Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Tarnish is a big sort of pencil/crayon that tints like a stain, shines like a gloss, moisturizes like and plumps as well. I first read about it on Best Things In Beauty  and for a lip colour-phobe like me, the fact I felt I had to have it was impressive on it’s own. I guess I liked the idea that it wasn’t really a lipstick, as I hate the feeling of something thick on my lips, or something that requires maintenance or touch ups. So I found them, tried them, and found I liked Scandal, a “rose plum” colour. It’s the same colour that was raved about on Best Things in Beauty, which makes sense, as both Charleston Girl and I tend to like similar colours.

The formula is creamy and smooth, and applies like a dream, even for me. The pencil-like end makes it easy to apply, and the fact that this colour is like a darker version of my own lip colour helps as well. I like to apply it, and then wait a bit for the staining/plumping action to happen. It isn’t a massive tingly or stinging plumping effect, more of a slightly cooling sensation. There are emollients like vitamin E to keep your lips soft & moisturized The stain is lovely, even and gorgeous. I really can’t say I have ever used anything like this, and I love it. I can get to that stage quickly if I just blot with tissue a few minutes after application. There is a very slight sweet vanilla scent that I notice when applying, but it fades almost immediately.I don’t detect a taste of any kind. The cap contains a sharpener that “keeps your creamy pencil perfectly prepped for whatever shenanigans that arise”. Cute.

Verdict? Love. An amazing hybrid lip product that has earned a place in my make up collection.

Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Tarnish is available exclusively at Sephora online and at Sephora stores, where I got mine, for around $20.