Don’t you just love when a lemming is fulfilled without even trying?

Last month when I attended the Sephora opening here in Halifax, I was given a goodie bag of stuff from the Sephora rep Caroline.  I haven’t had a chance to play with too many of the products, sadly, but today I finally tried out the deluxe-sized sample of the Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick ($23 CDN for 0.03oz).  The shade I received is ‘Sydney,’ a neutral “pink taupe” color.  All of the shades are named after different cities, and I think the color is to reflect the overall attitude of the city – so in this case, I’d say this color is laid back cool, which is what I think of when I think of Australia
The product is described as a “three-in-one lip perfector” that “defines the shape of the lips like a liner, fills them in with creamy velvet color, and then plumps them to their full buxom potential.”  It does not contain parabens, sulfates, or phthalates (Of course you don’t want that on your lips – how do you even pronounce that?).  It DOES contain antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E, and the full-size comes with a built-in sharpener.

(The Lip Stick is on the left, the Lip Polish *mentioned below* is ‘April’)

The stick is about twice the size of a regular lip liner, and creamier.  It still feels a touch dry applying it to the lips, but not uncomfortable.  Those with drier lips would probably want to use a balm of some sort first though.  It goes one very easily due to it’s liner-like shape, and is of medium-opacity – though I can only speak for this shade, as other, darker/brighter colors might be more opaque.  After about 15 seconds, your lips feel slightly tingly, which I assume is the ‘plumping’ effect it claims to give.  If you’ve tried the Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish – which I love (smells soo good, and gives amazing, long-lasting shine) – its the same feeling.  Not at all unpleasant in my opinion, though I don’t need lip plumping at all.

While the product is indeed a great multi-tasker, my biggest excitement was to discover that THIS is the nude shade I’ve been looking for, for ages!!  There are varying degrees of ‘nude’ and depending on what you’re looking for, it can be a challenge.  I didn’t want the ‘brown-nude’ shade that’s very popular by the Lindsay Lohan’s and Kim Kardashian’s of the world.  I realized that mistake when I bought MAC’s ‘Freckletone,’ a “neutral peach” that I forced myself to wear down to the nub (hating every minute) because I thought it was a ‘true’ nude on me.  And I didn’t want to go so light that it looks like my lips blend with my skin.  What I really wanted, more than anything else, was this:
Or this:
…which I’ve been trying to recreate forever, but with no luck.  But now!!!!!  My wish has been fulfilled, and without even trying! (isn’t that always the way??)

I have been off the lip train for quite a while, wearing only balm or a very natural shade of gloss for most of the Summer (except when I was wearing NARS Wonder – hot hot hot!!!), but now I can see that this is all going to change.  Since I almost always ‘do’ my eyes, I rarely want my lips to compete.  But, I still want them to look fab!  Now, I finally can give them the love they deserve

~Sooo cheesy!~

But true.  Anyway, I think ‘Sydney’ would look good on anyone, it’s a beautiful neutral shade that isn’t too dark or too light.  It might not give you the look that I’m going for – a pale beige-y pink on my skintone – but it will still be very casual and forgiving.  There are 20 shades to choose from, with a great selection of colors.

I say “DO IT!”

Are you a fan of multi-tasking products?  Which ones are your faves?  And what is your go-to lip color??  

Thanks for reading!