New Clinique Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balms - Swatched

Let me count the ways I love thee, oversized Crayola style make up products. Let me count the ways and never stop counting. Pioneers of crayon style beauty, Clinique are back with Chubby Stick Cheek Colour Balms and you want to see them. You do. 

This is the second time this year that Clinique have knocked it out of the park when it comes to flattering cheek colours. The first being some of the prettiest blushes ever released, the Cheek Pops reviewed here. The formulation of the Chubby Sticks for Cheeks, however, is more a cream balm than the sheer powder offering of the Pops. 

This #nofilter shot is all four Chubby additions swatched, not too gently, to show their true colours, Cyndi Lauper style. Just one swish of each, however, will result in a much lighter, more natural colour payoff. As you can see, they're buildable. 

These Chubby Stick Cheek Balms (I type that and say Chubby Cheeks)( Every.Time) are more robust than your average Chubby Stick and that makes application child's play. Simply apply straight to the apples of the cheeks and buff in with your brush of choice or blend in with your fingers., building to the colour intensity desired. Zero shimmer but all of the oil free sheen makes these colours flattering on most every skin tone. 

While the heat we've been enjoying of late has meant that I have had to set Plumped Up Peony here for all day longevity, that hasn't been an issue as I'm still using Hourglass's Ambient Lighting Powder daily. I have been making a conscious effort to pare back on makeup products during the summer months and these handy dandy sticks fit right in with those efforts. Bloody marvellous for chucking in your mála too to brighten cheeks AND lips on the move. 

Available on Clinique counters now, priced €24, the Chubby Cheeks Stick Cheek Balms are well worth a swatch. 

Getting Lippy with Crayon Colour Balms - Revlon Just Bitten Kissables & Clinique Chubby Sticks

You'll know from my Chunky Cherry review of Cliniques Chubby Stick back in June that I'm a huge fan, that's why when I saw a similar Revlon offering in Boots last week I had to pick one up. Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain (How LONG is that name?!) is very similar in design, so much so that I thought I'd show you a little comparison. 

You might think from the above that Revlon has Clinique beat when it comes to the amount of product on offer but going by listed weights Clinique has 3g, whereas Revlon only 2.7g (If someone could explain to me why Revlon looks bigger on paper (literally) I'd love to hear it).

Both are packaged in sturdy plastic crayon type pens with twistable uppable (it's a technical term) product, doing away with the need for sharpeners, thankfully.

When it comes to consistency, Chubby Sticks are softer to apply than Just Bitten(s). The Revlon version seeming a little more waxy to touch and drags slightly when applied.

Clinique Chubby Stick in Mega Melon - €19

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush - €11.00

As you can see from swatches Revlon is drier on the lips than Clinique, I used two non shimmer colours for the want of a close comparison. Crush is a deeper pigment than Mega Melon but the longevity of the Stains over the Chubby Sticks has to be mentioned. You're looking at least 4 hours with Revlon, as opposed to 2-3 with Clinique.

Price, of course will always be a concern if you're trying to decide between the two brands and €7 is a big difference when you're on a budget, add into that equation, the lasting power on the lips and that might just sway you in one direction. Revlon.

The final consideration between these two products is colour availability, Boots, at the moment, have seven Revlon offerings compared to sixteen from Clinique. There's bound to be a colour in either, if not both collections to suit your lip balm loving needs.

Having used both for a little while now, I have to say Clinique gets my preference for sheer comfort of use. That's not to say Revlon isn't brought into action time and again, just not as much in my day to day wear. You really can't go wrong with either of these Lippy Lovelies.

What do we think? Have you tried one or both of these products? Have you a leaning either way?

Chubby Stick Love - Chunky Cherry

Following my slight disappointment with Revlon Lip Butters I've been a little hesitant to jump on the Chubby Stick bandwagon - that was until the Goddess of hilarity (fangirl much?) that is Marian Keyes took time out to give them a rave review over on Beaut.ie . From that day on I knew I had to try 'em.

There are no prizes for guessing which shade I was keen to test out first. Chunky Cherry is a bright pinky, red, because of my penchant for coffee lips, I thought this was the ideal way to work a little colour onto my kisser.

More pics you say? Certainly...

It has to admitted, I'm smitten. Soft and comfortable on the lips, Chubby Sticks apply like an unscented balm but give a beautiful colour payoff. This shade is super flattering and, even after two hours wear, my lips are still moisturised and bright pink.

I'm loving the design Clinique have used too, twistable uppable being one of my favourite features in any make up product, I'm a fiend for losing sharpeners you see. The tube itself is sturdy enough (with a tight fitting lid) to be thrun into your bag or purse without a second thought. Now that I like.

Available in 8 new shades from this month, the Chubby Stick will set you back €19 a piece, or, if you shop in Boots and buy 3 Clinique products this week, you'll recieve €12 back in Boots points and a snazzy pink pencil case to carry your chubby lovelies. I opted for Mega Melon, a very wearable pinky brown and Curvy Candy, a bright fuchsia bubblegum pink as my second and third. 

Have you tried Chubby Sticks yet? Reckon you might?