Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche - Holiday 2016 Duos

Hello!

I recently scooped up three out of four of the new Amuse Bouche formula duos for the holidays. From Sephora: Swipe on gorgeous lip color for every festive occasion with the Amuse Bouche Lipstick Duo. It features a signature Amuse Bouche shade with a limited-edition, foiled top coat that’s perfect for the holiday season. 

The only time I have used/bought a Bite lipstick was the Bite Beauty Best Bite Remix, from Holiday 2014. They sold 4 High Pigment Lip Pencils in a small red tin. I loved the shade Sable! Those pencils smelled like Earl Grey tea and felt very smooth to apply. I've been meaning to try the new Amuse Bouche lipsticks for months but somehow haven't managed to make it happen. I may be a new convert, however! 

I didn't purchase Sour Cherry/Gold because I wear red lipstick maybe once a year and I'll already nerver used the ones I own. I love red, don't get me wrong, but I seldom find myself reaching for it or finding it appropriate for wherever I'm going. It feels so classy and special, and I'm just not doing special classy lady things ever.

L-R: Fig, Rose Gold, Jam, Opal, Pepper, Bronze

Jam

Opal - I'm dumb because I swatched it after I wiped off Jam. My lips are stained a bit pink from it. 

Fig

Rose Gold

Pepper

Bronze

I might have to get Pepper in a full size, I think it's the most flattering! The lipstick duos are quite tiny - if you've ever received a Bite mini as a point perk from Sephora, it's about that size. I didn't layer to get the intended metallic foiled effect because I didn't want to get the colours mixed. I don't even know if I will use them that way, it seems messy and Bronze and Rose Gold look pretty great on their own to me. 

For Canadians, they are $17 a piece. That's two colours to try, which is nice. I think it's a bit expensive, but it'll be good for anyone who doesn't use up lipsticks, likes minis or samples, and wants to try the formula or brand. 

I've already written my list for Amuse Bouche lipsticks I will be buying: Pepper, Thistle, Taro, and Chai. 

Bite also has a 4 lipstick mini set available for the holidays. 

Have you purchased anything by Bite recently? 

Something is obvious..

I'm addicted to "dusty pinks!" I kept looking at the same 7 colours in my collection today and wondered to myself, "are any of these dupes of another? Would it benefit someone to see these beside each other?" I took a photo to find the answer to these questions and more. Yes, this is a science blog.

Alright, so what do we have here?

From left to right:
BITE Rhubarb (Bite Remix)
BITE Sable (Bite Remix)
KVD Studded Kiss Lovecraft
Maybelline Matte Touch of Spice
MAC Mystical (LE)
NYX Tea Rose
NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream Stockholm

It's clear from the swatches that Lovecraft doesn't have a dupe in the bunch. It's the most unique colour, a true "dusty" pink. The others lean too orange or too red. I'm certain there's a NARS Audacious lipstick dupe for KVD's Lovecraft (perhaps Anita or Barbara?), but I don't own any to truly make a comparison. Touch of Spice is nearly identical in finish, wear, and pigmentation, but the colours aren't the same. I love both formulas, though.

Rhubarb and Mystical are similar, which is nice since the MAC colour was limited edition. Even the satin finish is recreated.

Stockholm photographs looking more like a nude than a pink, but I don't feel like it looks that way on my lips. Antwerp or Istanbul might be more comparable, though I think they're a bit cooler and a bit more pink.

As far as formula and colours go, even though they are not entirely comparable as "dupes," I want to give you my order from favourite to least favourite. This is taking in consideration wear time and everything else you typically look for in a lipstick.

1. KVD Lovecraft
2. Maybelline Touch of Spice
3. MAC Mystical
4. NYX Stockholm
5. BITE Rhubarb
6. BITE Sable
7. NYX Tea Rose

I love the colour of Tea Rose, but it wears off too quickly for me. I still use it plenty!

Does anyone else have a certain range of colours that they tend to purchase reflexively? A particular shade that peers up at them from their vanities like the start of a small army?