Sunday, May 19, 2013

Boldest Berry

I have no idea when I began obsessing over dark berry lips, but they seem to be all the rage. Once categorised as more appropriate for autumn/fall, they're now embraced year-round. There's something edgy and dramatic about a bold lip bordering on vampy. Paired with flawless, dewy skin and minimal eyes, it's positively fresh-faced and trendy as hell. (I may or may not be thinking of the Tom Ford lipstick Lara Bingle wore to her 25th birthday party.) Come to think of it, it took me a long time to come around, but it probably all started with this Lisa Eldridge video on four ways to wear Tom Ford Black Orchid. As usual, when gripped by a new makeup fixation, the first thing I do is pull out and explore all my existing options.




Unsurprisingly, there's a lot of Revlon. They do lip products like no other. My earliest foray into deeper shades came in the form of two limited edition Revlon palettes: a vivid, dark, blue-based red and an eggplant purple in the Illuminance All-over Palette in Passion Fusion (let's call them #3 and #4 respectively), and a plum lip colour in the Bordeaux in the Snow Lipgloss Palette. In my Revlon Lip Butter collection, I have two of the darkest shades, the brightened, dark pink fuchsia Raspberry Pie and the deep brownish-red Red Velvet. I recently added Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Black Cherry to the mix, because I wanted a full-on colour to play around with. Before Black Cherry, there was Savvy by DB in Bali that I picked up during Priceline's 40% off cosmetics sale, and much before that, I had the muted brownish-mauve of Australis Foxtrot.



The two lip shades in Revlon Passion Fusion are much more pigmented and creamier than the lip colour in Revlon Bordeaux in the Snow, which is sheer, terribly patchy and extremely dry in texture. It's so hard to pick up any colour and apply it smoothly and evenly to the lips that it's almost unusable. The third shade in Passion Fusion looks like a very dark maroon in the pan, but it's actually much brighter and pinky-red when applied. It could even potentially double up as a cheek tint if sheered out. The fourth shade in Passion Fusion is the most purple of the bunch and reminds me a lot of Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Va Va Violet.


Savvy by DB Long Lasting Matte Lipstick in Bali, first brought to my attention by Angela, isn't a lipstick that I anticipated buying. After a few underwhelming experiences with products from the brand, I hadn't given much thought to trying out anything else, except for repurchasing their stellar Luxury Liner eyeliners (now known as Soft Glide). But the deep, berry red colour was so on point, and it was so cheap on sale, that I had to. Being matte, it is a little drying, but nothing a lip balm can't fix. Australis Colour Inject Mineral Lipstick in Foxtrot is a less intimidating option — a desaturated plum with a brownish, rosy tone. I'm not a huge fan of the smell of the Colour Inject lipsticks, but my lips have always liked the formula. The two Revlon Lip Butters in Raspberry Pie and Red Velvet are a couple of my absolute favourite darker lip colours. Almost opaque in pigmentation, but hydrating and glossy, you can whack these on without having to worry about following exact lip lines or somehow messing up the application.

Finally, we have Revlon Black Cherry. I was almost going to devote a whole post to it because of my initial excitement in finally having it in my collection. Ever since I saw Estée feature it in her Beauty Products I Couldn't Live Without video, it's been on my to-get list. Black Cherry is the closest thing I'll have to Chanel Rouge Allure Rouge Noir or Tom Ford Black Orchid. It's a blackened maroon that absolutely needs a lip brush for optimal results. The texture isn't what I expected at all as it's nothing like the other Super Lustrous lipsticks I have, probably because of the difficulty in getting the formulation spot on due to the unusual colour. It can get patchy very quick, including if you rub the lips together or go over existing lipstick to deepen the colour, or just fix up any unevenness or imperfections with the first layer. Bizarrely, I can wipe this off my lips with a tissue and everything slides right off without leaving any kind of stain. I think it works best on well moisturised lips, using only one layer applied in a single, uninterrupted motion straight from the bullet. The edges might need to be cleaned up afterwards, and the colour spread with the fingers in a dabbing motion. I find it starts to feather and fade quite quickly, so constant reapplication and touching up is required. It's one high maintenance lipstick. But there's just something about it. It's a touch vampy, bold and chic. It's anything you want it to be, from the lightest berry stain to the heaviest, near black lipstick.

l-r: Revlon Raspberry Pie, Savvy by DB Bali, Revlon Passion Fusion #3, Revlon Red VelvetAustralis Foxtrot, Revlon Passion Fusion #4, Revlon Bordeaux in the Snow, Revlon Black Cherry

l-r: Revlon Raspberry PieSavvy by DB BaliRevlon Passion Fusion #3, Revlon Red Velvet

l-r: Australis FoxtrotRevlon Passion Fusion #4, Revlon Bordeaux in the SnowRevlon Black Cherry


Pinks, reds, corals, MLBB shades, nudes, and now deep berry reds/burgundy/plums. Every imaginable lipstick need, covered. The frequency that I'd wear any of these shades doesn't warrant the number I have (I didn't even include my Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains), but clearly that's never stopped me. I think lipsticks are to me what shoes must be to some other girls. You might wear a fancy pair for fun around the house, or to a special occasion, but day to day you'll probably be in a boring pair of flats. Similarly, I usually don't even wear lipstick most of the time, but I'm all about having a multitude of choices for when I do feel like dressing up.

50 comments:

  1. Whoa those are some bold berry colours indeed! I love berry colours for the Fall and Winter but I find them a bit too dark to pull off sometimes, so I love the lip butter in 'Berry Smoothie' for a wearable berry shade :)

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  2. revlon black cherry looks super pretty and vampy! i agree with the darker shades, not all that wearable but definitely something good to own and test it out in front of the mirror LOL
    x

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  3. LOVE berry shades, perfect for winter! Absolutely gorgeous colours!

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  4. berry shades are my cup of tea! I love wearing bold berry shades in winter/fall and lighter berry shades for warmer months ^^
    revlon black cherry looks so vivid and bold and rich it must be gorgeous on the lips!

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  5. I absolutely love bold lip shades and recently I've been getting into the purples and berries too! I really love MAC Desire for these cooler Autumn/Winter months!

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  6. Revlon Passion Fruit looks simply divine! I would love to embrace some brighter and indeed bolder shades such as these :)
    Amy xx
    A Little Boat Sailing

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  7. I have the raspberry pie lip butter, I love it so much - it's kind of a summery berry colour :)

    Tori | Aztec Mess

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  8. Oooh you are so brave! I like a bit of berry now and then but I could never pull off the darker, more purple kind of shades!
    xx

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  9. haha, I'm the same. My lipstick collection is growing rapidly, but they all seem to be within this same color range! You should look into Bare Escentuals Black Currant.

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  10. Oh wow, I'm drooling at the swatches! ♥ Beautiful lipsticks!

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  11. Awesome collection, I love berry shades, but they don't look good on me :(, make me look older, I can wear intensity up to Red velvet but not more than that.. I remember seeing Lisas video :)

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  12. I love berry lips too, and I fully agree about Revlon producing some of the best shades! xxx

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  13. i love love love deep and berry shades, definitely one of the best things about the colder months! You seem to have a great range of berry colors! Would love to see how black cherry looks on you! c:

    à la foliee

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  14. All these shades are beautiful! I love a berry lip -- haven't quite gotten up the nerve to try Black Cherry yet, but one day :) x

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  15. I'm always drawn to buying shades like this, then put them on and realsie they don't suit me :(
    These are all gorgeous shades, I bet they look lovely on you!

    xoxo

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  16. Ah so many pretties, funnily enough I am also ending my lipstick posts with my darker autumn colours. Passion Fusion & Black Cherry are my faves out of all of these xx

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  17. I've also been lusting over Revlon Black Cherry ever since Estée has been praising it so highly. I'm grateful that you've honestly mentioned how it may apply patchy due to its dark pigmentation. I'm not a frequent user of dark shades of lipsticks but I shall take this into account when purchasing it or something similar. I would love to see how it would look on you too! ^^ x

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  18. Do you have the Revlon JBKBS in "Crush"? Because, if not, you need it; it is the PERFECT compliment to Black Cherry. I have both and can't handle wearing Black Cherry on its own (like you said, it's high maintenance) but if you apply it over Crush it is the most beautiful and hassle free lipstick look you could ever imagine. I can get away with wearing it at work for 5+ hours with no touchups when worn that way and absolutely adore it (plus I get about a gajillion compliments whenever I do so that's always a plus too)!!

    Cassie
    thriftthick.blogspot.com

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    1. Funny you should mention Crush - I was OBSESSED with it for a while, only to discover it wasn't even sold in Australia (we missed out on it and the orange one). But they actually just released those 2 here like, 2-3 weeks ago or something? Naturally I ran out to grab both :p Thank you for the suggestion, will have to try it! I lovelovelove Crush, I've only worn it once but it is everything I hoped it would be.

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  19. I did a little happy dance when I saw this post because I absolutely LOVE purples, and berry lip colors. Seriously I have a problem. Every time I go to check out a new lip product collection I automatically gravitate towards the berries and purples! Thanks for posting this because you have given me more berry lip ideas! :)

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  20. I loved Revlon Black Cherry when I swatched it on my arm, but on my lips it applies patchy and feathers like crazy, never looks good on me! I was so upset, because none of my other Revlon lipsticks have that problem. I'm glad that you talked about it because I thought I was the only one who thought that!

    Those Revlon palettes look so pretty, I have never seen them before! Passion Fusion *WANT* Oh, I feel you on the whole lipstick over shoes thing ;)

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  21. Raspberry Pie is one of my favourites! It's really a nice statement lipstick. Great post! :) xx

    natalielovesbeauty.blogspot.ca

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  22. Black Cherry is one of my favorite berries. It's such a gorgeous gorgeous color!

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  23. I have Black Cherry and LOOOOVE it! You can wear it bold or sheer it out and it looks amazing either way :)

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  24. I'm so envious of your berry lip collection - I always swatch shades like this when it's A/W here but I never end up buying any because I don't think I can pull them off. Doesn't stop me wanting Black Cherry though! x

    Evelyn @ We Were Raised By Wolves

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  25. so many pretty colours :D i wish i was brave enough to wear bold lip colours ">__< x

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  26. Berry lips are a passion of mine too. At the moment I've been alternating between MAC Rebel, Rimmel's newish matte lip shade in 107 and for something a bit more subdued Revlon Colorburst in Raspberry. I can't tell you how much I've been wanting Revlon Black Cherry too because it's such an incredible vampy colour. I loved this post - even if you have rekindled my desire for Black Cherry!

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    1. I loooveeee the Revlon ColorBurst formula. So sad they discontinued the line. I think the main issue were the shades, they should've stuck to cremes with bold colours. Too many frosty/pearly/glittery shades (Blush, Rose Nectar, Petal) that were a little conservative.

      I really want to add MAC Rebel to the collection. And Plumful - that's #1 on my lipstick wishlist :)

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    2. Quite a few of us are crying over ColorBurst :(

      And - yes - you need Rebel!!

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  27. Estee sells Black Cherry so well- it looked amazing on her! The Savvy lipstick actually looks really nice- I'm surprised you didn't turn to Rimmel Matte lipsticks! The shade 107 was all over Youtube when it was winter in the northern hemisphere! Berry lips look so classy but I'll just admire from afar. Nowhere near brave enough to try it yet!

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    1. It does, especially paired with her false eyelashes and that hair colour she had then :)

      I was so close to getting 107 - it was the shade Kate Moss was wearing (post-Photoshop) in the ad after all, but I don't know. Something about it didn't push me over the edge to "MUST BUY". I think it was a little bit too much, plus I generally am not the hugest fan of matte lippies.

      Have a go, you might end up loving it!

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  28. So many berry lipsticks!!! I'm still trying to get enough confidence to wear a few of my darker lipstick shades out of the house, and I found that pairing it with a lighter shade works wonders :)

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  29. Loved this post! I adore berry lips, I have Raspberry Pie and Black Cherry myself and love them both. It actually makes me look forward to the colder weather if I know I can wear darker lips again. I must go through my collections and see what berry colours I have!

    Emma x

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  30. As I scrolled down, I was hoping to encounter a photo of you, rocking one of this gorgeous berry shades so imagine my disappointment when I all got where swatches ; )
    Lovely berry collection, by the way. Revlon Black Cherry is what I imagine when someone says "vampy lips" : )

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    1. LOL sorry to disappoint. Don't think my face will be making an appearance on here anytime soon :p

      It is definitely one vampy shade! But at least it can be sheered out as well to make it less intense :)

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  31. Black Cherry is gorgeous! Definitely on my to-buy list now :)

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  32. I love your collection. I had never seen those LE Revlon palettes. They look amazing xx

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  33. Black cherry looks gorgeous. I'm the same I don't tend to wear bold lipstick everyday, xoxo.

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  34. I periodically check your blog for any new posts, and as the page was loading I thought to myself- no, no way has she blogged another post already- but then when I saw a new post I was so excited. Always a pleasure to read your well written thoughts along with beautiful photos. I've always been scared of dark lipstick shades- I'm afraid it'll make me look scary, and make my teeth look yellow. All these shades are too vivid for my comfort zone, although the safest option would be Red Velvet or Foxtrot. I don't think I'll ever be able to pull Black Cheery off anytime soon!

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    1. Awwww thank you for your sweet comment Karen! I really enjoy reading your blog as well, it's always lovely to hear from a fellow Aussie blogger :) How's the new haircut treating you? I really need to get a hair cut soon!

      Black Cherry doesn't need to be super crazy, it can work if you apply it sheerly mixed with some balm. You might want to try the new Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in the wine-coloured Crush as well for something a little safer :) I'm sure you'd look gorgeous!



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  35. ohh, that Savvy lipstick looks amazing! I love colours like this a lot, never tried this brand though / Claire xxx

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  36. These are great picks! I really love Revlon's lip products too, they do an outstanding job. I've never knew Revlon had lip palettes, I only knew of the cream eye shadow palettes. Thanks for sharing, berry colors are amazing. I would love to find that lip palette or something like that. Take care!

    <3 Carolyn

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  37. Revlon Dark cherry is beautiful.. My favorite is Mac Rebel.. I use it all the time!

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  38. I just adore these colours as soon as the weather gets cooler! Really was tempted to get Chanel Rouge Noir but Black Cherry and Passion Fusion are bad ass. Love your swatches and lineup of the shades.

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  39. I love a dark vampy lip! I recently purchased Mac's Diva lipstick - I think it's becoming a favourite

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  40. wow, these lip colors are so lovely! i adore the lighter tones!

    lindsey louise

    hellomrrabbitblog.com

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  41. I somehow fell into the trend of loving dark berry lips as well and have been obsessing over to find the perfect shade for myself lol. I find the same problem to be true for Revlon's Va Va Violet as to Black Cherry - all other colours in the Superlustrous line have great application and pigmentation except this colour. :( What I usually do is line my lips with a lip pencil and that tends to help the blotchyness quite a bit but not perfectly.

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  42. I looooooove Raspberry Pie! So pretty!

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