Review: Sally Hansen Colorfast Tint + Moisture Balm in Blackberry Honey

Purchased by Me 

Remember back in January when I first posted about these new jumbo lip pencils from Sally Hansen? It took me FOREVER to find them at any of the drugstores in my area, but a few weeks ago I finally found the permanent display at CVS (did Sally Hansen skip the new-product-counter-displays altogether for these? So strange that they wouldn't launch these with more fanfare!).

Anyway, if you're looking for these, I would start at CVS (and if you've seen them elsewhere, please do let us know in the comments!). They're also available on the Ulta website but I don't know if they're available in-store yet.

 Sally Hansen Colorfast Tint + Moisture Balm in Blackberry Honey

(retail: $4.99, 0.09 oz)

These come in ten shades and I of course had to pick up Blackberry Honey, because I was curious if it would be a dupe for the iconic Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey.

I love that these come tightly safety-sealed in plastic (see above). Just like with the Revlon Balm Stains, et al., these are twist-up sticks that don't require sharpening. For size comparison, Revlon Balm Stains are 0.095 oz. for $7.99 and the Sally Hansen Colorfast Tint + Moisture Balms are 0.09 oz for $4.99.

From the Sally Hansen website: 

A nourishing lip balm with a hint of tint and boost of moisturizing shine. The lightweight formula smoothes and hydrates lips, for 30% more moisturized lips, instantly! The results? Visibly healthier lips that feel rejuvenated and renewed. Available in 10 natural shades. 

Ingredients: HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE, BIS-DIGLYCERYL POLYACYLADIPATE-2, SQUALANE, BIS-BEHENYL/ISOSTEARYL/PHYTOSTERYL DIMER DILINOLEYL DIMER DILINOLEATE, POLYETHYLENE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, TRIISOSTEARIN, DIISOSTEARYL MALATE, CERA MICROCRISTALLINA/MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX/CIRE MICROCRISTALLINE, TRIMETHYLLOLPROPANE TRIETHYLHEXANOATE, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRAETHYLHEXANOATE, POLYAMIDE-3, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, ETHYL VANILLIN, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, PROPYLPARABEN, TIN OXIDE, DICALCIUM PHOSPHATE, TOCOPHEROL, [May Contain/Peut Contenir/+/-:MICA, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), D&C RED NO. 28 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 45410), D&C RED NO. 7 CALCIUM LAKE (CI 15850), FD&C BLUE NO. 1 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 42090), MANGANESE VIOLET (CI 77742), CARMINE (CI 75470), FD&C YELLOW NO. 5 ALUMINUM LAKE (CI 19140)].

Made in the USA

Here's one swipe (left) and several swipes (right):

 light application

 heavier application

Texture and consistency: This product feels a bit slicker and lighter than a Revlon Balm Stain on my lips. It never feels heavy and I find it to be nicely hydrating. It actually feels more like a Tarte Lipsurgence to me, but not quite as slick. There is no pulling or tugging during application. 

Pigmentation and staying power: Again, I think this is more like a Tarte Lipsurgence than a Revlon Balm Stain. The color is obviously sheer, but it's buildable. It's not heavily pigmented right out of the gate (like a Revlon Balm Stain). On my NC20 skintone, Blackberry Honey takes on a brownish-raisin type of color. On deeper skintones, I think this would probably read more like a "Your lips but better" type of shade. Staying power is quite good for me--I can average anywhere from 3-5 hours, depending on if I've eaten a meal, etc. This color also fades evenly and leaves a very, very subtle stain behind as it fades.

Flavor and fragrance: This balm smells like cocoa powder and there's a mild chocolatey flavor to it as well. Both the flavor and fragrance subside about ten minutes after application.

Comparison to Clinique Black Honey: I was digging around my stash trying to find my old tube of Black Honey but I could not find it (sorry). But going from memory, I don't think this is an exact dupe, color-wise,. though it's certainly in the same general ballpark. It also has that same chameleon type of feel to it, and I can see it reading as more of a brick red shade on some people, while looking more brown or raisin on others. It's exactly like Clinique Black Honey in that sense--do a Google image search for "Clinique Black Honey" and you'll see that it looks red, brown, raisin and everything in between depending on the person. 

FINAL VERDICT:  For $4.99, I'd say that these are definitely worth a shot if you're OK with sheer, buildable color. If you're looking for something that has the same type of "POW" to it that a Revlon Balm Stain has, then Blackberry Honey might not be for you. But if you're OK with building for pigmentation, this shade might be a nice option as we head into fall/winter. It's a lovely, chameleon type of color that will probably read more red on some and more brownish-raisin on others. It's definitely a work-appropriate shade and I love the texture and hydration of this product as well. The  mild cocoa powder fragrance and flavor are fun (especially if you're a fellow chocolate lover) and I'd definitely try some other shades in the range.

Do you own any Sally Hansen Colorfast Tint + Moisture Balms? If so, what shades do you own and how do you like them?

The products featured in this post were purchased with personal funds. For more information, click here.