Lipstick Queen Reign and Shine Lip Gloss - Countess of Cocoa

I used to be a huge fan of Marshall's and TJMaxx, for their houseware, tea selection and clothes...Something has changed in the last two to three years that the quality for clothes and shoes have dropped significantly. Back in the days, I could get a pretty decent pair of sneakers or shirt for $30 but now they all look like the stuff from Ross... As for shoes, I have to pay for $50 for something that doesn't suck (but still looks ugly).

Nonetheless, discount stores are perfect place to get overstock or soon to be discontinued makeup and skincare items. Lipstick Queen must have been through some structural changes that many of their products ended up at my local TJMaxx last fall. 

The Reign and Shine Lip Gloss was one of my purchases last year. I wouldn't pay $20 for a gloss from western brand but $5.99 for a fun toy doesn't hurt. 

The gloss has a long and flabby sponge tip, very practical for the semi thick formula. 

Countess of Cocoa is a rich brown with fine golden mist allover (I don't love shimmer in products but this one is refined enough to not look frosty) - Unlike other chocolate, warm brown. Countess actually has a cool, taupe quality that makes it very unique... It would be a very flattering nude for people with a darker but cooler complexion. 

While the formula of Reign and Shine is thick and creamy but doesn't feel particularly sticky. It applies smoothly and seems moderatly moisturizing. It's a pretty good formula but then again, Maybelline, Revlon and Sally Hansen all made some spectacular glosses back in the days, all for 5-7 bucks (at regular retail). 

It doesn't look bad close up but the ashy undertone looks a little off (I prefer brown with a peachy brown or reddish undertone). For a few bucks, I like this toy and see myself wearing it (even as moisturizer) in the future. I won't go for another shade at full price though.