Testing: OCC Lip Tar

When it comes to choosing between lipstick and gloss, I’ll grab the gloss every time. But, it comes with the need to reapply repeatedly. So when I stumbled across Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics’ Lip Tar, a super-saturated gloss that claims to be “the most highly-pigmented, longest lasting lip product on the market,” I had to try it.

Though Lip Tar doesn’t exactly sound like something I should be smearing on my mouth, the fact that OCC’s cosmetics are vegan, cruelty-free, and don’t contain any parabens sealed the deal.

Take note: A little goes a really long way. According to the company’s FAQ, the amount you would use with a normal gloss would be enough to paint your entire face. My strategy? Put a tiny amount onto the index finger and blot over the lips — an angled lip brush works well, too. This isn’t a grab-and-go gloss. It requires a mirror and some minor finessing for even color application.

But once it’s on, it’s on. The warm, pale beige shade I used (“Trick”) stayed put for hours, much to my surprise. I found that the finish itself was a bit matte for my tastes — I added some gloss on top to give my pucker a satiny boost. While I don’t think I’ll use Lip Tar every day, I will keep it handy for a night out on the town, since it comes in several fete-worthy shades (think: magenta, orange, and hot pink). It’s not the cheapest product on the market, but the tube’s long life span is worth the price tag.

$22, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, occmakeup.com. Photo via Goodshot