A few weeks ago I shared a post on the latest (and greatest everrr) essence event  – the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party and in this post I also highlighted a few of their new releases that I had high hopes for, and the velvet and glossy sticks were included in this post.

 

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One of these things was the new lip stick. Not a lipstick, but a lip stick. I basically went oohing and ahhing over these on social media and wore nothing but 02 peony star on my lips for the next two weeks. I tend to focus more on my favourite products on my blog (that being, I would prefer to not post reviews on products if they were a disappointment) and these are seriously a winner enough that they get their own post. LIKE A WINNER WINNER. Hopefully that last paragraph conveys how much I love them?

I received two of these at the essence event and after one use I knew I had to get another. I now own one matte lip stick in peony star and two gloss stick’s, one in luminous rosewood and the other in clear nude.

 

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Before we go on, I need to clarify the “gloss” side of things. Generally, that word alone would be enough to assure I don’t try the product because I do not like “glossy” looking lips. I have waist length hair and adding glossy lips is just a no go when living in the windy Mother City. However, the effect is not glossy but it is a sleek looking effect. There is no liquidy effect and I would just call it satiny sleeky finish – if that makes sense at all?

I love the range of shades in both the gloss and matte effects; you can differentiate between the two as they have slightly different packaging. The matte one’s packaging is mattifed (so cool!) and the glossy packaging is not.

The range itself contains 5 matte shades and 5 glossy shades. Everything from a nude to light rose colours to cherry red and deep plums (matte 05 plum perfect, mama is coming for ya!)

The colour pay off is fantastic – look at the below swatches. Suuuuper creamy and luxurious. The luminous rosewood is the perfect Autumn nude shade and clear nude is spot on for office wear. peony star has been my absolute go to colour and I have posted, like, six Instagrams showing it off! It is also a great dupe for the e.l.f matte lipstick in Tea Rose (not available in SA) but whenever I wear Tea Rose I get queries on Snapchat about the shade. peony star is a GREAT alternative.

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The above swatches on my lips were all taken on a day when I had an ear infection so I am not in the best skin state. (aka no foundation) so excuse that.

I find that these last around two hours before needing to be reapplied. Not amazing staying power but for just under R40 each – who cares.

Another two things I want to highlight before this post gets way too gushy; 1) the applicator is a chunky pencil which makes it so easy to apply. You honestly do not even need a mirror like you would with a lipstick.
2) the matte sticks do not dry your lips out. The gloss sticks are more hydrating that the matte sticks but overall neither of them dry your lips out in the slightest and this is common amongst matte lipsticks.

Aaaaand here is a pic of what peony star looks like when worn with a face of make-up. For realsies, this may be my favourite lip product right now. It is the perfect neutral shade and, for anyone with muddy hazel eyes like me. This shade really brings out the green in our eyes and makes them pop!

 

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And now I have written nearly 700 words just gushing on how much I love these. Really, Rayne!! If this post does not convince you to give them a go then I don’t know what will. What I do know is that I will have one of these in my handbag constantly for the next minute.

You can purchase the velvet and glossy stick at most Clicks and Dis-Chem stores. Also available at selected Pick ‘n Pays, Red Square, Edgars and online stores. COST is only R38.95 each!

Rayne XX 

 

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