Birchbox, March 2014
First item: How ‘Bout Them Apples? Cheek & Lip Cream in
Pie by theBalm cosmetics
What I got (sample size): 1 color, inaccurately labeled as
.7oz. Assuming this is about half the size of one of the full-sized colors,
~$2.67
First impressions: Adorable packaging, nice magnetic
closure. About half the height of a match box, and about half an inch shorter
in length. The product design is great, with a cheeky retro vibe. Each shade of
the palette has its own shirtless cowboy mascot. I love the matte feel of the
packaging, the color and design, and the clickable magnetic closure. But after
looking for the size of the product, I’m disappointed to find the label inaccurate
for size.
Performance: Other reviews have found that it doesn’t do
well as a lip balm, but better as a lip color, so I decided to try on dry lips
(no balm applied in the last several hours, but no cracking or chapping).
The formula itself wasn’t as hard as I’d expected on sight,
and was easy to get onto my finger and lips. I started with a light application
on the lower lip only, and saw a very slight tint with the first (very very
light) pass. It was a lot pinker than I was expecting from the packaging. It felt
smooth, but not moisturizing. It didn’t feel as though it was soaking into my
lips, and a couple minutes after application they felt just like they did
before applying. As a lip balm, it didn’t do much in the way of moisturizing.
As a lip color, however, I really liked it. After another
two (very very light) passes, I was happy with the color I got, and could see
adding more if I wanted a stronger color. Since I don’t often wear much in the
way of lip color, I liked it as a more subtle color. I don’t usually wear
lipstick, but I could easily see myself wearing a light coat of this lip cream
as an everyday enhancement. It passed the lip-smudge test, as well, which is
one of my main problems with wearing lipstick every day.
The smell of the product is not pleasant. Given the
opportunity for a great apple-y scent (one of my favorite smells), theBalm fell
way short with a product that smells faintly of that cheap modeling clay you
used when you were eight. Not pleasant. There’s no taste, either, which is
something I usually like from my lip balms.
As a blush – oh, sorry “cheek cream” – I didn’t have much to
say. As someone with naturally rosy cheeks, I don’t usually use blush, and if I
do I go for the peachier hues. It didn’t look bad, though. The color (again, a
very light sweep) appeared natural and smooth.
So, final thoughts?
Packaging: 5
Color: 5 – Great for lips, and good for cheeks, too! I was
happy with it.
Scent: 1
Taste: 2 – Not tasting is better than tasting bad.
Texture: 4 – Went on my finger smooth, and my lips and
cheeks, but didn’t do much to moisturize. But you can always try lip balm
first, and then cream.
Overall: 17/25 – But I’d be willing to forgive the scent
because the color, and the buildability of color, was pretty darn awesome.
'Til the next box review!
-BoxxyGirl
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