dupes.

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm vs. MAC Matte Lipstick

Revlon (left) vs. MAC (right)

One of my favorite drug store products are the Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balms, they're pigmented, they last a long time, and they're crayons! I'm a big fan of crayon style lipsticks or balms because they're not only cute but easy to work with. My sister introduced me to the Matte Balm line when she bought me "Shameless" for my birthday around Christmas time last year and when I went in to swatch the rest of the line I couldn't help but recognize a lot of similarities between them and some iconic MAC matte colors.  I chose five of what I believe to be the closest color dupes.

Starting from the left:
Revlon Standout vs. MAC Viva Glam I
Standout tends to be a bit brighter on first swatch but you can build the color up to be almost a dead ringer for Viva Glam I, which has been sold by MAC since 1994(!)  A deep dark red which is classically beautiful, especially when paired  with a bold winged liner.
Revlon Sultry vs. MAC Craving and Twig
This is the shade that inspired this post. I picked it up from a local Shopper's and when I got home I noticed it was similar to my MAC Twig lipstick (far right), but I also thought it seemed similar to Craving (swatched directly to the right of Sultry and on my wish list.) Craving, even though it is an Amplified finish, is a much closer match because they are both more rosier- pink whereas Twig, a satin finish, is much more of a muted brown pink.
Striking vs. Lady Danger
I'm loving this red- orange shades especially for summer.  I find Lady Danger to be a bit bolder and orange-r on first swipe but once again Striking is easily built up for a bolder color.

(Striking/ Lady Danger repeated)

Shameless vs. Heroine

I've seen these two compared before and although they are similar were the biggest stretch for a match in my opinion.  Shameless is a tad darker and it is the only one who's texture is a bit chalky and uneven. 

Showy vs. Candy Yum Yum 

Finally, this is the match I was most excited about.  The colors truly are an exact match.  Showy is everything cult followed Candy Yum Yum is famous for a bright, neon, matte, blue- based pink.  It just may be my next purchase as I have been dabbling with Candy Yum Yum for a long time.  

Direct Comparisons:

	Revlon	MAC
Pigmentation	Bold and buildable	Bold
Scent	Peppermint	Vanilla
Longevity	Long wearing	Long wearing
Price	$6.99- $11.99 CDN	$19 CDN

My only dislike of the Revlon Matte Balms is the scent.  It throws me off to have such a bold color smell like a peppermint chapstick.  However, considering the price difference, I think I can get over it or at least work around it.  One final note is when washing the swatches off my arm I couldn't help but be impressed with both brand's staying power.  I took this photo after scrubbing them with a makeup removing wipe!

Don't forget to search #Bloggersdoitbetter on Twitter to find out how other "Bloggers Do Bargains Better"!

xoxo

Lip Duos! {Tag}

 A few weeks ago on Instagram I did my first ever photo challenge! It was created by @ahxo0209 and simply asks you to pick a different pair of lipgloss/ lipsticks everyday for a week! I loved that it challenged me to dig through my lipsticks to find/ rediscover some beautiful combos.

I thought it would be fun to do a recap and include swatches of each of my picks from the week as well as a swatch of them layered together! 

Day One: Nude

In the past I haven't been very comfortable with nude lips- but I finally found something that works with my olive skin tone.  MAC's Naked Bud is a lustre finish neutral that is easy and comfortable to wear.  MAC Nymphette layered on top gives it a pinkier- golden sheen.  Both of these swatches photographed a little oranger than they appear in person.  I consider them to be peach-y. 

Left to right: MAC Naked Bud, MAC Nymphette, both layered

This being said I usually prefer a darker nude! Revlon Sultry is a beautiful rosey- brown "my lips but better" color that when paired with NYX Tiramisu butter gloss (another perfect my lips but better color) creates an amazing day time color suitable for class, work, running errands, and everything else in between.  Tiramisu is one of those glosses that is just an all around star- it pairs well with almost every peach, pink, brown, and nude lip color in my collection.

Revlon Sultry, NYX Tiramisu, both layered

Day Two: Light Pink

Light pink is a little out of my comfort zone but this lip duo is perfection.  MAC Fabby has a frosted finish that the MAC website describes as a mauve. However, I feel like its a true golden- pink.  It's almost Nymphette in lipstick form (although that doesn't really translate in these photos).  I usually layer it with Revlon's Color Stay lipgloss is Crystal Lilac.  This color is so unique- a light pink with tiny purple micro shimmer within it that catches in the light.  

Mac Fabby, Revlon Crystal Lilac, layered

Day Three: Coral/ Orange

MAC Coral Bliss is one of my favorite lipsticks, it's the perfect balance between coral and pink.  For the purposes of my Instagram photos I paired it with my well loved Arbonne lipgloss in Posh, which pulls out the pink undertones.  But after I posted the photo I stumbled across my Maybelline Color Elixir Gloss in Breaktaking Apricot, which looks very pink when swatched alone however when layered with Coral Bliss they create a true coral color.

MAC Coral Bliss, Arbonne Posh, layered, Maybelline Breathtaking Apricot, layered with Coral Bliss

Day Four: Bright Pink

I included a lip swatch of MAC Pink Nouveau on my Instagram so I really felt like this Elizabeth Arden gloss deserved the spot light.  It brightens any lipstick and is gorgeous all on its own (which is not something I say about many glosses).

Elizabeth Arden Pink Pout

Day Five: Red

I talked about these two colors recently in my "Secret to Long Wearing Comfortable Red Lips" post so you won't be surprised about why I chose to include them in this tag. They're my favorites! Both are blue based reds. Rihanna's Viva Glam is frost finish and Viva Glam I is matte. 

MAC Rihanna Viva Glam, MAC Viva Glam I

Day Six: Purple/ Berry

Shameless is perfect on it's own.  It does tend to bleed so I usually line my lips with MAC Currant lipliner.  For the odd time I want to pair it with a gloss I found two options for two different looks.  Revlon's Sugar Violet isn't very pigmented on your lips therefore it gives a beautiful sparkle and shine without altering the color beneath it drastically.  My other gloss is Maybelline's Color Elixir Raspberry Rhapsody which lightens Shameless and pulls out fuchsia tones in the color.  

Revlon Shameless, Revlon Sugar Violet, layered, Maybelline Raspberry Rhapsody, layered with Shameless

Day Seven: Your Most Unique Color

Finally, my most unique color.  I love these matte lip crayons by Bite Beauty (I feel like I've said that about every product I've mentioned).  The shade Grape is a violet shade but in the right light or layered with the right lipstick or gloss is can be such a pretty pinky-purple.  I mentioned on Instagram that I don't usually pair this with a gloss- but if I were going to Sugar Violet plays with the pink undertones in Grape and adds a beautiful sparkle.

Bite Beauty Grape, Revlon Sugar Violet, layered

What are your favorite lip duos? Leave a comment down below or tag me on Instagram!
@theloveoflipstick

xoxo

#BLOGGERSDOITBETTER: Going Nude This Spring

You may have heard about (or seen) the "Bloggers Do it Better Challenge" recently that Gemma from Touch of Belle has so wonderfully orchestrated.  When I heard about it over Twitter I thought it was a great opportunity for a newbie like me to not only continue to be inspired and have motivation for my posts but also connect with like-minded bloggers.  

What's unique about this challenge is that Gemma provides us with very broad topics- for example, the first one (this one!) is "Bloggers Do Spring Better" which allows each participant to have a creative license and write about absolutely anything and everything.  As a result a network of  connected blog posts with the same theme is established. I love it!

I've been thinking about this post for a long time and I'm almost embarrassed about how late it is- considering it was supposed to be posted this past Monday.  However, since I've been so incredibly busy with a full time practicum and am just now finding the time to sit down and focus on myself for a second I figured it was better to be late than never! *drumroll*

Blogger Do Spring Better: Going Nude

A trend that I've noticed and loved this spring is nude which actually something that is a little new to me.  Is it not the constant struggle to find the perfect nude?  

Maybelline's Dare to Go Nude Limited Edition Spring Collection

Sephora's nude picks for Spring as seen on Instragram

This being said I think when the weather warms up everybody needs some color! Thus for my first even Bloggers Do it Better post I have decided to marry the nude Spring trend with beautiful shades of rose-y pink, and gold with my top Spring picks!

Lips:

A little while ago I was doing a "Lip Duo" tag on Instagram, in which I featured everyone of these little beauties while talking about Nudes.  I can't help it. I love them.  I think the one thing they share universally is how comfortable they are- which is really important to me!  

From left to right:

NYX Butter Gloss in Tiramisu: This gloss is perfection.  It's just light enough to wash over a dark color to lighten it up for day time and just dark enough to deepen a lighter color.  Plus, just as the name indicates the texture is butter.

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Sultry:  I found that this color is very similar to Mac Twig Satin lipstick (I have a comparison post in the mix) but much more of a rosey shade.  The earthy/brown undertones make it easy to wear day- to- day.  This is the closest I've come to a "my lips but better" color.

MAC Lustre lipstick in Naked Bud: This lipstick is limited edition from the Fantasy of Flowers collection released recently.  It's described as a "neutral sheer nude" on the Mac website.  Personally, I find it has just a hint peach undertones which is perfect and what I think makes it the only true nude lipstick I've ever purchased.  The lustre finish is so comfortable and honestly I have nothing negative to say. Well, actually, It wouldd be nice if it wore a little longer but I take beautiful color over longevity any day.  I like to pair it with either my NYX Tiramisu gloss or Mac Nymphette for more of a golden-peach color.

Tiramise, Sultry, Naked Bud

Cheeks:

From left to right:

MAC Warm Soul: This is the definition of the perfect blush.  It's universal.  I can reach for this color no matter what my lip/ eye color is and it never fails me.  It's a beige toned blush with the smallest flecks of gold shimmer.  In the winter I sometimes skip bronzer and just dust this along my cheeks for a healthy glow.  

MAC Superb:  Another limited edition MAC product from the Magnetic Nude collection and also the first ever Extra-Dimension Skin Finish I tried.  What I love about this is it's almost impossible to overdo when you apply it with a brush or like below you can apply it with your finger for a much more concentrated pigment-  both on the cheekbones or directly over blush you just glow. Its beige-y, it's peach-y, its even purple-y in some lights.  Whatever it is it I can't get enough.

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil:  Not the first time I've mentioned this bronzer! (Read more about it here)  Well suited to the name it is a milk chocolate-y shade, soft, natural, blendable. Did I miss anything??  What I have been doing lately when I'm in a rush is taking my Real Techniques blush brush (any tulip shaped blush would work) and mixing both Warm Soul and Chocolate Soleil on my brush applying it in a tapered shape to my cheek bones.  Boom.  Instant fool-proof cheeks.

Warm Soul, Superb, Chocolate Soleil

Eyes:

From left to right:

Naked 3: The infamous naked palettes.  How can you talk about nudes without mentioning them?  I got my Naked 3 palette from my loving boyfriend at Christmas this year. I chose not to swatch it because you can find thousands and thousands of similar photos with a quick Google search.  The versatility of this palette is unreal.  The rose- gold theme makes it unique enough to be able to create a look exclusively with its colors or complement any other shadows in your collection. 

Urban Decay in Sin: When I think Spring and Summer I think cream products.  So I decided to chose two cream shadows and bases to include in my Spring picks.  This primer potion is actually the sample I received within my Naked palette but I've been keeping it in a sample pot to get the most use of it.  The color is so beautiful that I will sometimes just wear it alone with some mascara, but pair it under any of the Naked 3 shades and you've struck gold.     

Maybelline 24H Color Tattoo in Pure Nude: I heard alot about these color tattoos before I decided to finally go out and actually try one.  I picked the lightest color "Pure Nude" which may or may not be limited edition with their Dare to Go Nude collection I pictured above.  I think this shade is comparable but just a touch lighter to Mac's Paint Pot in Bare Study which my mum has used for years under her shadows.  The formula is super blendable so the only issue I took with this is I found if I wore it alone with no shadow on top it creases after a few hours.  What I love about any light cream shade like this is it is not only beautiful by itself but will also intensify the colors of any pigments you place on top.

Sin, Pure Nude

Nails:

Finally, my favorite manicure lately is Essie Eternal Optimist which is an oldie but a goodie.  I think of it as kind of a dusty rose shade. Which sound un-appealing but is actually really flattering on your nails (especially if you have more of a tan/olive undertone in your skin like moi) and since I'm a sucker for an accent nail Nicole OPI The Next CEO gives a pop of sparkle. 

Oh Spring, love love love.  Writing this has me so excited for the change of seasons.  Thank you again Gemma for organizing such a great project.  I look forward to the next one and I promise to be on time! If you are interested in seeing any of the other Spring interpretations (they range from cooking, to personal memories, to beauty, etc.) search #BloggersDoItBetter on Twitter and maybe even get involved yourself or if you have already published one send me your link below!

xoxo

My "Secret" to Long-Wearing Comfortable Red Lips

Red is my go-to for lip color, especially at work.  I actually wore a more neutral color recently and had a co-worker take a second glance before saying she barely recognize me without it.

My favorite reds of the moment are MAC Viva Glam I, which is a deep almost burgundy red with a matte finish, and the limited edition Rihanna Viva Glam which is another blue based red with a beautiful frosted finish.  It's the perfect  ruby-red slipper color. 

Viva Glam I (left) Viva Glam Rihanna (right)

However, since I often work 8 hour shifts I find that both of these colors can start to feel dry about half way through my shift...  I know some prefer a more "dry" matte lip and while I do both love and appreciate a matte finish there's a fine line between beautifully matte and uncomfortably dry.  I'm sure I'm not the only one who has a habit of rubbing my lips together which with a matte lipstick can result in a cake-y looking lip color- and nobody likes that... So sometimes my cherry pout needs a bit of a kick start!


I don't  like layering lip balm over lipstick because I find that it removes some pigment, and can move lipstick around creating an uneven look- that is UNTIL I discovered a solution to all my (first world) problems.

Its so simple, and kind of foolish but I swear by it.  What you need to keep your red lips looking fresh and feeling comfortable is actually a red tinted lip balm (duh Danielle).  I use my Clinique "Almost Lipstick" in "Luscious Honey" almost everyday now.  

  

I received  it in a free bonus gift with purchase from the Bay and I just may have to repurchase a full size when its gone.  The color is buildable and the texture is silky which adds moisture, but not a lot of shine.  Tons of other lines also have moisturising lip products that provide that sheer wash of color as well so I'm sure many of you probably already have a similar product at home or wouldn't have a hard time finding one in either the drugstore or department store.  I find that the tint of color just adds enough moisture for me to carry on happily without moving around and displacing the pigment from previous applications. 

Left to right: Viva Glam I, Viva Glam Rihanna, Luscious Honey

While I'm sure I'm not the first one to make this realization it was a game changer for me.

What do you do to keep your matte lips comfortable during long days/ nights?

xoxo

DIY: Depotting Lipstick

Depotting:

verb

Removing a product from it's original package and placing it into much more practical packaging.

I'm a sucker for pretty packaging so initially the idea of ripping apart my products didn't seem like something that I was interested in doing.  Makeup is a hobby for me so I have no need for a "kit" and I have a manageable amount of makeup so storage is not really an issue (yet). 

Anyway, despite all this I decided one day that keeping my lipstick in my bra while working was a smart idea (it wasn't- I work in a kitchen) aaaaand it melted into an unusable mess.  Wah.  So here I am, reporting back from my first "depotting adventure". 

MAC "Lady Bug" A72

   
 Supplies:

1. Lipstick
2. Sample pot or palette
3. Spoon
4. Toothpick
5. Candle

I wish I had taken step-by-step photos of the process but I got too excited and forgot (woops) but don't worry- it was incredibly easy.

The Process:

I started out by using my spoon to cut off what was left of my lipstick bullet and then going back in with a toothpick (or any other small tool) to dig out what was left and unreachable in the tube.  I really mean dig- there's an alarming amount of product in the tube beneath the surface and by doing it this way you'll get more product into your pot than what you would have been able to use in it's original bullet form.  Next- hold your spoon full of lipstick a safe distance away from my lit candle and it will melt gradually.  It's important to be careful not to burn the spoon or the product because I read that overheating may alter it.  Once your lipstick reaches a smooth liquid consistency carefully pour it into your new container or palette.  You could stop here; however, my final step was to warm up the label on the bottom of the tube just enough to carefully peel it off and place it on the bottom of my new container. Voila!

Since, I only had one lipstick that I needed/wanted to de/repot and I only had about half the product left I went to my local MAC store and asked if I could have a small sample container- the ones they would give you if you wanted to try a small amount of any liquid product.  It fit perfectly for the amount of lipstick I had but I believe this container would have been too small for a brand new tube. The best part about this option is if you ask nicely most associates should have no problem giving you one for free.  Sephora also has similar small sample containers that you could use but I preferred the look of the MAC one.

Additionally, if you're interested in melting more than one lipstick (or even newer/less used lipsticks) but aren't interested in creating a palette-  MAC sells stackable travel jars for around $10CDN that can be easily labelled and screwed together making it easy to keep your depotted lipsticks organized. A definite pro to having your lipsticks melted into a pot is that they're clear it makes it easy to identify which color you're reaching for without having to open lipstick after lipstick.

The Conclusion:

After my experience I must say... It was a lot of fun! I'll admit if I were creating a palette and wanted to melt 25-50 lipsticks at once I would want try another (probably quicker) method.  I've seen palettes you can get that are microwavable so you simply crush your lipsticks and then pop them in the microwave for a smooth/ clean finish. I know some people prefer not to melt the product in fear that it will alter the formula.  Luckily, this didn't happen to me.

I felt just like a scientist.  Or Walt Whitman from Breaking Bad.  And its so cute. Lil' baby lipstick. 

The only con to my cute little pot of "Lady Bug" is that now in order to apply it I'll need a lip brush (preferably with a cap so it can stay clean and travel friendly).