I’m a sucker for Sephora Lip Kits! That’s where this one came from (so she’s just a mini).
The thing with Sephora Lip Kits (not that I’m complaining) is the shades that come in them are fairly middle-of-the-road in an attempt to appeal to the masses. Apparently Honeysuckle fits the bill – it’s quite popular because it’s fairly balanced and therefore flatters many skin tones in a similar way that Clinique’s Black Honey does (funnily enough, that one also came in this lip kit).
I actually don’t prefer these types of shades on me – they look decent, but not outstanding, you know? Nevertheless, I was excited to try the formula!
I live in a relatively mild climate, but this year it has been particularly cold and dry – just ask my lips! So lately I’ve been wishing for a more hydrating, nourishing formula to wear than my classic mattes. If I’m not immediately reaching for my balm-in-lipstick, then I start the day of strong in a matte and end it with something more moisturizing. This is perfect for that, plumping aside.
Why not top it with a gloss, you say? I’m just not a huge gloss person, or maybe I’ve been using the wrong glosses, but I find they’re either sticky or they make my lips peel and leave them dryer than when they started (I’m still on the hunt).
On to the review!
Cost
CAD: $33 on Tarte’s website, or $12.22/g
(Note for comparison, MAC is at $29 or $9.67/g)
Formula description
This is described as an “all-in-1 plumping balm, gloss, color & hydrating treatment with buildable coverage & a glossy plump finish”. Of particular note is that this is a “tingle-free plump”.
The formula delivers! The only surprising thing to me though is it’s a bit… Goopier than I was expecting. You must be careful how much you apply (and in particular, how much pressure you use).
To be fair, I’m just using a trial size which is a twist-up that (of course) I twisted up too high at one point. I know (now) that the full-size is a click-up, which probably helps keep the form a bit better gives some control as to how much product is applied.
Tell me that the product photos don’t make it seem like the product has some integrity, though!
The plumping is subtle but there, and achieved with a lovely cooling menthol formula. I really like the menthol, it’s quite refreshing.
When I think menthol, I immediately imagine my lips peeling, but this is not the case – it’s almost like I’ve been wearing a lip mask! The formula keeps my lips in excellent condition throughout the day. The shine is beautiful, and the pigment is subtle and somewhat buildable, at least in this shade.
A lot of lip products say that they’re “hydrating” but to me they’re really just “non-drying”. In contrast, this one really does feel like it’s adding something that makes it “hydrating”, so I’ll forgive the goopiness.
One thing though – I would not classify the formula as sticky, but it does have a thickness to it, and so you’ll naturally find an occasional hair stick to your lips if you’re out and about.
Shade and colour payoff
Bottom: Three Swipes (attempted, anyways – it’s a soft formula and will only layer so much)
The shade “honeysuckle” is described as a “black cherry”, and it is quite similar to Clinique’s Black Honey, but it leans more brown-red, whereas Black Honey reads a bit more pink.
The darkness of the product in the tube is deceiving! One swipe with a light hand gives a very light application of colour, and adding another layer will give a bit more of a rosy tint.
This very light deposit of pigment actually makes it a great “lip rescue” at the end of the day after having worn a drying matte formula. The colour is just enough that it masks any lipstick fade it’s covering, but it’s not so pigmented that it drastically changes what you were previously wearing. Applying this over my pre-existing matte has become a nourishing late-afternoon habit!
Wear
The menthol effect lasts quite a while in my opinion, but I really enjoy the cooling sensation (even in winter)!
The pigment fades seemingly on its own over time, but it doesn’t leave deposits or any discernable “fade ring”. Either my eyes are tricking me, or the glossy effect lasts longer than the pigment does. I’m okay with that, though! I think it’s a testament to the hydrating aspect of the formula – the protective layer lasts quite a while on the lips, and in my opinion this makes the product stand out.
Fragrance
Although the feeling is menthol, the fragrance (flavour?) is like a sweet coconut (I was never good with flavour identification, so don’t hold me to that). It’s a refreshing deviation from the typical vanilla.
The sweetness reminds me of the Maybelline Lifter Gloss, but not as intrusive. I don’t know about you, but I find that the sweetness of Lifter Gloss sort-of catches in my throat if I’m not careful. Anyone else have this experience? I don’t have the same problem with this formula, though.
Similar from my collection
I haven’t tired any other plumping formulas, so there’s probably not a fair comparison in my collection, but a couple products do come to mind as being similar:
Again, shade-wise has to be Clinique Black Honey. They are far from shade dupes thanks to Black Honey leaning more pink, and of course the formula is very different.
I also mentioned the Maybelline Lifter Glosses being the closest thing I have in formula, but I much prefer wearing the Tarte formula. I know, Juicy Lip Plump is not intended to be a gloss – but in that case, if I had to choose between a “juicy lip plump” and a “gloss”, I’d go lip plump all the way! I do love Lifter Gloss for the look and the pigmentation, but my lips tend to dry out or peel when I use them, and I find them stickier than the Juicy Lip Plump.
Final thoughts
I’m surprised at how much I like this formula. It’s like nothing else in my collection, with the biggest benefit being the hydration and nourishment (after a long cold winter, no less)!
However…
These are expensive! I think if I lived in this type of formula, they might be worth the investment – but I just love my bullet lipsticks too much, and I wouldn’t want to start collecting these as I’d worry about the longevity of the formula. So, I don’t think I’ll be purchasing more any time soon, but I do appreciate having this one.
Okay, well maybe one more travel sized one on hand during colder months would do the trick. 🙂
