Every time I walk pass a display of ‘theBalm’ products, the main thing that catches my eye is their kitschy retro packaging. But I’ve never purchased any of their products until now… (jeng jeng jeng..)

theBalm claims that the Meet Matt(e) Hughes range has a long-wearing formula that has a comfortable matte finish with no commitment issues. Their products are also paraben and cruelty free.

Since I didn’t have a colour similar to this one, I bought the Meet Matt(e) Hughes Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in the shade Trustworthy. It is a warm brown red-ish nude and I absolutely love the colour!

The formula is lightweight and has a vanilla mint scent. Upon applying, you can feel the tingle of the mint on your lips. Initially, I found the tingly sensation a bit off-putting but have since grown accustomed to it. The colour payoff is great and true to the tube; just a few swipes and you have an opaque finish. It dries and sets quickly which makes it a great choice even when you’re in a hurry. I’ve done a kiss test on the back of my hand once the lipstick has dried and it doesn’t smudge and is transfer-proof. One of the common issues with liquid lipsticks is that they tend to highlight dry patches on your lips, so I’m glad that Matt(e) Hughes doesnt do that.

The formula doesn’t feel patchy or heavy even if you layer it on. It does wear off a bit after eating (I had Laksa when I tested this), but nothing too messy and it doesn’t leave fine lines behind. I love that it doesn’t cake up on my lips when I retouch it, hence making it a great lipstick to wear even when you know you’re going to be eating.

Trustworthy is a great fuss-free liquid lip colour that has become one of my go-tos. The formula is easy to remove and doesn’t leave any stains even after wearing it for the whole day. The only issue I had was that it felt a bit drying and tight on my lips after prolonged wearing throughout the day. But it’s nothing that Bite’s Agave Lip Mask can’t save. 😉