Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar Swatches and Review
For over a year now I’ve been hearing nothing but raves for these mythical tubes of lip color goodness called Lip Tars. The cult brand Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics was put on the map thanks to these unique lip products that apply like a gloss, look like a lipstick and wear like a stain.
On a day to day basis I’m not a heavy makeup wearer. I rarely wear foundation, I’m not a skilled shadow blender and the concept of contouring is beyond me so my everyday essentials consist of three products; eyeliner, mascara and a lippie of some form. Lately I’ve been on a major lipstick/stain kick as glosses have become somewhat passé. The thing I love about a gloss though is the ease of application, that’s why Lip Tar is on the road to becoming my new BFF. |
With a very simple ingredient list consisting of Castor Oil, Hemp Oil, Peppermint Oil, Vitamin E and colorants, Lip Tars are an unassuming product. They are Vegan and Cruelty-Free without any parabens. What makes them so unique is the level of pigmentation, the way the formula applies, the long lasting wear AND the customization.
That’s right, Lip Tars are blendable so you can make your own custom Frankenlippie. Lip Tars are available in primary & secondary colors specifically for that purpose. Unless you want to wear a blue/green lip. Hey, I’m not judging. They even have a true white & black to lighten/darken shades. Talk about endless possibilities.
Application: Using the slant tip applicator, the formula glides on like a tube of lip balm. Though due to the heavy pigmentation you want to be as precise as possible to avoid going outside the lip line and staining the skin. Even though I applied the product straight from the tube, I would recommend using a lip brush to avoid using too much product.
Finish: Now even though the Lip Tar goes on glossy, it dries to a moist, satin, lipstick-like finish and the Peppermint Oil leaves a fun tingly feeling on my lips.
Wear: This is the really magical part. Even after drinking a bottle of water and eating, my color was still intense and perfectly intact. The finish was still moist and not at all dry or cake-y. One caveat, even though Lip Tars are long lasting, they are not transfer resistant. Your partner will end up wearing some color post lip lock.
The only real con was a bit of feathering but I totally take blame for that since I didn’t use a lip brush. The OCC site warns that using too much product can lead to color bleed.
I embraced my inner KarlaSugar and did an arm swatch of the colors side by side
Memento is a nudish pink. It’s described as a pink with plum undertones but to me it looks like a dusty rose. Makeup Artist Victoria Stiles partnered with OCC for this color with a portion of the proceeds benefiting CancerCare from now through June 1st.
Grandma seems like such an odd name for this bright coral hue though I’m sure it has some unique significance to someone at OCC. When I think of my late Grandma, lipstick is the furthest thing from my mind. Regardless, coral is a big color for lips this season and this bold shade is a perfect choice for a fun summer lip.
Demure is anything but. Think OPI Pompeii Purple as a lippie. This is definitely not for the color shy though if you’re looking to break out of your nude lip rut, this will certainly make a splash. I had Demure on when The BF came in my office and his exact quote was, “Whoa! I wasn’t expecting that!” I’m still not sure if that’s a good or bad thing but I’m not afraid to rock it.
Bottom line: For rich lip color that lasts without drying out your lips you need to get a Lip Tar in your lifestyle. You inner mad scientist will love creating custom mixes. Just make sure you use a lip liner and you’ll be very pleased with the line.
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars are available online at OCCMakeup.com. Lip Tars retail for $12/ea for a 8ml tube.
How many of you have tried Lip Tars? What are your favorite colors? If you haven’t tried them yet, do you think you might? Who else agrees that lip gloss is kind of over at the moment?
Disclosure: A sample of Grandma Lip Tar was furnished to me by OCC. Demure and Memento were purchased by me. For more info view my Disclosure Policy.
Lisa N.
Ms Meatballhead
Birdie
Spa pediccure chairs
The grandma shade could rival the chris benz lancome lipstick!!
BEAUTIFUL! I used to have the perfect lip gloss from Nars called Scandal, the only red that didn’t make me look crazy but off course as always “when you like, you lose it!”. I hate the feeling of gloss on my lips but I still buy it. But these look amazing and so rich! I will def. be scooping up a couple.
oh what about the feeling? I’m worried about the peppermint oil making a cooling sensation
I’ve been looking for a product like this, in the colors like this. Thank you so much for posting this!
I love these things. Did you get a chance to try out Anime? It’s insane! I wear Katricia and Anime on a regular basis!
does anime make ur teeth look whiter or does it down the shade of it? and if it does down the shade of your teeth (make it look less white or even yellow) how bad would u say it was? thank you!!!
Ooh, absolutely LOVE! But the purple one is TOTALLY calling out to me! Thank you for the swatches.
I’m liking these – better than a lip stain, not a gloss yet still like a lipstick but not drying. Thanks for the swatches.
They look great, but I’m concerned about too much peppermint oil — potentially irritating.
I do like Grandma! Haha-I don’t think of lipstick with my Grandma either tho! I still like lip gloss too
I hate when they don’t have swatches…I’m usually looking for the perfect bright pink, orange or nude and those are always hard to tell just looking at the tube. I really want to try Conquest, Safety Orange, Complex, and Vapid. I think I’m just going to have to go for it, the colors are so pretty…
I love these! I have about 6 shades and they are very long-lasting and you need to use only the tiniest bit with a lipbrush — a little goes a very long way. It’s fun to mix custom colors and the peppermint oil is not a problem, you barely taste/smell/feel it.
Thanks for the lovely words and support of our products!!!!
And just FYI: proceeds from Memento going towards CancerCares has been extended through July 1st!
Thanks again!
I ordered Uber thinking it was going to be neutral and it looks horrible on me. I think swatches on their website would be very helpful. Maybe I can use it as a base, but that would just be a way to use it up. I know they are meant for mixing with other Lip Tars but I don’t know what to mix it with. Guess I’ll wait for a sale or free shipping.
Your grandma didn’t wear lipstick? Why do you think lipstick is considered grandma-y. You know the grandmas with badly thinning lips and they have a red or bright pink color that looks atrocious!
Lol haha thats exactly the image that popped into my head!
I think (and this is just a guess) that the name “Grandma” might reference the classic coral-reds of decades past. I know my own grandmother had a few, and even into her 80s could rock those colours.
I’m quite sure Revlon or someone similar had a colour like this that she wore (in fact as I recall she had about four tubes of it because she was afraid to run out!)
That sounds like my mom. She has a stockpile of certain old school products that she has on hand for fear of running out.
Where can you buy lip tar lip stick? Any retail stores carry it?
i finally got the two i ordered, i purchased hush, and stalker…hush looked like a beige pink, but in fact it after application, looked a bit orangie and made my teeth as well as my sisters teeth look very yellow. i love lip color that makes ur teeth look whiter and brighter, so yes, i have no love for this color. stalker is a beautiful red with a blue undertone that makes my smile whiter and brighter…a very beautiful and classic red (a must for red lip lovers).
i’m not sure it it was mentioned above, but i believe all the colors excluding the clear are opaque…makes for very vibrant color yet unforgiving…i seen hush on a review on youtube on darker colored skin woman and it was very nice on her, so i thought it would look even more pink on me being lighter…wrong…for me it’s an awful color…anyways the texture is very nice, long wearing…and kissing is out of the question..
it dries matte/satinie…
(red lovers) mac viva glam 1 matte red lips “TO DIE FOR”…MY NEW FAVE!!! sorry i had to add that in!!!
“Grandma” indeed reminds me of my grandma who’s always wore coral-y colors. I have no idea why this seems to be a “Grandma” color. My G-Ma had coral lips, coral nails.. ugh LOL
Thanks for the review and swatches! I wish they would have swatches on skin on their site instead of photoshoped colors. It makes me nervous to purchase. I have been looking into getting a tube though because they are the only place I can find a true, white opaque lipstick but at 13 dolla a pop.. yikes! Seeing how vibrant your swatches are soothes my concerns a bit tho!
I like how they look almost paint-like (I am an artist so I love paint!) Do the lipsticks get sticky as the day wears on though?