A few months back in my March Birchbox, I received the Tarte LipSurgence lip stain pencil in “Amused” and I really liked the product, but it definitely had a number of problems. The color was nice, it smelled great and it made my lips feel a little hydrated, but the first thing that happened was the tip of it broke off, leaving me with a whole lot less product. At a price point of $24 I would say this is unacceptable, but since i got it in my $10 Birchbox, I wasn’t too upset.
I wound up using the whole thing, and even went to Sephora and bought a new one with my own hard earned 24 bucks. When I got it home, same thing. Tip broke off on the first use…what the…?? This time I was a little mad but I went about using it the same way I used the last one only to discover a few days later that the entire thing had melted into a puddle of nothingness inside its tube. It wasn’t even hot out!
I am not pleased…
But since I had become accustomed to having a minty, hydrating lip stain crayon at my disposal, what was a girl to do? I went about using it as best I could by dipping my pinky nail in and putting it on that way, but it just wasn’t the same. I needed a dupe.
Luckily I was in CVS recently, perusing the cosmetics sales and I came across the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains…wow that name is a mouthful! They were $8.99 and buy one get one half off so I figured I would give it a shot, and here is how it measured up.
I chose the color “Smitten” which seemed the closest to “Amused” Not too far off, maybe a touch less bright.
Tarte “Amused” on left Revlon “Smitten” on right
under artificial light
“Amused” on left “Smitten” on right
natural sunlight
Once swatched they are actually a lot closer in color than I even anticipated, Score! I would say Tarte LipSurgence is a softer formula and applies a bit more glossy, but in a stain that will only last a short time anyway.
They both smell minty and nice, they both feel great on the lips. The Just Bitten stain scores major points for not breaking immediately which most likely has to do with the slightly harder, less glossy formula, but I think that is a fair trade.
“But what about the stain?” you say…
The stain left by “Amused” left and “Smitten” right
It stains better too! BOOM Tarte, you have been replaced. I am usually a complete snob when it comes to buying drugstore products, but this time it wins hands down. Lesson learned.
By the way you can also get them online at Ulta.com and I think they are even running the BOGO half off deal right now too.
Now my lips will be pinker and my wallet will be fatter…
Who am I kidding? I totally already spent the money I saved on more makeup…oops.
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