Now that song will be in your head all.day.long. I'm sorry...or, you're welcome?
Yes, a few weeks back a lovely lip and cheek stain, Stainiac in Beauty Queen, made its way into my June Birchbox. I've not only been replaying She's A Maniac in my head but I've also become quite a fan of this sweet little stain. You can find this product on a variety of sites: Birchbox, Amazon, etc. The .3 fl oz sponge wand tube retails for $13-$17.
Details from Birchbox:
Birchbox Breakdown:
You wouldn’t know it from the state of our makeup drawer, but we’re actually beauty minimalists. Our motto: Why use two products when you can get the same effect with one? This two-in-one lip and cheek stain gives us a natural, understated flush and helps us get out the door faster. The gel formula looks dark in the tube but delivers a sheer tint. It comes in three shades that complement all skin tones: Beauty Queen is a magenta-toned pink, Prom Queen is a lovely rose pink, and Homecoming Queen is a dewy peach.
How it Works
The tinted gel leaves a lasting stain on lips and cheeks. Since it’s water-based, it has a longer setting time than most quick-dry stains, which means it won’t leave any unsightly streaks behind as long as you take care to blend well. Use a single coat for a subtle look or layer it on for a more visible (yet still discreet) hue.
How to Use
The handy wand makes applying this stain a breeze. Swipe onto your lips as you would a regular lip gloss. To use as a cheek stain, smile and dab two or three dots onto the apples of your cheeks. Gently blend the pigment into your cheeks using small circular motions.
My Review:
The Good: Beauty Queen, although dark in the tube, leaves a really lovely pink flush on my cheeks and lips. It's easy to use, quick to apply and you do have a bit of time to work it in before it sets. Also, I see a fair amount of value in the tube as you really don't need much to create a color impact.
The Bad: You do have to work it in. And you certainly have to wash your hands immediately after use otherwise you'll have magenta fingertips for a few hours.
The Verdict: B+. I really love a dual use product that actually offers equal payoff for both cheeks and lips. Beauty Queen is lovely and lightweight and frankly quite perfect for the summer months when you feel like everything on your face is melting.
