Review: Blistex Lip Tone vs Nivea Lip Care Pinkish Boost

Since I started on Isotane and began experiencing the most common side effect, dry lips, I ended up having to use lip balm all the time. In November, I used up two tubes of Nivea Lip Care lip balm (Cherry and Strawberry). Eventually I became reliant or more appropriately, addicted to lip care products even though I no longer experience dry lips. I ended up buying a few lip care products that I've seen around.

I bought my Blistex Lip Tone sometime early December 2009, and as of now there is only 1/4 left in the tube. I was heavily reliant on it for a while. When I thought I lost my Blistex, I bought Nivea Lip Care Pinkish Boost (3-in-1) and started using it. I found my Blistex eventually so now I alternate between the two lip products depending on the effect that I want.

Blistex Lip Tone (Link)

Ingredients: Dimethicone, Meradimate, Octinoxate, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, aluminum hydroxide, beeswax, benzoic acid, butyl paraben, calendula officinalis flower extract, ethylparaben, flavor, glyceryl laurate, glycine, sunflower seed oil, iron oxide, isohexadecane, isopropyl lanolate, krameria triandra root extract, lauric acid, methyl paraben, mica, mineral oil, octyldodecyl neopentanoate, ozokerite, petrolatum, polybutene, propyl paraben, vitamin A, castor seed oil, saccharin, sesame seed oil, sorbic acid, Vitamin E, titanium dioxide, corn oil

Description from Blistex.com:

"Blistex Lip Tone complements the natural complexion of your lips by combining the effective moisturization and protection you'd expect from a Blistex lip balm with a slight touch of color.

Enhances Lips' Complexion: Lip Tone brings out the natural blush and luster of your lips with a slight touch of color. Your lips will look healthy, natural....great!

Moisture Maintenance: Lip Tone's Moisture-Nutrient Complex combines a long lasting moisture protectant with natural plant and amino components. Lip Tone helps to preserve lips' moisture and relieve drying.

Sun Protection: PABA-free Lip Tone provides SPF 15 protection, which is recommended even for people who burn easily and tan minimally. Remember, LIPS DON'T TAN, BUT THEY DO BURN®."

My Impression

Pros

• SPF 15 for sun protection
• Very moisturizing!
• Non-sticky texture, glides onto lips easily
• Tint accentuates lips for that my lips but better effect
• Scented kind of like chocolate
• Can be layered on for more color
• Affordable (P89 or roughly almost 2 USD for 4.25g of product)

Cons

• Rubs off onto clothes and stains because it is tinted
• There is a weird taste when I lick my lips, but I find it tolerable
• Only one shade available
• Feathers into lines
• Sometimes doesn't apply evenly

Tips

• If your lips are chapped/peeling, exfoliate them first before applying this. The product builds up unevenly otherwise since it's tinted and it looks weird.

Would I purchase again?

YES! I really like this product despite its shortcomings. It gives a really nice effect on the lips and it's a really great substitute for wearing lipstick every day.

Nivea Lip Care Pinkish Boost (3-in-1) - SPF 15 [also: contains ginseng]

Ingredients: Octyldodecanol, C18-38 alkyl hydroxystearoyl stearate, Ricinus Communis Oil, Glycerin, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Ethylhexyl Triazone, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Homosalate, Panthenol, Aqua, Polyglyceryl-3-Diisostearate, Butyrospermum Parkii, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panax ginseng, Cera alba, Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane, Magnesium stearate, Magnesium sulfate, Propylene Glycol, PEG 40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Trideceth-9, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben, BHT, Sodium Benzoate, Potassium Sorbate, Geraniol, Benzyl Benzoate, Alpha-isomethylionone, Linalool, Methyl benzoate, Parfum, CI 77891, CI 73360, c20-40 alkyl stearate

Quoted from Gracie:

"Nivea Lipcare Pinkish Boost, the first lip care product that helps reveal natural rosy lips. With its Pinkish Vitamin complex and regenerative ginseng, regular use will reduce the dullness of your lips and restore its natural rosiness or pinkish color. The product contains SPF 15 to help protect lips from further darkening while double moisturizers provide long lasting moisturization for up to eight hours."

My impression

Pros

• Nice, fresh scent
• Non-sticky
• Glides easily onto lips
• Tube packaging and applicator works well
• SPF 15
• Gives nice pinkish tint to lips and also gives a nice glossy effect
• Can be layered on for more color
• Very moisturizing

Cons

• Weird but tolerable taste
• Somewhat pricey at P175 (approx $3.8) although it is for 10ml so it's debatable
• I wear this every day and see no difference in my lips (there is no actual pinkish boost unless I'm wearing the product)
• Unlike what it says on the packaging, the moisturizing effect doesn't actually last 8 hours, I need to reapply this every so often

Would I repurchase?

No, after looking at the ingredients list I'm not sure I want all of that on my lips. I have a habit of licking my lips, after all. I'm still looking for products that are all natural.

Here is a picture to show you the comparison of how the two products look when applied on the lips:

Very subtle effect, no? I do like the effect of Blistex better. :)

So who won this round?

For me, it's Blistex, just for the overall effect I get while using it. Also it does what it promises to do.

What about you, what are your favorite lip care products?

I'm Back! [+Tutorial]

WOW. It's been so long since I last posted (in October!), and I feel so out of it. I've just been so busy with school, and couldn't find the time or inspiration to play with makeup. For a few months I barely even touched my stash, except for my daily face powder+lippie combination. Haha. But now that I'm back I realize just how much I miss blogging and makeup in general. I also miss reading blogs, which I now have promised myself to devote at least half an hour to every night.

Many things have changed since I last posted in October. For one, I've gotten a lot more health conscious and I've been exercising more, and because of this I've gotten rid of, or am in the process of getting rid of several health problems I've been having for a while now. Not only that, I feel much more energetic, and my change in diet (aka change in lifestyle) has allowed me to keep my skin a lot less oily and almost completely blemish free! Of course, this was with the help of a dermatologist, but at the same time I know that my current eating habits are very helpful to maintaining the smooth skin I've managed to achieve.

I've changed my bedroom around, moved furniture and whatnot, and I now have a desk by the window which would be perfect to do my makeup on (finally, even light!).

My friend Sam and I are working on something that we hope to finish soon. I'll give you more details on that later.

But for now, how about an FOTD and a tutorial for it? I've completely missed doing this, it's crazy! Haha. For today, I wanted to try using L'oreal's British Red lipstick, so I decided to do a pin up look.

I started with a cleansed and moisturized face. I concealed my undereye circles and put on Maybelline's Clear Smooth face powder (yes, no foundation) for light coverage. I moisturized my lips with Nivea (3-in-1) Pinkish Boost lip care


Items used:
FACE Celeteque Moisturizer, ELF Studio undereye concealer/highlighter, Ellana Minerals concealer in Smile
CHEEKS Shawill blush in #01 (used very sparingly), Physician's Formula pears of perfection bronzer
EYES ELF Studio eye primer, NYX ultra pearl mania in Mink, Jesse's Girl quads 432A-2 and 432A-3, ELF eyeliner in coffee, MAC Zoomlash, Jordana kohl eyeliner in silver
LIPS Nivea Lip Care 3-in-1 pinkish boost, L'oreal lipstick in British Red




It's optional that you use eye primer, but I prefer to use it so I primed my eyes first. Then, with the a fluffy angled eyeshadow brush (pictured above), pick up NYX ultra pearl mania in Mink (color 1) and pat onto eyelids going just above the crease. Build to desired intensity like in the picture below.

Use a small fluffy domed brush (pictured above) to deposit color 2 (a matte brown) onto crease, buffing and blending carefully in order to achieve an effect like pictured below. Don't forget to bring the color lightly toward the inner corner of the eye.

Above: Use a fluffy eyeshadow brush (I used ELF's eyeshadow brush, the one that sells for $1 each) and pick up your highlight color (color 3). I used a soft/pale gold. Sweep the highlight color generously under the brow bone and apply to the inner corner of the eyes to achieve an 'awake' look. Blend into dark brown color on crease.

Line your eyes with your choice of eyeliner. I used ELF's eyeliner in Coffee--it's hardly visible in this picture so using EcoTool's angled brush I picked up some of color 4 (a shimmery brown)

and I went over the line I made with ELF's eyeliner in Coffee, so now it will stay put better, not to mention look more prominent. I did the same thing (ELF's eyeliner in Coffee + Color 4) on my lower lid.

Fill in your eyebrows and apply mascara to your upper and lower lashes, and we're done!

If you feel like looking more fresh-faced, leave it at this. But because I wanted to try the L'oreal lipstick in British Red, I just put some on. And that's the finished look!

More pictures:

I think L'oreal's British Red is gorgeous. I'm not so sure about how it looks on me, but for those who are a fan of red lippies, I think this is a definite must-have! I might review it sometime soon.

I guess that's all for today. I hope you enjoyed the tutorial. :)

So how is everyone? I miss you all!