Review: Softlips Cube Limited Edition Hello Kitty Collection (Apple, Strawberry Banana, and Passion Fruit)

Press Sample 

The new limited edition Softlips + Hello Kitty collaboration will hit retailers nationwide starting in July, and today I'd like to show you the collection (minus the "Mystery Flavor," which will debut in November)!

PLEASE NOTE: I received the first three flavors in this collection for review, so I'm going to show all three of them to you today. But please be aware that only Apple and Passion Fruit will debut in July. Strawberry Banana will be available beginning in September.

Softlips Cube Limited Edition Hello Kitty Collection
(retail: $3.49 each, 0.23 oz.)

Keep reading for more pics and my review...

Cute Strawberry Banana
(available in stores beginning in September)


Smart Apple
(available in stores beginning in July)

Pretty Passion Fruit
(available in stores beginning in July)

Since I have already reviewed the Softlips Cube formula (click here if you missed my review and would like to know my thoughts), this review is going to focus solely on the flavors in this collection.

Apple - This was the flavor I was most excited to try, and it did not disappoint. If you're an apple lover, I think you're going to love this one. I get a nice apple fragrance from this lip balm, and it's not quite green apple, yet not quite red apple. It's sort of a combination of both (it's not quite as tart as a green apple, but not as subtle as a red apple, if that makes sense). As with all Softlips Cubes, there's a minty flavor in the background, but it doesn't distract from the apple flavor here, nor does it make the overall flavor "weird." This tastes like a crisp, sweet apple; not too tart, and only a hint of mint when you first apply. 

Strawberry Banana - This flavor is exactly as you would expect it to be. Very fun and very fruity. I get equal parts strawberry and banana here, and the fragrance is quite accurate. As with all Softlips Cubes, there's a minty flavor in the background, but this primarily tastes like strawberry banana candy to me (sort of like Runts, actually!). I would imagine that this will be a hit with children because it's a very fun, youthful flavor. It almost reminds me of a banana split, but without the chocolate note.

Passion Fruit - Passion fruit can be hit or miss for me. Sometimes I love it and sometimes, depending on the product, it feels too synthetic. I'm happy to report that I absolutely love this one. On initial sniff, this is the strongest of the three flavors (not that the other two are weak; this one just has a more intense fragrance than the other two). I LOVE the scent of this lip balm. It actually reminds me of the old fragrance from The Body Shop called Dewberry, if any of you remember that. There's a rich, syrupy, black currant-plum thing going on here that is so lovely. So not quite passion fruit to my nose, but still wonderful (to me, at least!). The flavor does remind me of passion fruit though; sweet and tropical with a little bit of a floral note. And of course, there's also that signature minty flavor in the background, but it's not obtrusive and it dissipates quickly.

BONUS PIC:

I don't always show you the extras that sometimes come with press samples, but how could I NOT show you this shortbread cookie that arrived with my samples? I mean, it's just too cute, right? 

Strawberry Banana - in stores this September

Apple and Passion Fruit - in stores this July

REMINDER: Apple and  Passion Fruit will hit retailers nationwide beginning this July, with Strawberry Banana to follow in September. In November, Softlips will release a special 4-pack gift set that will contain all three of these flavors, plus a new "mystery flavor." The 4-pack will retail for $12.99 at retailers nationwide.

FINAL VERDICT: Softlips did not disappoint with this collection. I think there's something here for all ages and, honestly, could this packaging be any cuter? I love all three flavors for different reasons (as explained above) and I think that if you generally love fruity lip balms, you're going to enjoy these quite a bit (especially if you already love the Softlips Cube formula). I also want to mention that the press release I posted a few weeks ago mentioned that these had a "soft sheen" to them, but I compared them to my regular Softlips Cubes and could not detect any shimmer/sheen. To me, these appear exactly like regular Softlips Cubes on my lips (shiny, but no shimmer). If you're planning to purchase these for yourself, I say go with the flavor(s) that sound most appealing to you. If you're purchasing for a young child, I think that Passion Fruit might be a little more of a sophisticated flavor/fragrance (it's my favorite of the three), while Apple and Strawberry Banana seem to be a bit more safe (but still quite fun). Just something to keep in mind!

I hope this review gives you a better idea of what to expect from this collection come July (but remember that Strawberry Banana won't be in stores until September). I'll be sure to post about the mystery flavor debuting in November as soon as I receive more info!

A sample of this product was given to Nouveau Cheap for editorial purposes, either directly from the manufacturer or from the agency that works on behalf of the manufacturer. All reviews on NouveauCheap.Blogspot.com are the honest opinion of its author and editorial samples do not, in any way, affect the outcome of product reviews. For more information, click here.