As a beauty blogger and regular blog reader, 99.9% of my purchases are inspired by fellow bloggers. I've also noticed that because of the current move towards sponsored and ad content on YouTube as well as more popular beauty pages, I'm becoming increasingly distrustful towards their recommendations, turning instead towards my b-blogging friends and more niche blogs. That was precisely the case with this
Beauty Reductionista's influenced purchase:
Liz blogged about the
Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balms ($8 for 4g/ 0.141 oz) about a month or so ago, and as I was stocking up on their Glow Tonic anyway, I promptly plopped the shade Ripe Raspberry in my basket.
The final nail in the lemming coffin was Liz stating that she preferred the Pixi Shea Butter balm formulation over the pricey Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments. The Fresh lip balms are some of my absolute favorite tinted lip products on the market, and one of the very few balms I keep using up and repurchasing. Any time my lips are feeling particularly dry and flakey (which is 90% of the time), I put one on and it not only doesn't exacerbate the dryness, but in fact also helps to heal it. But anyway, this is not a review of the Fresh Sugar products (there's one coming later on), I just wanted to explain why Liz's statement made me so excited - could I really get the same Holy Grail results from a product that's almost $15 cheaper?
Well, spoiler alert: no, I can't. Not even close. What makes the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments so unique in my book is their thick, unctuous, slippery, balmy texture that covers the lips in a cushiony layer of moisture (or grease, however you want to look at it). When my lips are dry, I NEED that heavy, oily layer of product to fix and smooth over the texture underneath, seal in the moisture, and prevent me from trying to bite off the flakes (sorry, TMI).
The Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm doesn't have that - you can even see the textural difference between it and the Fresh Treatment in the arm swatch photo. That is not to say it's not a nice tinted lip balm in its own right: somewhat hydrating, pigmented, with a thinner consistency and more long lasting color than the Fresh balms, so much so that I even found the shade Ripe Raspberry to stain my lips a bit. But a Sugar Lip Treatment it ain't.
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| L-R: Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm in Ripe Raspberry, Chanel Rouge Coco Shine in Monte Carlo, Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment in Passion, L'Oreal Caresee in Blushing Sequin |
Ripe Raspberry is more of a berry fuschia shade than a pinky red I was expecting (so, coupled with the difference in texture, it didn't turn out to be a good replacement for my now defunct tube of Fresh Sugar Treatment in Passion). Because of its thin but harder waxy texture, it takes a bit of work to get on the lips, but like I said above, once you do it stays on very well, even through a meal. The closest shade dupe in a sheer formula that I have in my collection would be the L'Oreal Caresse lipstick in Blushing Sequin, swatched on the far right. There's no shimmer or glitter in Ripe Raspberry, which is my preference for a tinted balm, and it has that delightful vanilla scent reminiscent of MAC lipsticks.
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| Two layers of Ripe Raspberry applied on freshly exfoliated lips: you can still see it clinging to some pesky flakes. It also doesn't do much for vertical lip lines. However, it looks perfectly smooth on Liz's lips. My conclusion is that I must have much, much drier, and much more puckered lips than she does :( |
You can probably tell that I can't help but feel a trifle disappointed with this Pixi Shea Butter Lip Balm; well, the expectations were certainly running high (though I still love you, Liz. We're good). I'll dig it out again once the weather starts warming up, but for now, I'm sticking to the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment - fortunately, I just purchased a new tube; not because I was expecting the Pixi to fail, but rather because I have no self-control.
Tell me, what is your favorite tinted lip balm? Do you prefer thick, heavy formulas like the Fresh or something more lightweight like the Pixi?
It looks really pretty wish it was better formula wise! My Fresh lip balm absolutely melt away in the summer so I need to keep them in the fridge most of the year
ReplyDeleteTheConscienceFund
I know what you mean, Divya - I took the last 1/4 of my Passion tube with me to the Bahamas and it broke off and fell on the floor as I was trying to apply it. I then scooped it up and put it back in the tube; I have no shame.
DeleteYeah I agree with you too! Nothing beats the Fresh Sugar ones for me as well. The thicker texture just sits better on dry lips! Pretty shade on you Monika!
ReplyDeleteThank you Trakee! Yeah, darn those expensive Fresh balms, but they're just so good on dry lips!
Deletewhen you said fresh, I got so excited! Bummer! I was actually thinking about picking up one the other day and I'm glad that I didn't. Also, I agree that watching a lot of youtubers these days is like watching ads on repeat; they're not interesting anymore!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I really need to get my lazy butt to make that makeup addict tag post!
It's quite annoying when you have to look at every YouTuber's recommendation and be like 'Is this sponsored? Was it a press sample? Is the brand paying for her vacation?'. Anyway... do the make-up addict tag, girl! Can't wait to see your stash! And wait... is your name Maeve or Louise? :D
DeleteI don't use tinted balms, since my lips are quite pigmented. However, I adore Hurraw balms, they have a red pigmented Cherry one. You might like it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the recommendation, Elena - I've heard a lot of raves about Hurraw lip balms, and I think they have one that's Earl Grey scented? That pretty much sold me.
DeleteIt's a shame that the texture of the Pixi is disappointing, but that shade of pink is SO PRETTY on you! I also prefer thick, colorless balms, especially at night, but my favorite tinted balm is Vaseline Lip Therapy in Rosy Lips. It has a relatively thin texture, but it makes my lips feel great, and it smells like roses and almonds.
ReplyDeleteThank you!!! And thank you for the recommendation, I'll definitely look into it once I'm done with some of my current lip balms - I don't know how I've managed to accumulate so many. Roses and almonds sounds divine!
DeleteHey Monika, this is surprisingly pigmented for a tinted balm, and I adore the shade on you! Sorry to hear it doesn't live up to your expectations tho. I guess drier lips are pickier! I actually don't have many tinted lip balms at all. I don't really look for them. Generally speaking, my lips are fine as long as I slap on a thick layer of balm before bedtime and not wear a drying lip product. I drink a lot of water and never lick my lips, but I guess a lot of this is also just genetic!
ReplyDeleteIt is ridiculously pigmented! Thank you Sunny - I guess bright fuschias suit me pretty well, especially in the winter. I've heard a couple people say dry lips are genetic - I'm not sure, maybe I abuse mine by not drinking enough water (definitely!) and by messing with them too much overall ;(
DeleteWhat a bummer!! So agree w/ Sunny, the color is lovely on you. I've been eyeing Pixi on local Tar-jay, no Glow Tonic to be found yet. What gives?? Lip balm-wise, I'm w. you, I like heavy formula that "hugs" the lips like buttah!
ReplyDeleteClaire, I have a sinking feeling Pixi Glow Tonic is available online only, but they have free shipping over $25, which means you don't have to pay to get your Tonic shipped. They processed my order super quickly too!
DeleteWell, darn! This is the second time one of my recommendation didn't turn out this week. Bummed for you but at least it didn't cost an arm and a leg. I consider this to be pretty emollient and not waxy while the Fresh left my lips feeling drier afterwards, but I guess it's one of those funny things.
ReplyDeleteI actually spent a good couple minutes staring at your lip swatch compared to mine. Your lips look impossibly smooth and glossy, mine look lined, uneven and dry with the Pixi balm on. How is that possible?! I even considered it may be warmer where you are so that your balm has a softer consistency, but no - you're in Toronto. Oh, the mysteries of the universe... ;)
DeleteDrat. Still no contest. I don't know how Fresh turns their ingredients into magic, but they do. Definitely wish they were more wallet-friendly though.
ReplyDeleteI too wish Fresh was cheaper - while I really don't like some of their hyped up products (like the Soy Face Cleanser), I think the balms are stellar. There was a Sephora promo code last year for a free trio of Sugar lip things (treatment, gloss and scrub) that I jumped on because it was such a great deal. As soon as I photograph and test them out properly, there'll be a review coming up!
DeleteDamn, I was hoping the Pixi might be a cheaper/better alternative to Fresh after the Reductionista's review too. I have had success with Burt's Bees tinted lip balms though - while their naked balms tend to be waxy, minty and not up to much, the tinted balms are moisturising and with a creamier, comforting texture. The tints are more subtle than Fresh (booo!) buuuut that can be good on low/no make-up days.
ReplyDeleteEhh, sometimes you can't beat the most expensive option!
Thanks for the rec! I only tried the regular balm (I think it was Pomegranate?) and it was just ok, but I've heard really good things about the tinted ones. I guess I should first use up some of my tinted lip balm stash though :( And I agree, sometimes it just doesn't pay in the long run to try saving your dollars by getting a cheaper option!
DeleteI own Honey Nectar, and I'm not a fan. The shimmers in it seem to highlight every lip perfection, and the shade's kind of milky and patchy. I thought perhaps it was just that particular shade, but I'd have to try the others out in person before I made the purchase. Shame, because I was so excited to receive a Pixi product in my birchbox! (I unsubbed after that box haha)
ReplyDeleteI've been looking into those! I absolutely adore tinted lip balms, and I'm dying to lay my hands on some of the Fresh Sugar... but they are impossible to come by on Europe as far as I know, unless you order from Sephora and use a separate company that offers re-shipping worlwide... a bit of a pain. Still considering it, though, because I'm an addict.
ReplyDeleteAt least it suits you? Right? Hehe. :) I don't tend to grab for tinted lip balms, but my favorite lip treatment is the BITE Agave Lip Mask! It doesn't have a tint, though.
ReplyDeleteCarina, does the flaking packaging of the BITE Agave mask drive you crazy? That's the only thing that's stopping me from purchasing it! And I think they just came out with a berry tinted version, just to tempt me more :/
DeleteThis review actually makes me want to try these more - while I like the Fresh balms, they're too slippery to be favorites. I prefer a thinner & harder formula with less slip.
ReplyDeleteHahah, I knew there must be people out there who dislike the slip of the Fresh balms! If you do try the Pixi out, let me know what you think!
DeleteI love how it looks on you! x
ReplyDeleteI used the Fresh balms exclusively for a couple of years until I found out they test on animals. I was so mad. I find the Pixi balms to be a decent cruelty-free alternative.
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