First Impressions and Review: Innoxa Summer Matte Lipstick

So it's my birthday coming up (woo hoo) and of course the only thing I asked for was *make-up* pretty much (I think my friends think something is wrong with me). Anyway, a parcel came from me from my Nanna and Grandad and I decided to open it as an early birthday present.

Such a great gift! They hit the nail on the head and sent me some make-up from brands I've never tried before - Almay, Innoxa, and Essie. That was just by pure luck but I was extra excited to give some new brands a go!

One of the things that caught my eye first was the Innoxa Summer Matte Lipstick in Fuchsia that came in a little Nail and Lip Pack with a polish in a chunky-as bottle (http://www.beautyheaven.com.au/product_images/32678/nail-polish.jpg for real, half of it is glass). And I decided to write a post on my first impressions and a mini review!

First of all, the lipstick looks gorgeous. Ah, it feels so luxe. As someone used to drugstore lipsticks with plastic lids that crack and whatnot, this is a welcome change.

This is what it looks like. I didn't manage to get a good one of the lid (it was night and the lighting was horrendous) but it's shiny and square and just is lovely (there's a small image in the collage below).

Now onto the colour - they're not joking when they say summer colours! Fuchsia is a hot, slightly blue-based medium pink that definitely makes me long for the warmer weather (who am I kidding, bring on winter. I'm rocking this all year round).

The formula itself is hella pigmented, as in one swipe and that's all you need. It's also creamy and feels so moisturising for something labelled 'matte'! Now, I am a complete matte lip fan, give me the mattest (is that a word?) lips possible over the glossy look any day. BUT I have come to realise that all, yes all, matte lipsticks are much more drying than their regular/moisturising equivalents. I've learnt to cope. Re-application, continual paw paw ointment application and flaky lips at the end of the day are WELL worth it to me. And I was expecting this lipstick to be the same.

This is my little edit from my instagram (@jemsbeautyau)

It's so moisturising! Honestly, it didn't feel as though I was wearing a matte lipstick. To be fair, it's not completely matte, I would say that it has a slight sheen to it, which disappears as it fades, or you could just blot it away. But I was super impressed! It also has that feeling on your lips where you know it's going to stay on for a while. Some lipsticks just sit on your lips and have good ol' fun sliding around, but this feels like it sticks (for lack of a better word) well to your lips. After about four hours, it was still there! I'm used to lipstick looking like lipliner by that point. It had faded, obviously, but evenly. That is a big, big plus in my book.

These are my lips, excuse the lighting (again, it was night time and I couldn't wait) but the colour is still quite true to life:

So I looked up the prices of these babies, since I've never owned any Innoxa before - they're only $14.95! Say what?! Creamy, pigmented colour that stays for hours? For the price of two lunches or five ferry trips? Needless to say I'll be keeping my eyes out for these - not that I need more matte lipsticks...