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

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Tarnish

When I was shopping Sephora's last Friends & Family sale, Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Tarnish ($18) caught my eye. Described as a plumping and moisturizing lip stain, Lip Tarnish is available in seven pretty colors. I had never tried it, so I decided to purchase one: Blackmail (blackberry truffle).

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 color Blackmail is! The grape-toned shade is like my lip color, but significantly darker, making my lips look naturally pretty and more prominent than they are without help. Blackmail reminds me, just a little, of my beloved Black Honey, although it's darker than Black Honey.

I see little to no shine from Blackmail indoors, although it does shine when light is directed at my face. That's why you can see shine in my full-sun swatch photos. Trust me, there's very little shine on my lips, just a slight gleam. I normally wear lip gloss over it (either clear or the shade of my choice). However, its finish is perfect for gals who like a matte look or want to balance a shimmering eye.

It is slightly hydrating, but I wouldn't call it creamy. It's like a comfortable stain - not drying, but not notably moisturizing either. I can wear it without feeling dry, so that's a plus. There is a slight cooling sensation when I apply it 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 an overt smell or taste.

I really like using my Lip Tarnish as a lip pencil. Because of its generous, chubby size, it makes quick work of lining my lips with color. Then I fill in with two more strokes of Blackmail before applying lipstick or lip gloss (or both).

While this may read like a "mixed review," I'm actually quite pleased with Big & Healthy Lip Tarnish. I will definitely purchase another one: Scandal (mauve), for sure. What's with these names? Mug Shot (nude pink) looks pretty too. All of them remind me of LiLo's run-ins with the law.

Buxom's Big & Healthy Lip Tarnish is sold exclusively at Sephora. I'll be tacking Scandal onto my next order. I need one of these for my handbag, and Blackmail has earned a place in my bathroom.

Photo at top courtesy of Sephora; other photos by Best Things in Beauty

Bare Escentuals Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadow in Poodle

New and exclusive to Sephora, Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadow ($17) is a lively cream eye shadow. I'm in the camp that loves it.

Available in 10 shades, there's a shade or two for everyone to covet. Many of you know that I gave away two in our weekly giveaway contest last week. Amber and Hanna were two lucky gals. I'm going to have to re-order. I want Mutt and Chihuahua too!

The shade I kept for myself, because I love gold shadows, is Poodle - described perfectly as pale yellow gold. I didn't even open Mutt and Chihuahua to look at them. I didn't want to get attached to them, like you would get attached to any puppy. Now that I've worn Poodle, I must purchase a few more pups, starting with Mutt and Chihuahua.

I adore the texture of Poodle. I apply it with my finger, although a cream shadow brush works just as well. The finish of Poodle is shiny. It reminds me of one of my all-time favorites, Dior's Undressed Beige (a gold cream shadow). Here is a photo of Poodle, taken in bright shade, not direct sun. The shadow is so reflective on my arm that the direct sun photos I snapped washed out its pretty color.

The finish is shiny, not sparkly, and that usually works well on my lower lid. I would never wear it above the crease, although younger gals could be more daring. I am drawn to the "conservative" shades of Stay-There. I can't see myself wearing Bull Dog, an intense royal blue, or Schnauzer, a vivid violet plum. I could be tempted by Pug, a smoky pewter. On my eyelids, the shadow lasts all day, with its original finish. I had a teeny tiny (almost insignificant) bit of shadow in the crease by the end of a hot day, but that was easily remedied with a quick swipe of my pinkie. I'm very fond on my Poodle! Should I name him?

Here is Sephora's description of Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadow.

This bounc-i-licious new eye color offers the ultimate experience with an unexpectedly plush, lightweight texture and vivid color. It leaps and bounds beyond what you've come to expect from eye color and better, yet, it's even waterproof. Named after our loyal four-legged friends, these stay-put shades will be your faithful new beauty companions as they comfort and care for your pretty peepers. The mineral-infused, paraben-free formula pampers delicate skin with soothing aloe extract and vitamin E - all with a non-greasy, long-wearing finish. Touch it. Pet it. Love it.

I do love it! I also love the fact that Bare Escentuals is making a charitable contribution to Canine Companions for Independence, a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs. Another great reason to try one of these puppies!

You can purchase Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadow at Sephora. Which doggie in the window has your name on it?

Top photo courtesy of Sephora

Bare Escentuals Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadow Giveaway Contest Winners

It's only fitting that we follow a cat story with a dog story! We have two winners - lucky gals who will both be receiving their first color choice of Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadow. Congratulations to Amber and Hanna! Both have been notified by e-mail.

Random.org selected Amber first, so she will receive her first choice of shades (Mutt). Then it selected Hanna, and since she wanted the other (Chihuahua), she will receive her first choice too! I love it when things work out that way.

Buxom Stay-There Eye Shadow ($17) is a whole new breed of vibrant, lively eye color that will leave you begging for more, according to Bare Escentuals. The term "breed" is particularly cute since each shade is named after a pup. In honor of our furry friends, Bare Escentuals is making a charitable contribution to Canine Companions for Independence - a non-profit organization that enhances the lives of people with disabilities by providing highly trained assistance dogs.

When I ordered Mutt and Chihuahua for the contest, I also ordered one for myself in Poodle (pale gold). I'll have to write a review of it this week. So far, I've read conflicting impressions of the shadow at friends' blogs. Maybe we can talk Amber and Hanna into adding comments to let us know how they like the look and wear of their new pups.

Thank you all for entering (and your tweets), for your sweet comments and e-mails, and for reading Best Things in Beauty! I have the greatest readers on earth! That's why we will start another giveaway contest later today. Come back!

Photo courtesy of Sephora