Bare Escentuals Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick

Everyone likes a good multitasking product and Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick from Bare Escentuals promises to line, color and plump your lips. It's an interesting concept and format, since all of the above is packaged as a thick retractable pencil. I had to give it a try.

The pencil is a bit too thick to really work as a liner for other lip products, unless you're using a color that perfectly matches your lips and is basically nude, which can't be said about any of the current Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick shades. Since I bought Barcelona, a very dramatic deep red, I'd rather not risk it. As a lipstick, the pencil is quite impressive in its coverage, pigment and performance. While normally I'd rather apply a dark lipstick using a brush, after minimal practice I managed to get a solid and precise result (very important for dark reds).

The texture is very light and matte. While it doesn't make the lips feel dry, after about an hour there is some tightening and every line (and in my case scar) is enhanced. Topping the Lip Stick with a clear gloss takes care of the problem, though.

My biggest issue is with the plumping. I don't like the minty-tingly sensation which doesn't go away for more than an hour. I feel that lip plumping by causing irritation to a sensitive tissue is not a good idea. High quality glosses show better results by adding moisture and actually making lips feel good, so that alone is reason enough for me not to buy another Buxom Lip Stick crayon. Also, swatching the pencil on my wrist made my skin itch for a while. Take this into consideration if you're sensitive.

Bottom Line: An overambitious product.

Bare Escentuals Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick ($18) is a Sephora exclusive. I ordered it online.

All photos are mine.

Bare Escentuals Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick

Everyone likes a good multitasking product and Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick from Bare Escentuals promises to line, color and plump your lips. It's an interesting concept and format, since all of the above is packaged as a thick retractable pencil. I had to give it a try.

The pencil is a bit too thick to really work as a liner for other lip products, unless you're using a color that perfectly matches your lips and is basically nude, which can't be said about any of the current Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick shades. Since I bought Barcelona, a very dramatic deep red, I'd rather not risk it. As a lipstick, the pencil is quite impressive in its coverage, pigment and performance. While normally I'd rather apply a dark lipstick using a brush, after minimal practice I managed to get a solid and precise result (very important for dark reds).

The texture is very light and matte. While it doesn't make the lips feel dry, after about an hour there is some tightening and every line (and in my case scar) is enhanced. Topping the Lip Stick with a clear gloss takes care of the problem, though.

My biggest issue is with the plumping. I don't like the minty-tingly sensation which doesn't go away for more than an hour. I feel that lip plumping by causing irritation to a sensitive tissue is not a good idea. High quality glosses show better results by adding moisture and actually making lips feel good, so that alone is reason enough for me not to buy another Buxom Lip Stick crayon. Also, swatching the pencil on my wrist made my skin itch for a while. Take this into consideration if you're sensitive.

Bottom Line: An overambitious product.

Bare Escentuals Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick ($18) is a Sephora exclusive. I ordered it online.

All photos are mine.

Bare Escentuals Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick

Everyone likes a good multitasking product and Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick from Bare Escentuals promises to line, color and plump your lips. It's an interesting concept and format, since all of the above is packaged as a thick retractable pencil. I had to give it a try.

The pencil is a bit too thick to really work as a liner for other lip products, unless you're using a color that perfectly matches your lips and is basically nude, which can't be said about any of the current Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick shades. Since I bought Barcelona, a very dramatic deep red, I'd rather not risk it. As a lipstick, the pencil is quite impressive in its coverage, pigment and performance. While normally I'd rather apply a dark lipstick using a brush, after minimal practice I managed to get a solid and precise result (very important for dark reds).

The texture is very light and matte. While it doesn't make the lips feel dry, after about an hour there is some tightening and every line (and in my case scar) is enhanced. Topping the Lip Stick with a clear gloss takes care of the problem, though.

My biggest issue is with the plumping. I don't like the minty-tingly sensation which doesn't go away for more than an hour. I feel that lip plumping by causing irritation to a sensitive tissue is not a good idea. High quality glosses show better results by adding moisture and actually making lips feel good, so that alone is reason enough for me not to buy another Buxom Lip Stick crayon. Also, swatching the pencil on my wrist made my skin itch for a while. Take this into consideration if you're sensitive.

Bottom Line: An overambitious product.

Bare Escentuals Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick ($18) is a Sephora exclusive. I ordered it online.

All photos are mine.

Trish McEvoy Essential Pencil (Plum Brown)

Lately I'm all about the ease and performance of lip crayons. Bobbi Brown made me a huge fan of her thick pencils, and I've been testing several others, with great success so far. Trish McEvoy Essential Pencils are a touch less creamy than the Bobbi Brown equivalent, but not so much as to make them inferior. Actually, for toting the pencils around in hot weather, something a bit less melty is probably a better choice. The Essential Pencils are still very soft and go on smoothly, giving good coverage and a comfortable feel. They can be worn alone, but I usually prefer them topped with a sheer gloss.

Plum Brown (number 10) is a perfect mauve, it has a somewhat brown base that makes look like a great autumn color. It goes well with my favorite Edward Bess lip gloss (Nude Satin) or with Givency Gloss Interdit in Rose Taboo, creating a polished and elegant look.

The staying power of the Essential Pencil is great. Some pigment survives a cup of tea, though I'd recommend doing some touch ups to restore the look back to perfection.

Trish McEvoy Essential Pencil ($22) is available from most decent department stores. I bought mine at Bergdorf Goodman.

All photos are mine.

Trish McEvoy Essential Pencil (Plum Brown)

Lately I'm all about the ease and performance of lip crayons. Bobbi Brown made me a huge fan of her thick pencils, and I've been testing several others, with great success so far. Trish McEvoy Essential Pencils are a touch less creamy than the Bobbi Brown equivalent, but not so much as to make them inferior. Actually, for toting the pencils around in hot weather, something a bit less melty is probably a better choice. The Essential Pencils are still very soft and go on smoothly, giving good coverage and a comfortable feel. They can be worn alone, but I usually prefer them topped with a sheer gloss.

Plum Brown (number 10) is a perfect mauve, it has a somewhat brown base that makes look like a great autumn color. It goes well with my favorite Edward Bess lip gloss (Nude Satin) or with Givency Gloss Interdit in Rose Taboo, creating a polished and elegant look.

The staying power of the Essential Pencil is great. Some pigment survives a cup of tea, though I'd recommend doing some touch ups to restore the look back to perfection.

Trish McEvoy Essential Pencil ($22) is available from most decent department stores. I bought mine at Bergdorf Goodman.

All photos are mine.

Trish McEvoy Essential Pencil (Plum Brown)

Lately I'm all about the ease and performance of lip crayons. Bobbi Brown made me a huge fan of her thick pencils, and I've been testing several others, with great success so far. Trish McEvoy Essential Pencils are a touch less creamy than the Bobbi Brown equivalent, but not so much as to make them inferior. Actually, for toting the pencils around in hot weather, something a bit less melty is probably a better choice. The Essential Pencils are still very soft and go on smoothly, giving good coverage and a comfortable feel. They can be worn alone, but I usually prefer them topped with a sheer gloss.

Plum Brown (number 10) is a perfect mauve, it has a somewhat brown base that makes look like a great autumn color. It goes well with my favorite Edward Bess lip gloss (Nude Satin) or with Givency Gloss Interdit in Rose Taboo, creating a polished and elegant look.

The staying power of the Essential Pencil is great. Some pigment survives a cup of tea, though I'd recommend doing some touch ups to restore the look back to perfection.

Trish McEvoy Essential Pencil ($22) is available from most decent department stores. I bought mine at Bergdorf Goodman.

All photos are mine.

Bobbi Brown Lip Crayon (Raisin Berry)

The reintroduction of of Bobbi Brown's lip crayons into the collection is proving to be a great idea. The thick pencils are among the most useful lip products one can find. They are wonderfully creamy and easy to apply, even when one is in a hurry. They travel well and do great on the go. The texture is like a high quality matte/satin lipstick, so you can wear them plain or topped with a clear gloss (my preference, though the pencil is light and not drying at all). The staying power is superb- the color barely transfers to the bottle of water or tea cup. I couldn't ask for anything more. The crayons come with their own sharpener, which is always nice (I really need to find an efficient way to store the various sharpeners).

I bought the Raisin Berry crayon, which was the darkest one offered. It's a brown-based berry with a bit of red in it. Good for evenings but also appropriate for daytime, especially if your lips are naturally dark. I also tested and liked Wild Rose, but decided I have enough "my lips, but better" neutral shades. Still, highly recommended.

Bottom line: Love.

Bobbi Brown Lip Crayon ($22) is available from every semi-decent department store and the company's website.

Photos and freaky looking inner wrist: all mine.

Bobbi Brown Lip Crayon (Raisin Berry)

The reintroduction of of Bobbi Brown's lip crayons into the collection is proving to be a great idea. The thick pencils are among the most useful lip products one can find. They are wonderfully creamy and easy to apply, even when one is in a hurry. They travel well and do great on the go. The texture is like a high quality matte/satin lipstick, so you can wear them plain or topped with a clear gloss (my preference, though the pencil is light and not drying at all). The staying power is superb- the color barely transfers to the bottle of water or tea cup. I couldn't ask for anything more. The crayons come with their own sharpener, which is always nice (I really need to find an efficient way to store the various sharpeners).

I bought the Raisin Berry crayon, which was the darkest one offered. It's a brown-based berry with a bit of red in it. Good for evenings but also appropriate for daytime, especially if your lips are naturally dark. I also tested and liked Wild Rose, but decided I have enough "my lips, but better" neutral shades. Still, highly recommended.

Bottom line: Love.

Bobbi Brown Lip Crayon ($22) is available from every semi-decent department store and the company's website.

Photos and freaky looking inner wrist: all mine.

Bobbi Brown Lip Crayon (Raisin Berry)

The reintroduction of of Bobbi Brown's lip crayons into the collection is proving to be a great idea. The thick pencils are among the most useful lip products one can find. They are wonderfully creamy and easy to apply, even when one is in a hurry. They travel well and do great on the go. The texture is like a high quality matte/satin lipstick, so you can wear them plain or topped with a clear gloss (my preference, though the pencil is light and not drying at all). The staying power is superb- the color barely transfers to the bottle of water or tea cup. I couldn't ask for anything more. The crayons come with their own sharpener, which is always nice (I really need to find an efficient way to store the various sharpeners).

I bought the Raisin Berry crayon, which was the darkest one offered. It's a brown-based berry with a bit of red in it. Good for evenings but also appropriate for daytime, especially if your lips are naturally dark. I also tested and liked Wild Rose, but decided I have enough "my lips, but better" neutral shades. Still, highly recommended.

Bottom line: Love.

Bobbi Brown Lip Crayon ($22) is available from every semi-decent department store and the company's website.

Photos and freaky looking inner wrist: all mine.