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| We Out Here by Kokoroko |
This is officially my first every Ali-Express order. I do have some dupe brushes that I received prior to this but it was more like a begrudged add-on "gift" (that I paid for) in my sister's basket that I will be reviewing soon enough ... This time around though my training wheels were finally removed as I decided to go somewhat big and bold into Ali's cave of treasures all on my own.
The entire order process
Surprisingly easy. I thought that it would be really long and drawn out but, it was pretty simple. I just chose the items I wanted to purchase and then went to the checkout. A notification was sent to me stating that the sellers had received my order and I received further notification when my items were sent out. Once said items were shipped out I was able to track the item up to a certain point. Note - Some sellers sent my items very quickly whilst I'm still waiting for others to acknowledge that their time is running out to send me a package (usually 9 days before the order is canceled). Ali-express is similar to eBay so it's worth checking out both positive and negative feedback on the seller, the refund policy and shipping time. I think some sellers may overestimate the delivery time just for surety (60 days) but, I wouldn't/didn't expect anything to arrive too quickly.
O.TWO.O Lipstick in Shade 12
O.TWO.O Ultra-Rich Lipsticks first caught my eye due to the similarities between the packaging and Tom Fords Ultra Rich Line but, shade 12 held my attention. I wasn't looking for a "dupe" or out for a nice packaged expensive looking product but, I did want to try out the formula of a "typical" lipstick on Ali-Express that would be decent and hopefully non-chemical smelling. Thus, I opted to skip the tempting but extremely inexpensive items for something cheap but, not bare-knuckle cheap. Though according to the insightful linked video - lipsticks are extremely CHEAP to make for established manufactures and (it's just the packaging that's expensive). I think that would make sense considering that it would make no business sense to create a product where no profit was made - even if the majority of sales came from bulk selling. This, in turn, begs the question - If a company can make a nicely packaged and decent formula for so cheap ... How much profit do expensive makeup companies make? ... Anyway - product costs and retail value aside. It did take me a long while to choose various products because there's so much choice. O.TWO.O is one of the more documented lipsticks from Aliexpress (has a view review videos knocking around) so I felt like I was in kinda safe hands.
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| Do you see a brownish red or a coral? |
My Order: Arrived in just 6 days which is incredibly quick! This immediately put the seller in my good books - this proved to be a beneficial position to be in when I found that shade 12 was not the shade 12 I had expected. What I had thought was a beautiful brownish red turned out to be a loud coral which is alright since I do like brights but, if I was finicky and counting on it to be as described (when is it ever?) I could be a disappointed lass. However, I ain't so fussy and I'm used to swatches on the internet not looking the same in real life on me.
The Review
The Packaging: Yes, the packaging is pretty. It's so well made that it puts many UK budget brands to shame as not only is it beautiful on its own but, it comes with fancy packaging too! It's like a gift within a gift ... I mean it has a weight to it but, it's plastic so it whilst it may not have the luxury feel of a YSL, it certainly looks the part.
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| The beauty does not stop on the outside! The lipstick has the O.TWO.O is branded too - the attention to detail is superb! |
Formula: Feels very smooth and silky (very easy to blend). The pigmentation is good but I wouldn't say its entirely opaque as the colour needs to be built up for full strength. The scent is very pleasant (sweet caramel scent) and reminds me of Makeup Revolutions Renaissance lipsticks (A Charlotte Tilbury dupe) but, its a tad lighter and the formula is not as heavy. I would describe the finish as a satin because whilst it does have some gloss it's not glossy or extremely moisturising. Yet, it's not as drying as a matte lipstick but, it does have a "starchy" feel. I wouldn't say it'snot the greatest formula I've ever tried (regardless of price) but, I am pleasantly surprised and I do like it. It has a very similar feel to a few Korean lipsticks I have tried - silky smooth with a matte feel.
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| From a light application to a full, using a brown lip liner (Mac Chestnut) and then in sunlight. |
Shade 12: I think its safe to say that this is a bright coral (a cross between a pink and a red). It's a very bright shade that if you're wearing your makeup according to seasons this would be very spring. Although it is not the shade I had planned for I still really like it and it's very easy to work with and light feeling. Looking up the actual Tom Ford lipstick the packaging is meant to be duping - I noticed that shade 12 looks very similar to the online swatches of Le Mepris (g.search) or maybe it's my dodgy screen that's making it seem so. Either way, I guess I may have inadvertently found a dupe - whoops!
Price: £1.92 in Ali-Express sale usually retails around £2.18 with free shipping
Ingredients: (Styrene Isoprene) copolymer polyisobutylene, mineral oil, mica, oxidized polyethylene, wax homopolymer, titanium dioxide methyl benzoate, butylhydroxy anisole, CI 19140, CI 47005, CI 15650, CI 43410, CI 77491, CI 7792.
Expiration: 24 months
Cruelty-Free
Have you bought anything from Ali-Express?
Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated!
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