Brand: theBalm
Range: Plump Your Pucker Tinted Gloss
Shades: Pink My Lemonade, Passion My Fruit
Swatched by yours truly: Yishan

• Plump Your Pucker Tinted Gloss is formulated with Maxi-Lip which works cumulatively over time to create lasting fullness, especially if worn consecutively for 30 days.  Also contains folic acid, menthol and Vitamin C to boost circulation and reduce the look of fine lines.
• Available in 11 shades – Pink My Lemonade is a natural pink with fine gold shimmers, Passion My Fruit is a rosewood with dense shimmers
• Sculpts lips with a moderate volume boost and smoothes lip lines, and has a slight cooling tingle from the menthol.
• theBalm products are free of parabens, sulphates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs, triclosan and preservatives.
• Verdict: I especially liked Pink My Lemonade, the perfect natural “my lips but better” tint that gives perks up my lips.  Passion My Fruit on the other hand was a lovely rosewood shade but the shimmers were too large & unrefined for my liking.   If you’re looking for a serious volume boost this gloss may not be enough, however I’m happy with how it sculpts my lips.

RRP: $19.95 AUD – available at David Jones, selected pharmacies and online at www.thebalm.com

These products were provided for consideration.

Brand: Benefit
Range: Ultra Plush Lip Gloss
Shade: Lollibop
Swatched by yours truly: Yishan

• Benefit’s new Ultra Plush Lip Glosses are exquisitely packaged and the texture is soft and luscious leaving lips baby smooth.
• Available in 6 new shades – Lollibop (hot pink), Icebreaker (clear), A-Lister (bubblegum pink), Kiss You (clear fuchsia), Poutragious (bright pink coral), Fauxmance (soft berry).
• Despite Lollibop being described as a hot pink, it turned out to be a barely-there pink on me with a milky finish – what I’d call an “innocent pink”.
• Verdict: Despite the pigment being an anti-climax, I love how smooth & moisturising it feels with zero stickiness.  The packaging reminds me of Paul & Joe except with a more retro feel, and I like that it stands securely on the lid making it a pretty desk accessory at the office or study.  Whilst the gloss is very smooth, it doesn’t actually smooth lip lines so it’s better for younger lips.

RRP: $23 AUD

This product was provided for consideration.

Brand: AYA Cosmetics
Range: Lipstick
Shade: In the Buff, Naturally Nude, Just Peachy, Particular Pink
Swatched by yours truly: Yishan

• AYA Cosmetics lipsticks are vegan, free of lead and provide rich, creamy colour without any toxic dyes or animal by-products.
• The lipstick packaging is also eco friendly – made from all-recyclable materials.
• Available in 4 shades – In the Buff, Naturally Nude, Just Peachy and Particular Pink.
• Applies creamy smooth & feels moisturising initially, but the ingredients absorb quickly settling into a satin finish.
• Ingredients: Cocoa Butter, Candelilla Wax, Castor Oil, Organic Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Sesame Oil, Avocado Butter, Macadamia Nut Oil, Vitamin E, Rosemary Oil, Grapefruit Seed Extract. May contain: Mica, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Manganese Violet.
• Verdict: I had to wear lip balm while swatching these, but this lipstick actually works best directly on lips without any lip balm.  It grips better, creating a more opaque finish that will appeal to those that like an ultra-nude lip.  Just Peachy was the most suitable shade against my pigmented lip tone, but for all other shades I recommend them only if you like that “ultra nude” opaque finish and if you have a pale lip tone & complexion.

I applied a sheer layer over lip balm to make it work for my pigmented lips. Coverage is buildable into a more opaque finish.

 RRP: $16.95 AUD available online at AYA Cosmetics

This product was provided for consideration.

Brand: Revlon
Range: Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain
Shades: Romantic, Smitten, Sweetheart, Cherish, Darling
Swatched by yours truly: Yishan

• Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain’s are a lightweight lipstain with a pigmented flush of colour that’s long lasting and exceptional staining power that lasts for hours and hours.
• No lip balm required beforehand – the smooth gel formula glides on smoothly & softens lips for a supple, conditioned and moistured finish that looks fuller.
• Comes in a retractable chubby crayon applicator – no sharpening required.
• Available in 10 shades – Honey, Darling, Cherish, Lovesick, Sweetheart, Smitten, Charm, Romantic, Precious and Adore.
• Light peppermint fragrance.
• Tip: Make sure your lips are well exfoliated beforehand, otherwise this balm will stain in uneven patches.
• Verdict: As a testament to how amazing the staying power is, I had to photograph the lip swatches over 2 days (well spaced apart) and in a strategic sequence starting with the lightest to the darkest shade to make sure the stains from the previous swatch doesn’t interfere with the next shade.  I’m also amazed by how pigmented & moisturising they are without the need for any lip balm.   If you decide to change your lip colour just as soon as you applied it, the best makeup remover for taking off this stain is Clinique Take the Day Make Up Remover for Lids, Lashes & Lips.

Swatched without any lip balm.
Click below to view enlarged image

Darling & Cherish are better suited to pale lip tones as it contrasts against pigmented lips. That said, I liked the sweet pink stain that Cherish left on my lips as opposed to the red/fuchsia stains from the other shades.

The pink shades may look deceptively similar on my arm, but as you can see they are strikingly different on lips.

RRP: $17.95 AUD

This product was provided for consideration.

Brand: Carmex
Range: Moisture Plus
Shade: Peach Sheer Tint
Swatched by yours truly: Yishan

• Further to my previous review of the Carmex Moisture Plus Ultra in “Clear”, today I have the “Peach Sheer Tint” for you.  It’s also available in a “Pink Sheer Tint”.
• Ultra hydrating with the nourishing properties of the hallmark ingredients of the Carmex Moisture Plus range -  Shea Butter, Vitamin E, Aloe and SPF15.
• Comes in a sleek, slant tipped slim stick that’s easy to pop in your bag & apply on the go.
• Not quite minty, but the menthol and camphor ingredients do give a cooling sensation.
• Leaves lips with a silky peach healthy sheen
• In Australia this is available in clear, sheer pink & sheer peach.
• Verdict: I have a habit of leaving 2 lip products in every handbag – a lip balm & a peachy lip gloss – so I’m never caught without my lip products when switching bags during the weekend.  Peach Sheer Tint is the perfect fusion of both products, giving my lips a dose of moisture & a healthy MLBB flush of colour which means I only need to carry just one product instead of two.  I know people have mixed experiences with Carmex and SPF, but it works well for me as a weekend lip balm that provides a quick dose of moisture on the go.

RRP: $8.99 AUD available at selected pharmacies

This product was sent for consideration.