Can I just tell you how awesome it is to be on vacation? I suddenly have all this extra time on my hands to tend to things I've been sorely neglecting. If only I could spend more of my time playing with makeup and beauty products and less time doing boring grown up things like working.
Being a grown up is by far the dumbest thing I've ever done.
I know, I know. I had work before and I was way better about posting and filming. You're right. It just meant I was neglecting other aspects of my life (like spending time with family and friends). After a while, it was becoming difficult to keep neglecting those area of my life without consequence, so I had to reprioritize -- and now I'm trying to reprioritize again.
It's a juggling game. I'll probably find myself shuffling things around again at some point. But for now, let's revel in my sudden return to the beauty realm.
Let's talk about lipstick already! That's what you came here for, right?
While I was at The Makeup Show (TMS) in Orlando (back in November), I stopped by the OFRA Cosmetics booth. Visiting the OFRA booth has become a bit of a tradition now. I discovered this brand at TMS back in 2012 and have been hooked ever since.
My first purchase from OFRA was a lipstick, a liquid lipstick, and two eyeshadows that were actually a gift with purchase. I was thoroughly impressed with every item I purchased and returned the next year ready to add more to my collection. Sadly, OFRA didn't bring their liquid lipsticks with them in 2013. But I was pleasantly surprised to see they had them at the show again this year. I immediately picked up two more colors: Santa Monica and Laguna Beach.
Rather than keep you in suspense, I think it's pretty obvious that I'm about to review a product that I love. Let's be real. I was disappointed they didn't have the product available at the show last year and I bought more of them this year. You don't need to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that I stand firmly in the I-love-this-product category.
But what's a review without my telling you why I love them?
An unsubstantiated opinion -- that's what it is. And we don't give those around here. It would make my life a million times easier but it doesn't really give you any useable insight whether you'll like it too. You want to know why. No, you need to know why before you go spend your hard earned cash. So that's exactly what you're going to get.
Let's break it down.
Packaging, cost and availability
OFRA's Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick retail for $19.90 and are available for purchase on OFRA's website. The fact that these are only available online is one of my chief complaints because I can't get instant gratification. And dammit, I'm a child of the "right now" generation. Gimme. I like to be able to look at and swatch colors in person, and I don't necessarily feel their site offers much in the form of swatches. This is the primary reason I wait until I visit their booth at the show, so I can really take a good look at the colors I'm choosing. Mostly, because I don't want to have to bother with mail-in returns if I don't color match correctly. But, who knows? Maybe I'll inspire more bloggers to try this brand and then there will be swatches galore online.
And, while we're over here being honest, it's hard to beat show prices too. I paid $5 each for my liquid lipsticks (in 2012 and 2014). That being said, the product's performance and consistency merit the price. (Exposure to show pricing has ruined me you guys. I want everything at a discount now) But don't fret, you can save 30% on your entire purchase with this code: girlythingsbye (good through 2/1/2015)
The liquid lipsticks come packaged in a tube (pictured above) with a doe-foot applicator. OFRA did update the packaging since 2012. Originally the tube was round (now its square) and came with a brush applicator. I'm a fan of the new packaging. I feel that the doe-foot applicator improves application. It picks up less product (good since these give a lot of color pay off) and is generally less messy. Plus, I found the original brush applicator a bit stiff and didn't think it spread the product on my lips as nicely. The updated packaging is definitely an improvement in my book.
Performance and consistency
The liquid lipsticks have a buttery smooth consistency and smell like cake batter (think Cold Stone Creamery). For the purpose of comparison, they feel like NYX butter glosses when applied. That means, they glide on like butter so they can slide around a bit on your lips before they set, which for some may cause some feathering. I don't actually experience this problem, but a friend of mine brought it to my attention so, I'm sharing it with you. If you're like my friend, here's a useful tip: Use a lipliner, then apply the liquid lipstick. Lip liners are generally a drier consistency so they'll hold these in place until they set. Voila, no feathering.
They don't take too long to set (maybe a minute, if that long) and once they do, they stay put. The lipsticks dry down to a matte finish and feel like long-lasting lipstick (meaning they're not super sticky and can feel a bit dry) However, they did not dry out my lips like some long-lasting lipsticks tend to do. They'll probably stay put all day -- as long as you don't eat or drink.
But since that's not totally realistic, I was able wear these for five hours without much (if any) wear and tear. Unfortunately, I need to eat, so five hours was the longest amount of time I wore these before eating led to reapplication.
You also get amazing color pay off with these. I have three colors and with all of them I get the exact color pay off I see in the tube with one swipe. You could try to build them to be more intense, but I found that to be totally unnecessary and a waste of product.
Overall thoughts
Well, if it isn't obvious, I really love these liquid lipsticks. I own three colors (Palm Beach, Laguna Beach, and Santa Monica) and have ordered two more since typing up this review (Hollywood and Plumas). Between the color pay off, lasting quality, and ease of use, I've become quite the fan. This year at the show, I got to meet the brand's chemist who makes all their makeup formulations and I gave him a big thumbs up on their liquid lipsticks.
By the way, you read that right. OFRA has their own in-house chemist so all their products are theirs. They don't buy mass produced products (ahem, 88 color eyeshadow palette that I'm guilty of owning) and slap their brand name on them. They create everything themselves. And their stuff is so impressive, they've even had large, well-known brands seeking out their stuff.
By the way, you read that right. OFRA has their own in-house chemist so all their products are theirs. They don't buy mass produced products (ahem, 88 color eyeshadow palette that I'm guilty of owning) and slap their brand name on them. They create everything themselves. And their stuff is so impressive, they've even had large, well-known brands seeking out their stuff.
Check out my video review for additional information and to hear more about the giveaway!
Giveaway
While I was at the show, I met with the brand representatives and told then how much I loved their liquid lipsticks and how thrilled I was they brought them to the show again this year. They graciously gave me three liquid lipsticks (Santa Monica, Mocha, and New Orleans) for me to host a giveaway for my subscribers. That means one lucky subbie gets to try these out for free!Giveaway rules:
- Contest is open only in the U.S. and Puerto Rico
- Only one entry per person. Youtube comments are the only valid entry.
- Subscriber must be 18 or older to participate (or have parental permission to do so because you'll need to share your mailing address with me)
- Must be subscribed to my Youtube channel
- Watch the video and leave a comment (giveaway comment entries only valid on Youtube) telling me: (1) Your favorite lipstick shade (any brand) and (2) one OFRA product you're interested in trying (go to their site and do some "window" shopping) other than the liquid lipstick.
- Contest closes Sunday, January 11 at midnight EST. Any entries submitted after that will be void.
- I'll contact the winner via their YouTube inbox (so make sure you don't block emails!). Winner will have 48 hours to respond with their mailing information, otherwise I'll have to choose another winner.
- Once I notify the winner and receive their information, I will announce their name (YouTube handle) in this blog post and in the video's information bar.
Prizes cannot be redeemed for cash. The makers and manufacturers of the items being given away are in no way affiliated with this contest. While I take every precaution to ensure packages are delivered to contest winners, I do not take any responsibility for items lost, stolen, or damaged during the shipping process once I have confirmed shipment from my end.
Disclosure of Material Connection (for items reviewed): I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Disclosure of Material Connection (for giveaway items): I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
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