Barry M Lip Paint Pale Nude | Review and Swatches

Apologies that it looks squished and bent! I've used it every day

I have found a new lipstick love! On the same day that I bought Rimmel’s new Wake Me Up Foundation (you can see my review here) I also bought Barry M’s new Lip Paint in shade 154 Pale Nude. It was 3 for 2 in boots, I had to buy a new mascara and foundation, so it would have been silly not to pick something else up too! I mean, come on, it was free! I was just browsing through the Barry M stand; it’s a brand I tend to neglect now-a-days. When I was younger I used to buy a lot of their products, but I feel it seems to have a bit of a teen connotation with it, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, they make great products for reasonable prices, but as I’ve got older the need for bright green eye shadow and bright pink mascara has declined somewhat (Yes, I did own a bright pink mascara from Barry M..I hang my head in shame). However, I was looking at some of their new nail varnishes, and next to them, were their new lip paints, in 155 (Pretty Pink) and 154 (Pale Nude). I was instantly drawn to the Pale Nude lip paint, a light peachy orange shade, which is not dissimilar to their new Nail Paint in Peach Melba. For some reason I have been having a bit of an orange phase at the moment. I swatched it on my hand and thought to myself “Yes, this is something I definitely need in my life” and went ahead and got it.

            As it was 3 for 2, I did technically get this for free, so whilst I was very much excited to use this lipstick, something in the back of my mind was telling me that it was a really bad idea, that it would make me look washed out and gross. However, my subconscious was proved totally wrong! I absolutely love this on my lips. I always apply foundation over my lips before I put on a lipstick because my lips are so pigmented and it just makes the colours really bright and a bit weird. I was totally sold on this as soon as I put it on, and I have been wearing it every day since. I have never worn a lipstick every day, and usually just stick to my good old faithful Blistex relief cream, because it’s easy to apply and feels amazing, but I find myself reaching for this lipstick each morning, and even re-applying through out the day.

            What I have found with this lipstick though, and what I have found with a few of the Barry M Lip Paints, is that although it doesn’t dry out your lips, or makes them feel uncomfortable, if you apply this without using some sort of moisturising product underneath, it will cling to any cracks or dry skin that you have. So definitely, a quick use of a lip scrub, then apply a balm and let that sink in before putting this on, and it will apply beautifully and smoothly!

            I must admit though, when I checked the Barry M website to see what the actual name of the Lip Paint was, I was very surprised to see that it was called Pale Nude. The name and the picture on their website is very deceiving, because the colour is definitely more orange. Which I don’t have a problem with at all, but if you are looking for a true nude, this may not be for you.

            Thanks for reading!

            Fai x

*Disclaimer: As always all opinions are 100% my own, and I am no way affiliated with any of the companies mentioned. All products mentioned were purchased by me.

Rimmel Wake Me Up | Review

So I’m sure you have all been hearing about, and reading the hype that has surrounded the new Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation. With its claims of anti-fatigue ingredients it’s certainly been a talking point for those of us who stay up all night, for whatever reason we may have!

I’ve never really been one who will try a product based on what the adverts claim, and this still remains true, however, when I popped into a small Boots store a few weeks ago to find that they didn’t stock Revlon I thought I would give Rimmel a try. This decision didn’t come easy though, as I stood at the Rimmel stand for a good 20 minutes deliberating whether or not I should purchase, I have to say the colour range is absolutely atrocious! Now, I am practically albino pale, this is probably not news to some of you, and with the lightest shade “True Ivory” edging more on TOWIE stars’ fake tans I was absolutely terrified of buying it. In the end I jumped in and decided to just go for it. With a price tag of just £8.99, compared to Revlon’s ever increasing price of their Colour Stay, I felt that even if I hated it, I wouldn’t have spent a fortune, plus I have a lovely bottle of Illamasqua Rich Liquid Foundation in 100 which has done a gorgeous job of making the colour the right shade of pale!

So when I got home to test it out I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the product. It does have an odd smell to it, nothing unpleasant, but if you are sensitive to scents in face products this may not be for you. I was really happy with the coverage it gave me, although that may also have been aided by my Illamasqua RF 100. The texture is also beautiful, it has a semi matte feel when you apply it (I will talk about this later), but it most certainly doesn’t dry out your skin. As someone who suffers from very dry skin I was a bit worried that it may cling to patches, but it definitely hasn’t done. It gives a gorgeous even finish, and I’ve also found that once I’ve mixed the right colour with my RF100 I can also get away with only using the foundation where I suffer with the most acne!

I apply a sizable amount of RF100 and mix with 1 and a half pumps of Rimmel Wake Me Up, and apply with my Louise Young LY34 foundation brush 

Left: RF100 Right: Rimmel Wake Me Up True Ivory

Mixed!

On the down side, this product is excessively shiny. I have dry skin, and never really have a problem with wearing a foundation that has a bit of shine to it, in fact I quite enjoy that dewy finish, however, I find this a bit over the top. It can make me look really oily, which is a really peculiar problem, considering the texture when you apply it feels matte. I’m not sure whether it is because it’s an oily foundation, or whether it is because of the really subtle shimmer that is in the product. I am inclined to think it is more the latter, because no matter how much powder I put on top, I still look shiny. And I hate using a setting powder on my skin, because it’s so dry and just makes me look cakey. Not a good look, it just sinks into my skin and looks gross. Adding to this shiny problem, the foundation transfers like crazy, I rarely set my day to day foundation with a powder, I usually only ever do that for a special occasion when I know I won’t be able to touch up all day, but I have never had this much of a problem with transferring. The odd bit here and there with other foundations I’ve used maybe, but Rimmel Wake Me Up foundation literally comes off on your hands with the slightest touch.

All in all though, I do feel that the pros outweigh the cons with this product. There are definitely ways of getting around the awful colour range, and with the longevity of the product a downside, I just won’t wear it on a night out. There are other products that are better for that. With a price of £8.99 you can’t complain too much, it’s one of the cheaper drug store foundations, and it does give you gorgeous results.

Thanks for reading lovelies!

Fai x

*Disclaimer - As always, all opinions are 100% my own. I purchased all products mentioned with my own money. I am in no way affiliated with any company mentioned.