BITE Beauty Lilac Luminous Creme Lipstick

Wednesday, April 23, 2014

As much as I prefer to shop at Nordstrom these days, I can't help that Sephora carries one of my favorite lipstick brands - BITE Beauty - and occasionally waves tantalizing LE shades at me. I'm weak. I can't help myself. So recently I purchased the LE VIB Rouge shade Lilac. It seemed that Lilac was BITE's answer to the color of the year, Radiant Orchid.

Since not only is this a limited edition shade, it is only available to purchase if you have VIB Rouge status (absolute codswallop in my opinion, Sephora should be willing to take anyone's money) I thought it'd be helpful to swatch alongside possible dupes.

Left to right: Catrice Lip and Cheek Colour in Neo Geisha (LE), Impulse Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Run Away, BITE Beauty Lilac, Marcelle Rouge Xpression in Cleopatra, L'Oreal Aqua Caresse Lacquer in Infinite Fuchsia.

BITE Beauty Lilac is by far the most pigmented lipstick out of this group. Marcelle Cleopatra and L'Oreal Infiniate Fuchsia are more berry in color and darker. The Catrice was LE so I'm sorry for even throwing that in the mix, it's not particularly helpful, is it? Impulse Cosmetics Run Away is almost dead on. The slight variation in color appears to me (in person) to be attributed to the lesser pigmentation. Run Away is definitely more sheer and takes multiple swipes to build up the intensity.

The formula is delightful, as any other Luminous Creme formulation I've tried. I usually tend to go for matte lipsticks but the Luminous Creme line wears so well. It fades to a lighter, cooler, more pink hue without that ring around the mouth look.

As much as I really like the formula and the lipstick itself, I'm not sure if I love this color on me. The color is beautiful but as a red lipstick devotee, I'm not sure how often I'll really reach for it.

Sidenote: even though it isn't super hot yet in Sacramento (a dry 75 F), Lilac arrived "sweaty". I left the cap a bit open for three days and most of it evaporated but there does seem to be some oily slick spots that appear to be slight oil separation and not just condensation. If you live in a warmer climate, you might want to consider that before ordering!

BITE Beauty Lilac is $24 and available at Sephora.

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