I recently discovered Pure Tincture, a local establishment that specialises in natural/organic skincare and makeup. Among the brands they carry is Ilia Beauty whose products are made with up to 85% certified organic ingredients.
Of the brand’s lip products, I was particularly interested in their Lipstick Crayons, retractable chubby lip pencils. Named after that famous song, 99 Red Balloons caught my eye because it seemed like an easy red to wear. Described as ‘a real red with a touch of blue’, it leans a little warm on my skintone but it doesn’t veer severely to either end of the spectrum – I can see it being flattering on various Asian skintones.
Formulated with sesame, rose hip and papaya oils, these ingredients offer a soothing glide that is accompanied by substantial colour payoff. In contrast to some lip products whose emollients tend to compromise pigmentation, it builds up well. In addition, it doesn’t fade easily although it contains moisturising oils; I don’t need to touch up constantly. I love the plush texture of this fatty lippy too – despite being labelled a semi-matte product, it really has a satiny finish and is comfortably creamy on the lips.
This lip crayon is made in the USA and retails at S$37, just like the Nars Satin Lip Pencils. It doesn’t seem as shiny as the latter but it certainly trumps the Nars with its convenient retractable feature. I personally love sharpenable pencils but I do recognise the sheer functionality and waste-free nature of retractables.
I’m overwhelmed with lip products at the moment but I’ll be looking out for more shades from this range, for sure.
Love that red on you Mag. Retractables are definitely better, I hate sharpening my NARS pencils because I can see the amount of product being wasted.
Thanks, Jac! :)
I know exactly what you mean. As much as I love old-school sharpenable pencils, it is with some dread that I see product debris in my sharpeners (so hard to clean off too!).