Price of the Up and Away Bundle: $15.00

Individual Price: $6.00

Claims:

Packaging:

The liquid lipstick comes in a box which bears the ColourPop logo and the name of the product, with the name of the shade on the side. The product is packed in a clear tube with a silver cap, which bears the name of the brand in holographic silver print and the name of the shade on the bottom. The applicator is your average, easy-to-use, doe-foot applicator.

Wear:

Describing Love Bug as a rich mahogany colour is very accurate. Through the dark brown there is an undertone of red that makes the colour unique. Anyone who knows me knows that I tend to have an affinity for deeper and darker shades which resonate with my soul (half-kidding). Love Bug has intense pigmentation and one swipe does the trick. You might want to use a lip liner to be more precise around the edges. This is one colour I see flattering many different skin tones, particular for the Sri Lankan tan/ deep skin tones. 

The formula is a little thicker in comparison to the other ColourPop matte lips, but not as mousse-y as Calypso. Gliding with ease, this lipstick sets matte. It is lightweight despite the thicker formulation and is fairly transfer proof (unless in touch with water/ liquids). It is a little dusty (not visible) when it sets. Since the colour is dark, whenever it fades with time it becomes more noticeable. It lasts around 6 hours in general on my lips. Applied in the morning, it powered through a breakfast of toast. There were visible signs of fading particularly on the inner part of the lips after a lunch of spaghetti. I found that re-application is a little tricky with this one in comparison to their other matte lips. It tends to hug the fine lines and get chunky if you don't wipe some of the product away before re-application. 

Would I recommend it?:

Unless you are into deeper and darker shades, particularly the same rich mahogany, you'll be better off with another lipstick. As I'm writing this review, it is hard to recount why I like this shade the best out of the three in the bundle. I think it is simply because of the colour and the lasting power. Hence, I don't mind the cons of the lipstick, but I'm sure a few of those listed are bound to throw people off.

If you still want to try ColourPop Matte Lips, don't you worry, because there are some 50 other shades to choose from the Ultra Matte Lip range.

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ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip in Love Bug

ColourPop Up and Away Lip Bundle

Let me know what you think of the ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip in Love Bug. If you've tried it, feel free to leave a comment down below.

Thank you so much for reading,

Much Love,

I remember when I started doing makeup. Initially it was a little kajal on the eyes, and mascara. I lived in the good old days when people used to line their lips with a colour darker than the actual lip shade. Somehow I've always felt the need to tone it down, in case people think it's too much makeup. "She's caked her face", "Ew, you could see the face patches up close, no wonder she had to wear so much makeup", "She looks like mohini (a ghost?) in that red lipstick". You would think these are all made up, but these are some of the comments I've heard, or been said about me. Then you have the opposite side of the spectrum suggesting that makeup is used just to cover up flaws and that women don't need it. While it is related on a positive note, it doesn't convey the message of how amazing and transformational makeup is. 

I remember the anxiety I felt purchasing my first red lipstick. Such was my fear of being judged that I actually had been using red face paint as lipstick until I purchased my first red lipstick by Revlon. Never once did I wear it outside, until I started to realize how strong and confident it made me feel. It might seem shallow to some of you to feel empowered by a lipstick, but that was how I felt. While I realize that my anxiety was created mostly by me, the way society in general used to look down upon makeup clearly had an effect in driving my thinking. Back then, makeup artistry was a profession that wasn't placed so highly and needless to say the artists weren't paid appropriately for their craft. Not saying that people don't question the high prices of makeup artists and hair stylists nowadays, but at least there is some recognition of the craft. That too, is thanks to the impact of social media revolutionizing the way makeup is perceived. 

Just yesterday, someone very close and dear to my heart suggested a reality check, with something along the lines of "makeup won't fix anything in life, why not learn to cook instead". Needless to say this broke my heart. Once it is said and out there, it is difficult to brush it aside and go back to living life in what feels normal to me. It is difficult to imagine being a beauty blogger recognized for the craft here, winning accolades in society, but it doesn't necessarily mean it cannot happen. Besides, the constant support from people who share a passion for makeup, and the lovely comments from those of you, who have told me things like, "I've bought that lipstick because I saw it on your blog and I love it", are enough to sustain that drive to create a change. 

The reason for why I'm writing this post is to emphasize the phrase, 'live and let live'. So what if someone chooses to wear makeup or not to wear it at all? It is their choice, their happiness, their life. While it may not be out of malevolence when you say, "you don't need makeup", make sure the idea is received in the same way. It is almost therapeutic to nail that winged liner on both eyes or blend that eyeshadow seamlessly. For such a person, telling them that they don't need makeup, to me seems similar to telling an artist that he/ she doesn't need paint because he/she has a beautiful canvas. You see what I mean, right? 

Makeup is liberating, empowering and exciting!

Such is the power of social media, that many women here today are not afraid to wear red lipstick out in broad daylight or try a winged eyeliner look. The point is, let's keep it that way. Embrace people who wear or do not wear makeup, because it is a personal choice. Embrace them because they are fellow humans finding out their own passions and forms of enjoyment in life. Be someone who empowers others to do what they love and shields them from any negativity instead of constantly looking to find ways to tear them down. We could all do with a little love and peace. Trust me, there are other things to worry about in life than someone who is wearing 'too much' highlighter. 

End rant. 

Thank you to everyone who has offered words of encouragement for nearly 2 and a half years now. Has it really been that long? Please be kind to other souls today and show your support to those who are striving to be themselves despite whatever difficulties they may be going through.

Love always,

Continuing the reviews of the Up and Away Bundle, this review will be on the Ultra Matte Lip in Mama, beautiful burnt orange shade.

Price of the Up and Away Lip Bundle: $15.00

Individual Price: $6.00

Claims:

This thin, lightweight formula smoothly glides on the lips leaving SUPER intense pigment with a bold, ultra-matte look. It is very long-wearing and 100% kiss-proof AKA no transferring!

The boldest formula of our liquid lipsticks - in one smooth swipe, you’ll get intense color payoff that dries down to a super matte, transfer-proof finish.

Mama is described as a burnt orange.

Packaging:

The liquid lipstick comes in a box which bears the ColourPop logo and the name of the product, with the name of the shade on the side. The product is packed in a clear tube with a silver cap, which bears the name of the brand in holographic silver print and the name of the shade on the bottom. The applicator is your average, easy-to-use, doe-foot applicator.

Wear:


Mama is indeed a burnt orange shade that is completely wearable as opposed to most neon, bright oranges that I almost never reach out for. The shade is so unique and compliments tan/ medium skin beautifully. I imagine this complimenting so many skin tones and being the perfect summer lip shade. The formula is pretty much the same as other ultra matte lips, liquid but not as runny as Bumble. It glides with such ease. It truly does have that one-swipe pigmentation, possibly the best colour payoff of the ultra matte lips by ColourPop I've tried. It sets matte and appears very smooth as opposed to highlighting the fine lines on my lips. It is transfer proof, until it is coupled with drinks (it left marks on glasses of water).

Mama is long-wearing as claimed, lasting 7+ hours in general on my lips. I wore it in the morning and it survived both a breakfast of egg and salmon sandwiches and a lunch of  rice and curry without needing any significant touch-ups ( I filled in the center of my lips after lunch). Needless to say that re-application was not an issue.

Would I recommend it?:

Yes, 100%. I'm so impressed with the unique colour and formula on this one. This is a must-have orange shade especially for this time around. If you would like to try out another colour, there's a wide colour range, some 51 colours to pick from.

P.S. If you would like to explore more orange shades for Summer, I've got an article coming up on YOUth magazine so make sure to pick it up with the Sunday Island.

Ever since ColourPop extended their shipping to international customers, I've been busy emptying my wallet on their products which are of amazing quality but offered at a very low cost. Since I kinda, sorta, have a thing for lipsticks, I picked up the Up and Away Lip Bundle from their Fall 2016 collection. I've decided to do three separate reviews on each of the lipsticks and they will be posted successively this week. So this review is on the only satin lipstick in the bundle, Calypso.





Price of the Up and Away Bundle: $15.00

Individual Price: $6.00

Claims:

Packaging:

The liquid lipstick comes in a box which bears the ColourPop logo and the name of the product, with the name of the shade on the side. The product is packed in a clear tube with a silver cap, which bears the name of the brand in holographic silver print (which fades with time as seen in the pictures) and the name of the shade on the bottom. The applicator is your average, easy-to-use, doe-foot applicator.

Wear:

The colour is exactly as described. It is a mid-tone pink that flatters my tan skin tone, which I find to be rather straining to find in the market. Whether it is for a natural, everyday look or for in combination with a rock-and-roll smoky eye look, this pink is perfect lip colour. The pigmentation is really good for a lighter satin lip colour, although I find it needs two swipes for the best colour payoff. The formula is comparatively thicker than the ultra-matte lips, being more mousse-y. Like chocolate mousse...you know what I mean. It dries to a satin finish and sits quite comfortably on the lips. 

 The flipside is that it does transfer but they have claimed that on the website which I find to be incredibly honest of them. In general it lasts around 4-5 hours on me without a need to touch-up. I wore this in the morning and it wore off fairly after a breakfast of mac and cheese. It did not stay on at all after a hearty lunch of authentic Sri Lankan rice and curry. In that case however, blame the foodie in me rather than the lippie. It fades away in a manner which allows easy re-application without having to take off the lipstick entirely which is a huge plus point for me.

Would I recommend it?:

Yes for $6, you get a beautiful pink that flatters medium/ tan skin, without it appearing too pale or whitish. For those of you who are not on board with the matte lip trend but want to try other liquid lipsticks, this one will definitely suit you. Besides even if Calypso is not your favourite shade, there are 39 other shades to pick from.

Let me know what you think of the ColourPop Ultra Satin Lip in Calypso. If you've tried it, feel free to leave a comment down below.

Thank you so much for reading,

Much Love,