No.7 Poppy King Lipstick in Glamour

I pulled out my No.7 Poppy King Lipstick in Glamour at the weekend and applied it in preparation to take pictures. I intended to write about my disappointment with this lipstick, both in shade and texture but I actually surprised myself with a little U-turn.

I bought this lipstick when the Poppy King/No.7 collaboration was launched earlier this year. I had intended to buy a couple and had saved a number of £5 off vouchers in preparation. Like a knitwit I forgot to take all but one of the vouchers along with me to Boots. I picked Glamour as my one lipstick, a bright medium pink, as I thought it would be interesting to try something a bit different. As the lipsticks from this range are quite sheer, I also thought it might be a way for me to try something a little more colourful. Poppy King herself describes this colour as flirty, feminine and a little bit cheeky!

I've worn it a few times now and always felt rather unsure that colour worked with my colouring. It is sheer but I tend to layer several swipes to get more colour on my pigmented lips. The texture is different to other lipsticks that I own. It feels moisturising but it has a clingy rather than slick or cushiony feeling. It also becomes drier with wear. Londonmakeupgirl mentioned a strange scent to her tube of Glamour. Mine is mostly without scent but there's a hint of something in the background and I've struggled to put my finger on it. It's not the usual lipstick smell yet I wouldn't describe it as perfumed either. If you have a sensitive nose, I would recommend a sniff test!

So, I applied the lipstick, fully expecting not to like it again but was actually very pleased with how it looked. I applied Glamour without any other makeup on (hence the lack of full face image). It seemed to brighten my bare face somehow. Consequently, I added only minimal makeup; tinted moisturiser, a bit of bronzer, liner and mascara. It seems I can carry this colour off as long as I treat it like a red or other bold lipstick shade. It's usual for me to apply eyeshadow first which I suspect is why I haven't liked it in the past. I do wonder whether my lightly tanned, summer skin has helped a bit too.

I've never been back to buy any more of the Poppy King lipsticks after my initial experience. I'm intrigued to go back and look at them again. However, I'm not sure that I'm keen to buy at full price. These retail for £12 and although I've spent far more on lipsticks, the texture doesn't feel quite luxurious enough to warrant the price. I have wondered if I'm being a little snobby just because it's a Boots own item. Whatever the reason, with one of the £5 off vouchers Boots often seem to have, I'd be more inclined to spring for another.

Have you ever done a U-turn on an item of makeup? I'd also be interested to hear your thoughts on the No.7 Poppy King lipsticks if you have tried them.