Sparkled Beauty

It was a struggle in my head whether to get Smashbox Insta-matte lipstick transformer, until the latest Shoppers' bonus redemption :)

It is basically a gel that instantly transforms any cream lipstick into a comfortable matte finish.

There are always other options - the "setting powder over a tissue" method, W7 Lip Legend matte top coat for lips (0.1oz, $7 on ebay) or Cargo matte top coat (0.1oz, $24). The choice is totally yours, depending on product availability and convenience!

Classic sleek black tube packing, with slanted tip which works well for the gel texture. Just that you can't tell how much product you have left inside.

Instruction: tap with finger over cream lipstick until a matte look is achieved. Not for use with lip glosses, lacquers or balms.

The quick and short verdict is it works the way it is intended to. I did not detect a scent, but it could easily affected by the scent of the lipstick it was put over. Also did not notice a change in colour or comfort.

Ingredients: Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Tocopherol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Caprylyl Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Phenoxyethanol.

This is L'Oreal Colour Riche Pure Red lipstick in Blake's Red I showed you yesterday - on its own (left) and with Insta-matte on top (right). My cream lipstick stash is just doubled :)

Note the size of the tube: 0.34oz/ 10ml, quite a bit more product than in the 2 alternatives I mentioned above. The $26 price tag now sounds very reasonable.

I do recommend Insta-matte if you like the matte lips without sacrificing the comfortable wear.