e.l.f. Moisturising Lipstick in Cheeky

For quite a while now, I’ve been on the look-out for a reasonably-priced nude lipstick that I can throw on to finish off my make-up look. But I’m pretty fussy, with a long list of demands from a nude lipstick: not too beige, not too pink, not too glossy, not too matte. As part of my recent e.l.f. haul, I picked up the e.l.f. Moisturising Lipstick in Cheeky. Aside from being incredibly cheap at £3.95, the ‘moisturising’ moniker reeled me in; as much as I love a matte lip, sometimes a more nourishing formula is easier to wear and to top up on the go. Online, the shade Cheeky appeared to be the perfect balance between pink and brown; enough to impart colour without straying into bold lip territory.

What I wasn’t expecting was a shimmery formula, which isn’t hinted at in the product description online. While I know not to hope that anything I buy online will 100% match their description, I was a little surprised. Generally speaking, I don’t like shimmery lipsticks. However, the shade itself was spot on and the swatch stood up well to a dab of micellar water, so I figured it couldn’t hurt to try it out. The packaging is nothing to write home about, but at least I won’t feel too worried about carting it around the place.

Despite my initial reservations, Cheeky is surprisingly flattering. The shimmer aspect means that the lipstick actually pulls a little bronze on me, but the hint of pink is not lost either.In fact, this is a great summer 2014 hue as it ties in the current trend for 90s lips (courtesy of Kylie Jenner and her MAC Spice lipliner). In particular, Cheeky suits a lightly bronzed complexion with a subtle brown eye. The Moisturising Lipstick is enriched with Shea and Vitamins A, C and E to nourish the lips, and the rich creamy formula is intended to be long-lasting.

The Moisturising Lipstick can be applied really quickly without the need for lipliner, and I have re-applied it while out and about without difficulty. The formula is one of the most comfortable I’ve worn; it doesn’t dry out the lips in the slightest. My only tiny issue is that the shimmer can emphasis dryness or creases in chapped lips, so a base layer of a matte lip balm could be useful here. Having said that, the lasting power is impressive for a moisturising lipstick; it survived for about three hours, including a drink. And, as I mentioned, re-application is a doddle. It also fades very evenly, with minimal flaking.

Overall, this £3.95 lippy has impressed me more than I expected. The formula is worth twice the price, and the shade range is impressive, with everything from nudes, corals to the deepest reds. If you’re after a small arsenal of budget lipsticks for every occasion, e.l.f. is definitely worth a try!

Em X