cosmetics

REVIEW: MAC Fruity Juicy Lipsticks – Love At First Bite & Si, Si, Me!

/ Fiona Seah / 4 Comments

Hello everyone!

Now that the sun has finally broken through the raging clouds to warm us with its delightful rays, bright pops of tropical colours are officially in full swing. Ah, fellow beautyholics, you know what that means – it’s time to update our makeup game for the summer season! Because for makeup fiends like us, nothing says summer like a radiant swoosh of blush and swathe of highlight on the cheekbones to mimic that healthy flush, or a dusting of bronzer to radiate a sun-kissed glow coupled with a playful jolt of colour across the lips to heighten that overall refreshed look.

Fueling our obsession with all-things vibrant (especially at this sunny time of the year), M.A.C has planned a Summer collection slated for worldwide release on 18 May. And you know, when it comes to most limited-edition collections, M.A.C means business and does not mess around with their packaging. From packaging designs we saw in the previous year inspired by the deserts and kaleidoscopic colours of an ancient Chinese art form, M.A.C is somehow always able to tempt us into splurging on their products no matter the necessity for them. So this month, be prepared to see a dip in your bank account because you wouldn’t want to miss anything in this upcoming frootilicious M.A.C collection 😋

With daylilies, palm leaves, bananas and papayas dominating the packaging, the Fruity Juicy collection is a kind of tropical fruits and floral fantasia that beckons with its loud and fancy colour scheme. Therefore, you should have no problems spotting the display in the M.A.C store when the collection comes out next week.

Pictured at a recent M.A.C preview I was invited to. No idea why there are Chinese characters on the display but they probably won't be there on the actual launch day

Pictured at a recent M.A.C preview I was invited to. No idea why there are Chinese characters on the display but they probably won’t be there on the actual launch day

Excluding the online-exclusive Eye Shadow × 6 in Oh My Banana (already launched in the UK), there will be a total of 21 products in this collection to fulfill your summer makeup goals. And to better prep your bank account for the sudden departure of at least a few tens of dollars, here’s the full price (and product) list for this collection, courtesy of M.A.C Cosmetics Singapore:

M.A.C FRUITY JUICY COLLECTION · Full price list (SGD)

■ Lipstick (Calm Heat / Shy Girl / Love At First Bite / Sí, Sí, Me!) $36
■ Cremesheen Glass (Cha-Cha-Cha / Shake, Shake, Shake! , La Salsa , Summer Succulence) $41
■ Eye Shadow × 6 (Fruit a La La / Love in the Glades) $77
■ Bronzing Powder (Refined Golden / Baiana Bronze) $49
■ M.A.C Studio Sculpt Bronzing Powder (Delicates / Delphic) $60
■ Pearlmatte Face Powder (Oh My, Passion!) $60
■ Lustre Drops (Bronze Hero / Sun Rush) $37
■ Prep+Prime Fix+ (Coconut) $34
■ Brush (125) $70 (126) $89
■ Makeup Bag $58

If you’re more a lip person like me, you might also be interested in the swatches of all the Fruity Juicy lip products below:

M.A.C Fruity Juicy lipsticks

M.A.C Fruity Juicy lipsticks

M.A.C Fruity Juicy - all lipstick swatches

M.A.C Fruity Juicy – all lipstick swatches

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Cremesheen Glass

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Cremesheen Glass

M.A.C Fruity Juicy - all Cremesheen Glass swatches

M.A.C Fruity Juicy – all Cremesheen Glass swatches

You’re welcome 😚

Going against my hoarder tendencies, I only snagged two out of the four lipstick shades because as you might have noticed, the nude-ish hues are really light even on my wrist and from past experience, I doubt they will show up on my lips at all. Besides, the darker shades seem to apply better as well.

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipsticks in Love At First Bite & Si, Si, Me!

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipsticks in Love At First Bite & Si, Si, Me!

The lipsticks are fitted in a reflective plastic tube decorated with theme-appropriate illustrations against a black backdrop. Also in ensuring a positive first impression, M.A.C does not relent even for the box, which is something that most people would likely discard to free up space.

#1 Love At First Bite

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite (US$17 / S$36)

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite (US$17 / S$36)

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Love At First Bite

Described as a bright fuchsia with Amplified Creme finish, Love At First Bite is a muted hot pink with cool undertones. It has good slip which enables it to run smoothly without drag but it tends to settle into the lip lines after a while. It has an opaque payoff and an emollient and glossy texture, characterised by a slight sheen. Although thin and lightweight in consistency, it applies uniformly across the lips so there is no skipping or obvious streaks. This shade feels hydrating on the lips.

#2 Sí, Sí, Me!

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Sí, Sí, Me! (US$17 / S$36)

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Sí, Sí, Me! (US$17 / S$36)

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Sí, Sí, Me! (US$17 / S$36)

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Sí, Sí, Me! (US$17 / S$36)

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Sí, Sí, Me! (US$17 / S$36)

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Sí, Sí, Me! (US$17 / S$36)

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Sí, Sí, Me! (US$17 / S$36)

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Sí, Sí, Me! (US$17 / S$36)

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Sí, Sí, Me! (US$17 / S$36)

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Sí, Sí, Me! (US$17 / S$36)

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Sí, Sí, Me! (US$17 / S$36)

M.A.C Fruity Juicy Lipstick in Sí, Sí, Me! (US$17 / S$36)

Described as a deep violet with Satin finish, Sí, Sí, Me! is a darkened fuchsia pink with cool undertones. It has equally good slip backed by a thick and buttery texture with an incredibly pigmented colour payoff topped with a luscious sheen. It reminds me of the reformulated version of M.A.C’s matte because it feels matte but not drying at all.

You don’t have to purse your lips to even out the colour with this lipstick – it pretty much spreads out uniformly on its own as you apply. Although it goes on reasonably opaque at the first swipe, its intensity can still be built on with more coats. However, it become tackier with every additional layer.

Swatch comparison for Sí, Sí, Me! and Love At First Bite

Swatch comparison for Sí, Sí, Me! and Love At First Bite

This collection may not boast a diverse range of hues (as it’s just nudes and pinks). Even so, die-hard M.A.C customers who are suckers for nice packaging will flip over it. Don’t know what to buy or which products are expected to sell out fast? The availability of the items on the UK website should provide a rough indication of the product popularity among consumers. Be sure to be at the launch early if you are planning to get the Prep+Prime Fix+ because (according to reliable sources) it will be among the first (if not the first) to fly off the shelves. Heard it’s coconut-scented (didn’t really pay attention to it at the preview), so yeah… 😝

What are your thoughts on this collection? Let me know in the comments below 🙂

Thanks for reading!

M.A.C Fruity Juicy collection goes on sale online and in all local M.A.C stores on 18 May 2017. Singapore M.A.C members get to preview this collection on 12 May so do RSVP (check your e-mail) to avoid disappointment!

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REVIEW: MAC Blue Nectar Lipsticks – Give In, Riot House, Sweet Venom, Ablaze, Intoxica & Barbeque

/ Fiona Seah / Leave a comment

Hello everyone!

How was your Cinco de Mayo weekend for my readers who are residing in the states? Did it leave you a few hundreds of dollars poorer overnight? I feel ya, babes… 😢

Sorry for the delayed beauty update because I just couldn’t muster up enough energy to turn on my computer after more than 8 hours at work each day.. *yawns* But I promise to post more often when my long break comes in about three weeks’ time. I have a mountain’s worth of beauty products – accumulated over the past few weeks – to talk about and I am sure you wouldn’t want to miss any of them. So please be patient, fellow beautyholics! 😆 I guarantee it’s gonna be worth the wait..

Unfortunately, if you’re here expecting my first update in three weeks to be on a latest makeup collection, I’m afraid you’re going to be disappointed again (there is definitely one in the works, so come back again in a few days or look out for updates on my Instagram ☺). For now, it’s throwback to yet another old M.A.C collection.

Remember nearly a year ago, M.A.C welcomed the summer season with a new collection called Blue Nectar? Since it’s going to get warm again in most parts of the world, I thought it’s about time I thrust it into the limelight since you can technically still buy them online.

M.A.C Blue Nectar, June 2016

M.A.C Blue Nectar, June 2016

Launched last year (in May online and June in stores), Blue Nectar saw the release and repromote of 12 lipsticks (Courting Seduction / Lured In / Invite Intrigue / Intoxica / Lush Extract / Riot House / Give In / Sweet Venom / Heroine / Ablaze / Breathing Fire / Barbeque) and 6 Plushglass (Fulfilled / Ample Pink / In Abundance / Robust / Fashion Fanatic / Full for You) in idyllic hues of orange, red and purple, but this review will only be featuring 6 of the said lipstick shades. Interestingly, despite the name of the collection, there was not a single blue lipstick.

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipsticks

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipsticks

Overall swatches

Overall swatches

Some of these shades may ring a bell to those who have been keeping track of all the M.A.C launches because one-third of them are either repromotes or already in the permanent line. If you had passed on them the first time ’round due to the price hike, you will be delighted to know that they have made a comeback in a somewhat cheaper price tag, sans the fancy packaging.

Although they were relaunched as limited-edition shades again, all of them (including the new ones) are still available on the M.A.C website the last time I checked. So in case you are interested to purchase any of them, I have hyperlinked the names of the featured shades to their individual product pages for your convenience 😉

Without further ado, let’s get started on the reviews!

#1 Give In

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Give In (US$17)

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Give In (US$17)

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Give In

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Give In

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Give In

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Give In

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Give In

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Give In

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Give In

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Give In

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Give In

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Give In

Since Blue Nectar was launched during the summer season, it seemed only right to incorporate some pastels and soft neutrals to add a touch of playfulness to the collection. Among those hues was Give In, a creamy natural pink with Amplified Creme finish. It runs smoothly on the lips without skipping and leaves a buttery but streaky texture with a slight sheen to it. The colour payoff can be somewhat sheer at the first swipe but it is buildable to a decently opaque consistency. It does not settle into the lip wrinkles no matter how much product is applied.

However, it is not long-lasting as its emollient quality makes it move a lot, so much so that frequent reapplication would be necessary. This shade leans more towards the hydrating spectrum.

#2 Riot House

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Riot House (US$17)

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Riot House (US$17)

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Riot House

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Riot House

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Riot House

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Riot House

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Riot House

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Riot House

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Riot House

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Riot House

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Riot House

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Riot House

Colours in nature change with the season, and so does makeup. In preparation for the impending humid months, it’s about time we tweak our makeup routine and opt for hues that enable us to stay seasonally appropriate. As beauty enthusiasts, when we think summer, minimally made-up looks come to mind, and along with that are bright attention-grabbing lips colours such the warm reds and cheery pinks to show that you so did not compromise on your makeup game for the warm weather. For the gutsier ones who don’t mind experimenting with something more unusual, why not adopt the neon lip look this summer using near-fluorescent shades like Riot House?

Described as a light vivid orange with Matte finish, Riot House – a repromote shade from the Kelly Osbourne collection launched back in 2014 – punctuates the traditional lip hues of summer with a fun pop of sandy beach colour. When applied, it tugs a little on lips as it leaves a mostly opaque and – unfortunately – uneven consistency while settling into my lip creases. It is slightly buildable but adding more product would mean accentuating lip dryness even further because of its flat matte appearance. On top of that, deeper cracks start forming around the lip lines with every little movement of my mouth. Even so, this shade feels neither drying nor hydrating on the lips.

Swatch comparison for Give In and Riot House

Swatch comparison for Give In and Riot House

#3 Sweet Venom

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Sweet Venom (US$17)

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Sweet Venom (US$17)

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Sweet Venom

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Sweet Venom

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Sweet Venom

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Sweet Venom

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Sweet Venom

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Sweet Venom

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Sweet Venom

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Sweet Venom

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Sweet Venom

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Sweet Venom

If you’re not ready to trade your reds or pinks for neon hues just yet, no pressure – you can absolutely still look chic in hues you’re comfortable wearing on your lips. In fact, Blue Nectar explores an assortment of reds and pinks that you probably don’t have in your stash. So, if you’ve been using the same ol’ red or pink lipstick for the past couple of summers and have decided it is time for a change, look no further, for I have picked out four uncommon variations of the quintessential lipstick hue from this collection, beginning with the lightest one – Sweet Venom.

Described as an intense pink coral with Matte finish, it is a more of a full baby pink with cool undertones which complements light to medium skin tones best. Sweet Venom applies like a Satin without little to no tug at the lips and although it is supposedly a Matte lipstick, it actually has more slip than the first two nudes featured here. It has an opaque coverage with smooth consistency at the first swipe. The texture feels a little powdery but not obvious to the eye. It can stay on for hours but only if it does not come in contact with oily food. This shade is neither drying nor hydrating.

#4 Ablaze

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Ablaze (US$17)

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Ablaze (US$17)

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Ablaze

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Ablaze

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Ablaze

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Ablaze

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Ablaze

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Ablaze

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Ablaze

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Ablaze

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Ablaze

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Ablaze

Set your lips on fire with a ravishing red this summer! Described as a bright apricot cream with Matte finish, Ablaze adds a twist to traditional red with its bright reddish-orange hue and warm undertones and hence making it perfect for those who do not want to stray too far from safe colours.

This shade – which was first released as part of the Fashion Sets collection in 2013 – has great slip as it runs effortlessly on the lips to lend a smooth Satin-like finish. It provides a rich colour payoff and a buildable opaque consistency that allows for a full, uniform coverage while imparting a soft sheen. It clings comfortably to the lips with its emollient and lightweight texture but does feel a bit tacky at the same time. Similarly, this shade is neither drying nor hydrating.

#5 Intoxica

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Intoxica (US$17)

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Intoxica (US$17)

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Intoxica

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Intoxica

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Intoxica

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Intoxica

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Intoxica

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Intoxica

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Intoxica

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Intoxica

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Intoxica

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Intoxica

Described as a bright raspberry red with Matte finish, Intoxica appears as a vivid pink-red with blue undertones. It goes on creamy with some tug but no drag, coating the lips with an intense colour payoff with just a single swipe. Each application delivers an opaque coverage coupled with a smooth and seamless finish like a true Matte (minus the dryness and chalkiness), resulting in a fuller lip look.

In addition, it also has a subtle sheen to it so that it does not look completely flat on your lips or make them seem brittle and dehydrated. This shade is long-wearing but it feels heavy and can be a little drying on the lips, so make sure you use a lip balm before applying the lipstick.

Swatch comparison for Sweet Venom and Intoxica

Swatch comparison for Sweet Venom and Intoxica

#6 Barbeque

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Barbeque (US$17)

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Barbeque (US$17)

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Barbeque

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Barbeque

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Barbeque

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Barbeque

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Barbeque

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Barbeque

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Barbeque

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Barbeque

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Barbeque

M.A.C Blue Nectar lipstick in Barbeque

What’s summer without barbecue? Guess what – now there’s a lipstick to go along with the ambience of outdoor dining and the warmth of a real fire as M.A.C had relaunched a hue that would instantly remind you of your favourite summer tradition (and was even named after it). Described as a vivid orange red with Matte finish, Barbeque very much resembles the glowing embers of barbecue fire due to its punchy deep tangerine colour and warm undertones. This was first released as part of the Isabal and Ruben Toledo collection in 2015.

It has a similar creamy texture to Intoxica but perhaps due to its heavier, drier and thicker consistency, it also tugs slightly at the lips. The product spreads evenly across the lip upon application but somehow settles into lip lines after a few minutes. There’s absolutely no doubt about the colour payoff as you can see – it is so incredibly pigmented and opaque that you’d only need to run the lipstick over your lips ONCE to get full coverage. This is another classic example of why M.A.C remains ahead of the pack in producing lipsticks with the ultimate wear and colour.

Swatch comparison for Ablaze and Barbeque

Swatch comparison for Ablaze and Barbeque

On the whole, this collection is the bomb, which is also mainly why I persisted in doing a review on it in spite that it was launched nearly a year ago. Not only are the lipsticks super pigmented and creamy, the colours are also mostly workplace-appropriate. These colours are timeless as well, and can be recycled for the spring and fall seasons (if you know how to adjust the intensity). If you haven’t gotten anything from this collection yet, you should! 😉 I would say this is one of the better collections from M.A.C so trust me, you won’t regret your decision.

What are your thoughts? Share them with me in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!

M.A.C Blue Nectar was launched as a limited edition collection in June and August 2016 online and in local outlets respectively. However, all of the shades at present are still available for purchase individually on MACCosmetics.com. found something you like in this collection? Get it while you still can!

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REVIEW: Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar – Milk in Coral, Milk in Pink & Milk in Red

/ Fiona Seah / Leave a comment

Hello everyone!

Amidst all the outlandish beauty fads (like exaggerated arched brows, plumped up lips and strobing) that swept the internet in recent years, South Korea amazingly remained uninfluenced by Western pop culture and even managed to cement their own reputation as the beauty hub of Asia, gaining a loyal fan base from all over the world. Their immense popularity is nothing surprising nor unusual, and I have a good reason for that.

When it comes to Korean beauty trends, the spotlight has consistently always been on soft and bright hues for the purpose of achieving the girl-next-door look. This differs greatly from those of Western make-up products which focus on heavy pigments, contouring and volumising to give an edgier and more defined appearance. To many, Korean beauty products are (quite literally) like a breath of fresh air because not only are they usually lightweight and hydrating in nature, the choice of shades are pretty much an exact match to your skin tone so they accentuate your natural skin texture rather than burying it under layers of make-up. In addition, the Koreans have proven to be ingenious trendsetters for reinventing the same old beauty products into modern must-haves for everyone.

And some classic example of that are cushion foundations (which I will talk about very soon) and – you know it – multi-tonal lipsticks, what I’d call a beauty breakthrough in this ombré lip-obsessed society which even international Western beauty brands like Benefit, Maybelline and Givenchy can’t resist tapping into. Who would have thought we’d get excited about everyday shades all over again?

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar

If you have caught on the frenzy of multi-tonal lipsticks like me, here’s another brand, on top of two I had previously featured, to add to your radar: Berrisom (베리썸).

Established in South Korea, Berrisom positions themselves as a high-tech cosmetic brand using AO5 antioxidant formula extracted from three types of berries (elderberry, blackberry and cranberry) and two types of blossom (evening primrose and camellia), and hence their name. They are best known for their peel-off lip stain (Chu My Lip Tint Pack) which made rounds on the internet two years ago. Taking cue from the gradient lip trend fuelled by competing K-beauty brands, Berrisom went on to launch Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in 2016, a series of two-toned lipstick with white as the primary base colour. Previously only available on Qoo10 for international purchase (..that long wait time before your orders arrive), K-beauty enthusiasts in Singapore must be thrilled to know that it’s now sold in our local Guardian outlets!

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar

The Oops! Two Two Lip Bar series comes in just three universal colours – Milk in Coral, Milk in Pink and Milk in Red – and they are each packed in a long paper rectangular box à la Kylie Lip Kit but perhaps half its size. When opened, the inside of the box reveals a diagonal slat to minimise the movement of the product so it doesn’t produce those annoying plopping sound in transit.

Presented in an all-black slender plastic tube with a protective seal on the cap, the packaging may not look as luxurious as say, Laneige but I’m not the least worried about the actual quality since you know, Korean beauty products generally have such high standards, they seldom disappoint. They are scentless and work like any other lipsticks – screw up the bottom of the tube (it’s retractable), apply, purse your lips to distribute the colours, blot further if needed and you’re ready to go!

#1 Milk in Coral

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral (S$16.90 / 15,000 KRW)

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral (S$16.90 / 15,000 KRW)

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral - before and after lip pursing

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral – before and after lip pursing

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Coral

As classical as red lipsticks are, they may not be everyone’s cup of tea. It requires a great deal of courage to walk around with red lipstick because its vibrancy screams for attention and not many Asians are ready for that kind of public scrutiny yet. So, the next best lip colour option to enchant and look coquettish at the same time without drawing unwanted eyeballs is to go a few tones lighter. Then, what you’d get is an alluring coral. There has been a sudden surge in demand for coral lipsticks in recent years and it could highly be attributed to the popularity of Korean TV soaps. That’s totally understandable. I mean, who could resist those kissable and luscious orange-tinged lips of Korean celebrities like Jun Ji-hyun on My Love from the Star?

Hence, when there’s only enough budget to make three shades in the pilot stage of introducing a new lipstick line, a coral better be one of them. And perhaps, that’s how Milk in Coral came about. This shade is a muted warm-toned red with a white that goes on almost invisible to the naked eye. It applies smooth and creamy, leaving a satin finish with a soft sheen to it. The first swipe delivers mostly opaque (it may be too dark by Korean beauty standards but I personally like its opacity) and a very pigmented coverage which significantly contrasted the red against the white and allows for a more noticeable gradation.

When applying lipstick, I like to extend the application slightly beyond the lip line to create an illusion of plumper lips but these Berrisom lipsticks rendered it more difficult to achieve that effect (in one full attempt) due to the shorter width of the bullet. It would take some practice before I can maneuver the bullet perfectly (especially on the cupid’s bow) without disrupting the gradient. That aside, the colours blend seamlessly well without settling into my lip lines after I purse my lips. Further, it is hydrating and emollient, though a little tacky. To achieve a just-bitten (a.k.a the Korean style) look, try wearing the colours in reverse.

#2 Milk in Pink

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink (S$16.90 / 15,000 KRW)

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink (S$16.90 / 15,000 KRW)

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink - before and after lip pursing

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink – before and after lip pursing

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Pink

Spring has sprung and what better way to usher in the season of renewal with some pink lips? While I wouldn’t really associate such bright statement shade with the Korean pop culture (as I often see Korean artiste opting for much more muted lip colours outside of quirky K-pop videos), pink lipsticks are known to be more versatile than reds. Besides, nothing exudes fun and flirty vibes on top of femininity like pink lips, so they are essentially a fab addition to any girl’s beauty arsenal.

If you don’t already have a pink lipstick, fret not as Berrisom has got you covered with an affordable one they named Milk in Pink – a cool-toned bubblegum pink that applies like butter with some tug, and as thick and evenly as some of my favourite M.A.C lipsticks. It has a satin finish and lends an opaque colour payoff. Upon blending with the white, the main colour visibly fades into a baby pink towards the inner part of my lips. However, it tends to run into the creases as you can see on my bottom lip but it’s not obvious from afar.

Swatch comparison for Milk in Pink

Swatch comparison for Milk in Pink

#3 Milk in Red

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red (S$16.90 / 15,000 KRW)

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red (S$16.90 / 15,000 KRW)

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red - before and after lip pursing

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red – before and after lip pursing

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar in Milk in Red

Whether you are warm- or cool-toned, there is bound to be a red lipstick for everyone, so don’t shy away from reds just because you thought you looked awful in the last one you wore. Most likely you didn’t pick out the right one that complements your skin tone! Supposedly, a rather accurate way of determining your undertones would be by looking at the colour of your veins on your wrist: blue-tinted veins signify a cool skin tone, whereas greenish veins point to a warm skin tone. A mixture of both would indicate a neutral undertone. Therefore, in order to look your optimum, you should go for lipstick shades that directly corresponds to your skin tone.

So, as an Asian with cool skin tones (yes, “yellow-skinned” don’t automatically have warm undertones.. *ahem*), I should presumably look better with cool-toned reds like Milk in Red. Well, well, well.. look at me, all jazzed up and looking out of the ordinary! 😝😝😝 Jokes aside, I do feel more comfortable wearing this shade of red as compared to those with yellow undertones, so I guess there’s some truth to this lipstick compatibility theory after all!

Like the others, Milk in Red glides almost-effortlessly across the lips, delivering full-coverage colour with a satin finish in just a single stroke. Lightweight and hydrating, it perfectly defines the lip contours which inadvertently gives my lips a plumped effect. Out of the three shades mentioned, the gradation here seems most apparent (look at the bottom lip!) because of the intense pigmentation of the main colour, red (so you definitely cannot get away without pursing your lips for this one). Boy, I may not be the biggest fan of red lips but Jesus Christ I LOVE THIS. Now, I have to find a suitable occasion to wear this lovely red..

Swatch comparison for Milk in Coral and Milk in Red

Swatch comparison for Milk in Coral and Milk in Red

In conclusion, I was so damn right – these Berrisom two-toned lipsticks did not disappoint! In fact, probably because they are so untypical of the usual Korean make-up products for their strong colour payoff and close-to-matte-like finish (if you noticed, most K-beauty lipsticks are either too glossy or sheer 😒 me no likey), they surpassed my expectations. Moreover, they are more long-lasting too!

With so many Korean beauty brands to shop at, there’s likely better choices out there. But in terms of affordability, Berrisom definitely takes the cake because like, seriously, it’s only S$16.90! (Prices are a lot lower if you buy it off the net but do bear in mind that you can’t try the colour before purchasing!)

What are your thoughts on these lipsticks? Let me know your comments below!

Thanks for reading!

Berrisom Oops! Two Two Lip Bar is now available at selected local Guardian outlets at an introductory price of S$13.90 (usual price S$16.90) for a limited time only.
Products featured in this review were editorially selected. All opinions, as always, are genuine and uninfluenced.

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