Budget beauty brands are really bringing it with lip products to rival their much more expensive sisters. NYC, No7, KIKO and Barry M have released four innovative new pout perfectors that I think are worth checking out - and possibly adding to your stash. I’ve chosen cherry shades from each, though the formulas are all very different.
No 7 Matte Lip Crayon in ‘Raspberry Red’ £9 - a velvety formula that appears almost matte but feels very comfortable to wear, glides on smoothly and has good lasting power. The rather faint lip swatch (below) is more an illustration of how little this transfers rather than the pigmentation, which is quite intense, with strong depth of colour and complete coverage - as you can see from the swipe straight from the crayon (next to the lip swatch). I’ll be wearing this a lot this AW.
{Reminds me of: NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil}
NYC Expert Last Lip Lacquer in ‘Big City Berry’ £3.49 - Mind blown, seriously. If I was one of numerous high end brands, I’d be kicking myself for not coming up with formulas like NYC and Bourjois have done, to create exceptional liquid lipsticks which (I think) outperform at a fraction of the price. The NYC formula is not matte like my beloved Bourjois Rouge Velvet, but is similar in application, texture and intensity. The deeper shades fare better than the light ones in my opinion, but then I’m not really a pastel lip fan anyway. These will be on counter from mid September for £3.49 (yes really) - check out gorgeous swatches of all the shades here.
{Reminds me of: a glossier Hourglass Liquid Lipstick or Bourjois Rouge Velvet}
KIKO 3D Instant Volume - I’ve been wearing this more in the pink shade which I instagrammed here but do like this cherry red shade too. I’d describe the formula as semi-sheer but buildable… I don’t tend to like a thick layer of lipgloss, but you can make these look quite opaque if you wish. They make my lips tingle slightly (in a good way!) and look slightly fuller and smoother. It’s the smoothness that appeals to me the most - but regardless of that, I really like the formula and packaging and enjoy wearing these. I picked up another KIKO volumising lipgloss in Italy in the most beautiful bright orange and absolutely adore it - not sure of the exact difference but it’s quite minty.
{Reminds me of: nothing - in a league of its own!}
Barry M Loudmouth Extreme Lip Colour in ‘Tease’ £3.99 (on 3 for 2) - from the packaging and shade range, I expected these to be similar to OCC Lip Tars, but they’re quite a different animal. Although well pigmented, they’re more sheer and glossy, which in many ways makes them a lot more manageable. I think Lip Tars are a great product but am a bit nervous wearing them as they’re just so full on… these are a more user (and pocket) friendly version in my opinion. The little applicator can be used straight onto the lips, but they work best applied over lipliner with a brush. Try a thin layer, blot and reapply.
{Reminds me of: a more sheer, glossy OCC Lip Tar}
Sorry for not showing all of these on my lips (some times a gal can’t face the camera)… I’ve left you some kisses instead - mwah!
If I had to pick just one of these… I couldn’t - I’d have to pick two: the No 7 and the NYC. Which do you like the look of?
