[ wearing besame "red velvet" over mac "cranapple" lip pencil, with a dab of red lipgloss over top. ]
After my post on red lipstick, I was contacted by Besame asking if I’d like a sample of the new lipstick they were developing once it was available. I eagerly said yes, and was delighted when it showed up in my mailbox last week! I was really looking forward to trying their lipstick, not only because this was from their new line, but I had never tried Besame cosmetics and I wanted to see how the lipstick held up to my beloved MAC.
Upon initial inspection, I found that the sample I had received (in Red Velvet) was pretty identical to MAC’s Russian Red (my personal favorite red lipstick). Even over the various lip pencils I have, the two did not differ much. I wore the Besame lipstick a few days in a row to compare it to the wearing experience against my MAC lipstick. Here’s the pro’s and con’s that I discovered while I gave it a test drive. Please note this is only reviewing the Red Velvet lipstick; not the pencil or the brush (which I was not sent).
[ for comparison (left to right): nyx "hot red" jumbo lip pencil, mac "russian red" lipstick, besame cosmetics "red velvet". ]
Pro’s
- It’s a lovely, deep rich, red color. Perfect for either your vintage or modern look. Red Velvet definitely falls into the “classic red” category for me! I also was impressed with how the color looked next to my pale skintone.
- The color is quite matte, which is hard to find in many red lipsticks. This makes for an even more vintage look to the color.
- It blends beautifully with both a brick red and raspberry red lip pencils I tried the color over. This makes for a really versatile color–one you don’t have to stick to one base color with!
Con’s
- The application was a bit dry and tricky. I used the recommended application method of a lip brush, as well as applying straight from the same stick. Either way, I felt that it dragged across my lips (which were properly moisturized).
- The color wore off more quickly than many of my other red lipsticks. I found that even without eating or drinking, it had begun to fade and wear off towards the inside of my lips.
- The lipstick is currently only available in a set with the pencil and brush applicator. For someone like me, that is not only on a beauty budget, but doesn’t need another brush applicator (or red lip pencil for that matter), it’s a bit of a hassle to have to order the complete set every time you need a new lipstick.
So what’s my final opinion? I like it, but with caveats. Namely that it does dry my lips out more than my MAC colors. Because of that, I wouldn’t rush out to buy the lipstick. However, if I was in the market for a versatile red I would say this might be a color worth considering.
So I want your opinion: have you tried this, or any other Besame, lipsticks? What your review?
For a recent ballet recital I was in, I needed a red lipstick. My mom isnt a big lipstick wearer, and neither am I, so I decided to go for cheap!
I bought a tube of NYC Retro Red for 99 cents and I was so surprised! The color lasted for the whole night (about 5 hours) during this time I was eating and drinking.
I totally recommend this, especially if you just want to try out some red lips!
(Oh My!, I just read your original red lipstick post, and you also like this lipstick! Well, great minds think alike!)
I want to try a true red lipstick, but due to complicated matters, I try to wear only all natural lipsticks, so it has been hard to find some.
Great review, I’ve been wanting to buy some red lipstick, I guess I’ll try the MAC first! Thanks.
Sharla~
russian red is my favorite,too!
Thanks for the honest and thorough review. I have some red lipsticks, but honestly have been too scared to wear them as it instantly brings attention to the face since not very many people wear it anymore. Not that that’s a bad thing I guess, just kind of an insecurity I haven’t gotten over yet I suppose.
xo
Jennifer
http://milliedeel.blogspot.com/
I really want to try MAC out! At the moment I use Estee Lauder Really Red which I absolutely love too, its matte, and a lovely shade, and it has a delicious perfume too which I am such a sucker for. It makes the whole process of wearing lipstick seem really special
I use and love mac, but this was well written and fair. thanks casey!
i think it’s so cute that the brand is called besame
the lipstick really suits you!
As a non-lipstick-wearer, it’s always fascinating to read cosmetics reviews.
I try to buy natural cosmetics as well. Honeybee Gardens is my favorite brand (review here: http://avantgaudy.wordpress.com/2009/06/29/honeybee-gardens/), but have yet to try their lipstick. I love the idea of Besame, though, with the vintage packaging and everything.
Excellent review!! I think your cons are worth considering!
First off – I always think it’s funny how people like MAC Russian Red so much. I’ve had such bad experiences with thier lipstick, including that color. It’s way too pink for me and comes off almost instantly – and it’s too shiny. I love that Besame is more matte – more so than any real red lipstick you can find these days. I’m a huge fan of their classic lipsticks for this reason but I haven’t tried the new ones yet. Even though they tend to fade in the center, if you use something like Make Up Forever’s lip sealer on top, you’ll be good all day and night.
I have not yet found a red that looks good on me. I have been afraid to order any online because I would hate to spend the money on a lipstick that would look terrible on me. You say MAC is nice but I don’t have a store near me that carries that line.