Product Review/Drugstore Dupe:Sleek Pout Paint vs. OCC Lip Tar

Sleek Pout Paints, from Top to Bottom:
Pin Up, Peek-A-Bloo, Cloud 9, Peachy Keen

A new addition to the Sleek line, this ultra concentrated lip pigment promises endless color options and outstanding color payoff with just a tiny speck of product. The 11 shades in the line are meant to be mixed, though of course they can be worn solo as well. This create-your-own shade idea isn't new: MAC has made Lipmix for around a decade, but the most well known member of this category is Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics' Lip Tar. OCC's cult following is well deserved, but how does Sleek's version compare?

First, the similarities. Both products perform almost identically, with a few caveats. The products are very pigmented and make true on promises to provide opaque color and long wear with just the tiniest amount of product. They both mix easily with other shades to create an infinite number of color combinations. Both products dry down to a similar satin finish that feels light and comfortable on the lips.

Now for those caveats I spoke of. First and most obvious is the price difference. Both Sleek Pout Paint and OCC Lip Tar come in 8ml tubes, but Sleek's run $8.00 as compared to OCC's $13. If you're in the UK, this will definitely be a plus, but for those ordering online, shipping charges may make that savings moot. In the US, for instance, the price of both Pout Paint and Lip Tar are $18/ea with shipping.

As for the formula, though they perform similarly, there are some notable differences. While Sleek's base formula is a blend of polymers and oils, OCC's is almost exclusively oil. This means that OCC Lip Tars are much runnier in consistency than Sleek Pout Paints. Pout Paints stay in the tube until you squeeze them out, whereas Lip Tars will drip out without any force. I actually have to store my Lip Tars nozzle-up to keep them from leaking out of the tube. Sleek's thicker consistency paired with a finer pinpoint nozzle results in greater control: more accurate mixing with less mess and waste.

OCC's Lip Tars also exhibit much more bleeding on my lips than the Sleek Paints (you can even see this effect in the following swatches). I also felt that my OCC Lip Tars spoiled relatively quickly; some went rancid in less than a year. Of course, I haven't had my Sleek Pout Paints long enough to gauge their shelf-life, but judging by the lower level of oils and the inclusion of preservatives (OCC Lip Tar includes only Vitamin E as a preservative), I'd imagine Pout Paint would stand the test of time much better.

One more note on formulation: keep in mind that while OCC Liptars are completely vegan, Sleek Pout Paints do contain beeswax, so if that's a concern for you, be(e?) aware. Oh, and if scent is an issue for you, know that Sleek Pout Paints have a light orange fragrance, while OCC Lip Tars are peppermint scented.

Now, finally, the colors. As I mentioned before, Sleek's current range of Pout Paints includes 11 shades, while OCC's spectrum has 36 shade choices to offer. In my opinion, since the pigments are meant to blend, shades outside of the primary colors and shades are just bonuses. I mean, if these products are designed for blending, then do we really need more than black, white, red, yellow and blue? But it's here that Sleek has missed the boat- excluding both black and yellow hues from their range limits the true potential of the product.

FYI, I've seen a lot of people asking other reviewers if the two brands are interchangeable. I've made several blends mixing the Lip Tar and the Pout Paint and had no problem. Depending on your ratio, you may experience some separating, since the Lip Tar has a tendency to do that on its own, but a simple stir will remedy that, so no worries.

Of the 4 Sleek Pout Paints that I was sent, I own "dupes" for 3 in OCC Lip Tars. Here are the comparisons:

OCC Lip Tar in RX (top)
Sleek Pout Paint in Peek-A-Bloo (bottom)

OCC Lip Tar in Feathered (top)
Sleek Pout Paint in Cloud 9 (bottom)

OCC Lip Tar in NSFW (top)
Sleek Pout Paint in Pin Up (bottom)

As you can see, the blue and white shades are pretty dead-on. Though OCC's Feathered seems sheerer in the swatch than Sleek's Cloud 9, I didn't notice a big difference on my lips. There is a slight difference in the reds- OCC's NSFW is a bit brighter and has less blue than Sleek's Pin Up. Both lines have other reds that may be better matches.

To sum up, both products are great at what they do. OCC definitely wins points for a wider color range, whereas Sleek's lower price point may sway some. Boiling it down to product performance alone, Sleek wins out for me simply because their Pout Paints don't separate in the container or feather on the lips, making the product easier and more enjoyable to use.

Some products featured in this review were submitted for promotional consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for it. My commitment is to you- my readers- and to myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). The opinions expressed on Outinapout.com are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the post influenced by any outside party.

Drugstore Dupe:MAC Penultimate Brow Marker Vs.NYX Eyebrow Marker

Little known fact about my brows: due to a naturally occurring bald spot just after my arch, I have the fortunate ability to brush the inner half of my brows up and look like a Vulcan. True, but don't be jealous. As beneficial as this may seem, I don't always (or really, ever) want to look like a Vulcan. As such, I'm always on the look out for natural looking brow grooming solutions.

When MAC released their Penultimate Brow Marker ($16.50), I snatched it up right away and it's been a daily-use product for me ever since. I even ranked it among my 2010 Best of Beauty for it's ability to create a clean, precise line without looking harsh or overly drawn-on. It applies easier and stays on better than any pencil, powder or gel I've ever tried and I've never had it smudge or smear. Love.

So, of course, when I saw that bargain powerhouse NYX had their own version of my beloved brow mainstay, I had to try it. At $9.75, the NYX Eyebrow Marker rings in at a nice discount over the MAC version. I actually picked mine up for a minuscule $4.87 during a Cherry Culture sale; Ulta often has discounts that can be used on NYX as well, so it's worth it to keep an eye out.

One difference that's hard not to notice is that the NYX version comes in two shades, Medium and Deep, versus MAC's one "Universal" shade. I chose the NYX Marker in Medium, which turned out to be a pretty decent match. When swatching, I feel like the NYX version (bottom) is more neutral in tone and maybe a hair lighter compared to MAC's marker (top) which leans a little bit to the red-brown side. Honestly, if I were going to label one of these "Universal" it would be the NYX version. I will say that these difference were slight on my hand and unnoticeable on my brows. Also, the feathering you can see in this swatch never occurred on my brows, with either product.

Upon looking at the felt-like applicator tips on the markers, again, we're talking almost identical. The MAC version (right) appears tad bit longer than than the NYX (left) but this could be due to the slight fraying on the tip. Otherwise, the broadness of the marker and the fineness of the tip are carbon copies, and apply as such.

Aside from a slight color difference on my hand, and of course, the color of the packaging and the slight difference in size (MAC's marker is 1 gram, NYX's is 1.04 g) these two products are more alike than they are different. Even the plastic tube is startlingly similar; in fact, I noticed that both the MAC and NYX version have similar, 3-digit embossed factory codes on the end of the marker. According to the packaging, both items were manufactured in Germany. Interesting. A quick peek at the ingredients proves that these two formulas are identical, with the possible exception of colorants. I say possible exception because whereas NYX lists the colorants on their list without qualifiers, MAC's packaging lists colorants as "+/-" (in other words, "may contain any or none of these, we're not telling cause it's a secret").

While I'm not saying the MAC and NYX are the same exact product, for all intents and purposes, they perform identically. Given the similarities in packaging, manufacturing and ingredients, I wouldn't be surprised at all if it were discovered that these originated from the same vendor. So, which would I buy again? You'd better believe it's gonna be the NYX version!

Drugstore Dupe: RetinolOver-the-Counter Vs. Prescription

OK, so you caught me: technically, both of the products battling it out in today's Drugstore Dupe are available at the drugstore. In some cases, the "over-the-counter" option comes in the form of pricey, high-end department store formulas. For the purpose of this post, I'm going to be lumping all of the OTC products, from La Prarie to Neutrogena in a comparison against the most popular prescription retinol, tretinoin (sold under brands names like Retin-A, Renova, and Avita).

First of all, why would you even want to use retinol? Well, in short, it's one of the most effective ingredients at clearing up acne, reducing sun spots and is currently the only topical ingredient that's FDA approved to treat lines and wrinkles. If you need to brush up on how exactly retinol does all of this neat stuff, you may want to check this out first.

The important thing to know if you decide you may be interested in a course of treatment that includes retinol: over-the-counter retinol products are not the same as prescriptions like tretinoin.

Over-the-counter products that contain retinol, regardless of whether it’s listed as simply retinol or as retinyl palmitate (aka vitamin A palmitate) are about 20 times less potent than the active chemical in prescription tretinoin: all-trans retinoic acid. That’s because the over-the-counter ingredients, in order to function as the prescription strength does, must first be converted to retinaldehyde, and converted once again to all-trans retinoic acid in order to be effective. Whether or not this conversion will even take place depends on the stability of the product; retinol is light sensitive and breaks down easily if not formulated, packaged and stored appropriately.

This doesn’t mean that some over-the-counter options aren’t viable, it’s just really difficult to know if you’re getting one that is or isn’t. Manufacturers rarely reveal the percentage of retinol in their formulation, but if you can find one that does, keep in mind you'll likely need one with at least .5% or more to equal the level of potency of a .025% prescription cream (the lowest concentration that I'm aware of). Even then, the chemical conversion that needs to take place with over-the-counter options take time to occur in the skin, so it could take twice as long to see results. The good news is that over-the-counter retinol and retinyl palmitate options are sometimes less irritating that prescription strength treatments, though I can tell you as a person who has (according to my dermatologist) "very, very, very, very sensitive skin" (4 very's, I counted!) I have been able to use prescription retinol with fairly minimal irritation- in fact, I've had worse reactions to some alpha-hydroxy acid treatments than I have to my retinol!

Another thing to throw on the scale is price. As I mentioned before, there are over-the-counter retinol treatments available at every price point imaginable. High praise has gone to drugstore treatments by ROC and Neutrogena, both retailing for less than $15 an ounce, while prestige brands like Sisley and Cle de Peau have treatments that literally cost more per ounce than a month's rent! By comparison, my tube of .025% tretinoin cream cost me about $90 at my grocery store pharmacy. I chose the generic version, which my derm assured me was identical to the much more expensive name brand Renova. The tube it came in is 45g, or 1.59 oz. That means by weight, I paid $56.60 an ounce for prescription tretinoin. Doing the math I realized, it’s actually cheaper than many over-the-counter options!

Retinol is a great product, and it can make all the difference to some users. Of course, not everything works for everybody, and it's important to find the right balance of products for your skin type and concerns. The things I discovered in my research made me decide to take the plunge and get a prescription. After years of buying pricey over-the-counter treatments, the piece of mind that I got from knowing that what I was buying was actually going to be as effective as possible made it a simple decision.

Bargain Beauty: CeraVe Moisturizers

Today, while posting on one of my favorite website forums (Lipsticks & Lightsabers- thanks to the awesome Anastasia for setting up the forums for us!) I realized that I've totally dropped the ball in telling you about one of my favorite skincare finds, CeraVe Moisturizing Creme. I mentioned it briefly in my 2010 Best of Beauty post. And, OK, once again when I posted about my skincare routine, but I guess I feel like it deserves its own separate post to celebrate it's glory.

I rarely trust my skin to drugstore brands, so when I find something I like it's all the more special. Now, I'll admit, I'm far from the first person to extol the virtues of this cream- I must have read about CeraVe about 100 times in magazines, on "best of" lists, in "dermatologist recommends" columns, etc...before I finally hunted it down.

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream comes in a gigantic (for face cream) 16oz jar and runs about $15. It's pretty bare bones- the jar looks generically medicinal, and the cream doesn't feel as luxurious as many upscale creams, but it's my first choice when my skin is angry and won't put up with anything else! The medium-weight cream feels slightly waxy at first, but spreads easily and soaks in within a few minutes without ever feeling greasy on my skin. It's got glycerin to hydrate, hyaluronic acid to attract & hold in moisture (in case you haven't noticed, hyaluronic acid is a favorite ingredient of mine!) and ceramides to help strengthen the skin's natural protective barrier. It's fragrance free, non-comedogenic (won't clog pores) and it's actually time-released so it works throughout the day.

For oilier skin, CeraVe does offer a lotion formula. Since my skin is dry to severely dry, I've not used the regular lotion, but I do like the new AM version (around $13.99 for 3oz). Aside from all of the components listed above, it's got SPF 30 and the anti-aging ingredient niacinamide (a friggin' wonder ingredient, it does everything!) I like the SPF lotion, though occasionally it can seem a little light for my skin (but only when I'm super parched). The only other minus to the AM version is it's scent; probably because they don't add fragrance or other ingredients to mask the natural scent, the lotion smells strongly of sunscreen, and that smell lingers a bit when you first apply it. It is, however, a small price to pay, in my opinion, and I'd still give the CeraVe AM lotion a big thumbs up!

So...what's your favorite drug-store steal?

Drugstore Dupe:Estée Lauder Perfectionist [CP+] Wrinkle Lifting Serum Vs.Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum

Everyone likes a deal, though many of us hesitate when it comes to bargaining with our skin and makeup. While I'll admit to some benefits prestige beauty holds over mass-market, you shouldn't assume that you get what you pay for. There are tons of great deals to be had out there, and because of this, I'm introducing a feature I call Drugstore Dupe.

Today's dupe: Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum -vs-

Estée Lauder's Perfectionist [CP+] Wrinkle Lifting Serum

Here's the lineup:

Estée Lauder's Perfectionist [CP+] Wrinkle Lifting Serum: 1.7oz for $80.

The company claims this product: "dramatically reduces the appearance of lines, wrinkles and age spots"

According to Estée Lauder, key ingredients include:

Acetyl hexapeptide (aka. Argireline): Marketed as a topical alternative to Botox, this peptide, in injectable form, has been found to prevent muscles from contracting, which gives the skin a smoother appearance. This effect, however, is only applicable when the ingredient is injected- topically applied it can't penetrate the skin deep enough to reach nerve receptors. This peptide is helpful in that, like other peptides, it stimulates collagen production in the skin.

Palmitoyl oligopeptide: Like other peptides, this ingredient stimulates the skin's ability to produce collagen. Collagen helps the skin retain moisture, and, along with elastin, it creates the skin's major support system. Thus, more collagen production means firmer skin. A possible down side to palmitoyl oligopeptide is that it has been found to slow the growth of elastin in the skin.

Mulberry (morus nigra) extract: Used to inhibit the production of melanin in the skin. Melanin is the pigment that colors our skin, it is what makes the skin tone deepen in the sun, and it is also what causes the brown spots known as age, sun, or liver spots. Mulberry root stops the chemical reaction that exacerbates dark spots, enabling the skin's natural exfoliation process to fade them over time.

Grape (vitis vinifera) extract: An anti-oxidant.

Scutellaria baicalensis extract (aka. Chinese skullcap extract): An anti-oxidant with soothing, anti-inflammatory properties.

This is what I see when I take a closer look:

The first five ingredients in Perfectionist, aside from water, are all various types of silicones. This is what gives Perfectionist it's silky, slippery feeling. Silicones act as moisture binders and skin protectants, forming a barrier to hold in moisture and keep out irritants. While they provide a nice feel and some benefits, they are by no means rare or expensive ingredients- you can find silicone in everything from shampoo to generic, store brand body lotion.

The claim that this serum will "dramatically" reduce age spots seems a little sketchy to me. The main ingredients addressing this concern, according to Estée Lauder, are mulberry, grape and skullcap extracts. While mullberry extract may be effective in inhibiting melanin production, the science behind the other 2 ingredients is limited. Skullcap extract does nothing to inhibit pigment production, but since hyperpigmentation can be exacerbated by inflammation, skullcap's effects as an anti-inflammatory may be helpful. Lauder also lists grape extract as a spot-reducing ingredient, but I couldn't find reference to it as anything but an anti-oxidant. On the plus side, the addition of licorice root extract (another anti-inflammatory) may provide some help in addition to the other extracts. Another plus is that all four ingredients appear rather high up on the ingredient list, along with other humectants, skin conditioners and moisture binding ingredients.

The anti-wrinkle ingredients in the formula (the two peptides) actually appear pretty far down on the ingredient list (the acetyl hexapeptide-8 is 43rd if my count is correct, pamitoyl oligopeptide is 51st.) The higher up an ingredient is on the list, the more of it there is in the product. Once the amount is under 1%, the ingredients can be listed in any order. Obviously I'm not a cosmetic chemist or dermatologist, I have no way of knowing the concentration of peptides in Perfectionist and even if I did, it's not clear what level is necessary for effectiveness. This is just something to keep in mind when comparison shopping. I should mention, there are quite a few ingredients listed (grape and chamomile extracts, and linoleic acid for instance) that act as anti-oxidants; while these ingredients will not correct damage that has already been done, they may help to prevent new wrinkles and dark spots.

Now let's see how our Drugstore Dupe measures up:

Olay's Regenerist Regenerating Serum: 1.7oz for around $15-$19. (depending on the retailer, coupons are also sometimes available)

The company claims this product: "Hydrates for firmer, visibly lifted, younger-looking skin without drastic measures. Instantly the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is softened and skin's texture is improved. Over time your skin will be visibly firmer and more elastic."

According to Olay, the key ingredients include:

amino-peptide (aka. palmitoyl pentapeptide-4, palmitoyl pentapeptide-3, Matrixyl): Stimulates the skin's collagen production, which decreases wrinkles and has been shown to speed wound healing. It also helps the skin to produce hyaluronic acid, which moisturizes the skin and helps it retain moisture.

B3 complex (aka. niacinamide): This ingredient could be, in part, why Olay's Regenerating Serum's ingredient list is so much shorter than Lauder's Perfectionist; niacinamide is a multi-threat! There is strong scientific support showing that it increases the skin's elasticity, reduces fine lines and wrinkles, sun spots, redness, and skin sallowness. It also helps to repair and maintain the skin's natural protective barrier by increasing the ceramide content in the skin. This helps make sensitive skin more tolerant and also helps alleviate some symptoms of rosacea, such as redness and inflammation. On top of all of this, niacinamide has anti-oxidant properties, and is an excellent hydrator that may even help treat acne!

Olay Moisture: Exactly what "Olay Moisture" is may be a trade secret, but this formula includes glycerin, which helps skin retain moisture, panthenol (aka. vitamin B-5) which may be effective for both moisurization and wound healing, and vitamin E which, in addition it's highly proven antioxidant properties, reduces water loss from the skin and strengthens it's protective barrier.

And a closer look shows...

As with Lauder's Perfectionist, most of the top ingredients in Olay's Regenerating Serum are silicone, however, many of Olay's active ingredients appear higher up on the ingredient list. The formula also contains carnosine, an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent that may slow the production of AGEs (short for "advanced glycation endproduct".) AGEs are abnormal structures that cause damage to the skin's elasticity, resulting in progressive aging. By stopping the production of AGEs, it may be possible to slow the aging process. Olay's formula also contains powerful antioxidants in the form of Vitamin E and Green Tea extract.

The Verdict:

Save your money, try the Olay Regenerist Regenerating Serum.

I was actually surprised at how much better the Olay product seems. At first glance, Lauder's ingredient list is so long, you'd assume it has to have more of the good stuff in it. When I did the research, however, I found that many of Perfectionist's ingredients (especially the botanicals) had little substantial science behind them. Then, there's always the fact that, if you're sensitive like I am, more ingredients simply means more to react to.

In my opinion, Olay's formula has a leg up on Lauder's. The anti-aging ingredients contained in Regenerist seem to have stronger scientific backing and fewer potential pitfalls that those in Perfectionist. It also seems as if Olay's active ingredients may be present in higher concentrations that Lauder's. Like I said, I'm not a chemist, but all of Olay's key ingredients fall in the first half of the formula's list- the same can't be said for Lauder's.

When it comes down to it, the science behind Olay's Regenerating Serum seems more sound, and the price can't be beat. Keep an eye out for coupons and sales (which, btw, you'll never find at an Estée Lauder counter) and let me know what you think!