Underrated Lip Liners

I don't hear anyone talk about the Kiko Automatic Precision Lip Liners. I have tried many lip pencils and I am always on a hunt to find something better and these are among my top lip liner formulas ever. Besides, the colour range is extremely vivid ranging from nudes to reds to pinks and to deeper tones. So far I have two shades 500 and 502 and believe me when I say, this is just the beginning!

Kiko Automatic Precision Lip Liners

Kiko is an affordable Italian makeup brand. I came across it for the fist time - surprise surprise - in Italy but you can also buy their products online. I have also tried their blushes, lipsticks, eye primer and nail polishes. Out of the entire selection these lip liners are surely the standout products for me. The 500 is a natural rose while the 502 is a deep pink. I use 502 more frequently just because it's closer to my natural lip colour. I get so many compliments when I wear this particular colour!

T-D: 500 Natural Rose and 502 Deep Pink

Let's talk about packaging. As the name implies they come in a retractable format, which I appreciate. On one end you have an actual pencil while on the other a silicone-tip applicator. I don't really use the applicator and honestly fail to understand its function. You can take the applicator out and there's a sharpener, which is quite handy. A similar concept with the NARS Velvet Lip Liners if you are familiar with those. I don't normally use the sharpener these products come with but in case you need to, there is that option. The formula is extremely pigmented and creamy. It doesn't tag or pull on your lips like for example MAC lip pencils tend to do. As such Kiko lip pencils do not emphasise the lines on your lips. The staying power is exceptional. It claims to be long-lasting and water-resistant which I completely agree with. These pencils do not budge. I think in my collection this is the longest-wearing lip liner formula hands down.

L-R: 500 Natural Rose and 502 Deep Pink

In my opinion when it comes to texture they are most comparable to the Rimmel Exaggerate Lip Liners, which I also adore. I have reviewed one, in Eastend Snob which happens to be my all-time favourite shade. If you want retractable lip liners that are cruelty-free and in the similar price range these are it. I can't really fault these products, maybe only for the fact that you can't go to the store and buy them as easily as Rimmel, Maybelline or L'Oreal. 

If you love lip pencils and haven't tried Kiko's Automatic Precision Lip Liners you have been missing out! Even if you are not into lip liners but want to give it a go, check these ones out. They are affordable, cruelty-free, long-wearing and have fantastic pigmentation as well as colour selection. You just can't go wrong! I will be surely picking up 501 Salmon Pink next time I am near a Kiko counter.

Let me know what's your go-to nude lip liner!

Cheers,

Muffy

Orange - Red Lips Yes Please!

I don't know about you but I have been loving orange-red lips. It is a good colour to rock if you want a statement lip with a retro vibe to it. Since I have warm undertones, I feel like red colours with a little bit of orange suit me best. Today I am sharing with you a set of three lipsticks that fall into that category and tell you my thoughts. 

Let's start with the least affordable from the bunch but the one that surely kicks a punch - Lancome L'Absolu Velours d´Orange #172. It is a creamy matte lip colour that applies fully opaque. It feels very comfortable on the lips and doesn't dry completely to a matte finish. Hence, it doesn't dry out your lips by no means. However if you prefer a matte look you can always dust a little bit of powder over it and it takes the sheen away. The lasting power is pretty good considering that it is a relatively creamy formula. It does stain your lips a little bit. I also like the applicator, it is shaped perfectly to fit the contours of your lips. The colour itself is a vidid orange-red and I like it a lot. Lancome falls under the L'Oreal umbrella which means that it's not necessarily cruelty free. You can purchase it at your closest Lancome counter or Feelunique.

The lipstick that has solidified my obsession with this colour is Rimmel's 660 In Love With Ginger. It is from their re-formulated Moisture Renew line. This colour is just perfection. It is one of my most worn bold lipsticks. It is a perfect mix of orange and red. It is not as bold as the Lancome's L'Absolu Velours but applies opaque in one coat. I can't fault the texture. It is creamy and feels good on the lips. It lasts a good few hours if you are not drinking or eating. If you are sensitive to scents it could be an issue with this one. All Rimmel lipsticks have a relatively strong artificial floral scent. Some people like it, some people hate it. I am not a fan but I can look past it since the colour is so gorgeous. Rimmel is an affordable brand but it's not cruelty free. Rimmel is readily available but I purchased mine from Feelunique. 

L-R: Kiko Cream Lipstick 508 Orange,  Rimmel In Love with Ginger,
Lancome L'Absolu Velours 172

L-R: Kiko Cream Lipstick 508 Orange, Rimmel In Love with Ginger,  
Lancome L'Absolu Velours 172

Last but not certainly least, is the Kiko's Luscious Cream Lipstick in 508 Orange. As the name suggests it has a creamy consistency which simply glides on the lips. It is more of a sheer formula compared to Rimmel but you can build it up. The colour is not as bright as the other two and it has more orange hues. In my opinion it is a wearable orange. You can decide how opaque you want the colour to be. It is the least long-wearing but the easiest to touch up. In terms of price it is extremely affordable. Kiko does not test on animals and this lipstick is hypoallergenic. I get Kiko products from their online shop.

To wrap up, it's a pretty good set of options. If you want to treat yourself and get a more higher end lipstick try Lancome's creamy matte lip colours. If you are looking for an all rounder Rimmel's In Love with Ginger fits right that bill. However, if you are not too familiar with orange-red lippies and looking for a cruelty free alternative, Kiko has a pretty good offering. 

Do you have any recommendations for lipsticks I should try that fall under the same colour scheme?

Until next time,
Muffy

Visit My Stash - Dusty Rose / Mauve Lippies

I am sure if you have been following the blogging world for some time you have heard about the dusty rose / mauve lipstick trend. Everyone is talking about it and you see tons of pictures on instagram and pinterest inspired by the hype. I have always gravitated towards darker nude colours (regardless of the conventions) and have accumulated quite a bit over the years. I thought why not give you a sneak peek into my dusty rose / mauve lipstick collection in case you were thinking of joining the ranks.

Let's start with traditional lipsticks in a bullet and move to the liquid lipsticks. Up fist is Mac Creme in Your Coffee lipstick, I have a separate review on Mac lipsticks here. It is a creamy formula, glides on nicely, but I would suggest using a lipliner for a more precise application. The colour is what I would call a classic mauve: it has hints of rose and brown. Kiko Smart Lipstick in 918 Classic Rose is very similar but has more pink undertones which are barely noticeable. It is a relatively sheer formula, so you would need to put a few layers to achieve the colour that you see in the bullet. The formula is creamy, non-drying and it has the same distinct scent of vanilla as the Mac lipsticks. The staying power is not too impressive but as it is a sheer formula it is easy to reapply on the go. Last but not least is the YSL Rouge Volupte Lipstick in 9 Caress Pink. This one is a beauty! I have nothing like it in my collection. In my eyes it still falls under the dusty rose, mauve colour scheme but it has more rosy, pinky or even berry undertones. It has no brown it in whatsoever. It is a unique colour for sure. The formula is extremely creamy, thus you need to use a lipliner with it.

L-R: Mac Creme in Your Coffee, Kiko Classic Rose, YSl Rouge Volupte Caress Pink

L-R: YSL Kiss & Blush Nude Insolent, Sephora Marvelous Mauve, Stila Patina, 
Lush Perspective

When it comes to the liquid lipsticks, let me present you the Oh-So-Famous Stila Stay All Day liquid Lipstick in Patina. It has been pretty impossible to get your hands on it since people went ballistic over it, myself included. It is a lovely dark mauve colour that leans more towards rose rather than brown. Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 13 Marvelous Mauve is almost an identical dupe. The only difference I could see, if I want to be super picky, is that Stila Patina is more muted and darker on the lips. Both last incredibly long but they can be drying as expected with any matte liquid lipsticks. If you are looking for an alternative that is vegan but is still in the same colour family I would suggest checking out Lush Liquid Lipstick in Perspective. It is not as opaque or long lasting as Sephora or Stila, but a good everyday choice. The last one is YSL Baby Doll Kiss & Blush in 10 Nude Insolent. This is a multitasker that can be used as a blush and as a lip stain. The colour has way more reddish brown in it compared to the rest. I haven't used it as a blush but as a lip stain it works pretty good. I think this colour would be especially flattering in the fall.

L-R: YSL Rouge Volupte Caress Pink, Kiko Classic Rose, Lush Perspective
Mac Creme in Your Coffee, Sephora Marvelous Mauve, Stila Patina,
YSL Kiss & Blush Nude Insolent

I know this can appear excessive but these are the colours that I wear the most. I like to have a few options here and there in terms of finishes and shades. If you are interested in giving the dusty rose/mauve trend a go, I would recommend Kiko Classic Rose as a starting point. It is cruelty free, reasonably priced and you can build up the colour to your liking. For you vegans out there, Lush Perspective is a winner. 

I hope you had fun exploring what is in my stash. Let me know if you would like me to make similar posts in the future. I am thinking purple lippies could be next, maybe? Let me know!

Cheers,
Muffy