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Sunday 24 April 2016

Revisiting the Bite Beauty Lip Lab!

Hi, everyone! If you've been reading the blog for a while, you'll know that I was lucky enough to visit the Bite Beauty Lip Lab for the first time last June, where I had the opportunity to create my own custom lipstick. A truly dreamy experience! For those who are unfamiliar, Bite Beauty is a Canadian brand that focuses on rich, pigmented, moisturizing lip products that are completely non-toxic and food grade. They are among the best lipsticks I've ever tried, so when I first heard about this magical Lip Lab, I knew I would have to visit at some point. Indeed, the Lip Lab is any lipstick addict's mothership, as it allows you to sit down with a consultant and create the lip colour of your dreams, from the shade, finish, scent, and even the packaging!

Given how happy I was with my first experience, I was beyond excited when we revisited the lab earlier this month during our IMATS New York trip. 


The lab is quite a small space, as one would expect from Manhattan's cozy, bustling SoHo neighbourhood. Making a reservation is definitely recommended, essentially required during busier times of the week. But once your spots are held, the quaint, narrow shop is able to serve your needs perfectly!  


The space was as fresh and welcoming as I remembered, with larger-than-life lipstick graphics on the wall, trays and shelves of freshly molded pigments, and wallpaper plastered with the names of Bite's popular lipstick shades. 





A few of the other girls were up first this time around, so I watched the process unfold. There are spaces for three customers to work at a time, each sitting across from a Lip Lab consultant with a tray of lipstick pigments between you. 


The consultants first provide you with makeup remover to erase any existing product, then give you a swipe of Bite's deliciously-scented lip scrub to even out your lips (which helps them receive colour better!). Afterwards, they pass you a touch of Bite's cult favourite Lip Mask, essentially an ultra-moisturizing lip balm that leaves lips feeling so smooth and luscious. 


This visit to the Lip Lab was extra special for me, as my goal of the appointment was to create my wedding lipstick! After much consideration and some feedback from you, I've decided to go with a berry lipstick on my big day. Bright and colourful, while still being wedding appropriate, and utterly perfect for a Fall wedding! 

Sitting down, I knew exactly what I wanted- a matte berry that was neither too red nor too deep and vampy. Something rich and balanced, vibrant, but not neon. My lovely consultant quickly went to work!



The first shade she created was utterly beautiful, but a bit more red than what I was going for. She totally got my drift and went about concocting a second mix. 



On the second try, she got it absolutely perfect! To create the shade, she used a mix of Quince, Rose Cuvee, Red 307, and Scarlet pigments. Here I am wearing it- smiling ear to ear! 



For the formula, I actually opted for the No Finish finish, which is essentially matter than matte (as Bite's typical matte is more of a satin). I thought that would be perfectly long-wearing for the wedding! Given the berry hue of the lipstick, I chose a Wildberry + Mint scent- fresh and fruity! 

Once the shade is concocted, it is warmed, melted, and mixed to create a paint-like liquid. 


It's then poured into a mold and put on ice to set!

For the packaging, I selected the tube with the pointed cap. Although my lipstick never wears down this way (the lids are meant to emulate the different ways our lipsticks shape as we use them), but I liked the design!!



And here we have it- my fresh new beautiful baby! Seriously- lipstick doesn't get newer than this!!

Here I am wearing it under store lighting: 


... And in sunlight just outside of the lab...


... and finally, sporting it proudly back at home! I had brief thoughts that it might be bad luck to wear my wedding lipstick before the big day, but it's too pretty of a shade to let sit idle for the next 6 months! 


A neat finishing touch is that the Lip Lab stores your created lipsticks on file, in case you ever need a backup tube made. Given my plethora of lipsticks this will probably never be necessary, but it's a neat and handy feature nonetheless! 


My second trip to the Bite Beauty Lip Lab certainly did not disappoint in any way. My consultant was super friendly and receptive, the shade turned out exactly as hoped, and it was fun to visit with friends this time around! I can't imagine ever visiting New York without stopping in :)

Have you ever visited the Lip Lab? What kind of shade would you create?

Thanks for stopping by! xo

39 comments:

  1. I cannot wait to go there some day and not only have like my own custom lipstick that no one else has, but for that cool experience, watching it happen - omgggg need to go. I think I'd create an orangey colour for myself. Maybe. Or nude. Hmm.

    How does the matte lipstick feel on you?

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    1. Yes, the whole experience from start to finish is worth it! I find Bite's matte formula to be ultra comfortable! This time around I got the "No finish" option, which is matter than matte- still feels great :)

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  2. Oh my, this is so beautiful! So special to make your own lipstick for your wedding hehe! One day I WILL make it to the Lip Lab!

    Tasha // shiwashiful.

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    1. It's so worth visiting! Thanks, Tasha :)

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  3. This is so fun!!!! And how amazing is it that you got to make your own wedding lipstick? That's every bride's dream! Next time I'm in NYC I will definitely pay this lab a visit.

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    1. Yes, it made the experience so extra special! You so need to stop in :)

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  4. OMG that is PERFECT for you! I've been dying to go there (I live so close, it's insane that I haven't gone!!!) and I'm so happy you found your perfect wedding color!

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    1. Aww, thanks! You so have to visit- such a fun experience :)

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  5. That is a stunning shade on you and wow, it's an experience to see your very own lipstick created in front of you. And best of all, one box ticked off for your wedding preparation! :-)

    Shireen | Reflection of Sanity

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    1. Aww, thanks!! Yes, such a fun, unique experience- and it does feel good to be one step closer to having my wedding look all set :)

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  6. I've never heard of this place before. It sounds seriously amazing.
    You look great in your shade
    xx
    www.adrugstoreaddiction.com

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    1. Thanks so much! If you're a fan of lipstick, it's such a neat place to visit! :)

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  7. Ahhh so beautiful Jenn! What a special lipstick :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Jodi! It's special in every way :)

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  8. Such a perfect shade! :D And how wonderful to have a custom wedding shade too xx

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    1. Thanks! I couldn't have asked for a more special wedding lipstick :)

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  9. It'll be one of my first stops if I ever make it to NYC! Yay for a custom wedding lipstick, and a gorgeous one at that!

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    1. Yes, you so have to visit- you'd love it! Thanks- I'm so happy with the shade :)

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  10. LOVE your shade! And some day SOME DAY I need to do this!

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    1. Thanks, Tracy- I love it too! You so have to visit the lab- you'd have so much fun :)

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  11. Your shade looks so perfect! I think I'd just be overwhelmed with all the choices in pigment. Even the base colors look so pretty! How long does the entire process take usually?

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    1. Aww, thanks! I was definitely going back and forth on the colour, but a berry wedding shade won out! The whole process only takes about 25 minutes- they're super efficient :)

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  12. I would absolutely LOVE to do this! I adore the colour you chose - suits you perfectly! xx

    Beautylymin

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    1. Thanks so much! You should definitely visit next time you're in NYC_ it's so incredibly fun! xo

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  13. It must be so exciting to see your lipstick being made! Chosen and formulated just for you! Look at that hippie, so pigmented and bold! Wow! <3

    xx Bash |   go say   H E Y   B A S H

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    1. It was ultra exciting! Thanks so much :)

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  14. I get so excited when I see so many lip colours! yay :)

    http://www.missaggiekwong.com

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  15. i love this and would really enjoy making my own one day but i also know it will take me forever to come up with a shade!

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    1. Haha, I definitely went back and forth on the shade a lot- but going with a wedding shade helped me narrow it down for sure! You so have to visit one day :)

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  16. The color looks fabulous on you and it's so cool you got to create one. I just purchased 3 of their lipsticks.
    http://www.averysweetblog.com/

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    1. Thanks so much! There are few things more fun that creating a customized lipstick. Hope you're loving your new Bite lippies! xo

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  17. This looks so much fun! I really want to go one day. I love the shade you created.

    ahintofbeauty.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks, Lupe- I love it too! The Lip Lab is so worth visiting :)

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  18. WOAT? I need to go there! Thats like heaven for a lipstick junkie like me!! Wow, amazing shade!

    xoxo Colli || TOBEYOUTIFUL

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    1. Yes, it really is like lipstick heaven! So worth a visit! xo

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  19. This seems like such an amazing experience! I've actually booked into the Lab for when I go to New York as I think it'll be so special to have a souvenir like that to remember the trip by :) xx

    Jasmine Talks Beauty

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    1. Ah, so great that you're going!! Let me know how the experience goes (I'm sure you'll love it ;))

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All of your lovely comments make my day! Thanks for taking the time to share your musings, ideas, and opinions. Feel free to leave a link to your blog- I'd be happy to check it out :)