Lipstick review: Besame Classic (Carmine)
I recently bought my first Besame lipstick (note use of ‘first’) at the Vintage Nostalgia show. It’s in Carmine, an orangey-corally-red shade I’d never have picked, but one of the ladies on the Vintage Hair Lounge stall reckoned it would work on me. She’d had plenty of experience of putting the colours on all sorts of people, so I decided to listen to her. Mr Robot also thought it would work. And you know what? It does look pretty good.
The shiny bullet packaging is lovely, though I’m worried about it getting all scuffed up in my handbag so have popped it into a little cloth bag. That probably sounds a bit precious, but I doubt I’d spent over £8 on a lipstick in my life before this, and probably wouldn’t have bought this one if it had been in, say, Boots, rather than at a wonderful event where I was caught up in the joy of shopping for vintage goodies. Having spent as much one one as I’d normally pay for three lippies, I’m determined to keep this one nice for as long as possible.
It wears really well, without bleeding even on my 40-year-old lips, which makes it pretty much everything I’m looking for in a lipstick to wear to work, and does make it better value than expected as I don’t need to use it so often. If I put it on before leaving home in the morning, as long as I don’t eat anything mid-morning it’s still there at lunchtime - it lasts just fine through a cup of tea or two. It doesn’t dry, though if you’re prone to dry lips it’s worth exfoliating with an old toothbrush as the lipstick can cling to dry patches. There’s no flavour.
Despite the cost, I’m really pleased with this lipstick and definitely plan to buy more. It’ll be a while, though, as they’re a bit spendy.
I have 'Carmine' and love it, but it's quite bright against my pale skin so I tend not to wear it to work. I might give it an outing this weekend, it's great for sunny days. I'm glad you like it too! I also have 'Portrait Pink' a great nude pink for everyday, and 'Dusty Rose' which is a wearable darker shade without looking vampy. I actually bought all of mine when What Katie DId were having a clearance, so they were all about £9. I would indeed flinch at paying a lot for mail order make-up I hadn't seen in the flesh. P x
ReplyDeleteBargain! I wish I could find the others that cheap. My skin is pale but quite yellowy, so the Carmine doesn't look all that bright against it.
DeleteWhat a great name - Carmine. So tempted. Must restrain self. Gorgeous packaging.
ReplyDeleteIt's lovely, but one for treats. The Carmine is based on a 1932 original.
DeleteI absolutely love the packaging of their stuff, but as I rarely wear make up it's always seemed rather expensive for me.
ReplyDeleteAnd buying something for the look of it is folly...ahem, shuffles off and eyes up the pretty box with the violets on it.
There's nowhere even remotely near me to have a look at it first, either.
But I have, after years of fruitless search, found a foundation which is actually pale enough for me, it's Maybelline's Whitestay range.
It's quite the novelty having something I can wear!
The powders come in quite small boxes/compacts - I've seen people who've bought online complain about the quantity.
DeleteI hadn't heard of that Maybelling foundation. I wear a mineral powder one - I like the ease of use, but it is a tad too dark. Given how many people complain commercial foundations are usually too dark, you'd think companies would add a lighter one to their range. Then again, the options for women of colour are also horribly limited; perhaps the firms want us all to be a matching shade of orange...
I find lipstick really tricky to buy so I wouldn't get this mail order either although I have looked at their range before as it looks lovely. So it has been interesting reading a review of it.
ReplyDeleteI'd deffo try before buying, it's too pricy to take a gamble on (unless you're jolly well off!). They used to do little sample 'matchbooks' years ago, and they enabled people to try wearing the colours once or twice to find out which one worked, though I haven't seen any of the UK sellers selling those.
DeleteI bought my first Besame lippy in 2009 and it has been my go-to lipstick ever since. I've been building my collection, slowly, and, as of this moment, I have their signature red, red hot red and carmine; carmine is by far my favorite.
ReplyDeleteI don't have the sort of budget that permits high-priced cosmetics, but I can justify a purchase of Besame lipstick because one tube lasts forever, as does one application. I also love the packaging and the light vanilla scent, so lovely.
So glad you love your carmine, it's such a pretty color and I'm sure it looks fabulous on you!
Thank you! I always feel very glam wearing it.
DeleteIt is long lasting, probably because it doesn't need reapplying all the time.