This product was gifted to me by The Face Shop for review purposes. I was not paid for this post and affiliate links are not used.
Quite a while ago, I was invited to a blogger event and they gifted me a whole range of products that I actually hauled on my YouTube and here. It’s taken be quite a while to try out and review everything, and as a matter of fact I haven’t even used all of the masks that they’ve gifted me, but I finally feel like I’m ready to write about this massive box!
This is the full collection of flat lipsticks that The Face Shop carries, in both the velvet and glossy variations. They were generous enough not only to gift us bloggers the full range, but also to create a special PR box to house it all in. It just looks so impressive to see all of the products laid out like that – I actually still have the book case even though I’ve (obviously) taken the lipsticks out to use. That being said, this box is only available for PR and they are actually sold individually, which is probably best as I can’t imagine why anyone would need the whole set (including myself).
For this review, I’m going to be discussing both of these product types as well as showing you lip swatches of all of the colours.
So, without all of this rambling from me, let’s get right into it!
About the Product
More defining than lipstick, more edgy than lip pencil.
The unique point of these lipsticks is the flat, slim design and the easy to use crayon form. It is intended to be able to use as a lip liner and lipstick in one, or to be feathered out in the popular gradient style – whether you want a very defined look or a soft, petal-like finish then this product is perfect for both. It also boasts high pigmentation and intense colour pay-off with a single swipe. I have also read somewhere about the lipsticks are meant to have a raspberry scent but I don’t really notice it.
These lipsticks come in two different formulas to suit what ever your make up preferences are. There is the Velvet formula, which is essentially a matte lipstick, and the other is the Glossy formula which has a more gloss-like finish but still has the creaminess and opacity of a lipstick.
I feel that there is no comparing about which formula is better because it all comes down to personal preference. Personally, I actually like using both of them at the same time to create a sort of gradient.
Colour Range
The colour range for this collection is pretty good, especially considering that a lot of Korean make up lines only hold a few limited shades (most of which are very similar reds). Although they are all quite conventional shades, I like that they cover different undertones and also vary between reds, pinks and oranges.
There are six different shades in each finish and, although they are named differently, they actually correlate to each other. Looking at the lipsticks above, you can see the shades colour coded (note that the lid colour is actually more accurate than the PR box). Because a lot of these shades work together harmoniously, it is really easy to pair them together.
My personal preference is for the darker shades, as I feel like they work a lot better with my complexion. Light colours don’t suit me very well and they have a tendency to wash me out. That being said, my favourite shades are RD02 Berry Up Red (in the glossy) and PK01 Rose Pink (in the velvet).
Packaging
The packaging of these lipsticks are very simple but they’re effective and, personally, I think that it’s well thought through. The product comes in a twist up crayon style, which a matte dark grey body – which is on brand and typical for The Face Shop. There is also silver text on it that states whether it is glossy or velvet – the print doesn’t scratch off easily, so the lipstick stays looking fresh quite well.
My favourite part of this packaging is actually the cap. Each of the lipsticks are colour coded to the product, and there are actually two different finishes (matte and glossy) so that it’s easy to pick out not only the shade but also the finish when they are all put together. This makes it really easy for me to find the colour that I want and, although it’s a simple idea, it works really well.
The quality of the packaging is good and the cap is quite sturdy. I have carried it around in my make up bag a handful of times (as I find this product required touch ups quite often during the day), and I’ve never had it open up in my bag. It’s also light and compact, with a simple design, so it’s good for travel.
Application
The flat bullet style of this lipstick definitely makes it easy to apply. I find it really easy to get a defined line, though of course it isn’t as crisp as a liquid lipstick would be but it is easily comparable to a bullet lipstick. The thinner style makes it easier to get the corners of your lips but, as you can see in the swatches below, isn’t completely mess free. Using a lip liner is still cleaner, but this is an improvement in comparison.
Some of the shades apply a lot better than others, which is quite obvious in the below swatches.Overall, I found that the darker shades were very bold and pigmented but the lighter shades (in both the velvet and glossy formula) seems to accent and gather in dry spots. The lightest shades (OR01 Punch Orange and BE01 Solar Beige) were quite patchy on application and it was difficult to get a good look with them.You can probably see how messy it is in my below swatches too. Sorry, I just wasn’t keen on it and you can tell.
The glossy sticks also tend to transfer and bleed a little more than the velvets, so I prefer to use the velvets overall and then use the glossy lips on the inside of my lip to create a gradient. Alternatively, the glossy lipsticks are very easy to blend out the edges, but some are messier (see Punch Orange… not very flattering).
Flat Glossy Lipstick
From top to bottom, left to right: RD02 Berry Up Red, RD01 New York Red, PK02 Rococo Pink, PK01 Lily Pink, CR01 Gemstone Coral, OR01 Punch Orange
Velvet Glossy Lipstick
From top to bottom, left to right: RD03 Cassis Red, RD02 Darjeeling Red. RD01 London Red, PK02 Be My Pink, PK01 Rose Pink, BE01 Solar Beige
Personal Experience
I definitely gravitate towards some of these lipsticks more than others. I personally really like the darker shades, as I find them more opaque and easy to apply in comparison to the lighter shades, but this may also be because I never like these light shades on me anyway. I think that these are a good concept, and the packaging and colour range is generally nice too – there’s a wide range with two different formulas, so you can definitely find something to suit you.
My favourite way to use these is as a gradient lip, with the velvet outside and the glossy on the inside. The formulas blend and work together well.
The longevity of these is quite average, as you do need to touch up often. The glossy transfers more than the velvets, which is to be expected, but they will just generally disappear if you eat or drink. However, I don’t find these too drying on my lips and it’s easy to reapply it during the day. It can gather in dry spots as it fades, but isn’t the worst that I’ve encountered.
Overall, I think that this is a nice product and a good concept. If I were to buy these myself, I would likely be one or two of each finish, but it isn’t something that I would collect all of. The formula is nice but hasn’t blown me away. However, the simplicity of the packaging means that this is a good product to have when you’re travelling – this is also something that I might throw into my make up bag just to use when ever I feel like it. It’s very lightweight and easy to carry around.
And so, here’s the verdict!
SO WHAT IS IT?
A flat bullet lipstick in a range of colours and two finishes – glossy or velvet
THE GOOD
- Slimline and simple, but effective, packaging design
- Good range of shades and two different formulas
- Shade range in both formulas work well together
- Not too drying on the lips
- High pigmentation and opaque application for most shades
- Easy to reapply and carry around
- Formula blends well together
THE BAD
- Lighter shades apply patchy and gather in dry areas
- Not long-wearing and requires frequent touch ups
- Transfers
- Can gather in dry spots when it fades
- Glossy formula has the tendency to bleed a little at the edges
RATINGS
- PACKAGING | 4/5
- FINISH | 3/5
- SHADE RANGE | 4/5
- LONGEVITY | 1/5
OVERALL RATING? 6/10
WOULD I RECOMMEND?
I like having these products on hand, and I do reach for them when ever I’m after a bright pop of colour on the lips (except for the pale shades… I have no idea what I’m going to do with them because I’ll never use it) but I do have other lip products that I love more. This isn’t a product that comes highly recommended from me, because there are definitely better formulas out there, but is one that I would still suggest checking out if one of the colours/formulas caught your eye.
WHERE TO GET IT FROM
I received this product from The Face Shop Sydney, so check out their store if you’re in Sydney! You can also find most of the range on the BONIIK website, as they are owned by the same people.
Address | Shop 42G Westfield Pitt Street Mall (under Myer), Sydney NSW 20000
Website | boniik.com
