MAKEUP | MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Sculpting Lip Pen in #40 Carmine Red

You know how I have this habit of talking about new things long after they have been out for what seems like eons in the beauty world? Well, this is going to be another one of those times with the MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Sculpting Lip Pen ($32.00 CDN)*! Remember this from last year? I took my beloved product photos and then never wore this beautifully sensual deep carmine red until I coloured my hair dark again. Once I had darker hair, I suddenly started craving deep reds, purples, magentas for my lips! Essentially all of the colours that I used to be afraid of are now making their way onto my lips! 

When I first had a look at this and swatched it, I didn't get it. I didn't know why the lipstick part of the pen was rounded (lack of precision much?) or HOW this product was going to "contour" my lips. I wish I had read the instructions prior to reviewing this because there was actually a specific way to use the lipstick and highlighter ends. Ways that I was unaware of! GASP!

On the one end you have your semi-matte finish lipstick that surprisingly enough, even with the rounded tip provided fairly accurate application even on my pointy cupid's bow. Pigmentation was great, formula creamy and overall a nicely flattering shade of red. 

On the other end is a sponge applicator dipped in shimmery pink highlighter that I thought was for the cupid's bow, which it still can be, but according to the instructions there are two additional ways to use this highlighter. For a low impact look, apply the highlighter to just the center of the lips and then apply the lipstick OVER the highlighter. For a more glam look, apply the lipstick first and then add highlighter over top in the center of lips. In practice, I found both fairly subtle, but preferred the low impact look more as I found the high impact method dulled down the intensity of the red. It also gave my lips a more frosty look which I did not like. Oh, and apply the highlighter to your lips with you fingers. You don't want lipstick all over your pretty sponge applicator!

Final verdict: Two in one products are generally nice and convenient, but I am not sure if I would call this product life changing though I thoroughly enjoyed discovering the two additional ways to use the highlighter. I have never heard of plumping the lips this way and I guess just like making lips look fuller by applying a drop of gloss to the center of the lips, you can do the same with highlighter. I have always found MAKE UP FOR EVER to be a brand that teaches and learn something I did (Yoda?)!

Find the MAKE UP FOR EVER Pro Sculpting Lip Pen at www.sephora.ca and MAKE UP FOR EVER boutiques.