Saturday, September 21, 2013

red apple gluten-free vegan lipsticks :: review and giveaway

I reviewed these Red Apple lipsticks. From top to bottom: Beach Peach lipstick, Honeybadger lip gloss, Dancing Princess lip gloss, Nude lip liner pen, and Strawberry Fields lipstick

I am not a beauty blogger, but I love playing one on the Internet every once in awhile. Awhile back – eons ago, my bad – the très nice folks at Red Apple Lipstick sent me a care package of their gluten-free, cruelty-free, vegan lipsticks to review.  They asked me to choose 5 products.

L to R: Strawberry Fields, Beach Peach, Dancing Princess, Honeybadger and Nude. For reference: I have pale, late 40s skin with a faint runner's tan. 
Luckily, I do not have gluten issues, but I am aware that we consume way too much. And when it comes to cosmetics, I know that what I am applying onto my body inevitably ends up in my body. I love that, while Red Apple Lipsticks are saturated with gorgeous, all-natural colors,  they are also free of gluten, parabens, animal products, artificial coloring and all sorts of other mainstream nastiness. Plus, since most Red Apple lipstick colors are earthy, they offer a rainbow of shades to complement a range of complexions – from ghostly white like me, to darker, deeper skin tones. So all this said, there's lots to love about this indy brand, whether you have gluten issues or not. Here's the lowdown on what I tried, complete with "selfies" showing color swatches. [True confession: It's utterly horrifying to see yourself in photos past the age of 25; I post them in the name of anti vivisection!]
Nude lip liner with Honeybadger lip gloss
Lip liner in Nude: This classic neutral shade will complement most complexions and lipstick shades. I like the fact that it features a little twist-up feature. [In my infinite laziness, I hate sharpening cosmetic pencils.] The texture was a tad dry, but this also seemed to contribute to a very long wear time – as in hours, even after eating and drinking. I do wish the thickish, blunt point were a bit more precise – would make lining easier. But I am ordering another one anyway because this color goes with everything, and I like the twist-up point. So there you go...

Mint to Be Lip Gloss in Honeybadger: Another warm, neutral shade that will complement just about any skin tone, from ghostly white girls like me, to darker black skin. Its minty flavor tingles and soothes when you apply it, hence the name. I wore this for a dinner out with F-stop last night with the Nude liner.

Red, red, I like red. Strawberry Lips Lipstick. Sammy Hagar would definitely approve.
Lipstick in Strawberry Lips: Through my late 20s, entire 30s and early 40s, I wore strictly red and earthy lipsticks. Now that I am 2 years from 50 [Really?!? Say it ain't so. I feel about 30.], I find that darker shades make my skin look sallow, causing me to look older. This said, I was on the fence about this shade in the container. But it turned out to be a keeper – transparent enough to look natural but dark enough to give my lips and skin a bit a pop. It's on the re-order list, since I only got a wee sample of this one.

Lip gloss in Dancing Princess
Lip gloss in Dancing Princess: This was the surprise of the bunch, a subtle, warm rose gloss punctuated by oodles of microscopic glitter that catch the light and make your lips appear plumper. I wore this to my demo and cookbook signing today at Williams-Sonoma. For girlie-girls ages 14-114.

Beach Peach lipstick with Nude lip liner
Lipstick in Beach Peach: This peachy-keen, pale orange toned shade looks fabulous on both pale and tanned skin, plus it's quite sheer and comfortable to wear.  I love shimmery shades like this in the tube but thought it would get lost on my pale skin once applied. But I was surprised to find that it's gorgeous on – a definite keeper for spring and summer. I am packing this away for my next winter island getaway.
  • The good: I adore these lip products and will be ordering again soon. I like what they stand for – no animal ingredients or testing, from themselves or their suppliers. Also love what they include and most of all, what they do not include. The price is right. They offer a range of colors for every complexion. And they offer a 100% money back guarantee if you are not satisfied. Can you say "customer service?!"
  • The not-so-good: My only issue was the dryness of the lip liner and lack of a precise point. But hey, given all the good points, I can live with it. I''ll take a blunt, slightly dry but gorgeous-and-long-wearing, cruelty- and gluten-free vegan lip liner over a precise, evil animal-tested cosmetic any day. Duh.
CONTEST: The patient sweethearts at Red Apple Lipstick have offered to give away one Honeybadger lip gloss and one Dancing Princess lip gloss to one lucky, US reader. All you need to do is leave a comment with your favorite shade of Red Apple lipstick, either shown in this post on on their web site. Extra brownie points for following Red Apple Lipstick on Facebook and/or UrbanVegan on Facebook. I'll announce the winner next week.

Good luck, kids. And remember: No way for me to contact you, no prize.

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59 comments:

The Boss said...

Ooooo- I love that Beach Peach! You look super cute!

Andrea said...

I'm quite taken with the honey badger. Seriously, you look great in every shade. I would never guess your age — and don't try to guess mine, either. :D

Jan Scholl said...

I think Audrey would be a nice color to transition from summer to fall with. Very pretty.

Unknown said...

I love the way Dancing Princess looks!

doemora said...

honeybadger it is!
(mora.dorothy@gmail.com)

Cadry said...

All of the colors look great on you! Each one complements your tones beautifully. If I had to pick just one, I'd say that Honeybadger is my favorite shade.

Cadry said...

(Oh, I forgot to mention that I follow you on FB!)

Unknown said...

Dancing Princess rocks!! Thats what I'm going with -You wear them all well so its hard to pick a favorite! :)

wendy said...

definitely the honey badger!

Unknown said...

Beach Peach! Nice.

Unknown said...

Honey Badger is perfect for the season! Cost can be so prohibitive when it comes to vegan cosmetics, especially for graduate students :(

Millie said...

Yes...I love the beach peach...sign me up.

Julie Steinkopf Rice said...

strawberry lips for me!

Anne said...

Honey badger! Or dancing princess.... Both! I already follow you on Facebook, just followed Red Apple too...

Christine A. said...

Love my Kiss is my fav color. Dancing Princess is pretty sweet too.

Unknown said...

I am fond of Audrey, but I am falling in love with nude as I age.

Cindy C. said...

Beach Peach and Dancing Princess

Unknown said...

Audrey is great, because I love Audrey Hepburn, but as I'm aging NUDE AND HONEYBADGER seem to be the winners for a more neutral/natural look. And yes I follow on Facebook.

Unknown said...

Love these products and the way the company cares for women's health. anneh531@gmail.com

Claudia said...

In love with RAL. My favorite shade is Rebel-it screams confidence. Have yet to try their lipgloss though...

Unknown said...

I love the Beach Peach, I'll have to try that one soon. I usually get my favorite, Secrets, from RAL's website. Would luv to win!

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Vallerie F. said...

I love Oh My Guava and Diamond Sands!

Barbara said...

You have me thinking about ordering a lop gloss. I have not tried them yet. I do have several of their lipsticks. My favorite is Strawberry Lips.

ChrisBzzz said...

Mauve Me color lipstick! Yeah! Would be cool to try the glosses. :-)

Lezlie Hope Morse said...

My brand new favorite is Reddy or Not, a surprise hot pink color, even though you think it will be red at first! It's just lovely!

Lezlie Hope Morse said...

lezlie.morse@facebook.com

This is how to get in touch with me!

Sarah C said...

Love the look of that honeybadger/nude combo! One question - I read an article recently about heavy metals in lipsticks (in the NYTimes) and especially in glittery ones. Any word on the metals content of these? Thanks!

Leann said...

I love Rebel! chefl@swbell.net

Leann said...

Like Red Apple Lipstick on FB. chefl@swbell.net

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

Dancing Princess looks pretty! I'd love to win these for my mom, who has Celiac, and would be so happy to have these. Thank you for the giveaway!

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

I like Urban Vegan on FB. :)

djstivers said...

Love it, love the colors , thanks for the giveaway

Unknown said...

I looooooove the Red Apple Lipstick in REBEL! I get many compliments on it and the fact that it is toxin free is such an amazing thing! I can wear it during the day with just a touch of mascara on my lashes, or dress it up at night with some of my favorite Red Apple Lipstick eyeshadows... it is simply amazinnngggg! I'm obsessed with the brand! :)

Natasa K.
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sarahhhhhh said...

I like the bridesmaid shade

Jenjen said...

I like Honey Badger.

lymie said...

I like Boyz N Berries

Lymie said...

liked on facebook

echowoman said...

I love the honey badger! And you look fantastic in all of them; no one would ever guess your age if you didn't tell them!

lovepoetes said...

I love the Coral Crush lipstick. It is gorgeous, long lasting and really brightens your face.

Johanna said...

I love the Dancing Princess. Beautiful.

Joey said...

love the look of those lipsticks -- another vegan product that needs to get its ass over to Europe sharpish!

Unknown said...

Absolutely love the beach peach for spring, and Honeybadger for fall! Pretty excited to learn about this brand. Followed both of you on facebook!

Anonymous said...

The Honeybadger one looks beautiful!
acookinthemakingblog@gmail.com

Andrea said...

I forgot to say I follow you on fb.

Tanya said...

I really like the Sweet Pea and New York colors :)

Reagan said...

I have Dancing Princess and I love the sparkly glitter in it. I'd really love to try the honeybadger lipgloss! It's so pretty!

Reagan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Reagan said...

Sprinklefaerydust@gmail.com

Jennifer B said...

So cute! i think the dancing princess... that name is great :)

Olivia said...

I think they all look great on you but absolutely love the honeybadger and the nude liner! Pretty color without being too much.

Sherry said...

Strawberry Lips is my favorite.

Lydia Claire said...

I think Beach Peach would be best on me.

Cindy said...

I like the dancing princess best!

Candy Hoffman said...

I love all the colors, but I think I like honey badger the best.
liked you on fb!

Candy Hoffman said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ash said...

The "Love My Kiss" looks gorgeous!

demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com

Michaela said...

Dancing princess--beautiful!

Zara said...

Strawberry Lips is a gorgeous but other colors also are amazing. Red Apple is a safe make up,when I discovered I just became a real fan, so comfortable on the lips. I just feel better when I know that I do not have all those scary ingredients on my lips.