Red Apple Lipstick: The Lash Project & Prime Time

I've spoken about Red Apple Lipstick before, when I reviewed their gorgeous lipsticks. Since then, they've come out with *The Lash Project Mascara and *Prime Time Eye Primer. Both products have been on my radar, especially after reading such rave reviews about them and having fallen in lover with their lipsticks. RAL is known for making vegan, gluten free, and allergen free products that are both high quality and high performance. Did these eye products live up to the hype?

The Lash Project Mascara: The Lash Project Mascara is a classic and timeless satin black mascara that gives your lashes a weightless, soft feathery look all while defining and strengthening your lashes. You and your lashes will love how it stays in place but at the same time.
Retails for $42 USD/CDN.

This vegan, gluten free, and allergen free mascara has received some high praises for its packaging and performance. I gotta admit, the packaging is beautiful. The box and tube are sleek, classy, and a perfect representation of the $42 price tag. In terms of performance, I'm a bit disappointed. The formula was dry and clumpy from the first time that I opened it. Luckily, it hasn't clumped on my lashes but I do feel like I need several coats to get length and volume. I love that it doesn't smudge, melt, or flake, and holds a curl through a 8+ hours work day. In terms of conditioning, I don't get it. My lashes feel pretty stiff when I use this and I've had more lashes falling out than with my previous mascara. Perhaps I got a bad tube?

The Lash Project Mascara Ingredients: Water, Acrylate Copolymer, Stearic Acid, Iron Oxides, Carnauba Wax, Glycerin, Synthetic Beeswax, Tromethamine, Polyvinylalcohol, Mica, Silica, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Myristoyl Pentapeptide-17, Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract, Bergamot Leaf Extract, Octapeptide-2, Acorus Calamus Root Extract, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Allantoin, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol.

Prime Time Eye Primer: This primer is the best way to eliminate mid-day eyeshadow creasing or disappearing acts. It will also provide a solid color base for your eyeshadows to be applied on top of, which allows the shadow to really shine. Our primer corrects any discolorations or veins on your eyelids (heaven forbid we have veins or redness on our eyelids right?!). Let's call this a creamy powder consistency. It isn't a liquid, it isn't a cream, it isn't a powder, it's somewhere in between.
Retails for $27 USD.

I long to find a natural eye primer that actually works. I have deep set eyes, so I feel they naturally get oily because of that. I love the flesh tone shade of this eye primer, that it works really well to neutralize the lid, and makes my shadows appear more vibrant. Sadly, it doesn't last more than a couple of hours on me. I've tried applying more, less, little, lots, none, barely any, and still I only get a couple of hours without creasing. On the plus side, this never irritated my eyes or gave me any sort of styes.

Prime Time Eye Primer Ingredients: Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Octyl Palmitate, Carnauba, Magnesium Carbonate, Decyl Oleate, Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Phenoxyethanol. May contain: Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Ultramarines.

I adore Red Apple's actual lipsticks but have been really disappointed by their mascara and eye primer. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong or if it's just me that these don't work for. Since I haven't read a single bad review of either, I still recommend trying them out for yourself. Red Apple Lipstick products can be purchased through them directly. If you live in Canada, you can purchase from Glam Goes Green (the only Canadian retailer). Have you tried either of these products? Thoughts? *PR Samples. All opinions are my own.

Faves Friday + A Fail

Today is Monday and I'm a little late with Faves Friday, with good reason! My internet was down (which seems to happen all the damn time) and I had no time to upload Saturday or Sunday. I really wanted to get this up because I have some old, new, and rediscovered faves.

Pretty Ginger & Cypress Mask (review here) mixed with Wedderspoon Manuka Honey - I forgot how amazing this combination works when my skin is freaking out. It's gentle and effective at reducing redness, irritation, and speeding up the healing time of breakouts.

La Bella Figura Modern Radiance Concentrate - If you follow me on Instagram, then you may have already seen that my amazing boyfriend surprised me with this serum. I was worried that it would piss off my skin but, it hasn't! In fact, I've noticed that some of my sun spots and acne scars have significantly faded in the few weeks that I've been using it. For reference, I only use it at night.

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Liner in Black Woods - I'm not one for eye liner, but lately I've been loving this one. I smudge it across the top lash line and outer bottom lash line for a semi-smokey, smoldering eye.

*Red Apple Lipstick in Coral Crush - review here - The sun has been shining, the weather has been somewhat warm, and orange lips just seemed like a good idea. Stunning shade!

And for my one fail product...

EO Organic Deodorant in Lavender - Simply put, this doesn't work as a deodorant at all. The scent disappears within minutes. I've even added in some additional essential oils and that didn't help. I do, however, enjoy this as a room, body, and car spray. Even used for those purposes, the scent doesn't last longer than a few minutes.

I'd love to hear what you've been loving this month, let me know or link your post in the comments section :).

*PR SAMPLE.

Rave Review: Red Apple Lipstick

Earlier this year, Lisa from Serenity on the Humber did a kick ass post on Red Apple Lipsticks. Since that post (not saying it's because of that particular post), there has been non-stop buzz around RAL. I couldn't stand it anymore, I knew I had to try them for myself!

Red Apple Lipstick is the brain child of  Jay Adam Harper. This project was started in 2007 and it's been nothing but innovation from there. Our lipstick is outstanding and for this simple reason it is used by scores of women worldwide. But we know this isn't enough reason to get you off your duff and order some, here's 10 more! Paraben free, gluten free, lead free, soy free, animal parts and testing free, nut/tree nut free, and vegan.

Read more about Red Apple Lipstick here.

After contacting Red Apple Lipstick and begging to get in on the action, they were kind enough to send me *Coral Crush, *Hibiskiss, and *Oh My Guava. I'm in love with all three, seriously. The colours are vibrant and the formula is perfection. I've always hated lipsticks, even though I have quite the collection now, because reapplying is a drag. These, however, are a pleasure to reapply because of how amazing they feel and how effortlessly they go on. They're also long wearing, meaning that I don't need to reapply as often. Bonus!

As for packaging, I think that the box is really nice and the tubes are chic looking. The textured bottom makes it a breeze to hold and less likely to drop. I also absolutely love the RAL logo detail on the top of each tube, how cute! Personally, I love the packaging but don't care for the black tubes. I don't carry much, but always find it difficult to find black anything in my purse. Anyone with me on that? No? Okay..

 L to R: Coral Crush, Hibiskiss, & Oh My Guava.

Here's a closer look at the shades that I received. I also want to note that none of these have sparkle, shimmer, or frost, just a beautiful sheen.

*Coral Crush is the epitome of a true coral color. A pinkish-orange color representing the beautiful oceanic coral reef. This is the MOST requested color that we have ever had in RAL history, and here it is - a classic coral. Smooth and dreamy, you will be the talk of your block next week when you walk out with Coral Crush on. It has a satin finish which produces a lovely sheen, without any glitter, frost or shimmer. Lovely all by itself or paired with a gloss to add sparkle.

Beautiful! As someone who isn't into coral or orange lips, this one is so easy to wear and looks gorgeous on. I've actually been reaching for it a lot lately.

*Oh My Guava is destined to be your favorite nude-pink color. This nude color has less brown than most nudes, and more pink undertones to complement your natural pink lip color. Let your quiet, creative side live through this uniquely simple color. This peaceful summer color is perfect for a relaxed calming day. Yet, sexy and romantic enough to be paired with bold, smokey eyes at night, if you desire. Oh My Guava is amazingly smooth, creamy and moisturizing. It is simply lovely without any glitter or frost.

When I think of nude, I think of a lip balm over top of my own lips. Since trying Oh My Guava, I see the difference that a good nude lipstick makes. It completes any look whether it be a "no makeup makeup look" or more dramatic look. I also enjoy that it has more pink than brown in it.

*Hibiskiss is a luscious and vibrant true raspberry color. A deep, berry pink with a hint of red. This color is so amazing - it can be worn bold or as a berry stain. Hibiskiss is incredibly long lasting and creamy. You'll really love the perfectly even "wear down" - as this color becomes a deep pink/berry stain. This shade is totally free of glitter and frost, it has a satin finish that isn't too glossy. It feels weightless and moisturizing.

This is my absolute favourite of the three! I love me raspberry lips and cheeks all year round, it's a sick obsession I tell ya. Hibiskiss is very long lasting and can be worn bold or as a stain, as mentioned in the description. I find that this one definitely lasts the longest and wears beautifully even as it fades.

Okay, I get it people. I officially understand all of the hype and rave reviews that RAL has received for their incredible lipsticks. While they have an impressive and extensive shade range, their formula is what stands out the most to me. No other brand, that I've tried, even comes close. It is hands down my new favourite lipstick brand because of how smooth the formula is and how it doesn't settle into my lip lines throughout the day. Obviously the ingredients add to the amazingness.

Red Apple Lipstick also makes and sells lip glosses, lip pencils, a lip exfoliator, RALLYE BALM™, eye shadows, eye pencils, and a new eye primer (which I have my eye on, no pun intended).

Retails for approx. $23.50 USD/$27 CDN. Can be purchased through Red Apple Lipstick and Serenity on the Humber (Canadian Retailer).

What's your favourite Red Apple Lipstick product or lipstick shade?

Ingredients: Helianthus Annus (Sunflower oil) - 100% pure organic cold pressed, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Butyrospermum Parkii, Synthetic Beeswax, All Natural Gluten Free - Soy Free - Corn Free Vitamin E Tocopheryl Acetate, May Contain: Titanium Dioxide ,Manganese Violet, Mica, Iron Oxide.

*Products provided for review consideration. All opinions are entirely my own. 

Guest Post: Red Apple Lipstick Review + Swatches

Last week, I visited Lisa from Serenity on the Humber Spa. We spent a few hours just chatting about green beauty and, of course, I walked around looking at all of the products that she sells in her spa. Red Apple Lipstick caught my eye. I won't lie, after swatching every single shade I really wished I had picked one up. She told me how much she loves their lipsticks and I thought it would be fun for her to do a guest post on my blog. So here it is! Hi, it's Lisa here. For those of you who haven’t heard of Red Apple Lipstick, this is truly a different kind of breed. Created by Jay Harper in 2007, it is completely gluten free and natural. Now, I am almost 100% sure you have heard at least 1 friend lately saying, “I lost a bajillion pounds since I went off of wheat. You need to read Wheat Belly”. I know this how? Because I’m one of them, haha!

In all honesty, I have realized that I have learned what has caused my IBS for most of my 43 years of life. Gluten. Had I known this 35 years ago, I would have had a lot less funny stories to tell. I eliminated gluten a couple of months before Christmas of 2013, only to realize that it was a simple solution to my IBS. Ugh, why didn’t someone tell me before this?! A friend was recently diagnosed with Celiac, an all too common thing these days. She doesn’t just have to cook differently, she also has to watch what's in her body products and makeup! Here’s where my favourite lipstick, Red Apple, comes in.

I ordered it after reading about it online and had it sent to my Aunt’s place in San Diego, since they couldn’t ship it to Canada. I was obsessed the moment that I got my package! They sent me the coolest packaged testers and lip brushes, the scent was delicious and the colours were insanely beautiful and modern! That was it, I was sold, I was going to be the first retailer in Canada to provide it to all of us poor cold, dry-lipped, winter sick Canucks! 

What I love about Red Apple Lipstick:

Red Apple lipstick is not only gluten free, it is lead, paraben, soy (a big one for me since my mom is the 8th one in the family with breast cancer and it can mimic estrogen), cruelty free, and come in a variety of gorgeous shades. 

The ingredients are nourishing, moisturizing, and most importantly, natural. Each lipstick can be worn however you want, going out to do groceries? Apply lightly for a sheer wash of colour. Heading out for dinner or event? Build up intensity with layers. It’s up to you how vibrant you want your colour to look.

It's also so moist. I have other natural lipsticks, some that last forever but are somewhat dry that I need to apply lip gloss over top. With these, no gloss necessary. They're all extremely moist regardless of whether the lipstick is matte, shimmery, or frosted.

They last forever, I wear mine daily and I can’t believe how long they've been lasting. 

There are comments on their page are so helpful too. Everyday people that comment about what colours they mix and match. I always mix my lipstick colours, I thought I was the only one but apparently not.

Their blog is amazing. I, for one, get bored easily but find all his blogs helpful. Jay really knows his lipstick.

And their testing and storage procedures are important to me. Red Apple has a climate controlled area where these incredible lipsticks are stored, and only 3 people in the entire organization are allowed back there.

The packaging, seriously, who doesn’t love cute packaging? 

With all the positives mentioned, there is one negative. Some of their lipsticks contain Retinal Palmitate which can make you sun sensitive. So for this reason, I wear their Rallye Balm as a base, it has an spf of 8 which is awesome. Plus, it moisturizes the heck out of my lips! Not that their lipsticks aren’t already moisturizing enough.

For tips on how to make your lipstick last longer, check out this post by Jay.

Left from top to bottom: Rebel, Audrey, Strawberry Lips, Hibiskiss, Coral Crush & Beach Peach
Right from top to bottom: Secrets, Sugar Sugar, Petal Pusher, Berry Blast, French Skirt & Boys 'N' Berries

Rebel is a blue based deep red colour that is free of shimmer but full of shine. The beautiful satin finish keeps your lips looking healthy and vibrant. Rebel™ is a very bold and vibrant colour that is sure to turn heads. Fragrance Free. Dark and sexy!

Secrets is a shade somewhere between red and naked. It’s light, creamy, and goes on smooth. It plumps and adds volume to your lips and is a wonderful colour over your natural lip colour. Opalescent with a hint of gold.

Audrey is such a versatile colour! It can be worn to add a bit of polish to an otherwise naked face, or can be the perfect foil to set off a dramatic, smoky look. Start off sheer with a single coat, and build the intensity with each additional swipe! It is truly the most popular shade and the perfect pink based neutral everyday colour.

Sugar Sugar is a classy 1960’s Goldie Hawn pink. I love this and I don’t even really like pink. 

Strawberry Lips is a gorgeous brown-kissed red. It does not have any sparkle to it, but it does have a subtle shine. The perfect rust colour.

Petal Pusher is a feminine, flirty, bright soft pink. A fan fave. Still a pink I would wear everyday if I liked pink, not muted, definitely pink.

Hibiskiss is a luscious and vibrant true raspberry colour. A deep, berry pink with a hint of red. This colour is so amazing - it can be worn bold or as a subtle berry stain. 

Berry Blast is a shimmery, shiny and bright. An exciting blend of raspberry and strawberry with bronze/gold glitter sprinkled throughout! A sparkly bold take on summer-time red! 

Coral Crush is the epitome of a true coral. Everyone seems to want coral, well here it is…………Fragrance free, shimmer free.

French Skirt can be worn alone or to add shimmer to your other favourite shades. A cross between peach and pink.

Beach Peach is satin smooth with deep moisture. Nude with the perfect amount of peachy tones! 

Boys ‘N’ Berries: Glittery, juicy and smooth. Violet, fuchsia, pink, berry sparkle...what else could you want?! Hands down my fave. Shimmery mauve.

For a full list of ingredients for each lipstick, visit Red Apple.

Thank you Lisa for a wonderful post!

If you are interested in purchasing any of these beautiful Red Apple lipsticks in Canada, you can do so by clicking here or if you live in the area, you can visit her spa and pick them up there. They retail for $27 CAN. If you live in the USA, you can purchase from Red Apple for $23.50 USD.