I like lipstick (remember #100LippyDays this cannot be news to you) and am always on the hunt for the best natural and/or organic ones so was interested when offered the chance to try a lipstick from Living Nature, a company I know better for skincare. The New Zealand-based brand is “certified natural” by BDIH, an auditing company based in Germany, with stringent criteria for natural beauty manufacturers.

BLOOM, LIVING NATURE LIPSTICK REVIEW

The Living Nature lipstick is made with certified natural ingredients including emollient waxes and pigments. Not included are synthetic preservatives, parabens, silicones, petrochemicals or animal testing.  There are some vegan-friendly items in the line but this colour, Bloom, contains beeswax and carmine so is not suitable for vegans.

Packaging:

The unusual pointed dome-shaped lipstick bullet is housed in a black, recyclable, rubberised tube that gives me Nars vibes, and I detected a very light beeswax-y scent.

BLOOM, LIVING NATURE LIPSTICK SWATCH

Performance and Pigment:

Living Nature say: “This vibrant natural pink lipstick shade is called Bloom because Living Nature believe every woman has the right to live her life in full bloom.”

Awwww. On my skin  which has yellow undertones, Bloom pulls coral pink. The texture is quite creamy and one swipe gives almost opaque coverage with a satin finish that dries down to become slightly powdery on the lips. I was impressed with how pigmented the lipstick was. It survived a light bite and though the colour was not as vibrant as when applied, did not require a touch up.

When applied to my bare lips, I found Bloom looked a little too pastel chalky on me and highlighted any dry areas. The reason is that Titanium dioxide, a white mineral pigment also found in sunscreen, is quite high on the ingredients list. Paler skin woudn’t have as much of an issue with this. I found the colour looked far more flattering when I applied a lip balm layer first to “dilute” it a little. You definitely want to make sure your lips are in good condition before applying this lipstick as it’s not very forgiving. I didn’t find it particularly hydrating, but as I said prepping your lips beforehand should keep it feeling comfortable.

Truth be told I’m not really a pretty in pink gal and tend to go for bold and statement colours. For those that prefer their lipsticks colours more subtle, I’d recommend Bloom as a classic, pretty colour that perks up the face. It’s good to know that Living Nature is another quality lipstick option available for green beauty lovers.

Bloom, Living Nature Lipstick, 3.9g, RRP £19.50 http://www.botanicalbrands.com (there’s currently a Christmas gift with purchase promotion on Living Nature products, spend £30 or over and receive a few limited edition tinted Lip Hydrator worth £15.)

Bloom, Living Nature Lipstick Ingredients: Ricinus communis (castor) seed oil, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Titanium dioxide (CI 77891), Euphorbia cerifera (candelilla) wax, Iron oxides (CI 77492), Cera alba (beeswax), Carmine (CI 75470), Copernicia cerifera (carnauba) wax, Tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), Pyrus malus (apple) seed oil, Squalane, Vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, Glycine soja (soybean) oil, Iron oxides (CI 77491).