I Tried on 17 Lip Products for This Blog Post: Sephora’s Give Me More Lip

I am writing this post with chafed lips, because I just tried on 17 (!!!) different lip products. Back in November, I treated myself to the Give Me More Lip sampler from Sephora, which set me back $59. The kit includes the aforementioned 17 lip goodies—from balms to long lasting lipsticks—courtesy of 14 different brands:

I’ve used many of these products already, but some have been sitting untouched in my vanity drawer since I got them. I figured it was high time I tried them all on and photographed them so that I could post them here.

Just a note before I dive into the photos: when I took these photos, I was not exactly in #wokeuplikethis mode, but pretty close. On my face I’m wearing Josie Maran Argan Oil, which has been a lifesaver during this ultra-cold winter, and Coola Natural BB Cream SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen (unscented, matte tint), which I received in my January Birchbox and am loving so much that I just ordered a full-sized tube. Here’s my Birchbox sample:
I also groomed my brows with Maybelline Great Lash clear mascara, then curled my lashes and swiped some of the same clear mascara on them. So what you see in these photos is me with just about no makeup on…age spots and all.

Now that we have that settled, the sampler box is divided into four color groups: Nudes, Pinks, Berries, and Reds. Let’s review them in their groupings. Nudes are up first:

The first two nudes are a little too pale for my very fair skin, but they might work with a smoky eye and some color on my cheeks. I really like the MUFE lip liner—it takes me back to the ’90s, which are all the rage again. The Stila nude is a bit too peachy for my taste and skin tone, but I’d wear it if I was in the right mood. I’m in love with the Laura Mercier gloss; it’s definitely going into heavy rotation in my purse.

Now on to the Pinks.*

I love tarte products, and the Flush LipSurgence is no exception. It’s a nice color for me. I wore the Too Faced Melted Fuchsia out to dinner in Miami while on vacation recently, and while it’s a much brighter shade than I typically wear, it was fun for a tropical night out. The Bite lipstick surprised me both with its staying power—it was hard to remove with a face wipe—and with how much I liked the color on me.

Next up? The Berries:

I’ve only recently gotten on the Fresh Sugar lip treatment bandwagon—the Honey shade is my current go-to lip product in my purse. I was amazed at how much color the Berry option provides and will definitely use this one a lot. I also just love the texture and fragrance of their lip treatments. I’ve worn the Buxom Menace lipstick a few times, and now that I see it in photos I don’t like it on me as much as some of these other colors. I’ve also used the tarte Moody lip tint and continue to enjoy it. Now, I know that OCC’s lip tars have a serious cult following, but I’m just not on board. I find the lip tars hard to apply, even when using the mini brush that comes with each one. The product is difficult to apply in an even layer, and this color itself just doesn’t work too well on my fair skin (especially with a nearly-bare face). I’m sure it would look very cool on darker skin tones, though.

And last but not least, the Reds:

I actually really like all of these reds on my skin. Laura Mercier is just killing it here—her Red Amour is named quite appropriately, because I am in love! The Kat Von D color is slightly clownish, but it’s also kinda fun along with a cat eye for a special occasion. The brick-toned red of the Sephora liquid lipstick works well with my skin tone, so I’d definitely go for that one if I lost the Red Amour. Hourglass’s Icon looks great on, but I find that the super-flexible applicator makes it hard to apply with precision—which is key with such an intense color.

Though it’s hard to choose, I think my top three favorites from this sampler box are:

1. Laura Mercier gloss in Blush (I love that her glosses smell like marshmallows)
2. Laura Mercier lipstick in Red Amour (in fact, this may be my new favorite red!)
3. Bite lipstick in Palomino (it has a great, non-drying texture and will be a fun spring/summer pink)

I’m sure my favorites will change depending on my mood, but that’s part of the fun of playing around with makeup!

*My photo of Benefit’s Posie Balm came out blurry, and by the time I realized it my lips were red and sore from trying on and wiping off all of these products! So I skipped taking a second photo of me wearing it because it’s so very subtle. It does have a nice smooth texture and light pink sheen, but I would buy a Fresh Sugar lip treatment over Posie Balm.