I have never been a lipstick wearer. Well, as we’ve discussed for a long time I wasn’t a makeup wearer. But, even when I was younger and did wear makeup, lipstick was 100% not my thing. I’d wear a full face of makeup and ignore my lips. Why? Because all lipsticks gave me a sore throat. I tried to stick to brands that were supposed to be hypoallergenic and/or fragrance free. I tried many a Clinique lipstick and no matter what, I had a sore throat that would last all darn day.

Now many years have gone by, and formulas change just as trends change. So I figured I’d give it a try again. The first thing I got was a Clinique Chubby Stick balm in a package deal, and just like clockwork, I had the lipstick sore throat.

Then, after watching a youtuber talk up Flower Beauty Petal Pout lipsticks, I figured I’d pick up one or two of those and give them a try. I mean, the price is good, so why not? I picked up a matte formula and a cream formula. Surprisingly enough, while the matte formula did give me the sore throat, the cream formula did not. I gave the matte formula to Miss Butterfly.

Then, while shopping at Ulta, I was given a liquid lipstick at checkout. It was completely unexpected. But when I tried it on, I realized that there was no sore throat to it at all. So-something must have changed, and it’s nice to know that I can maybe wear some lip products now with comfort. And I began amassing a collection. It’s still pretty small, but here it is:

Left to right…

Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm (Super Strawberry)- I really like having this on hand, the gentle wash of color when I don’t feel like doing a full lip liner and lipstick routine is just the thing, and it truly does feel like a balm. Very moisturizing. I’ve learned that I really don’t like crayon style lip products, but since this is a balm, it doesn’t bother me as much. However, it’s got the pesky sore throat thingy going on for me, and my throat is mildly sore the entire time I’ve got it on. It gets old. Really old.

Tarte Tarteist Lip Paint (Exposed)- This was my first ever matte liquid lipstick. And, I guess you could say I like it, since I used it up immediately. I even featured it on one of my empties, but have since yanked out the stopper to scrape the remainders from the sides. I MIGHT have two applications left after this swatch. I love the color on this as well. It’s long wearing, the color is great, and I get absolutely no sore throat associated with it at all.

Tarte Tarteist Lip Paint (OG)- So, because I loved the sample size I received unexpectedly one day at ulta, I decided to purchase a full size. I did purchase this one half price, which made it a reasonable amount to spend on a lip product. BUT, the color selection was limited. And this one does NOT do me any favors. It’s too light and it’s too cool toned to look good on me. I’ve handed this one over to Miss Butterfly, who has a much lighter complexion and cool tones look great on her. She’s the lucky winner of this lipstick! Hah.  I may just have to go back and get myself the color I like next time, but there are so many other lipsticks in my collection now that it can wait.

Here’s a quick selfie I took for Miss Butterfly with OG on, this was when I realized it didn’t really work for me.

Buxom Full On Lip Polish (Celeste)- I received this one in one of my subscription boxes. I had never tried any type of plumping formula, and was seriously nervous it would irritate. As it turns out, I LOVE that minty tingly formula! As you can see, this one has very little color to it, though it does have sparkle. I’ve used it as a lipstick topper from time to time, though it sometimes makes the lipstick under it slide a bit. I think this will get featured in an upcoming project pan soon. Had I thought it through, I would have added this one for summer, as it would have worked perfectly.

Buxom Full On Lip Polish (Sophia)- I purchased this one because I wanted a full size of the product I’d learned to love through trial size. But, I also wanted something with color payoff. I am super happy with this particular purchase and use it regularly. Sometimes over top a base, but often just on its own.

Flower Beauty Petal Pout (Coral Crush)- I purchased this in March for an event I was working at. I knew I’d be wearing a fantastic coral colored top and wanted a lipstick that looked good with it. I really like this lipstick, it looks great on me as bright warm colors tend to do, and I also like the formula since it doesn’t give me that sore throat situation. The staying power of this one is nothing to write home about, I do have to reapply. But, it’s the cream formula so that’s a little bit to be expected.

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte (655 Daringly Nude)- There was a youtube video I watched on the best nude lip products, and this one was featured. It looked so nice to me. I figured for the price it would be a great one to add to my collection, and I really do like it. This one gives me a hint of sore throat but it goes away within 10 minutes so I can wear it all day if I can get over the initial application.

L’Oreal Infallible Paints (Fearless Fuchsia)- I tried this one originally off a little card of samples I received of this product. With, for the record, an outdated coupon. That was funny. Anyhow, I tried all 3 colors and realized this really bright pink was the one that looked great on me. I purchased a full size in order to wear in general, but also for the Alabama wedding. This one has an initial sore throat thing going on but it does wear off for me. Funny extra story, I put this on my mom as well for the wedding, and the shade turned into a pretty dark berry color. I have no idea what was going on there! But, she says that has always happened to her. It’s a completely different color depending on which of us wears it, so crazy.

Beauty Creations Long Wear Matte Lipgloss (Kiss Me)- I received this full sized liquid lipstick in one of my subscription boxes. I have worn it once. I find it sticky. I also find the color not to be great on me. It may be that it’s a cooler toned color, and may look best on Miss Butterfly, we’ll see. This one, I think, gives my lips the illusion of being thinner than they are. I think things that pull cool toned do that for me. I should add this one to an upcoming shop my stash for a week and decide if I want to keep it or hand it over to Miss Butterfly.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick (Jeffree)- Another higher end half price offering I picked up. There was only one color choice and this was it. But, because I like brights and wanted to try it, I figured I would give it a go. I’ve heard some mixed reviews about this formula. But, from a post 3 days ago where I was wearing it, you’ll realize that I ended up really liking the color. As for the formula, jury’s still out. I’ll decide that later. Upon initial application, this one looks patchy and I have to build it up. But, that also may be because it’s bright and my lips are darker, it may need a good lip liner under it.

Here’s the selfie from that lovely bright color:

Stila Color Balm Lipstick (Savannah)- The last half-price offering I picked up. The color on this one is pretty dark brown, and has JUST enough warmth to it to look ok on me. It is described as a cool toned brown but I can get away with it. Which is great because this one is by far my favorite of my recent purchases. This one has peppermint oils and has that great balm feel that I love. But, it has the color payoff that works as a serious lipstick too. I DO initially get that sore throat thing going on with it, but it wears off quickly.

I also grabbed a selfie with this new favorite for Miss Butterfly. You’ll see I managed to smile when taking a photo with a lipstick I actually like!

So, I am beginning to conclude that traditional style lipsticks tend to give me the sore throat, but many of them now don’t leave me with an all-day sore throat. It must be something that goes in the stick formula. However, liquid lipsticks tend to not do this to me at all. I am going to continue to explore different formulas I think, but only if they are on sale in some way. And I’ll try to be better about reading descriptions and staying away from cool toned colors. At least now I can wear lipsticks, and even kind of like them! My lipstick game is woefully out of practice though, and I need to add some different lip liner colors to my collection too. It’s a learning process. And because I don’t wear lipsticks at home, I have less time to really play and practice with them. I just throw them on once I get in to work and then touch up at lunchtime and call it good.

That’s it for makeup related stuff this weekend. Tomorrow, spinning! It’s only Saturday morning but I’ve accomplished so much as we had a family movie night last night.