Bbbbbeautiful!! (B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful Lip Stick)

Member Name: sweetpea01

Product:	B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful Lip Stick
Date:	25/06/09 (67 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Lip nourishing

Disadvantages: No longer available in those shades

B's lipsticks have always been incredibly impressive and I have been a long time user just because they provide a great range of shades and the lip sticks are incredibly nourishing and moisturising. Unfortunately my two favourite shades were cut way back in 2004 to which I was slightly devastated as these had been a staple in my make up bag! The two lipsticks I will be reviewing are B Cause and Barley.

When B Never Too Busy To Be Beautiful was first launched in autumn, 2003, they carried three types of lip colours, Lip Glosses, Lip Creams, and Lipsticks. In 2004, however, after less than one year in business, they altogether did away with their simple tubed lipsticks. However, instead of discontinuing the entire range of colours, they reformulated the majority to become Lip Creams. (You know the ones; they come in those cute but completely useless bejeweled pots with lids that don't stay on.)

Though B opted not to carry lipsticks for just over two years, in 2006, they developed and launched new vegan lipsticks in three different shades for Christmas. B's original lipsticks, packaged in gold tubes with clear domed tops for easy colour viewing and a gold sequin "B" gently placed on the angled edge of the lipstick itself to ensure never before used freshness, are crafted from natural oils such as shea butter and jojoba.

And while they contain beeswax and lanolin (and are therefore not vegan), they don't contain nasty petroleum based oils. (Did you know that most lipsticks on the market contain a by product in the distillation of petroleum to produce gasoline?)

B Cause:-

Was discontinued in 2004, and reformulated as a Lip Cream - B Cause is a rich winter red with cool blue undertones by way of subtle flecks of iridescent shimmer that go on unnoticed bar to positively influence the colouring, even as it lends an odd texture to the stick itself. B Cause is a delight to wear, albeit going on with a fairly dry matte finish, it smoothly wears like one of the longest lasting stains you'll ever encounter. Sip morning coffee in a café, eat lunch, take yet another coffee break, have afternoon tea, and follow that up with after work drinks and dinner. Then take a look in the mirror: that rich colour hasn't budged, and yet come bedtime, it still manages to be easily swept away by your usual makeup remover.

Those who prefer a moister finish can simply apply B Cause over lip balm or under a clear gloss top coat to get the look and feel they're after (Vaseline works wonders!). And those with more mature skin, prone to colour bleeding when wearing darker shades of lip colour, should also try B's five star Lip Cream Barrier, the ultimate two-in-one lip liner and fill-in base to ensure maximum colour endurance.

For a classic film star look à la Jane Russell, combine B Cause with either pale pink Beleek Cream Eye Shadow or B Delight Pressed Eye Shadow, soft charcoal liner, and jet black mascara, all of which not only compliment this scarlet lip colour's cooler hue, but also keep the attention on your heartbreaking smile.

Makeup tip: always opt for either dramatically bold lips or eyes; never go for both simultaneously to avoid a look that is unnecessarily harsh, outdated, and overdone. This is especially true when working with vibrant red lip colours and sultry charcoal or black eye shadows.)

Barley:-

Barley, however, was one of very few colours that did not survive the cut back in 2004 and only ever having been offered as a lipstick in B's earliest days of operation. Barley is a pinked wheaten brown resulting in mildly peached undertones, making it a lighter, brighter hue than Bilingual Lip Cream for example.

Formulated with natural jojoba and shea butter plus lanolin for extra moisturisation, though its consistency tends to thicken and dry out over time, Barley offers a mattified finish that provides exceptionally long lasting colour, albeit in a neutral shade that best accommodates brown or green eyed beauties with fairer features.

Best combined with earth tones and warm metals, Barley lips pair particularly well with chocolate lined eyes featuring youthful hints of eye-opening gold such as Beam Cream Eye Shadow's metallic finished beige or Butterfly Glitter Cream Eye Shadow's sassier gold glitter in a clear base. For smoky come hither eyes, mid-brown OB1 and sandy Beach Pressed Eye Shadows give depth to darker eyes, while those looking for a more dramatic wash of deep autumnal colour should consider coupling Barley with B's grey/ green Bramble Cream Eye Shadow or Beatrix Pressed Eye Shadow.

And when the occasion calls for it, all of the above looks should be finished with a dash of B's incomparably rich Gold Glitter, which can be subtly applied to both face and body, from the décolleté to the brow bone, for an elegant, eye-catching allure that allows you to dazzle even as your overall Barley-based look effortlessly maintains a light, natural, approachably down-to-earth warmth.

What B Say:-

"As we stampede forth into the party season, filled with blind optimism that we can dance all night in 6 inch heels, yet another 'little black number' is essential, and padded bras aren't really 'cheating', why not calm yourself and go for one of our fabulous lipsticks instead. Guaranteed to dress up any outfit, not just the party ones, the almost arrestable blend of chocolate and sunflower butter softens the lips, whilst the rich colour stays where you put it, long after the heels have been abandoned"

Like I said in my item reviews both have been discontinued and were never brought back even to the current collection. They have been replaced with similar shades but these two were very precious to me as they were my first B items and they had great staying power! Lipsticks at B now cost £9.80 each which when you compare them to other brands it is quite reasonable. B have a great range of all colours to suit every skin type and they are always bringing out something new! The lipsticks are available to buy online (be careful about choosing your colour!) and in store where if you ask nicely a sales assistant will help you pick out the right one!

Summary: An ideal lipstick!