MakeUp Addicted

A brand I haven't seen before, spotted at Walgreens - Simply Shine Lip Shimmers.  These little beauties are 2/$4 and come in three colors.   Simply Lip Shimmers are affordable, organic products made in the good ol' USA. 

From their website:

I finally caved.  Yes, I bought two of the Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters.  I couldn't help it - I've read so many good things about them, it was only time until I snagged one (or two): Cherry Tart and Sugar Plum.

Packaging is similar to the regular ColorBurst line of lipsticks, only the case is semi-clear - kind of like a faceted gemstone.  I think they are really pretty, personally. 

Cherry Tart is a sheer red that can easily become more intense with further application.  Because this is a butter, you don't get a true opaque coverage, ultimately allowing your tones to mold the color.  Truly, this is the neutral girl's red.  Easy to wear, and it feels great too!

Sugar Plum is, as the name suggests, a warmer plum/purple shade.  On my skin swatch below, it almost looks brown, but when applied to the lips it is a beautiful plum to berry shade. 

On the lips below, you can see there is excellent pigmentation to these.  This is two applications, so obviously it's a bit more intense than just one. 

It's official, I love these.  I love the texture - it truly feels like butter, as the name suggests. It melts into my lips, but actually lasts a while once applied.  The color selection is really nice, too.  There are those that are lighter and less pigmented (Cotton Candy and Cupcake, for instance) and those that knock it out of the park...i.e. Cherry Tart.  I will definitely be looking to get a few more of these when the time is right.  These make the perfect addition to your purse or desk drawer in the winter time, when I'm always reaching for my lip balm, but longing for a little bit more... like color!

Retail is $7.99-$8.99, depending on where you shop. 

It's that time again - time for dry, chapped lips and brisk winter chills.  I always have my tube of chapstick in my purse.  It's my go to.  Actually, I have one on my bedside table, one in my office desk, one downstairs in the "junk" drawer, and one in my purse.  Well, what about those times when you want a little color and the benefits of a chapstick? 

Enter Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra Hydrating Lip Balm.  Made with Vitamin E, Aloe and SPF15, not only does this nourish and moisturize, it protects.  Also, it is available in numerous shades, including two new ones:  Sheer Berry and Sheer Plum.

I tend to lean towards warmer berry and plum shades in the fall and winter, so I purchased Sheer Plum to try out.  The pictures below actually brighten the color in the tube a bit more than Sheer Plum is in reality, but you get the gist of the color.  This is a deep plum, almost warm chocolate shade in the tube.  Once applied, as you will see in swatches below, the berry colors really shine through.

The product itself is a thin, non sticky formula.  It smells a bit less like menthol and a bit more minty than the original Carmex in the pot, therefore it's not quite as medicinal smelling.  Once applied, there is a cooling sensation familiar with Carmex.  The product wears nicely and didn't feather after application. 

Above is two swipes on the skin for a swatch.  Below is two swipes on the lip.  See, a nice color, but not overwhelming.  The berry color really comes through upon application as well.  

Final verdict: Why not?  For $2.59 a tube you don't have to give up the benefits of Carmex for a little color.  My lips feel soft afterwards, and the color payoff is nice and lasting.  There are several colors to choose from, although I think a lot of people would like to see more of a red and less of a berry available.  Maybe in the future!

Have you tried this yet?  What did you think?