Back in April, I picked up my Beauty Insider birthday gift from Sephora just before we left for Amsterdam.
I know I wrote something about it, but I didn’t really get to use everything at that point. I rediscovered the box a few weeks ago, and I was reminded why I like Bite Beauty lipsticks so much. In fact, I need to dig out the Bite Beauty lipsticks and lip crayons that I bought during the holiday season when they have their affordably priced “ornaments” and start wearing them!
To me, Bite Beauty are lip experts. They make lip products that are safe to use since lip product ingredients definitely get ingested while wearing. Their products are made with food-grade natural and organic ingredients. Though I haven’t tried their liquid lipsticks, the other lip products are good to delicate lips and don’t dry them out. Yay! I heard that there are new glosses from Bite Beauty, and they are next on my list to try.
Let’s take a closer look at the travel size goodies in the Sephora birthday gift.
Other bloggers and I have complained that the shades of the lip crayon and lipstick were too close, and I still feel that way. Since Bite Beauty does reds so well, they should have included a red rather than two neutrals. But I shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth, right?
Matte Creme Lip Crayon: Glace
Glace is described by Bite Beauty as dusty mauve, a neutral with pink undertones. It’s the pink undertones that make this nude wearable for me. It’s a great everyday shade.
A bit oddly, in the daylight, it looks peachy or even brownish on me, but I still like it.
The crayon itself is nicely designed with a point at the tip that makes it easy to apply around the lip line. With the travel size that I have, once the point is worn down, it can’t be sharped, boo. But the full size contains a sharpener at the base. It’s actually a lip liner and crayon in one!
As you know, I am not a fan of matte lipsticks. But the formula of the Bite Beauty Matte Creme is just perfect. It looks matte-ish but not certainly not dry on my dry lips, and the creme component makes the formula very comfortable. In fact, it contains orange peel wax that seals in moisture.
Although it doesn’t last perfectly through a meal, it stays on for several hours and just needs a little touchup after dinner.
If I sniff the crayon really hard, it has a faint scent, but I can’t smell it at all when I apply it or wear it. It has no flavor that I am aware of.
Matte Creme Lip Crayons come in 22 shades that range from light to deep, neutral to bright, plus white and black that let you change up the shades you own. The full size crayon is priced at $24.
Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*/**, Acacia Decurrens/Jojoba/Sunflower Seed Wax Polyglyceryl-3 Esters*, Silica*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter**, Cera Alba (Beeswax)*/**, Polyhydroxystearic Acid*, Coco-Caprylate*, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*/**, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Wax*, Aroma (Flavor), Hydrogenated Castor Oil**, Mica*, Tocopherol*, Resveratrol*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil**, Momordica Grosvenorii Fruit Extract*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract**, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Skin Extract*, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract* *=natural **=organic
Amuse Bouche Lipstick: Chai
Bite Beauty describes Chai as mauve brown. To me, it looks like Glace but a tad deeper, maybe with a hint of red undertones.
I think it’s a versatile shade that would look good on a variety of skin tones. It’s another great neutral, everyday shade.
The Amuse Bouche lipstick formula is oh so comfortable to wear. Like the Lip Crayon, it’s very lightweight. Though Bite Beauty describes it as “creamy”, I don’t agree. I think Too Faced La Creme Lip Cream (reviewed here) is a creamy lipstick. Nevertheless, the Amuse Bouche formula is hydrating without looking wet or shiny. I’d describe it as a semi-matte finish. Here’s how Bite Beauty describe the Amuse Bouche lipsticks:
- “With unexpected undertones and richly saturated triple-milled pigments, its multidimensional shades offer a modern take on color. The small batch, low-heat process preserves a balanced blend of lip-quenching nutrients, vitamins, and 12 nourishing oils—essential for achieving healthy-looking lips—for lip color that is addictively creamy yet weightless.”
The pigmentation is definitely terrific, but I can’t say that in this one shade, Chai, that I experienced any multidimensionality, just rich, long-lasting color. In fact, I just ate a banana and a few crackers, and my lipstick hasn’t budged.
In the little travel size tube that I have, it does have a faint scent if I sniff the bullet. Bite Beauty mentions that “it features a mouthwatering flavor made from fresh-pressed citrus layered with notes of cherry, mint, mango and vanilla.” Well, I can’t taste that at all which is fine with me.
Amuse Bouche Lipsticks come in about 50 shades: 8 in a relatively new Spice collection, Cancer and Gemini from the Astrology collection that changes every month, and 39 shades in the regular collection. Lots to choose from. I’m sure there’s a shade to suit you. I need to get at least one shade from the Spice collection. Price $26 for the full size.
Ingredients: Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*, Triisostearyl Citrate*, Cera Alba (Beeswax)*, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*/**, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*/**, Silica*, Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil*, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax*, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil*/**, Glyceryl Rosinate*, Acacia Decurrens/Jojoba/Sunflower Seed Wax Polyglyceryl-3 Esters*, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*/**, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Sesamum Indicum (Sesame) Seed Oil*/**, Aroma (Flavor), Hydrogenated Castor Oil*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*/**, Cerica (Silk) Powder, Pearl Powder*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables*, Glyceryl Oleate*, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate*, Resveratrol*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract*/**, Momordica Grosvenorii Fruit Extract*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*/**, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil*/**, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil*, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil*/**, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil*, Punica Granatum Seed Oil*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil*, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil*/**, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Skin Extract*, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract*, Resveratrol
Lip Treatments
I also received samples of Bite Beauty Agave Lip Scrub and Agave Lip Balm. The samples were small round “pots” that contained enough for a few usage occasions.
Agave Lip Scrub: The full size Lip Scrub comes in a little jar or pot like many lip scrubs, so the sample packaging wasn’t that different from the regular. The scrub has an ointment-like consistency, and it has raw brown sugar articles suspended in it that do the scrubbing. The ointment contains pineapple enzymes that exfoliate and agave nectar, squalene and oils to smooth, soften and condition lips.
OK, I goofed. I didn’t read the instructions because I’ve used about a million lip scrubs. But this one is different. It’s water-activated! You apply some of the ointment to you lips, and then add water. The water creates an emulsion. It’s actually kinda cool.
But because I didn’t read the directions, I applied the ointment to my lips and rubbed it around my lips with my finger. Unfortunately, I have something going on with my stomach lately that makes a lot of things taste terrible, so I shouldn’t say anything about the taste of the scrub in my present condition, lol. After removing the excess with a tissue, my lips were coated and protected with a balm-like substance. My only complaint is that the brown sugar particles were a bit too big for me, and as a result, they’re a little painful. But when you use the scrub correctly by adding water, the sugar crystals break down a bit and it all works better.
It’s an unusual lip scrub, but I can’t say that I like it better than the lip scrubs I already have. So I will probably not buy this one. $18
ngredients: Sucrose*, Squalane*/**, Glycerin**, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*/**, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate*, Aroma (Flavor), Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract*, Aqua (Water), Leuconostoc/Sorbus Aucuparia Fruit Ferment Filtrate*, Bromelain*, Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract*, Maltodextrin*, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract*/**, Resveratrol*, Caramel*, Tocopherol*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract*/**, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Skin Extract*, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract*, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Metabisulfite
Agave Lip Balm:
Over the years, I read a million very positive reviews about Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask for seriously dry lips like mine. I finally decided to buy it during the Sephora sale before Christmas two years ago. It comes in a tube, and it contains a lot of product. I think it would last almost forever.
Unfortunately, I didn’t like it, and I foolishly didn’t return it. It’s still sitting in a drawer, and I should throw it away since it’s old now and I have a few other lip balms that I prefer. What I didn’t like about it is that it is incredibly stiff. It comes out of the tube like an almost solid ointment, and it’s too hard to apply.
Oops, I goofed again! Silly me. This is a rather odd post, but I’m going to go with it as is, because maybe other people will be confused like I was. What I was writing about in the two paragraphs above is the Agave Lip Mask, not the Agave Lip Balm. I thought the Balm sample was actually the Mask. Frankly, other than the form differences – tube vs. bullet – and the portability issue, the two products seem like they’d be used for similar purposes, dry lips. And looking at the Bite Beauty website, that does seem to be the difference: form and at-home vs. on-the-go usage. So they’re essentially the same.
I tried the sample of the Lip Balm, and like the Lip Mask, it is too stiff. It’s almost as hard as a rock. I thought with all the hot and especially humid weather that we’ve been having at least the sample would melt a little and become easier to use, but it’s still completely solid and hardly gives at all when I put my finger in. I should try it with a lip brush, but I guess I don’t care that much.
But if you are a fan of the Agave Lip Mask, you may really like the more portable Lip Balm. $18
“Natural” Ingredients: Lanolin*, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil*, Cera Alba (Beeswax)*/**, Glyceryl Rosinate*, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil*/**, Stearyl Alcohol*, Hydrated Silica*, Punica Granatum Sterols*, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax*/**, Heptyl Undecylenate*, Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil*, Acacia Decurrens/Jojoba/Sunflower Seed Wax Polyglyceryl-3 Esters*, Mica*, Kaolin*, Aroma (Flavor), Glycerin*/**, Tocopherol*, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil*, Sorbitan Stearate*, Olea Europaea (Olive) Oil Unsaponifiables*, Vanilla Tahitensis Fruit Extract*, Agave Tequilana Leaf Extract*/**, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract*, Resveratrol*, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil*/**, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Extract*/**, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Skin Extract*, Polygonum Cuspidatum Root Extract*
May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891)*, Carmine (Ci 75470), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491)*, Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090)
So, though I’m a fan of the Matte Creme Lip Crayon and the Amuse Bouche Lipsticks, I’ll pass on the treatment products. And I’m going to go shopping in my lipstick drawer and find those other Bite Beauty Lip Crayons and Lipsticks that I still haven’t even opened!
As a reminder, Bite Beauty is cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny Certified. Bite Beauty doesn’t use parabens, phthalates or sulfates.
Are you a Bite Beauty fan? If so, which are your favorite products from BB?
I received this kit for my birthday this year, and wholeheartedly agree with your assessment about their lipsticks. I am thrilled that they opened up one of their Lip Labs right around the corner from my house– it’s a short walk from my house, and I can’t wait to go and lose myself in there!
How lucky, Helen! I have always wanted to get a bespoke lipstick from Bite Beauty, but alas, I moved from NYC before they opened a Lip Lab there. I’m so glad that you have one right at hand
So far I haven’t found a Bite lip product that I get along with. I notice their smell and the colors I’ve tried haven’t been for me.
I can understand that, Marcia. I couldn’t smell the scent in the travel size lippies I got, but in full size, it may be a different story. I love Bite Beauty because they do red so well, but your favorite pale pinks – there aren’t many in their lineup. Fortunately, there are a million other great lipstick brands though I wish they’d all go the “food grade ingredients” route.
This set might be in my recent Sephora order since it’s my birthday month. I like the brownish peach on you
Yes, I’m sure it will be. Thank you! And Happy Birthday! Did I miss the actual day? If so, I hope it was a wonderful day and that you have a happy healthy year ahead xo
I didn’t realize they used natural and organic ingredients – that’s cool!
Yes, and food grade ingredients!
Those are terrific colors for you!
Thanks, Cindy!
I think I heard somewhere that they chose the similar colors so that you could possibly use the lip crayon as a lip liner if wanted, however, with the consistency of the lip crayon makes me think that isn’t the case and it’s just apologists making excuses. The lip scrub being water activated is actually very similar to the GlamGlow Fizzy Lip scrub but it has very fine particles in it which I like. I really love that you kept your goofs in about how you did the wrong thing or thought it was a different product. Most people wouldn’t have done that but if you, as an experienced beauty blogger, made this mistake or had this misconception then it’s probably a good bet that others have as well and maybe they won’t feel…alone? mistaken? you know what I mean!
Cassie, you are one of the loveliest people. Your comments are always so thoughtful. Thank you so much! I’m a market researcher, and a former psychologist, so I’m interested in human behavior…even mistakes. As a market researcher, I used to work for a number of makeup and skincare brands, and testing how consumers used the products and understood the directions was something I used to study. So I guess I was doing my own research, lol! I wasn’t aware of the GlamGlow Fizzy Lip Scrub, but I love their silver peel-off mask so I think the lip scrub would be fun (but expensive) to try some day!
I’ve liked every single product I’ve tried from Bite Beauty. They make great quality lippies! I even created my own shade at their Lip Lab in NYC – the experience with the person that helped me there was actually very poor, but hey, I have my own personal shade of lipstick.
Gee, that is disappointing that the customer service at the Lip Lab in NYC was subpar, but I’m glad you’ve got a bespoke shade you love. I am eager to try it when I get to a city that has a Lip Lab
Glace is one of my favorite Bite Beauty shades!
The trick for the lip mask is to keep the tube in your pocket. Kinda annoying (especially since the corners are kinda pokey!) but it will stay soft that way. I haven’t yet figured out what to do about needing to reapply in the middle of the night though…. Sleep with it under the pillow? 😛
Oh, that makes sense, Rach. Thanks for sharing that tip. In fact, I reviewed LaNeige Lip Mask during the winter, and I liked it but didn’t love it. Now that it’s summer, the LaNeige lip mask has “melted” a little and it’s terrific. I guess it could be the same thing with the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask. However, the fact that it doesn’t last you through the night is kind of a drag. If you would wear medical grade lanolin, try Dr. Lipp Miracle Balm – it definitely lasts through the night