Name: Stay With Me Lipgloss in Trendsetter
Brand: Essence
Size: 4ml
Price: €2,49

From Essence’s website:
The color-intensive texture is so wonderfully creamy and durable – without leaving a sticky feeling behind. The special shape of the precision applicator allows an effortless application.

What I liked:
- pigmented
- lovely shiny finish
- doesn’t dry lips
- the scent
- the packaging
- the price

What I didn’t like:
- the wand
- texture is a bit sticky
- not moisturizing
- doesn’t last long

Essence has just released a new range of lipglosses, available in 7 shiny shades, which promise a creamy and longlasting texture at only €2,49. Now, who can resist a bargain like that? Of course I had to try one and my choice fell upon n.04 Trendsetter, a bright but wearable hot pink with a shiny finish. Will it really stay with me for hours as claimed?

Let’s start with the wand, which is quite peculiar. It is shaped like an hour-glass which is supposed to make application easier but I didn’t like it. I actually find it makes the color end up outside the contour of your lips. This is mainly a problem if you have thin lips though.

The texture is not too thick nor too thin but definitely not creamy. It doesn’t dry lips but it’s not moisturizing either so I would suggest applying a layer of lip balm underneath. The consistency is also a bit sticky but not that much to really bother me. It has a nice, sweet fruity scent which isn’t too strong and tastes quite yummy too.

Color payoff is incredible for a lipgloss. It’s one of the most pigmented glosses I’ve ever tried and all you need for almost opaque color payoff is just one swipe. Unfortunately it doesn’t last that long on the lips. After a couple of hours the color and shine have almost completely disappeared from my lips forcing me to reapply the gloss several times during the day.

Available at: Ulta.com

Summary
If you are looking for a pigmented lipgloss at a cheap price, Essence Stay With Me Lipglosses may just be what you need. As long as you don’t expect too much. It smells and tastes yummy and doesn’t dry lips, but it doesn’t moisturize them either and the color fades after only a couple of hours. In addition, the wand is not very practical.

Rating: 3.5/5

Name: Diva Gloss
Brand: Big Girl Cosmetics
Size: 4g
Price: $15.00

From Big Girl Cosmetics:
This is the ultra-brilliant formula that delivers transparent shine, sensuous shimmer, and sumptuous shades. Super-easy to apply in its very own applicator tube. All colors provide a hint of color with long-lasting, non-stick shine!

What I liked:
- nice sheer and shimmery shades
- not sticky
- quite moisturizing
- delicious flavour
- the packaging

What I didn’t like:
- doesn’t last longer
- the price

Have you ever heard of Big Girl Cosmetics? It’s a nice little company that promises state of the art products at affordable prices. So far, I have only had the chance to try their Diva Gloss, which I won in a blog contest, and while, I really wouldn’t call a $15.00 lipgloss affordable or cheap, I’m very impressed with its quality.

Diva Gloss is available in only 5 shades but unfortunately I don’t know which one I have as I didn’t buy it myself and the name is not printed on the packaging. Judging by the swatches on their website though, I’m pretty sure I have Berry Diva. It looks like a rich brownish pink in the tube, but on the lips, it provides the slightest hint of color with lots of gold shimmers that make your pout shine.

This is definitely a lip gloss for those that want shine instead than color from a gloss. The shimmers aren’t over the top at all and the shade is just understated and very wearable, suitable for both school and work. The texture is wonderful too: it glides on easily, isn’t sticky at all and quite moisturizing too. Unless you have dry lips, you won’t need to use a lip balm underneath it.

The scent and taste are delicious too! I can’t really quite describe the flavour. It’s sweet without being too sweet nor overpowering but it makes me wanna eat it when I apply it lol. But I know I shouldn’t do that. Like most lightweight glosses, though, this too doesn’t last long and touch ups are necessary about every two hours.

Available at: biggirlcosmetics.com

Summary
Big Girl Cosmetics Diva Gloss is a not-sticky, lightweight, moisturizing gloss that provides just a hint of color and lots of shimmers to make your lips shine. However, it doesn’t last long and some may find the price expensive.

Rating: 4/5

Name: Mega Plump Lipgloss in Cairo-Mel
Brand: Wet n Wild
Size: 3ml
Price: €2.99

From Wet n Wild’s website:
Plumping lipgloss. It gives lips a pleasant plumping effect, minimize small wrinkles. It contains Vitamins A, E Aloe Vera to make lips soft, while an effervescent and refreshing formula create extraordinary shine.

What I liked:
- shiny
- not sticky
- lovely cinnamon scent
- the price

What I didn’t like:
- doesn’t plump lips
- not very pigmented
- formula feels a bit drying on the lips
- not longlasting
- packaging looks cheap and tacky

The problem with having too many lipglosses is that you end up using a few favourites all the time and forgetting all about the rest. At least that what happens to me. And while sometimes I realize that I had neglected a truly beautiful and amazing lipgloss, other times I remember that if a product has been forgotten, there was a reason: poor performance. That’s exactly the case with this lip gloss.

Wet n Wild Mega Plump Lipgloss in Cairo-Mel (there are other 5 shades available) looks like a soft, slightly icy pink in the tube but that doesn’t translate on the lips. Once applied, it leaves the slightest tint of pink with lots of shine, which looks beautiful for about 5 minutes. After that, all the color has completely gone and only the shine remains.

The formula is not very moisturizing, but for €3.00 I didn’t expect it to be. Just wear a lip balm underneath and you’ll be fine. I also like that it isn’t sticky and has a lovely cinnamon smell. Maybe a bit too sweet, but still pleasant. However, the lipgloss lasts about a hour on me, less if I eat, and so needs to be reapplied frequently throughout the day.

But the main reason why I don’t like this lipgloss is that it doesn’t plump lips. At all. Now, I don’t really want bigger lips and the only reason why I bought this was because I liked the color, but still, a plumping gloss that doesn’t plump lips is kinda… useless. It does give lips that tingling feeling typical of volumising products, so I was expecting my lips to become slightly bigger, but no. This just doesn’t work.

I also dislike the packaging. Some may find it cute, but to me it only looks cheap and tacky. Overall, Wet n Wild Mega Plump Lipgloss in Cairo-Mel is a very basic lipgloss and considering that, the price is just right. But its lack of pigmentation and its complete inability to plump lips were big disappointments for me.

Available at: drugstores

Summary
Overall, as a basic lipgloss, Wet n Wild Mega Plump Lipgloss in Cairo-Mel is ok. If you like clear, not-sticky, shiny glosses and don’t mind reapplying often, this is a nice and inexpensive option. But I gave it a low rating because it is a plumping lipgloss that just doesn’t plump at all. In other words, a complete failure.

Rating: 2/5

Name: Glitter in Gloss in n.1 and n.6
Brand: Layla
Size: 4,5ml
Price: €13,49

From Layla’s website:
Glitter is embraced by an extraordinary light and lays down delicately on your lips brightening them. A delicate formulation, 6 shades, a precious packaging for a successful product.

What I liked:
- very sparkling
- good color payoff
- longlasting
- not sticky
- nice scent
- the packaging

What I didn’t like:
- if you don’t like glittery lip products, this is not for you
- not very moisturizing
- I like the scent, but some may find it too sweet
- the price

If you don’t like glittery lip products, you can stop reading now. But if you’re like me and love sparkling lips, then I think you’re gonna love Layla Glitter in Gloss. Available in six shades, from silver to gold, from pinks to reds, these babies will definitely get your pout noticed. I’ve been playing with two of the shades, n.1 and n.6, for a while now and it’s finally time to tell you all about them.

N.1 is a clear white gloss infused with multi-colored glitter. It is my favourite of the two as it is very versatile. It can be used on its own like you can see in the swatch above for a simple, icy and shimmery look or on top of any lipstick you want to add a sparkling touch to your lips. And it’s so easy to apply too.

N.6 is a harder shade to wear but still beautiful. It is a deep bourdeaux red chock full of tiny red glitters. This is harder to apply because, as the color is darker, you need to be very precise with application (as you can see in the swatch, I wasn’t so sorry for that). However, I think this is true for all dark lip products so it’s not really a flaw of this gloss. It has a good color payoff when used on its own or you can pair with a red lipstick to make it sparkle and shine.

The glitters in these glosses are tiny and fine so you don’t have to worry about having huge chunks of glitters on your lips. As for the texture, sadly that’s not very moisturizing, so prep your lips with a lip balm beforehand. It is also barely, barely sticky so it feels comfortable on but still allows the gloss to last for more than 4 hours on me! That’s a great achievement for a gloss in my opinion.

The gloss is packaged in a long, sleek and see-through tube so you can see how much is still left in it. In addition, it comes with a handy applicator. Instead than a sponge-tip, it has a little brush with synthetic bristles that allows an easy and smooth application. And what about the scent? Personally, I like it although not everyone will be a fan of it as it is very sweet. It disappears from the lips pretty soon though.

Available at: Layla counters

Summary
If you love glittery lipglosses, you’re gonna love Layla Glitter in Gloss. Chock-full of tiny glitters, these glosses will make your lips shine, sparkle and get noticed. They have a good color payoff, are just slightly sticky and last for hours. The brush applicator is also very handy. However, they aren’t moisturizing, the price is not that cheap for a gloss and some may find the scent too sweet.

Rating: 4/5

Name: London Lips in Portobello
Brand: Eyeko
Size: 13.5g
Price: £6.50

From Eyeko’s website:
Make way for Eyeko London Lips Lip Gloss poured into pretty tubes stamped with iconic London images. Long-lasting colour and non-stick shine make for smooth application in a choice of 3 sheer and 3 cream blends.

What I liked:
- beautiful sheer and shiny color
- easy to apply
- lasts 3 hours on me
- the packaging
- the price

What I didn’t like:
- if you like pigmented lipglosses, this is not for you
- if you have dry lips, you need to wear a lip balm underneath

Eyeko has just released a new lipgloss line called London Lips. They are packaged in a simple see-through tube with symbols of London – such as the Big Ben, the UK flag, the double-decker bus and of course, the Eyeko logo, stamped all over it. I really liked how they managed to spice up and make pretty such an ordinary plastic tube! But what about the lipgloss itself?

Available in six shades, I had the chance to try Portobello, a sheer pink infused with gold shimmers that has a very shiny finish. It is a beautiful, no-fuss color that can be paired with everything and always looks good. You just swipe it on and you’re good to go.

It has a thick texture that is easy to apply and spread on the lips and it’s just a tiny little bit sticky. I think even girls who can’t stand sticky glosses would like this, as really, the stickiness is just barely noticeable. It feels quite comfortable on and although it’s not the most moisturizing gloss I’ve tried, that can be fixed by applying a layer of lip balm underneath.

On me, it lasts about 3 hours if I don’t eat which I think it’s quite impressive for a gloss. Most usually barely last 2 hours before completely disappearing! I also like the scent: it’s fruity and sweet but not overly so. It’s not strong and you can’t smell it once on the lips.

Available at: www.eyeko.com and asos.com

Summary
Eyeko London Lips in Portobello is a sheer pink gloss with golden flecks that make your lips shine. The texture is thick  and just barely, barely sticky but not that moisturizing so using a lip balm with this is necessary. It lasts 3 hours on me, smells wonderful and the packaging is cute.

Rating: 3.5/5

Name: Miracle Gloss in n.2 & n.5
Brand: Layla
Size: 4ml
Price: €15,10

From Layla’s website:
A longlasting texture, a product that gives volume to lips. You’ll feel your lips hydrated and see them turning into an ocean of light.

What I liked:
- 8 beautiful shades to choose from
- very pigmented
- quite moisturizing
- very shiny finish
- not sticky
- longlasting for a lip product
- lovely scent

What I didn’t like:
- if you have dry lip lips, wearing a lip balm underneath is necessary
- bulky packaging
- the price

Layla Cosmetics has recently released a new line of lipglosses called Miracle Gloss. With a name like that, these glosses have a lot to live up to, and after trying two of the eight shades available, I have to say they don’t disappoint at all.

N.2, my favourite shade of the two, is a bright and intense fuchsia with tiny little shimmers that make lips sparkle. It is very pigmented and one swipe is enough to achieve opaque coverage that will last for a few hours.

N.5 is a very wearable and much easier shade to pull off than n.2. It is a coral-nude shade that is also very pigmented and only requires one coat for great color payoff. Unlike n.2, this shade doesn’t contain shimmers nor glitters, but it is still very shiny.

Both glosses are very pigmented and have a lovely texture. The consistency is not-sticky and quite creamy so, unless you have dry lips, you can easily skip a lip balm with these as they are quite hydrating on their own. And because they are very shiny, they make your lips appear bigger and plumper. In addition, both glosses are quite longlasting. Unless I eat or drink, they stay put for about 4/5 hours before I need to retouch them!

Instead, I’m not too keen on the packaging. The gold cap is supposed to represent a gold nugget, but overall I find the whole tube too big and bulky and not that practical to carry around in your purse. But at least, considering how longlasting they are, you won’t really need to bring them along with you unless you’re out for the entire day.

As for the price, I do think that €15.00 is not that cheap for a lipgloss. Still, that won’t put me off buying one or more shades because it’s not often you come across such pigmented and longlasting glosses that feel comfortable on the lips. I think that, overall, they are worth the price and if you find a shade you like, I highly recommend them.

Available at: Layla counters

Summary
Layla Miracle Gloss in n.2 & n.5 are very pigmented and shiny glosses that offer opaque coverage in just one swipe while giving the illusion of plumper lips. Creamy and not-sticky, they last about 4 or 5 hours on the lips if you don’t eat nor drink. However, the packaging is bulky and the price not that cheap.

Rating: 4/5

Name: Vibrant Curve Effect Lip Gloss in Naughty But Nice
Brand: Max Factor
Price: €8,25

From Max Factor’s website:
it’s curvy applicator hugs your lips for a fuller, more curvaceous look. High shine, non-sticky formula.

What I liked:
- very glossy
- not sticky
- quite moisturizing
- curvy applicator
- the price

What I didn’t like:
- sheer color payoff
- not longlasting
- scent is too sweet

This was another impulse purchase. I was just browsing the various makeup stands and counters when Naughty but Nice, one of the 16 shades available of the new Vibrant Curve Effect Gloss by Max Factor, caught my eye. The shade looked so pretty in the tube and I could hear it call it my name saying, “Gio please buy me.. I would look amazing on your lips… please take me home with you… you need me, you know you do..”

Well, actually I didn’t need it, but when it comes to cosmetics I’m weak and just can’t resist temptation. But please tell me I’m not the only one cosmetics talk to, I’m starting to get worried for my mental sanity. Anyway, in the tube Naughty But Nice looks like a beautiful cherry red with shimmers. Sadly, that doesn’t translate on the lips.

Naughty But Nice applies quite sheer and it leaves only a hint of red color on my lips. I was disappointed about it. First of all, the color in the tube looks so much prettier than how it does on the lips, and then, from a product called Vibrant Curve Effect, I expected something more.. well, vibrant. Of course, you can always apply 2 or 3 layers like I did in the swatch above to improve the color payoff a little.

Still the sheer color payoff has its advantages. It is perfect for those that love reds but are too scared of wearing it. Naughty But Nice is very wearable and easy to pull off as it is so subtle. And it would look great layered on top of a lipstick to give some shine and sparkle to it. Although you only get a hint of shimmers on the lips, the finish is very shiny and glossy, which I love.

The innovative thing about this lipgloss is the curved sponge-tip applicator designed to fit your lips perfectly. The wand picks up a lot of product which stays on its tip only ensuring an easy and smooth application. The formula’s lovely as well: light, not-sticky and fairly moisturizing even without lip balm.

Unfortunately that also means that these glosses aren’t very longlasting. Naughty But Nice disappears from my lips after about an hour so frequent reapplication is necessary. I’m also not keen on the scent. It smells like watermelon which a lot of people find yummy and wonderful, and I would too if only it weren’t so strong and sweet. I just prefer my glosses to have a very subtle scent.

Available at: Max Factor counters

Summary
If you like sheer, highly shiny, not sticky and fairly moisturizing glosses, you’ll enjoy Max Factor Vibrant Curve Effect Lip Glosses. Naughty But Nice is the perfect shade for those that love reds but are scared of them as it looks so sheer and wearable once applied. However, these glosses aren’t very longlasting.

Rating: 3.5/5

Name: Candy Shop Lipgloss in Frosting Fanatic
Brand: E.L.F.
Size: 11g
Price: £1.50

From E.L.F.’s website:
Got a sweet tooth? With double the amount of gloss you can enjoy the candy without the cavity! A modern twist to an old favorite, the unique ultra durable sliding lip tin holds your favorite lip gloss in 7 deliciously juicy flavors to choose from.

What I liked:
– sheer with glossy finish
– texture a bit moisturizing
– the scent
– the packaging
– the price

What I didn’t like:
– slightly sticky (doesn’t bother me but others may not like it)
– doesn’t last long
– don’t like having to apply with my fingers (I usually use a brush instead)

I’m a sucker for lipglosses especially when they are cheap and come in cute packagings, so I was delighted when late last year my good friend Dao sent me E.L.F. Candy Shop Lipgloss in Frosting Fanatic in a swap. After playing with it for a few months now, I thought it was about time to share my thoughts about it.

Let’s start with the shade. Frosting Fanatic looks like a plain gold color in the tin. It may look a bit scary at first but it is actually very sheer and on the lips, it looks like a nude shade with golden shimmers that give your lips some sparkle and that beautiful gloss look. The picture doesn’t do this justice, it looks more glossy and pretty in real life.

The texture is only slightly sticky, so it doesn’t bother me, and somewhat moisturizing. I wouldn’t say this is as moisturizing as a lip balm and if you have dry lips I suggest you still apply that underneath, but while wearing it my lips felts a bit hydrated and not at all dry.

Being a lipgloss, and not a sticky (well, just a tiny bit) one, this lasts about a couple of hours, less if you eat, drink or kiss, before it completely fades. I think that is average for a lipgloss and considering how cheap this is, I can’t say that I’m disappointed.

The scent, on the other hand, is either love or hate. It is very sweet and a bit artificial, which may put some people off. I read reviews that said this smells horrible but surprisingly (I usually don’t like scents that are overly sweet) I really like this one. I think it smells rather yummy, just like candy! In any case, it is not overpowering and you won’t be smelling it once the gloss is on your lips.

The sliding tin is pure love for me. I’m really digging the retro feel of the packaging, it’s really pretty, isn’t it? And the small tin actually contains A LOT of product so that the gloss will last for ages. The only thing I don’t like about this type of packaging is that you can’t apply the gloss straight from the tin. I hate using my fingers, so I use a lip brush instead and the problem’s fixed.

Summary
Overall, I’m loving E.L.F. Candy Shop in Frosting Fanatic. It’s a very sheer gloss with golden shimmer that looks great on its own or on top of lipsticks to add a touch of sparkle. Not drying, somewhat moisturizing and only a tad sticky, the gloss is inexpensive and comes in a cute little tin. However, the staying power is average and some may not like having to apply it with their fingers (I use a brush instead).

Rating: 4/5

Disclaimer: I got this item in a swap. The review is based on my own personal and honest experience with the product. For more information, please see my disclaimer.