Buxom lip products - review

When I stared to watch YouTube videos of beauty gurus, everyone was mentioning Buxom's White Russian lip gloss but living in cosmetically challenged part of Europe I didn't have a chance to try Buxom products. Recently  Cult Beauty and Feelunique started carrying Buxom products and I decided to check what I've been missing. 

Buxom is first and foremost known for its lip plumping products designed to make your lips appear fuller and more "buxom". Brand is cruelty free but not vegan. The brand says for itself:

"Big, bold and sexy are three words that sum up BUXOM’s attitude to beauty. Advocates of ‘more is more’ and firm in their belief that bombshells ought to rule the world, their covetable collection of lip-tingling glosses, lengthening mascaras, volumising lip pigments and stunning, suedette shadows is your key to instant irresistibility. Packed with peptides to lessen fine lines and ensure plumped-up, pillowy lips, this best-loved range will guarantee you always look fierce, fabulous and enviably self-assured." 

Unlike the rest of me my lips could do with a bit of plumping so I purchased the talked about full on lip creme in White Russian and Big and Sexy Bold Gel Lipstick (that name though) in Rebel Rose and received a sample size of Plumpline lip liner in Hush Hush as gift with purchase. 

Let's start with the famous one.

Full-on lip cream in White Russian

"Free from shimmer or glimmer, BUXOM’s Full-On Lip Cream offers flawlessly creamy, plumping, glass-smooth colour and a subtle tingle to create fuller, more voluptuous lips. Enriched with hyaluronic spheres, the formula boosts and smooths lips with luscious moisture, while a unique peptide and hyaluronic acid booster, it also stimulates collagen, builds volume and plumps to perfection – without irritation. Available in 14 of the boldest, most uplifting shades, there’s a lip cream to suit every look and mood. "

Buxom describes the color as perfect peach, I don't know about perfect but it is a very nice light peach color. I was very skeptical of this product as I usually dislike stinging of lip plumpers and I am not a big fan of glosses. Surprisingly, I actually really like it. Yes it does have a bit of menthol like sting thanks to Menthone Glycerin Acetal that feels cooling but not unpleasantly stingy (the tingly, cooling sensation is long lasting, I can feel it on my lips for almost an hour after initial application) and it is really not gloppy. It is somewhat sticky but still very comfortable to wear. The product smells like a vanilla cake and applies easily with the doe foot applicator. I like it best on my bare lips and not as a lip topper (I just dislike having too much stuff on my lips). It imparts a hint of color with a lovely shine. The gloss will stay on my lips for some 2 hours unless I eat. 

Now onto the plumping bit. How do lip plumpers work? Basically they contain an ingredient that irritates the sensitive skin of the lips, increasing blood flow and causing temporary swelling of lips. As mentioned, full-on lip cream uses Menthone Glycerin Acetal, a milder form of menthol, to achieve this effect. If you have super sensitive skin or plan to use it during some really cold weather I would suggest to test this product beforehand to see how you get on. On me the plumping effect kicks in some 4-5 minutes after application when I can feel my lips slightly swelling giving a  minimally plumper look to them. Nothing major or drastic. Additionally the smoothing, hydrating, shiny formula contributes to that fuller lip look. So in a sense it really does work. 

Ingredients:

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Octyldodecyl Stearoyl Stearate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Silica, Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina), Octyldodecanol, Trimethylolpropane Triisostearate, Benzyl Benzoate, Flavor (Aroma), Tribehenin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Bht, Sodium Saccharin, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Retinyl Palmitate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Hexylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Carmine (Ci 75470). (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410)

I was suprised how much I liked this considering I am not the biggest fan of glosses.It really looks quite beautiful on the lips. Avoid if you do not like that tingly cooling menthol feeling. 

Swatches from left to right:  Plumpline lip liner in Hush Hush, Full on lip creme in White Russian and Big and Sexy Bold Gel Lipstick  in Rebel Rose

 Big and Sexy Bold Gel Lipstick in Rebel Rose

"A genius gel lipstick that belies its weightless texture, BUXOM’s Big & Sexy Bold Gel Lipstick creates beautiful impact in just one stroke. With an array of matte and satin finishes, the bold formula is highly pigmented to create a vivid, voluptuous effect and beautiful bombshell looks. Wonderfully lightweight and comfortable, the only thing you need concern yourself with is which of the 30 show-stopping classic nude and vibrant bold shades to choose first."

This lipstick (I am not repeating that mess of a name) comes in two finishes matte and satin. Packaging is a bit bulky with a magnetic closure which I like. Lipstick comes in a shape and size of a lip-balm which can make it a bit hard to apply precisely. Gel like formula glides on easily and opaquely. I find it can look cakey if you apply more than one layer but honestly it really does not need more than one layer. Rebel Rose has a satin finish and feels very comfortable and hydrating on the lips. I experienced no bleeding or settling into fine lines. Shade Rebel Rose is described as satin rosy pink but on my lips looks like a cool toned mauve. It gives the look of hydrated, juicy, lightly glossy lips but I noticed no plumping. Wear time is average for a creamy lipstick, some 5 hours unless I eat. 

Ingredients:

Isononyl Isononanoate, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Polyethylene, Dicalcium Phosphate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Microcrystalline (Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline), Synthetic Wax, Stearalkonium Hectorite, C30-45 Alkyl Dimethicone, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Cetyl Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, Dimethicone, Ethyl Vanillin, Tribehenin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Laureth-4, Sorbitan Isostearate, Lactic Acid, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Fruit Extract, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Flavor (Aroma). May Contain (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985)

I really enjoy this buttery soft, comfortable formula and shade Rebel Rose is a perfect work appropriate everyday shade. 

Plumpline lip liner in Hush Hush

"With a beautiful smooth matte finish and a built-in blending brush, this luscious liner will soon become your go-to for a fool-proof, fabulously full lip look. Wonderfully versatile, this liner defines, contours and fills lips – perfect with any of BUXOM’s plumping lip colours, yet creamy and pigmented enough to be worn alone or as a beautiful base. Enriched with conditioning jojoba oil, it keeps lips lovely and soft and prevents them from drying our. The vast array of 20 feminine shades will prove the perfect companions for your favourite lip colours."

I'm a bit confused with this product. It is called a lip-liner but comes in a form of a chunky lip pencil and with a lip brush (which I find no use for if I use only pencil). However, the formula is lovely. It is  non-drying, glides easily on the lips and has a wear time typical of a matte lipstick. You can comfortably wear it alone as you would a matte lipstick. Shade Hush Hush is a light warm brown/cinnamon shade that will compliment many skin tones and it is immensely wearable. When it comes to plumping I saw no such effect with this product.

Ingredients: 

Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Ozokerite, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Triethylhexanoin, Synthetic Candelilla Wax, Sucrose Tetrastearate Triacetate, Beeswax (Cera Alba/Cire Dabeille), Phenyl Trimethicone, Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline), Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sucrose Acetate Isobutyrate, Tribehenin, Squalane, Lecithin, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Bht. May Contain (+/-): Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140)

I enjoyed this lip liner/chubby pencil a lot. Formula is excellent and feels comfortable on the lips and I am really glad I got to test it.

So out of three products I liked all three, either I got really lucky in my selection or Buxom knows their stuff. Have you tried anything from the brand? Let me know is there anything I should try. 

Makeup Revolution Pro HD Amplified 35 Palette in Exhilerate - review and swatches

Pro HD Amplified 35 Palette in Exhilarate has 35 eyeshadow pans (each pan contains 0.857 g of product) and majority of shadows are shimmery (30 shimmery and 5 matte shades).Unlike the Socialite Palette I reviewed before, Exhilarate will probably not work as a stand alone palette. It does have 5 matte shades that can serve as transition shades but lacks darker matte colors. I find it to be a perfect palette for people that already own neutral palettes and wish to  transition painlessly into color.

Shadows blend beautifully and shimmery shades feel slightly wet and slippery (probably due to Dimethicone in the formula). I find that the best way to apply shimmery shades is using a  flat synthetic shader brush, sprayed with make up fixer and to press and drag the shadow on the eye rather than just pat it.

In combination with any neutral palette or even Socialite palette from the same range you can  achieve many various and imaginative eye looks. As with other eye shadows from the brand I found that they last long on the eye without fading and when combined with a primer they do not transfer on my slightly hooded eye and last all day without fading. They apply easily on the eye and blend nicely without patchiness, although there is a bit of fall out. Palette is available on Revolution Beauty website for 15 pounds.

And now onto swatches. Swatches were made with a finger without a primer, one swipe only. I will go from top to bottom and left to right side of the palette.

For the lightest set of shades my daughter provided her tiny pale arm to serve as the canvas for swatches.

From left to right: Thrill (very light peach ), Exhilarate (light rose gold ), Influence (light peachy pink), Vivacious (shimmery white), Sense ( matte cream), Excite (light bronzy gold), Galvanize (light peach), Prompted (champagne), Fired up (platinum), Passion (creamy yellowish matte)

From left to right: Intoxicate (yellowish light green), Awaken (dusty rose), Provoke (bronze), Joyous (silver), Relive (mid-tone peach matte), Sensational (duo-chrome pink on a white/ translucent base), Invigorate (dark rose), Instigate (true yellow gold), Elated (silvery blue), Momentous (coffee with cream matte)

From left to right: Electrify (olive green with gold shift), Vitalize (reddish bronze), High Spirits (orange), Eager (gun metal gray), Rejuvenate (light brown matte), Delight (rose with gold shift) , Dynamite (barbie pink), Exuberant (warm purple), Fanatical (dark rose gold), Desire (darkened plum)

Animate (silvery light purple), Activate (light plum), Impressible (light electric purple), Tantalized (blue), Intensify (muted aquamarine)

Oh wow, I really suck at color description. Some colors need a bit more build up than others and Sensational is an interesting shade but very, very sheer. Delight and Fanatical are gorgeous colors and both are somewhat of a dupe for MAC's Expensive Pink shade. All in all this is a really lovely palette that is perfect for spring.

If you are sick of neutrals and saturated warm shades and need something refreshing I say go for it. The quality for the price is outstanding.