Makeup review: Lip Ink

[cupcake_goth]

Lip Ink (Yes, of course that was a clicky link.)

Now, I have used Lip Ink before, and really liked it. I stopped using it because I thought that going back to regular lipstick would be easier; considering how long I've spent looking for my perfect lipstick color AND the amount of time I have spent applying multiple colors and lip liners to get close to the shade I wanted, switching back to Lip Ink started to make a bit more sense.


The Good:

- It really is smudge-proof. Once you've applied it, it will not come off unless you take it off with the Lip Ink Off product. Eating greasy food might wear a bit of it off of the inside edges of your lips, but that's it. No, it does not come off on someone if you smooch them.

- Customize your own colors! You can layer any of the colors together to make your perfect color. (The instructions say no more than 3 layers, but I've had no problems with 4 or 5.)

- The Shine moisturizing gloss is amazing. Not only will it give you a glossy glossy finish, but it doesn't feel sticky at all.

The Vaguely Annoying:

- The application process. You have to wipe your lips with the Off product, apply a small amount of the Shine moisturizer, shake your vial of color, and then apply the color to your (open, relaxed) lips in one direction. You also need to apply the color in layers, and then apply more Shine at the end. This, until you get used to it, is fiddly and annoying.

- The stinging! All the bottles say "Feel the Tingle!"; all the colors are made with 190 proof grain alcohol as a base (to avoid having to use any preservatives), and yeah, it does *tingle* a bit. That said, I'm a huge wuss who can't use Lip Venom or anything like it, and the stinging from Lip Ink doesn't bother me AND only lasts for about 3 seconds.

- The cost. $50 for a starter kit, which is 2 colors, a bottle of Off, and a vial of Shine.

The Other Things:

- For the first few minutes after application, it feels like any other long-wear lip color; that "I've coated my lips in rubbery plastic!" feeling. But that feeling goes away with Lip Ink, unlike with the other long-wear stuff.

- They have a *lot* of products. Including color-shift versions of Shine, and long-wear brow liner/color products. (I indulged in the brow liner in black, and I'm pretty damn impressed with it, too.

In Conclusion:

Lip Ink goooood. If you're someone who is willing to spend a bit more time than just swiping on some lipstick before running out the door, I *highly* recommend Lip Ink.

Comments

[trystbat.livejournal.com]

What about dryness? My lips are super dry (thus, I'm a lipbalm addict, & don't tell me how that causes the problem; it's been thus all my life!). All the "long-wearing" lip stuff I try is dry, dry, dry, & if I use it more than once a week, my lips get extra cracky & painful. But I spend half my life reapplying lipstick, as it's the one item of makeup I alwaysalwaysalways wear, so I'm curious about this Lip Ink stuff.

[cupcake-goth.livejournal.com]

Welllll, there's two parts to this answer:

1) You can't use any other products with Lip Ink. So no other lip balms or moisturizers other than the Shine stuffs.

2) For the first couple of days using Lip Ink, your lips will feel dry and there might be some slight chapping, because Lip Ink helps exfoliate your lips. After those first few days, things are great.

[stroppy-baggage.livejournal.com]

I'm still not buying this. i could have SWORN that you quit using it before because of irritation.

We will see, I guess.

[sistawendy.livejournal.com]

I'm still willing to trade durability for speed of application. Maybe that's because I'm not spending enough time en femme.

[speedie316.livejournal.com]

I agree! But then you probably wear makeup more often than I do these days...
But I'd rather spend 10 minutes in one shot and forget about it than spend 1 minute 10 times and have to worry about whether my lipstick is still on.

[cass404.livejournal.com]

I am tempted but their MAC to LipInk comparison has me concerned. I can't see how Ultra Amethyst and Plum are going to translate into Del Rio...

[minim_calibre]

Or how Rose and Violet Magic Powder will become O (which is a warm berry wine with gold shimmer...)

[cass404.livejournal.com]

I am sensing the need for a money (and shipping and handling) back guarantee... Or better swatches on the website.

[radcliffe.livejournal.com]

You might look into their paint on eyeliner, if you use such things. I loved the bottle I had from them, it wore beautifully and was enough for a year.

[kali921.livejournal.com]

*waves at you from collapseylamb's journal*

Oooo, maquillage reviews, my fave! I've tried Lip Ink, and it doth verily rock the lipstick house.

I'm still a Christian Dior and Vincent Longo addict, however, for lipstick. Such great colors and such finely milled consistency.

I friended you. Hope you don't mind. :-)

[shoindiematrix.livejournal.com]

^_^ Oh, thank you so much! I've been wanting to find lip color that I didn't have to apply multiple times. I do hope I have the courage to try it, though.