Product Review: Barry M Lip Gloss Wands in Bubblegum Pink
Name: Lip Gloss Wands in Bubblegum Pink
Brand: Barry M
Size: 3ml
Price: £4.25
From Barry M’s website:
Get glossing and perfect your pout with Barry M’s latest treat for lips. Available in 9 shimmering and sparkling shades each one deliciously infused with an irresistible scent, our new lip gloss wands are essential wear for a dazzling smile.
What I liked:
– beautiful fun but wearable shade
– nice color payoff
– not sticky
– the packaging
– the price
What I didn’t like:
– limited range of shades available
– doesn’t last all day
– the scent
Barry M Lip Gloss Wands are available in nine fun and bright shades, some of which are infused with glitter, in true Barry M’s style. The limited range of shades may not appeal to anyone, but they are just right up my alley, so I snatched up a tube in Bubblegum Pink and completely fell in love with the color.
Bubblegum Pink looks like a very bright pink shade in the tube, but on the lips it applies quite sheer. You can still see my natural lip color underneath but it has enough color payoff that you can tell it’s a bold pink shade.
In the swatch below, I applied two coats to get better color payoff for some added drama (you all know that I love my makeup bold and bright 
), but if you only apply one coat, this fun shade becomes very wearable and quite natural.
I also love the consistency. It’s not tacky, but light, smooth and not sticky at all, which is always a plus for me. I wouldn’t say it’s very moisturizing but it also doesn’t dry lips at all. And with the standard doe-foot applicator, it easy to apply and glides on effortlessly.
The staying power instead is just average and after a couple of hours, sooner if you eat or drink, it has completely disappeared from my lips. I can’t say I was disappointed about that. After all, the lipgloss isn’t stick, so the poor staying powder was to be expected.
On the scent, I’m still undecided. Part of me likes it, the other part hates it. Bubblegum Pink smells very strongly of chewing gum. Everytime I apply it, it reminds me of the Big Babol chewing gums I used to chew when I was 13.
(Big Babol, anyone?)
And while I enjoy the small trip down to memory lane every time I put it on, gumball is not really how I like my lip products to smell. But since you can’t really smell anything once the gloss has been applied, this has become a staple in my makeup routine and I use it very often.
From what I heard though, the other glosses in the range smell differently, so if chewing gum isn’t your thing, you can try another shade. The colors are beautiful, bright but sheer and have a lovely consistency, so don’t let the scent put you off from trying them. I’m sure you’ll love them too.
Summary
Overall, I love Barry M Lip Gloss Wands in Bubblegum Pink. It’s a fun and bright shade that applies sheer which makes it very wearable. It has a light and not sticky consistency, but the staying power is poor and the scent strong.
Rating: 4/5
Disclaimer: the item was purchased by me for both personal and review purposes. The review is based on my own personal and honest experience with the product. For more information, please see my disclaimer.Product Review: Senna Pearl Glow Lip Lacquer
Name: Pearl Glow Lip Lacquer
Brand: Senna Cosmetics
Size: 0.25oz
Price: $19.00
From Senna’s website:
Pearly metallics give lips a mega-watt dreamy glow.
What I liked:
- lots of shades available
- pearly metallic finish
- not drying
- long-lasting
What I didn’t like:
- slightly sticky
- the price
Last week I talked about Senna Sparkling Lip Lacquers, which are beautiful, sheer and very shimmery glosses. But while I liked them, I didn’t love them. But I do love another lip gloss I had the chance to try from Senna called Pearl Glow Lip Lacquer.
Available in 13 shades, the Pearl Glow glosses have a lot in common with their Sparkling cousins. They also have a lovely vanilla scent and a thick texture that feels a bit sticky on the lips.
I’m not a fan of very sticky glosses but I don’t mind this one too much especially because it lasts quite long for a lipgloss. The color stays put for hours and didn’t go away even after I had a bite to eat and some water. I only needed to reapply it after a proper meal.
But the reasons why I prefer Pearl Glow over Sparkling are the finish and color payoff. The shade I have is called Sunkiss and is a peachy pink with a pearly metallic finish that gives lips a very pretty glow.
It is also more pigmented than the Sparkling glosses I have which offer just a hint of color. Pearl Glow gloss is on the sheer side too but it shows up much better on my lips and gives them that my-lips-but-better look.
Summary:
Overall, I love Senna Pearl Glow Lip Lacquers. Available in lots of shades, they are decently pigmented, have a pearly metallic sheen and last for hours. However, they are a bit on the pricey side and feel slightly sticky.
Rating: 4/5
Disclosure: this item was sent by PR for consideration. The review is based on my own personal and honest experience with the product. For more information, please see my disclaimer.Makeup Packing Tips For One Bag Trips
I’m a big fan of packing lightly. Whenever I travel I only bring one bag, a pink wheeled trolley bag to be precise. I don’t see the point in bringing my entire wardrobe and makeup closet with me. A girl needs to be ready for every occasion, but carrying around three or four heavy bags full of stuff that you know you’re never going to use is no fun!
In addition, when you travel only with one bag, you can carry it with you everywhere, even on planes, so you don’t have to worry about items being stolen from it or your luggage getting lost. And with most airline companies starting to charge fees for checked in bags, you can save money if you only bring one suitcase with you.
But just because you’re bringing only one bag doesn’t mean that you won’t be able to look your best. You just need to be more selective of what you pack. I like to bring a couple of comfortable shoes and some classic pieces of clothing that are suitable for most occasions. As for my makeup and beauty items, here’s what I do:
Pack only what you’re gonna use
I’m always tempted to bring with me about 10 lipglosses or 7 blushes for example, but I know I will never be able to use them all. So, I only pack a pink blush and one pink and one nude lipglosses as they go well with any makeup look. Other things I carry are mascara, foundation, concealer, lip balm and black eyeliner. I never bring colored ones unless I’m absolutely sure that I’m going to wear them. I always pack brushes too but I keep them to a minimum. I like to bring my ELF eyeshadow brush as I can use it to apply my entire eye makeup if I need to, a crease brush and a couple of face brushes. Things like foundation or concealer, I just apply with my hands. It works just as well and saves me space in my bag.
Bring palettes
Palettes are very versatile and perfect for travelling. Instead of bringing 10 or 15 eyeshadows, I just bring one palette with both neutral and colorful shades so that I can create endless makeup looks with it. Some brands like MAC or MUFE also sell empty palettes that fit most eyeshadows so you can choose which colors to bring with you. Some palettes also contain blushes, lipsticks and glosses but I’m not a big fan of them as usually the powder gets everywhere and makes a huge mess. For a short trip, and as long as you keep them clean, these can be very handy though.
Travel-size products
Skincare products can be pretty bulky and take up a lot of space in your suitcase. There is no way that you can finish a whole bottle while on holiday (unless it is a VERY long holiday or the container is almost empty of course) so what I do is buy those small travel size containers and pour my favourite lotions in them. In alternative, you can go to your local beauty store or counter and ask for samples of your favourite skincare products. In addition, many brands are releasing travel size kits with their most famous and popular products so you can consider getting one of those if you’re planning a trip.
Liquid restrictions
If you’re travelling by plane and never check in bags, like me, make sure you are aware of liquid restrictions. You are only allowed to take with you on board liquid or gel products that come in containers that hold 3 ounces or less and they all have to fit into a quart size top plastic bag. Also, opt for powder product whenever possible.
Go shopping when you get to your destination
Another reason why I don’t like to bring too much makeup with me when I travel is that I always end up buying lots of new products once I reach my destination. I like going shopping while on a trip, especially if I go abroad, and having a chance to try new products that aren’t available where I live. I always get overexcited and end up buying too much! If you’re like me, and don’t have too much space left in your bag but don’t wanna buy another one, you can just ship your items home.
Do you have any more tips about travelling with one bag?
Product Review: Senna Sparkling Lip Lacquer
Name: Sparkling Lip Lacquer
Brand: Senna Cosmetics
Size: 0.25oz
Price: $19.00
From Senna’s website:
Sparkling light reflective pigments make lips look extra full and sugar coated.
What I liked:
- lots of shades available
- very sparkly
- not drying
- long-lasting
What I didn’t like:
- slightly sticky
- the price
I’ve recently had the opportunity to try some products from Senna Cosmetics and after using them for a while, it’s time to share my thoughts with you. So, let’s start with their Sparkling Lip Lacquers. Available in 19 shades, these lipglosses apply sheerly and provide just a hint of color with lots of sparkle.
(Bling bling)
I got two of them: Bling Bling and Lush. Bling Bling is a very sheer gold gloss with lots of golden shimmers.
(Lush)
Lush is a sheer berry shade infused with golden flecks. Pictures don’t really do them justice, they look much more shimmery and pretty in real life.
The texture is thick, but not drying, and slightly sticky, although not so much to actually bother me, especially since it’s the stickiness that makes them last. And last they do. The staying power is pretty impressive for a lipgloss!
They lasted for about four to five hours on me. I also had a small snack and drank some water and the gloss was still there, albeit a bit faded. It will disappear if you have a proper meal, though.
These glosses have a strong scent of vanilla, which may put some people off. I usually don’t like strong scents in lip products but I can’t really smell this one once it is on my lips so I don’t really mind.
Summary:
Overall, I like Senna Sparkling Lip Lacquers. They apply very sheer but provide lots of sparkle and shimmer and last for hours. Although they are just a bit sticky, they don’t dry lips at all.
Rating: 3.5/5
Disclosure: this item was sent by PR for consideration. The review is based on my own personal and honest experience with the product. For more information, please see my disclaimer.A year ago on Beautiful with Brains!
Hey guys,
I thought it would be fun to take a trip down memory lane and see what we were talking about this time last year. So, let’s get started:
Product Review: Lancome Color Fever lipstick: this must be the best lipstick I have ever tried. Available in lots of beautiful shades, it is very moisturizing and hydrating. I just wish it wasn’t so expensive!
Interview with Christine from Temptalia: last August, I had the pleasure to interview the lovely Christine of Temptalia. If you missed it, go and read it now!
Product review: E.L.F. Eyeshadow Brush: this brush is one of the best purchases I have ever made. The bristles are dense but soft and don’t shade. And I love that, if I really have to, I could do my entire eye makeup look with just this brush!
A guide to stains: what are stains? What are the pros and cons of using them? And what’s the best way to apply them? This post tells you everything there is to know about them.
5 crazy beauty tips that work: did you know that your hair conditioner can also double up as a shaving cream? It’s a trick I use everytime I travel as it allows me to save space in my suitcase. Plus, the conditioner makes my legs super-soft. Click on the link to read all about it and other crazy beauty tricks.
Product Review: E.L.F. Super Glossy Lip Shine SPF 15: I love these lipglosses! Not only are they really cheap, shiny and provide good coverage, they also protect your lips from the sun.