How to look dead, but still cool // BITE BEAUTY MATTE LIP CRAYONS
This is the second in a 3-part series covering different Bite Beauty lines. Bite is a great green beauty brand, but for purists, they still do use FD&C dyes.
Disclaimer // The products reviewed in this post were sent to me at no charge, c/o Influenster as part of their VoxBox program. I am writing this review after the campaign with Bite Beauty was concluded. All opinions stated here are honest reviews, and I received no additional compensation, only the products for free.
Matte lipstick is E V E R Y W H E R E. You literally can't escape it (even if you wanted to). Kylie said "make it matte" and the world listened. But in green beauty, a good matte lip is surprisingly hard to find. I have a hunch that in the next year we'll see a lot more green brands innovating for the matte trend, but at the time of writing this, the options are still fairly limited. For me, this is not too big of an issue. I love a good moisturizing lipstick that won't highlight my already often dry lips. That said, sometimes a girl (or guy) really needs the staying power that can only come from a quality matte.
Enter Bite Beauty to the rescue once again! Bite continues to hit top marks on all their lip formulas. Whatever their claims promise, their products truly deliver on. Back several months ago, I received 3 colors, gratis, of their Matte Lip Crayons through Influenster. Since trying them out, one has shown me I CAN wear a color I never thought I could before. And one has become one of my all-time favorite lip colors (like, for real).
One super quick thing I need to call out before we jump into the review... I have a small pet peeve about this product line. Their outer packaging in no way shows any indication of the color inside. Basically, you either have to remember what name ties to which color, or you have to open the caps. It's a small thing, but if I'm being honest... it really annoys the crap out of me.
Moving on, let's start with 'Cava'! It's described as a lilac beige. Together, those two words tell me one thing – "will not look good on you, Ivy." Certain colors tend to wash me out, and together lilac and beige do just that. BUT (and it's a big but), I was wrong. This color did make me look a little "dead", but in a really cool way. Because this formula is super pigmented and creamy, it was able to cover my natural lip color, rather than mix with it. Overall that made it much more impactful as a look, and suddenly I was a hip 90's grunge girl. So "Winona". I'm really glad to have gotten this color in the box as it's likely something I would have never self-purchased. Now, I love it!
'Glacé' is fine, but the tiniest bit boring. It's a great dusty mauve, if you don't already have one in your collection. But if you do, you can pass on this one. Not saying it's not pretty (it is!), just that it's nothing to write home about.
Finally, let's talk about 'Red Velvet'. Not only does it make my mouth water thinking about its cake alter ego, but it's also one of the most beautiful rich, deep reds I have ever worn. It's so stunning, that I have already worn it to 2 weddings! It has a slight blue undertone, which I think makes it much more universally flattering on different skin tones. If you want a pout that stands out, go with 'Red Velvet' and I don't think you'll be sorry.
Overall these crayons are easy to apply, rich and creamy, and eventually they do dry down matte. And bonus, they come with the patented Bite Beauty built-in sharpener at the bottom, so you can avoid having to use a lip liner once the tip domes. They do still have transfer and wear with eating, but are frankly not too bad on durability. If you want a fully no-budge matte, go another route.
QUICK TIP - I'd recommend exfoliating and priming your lips with a balm before applying so you see less fine lines, and your lips feel more comfortable. I hope you consider trying something from this line. They have 19 colors to choose from, and you can test them in store at Sephora!
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Website // bitebeauty.com (available on Sephora)
Price Point // $22
Best For // a wedding guest statement lip or a grungy throwback pout
Claims // uses moisture-locking power of orange peel wax along with the antioxidant properties of resveratrol, formulated without parabens, sulfates, and phthalates
