Bite Beauty Matte Crème Lip Crayon

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I recently received three of Bite Beauty’s Matte Crème Lip Crayons to sample and review. As described by Bite, they’re “A collection of lip crayons in timeless matte shades that provide superior hydration. Bite Beauty’s latest breakthrough formula boasts a collection of beautiful nudes, striking reds, and deep burgundies with a matte yet moist texture. The secret is the moisture-locking power of orange peel wax along with the antioxidant properties of resveratrol. Each gorgeous shade is water-resistant and long wearing.”

Read on to see what I thought!

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First of all the packaging is so slick. It’s a matte smoky gray with the Bite logo in a subtle gloss at the bottom. I love how chic they look! The cap securely clicks on and off, so I know there’s not risk of them coming open in my purse. I do wish there was a small color indicator of which shade was which on the exterior however, so I don’t to find the tiny name to read each time. Not a huge issue, just a personal preference. bite-matte-creme-lipstick-2

The colors I received are Glacé, Red Velvet, and Cava, as seen above. Let me walk you through each shade!

Glacé

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Glacé is described as a dusty mauve, which is accurate. This shade has quickly become my go-to everyday shade, since it goes with basically any daytime look I create. I love natural shades like this. If you’re looking for a lipcolor you can get tons of wear out of, I recommend Glacé without hesitation. A similar drugstore option with a slightly more matte look is Revlon Matte Balm in Sultry.bite-matte-creme-lipstick-4 bite-matte-creme-lipstick-5

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Cava is listed as a lilac beige shade. It is one of the most unique lipcolors I own. Personally, I prefer a bolder lipstick on myself, but I could see this being popular with a lot of people. It’s a great “nude” (not a literal nude hopefully…if someone’s natural lips are purple, they’re most likely freezing or suffocating. Please help them out.). I’d love to see how it looks on someone not as fair-skinned as me. Cava would be great paired with a darker smoky eye.

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Red Velvet

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Red Velvet is a rich, deep red. Who can resist a classic red? Not this girl. Red Velvet is a great red to add to anyone’s collection as it glides on smoothly, doesn’t bleed, and should be flattering to most skin tones. I wear this shade almost as often as Glacé, since I’m a big believer in red lipstick whenever you can squeeze it in. 🙂 A similar drugstore option with a slightly more matte look is Revlon Matte Balm in Standout.bite-matte-creme-lipstick-10 bite-matte-creme-lipstick-11

 

As you can see, the Bite Matte Crème Lip Crayons offer lots of diversity in their color choices. Overall, I’m very pleased with these! I wouldn’t consider them a matte, as they always retain some shine and are not transfer-proof. I always have to reapply after I eat with one of these on. However, they don’t bleed and are very moisturizing, which I love. This would be a great demi-matte option for people who don’t like drying, matte lipsticks.

They “crayon” shaped tube is nice, since the smaller tip allows for easier application. These are nice if you have thinner lips or just like a skinnier product.

Finally, I wanted to mention that these have a strong tea scent. It fades after application, but when applying, they smell just like tea leaves to me! If you’re sensitive to smells, I’d give these a whiff in person before purchasing.

Overall, I’d recommend these to anyone looking for a good, moisturizing, relatively long-wearing lipstick. They are exclusive to Sephora, but some can be found on Amazon at the links I included above. Have you tried any of the other shades? Let me know!

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This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on these links or make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small percentage of the profit at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Hoots of a Night Al!

I received these products for free from Influenster, and all opinions, as always, are my own.

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Formula X The System XCEL

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I used to be a habitual nail picker, and my nails were never more than tiny, unsightly stubs. Thankfully, a few years ago, I kicked the habit, and I’ve been addicted to painting my nails ever since! That’s why I was so happy when Influenster sent me this new nail care set from Formula X!
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The System EXCL is a customizable 4-part nail treatment system for creating the perfect at-home manicure. You can select any polish for the nail color, and the remaining 3 steps help prep your nails and ensure your manicure will last.Formula X The System XCEL 3

The packaging is so cute on these bottles. The large white cap is removable, and a smaller handle is beneath so you have more control while polishing. Before I started my manicure though, I had to remove my old polish.

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Thankfully, I also received Formula X Delete All 5 finger polish remover. This stuff was no joke.
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Delete All is seriously removed all of my old polish within seconds. When you open it up, a formula soaked sponge sits inside. There are 5 holes (one for each finger, obvi) that you simply slip your fingers in. I sort of swiveled mine around a bit for a few seconds. Once I slid out my fingers, ALL OF MY POLISH WAS GONE. Miraculous, y’all. This would be so convenient to travel with or just to have around for a quick polish change. Formula X The System XCEL 5.5

After my nails were polish-free, I moved onto the first step in The System XCEL, CLEANSE XCEL. This step is a quick-drying formula that helps remove natural oils from your nails and condition them before you apply any polish. Formula X The System XCEL 6

Once you apply that, the next step is PRIME XCEL. This base coat helps whatever polish you use bond with your nail bed while preventing it from staining. This step takes longer to try than the CLEANSE XCEL, but it really helped my polish go on smoothly. After it dries, you can finally move onto the fun part…your polish color! I chose to use the Formula X polish I was sent, TGIF. It’s a beautiful pinky-coral shade.

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The TGIF brush was thinner than the other steps in the system, but otherwise I really liked it! The color is beautiful, and it was opaque after two coats, which is important to me! I waited for both coats to dry before moving on to the final step, SHINE XCEL. Formula X The System XCEL 8

SHINE XCEL is the glossy, quick-dry top coat that is supposed to give your manicure gel-like protection for long-lasting results. I must say, I’m impressed! It did dry pretty quickly, and it really gave my nails a beautiful shine. They definitely feel nice and strong as well! I’ve shelled shrimp, showered, shoveled snow (not really, but you get the idea), and so far, I’m chip-free! I hope it wears well for a long time!

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Overall, I’m very pleased with the The System XCEL! I think it could easily replace a salon manicure. My favorite part was the brushes on the 3 clear steps. After some research I can see why.  Apparently they feature the Xpert Strokes Brush, which was just redesigned and features a wider brush with 440 bristles that creates a custom glide and streak-free finish. I wish all polishes had that brush. It’s amazing!Formula X The System XCEL 10

At $32 for the set (which includes whichever Formula X polish color you choose!), this would pay for itself in just a couple of uses, if you consider the cost of a manicure at a salon. If you’re big on at-home manicures like me, I would happily recommend The System XCEL!

Which color should I try next??

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Disclaimer: I received the Formula X products complimentary from Influenster, but all opinions are my own. 

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Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Matte Crimson

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I’m a strong believer that red lipstick looks beautiful on anyone! It’s universally flattering, adds some glam to any look, and feels timeless. That’s why I was so excited to get this tube of Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Matte Crimson recently.
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As you can see, the color is a beautiful, classic red shade. I tend to prefer classic reds over reds with orange, pink, plum, etc. tones. I think it’s the most flattering on my neutral-warm toned MEGA fair skin.
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Plus, how cute is this packaging? I think this lip-covered tube may be exclusive to Ulta, but thankfully the Matte Crimson color can be purchased wherever Clinique is sold! (It comes in a classic silver tube everywhere else.)Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick Matte Crimson 4.5

The Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks are described as “creamy, matte lip color with staying power.” Their claims include, “This lipstick keeps its soft, matte finish for hours. It will not feather, creep, stain, or dry out.”Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick Matte Crimson 4

I found all of these to be true! I must say, the application was a little difficult. It glided on easily, but the shape of the lipstick made me think this may be easier applied with a lip brush.Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick Matte Crimson 5.5

However, once applied, I loved it! The color is rich and very pigmented. It claims to be matte, but demi-matte may be more appropriate. It’s not drying like other matte lipsticks, and it will also transfer. I think that’s something to keep in mind if you’re looking for an all-day lipstick. Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick Matte Crimson 5

In the several hours I wore this, it didn’t feather at all, which I often have an issue with. It also didn’t dry out my lips. When I finally wanted to take it off, I had to use makeup remover to get off all the color!Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick Matte Crimson 6

It was very comfortable on my lips and didn’t dry them out like other mattes. It didn’t wear off at all, but I feel like it would have wear off evenly over time, which is nice.Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick Matte Crimson 8

I loved the shade because I feel like it made my teeth look whiter. Some other shades of red aren’t as flattering to teeth color, so I think this one may be slightly blue-red. I’ll never pass up a lipstick that improves my smile!
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I love red lipstick because it can be used year-round! I think this Matte Crimson will definitely be in my lipstick rotation this fall.Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick Matte Crimson 10

As you can see here, I paired my red lips with a simple daytime eye look. This color would be great with smoked out eyes for a date night, too, though! Red is versatile like that. 🙂Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick Matte Crimson 11

It costs just under $20 a tube, but I feel like this classic shade would be a great investment. One of my favorite drugstore alternatives is Revlon Matte Balm in Standout, but it’s not quite as vibrant. For a red option that’s even longer-wearing, I prefer MAC Pro Longwear Lipcreme in Perpetual Flame.
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If you’re in the market for a new red lipstick to try, I, obviously, would happily recommend this one! It’s vibrant, non-drying, long-wearing, and beautiful!Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick Matte Crimson 12

Do you have a favorite red lipstick I need to try? Let me know!

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Foundation: Revlon Colorstay

Concealer: Maybelline New York Instant Age Rewind Eraser

Bronzer: Physicans Formula Bronze Booster

Blush: Wet n Wild Icon Blusher Pearlescent Pink

Highlighter: Wet n Wild MegaGlo Illuminating Palette

Eyeshadow: e.l.f. Prism Eyeshadow Palette in Sunset

Eyeliner: Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner in Onyx

Mascara: Maybelline Lash Sensational

Eyeshadow Primer: Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo Metal in Barely Branded

Lipstick: Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick in Matte Crimson 

 

This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click on these links or make a purchase using these links, I may receive a small percentage of the profit at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Hoots of a Night Al!

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Le Marc Lip Crème Lipstick by Marc Jacobs in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang

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Love this lipcolor? Me too! I love the shade, the formula, the name…everything! Well…everything except the price. Let me back up a bit, though! This is the Le Marc Lipstick by Marc Jacobs in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang.

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Kiss Kiss Bang Bang is referred to as “dusty rose” or “baked rose.” I think that’s the perfect description! It’s a warm rose tone, that is perfect for everyday wear.

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I have been wearing it in a few recent posts and out in public, and I get complimented on it more than any other lipstick I own! I think that’s a testament to what a pretty color it is.

It is also super pigmented, so I think the beautiful color will translate regardless of your natural lip color.

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The formula is very moisturizing and extremely long-wearing. I wore this to a blogging event last week, and long after eating lunch and drinking water, it was still going strong.

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The price is a little steep for my drugstore taste at around $30 a tube. However, I will say this lipstick lives up to the price. If you want a similar look for less, I would recommend Revlon’s Matte Balm in Sultry. It’s another favorite of mine, and it is also a dusty rose color (albeit slightly darker).

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What are your favorite lipsticks for everyday?

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