Review: Illamasqua Lipstick - Box

Until earlier this year, I've never been much of a lipstick girl. I've always preferred the shine and gloss that lipgloss provided and the subtle colour that it gave. I even put up with the sticky feel on some glosses in the hope that I get some hydration and chapping protection from using them.

But as with many beauty products, you don't know what you are missing out on until you find the right products, there are moisturising lipsticks out there that provides colour, pigmentation and hydration; you just have to search for them.

Illamasqua lipstick - Box 

• Box is a deep scarlet hue that is matte in finish - on me it looks to be a stunning red, with a hint of blue. I feel it's the perfect red for me and has got me looking like a starlet from a 50s film.
• Honestly this is quite unlike any other lipstick I've ever tried. It goes on completely weightless. I don't even realise I'm wearing this lipstick until I caught a glimpse of my reflection. The pigmentation is beyond belief; it is so pigmented, one gentle swipe and you get pure colour on your lips. 
• I like to use a lip brush to apply this lipcolour to get precise lines on lips. I can easily for forgo using a lip liner with this given the matte finish, I did not find that it bleed or feather at all, even hours after application. 
• Amazingly, this matte lipstick is not drying on my lips at all. I like using Box after applying a bit of lip conditioner (Guinot vital lipcare), and honestly for the lightweight feel, I'm happy to use another product to give it a hydration boost that I need in air-conditioned environments.  
• Staying power is phenomonal; it resists fading and without eating lasted for hours. I believe I have found a new love. 

top - applied with lip brush, bottom - swiped directly from tube

Rating: 9.5/10. I needed something slightly more hydrating under or over it as I have super dry lips.

RRP A$39/£15.00 at selected Myer stores or Illamasqua online.
This product was provided for consideration.