I went to a different one than the ones I usually frequent, and I decided I don't like this one as much. This particular Ulta has a large Clinique Counter, which the others do not have. Since Clinique is not cruelty free, this isn't really a draw for me, and it takes up a lot of real estate, so they don't have the selection that the other Ulta's do. So no lip paint for me :(
Still, far be it from me to be in a store full of lipstick and not find something to love. Right up front as I was walking out was an array of nude lip products, just calling my name. Bare Escentuals is sub group of the Bare Minerals brand. Though people have raved about that brand to me over the years, its not one that I have ever been particularly drawn to. I know the people who love it, really love it, but I've just never gotten around to trying any of it. No time like the present, I guess.
They have four different lip products, a traditional lipstick, a liquid matte lip, a lip gloss, and a lip pencil. I decided to try everything but the pencil.
The first color I tried on was the traditional lipstick in a shade called Notorious. I picked it out because our Pastor was quoting Biggie Smalls the other night so its been on my mind ever since. Also, my husband loves that song, so I picked it as an homage to him as well.
Trying to decide if I like the color
If there's one thing I love, its a mauvy nude. I'm a sucker for them, drawn like a moth to a flame. It turned out that I really did like the color. I was not too crazy about the formula. It is sort of thick and has a very chemical smell that I didn't like at all.
As you can see, the tube is thick, and the color speads really evenly. It is a satin finish and felt very moisturizing. It was an easy color to wear, I just couldn't get over the smell.
I tried the butter cream gloss next in a shade called Heartbreaker. I liked the color of this product too. Its a little bit on the pinky side, but it wasn't terribly sticky and didn't seem to have the same chemical smell that the lipstick itself had.
The only problem that I have with this color and product is that this gloss will run you $18, which, to me, feels like a lot to pay for a lipgloss that is basically the color that my lips are already. I can get a clear gloss or a pinky toned gloss at a much lower price point. Ulta's Butter Balm can offer the same exact thing, for $10 less. And even the Butter Balm is more than I would really want to pay for a gloss that's what my lips are basically on their own. So, what I will say for this color is that its perfectly nice lip gloss, but I probably wouldn't spend the money on it.
I saved the liquid lip for last because I assumed, and rightly so, that I would like it the best. It was the darkest color of the three, the shade is called Friendship. Its the one that I ended up wearing out, which I kind of knew I would because its the formula that I am most attracted to.
For a matte liquid, I found it to be thin and yet opaque at the same time. It went on really easily and didn't seem to have much of a smell at all. I loved the color basically as soon as I put it on.
I didn't realize until later, but I think I loved the color so much because it reminded me of another color that I fell in love with as soon as I put it on. Essence has an amazing line of nude lip colors, and my favorite, Barely There. If you compare the pictures of me in Barely There, with the photos of this color, they are basically the same. The big difference is that Friendship will run you $18, and Barely There is $2.99. So, there's that.
I did love the matte formula though, (Barely There is a tiiiiiny bit more satin) and even outside in the natural light, I thought it was a great color.
The whole Bare Escentuals line is in the nude family. The exciting thing is, since each of the products has between 15-20 shades, there is bound to be at least one that is going to look good. Probably more. All the colors are going to be super easy to wear, so if you are wanting to look pulled together, without the maintenance that red lip requires, these are great options. Some of them are too close to one's actual lip color to be worth the price, but other shades will definitely provide a pretty contrast.
They don't smell the best, but other than the lipstick itself, none of the smells actually bother me. I think there is something in this line for everyone.
Top right- Heartbreaker, bottom left- Notorious, bottom right- Friendship
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