Scarlet Princess: Review: Besame Voluptuous Lip Color Set Red Velvet

So, after coming across my review of Besame Enchanting lipstick, Ms. Gabriella Hernandez herself commented on it! She also said to contact them to try their new Voluptuous lipstick (which is NOT supposed to replace Enchanting. Enchanting will be released full size later this year!). Anyways, for 35$ you get a nice box, a lip brush, that small velvet case for the lipstick (pictured above), a lip liner and a lipstick.

The lipstick is .14 oz or 4 grams, and about the same size as a MAC lipstick (the mac lipstick is very slightly taller due to the different shapes).
Note the different shape of the bullet...I like it because I always hate that I can lose the point of my lipstick. I didn't know how I'd use a completely curved bullet at first but it's surprisingly easy.

The packaging of these are metal and still evoke vintage themes but the black, as opposed to the previous red seems to be a bit more modern. I like it better! The black is very elegant and classy, and the cap will definetly stay on. Here's another picture of the set:

As you might be able to tell, the lipliner is nicely sharp. I can get a defined line from it and I don't need to sharpen even after a few uses. The lip brush is firm and slightly flexible, and nice for depositing even color. I was wondering how I could travel with it, as it doesn't have a cap, but I just wiped it with a tissue and it was okay. See the uniquely shaped handle? It's supposed to fit perfectly between your thumb and index finger. I think it may be a bit more of a marketing hype but it does work.

Please ignore the peach lipgloss underneath the Red Velvet swatches, that was the only decent swatch I could get for another product:
The lipstick I had swatched 3 sheer layers and the lip liner only 1, to give you an idea of how the color layers. The liner has a very nice match to the lipstick, you can hardly tell the distance.

The formula is nice on these (which also come in a nude and a pink color). I much prefer them over MAC's rather drying ones [please keep in mind I've only tried Lustres and Frosts], but I have to say that the Enchanting lipsticks probably had more WOW pigment factor. I think I'd use the Voluptuous color for everyday and the Enchanting for a night out or formal occasions. Also, remember that the Enchanting ones weren't supposed to be replaced with the Voluptuous!

I've heard reports of people disliking these because they were drying, but I find them very comfortable at first swipe. After a few hours it does tend to dry, like any other lipstick, so I put some lip balm on top. I'm so glad that the red fades evenly (though it does seem to become more magenta-ish over time, like pretty much every other red lipstick on me) and doesn't leave a ring around my lips. It might feather slightly though, but I didn't use lipliner with it, and the lip liner usually solves those problems.

Overall, I'm not sure if I'd repurchase these though. I really like the formula, but if I bought a set each time I wanted to try a different color, that'd be quite alot of extras you get with the lip liners (which I don't really use) and lip brushes. I think, that if they split the set up and had the option to buy the lipstick alone for a bit cheaper price that it'd get a positive response. I still want to try the nude color though!

Oh and another thing-- red lipstick is seriously a PAIN in the ass to photograph. I can't count how many pictures I took, and I still will include 4 to give you an idea how the lighting alters the shade. It's not that vibrant honestly, more of a slightly muted red (AKA, not Marilyn Monroe) and deeper.
This pic's probably the most accurate:



(Sorry for the annoying placement of the watermarks, but after a case of picstealing ebay'ers I won't take any more chances!)
*This review will kick off the Scarlet Princess series of red lipstick :)
**Please note, this product was sent to me by Besame Cosmetics for reviewing purposes.

Review: Besame Classic Line Lipstick

It's a real pity that the Classic Besame line is no longer available. There were so many fantastic products, and, while I know the line isn't sold at their website anymore [but their new lipsticks are up!], apparently you can still find them at some brick and mortar stores. Of course, there's always the chance of Ebay and Swap, so I thought I'd do a review anyways.


Firstly, I have to say that these retailed for 18$ apiece. But look at them! It's TINY! It's barely the length of my pinky, and it's shorter than a MAC lipstick! Jeez. So far, not so good for Besame lipsticks, that are so tiny. But I LOVE the packaging, as it comes in a lux red velvet pouch and the lipstick container itself is made of weighty golden metal, embossed with red designs. Here is a link to the lovely Karlasugar's blog which has guest swatcher Rina's swatches of all the Besame Classic lipstick: Here. There is also a MAC / Besame lipstick size comparision.

Packaging:


More Size Comparision:


The color I have, Besame Red, is a gorgeous, retro blue matte red. I really liked it, but as it is brighter than MAC Port Red [which I already consider very bright!], and more blue-based, it really didn't look good on me in my opinion. I however, LOVED the vanilla scented formula that was weightless, not drying at all and so comfortable to wear. I wish I could get my hands on Potrait Pink, as the rest of the colors don't suit me!
Comparisions between the 3 red lipsticks I own [above].

As you can see, these lipsticks are BRIGHT! They are PIGMENTED! Besame Red is a great red but not for the shy! They fade evenly and last a long time.

How Besame Red looked on me:


Overall, I really hope to get my hands on another Besame lipstick, as I loved the formula and pigmentation, but swapped away Besame Red because I didn't feel comfortable with the bright color. I would recommend these lipsticks for people looking for full coverage and lasting lipsticks. I advise you to go on a hunt for these lipsticks as soon as you can, as who knows what the new ones are like, and you may never see these again!

LOTD: A few more pictures!

In these pictures I have on Besame's Besame Red lipstick and MAC High Tea topped with Aube Fruitina EX05 gloss.

Besame Red:
As you can see in the pictures, it's a gorgeous matte blue red. Unfortunately, as I had it on, it seemed to clash with my skintone and make it look very sallow. And it did also make my teeth look yellower. But this is a great red lipstick that I like to think of as retro, because it looks like the color Marilyn Monroe would wear.



MAC High Tea with Aube Fruitina EX05 gloss:
The gloss is very sheer, so it pretty much just makes High Tea's color stronger and glassy shiny. I like this combination for a nude lip.

Review: Besame Souffle Foundation

(picture from zappos.com)
Yay, my first foundation review! Hopefully I can kick off the series strongly.
This is one of the items that intrigued me during the mass Besame sale frenzy, where everything was (and still is!) practically a third of it's original price. No, Besame is not going out of busines, but they are revamping the product ingredients and packaging. While it is now gone from the besamecosmetics.com site, I am still reviewing this because you can probably find one in Makeupalley swap or ebay; even zappos.com

Firstly, the price: At the time of the sale, it was 4$! But, the original price was 18$. But you use so little every time it's totally worth whatever you paid!

Packaging: Besame's stuff comes in cute red boxes with cream print. It's very vintage and classy if I do say so myself. The foundation comes in a glass pot with a red lid, and a red and cream label at the bottom.



Scent: The foundation has a slight rose scent that does not dissipate--I find I can still smell it some time after I've put it on. It doesn't bother me--even me, the self-confessed hater of floral scents--but it may to those who are scent-sensitive.

Texture: Souffle foundation is actually very firm, not light and airy like you would think. But it's very pigmented, so just a dab can cover a wide area.

Wear: Besame's foundation wears all day and into the night for me. It blends in well too and looks super natural.

Coverage: This is heavy-duty coverage! I don't use such heavy foundation normally, so I just dab at it and use my fingers to blend it out to make it sheerer. It's great for those who just can't find a foundation that covers very well--I don't think I've seen a foundation that has this amount of coverage!

Color Selection: I believe there were 5 shades of this when it was available. They are:
Bisque: Around MAC NC15. This is extremely pink compared to Yellow Cameo.
Yellow Cameo (I have this one, just a tad too yellow for my NC20 in MAC ski, pictured)




Medium Beige: I assume this is for people around MAC NC30
Golden Beige: Around MAC NC35
Honey: Around MAC NC40
As you can see, Besame doesn't really cater to very dark or pale yellow skintones, so it is hard to find a match. I think this is pretty bad for a brand that wants to become more well-known, but perhaps they are also adding more colors in the revamp.

All in all, a great foundation if:
1. You can find a shade match.
2. You want a heavy duty or medium coverage foundation.
3. OR You love vintage or rose smelling products.

But definetly worth a try!