REVIEW | Fenty Beauty By Rihanna

I'm pretty sure that I'm the last person on planet earth to be doing this review, but it's with good reason! It's been well over a month (almost two) since Rihanna slayed the makeup game - and our existence -  by dropping her new makeup line, Fenty Beauty, and it's taken me this long to finally get this post up because: a. work has been absolutely nuts and b. I ended up making a second, follow-up order for a lighter foundation and two previously out-of-stock items to give you guys a better review. So le'go!

Fenty Beauty officially launched on September 8th, and I was pleasantly surprised to see that their products also dropped on the same day on Sephora Hong Kong's website! I'm not usually one to buy into all the hype with celebrity makeup (I have never purchased a single Kylie Cosmetics or KKW product) but this is RiRi, and I just couldn't help myself. Her initial launch (her second launch - the galaxy holiday collection - already dropped two weeks ago and I can barely keep up) was complexion-focused and offered products to create the perfect base, so that's exactly what I got - the foundation, the concealer, contour and highlight match sticks, and in my second order, another foundation in a lighter shade, one of the duo highlighters, and the lip gloss. I think we can all agree that Rihanna's makeup is always on freakin' point, so if using her makeup products means I can look half as good as her, I'm sold. Just take my money.

Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation

$280 HKD at Sephora HK | $34 USD at Sephora

40 shades | 32 ml

First things first - Rihanna launched a whopping 40 shades of foundation during her initial launch (say whaaat), catering to a huge, inclusive range of skin tones and undertones. Bravo! But, I must say, picking my shade online was an absolute pain in my behind - the swatches provided on models of different skin tones (shown below) did help a bit, since the names of the shades are all very similar. After watching what felt like hundreds of youtube videos and checking to see what shades other people purchased, I narrowed my choices down to either 230 or 260, both described as 'medium shades with neutral undertones'. Considering the fact that everyone was saying this foundation oxidises a shade darker, I finally made the painstaking decision to get 230. Aaaaand, you guessed it - it was still. way. too. dark. Heartbreaking, I know. I also got a deluxe sample in the shade 210 with my first order which, disappointingly, was also too dark. This is why I made a second order and chose shade 140 - after another stressful deliberation - described as 'light warm', and it turned out to be significantly lighter (a bit too light, actually) than shade 230. So now, I just use a mix of 140 and 230 to get my perfect shade and it works like a charm.

Image from Sephora Hong Kong

The foundation is packaged in a beautiful frosted glass bottle and comes with a pump (thank youuu), and is described to be "a soft matte, long-wear foundation with buildable, medium-to-full coverage, in a boundary-breaking range of shades". I've had this on almost every single day for the past month or so, and I've decided (drumroll please) that I have a love-hate relationship with this thing. It has a nice, liquidy consistency that blends nicely but dries down quickly in comparison to other bases. It does offer a solid medium coverage upon first application and is indeed mattifying, leaving just a slight sheen on the cheeks. Although this foundation is wonderfully catered to a diverse range of skin tones, I don't think it will complement all skin types - if you are dry, normal or even combination, more likely than not you'll find this drying and that it clings to dry patches, so you must prep the skin incredibly well to be able to wear this comfortably throughout the day.

Even after setting my T-zone with powder, my nose and forehead gets very shiny after just three hours to the point where I can't not blot. On my oily-combination skin, I looked dry in certain areas (mostly around the chin) and found it also emphasized some texture around my nose and on my cheeks - if you looked close enough. I will say, my skin looks absolutely flawless from far away and also phenomenal in pictures, but the closer you get, the more flaws you can detect.

However, this foundation is truly long-lasting, and is still pretty much intact at the end of the night before I wash my face. Even on days when I am sweating profusely, beads of sweat will just seep through and sit on top of the skin while the foundation manages to stay put, undisturbed. So as you can see, there are different aspects that I love and hate with this foundation and it'll probably take me a while to decide which side I'm leaning towards.

140 | 210 | 230

The shade 230 comes out yellow-toned straight out of the bottle, but then oxidizes - well, more accurately 'dries down' - after a few minutes to a much darker, peachy shade. Oh, the horror! I was honestly quite upset as soon as I saw the shade discrepancy as I thought I had already picked a light enough shade and accounted for the oxidisation. Shade 210 also dried down darker and shade 140, although at least two shades too light, turned out to be the closet match to me out of the three. FYI, 210 is the exact same shade as my Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Powerless Foundation in 128 Warm Nude straight out of the tube, and dries down to be half a shade darker.

Match Stix Trio

$450HKD at Sephora HK | $54USD at Sephora

4 different sets

So I was probably a little more excited about these match sticks then I was about the foundation solely based on the packaging - 'cos look at them! Pink, magnetic hexagon tubes that stick together and form a honeycomb design - super cute, and super easy to store and travel with. The Match Stix are sold individually as well as in trios with pre-chosen shades to conceal, contour and highlight, and I decided to go with the trio in Light, which came with the shades Linen, Amber and Starstruck. These sticks are of a creamy yet stiffer consistency - it requires a bit more pressure upon application - but nonetheless they still blend seamlessly into the skin (for the most part), and its cream to powder formula seems to work in sync with the foundation.

Linen | Amber | Starstruck

Linen | "fair to light cool pinky undertones"
As a concealer for under my eyes, this is a no-go - the consistency, colour, and coverage all don't work well under the eyes. However, using this to highlight my forehead, down the nose, as well as underneath my contour has been working wonderfully.

Amber | "contour shade with cool undertones"
My favourite shade of the three, hands down. It is the perfect contour shade for my complexion, with the perfect balance of grey and warm tones, creating the perfect shadow in the hollows of my cheek. Obsessed. And I actually prefer the drier consistency with this stick because it doesn't feel like my contour will slip off as the day goes on. A month on and this has been my go-to contouring product.

Starstruck | "iced-out pearl"
This has the driest consistency of the trio and applying it directly from the tube onto my skin actually disturbs my foundation underneath, so the best way to apply this is warming it up on my finger then tapping it on my face, or applying it using a small, tapered highlighting brush. This is an icy pink shade that looks quite soft and pretty on the skin, and while I usually prefer more gold and champagne highlighters, this one works well when I want a subtle, "feminine" glow.

 Linen | Amber | Starstruck

Lastly, I noticed that inside each of the match stick caps is a thin, foamy insert that 'cushions' the product and prevents it from getting all mushed up and destroyed if twisted up too high when capped off. That's just a tiny design aspect that shows incredible attention to detail and I had to point it out! Sometimes, it's the smallest things that make the biggest difference.

Killawatt Freestyle Highlighter Duo

$280HKD at Sephora HK | $34USD at Sephora
4 shades

I didn't get to buy this highlighter in my first order, and could not stop thinking about how much I wanted it in my collection. This particular duo in Mean Money/Hu$tla Baby called out to me (although I was also contemplating over the duo in Lightning Dust/Fire Crystal) and the pearly, golden shades are right up my street. The formula is described to be a weightless cream to powder, and application is so easy and effortless with either just fingers or a brush. Mean Money is the lighter, more subtle shade of the two (perhaps too subtle for some, but a great highlighter for work days), whereas Hu$tla Baby really packs a punch and instantly lights up the face (aka the go-to shade for a blinding highlight on girls' night out or weekend adventures).

Hu$tla Baby | Mean Money

My apologies for the poor swatches, but it was a struggle to capture the radiance of the two shades, especially when they are quite similar to my skin tone.  Hu$tla Baby turns out to be a close dupe to Becca's Champagne Pop - a long-time favourite of mine - with Champagne Pop being just a slight bit darker and more pigmented.

Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer

$180 HKD at Sephora HK | $24USD at Sephora

1 universal shade

I can count the number of times I've worn lip gloss this past year on one hand, but this just looked way too pretty to resist. Plus, almost every review and video I came across gave this absolutely glowing reviews, and it keeps on selling out online! Fenty Glow is a universal rose nude shade with "explosive shine" that is supposed to look (and feel) amazing on everyone, and has an "addictive peach vanilla scent" that truly smells quite delish. My lips are quite pigmented on their own, so while this doesn't add too much colour, it does provide a beautiful, moisturizing sheen to my lips, making them look fuller, plumper and more kissable (although I do advise against this while having this on) and it doesn't have the dreaded sticky texture that most glosses have. Staying power isn't great, but I don't mind reapplying since both the scent and the look it gives my lips are so yummy.

Well, I think this has to be one of the longest reviews I've ever posted on this blog - huge props if you're still here! So let's try to end this massive review with a short yet sweet conclusion - I'm really pleased with my first venture into Fenty Beauty, and mark my words, this definitely won't be my last. My standouts from this haul would have to be everything except the foundation (in which I will continue to perform intensive testing). It'll be exciting to see whether Rihanna comes out with another foundation formula that is more moisturising and catered to drier skin types, cos I'll be all over that. It's so lovely to see Fenty Beauty make a statement on inclusivity and diversity through their makeup, and I cannot wait to see what other products Rihanna comes out with next. Keep slayin', RiRi!

HAUL x REVIEW | NYX Cosmetics Lip Liners

The perfect way to cap off a full morning of exploring Tallinn's Old Town was to venture into the nearest shopping center, Viru Keskus, located right across the gates of Old Town. I came back out with a backpack full of snacks and a handful of lip goodness from NYX Cosmetics.

Just like my Inglot haul, I took these pictures the second I got back to my hotel room so that I could finally try them on. I've always had a thing for NYX lip liners - they are very affordable yet high-quality - and the range of colors that NYX offers is huge. The Slim Lip Pencil range by itself has 50 shades, not to mention another 36 shades in their Suede Matte Lip Liner range, and dozens more in other styles and finishes. I firmly believe that lip liners are one of those products you don't need to splurge on (you still can if you want to) and I often just wear lip liner on its own instead of lipstick. After swatching every single shade the store had to offer - my arm was literally stained up to my elbow for the rest of the day - I narrowed it down to these final five (and yes, I do love my neutrals and mauves).

Slide On, Glide On, Stay On & Definitely A Turn On Waterproof, Extreme Color Lip Liners in Sugar Glass | "true nude with yellow undertone"
This is a pretty browny nude that really suits my complexion and complements any makeup look. It looks better when applied on dry lips as opposed to on top of lip balm, as the slip can take away the pigment. The closest match to anything in my collection is my No7 Precision Lip Liner in Nude, which is a tad peachier and deeper.

Slide On, Glide On, Stay On & Definitely A Turn On Waterproof, Extreme Color Lip Liners in Nude Suede Shoes | "nude with pink undertone"
This shade is the most similar to my natural lip color, and makes my lips looks more perfected and pouty. It's a close dupe to my Charlotte Tilbury Lip Cheat in Pillow Talk, which is just a bit darker. I'm also very pleased with this formula - this and Sugar Glass definitely have the longest staying power and the smoothest application.

Suede Matte Lip Liner in Soft-Spoken | "ash rose"
This also has a super soft and velvety consistency, but doesn't last as long on the lips as the Slide On formula. The shade is just up my street - a smidgen darker than one of my all time faves, MAC Lip Pencil in Whirl, and pretty much identical in shade to my Sephora Collection Color Lip Last in Brown Is Back.

Slim Lip Pencil in Mauve | "mauve"
This is a beautiful purple mauve that is perfect for when I want a vampy look that isn't too intense. The formula is a bit more drying but still comfortable to wear. The color is identical to my Make Up For Ever Aqua Rouge Waterproof Liquid Lip Colour in 3 Light Rosewood.

Slim Lip Pencil in Ever | "warm mauve-brown"
This is the warmest, reddest shade of the bunch, and because it is so similar to my MAC Lip Pencil in Soar, I gave it away to my mom who looks gorgeous in it. This helps brighten your face and makes you look more put together.

Sugar Glass | Nude Suede Shoes | Soft-Spoken | Mauve | Ever

If you don't own any of the NYX lip liners, I suggest you go to their nearest store, have an epic swatch fest and haul a bunch for yourself - with so many shades and finishes, you are bound to find a few (or more) that you'll love!

REVIEW | Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Color x Rouge Coco Stylo Complete Care Lipshine

Even though I don't like wearing lipstick on a daily basis, I still catch myself at times staring at the two Chanel lippies in my collection in adoration - the Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Color and Rouge Coco Stylo Complete Care Lipshine. Just holding a Chanel lipstick in my hand makes me feel a hundred times classier, and I just want to apply them on my lips all the time!

Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Color

$37USD at Chanel, Nordstrom

0.12 oz | 33 shades

Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo Complete Care Lipshine

$37USD at Chanel, Nordstrom

0.07 oz | 9 shades

440 Arthur | 212 Recit

Chanel Rouge Coco Ultra Hydrating Lip Color in 440 Arthur |
This is a limited edition, mini-sized lipstick that I received after attending the Chanel pop-up event last year, and it's in the shade 440 Arthur, a medium red-orange shade with a luminous finish. (Fun fact - this is the exact color that Keira Knightley wore in the Rouge Coco ads, but unlike me, she looks effortlessly chic and put together.) It has great pigment and a smooth, buttery consistency that felt very comfortable on the lips. It pulls more coral than red on my pale skin, which I don't think is the most flattering, but I think this pop of color would look beautiful with a tan. Currently, I wear this shade lightly stained on the lips - a perfect popsicle-stained pout - and it manages to subtly brighten my face and complexion. The luminosity and shine disappears after about an hour - this stuff does transfer - but the color stays put for about four hours, even after eating.

Chanel Rouge Coco Stylo Complete Care Lipshine in 212 Recit |
My sister picked this out for my birthday, and for someone who isn't all that into makeup, I think she made a brilliant choice with this gorgeous berry shade. These lipshines claim to have "the intensity of a lipstick, the shine of a lipgloss and the comfort of a lip balm" with a hydrating formula that includes apple seed extract, jojoba oil and coconut oil. It's in a twist-up style (but beware - you can't twist back down so don't be too ambitious!) and this color in 212 Recit is a beautiful berry plum shade with a pearlescent finish, and has teeny tiny gold flecks of shimmer in the tube that (thankfully) doesn't translate on the lips. It is considerably more lustrous and glossy - like a lipgloss - than the lip color in Arthur, but not as opaque upon first swipe. It's buildable from a light mauvey berry shade to a deep plum color. This truly felt comfortable and hydrating like a lip balm, with a very emollient and buttery formula. I also enjoy wearing this lightly dabbed on for an everyday look, as opposed to smeared on at full opacity. This has around the same lasting power - around four hours - but the glossy effect stays put for almost as long. Just like Arthur, Recit does transfer as well, but when it wears off, it leaves behind a beautiful mauve, MLBB stain.

440 Arthur | 212 Recit

So far, I'm impressed with the performance of these two Chanel lip products (but perhaps not as much by the price), so holler in the comments if you have any favorites or holy grails from the brand, as I'd love to check them out in the future!

WEEKEND EDITION | What's In My Bag x Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket Bag

What better way to do my first ever What's In My Bag post than to feature my Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket Bag that I got for my birthday last November. I still can't get over that gorgeous brandy color! The contents of my bag aren't all that interesting, but admit it - everyone's a teensy bit nosy, including myself! So here's my invitation for you guys to snoop around and check out what I've been carrying around with me on the weekends!

My Céline Large Flap Multifunction Wallet in Black/Yellow has been by my side for almost three years now, and I'm still loving everything about it - the leather, the functionality, the minimalistic black exterior with the pop of neon yellow on the interior. Céline is definitely one of my luxury faves! I can never leave the house without my Ipad Mini 'cos I have too many games on there that I can't possibly leave unattended (anyone else obsessed with SimCity BuildIt?). I always have a tin of Wrigley's Eclipse Sugarfree Lychee Flavored Mints for minty, fresh breath and a small water bottle 'cos hydration is important, folks! In terms of makeup and beauty essentials, I try my very best to pack light on the weekends and fit everything I need inside this Fresh Beauty Cloth Pouch.

The best lip balm ever, hands down, is the Mentholatum Deep Moist Menthol Lip Balm - I've used this stuff since high school, and my repurchases have probably now gone into the hundreds. The Winky Lux Flower Balm is a new favorite, as it's not only pretty on the lips but also beautiful to look at, and I also bring along a tiny Chanetecaille Mini Brilliant Gloss in Charm just for good measure. I got this dainty Hand Mirror whilst on a trip to Taiwan - it even comes with its own pouch - and I always feel uber fancy every time I use it. As a contact lens wearer, these Rohto C3 Cool Contact Lens Eye Drops are an absolute life-saver when my eyes are feeling dry or itchy, not to mention I'm slightly addicted to the ice-cold, cooling sensation. I always bring a tiny perfume with me at all times, and the Jo Malone Blackberry & Bay Cologne is a current favorite - the scent is a lovely mix of fruity and woody notes. I'm a bit of a germaphobe and this Aesop Resurrection Rinse-Free Hand Wash helps clean my hands without drying them out, and has the same delightfully soothing aroma of their Resurrection Hand Balm. Last but not least, as an oily-skinned gal, Clean & Clear's Oil Control Film is a must-have for keeping my oils at bay and my face presentable.

This is everything fit snugly inside my bag, and as you can see, there's still plenty of room to fit my iPhone 6 Plus, keys, a portable phone battery charger if needed, and of course, snacks!

I am in a serious, committed relationship with my new Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket Bag, and this Brandy/Raw combination was a brilliant choice - trust me, the color is even more glorious in person. I adore all three of my Mansur Gavriel bags - including my Bucket Bag in Black/Ballerina and Lady Bag in Cammello/Antico - but this one is currently my go-to weekend bag of choice over those roomier options. It's lightweight, easy to carry, fits all my essentials and is in the most fitting spring shade. The perfect weekend bag, if you ask me!

REVIEW | Winky Lux Flower Balm

Remember last year when the internet properly freaked out over those clear lip balms with tiny flowers suspended inside them? Well, I finally got my hands on one and it is truly as magical and endearing as it sounds - introducing my new Winky Lux Flower Balm!

Winky Lux Flower Balm

$14USD at Winky Lux, ASOS

4 colors

The first flower-infused lip balms I read about were from a Chinese-based makeup company called Kailijumei, and while I ooh-ed and ahh-ed over them like the rest of the world, I never thought twice about going through the hassle of ordering online and getting it shipped to my house. Fast forward to just a few days ago, I was having lunch with one of my besties and she decided to make my day by presenting me with this cute, unassuming floral lipstick box. Boy, was I pleasantly surprised when I twisted the bullet up and saw the tiny treasure frozen inside. It was magical!

Winky Lux Flower Balm in Pink

Just. look. at. that. So freakin' gorgeous! And yes, that's a real Chrysanthemum flower inside! Okay, let's try and focus here. So, Winky Lux is a New York-based makeup brand that ran with the flower lip balm idea and put their own spin on it - these lip balms are vegan, cruelty-free, paraben-free, and even gluten-free (who knew gluten-free makeup was even a thing!). They also made it more affordable than the Kailijumei version (14USD compared to 25) and more accessible to the masses (now available at ASOS). Huge props!

Now, I have to be honest here and say that the packaging doesn't look (or feel) very fancy - the plastic casing is super lightweight and doesn't feel at all expensive, while the logo on the side just looks printed on. But hey, I'm not hating, just stating! Having said that, however, who gives a cr*p about the outside when the inside looks like that! This is a classic example of not judging a book by its cover. To be fair, I do find the floral packaging pretty darn cute, just not the cheap plastic casing.

In addition to my pink Flower Balm, Winky Lux also offers variations with blue, yellow and green flowers. The clear bullet has a soothing coconut scent (with a hint of vanilla), and is surprisingly very glossy and hydrating on the lips. And the coolest part about the lip balm (besides the pretty flower) is that it actually reacts with your unique pH levels and body chemistry and creates the perfect shade of pink that complements and flatters your skin tone. All this while also keeping your lips moisturized and soft. Yaassss, honey! On me, it lightly tints my lips with a rosy-pink tinge and I am seriously obsessed.

Winky Lux Flower Balm in Pink

And don't be fooled - just because you'll want to reapply this a dozen times a day (and stare at it for hours), doesn't mean you need to. This stuff seriously stains your lips and has great staying power. That swatch remained a lovely pink stripe on my hand all day, despite my frequent hand-washing - makeup lovers, I know y'all feel my pain. 

If you're a lippie lover, or you know one in your life, this lip balm is the perfect present to gift yourself or anyone else. I just can't wait until I finally reach the tiny flower inside, 'cos then I'll have an excuse to get myself another Flower Balm! Flower power!

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Origins Plantscription SPF 25 Anti-Aging Cream x Make Up For Ever Artist Plexi-Gloss #202

Origins Plantscription SPF 25 Anti-Aging Cream |
After a rather disappointing experience with the Murad Essential-C Day Moisture SPF30 during a previous Sample Sunday, my hunt for the perfect daytime moisturizer with SPF is still very much ongoing. This is a hydrating moisturizer from Origins with SPF 25 and anti-aging properties that claims to improve lines and wrinkles, and restore the skin's youthful appearance. It is rich and thick in consistency yet not overly greasy - Origins also offers an oil-free version for you oilier girls - and does have a subtle sunscreen smell which I'm not the biggest fan of, yet am also not bothered too much by. I do need to give this time - 5 minutes or so - to fully sink in before I can start applying foundation. So far, I'm liking it! There's nothing super fancy about this cream but it gets the job done - my face stays hydrated throughout the day and gets that much-needed sun protection. This seems to be a good, solid choice for an AM moisturizer and I will definitely consider buying the full-sized jar in the oil-free formula.

Make Up For Ever Artist Pexi-Gloss #202 |
For those of you who remember my Sephora haul back in May, I talked about picking up the Sephora Favorites Paint It Pink set and it included this sample sized MUFE lip gloss in #202 Sweet Pink, a sheer, neutral light pink. I have never been a lip gloss gal - I have owned a total of zero in my life - but this sample was too cute not to try out. This has a flexible, paddle-style wand that applies just the right amount of gloss and fits the contours of my lips perfectly. The gloss itself is tacky - just a step below being too sticky - and I don't find it too distracting or uncomfortable to wear. It delivers a ton of shine and really highlights my lips, making them look fuller and poutier. Not gonna lie, didn't think I would like this - or lip glosses in general - but it's growing on me! This is definitely not a must-have in my books, but it's certainly nice to have in your purse for when you want that extra attention and oomph on your lips. Plus, it has amazing staying power. I dig it!

SAMPLE SUNDAY | Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm x Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque

This week's Sample Sunday is finally featuring one of my all-time favorite brands, Aesop, along with another appearance from longtime fave, Clinique.

Aesop Chamomile Concentrate Anti-Blemish Masque |
Along with Fresh, Aesop is up there in my top favorite skincare brands of all time. I adore every aspect about the brand - the products, the packaging, the stores (the interior design is on point), and the brand's overall aesthetics are completely on par with my own. If I were to design my own brand, it would look something like this - clean, understated, minimalistic. I am a religious user of Aesop's Parsley Seed Cleansing Masque and Primrose Facial Cleansing Masque, but the mere mention of chamomile from the sales associate already had me ooh-ing and ahh-ing and begging for a sample. Like the other two, this is also a clay-based masque but is catered especially for troubled skin, and claims to lift impurities and dry excess oil while calming irritated or inflamed skin. Like all Aesop products, the scent is so soothing - a combination of floral and herbal deliciousness - and it has a silky, refined consistency that dries down completely after ten, fifteen minutes. I found this mask did wonders to calm my skin and those occasional pesky bumps on my forehead, and I even used this as a spot treatment (overnight) on a particularly obnoxious zit above my eyebrow that practically vanished the next morning! It washes away so effortlessly - no scrubbing or tugging - and your skin will feel reset and rejuvenated. So yes, I absolutely will purchase the full size! Aesop, you da best.

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm |
I know I went on a whole spiel about my issue with lipsticks, but that don't mean I'm going to stop trying out new lip products! I chanced upon this generous sample of Clinique's popular Chubby Stick lippie in a local Bonjour store, and couldn't pass it up. It's a nourishing tinted lip balm that contains mango and shea butters that moisturizes the lips while giving off a subtle tint and shine. Sounds like the Fresh Tinted Lip Treatments, doesn't it? I have the shade 16 Voluptuous Violet (the only color they sold) which is described as a "sheer plum violet". I really appreciate that this doesn't need sharpening - which is a pain - and you simply swivel up and voila. This worked exactly as described - it's quite sheer but buildable, and keeps my lips hydrated and gives them a subtle, healthy sheen. This would be a easy, fuss-free lippie option for everyday and especially for those of you who want something low-maintenance. While I don't think this is a run-out-and-buy-this-now sort of product, it is nice and I wouldn't mind picking up the full size, albeit in a different shade - Bountiful Blush or Whole Lotta Honey, perhaps? They both sound right up my street - a girl can never, ever have too many MLBB lippies.

Swatched once | Swatched heavily

I guess my wallet will be taking a hit soon, but I ain't even sorry!

REVIEW | Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment SPF15 x Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment x Sugar Lip Polish

I have a confession to make - I don't like wearing lipstick. Sort of hate it, actually. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy testing them out and hauling a few occasionally, but I rarely ever wear lipstick on a day-to-day basis. I find them way too sticky and heavy on the lips, especially in this humidity. So instead, you'll almost always find me rocking one of the Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatments SPF15 instead.

Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment Sunscreen SPF15

$24 USD at Fresh, Sephora

0.15oz | 12 shades

I've gone on and on about this before, but I'll say it again - I love Fresh, so freakin' much. The Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Petal was the first item I purchased from the brand, and I've been completely hooked ever since. The lip and face products from Fresh have become some of my must-have staples in my makeup and skincare routines, and these lip treatments are one of my favorite, no-fail picks to gift to family and friends. Definite winner!

As someone who has always had major gripes with lipsticks - they feel heavy, they smear and smudge, they fade super quickly - these Sugar Tinted Lip Treatments have been the answer to my lipstick prayers. They are sort of a hybrid between a lipstick and a lip balm - they moisturize, protect (with SPF15!) and smooth the lips, while providing a sheer wash of color without the dreaded greasy feeling. They also have that signature zesty citrus scent that Fresh products are known for. Yum! I pair these with the Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment underneath to make sure my lips stay smooth and hydrated, as well as exfoliate beforehand using the Sugar Lip Polish to ensure soft, supple, kissable lips at all times. Perfect triple combo!

Rosé | Petal | Tulip | Advanced Therapy

Fresh Sugar Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment

$26 USD at Fresh, Sephora

0.15oz | 1 shade

Fresh Sugar Lip Polish

$24 USD at Fresh, Sephora

o.6oz

Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Rosé | 

I got this adorable sample with one of my Fresh purchases a few months ago, and it gives a beautiful sheen to the lips with a subtle, rosy-pink tint. It's quite sheer, and is my go-to for my 'no makeup' makeup days!

Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Petal | 

This was the first lip product I picked up from Fresh - the shade is just so me - and it's the perfect MLBB shade that makes the lips look effortlessly pouty and perfected. Ooh là là!

Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Tulip |

I am definitely not a bright lip kinda girl, but this shade is a lovely, wearable hot pink that is perfect for the summer, and it instantly brightens up the face while making the lips look plump and oh-so-juicy.

Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment | 

The second you apply this lip balm, you can feel your lips become instantly hydrated and nourished. It's crazy! I love that it really softens up the lips and enhances the application of any lip products on top. The only con is that it can tend to seep into your mouth and leave a rather unpleasant, bitter aftertaste. But that might just be me, and it's so nourishing that I can live with it!

Sugar Lip Polish | 

I mentioned this in my May Favorites already, but this product is wonderful at gently buffing and exfoliating away any dry, flaky bits on your lips while still keeping them moisturized. My lips always feel so soft afterwards, and lip products glide on so much nicer. Mine is a smaller, half-sized mini tub (0.28oz) of the usual full-sized (0.6oz) jar, and it's still going strong after a few months. Apply this dry for best results, and again, try not to get this in your mouth!

Rosé | Petal | Tulip | Advanced Therapy

If I still haven't convinced you to go out and give these Sugar Tinted Lip Treatments a try, then I have failed at life. Just kidding. But seriously, I am not kidding when I say you need at least one - or maybe three - of these lip treatments in your collection. Especially if you're like me and don't like wearing lipstick! Plus, the Advanced Therapy Lip Treatment and Sugar Lip Polish are wonderful additions to step up your lip game to the next level. Go on, you can thank me later.