The OCC Pro's Picks Portables set comes with 12 Test Tubes (mini lip tars) and a full sized precision lip brush for $59. Each test tube contains 0.08oz (about ~2.4ml) of product, which is quite a bit less than a typical full sized 10ml lip tar. I do think it's a really great deal, however, because almost every lip tar I've ever tried only requires literally one drop of product to cover the entire lips, save for one or two shades I've worn. Basically, for the price of 3.28 full sized lip tars, you're getting TWELVE little baby ones and a full sized lip brush, and even the tiny lip tars will last a good while. This is definitely a great value and a great way to try out lip tars for the first time or to try colors you may not have been 100% sold on.
Anyway, onto some lip swatches! I'm going in order that each test tube is placed within the set's packaging.
Interlace is described as a "palest crème peach," which I'd agree with. It is definitely a light, peachy nude and shows up quite neutral in tone on me. For reference, my skin has a yellow undertone.
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| OCC "Interlace" matte lip tar |
Zhora is described as a "peach with pink shimmer." It is very peachy and a bit shimmery, but the shimmers aren't glittery looking on me. I do like this color on myself, though, it's more of a springy/summery shade for me. It took about two drops to get this to full opacity on my lips.
Annika is described as a "pale peach neutral." This is a bit similar to Zhora, but is not shimmery or metallic and is a bit milkier in color. I don't find this shade that flattering on my complexion, but I could see it looking nice, perhaps, on those with deeper complexions than mine. Or it's just my taste that doesn't like this on myself.
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| OCC "Zhora" metallic lip tar |
Annika is described as a "pale peach neutral." This is a bit similar to Zhora, but is not shimmery or metallic and is a bit milkier in color. I don't find this shade that flattering on my complexion, but I could see it looking nice, perhaps, on those with deeper complexions than mine. Or it's just my taste that doesn't like this on myself.
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| OCC "Annika" matte lip tar |
Cha Cha is described as a "pale tangerine." I definitely think that's an accurate description. It's a great "starter orange" shade for anybody who may be a little intimidated by orange lip colors, since it's not super BAM bright orange.
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| OCC "Cha Cha" matte lip tar |
Grandma is described as a "clean, classic coral." It is, indeed, a straight-up coral shade. I'd been eyeballing this lip tar for ages and am so glad it came in this set because I really love it. It's actually my first real coral lip color I have and it's a great one.
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| OCC "Grandma" matte lip tar |
Vintage is described as a "deep burgundy," which it definitely is. It's a gorgeous, deep, yet not super dark, neutral-toned burgundy shade. I wore this the other day and it lasted well for eight hours with almost no visible wear, even after eating a few fried chicken strips and drinking with a straw! This shade slightly stained my lips when I removed the product.
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| OCC "Vintage" matte lip tar |
Harlot is described as a "neon popsicle red." It's a pretty bright, cool, pinky-red. I'm not sure if I'd say it's completely neon, but it is definitely really bright and vibrant. It reminds me a little bit of MAC Glam lipstick (which was limited and I'm not sure if they still have it), only even brighter. This shade stained my lips just a bit.
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| OCC "Harlot" matte lip tar |
Nylon is described as a "neon bubblegum pink." There's not a shred of doubt that this is, in fact, a NEON pink shade. It's cool-toned and super, super bright. This shade is fairly similar to MAC Candy Yum Yum, but its brightness outshines it for sure. So, if you're looking for something even more neon than Candy Yum Yum, this is it. Unforunately, my swatch photo isn't showing off that neon factor, but I promise it's there. Also, this shade does stain my lips.
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| OCC "Nylon" matte lip tar |
Hoochie is described as a "vibrant magenta," which is accurate IMO. In some lighting, it will look almost purplish, but it usually pulls more on the pink side on me. It may also depend on each person's undertone or complexion.
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| OCC "Hoochie" matte lip tar |
Digitalis (my dyslexic brain always reads this name as "digi-tails") is described as a "pink-tinged lavender." It's a pale, pastel, cool-toned pink that does look a bit lavender in some lighting on me, but looks just pink in this swatch. In the right lighting, it looks similar to MAC Saint Germain lipstick, only Digitalis is a bit lighter.
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| OCC "Digitalis" matte lip tar |
Sebastian is described as a "plum-toned taupe" and it always makes me want to watch Kuroshitsuji. ;3 On anybody with more yellow or olive undertones, this lip tar will look greyish, but also still taupe. On pictures I've seen online of more pink-toned people wearing this shade, it seems to pull a bit more brown. It's definitely an interesting color!
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| OCC "Sebastian" matte lip tar |
Iced is a "pure white frost," which is very accurate. This lip tar is pretty interesting when worn alone (as shown swatched), but can be used to lighten other colors and make them metallic.
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| OCC "Iced" metallic lip tar |
And, I'm also squeezing in swatches and mini reviews of the three other lip tars I own that are not a part of the Pro's Picks Portables set.
Anime is described as a "seriously neon fuchsia," which I agree with. It is very, very bright and vibrant and is an all-out fuchsia color. This is my absolute go-to fuchsia lip product that I reach for. Once I run out (if that's even possible), however, I intend to get Yaoi instead because I can't pass up that name.
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| OCC "Anime" matte lip tar |
Batty is described as a "black metallic with silver," if I remember correctly. I say that now because I'm not finding this shade anywhere on Sephora or even the official OCC site. :/ I do really like Batty over a black lip liner (all over the lips) or a black liquid lipstick. This lip tar is a sheer black and has silver glitters in it, which definitely looks better over a liner. On its own, Batty will settle into the fine lines of my lips and the glitters will catch onto any dry patches (as visible in the swatch).
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| OCC "Batty" metallic lip tar |
Pagan is described as a "matte blackened purple," which it definitely is. This shade is an extremely deep, dark purple and can be built up to nearly-black, if desired. Also, since it's so pigmented and dark, it can be applied very thinly or applied and then blotted away to be more of a purple stain. I'm really loving this one!
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| OCC "Pagan" matte lip tar |
Overall, I can't really recommend lip tars enough to everybody, especially those who want richly pigmented lip colors. There can be a learning curve when first using lip tars, but just remember to always start with one drop and start from the center of the lips instead of the edges. More can always be added if necessary. A good lip brush is essential for applying these puppies. I recommend OCC's precision lip brush, but Real Techniques detailer brush (marketed as a concealer brush, but great for lips) or their retractable lip brush are also awesome.
OCC full sized lip tars retail for $18 at Sephora and on their official website and the Pro's Picks Portables set retails for $59 at Sephora (online only). OCC products are all vegan and never tested on animals! :)
