REVIEW: Red Apple Lipstick

One of the trickiest products in all the makeup world to transition over to natural for me was Lipstick.... As a self proclaimed "Lipstick Junkie" one of the hardest things to imagine letting go of  was my lipsticks. The wide array of colours  available from Revlon, Rimmel, Urban Deacy and Maybelline (My Favourites) were seemingly impossible to break up with.  That was until 5 weeks ago. That was when I was diagnosed with Celiacs Disease, an autoimmune disease which affects the small intestines... brought on by gluten. Even then, I'll admit (shhh....don't tell my doctor) on one occasion(OK maybe more like 5) I still indulged in a few of my favourite gluten containing lipsticks. But what's a Lipstick Junkie to do? It has been a struggle to find GOOD lipsticks  with GREAT colour payoff  NO scary ingredients or gluten. Also did I mention cute packaging? Cute Packaging is a must.

Enter:

(Also known as the solution to my Lipstick Dilemma!)    I was sent two lipsticks by Red Apple Lipstick when I sent in a blogger request on their site. As always the opinions made in this post are my honest opinions. Red Apple lipstick also included another sample to show you guys! They also sell eyeshaddows, lip liners, lip balms, lip exfoliants, mascara's and lip glosses!

Red Apple Lipstick- Audrey

Red Apple Lipstick- Red! 101

Red Apple Lipstick- Vogue (Sample)

Swatches-
 (All of the following swatches are from when they were first applied. All lipsticks were applied at maximum strength)

Natural Lips with Green Beaver Clear Lip Balm

Red Apple Lipstick: Audrey

Red Apple Lipstick : Red! 101

Red Apple Lipstick: Vogue

Availability:
 These products are available for sale online on Red Apple Lipstick's Website.
 Price:
Each lipstick retails for 23.50$

 

Packaging: 8/10

This is the adorable little bag the goodies came wrapped in!

The lipsticks were beautifully packaged. Red Apple Lipstick has to have some of the nicest packaging I have seen on a natural product.  The tube is black and sleek with the cute apple with lips on the cap of the tube. The bottom of the tube is textured and allows the user to get a good grip on the tube while adding visual interest to the tube itself. This cute, expensive looking packaging seems to be a rarity amongst natural brands and I think this is something that should be changed. Just because we want natural makeup doesn't mean we don't like cute packaging. For example, while I love Silk Naturals Lipsticks I prefer the elegant, traditional lipstick tube that Red Apple Lipstick provides. The traditional lipstick tube also allows for easier lipstick application. RAL's Team has done an excellent job of delivering cute, safe and gluten free lipstick.

  
 

One complaint I do have with the packaging is that the ingredients are not listed on the box. Touches like this are really important to a consumer who is buying into Red Apple lipstick because it advertises it's healthy ingredients. They should be proudly displayed on the box not hidden on the website!  Add the ingredients onto the packaging and I think we are looking at close to a 10/10. ;)

Quality: 9/10

I am loving the quality of these lipsticks. They are super creamy and moisturizing. Another amazing feature is that the lipsticks are quite buildable allowing the user to select the intensity they desire.The colour payoff is amazing when applied at full strength and comparable to "gluten full" lipsticks offered in the drugstore. I love that you can build the lipstick up from casual to night out on the town with the girls! 

After several hours my lips still felt moisturized and I didn't feel the need to apply a balm or lipgloss. I did find that I needed to reapply after eating certain foods. With Red! 101 after having soup I had NO need to reapply. But I did find that after having a sandwich I needed to reapply Audrey(I have also had to do this with some drugstore lipsticks so this isn't a deal-breaker.)

These lipstick have a slight scent but is nothing (in my opinion) that would irritate anyone who dislikes or is allergic to scent. Smelling right from the lipstick the scent is light and pleasant and once applied it is non existent.

Ease of Use: 10/10

These lipsticks are extremely easy to use either from the stick or with a lip brush. The formula goes on smooth and evenly. In terms of shopping for them online Red Apple Lisptick does an AMAZING job of accurately portraying what the lip colours would look like on a variety of skintones. All the time and effort they put into providing the customer with so many images really makes shopping on their site a breeze!

Price: 6/10

The cost per lipstick is definitely in the "High End" range. So that is definitely something to consider if you are on a budget. The full price for each lipstick is $23.50.That being said there are plenty to ways to snag a lipstick at a deal!

-10% off- Sign up for their VIP Club and you'll receive a coupon code to use for 10% off. The VIPClub also boasts some additional benefits and savings.

- Red Apple Lipstick Exchange- RAL offers a program where you can send in your chemical laden lipstick from any manufacturer and receive a deep discount on their Lipsticks.

-Promotons- RAL Often offers deals when you purchase multiple lipsticks. (Buy two get the 3rd 1/2 off, Buy 4 Lipsticks, Get the Fifth Free  etc...)

That being said the purchase of these lipsticks will be quite a costly endevour. This is especially true if you are living outside the US like I am. Shipping to Canada ranges from 12$-23.50$ Depending upon how quickly you would like your goodies to arrive.In the future it would be nice to see a reduction in price or  easier accessibility through the opening up of locations in Canada  in  order to make shipping more affordable for those of us to the North who value great ingredients and safer, gluten free lip choices. I do enjoy the colour selection, quality, and adorable, professional looking packaging and can appreciate the costs incurred to make the product with such nice packaging and tubes but perhaps a reduction in shipping may help to really boost business and open up new markets. Promotions like receive your first lipstick for 10 dollars or 5 dollar international shipping on your first lipstick purchase may be a great way to hook perspective buyers. Once they have experienced the quality , customer service and great presentation it may help people swallow the price tag.

Verdict:

I am officially addicted! I am loving both the full size and sample lipsticks. The vogue sample is very similar in colour to an old favourite "Smitten" by Cover Girl which I unfortunately can no longer wear. While the lipsticks are costly, the cute packaging, excellent quality and the fact that they are safe for the gluten intollerant (like me) make the cost easier to take. I will definitely be looking into picking up some more in the near future!

Some others I have my eyes on are:  Firefly, Fierce, Reddish Fetish, Hibiskiss and two of the lipliners.

Which of the lipsticks above are your favourite? Which RAL have you had your eyes on?

Thank you for taking the time to read,

Additional Information:

Red Apple Lipstick kindly offered to send me two products of my chosing to review for you on my blog. That being said the above are my honest opinions regarding the products I was sent to try.

The links are not affiliated 

All images and content are copywrighted

Silk Naturals Lipstick & Stain Swatches

Pose Lipstick

Jane Lipstick

Zap Lipstick

Wham Lipstick

Vroom Lipstick

Scarlet Lip Stain

Hope you enjoyed seeing these swatches! Which Lippie is your favourite?

My Green Progress..And a quick life update!

These past few month's have been quite a roller coaster. With numerous tests and doctors appointments and feeling downright awful. Luckily about four weeks ago I finally received an answer! After receiving test results I was diagnosed with Celiac's Disease..an autoimmune disease in which the body attacks the small intestines when gluten is consumed. Since then I have had to remove gluten from both my diet and some personal care products. Luckily for me some of the natural brands I have already transitioned over to..just happen to be gluten free! ;)

On that note I wanted to give a quick update on my Green (and now Gluten Free) progress!


Products Transitioned over to Natural:

Toothpaste: My favourite brands are Green Beaver and Redmond Clay Earthpaste! Green Beaver carries a wide variety of toothpaste flavours all of which are Gluten Free and Flouride Free!

Deodorant: My current favourites are Lavanila and Crawford Street (Canadian Brand)

Mouthwash: My current favourite is by the brand Desert Essence. I love it because it is not only natural but gluten free and safe for those with Celiacs according to their Website.

Conditioner: I just finished my last bottle of non natural conditioner and I am currently testing out a conditioner by the brand Green Bubbles. Leave me a comment if you would be interested in a review on this or any other product listed in this post).

Lipbalm: My favourites are by the brand Green Beaver.  Like with the toothpastes they come in a wide variety of flavours! Also be sure to check the brand out on Well.ca often Well carries a combo pack at discount for a tube of their amazing toothpaste and the coordinating lip balm.

Lipbalm with SPF: I am currently testing out a lipbalm with SPF by Green Beaver. Previously I had been attempting to use up a non natural lip balm by Softlips. (Which was amazing by the way) As I was diagnosed with Celiac's disease I was not entirely sure if Softlips were Gluten Free and thus I decided not to take the risk and purchase a option I knew would be safe. The poor Softlips has met it's end at the bottom of the trash can and now I am proud to say I am now completely Natural with my SPF Lip Balm and Non SPF Lipbalm!

Lipstick, Lipgloss & Lipstain: Seeing as my lipstick collection is beyond massive normally this would have taken years! But thanks to my Celiacs Disease I can no longer use any of my non natural Lipsticks, Lipglosses and Lipstain. (Can we please have a moment of silence for my poor beautiful lipstick collection?) I am currently using lipstick and lip stain from Silk Naturals. Their lip products (according to their site) are gluten free. My only complaint about the lipsticks are the packaging. As a self declared "Lip Junkie"  I am seriously missing the traditional lipstick tube packaging because I am picky like that. I do LOVE their price point and the products work well but upping the packaging would bring their lipsticks to a whole other level of awesomeness!


Next  Targets:

Shampoo: I am aiming to switch over my Shampoo to an all natural brand which is also gluten free. This may take a while I still have 1 massive bottle to finish up! :S

Shave Cream: I still have to finish up 2.5 bottles of shaving cream with nasty chemicals before I can switch over.

What are your favourite shave cream and shampoo brands that are natural?



Thanks for reading,

REVIEW: Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation

Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation
Companies Description

"Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation delivers flawless, natural-looking coverage that lasts, while the skintuitive™ formula invigorates skintone and texture for a youthful complexion. Powered by Amazonian clay enriched with the earth’s natural, light-reflecting gemstones, this talc-free, moisture-rich powder buffs on smoothly for waterproof, 12-hour coverage that won’t settle into fine lines and wrinkles. Available in an array of shades to perfectly complement a wide range of skintones and undertones, this innovative foundation also employs a custom mesh delivery system for a fool-proof, mess-free application every time. "




Availability: Available on the the Tarte Website or on Sephora
Price: 43$ Canadian(On Sephora)

Packaging:  9/10

The packaging for this product is quite neat. The product is held in by a pantyhose like netting. I really love this design feature as it help to ensure little product is lost. I only gave this a 9 however because when there is only a little product left it is hard to reach it with the brush ( I'll get into that later though!).

Quality: 9/10

The product seem to weared quite well on me. I think it is very buildable but do not expect full coverage. Everyone's opion will differ on the coverage delivered but I would label this as a medium coverage foundation. As  I have mentioned before I have combination skin. I get oily on the chin and jawline  and dry on the cheeks and forehead. This is not a full coverage product so if you do have problem skin or a zit may need to also wear concealer. I personally don't find I need too except for under the eyes. This product does an amazing job of reducing redness and I love that it still looks like skin. The colour match (Fair Honey) is a great  match for my skin tone. The ingredients are not the most natural but are better than average! Since I have Celiacs I also love that this is gluten free so I do not have to worry about getting any in my mouth and winding up sick!

After 4 hours of wear:

ABOVE: Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation, No Consealer, Mascara and Silk Naturals Lipstick in Wham.


Ease of Use: 8/10

This product was quite easy to use.I used my Tarte Airbuki brush to apply the foundation to my face and it worked magnificently! I simply pushed the brush down into the netting slightly and gave it a tap before dabbing it onto my face. The only case where I ran into difficulty was when I had only a teaspoon left in the jar. In order to get the product near the end of its life cycle was to tip it upside down while holding the brush over the mesh.


Price: 6/10

The price is a little steep for the amount of product received. That being said the foundation did last me quite a while(I am almost done and have another waiting for me when I'm done;)) and I love the colour match!



Final Grade:  A