Favorite Matte Lip Products (part 1)

I'm counting this as part one because let's be honest, you know my collection is going to grow a lot more. These are my top favorite matte lip color formulas from liquid lipsticks and lip crayons. So grab a coffee or and a snack. this is going to be a pretty lengthy post about me raving about these lip products.

Bare Minerals Matte Liquid Lip Color: 
If I had to pick a favorite liquid lipstick, it would definitely be these. There is no fuss with these and are perfect for everyday. The only one bad thing to say about these is that they do transfer a little but on a plus side, they transfer gracefully and don't leave a lip liner mouth. However, these are incredibly comfortable and light weight but no dryness. Their whole range of colors are also in the nude family and there's a shade to work with every skin tone. I honestly can't stop wearing them and everyone should try at least one. The names aren't my favorite, but I have it in the shades "swank", "xyz' "bo$$" and "swag". Also, these smell like chocolate pudding and it's intoxicating. These will always be a favorite in my collection.

From left to right: Swag, Bo$$, xyz, Swank

Ofra Liquid Lipstick in Mocha: 
You guys, this is the dupe to Lolita from Kat Von D. I feel like at this point there's a lot of dupes out there but this is extremely similar and a lot more comfortable. The formulation is a little bit thicker on the lips. It dries down matte, doesn't transfer, and the best part is that it doesn't dry out my lips like Lolita does. Unfortunately I only own one color but now I'm hooked on the formula and I'm curious to try out more. On a major plus side, Ulta now carries Ofra so lots of yays! Also there's a more in depth review of this from my May Favorites 2016 if you want to keep reading more about it.

Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick:
I adore these. Definitely similar to the Ofra formulation expect a lot lighter on the lips, no transfer, and fades gracefully just like the Bare Minerals one. I find that the more neutral shades apply much better then the darker shades. As much as I love the red shades, I do find that these apply patchy and unevenly so that would be my only down side to these. I have these in the shades, "committed" "trustworthy" "charming" (all nude-ish shades), "loyal" and "adoring".  Finally, these smell spot on like Girl Scott Thin Mint cookies. Clearly smell is very important to me.

From left to right: Committed, Charming, Trustworthy, Loyal, Adoring

Sephora Lip Cream Stain:
I first fell in love with these when there wasn't too many matte liquid lipsticks out on the market yet, but it was pretty affordable compared to Kat Von D and a lot more comfortable. I had the shade 01 Always Red and it is essentially the perfect, classic matte red. It gives you perfect, velvet soft red lips and it's almost kind of mesmerizing. These are comfortable and transfer proof but I do find drying and flakiness maybe around 7 hours in. I think I find this more with the darker shades as well. I have two of the nude shades in 23 Copper Blush and 41 Vintage Rosewood. They also have bright fun colors in the line to experiment with (personally I'm eyeing down the lavender shades).

From left to right : 23 Copper Blush, 41 Vintage Rosewood,  01 Always Red

Smashbox Always On Matte Liquid Lipstick: 
I got this in a Sephora Play Box a while back and it has been my favorite items I got from these subscription boxes. I have it in the shade "Driver's Seat" and I love how it's a coral but very subtle and wearable. Besides the colors, it's the formula that I'm blown away about. I had a pasta dish with oil in it one day for lunch and even though it was starting to get a bit drying on lips, it didn't flake off the and color was still on there after eating. I'm hooked on these and I'm really curious to try out more including the metallic line.

LIP CRAYONS
Of course most of these lip crayons are not transfer proof, but they all provide excellent comfort and fade away gracefully.

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil:
A little pricey but this is by far one of the most comfortable lip pencils I own. I did receive this as a Sephora birthday gift I believe 2 years ago? I have it in the shade "Cruella" The formula is creamy, matte and has no tugging. This also pairs beautifully as a base before adding the Sephora lip cream stain "01 Always Red" on top. They also make certain shades in this deluxe size as a duo if you're curious but don't want to commit to the whole $27 for one lip pencil. I've also featured this in my Favorite Red Lipsticks if you want to check that cool stuff out.

Inglot Lip Pencil:
I feel like this brand definitely could use more recognition but I haven't heard these about these much throughout the beauty community. These are a bit easier on the budget and are retractable. I have them in the shades 32 and 22.

Right to left: 22, 32

NUDESTIX Lip and Cheek Pencil in Belle:
This was another perk I got from the Sephora Play Box and this is very similar to how creamy the NARS lip pencils are except I like these just a bit more because you can also use these for your cheeks. This blends and applies beautifully on the cheeks and lips, Very easy to work with for everyday, plus I love products that can be used as mutlitaskers. Swatches of this can be seen in my January/ February Favorites post since it's currently hiding in my room somewhere *sad eyes*. 

e.l.f Matte Lip Color: 
Finally, for something a little bit easier on the wallet but still looking for an easy matte lip, these $3 ones from e.l.f are fantastic. I would suggest using a liner for the darker shades since they aren't the best at cleanly lining the lips. These do have a built in sharpener in the bottom which can help it to a fine tip. These are a little bit more thicker and aren't as creamy as the nars and nudestix, but for $3 it's still providing comfort and that matte look. My favorite, probably top favorite in lip colors of all time is Praline. I can't get enough of that shade especially for the Autumn months.

From right to left: Tea Rose,  Praline, Scarlet Night

HONORABLE MENTION:

Jouer Long- Wear Lip Creame in Paypaye:
I know this product is leading more towards "matte but metallic" products, but I have to mention this because it was a product that I didn't think I was going to be obsessed with. I picked this up at IMATS 2 years ago and it has been one of my most used products. I love to pop this in the middle of my lips on any matte lip and almost ombre it out. It gives it a "fuller lip" effect and I'm blown away at how much I love using this to give an extra bright shimmer.

It also smells spot on vanilla frosting *eyeballs roll to the back of the head*

So you think that was  big enough list? As I mentioned in the beginning of the post I'm sure there will be a part two coming up in the near future but for now I figure I throw out those few favorites. What matte lip colors do you really enjoy using or provide the best comfort? Any suggestions?

♥

May Favorites (and I finally finished a book)

So May has been a very hectic month for me in my personal and work life. I really missed having a blog post together every week so here I am, back and ready to share some of my favorites that have been helping me get through this month. Because spoiler alert, a great lip product will help with anyone's day.

Smith's Strawberry Lip Balm: I really didn't need to buy another lip balm when I already have so many, but the temptation was there by the registers at Sephora and I know a lot of people love them so I got the strawberry flavor because of summery reasons. I think I like this so much because it's a thin formula but provides the moisture of a thick lip balm which I think is perfect for the summer months especially with the minimal makeup.

Sephora 8hr Mattifying Moisturizer Sunscreen: 

Perfect moisturizer for the summer, Normally my cult favorite moisturizer is the Clean and Clear Morning Burst hydrating gel moisturizer. I like the 

Sephora one a little bit more because it adds the spf 20 and with the

 sunshine out everyday, it's incredibly important to use spf daily. Plus, it's a matte moisturizer which I also like using to control the oily forehead during the summer months.

Sephora X Formula Sheer Strength in Tenacious:  So confession time, I'm a nail biter. I guess it's anxiety but I've had this problem since I was a kid. So, I'm trying to focus of getting out of that habit. What I like about this nail polish in particular, is that makes your nails look polished and neat without having the application be perfect since the color is sheer. The great thing about this, is that it strengthens the nails and it can be also use as a base coat or just on it's own. It a nice soft, polished look especially for the spring or it you have to be somewhere quick and don't want to deal with the hassle of "actually polishing" your nails (left hand always comes out great, right hand always looking like a hot mess am I right?)

Ofra Liquid Lipstick in Mocha: I can understand why so many people like this liquid lipstick. This color is very similar to Lolita from Kat Von D however I like this a little bit more because I find it more moisturizing and doesn't show the cracks in my lips as much as Lolita. I could get about 6-7 hours from this color until it starts to feel a bit uncomfortable. This has been my lip color for the interviews I've been going to this month and I think it's sophisticated but not too bold. Overall, I'm really impressed with the formula and I really want to snag up some more colors during there sales. If you're interested in trying them, keep your eyes peeled on Hautelook as they occasionally pop up on there as well (and don''t forget about Ebates! All about that "cash back" life)

Benefit Hide and Sheen 01: This is a perfect little compact for travel. I found this at Sephora (once again the small goodies by the registers) and I figured I give this a shot. It comes with .04oz of the Boi-ing concealer and .04 oz of the the Watt's Up cream highlighter. I've enjoyed using this so much. This thin formula concealer is fantastic in concealing and brightening up the under eye area. The cream highlighter adds a great glow to the skin without it being glitterly.  Put the 2 products together in one compact and you have the next best thing to coffee to make yourself look like you're ready to conquer adult activities (Fool everyone. That's the motto).

Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturizer in Cocoa Radiant: I love these sprays so much! I haven't tried other brands yet but this is so fantastically quick in moisturizing the body without it feeling greasy and throwing on your clothes. I don't have the body to move exactly the way the lady throws on her clothes in that commercial but I still do the skinny jean dance so that counts as talent right?

Random Favorites:


Book: Me Before You. I wish I didn't like sappy romantic books that are being turned into movies but this book was memorable. I truly enjoyed how this book takes the perspective of 2 different people and how they discover more about themselves when they are with each other over time. Louisa, a cheerful soul becomes a caregiver to Will, a quadriplegic who has lost his interest to enjoy and have happiness in his life.

I think this book is so captivating too because it takes a concept that is still present in reality. Is it worth living if you can't be able to enjoy it? Whereas if you have the opportunity to live life to the fullest, why aren't you? It's almost as though they bring out the best potential out of each other. Such a great book with me tearing up at times and I'm so excited to see the characters come to life in the movie this Friday.


Music: The Revivalists . In particular the song "Wish I Knew You". But honestly, the whole album "Men Amongst Mountains" is perfection. I feel like it's perfect laid back music but it still carries a beat and every song seems to have a great use of horns (sounds weird but it works).

Food Related: I've been on a huge caramel coffee kick. Also how do you pronounce it? Car-mel? Car-a-mel? It doesn't even matter too much how you pronounce it, all I know is that I found my love for caramel again.

Candle: Got this candle from Target when they were doing a sale and even though it's going into summer, I still feel like for cooler mornings or nights I still like having a candle. This one just smells clean and summery and I think I paid $7 for it which isn't bad considering the size. I'm definitely going to re-purpose this glass jar after the candle is all used up, But so far I really enjoy the Target candles and they have just as much variety as Bath and Body Works without having to spend the $22 on one.

So how was May for you? Was it just as hectic or was that just me? Any new favorite summer essentials? Comment down below and send some love♥