Following the footsteps of its predecessors, MAC and Cargo Cosmetics, BITE Beauty is the latest Toronto-based beauty line to hit the mainstream shelves.  Made with ingredients that are touted as “good enough to eat,” this line seriously has a lot to choose from for one’s lips ranging from lightweight tinted balms to rich and creamy lipsticks and lip crayons.  I discovered the line while at Sephora recently (where I purchased a lipstick called Cin Cin, which, coincidentally, is the Anglicized spelling of my Chinese name), and quickly looked them up and contacted their New York based PR company.  The company was very generous for sending over a few products, including their Sheer Balm (Sparkling) and Lip Rouge (Geranium).  I have also purchased on my own (in addition to the lipstick), another Sheer Balm (claret) as well as their new Lush Lip Tint (raspberry).

   SPF 15 Sheer Balm (above) and Lip Rouge (below)

I was surprised that they had two lightweight lip colours  in stick form.  Yes, the Lip Tint is a bit stronger in terms of concentration of colour, but it really isn’t by much.  The real difference is in formulation.  While the Lip Tint is there to offer lightweight colour, the balm is more moisturizing.  BITE also offers Lip Rouge, which comes in a tiny compact around the size of a single blush or eye shadow.  Similar to Stila’s Convertible Color, the product acts both as a lip and cheek colour.  Though I liked how it gave my lips a very pretty, light tint, I also found it a little bit dry for lip use without another product.  It’s probably better as a cheek colour.  There are also other items, including conditioning and scrub products as well as shiny gloss and pencil.

The author wearing Luminous Crème Lipstick in Cin Cin

I have to say that out of all the colour products that I’ve tried, my favourite is the standard lipstick.  It goes on very smoothly and leaves just the right amount of colour.  There are currently 22 shades to choose from, mostly of nude and berry tones. Many of the shades have a wine or berry theme.  I have been searching for the perfect “normal” lipstick (i.e. not gloss or lightweight) for a very long time, and I think I’ve found it in BITE.  I’m also a fan of the lighter weight lip colours that come in stick form.  I have yet to try the Lip Shine (gloss with a sponge applicator) or the High Pigment Pencils, however.  That will come in another blog post.

Lush Lip Tint (left) and Luminous Crème Lipstick (right)

BITE Beauty is currently available exclusively at Sephora in store and online.  Maybe we’ll see it elsewhere soon?

Image credits:  Luminous Crème Lipstick, SPF 15 Sheer Lip Balm and Lip Rouge pictures from BITE BEAUTY; Lush Lip Tint from Sephora; Cynthia’s Picture by Cynthia Cheng Mintz