Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Tarnish in Scandal

In December, I showed you Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Tarnish ($18) in Blackmail, a blackberry "truffle" shade. Described as a plumping and moisturizing lip stain, Lip Tarnish is available in seven pretty colors. After I tried Blackmail, I decided I needed another shade. My next purchase was Scandal (love these salacious names). Scandal is described as mauve - accurate, but not nearly as exciting as the real thing.

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Tarnish takes color to a new level. It tints exactly like a stain, shines like a gloss, moisturizes like a balm, and plumps like nobody's business. Your full color and shine isn't going anywhere. Lips remain soft and supple thanks to an infusion of emollients and vitamin E for lasting moisture. The cooling and tingling sensation reminds you that your pout looks plumped to mega-proportions. A built-in sharpener keeps your creamy pencil perfectly prepped for whatever shenanigans arise.

How has it fared with me? I really like it, but not for all the reasons promoted in the marketing blurb on Sephora (above). It does behave like a stain, making the color extremely long-lasting - and oh, what a gorgeous colors I have! Scandal is like my lip color, but significantly darker, making my lips look naturally pretty and more prominent than they are without help.

I see a lively gleam when I apply Scandal. For that reason, I'm having a scandalous affair. I've also figured out that if I apply just a little lip balm before I apply Scandal (or Blackmail), my lips feel moist and creamy, and the product offers more shine. I think I've hit on the "formula" for the best way to wear Big & Healthy Lip Tarnish.

I took my swatch photos in full sun. These photos may be a tiny bit more shiny than Scandal looks on the lips, but not much. I think the mauve-rose shade is gorgeous.

There is a slight cooling sensation when I apply Lip Tarnish and, fortunately, no tingling sensation that plumps my lips with pain. I dislike tinglers, so I'm happy with that minimal effect. Although the ingredients list fragrance, I do not detect a significant smell or taste. There's just a slight fragrance on application; it fades quickly.

I starting using my first Lip Tarnish as a lip pencil, filling in the whole lip after lining. Because of its generous, chubby size, Lip Tarnish makes quick work of generously lining or painting my lips with color. Now that I've discovered the keys to the kingdom (with practice and a bit of serendipity), I use Lip Tarnish like any other lip color. It provides its own definition.

My Big & Healthy Lip Tarnish shades have become staples in my handbag. I always have one with me - proof I love them. I won't carry extra weight for mediocre beauty products.

Buxom's Big & Healthy Lip Tarnish is sold exclusively at Sephora. Right now, there is a special offer. Enter code TRYBUXOM in the promotion code box at checkout, and you'll receive a Buxom Lash Mascara deluxe sample (0.2 oz), free with your online purchase. The offer is valid through March 31, or while supplies last.

Photos by Best Things in Beauty

14 comments:

DivaDebbi said...

This is EXACTLY the hue of lip color I LOVE! Running to Sephora tomorrow. The last Buxom Lip product I bought was disappointingly coral on me. This looks purrrfect. Thanks CG!

Deb said...

Thanks to your first review of this product, I decided to give it another look. I had looked at them online but never in person for some reason. I was browsing in my local Sephora a couple of days ago and I picked up Extortion. What a great shade. I've really been liking the product, just wish there were more color choices. I swatched every one of them in the store and all of the other colors are just too dark or too wrong for me. You're right, this is a great product. Thanks for the review!

Eileen said...

Scandal, indeed! This is the color of just bitten lips.: beautiful and sexy.

Charlestongirl said...

You will love it, Debbi!

Charlestongirl said...

Deb, I've been eying Extortion. Maybe that one is next for me. I also wish there were more selections. When I find something I like, I go overboard. :)

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Eileen,

I think I might have named Scandal "Riot." Granted, my name isn't part of the theme, but Scandal could start a riot if everyone saw how it looks when applied. :)

Actually, my Sephora store looks like a riot already occurred.

tarleisio said...

I think Scandal had me at 'hello!' with that shade..Perfect! Lips but better! .How does it do in the lip plumping department?

Charlestongirl said...

Hi Tarleisio!

I don't think it plumps the lips, and I wouldn't like it if it did. I don't want my lips to look swollen. The colors make the lips look full.

Don't you find that most plumping claims are hooey?

lovethescents said...

This sounds perfect! Love your ideas for it. Will have to see if our local Sephora has it. Thank you!

BB said...

I can't find it online in the UK...it sounds intriguing and very easy to use..will keep my fingers crossed it does come to our chilly and wet shores

Mamavalveeta03 said...

VERY pretty and probably going to end up in my bag, too! Great photo, by the way! These sound like they have a bit more moisture than some of their cohorts.

Charlestongirl said...

I hope you can find it, Lovethescents. If your Canada Sephora stores carry Buxom, it's likely you can.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi BB,

Bummer! I can't imagine why it isn't distributed worldwide.

Charlestongirl said...

Hi MamaVal,

They are certainly more moisturizing than YSL's new Glossy Stains! Just put a thin coat on balm on first. As you know, that's an "old MUA trick" anyhow.