Review: Tony Moly Lip Stain No. 2 Red

I'd like to believe that lip tints were invented for those who wished to achieve that natural healthy coloured lips or who would want to enhance their natural lip color. They don't feel heavy on the lips with application. For this reason, I love lip tints!

I have tried several lip tints and have stocked with them for a couple of years but I am open trying other brands as well. Tony Moly is one the many Korean brand that specializes on make-up and skin care that is available in the country. Truth be told I have never stepped inside their store but have been tempted more than once to do so but that temptation came to an end when I decided to give in this afternoon and see what they had to offer.

First thing that I asked as soon as i entered was their lip tint. The sales lady immediately pointed on to me a rack full of their lip tint. Their version comes in three different colors, they were simply labeled as no.1, no.2 and no.3.  (but for more detailed names: No. 1 is Cherry Pink, No. 2 is Red and No. 3 is Orange Cha Cha--although as of this posting, I did not see No. 3) . I was told that No. 2 is their best seller. So without hesitation, I purchased it at P198 (not bad at all, roughly this would be $ 4-5)

Wasn't able to picture the cute heart-shaped cap

According to their website, Tony Moly Delight Lip Tint

DESCRIPTION

1. Lip tint with 98% of moisture base 2. Botanical oil prevents from drying and keeps moisture on lips 3. Fresh and fruit scent

Tony Moly lip tint comes in a clear tube with a heart shaped cover that also serves as an applicator at the end. Just like most tube lip make-up, it is protectively sealed with a clear plastic but easy to remove. Uncapping the lip tint, the first thing I notice was the smell. It was a fruity smell. Initially, it smelt like grapes then later like cherries. Either, it was indeed a pleasant smell. The tint itself was more of a watery-gel like consistency. 

Careful when uncapping as the tint may spill.

The color when applied on my hand seemed quite dark but when mixed evenly leaves a more natural color but had a shimmery effect.

For a small amount, it is highly pigmented.

Shiny shimmery

Application on the lips, I tried to achieve the gradient color for a more natural look..what do you think?

Surprisingly, it was easy to apply--considering I was half-asleep at the wee-hours of the morning

(Tip: try scrubbing your lips first, you may apply lip balm after then outline the outer lips with a concealer before applying the tint at the centre. Use your ring finger for more control without the heaviness)

I also tried it on my cheeks as well :)

Taken with the bathroom light at the crack of dawn 

This was after 8 hours. 

The tint survived both on the cheeks and on the lips (woo-hoo!)

Pros:

1. The price (affordable!)
2. The packaging (who could resist the heart-shaped cover--it brings  out the girly side in me)
3. The smell (very pleasant fruity smell that won't offend anyone especially those with sensitive nose---if only I could figure out whether it is grapes or cherries. I welcome anyone who could help me out in this)
4. The tint is very pigmented (one application on lips in okay)
5. When applied on the cheeks, it can give that "I-just-ran" flushed look 
6. The lasting factor (as you can see,it lasted for 8 hours)

Cons:

1. It stains on your fingers or hands (perhaps being very pigmented has its downside but you need alcohol to remove it from your hands)
2. When not applied properly it can come out as uneven.
3. Towards the end of the day, it can leave a halo ring around your inner lips ( If you are planning a night get together, you may need to reapply or use this as a base coat prior to applying a dab of lipstick)

Will I buy this again? Yep! But it may take awhile before I repurchase it (I thinking 6 months if used daily) as I have mentioned, one small dab can go a long way. So don't worry if the tint is only 9ml,all you need is a very very small amount 

Review: Beautylabo Pure Beige Hair Color

My hair has been dyed several times over the past years (usually I'd go for the warm brown tones that would range from medium brown to copper brown). I think the most daring color I had was supposedly the lightest brown color offered but turned out to be more blond on me (I was called Goldilocks for a time--so you can imagine the color impact it had on me). It was only recently that I discovered DIY hair color kit. Perhaps it must have been the cute attractive package it came with or the increase in price to have your hair done at the salon.

Anyway.....i discovered Hoyu Beautylabo hair color by accident. I was not meaning to buy it when i stepped inside the store but seeing how attractive it was (It came in a pink themed box...pink was all I needed to see). I narrowed my choices to Creamy Ash and Pure Beige. But since I was hoping to achieve a lighter color from my existing color (Dark Copper Brown), Pure Beige won.

My previous color under nature light indoors

Beautylabo comes in the following colors: 

Honey Blonde, Natural Blonde, Creamy Ash, Candy Apricot, Raspberry pink, Dark Brown and Pure Beige

The winning choice 

Not to mention the oh-so affordable price. As of this posting, one box cost me P239 ( roughly $5). If you have short to medium length hair,one box will do but for longer hair (meaning length is past the bra line), safer bet was to get two boxes.

From my understanding (a.k.a. researching from the ever reliable internet)--Beautylabo products were originally from Japan but lately these products are made in Thailand. Either way, still asian made---meaning it will suit Asian hair the best (I hope)

Opening the box would reveal:

1.Cream Colorant (this is already incorporated inside the clear bottle marked No.2)

2.Developer colorant (comes in the sachet marked no.1)

3.Pink nozzle for application

4.Plastic gloves

5. DIRECTIONS guide in 4 languages (although the pictures are clear enough to understand)

6. Bonus : After-color cream protectant (not all the time do the box carry this..I think I must have gotten at the time that there was a promo)

Taken again from the internet

I initially thought that there was not much difference in the color (*sniff*)  but after towel drying and air drying it, the color slowly came out. Indoors, the color is quite subtle but outside or when natural (our beloved sun) or artificial light (a.k.a bathroom light)--wow! the color pops out..not in a Goldilocks kind of way but it makes you look quite refresh and enhances your skin-color (esp if you are achieving white skin)..well, that's how I felt.

I thought there was no change in color (huhuhu) but then again this was under poor light

Under the light indoors, the color started to show (yay!)

Pros:

1. The price (very affordable)
2. The package (so easy on the eyes...people like me are easily drawn to it)
3. Easy to use..(literally a 1,2,3 step process)
4. Did not make my hair dry (considering the fact that I had used ordinary shampoo and conditioner after. It also helped that the box I bought came with a free after-color cream)

Cons:

1. The smell (it had this ammonia-like smell..if you have sensitive nose,best that the area where you plan on having to color your hair is well-ventilated. Otherwise, the smell can be a bit overpowering)
2. It didn't come with a shower cap ( based on experience, the color will absorb more if it is wrapped. 

Update:

Day 1 post-color:

My hair is still surprisingly soft (actually it is softer than my normal everyday hair). Although, the "I-just-colored-my-hair" smell is still there (just a whiff though)

The effect must have been as such since this was taken under yellow light

Under the sun, it gave a much softer brownish color. I will try to post a picture taken outdoors next time.

For some reason, Beautylabo made my natural curls seem to stand out in a softer sense. (I am as surprise as you are!) With the humidity now, my hair WAS limped and oh-so dry

Will I buy this product again? YES! I loved how the color came out.