Here’s an interesting fact. If you try to look up pictures of Malibu Barbie you will realise that Malibu Barbie actually wears a baby blue swimsuit/playsuit/ whatever they make Barbie wear. Not a slick of pink on her. Not even her lips. Don’t believe me? Fire up Google and see 😉
So I found it very fascinating that Face of Australia named a bright pink lipstick Malibu Barbie. It most certainly is barbie pink and is most certainly one of those bright lip colours that make you go “Er… I’m not sure I can pull it off. Its so PINK!” <- Its this sort of pink!
But Tina (Chasing Elixir) tells me I have to try it because its surprisingly lovely on so after a spell, I did. Was she right? I hate to admit it but yes she was. The Face of Australia Lip Quench in Malibu Barbie looks really quite scary in the tube. Its a hot pink that I thought pulled cool and that is quite scary because these sort of colours can really wash you out and make you look like the walking dead. Add to the fact that I’m not much of a pink lipstick wearer, preferring my roses, berries and reds. But there are times when you want to branch out of your comfort zone, and pink is a pretty girly colour with which to do so.
I’m going to say this though – I dislike the scent in the Face of Australia Lip Quench lipsticks. I’m sorry but they do put me off. I have looked through a few Australian blogs but no one mentions the scent. I don’t know if its my nose that’s too sensitive, but there is a waxy scent that I dislike. Kill the scent and I’d be very happy with these.
I couldn’t get the original colour of the lipstick to really show up in photos. So if you can imagine, it is a little between this photo and the one right on top. Either way, its bright and its pink and its not something everyone will gravitate towards.
But it would be quite a pity because its not really half as scary when swatched as when you look at it in the tube! In tube, the colour looks to be a cool toned pale pink. On skin, it warms up and much to my surprise, brightens up the complexion quite prettily.
I wasn’t expecting to like this one, but I did. As for the Lip Quench element, I personally did not think this lipstick particularly moisturizing per se. I will advise that you ensure your lips are flake free before swiping this one on. But once on, it does not dry out the lips and feels nice and glossy there is SPF25. Nice wot? 😉
In a nutshell
An inexpensive moisturizing lipstick from Australian drugstore brand Face of Australia. Malibu Barbie is a bright hot pink that is surprisingly quite flattering and not as cool toned nor as bright as it looks once you apply it on. The colour is opaque, covering up my original lip colour quite nicely and it isn’t drying. The only gripe I have is the scent which fortunately dissipates after a while and leaves no lingering taste.
Pros: Affordable, Not drying, Interesting colour, Creamy opaque texture
Cons: Hard to find outside of Australia, Waxy scent that dissipates (thankfully!)
Am I the only one getting that waxy scent in the FOA Lip Quench lipsticks? Would you wear a lipstick like Malibu Barbie or do you like pink lipsticks and have another one to recommend? I am only at this advanced age learning to wear pink and it always surprises me how young it makes me feel … and (I hope) look 😉
Paris B
Face of Australia Lip Quench Lipsticks Price: A$9.45 Availability : Face of Australia counters at Priceline and selected pharmacies in Australia Online: FashionAddict.com.au (I’ve never used their services)
That first shot I though-nope, not going to like it, but it looks so pretty on you! Very wearable indeed!
Thank you Tracy 😀 The minute I saw it, I didn’t think I could pull it off too but thankfully it does pull a little warmer than it looks to make it more wearable – ever gone down this bubblegum pink path?
Oh yeah, MAC St. Germain, MAC VIVA Glam Gaga-they sit in my drawer. They look so-pink. 🙂
Oh it’a such a beautiful shade on you! Yeah I don’t like the waxy scent either. A bit off putting. I’m glad it doesn’t stink long 😛
Oh good! There is a wax scent. I thought it was just me because no one else mentioned it, just how emollient it was. Glad it doesn’t hang around, but that initial whiff was abit whoa!
I’m the total opposite of you…I used to love this pink, now I stay away from it. Must be age catching up! I have to say it looks totally fab on you and I love the way it shines just a little. Your lips looks nice and plump!
Erm does that mean I’m getting younger then? 😀 Thanks Monstro – I think you could wear something like this again and go back to your pink roots! 😀
Wow. Very well pigmented when swatched and looks amazing on you dearie! 😀 You are still wearing the same fuchsia shirt, must be your favourite shirt of this month 😀
Thank you AnT and HAHA! I shower and change my clothes, I swear 😛 This happened to be the same picture as the one for the Rose Porcelaine eyeshadow so I just recycled pictures instead of taking new ones 😛
LOLL fully utilise the 3Rs, yay! 😀
Eh this color looks AMAZING on you!! :O You should wear it more often!! 😀
I can’t wear pinks like this without looking totally ridiculous! >.<
Thank you so much Jenn 😀 I do plan to try to wear colours like this more because its so unexpected. And I”m sure you do not look ridiculous! Come on, next time we meet, you wear pink too k? 😉
the pink looks good on you, but then again, i haven’t seen any lipstick colour that doesn’t look good on you… 😛
Thanks Plue 😀 The trick is to choose a tone that suits your skintone and you can wear pretty much any colour too! 😉
You are so lucky to be able to wear cool pinks!
Thank you Jamilla, I guess I am but I can’t pull off peaches very well and you do! 😀
I love it on you! I, too, wish I could pull off blue-based pinks!
Thank you Peach 😀 This pink is a hard one I think, but I’m sure you have pinks that you could wear too – something warm perhaps? 🙂
Slightly off-topic note : For reasons unknown, lipsticks are not allowed to be shipped internationally from Australia. Discovered this when I attempted to spree FOA lippies and nail polishes from Fashion Addict last year. 🙁 Other FOA products like their e/s, foundies and powders are okay though.
Ok this is super odd! They will ship foundation (liquid) and not lipsticks? Never mind I’m sure you can arrange for a mule to help carry these back from Australia soon 😉
I really like the color. I wish i could rock it like u..
Thank you Nanichen and I’m sure you could – keep your eyes clean and defined or even a bit smokey, tone down the cheeks and let the lips lead 😀
Finding the right kind of pink that won’t make us look sick is quite difficult and I thought this is one of those pinks that looks great ONLY on packaging but you proved me wrong! With that cute hair and cute smile and cute pink lips! You rock the Barbie World! OOhhh Ken’s world 😛
Haha you’re too sweet Nikki 😀 Pinks are quite hard to pull off, especially a bright colour like this. I’m sure you’d rock it (and Ken… on wait Keith’s world) too! 😀
I think Tina’s still trying to convince me to wear it. I’m a little hesitant because of the waxy scent and like I told Tine, Tom Ford has set the bar so high up, it’s very hard to use anything else. 🙁
You should wear this and then we can be lipstick twins 😀 I think an inexpensive lipstick like this is a good way to try out colours. I must agree with you though that when you’ve gone the route of the high end lipstick, its very very hard to go back down. VERY hard.
What a beautiful shade, looks great on you. Too bad about the waxy scent, that’s quite offputting..
Thank you Gio and yes, I didn’t realize it about the wax scent but thank goodness it goes away 🙂
oh wow. this is a lovely color! i can see myself wearin this color. there’s quite a bit of blue in that pink, enough for those with yellow tones (there are a lot of colors in that sentence).
Hey Dom! You’re probably the most adventurous so far so rock it! There maybe makeup mules returning from Australia soon and you can arrange for them to pick this up for you. Its a really fun colour! 😀
Sounds like this almost unwearable pink is something along the line of M.A.C St Germaine? (lots of images on Google for this)
I have seen a couple of posts on Malibu Barbie too. Guess it’s the absolute classic bubblegum pink… … Somehow they call it Lilac pink or lavender pink, even though both lilac and lavender are more purple! hahaha.
Honestly not sure if I can take this kind of colour. I’ve got one Etude House lipstick in this kind of most unwearable shade. But it really depends what subtle tones each brand has. Different brand different tone. =P
Hmm… not too familiar with MAC colours to be honest. I swear I have a blind spot when it comes to MAC LOL AS for colour, I think this one probably more suited for someone with slightly cooler tones in their skin, to be able to carry it off. Too warm, it may look too off.
Love the colour! Looks really good on you! 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Bright pink and bloody red are something I’ve NEVER tried before. Lippy? I haven’t tried it on for many years. To tell the truth, I really want to go out of my comfort zone and be bold for ONCE: wear everything that’s pink on me and surprise my friends 🙂
Do it Amanda! Choose a pink or red that you will wear again – there are lots of variations out there and you might just surprise yourself… and your friends 😉
OOOO me likes! You’re right about it not even looking half as scary on as it does in the tube! I’ve been trying to get out of my comfort zone, so even if I can’t get this one I’ll soon try a bubblegum pink!
Can’t wait to see which pink you pick, Sunny! Its fun to break out of our comfort zone because we might discover something that suits us as well or even better 😀
The shade of the lipstick is very pretty! Too bad pink makes your tooth look yellow. Pinks always do.
That’s true about the yellow teeth bit. Part of the reason I don’t do bright pinks so much and prefer blue based reds that make my teeth look sparkly white 🙂
got this lipstick after reading raves on Tine’s blog and i like wearing it by layering a darker lipgloss on top. Love the effect i get!
That’s a great tip and idea Julie! Thanks for sharing!