Bare Escentuals Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick

Everyone likes a good multitasking product and Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick from Bare Escentuals promises to line, color and plump your lips. It's an interesting concept and format, since all of the above is packaged as a thick retractable pencil. I had to give it a try.

The pencil is a bit too thick to really work as a liner for other lip products, unless you're using a color that perfectly matches your lips and is basically nude, which can't be said about any of the current Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick shades. Since I bought Barcelona, a very dramatic deep red, I'd rather not risk it. As a lipstick, the pencil is quite impressive in its coverage, pigment and performance. While normally I'd rather apply a dark lipstick using a brush, after minimal practice I managed to get a solid and precise result (very important for dark reds).

The texture is very light and matte. While it doesn't make the lips feel dry, after about an hour there is some tightening and every line (and in my case scar) is enhanced. Topping the Lip Stick with a clear gloss takes care of the problem, though.

My biggest issue is with the plumping. I don't like the minty-tingly sensation which doesn't go away for more than an hour. I feel that lip plumping by causing irritation to a sensitive tissue is not a good idea. High quality glosses show better results by adding moisture and actually making lips feel good, so that alone is reason enough for me not to buy another Buxom Lip Stick crayon. Also, swatching the pencil on my wrist made my skin itch for a while. Take this into consideration if you're sensitive.

Bottom Line: An overambitious product.

Bare Escentuals Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick ($18) is a Sephora exclusive. I ordered it online.

All photos are mine.