I’ve been curious about OCC Lip Tars lately, and when I saw the All-Star Mini x 12 Set on Sephora.com the other day, I figured with the Rouge sale going on, this was the perfect time to check them out. I have one lip tar I got in a Christmas set and I knew I’d never go through the whole tube so I figured the minis were the perfect size!
bought it myself, affiliate links
As the name would indicate, this set comes with twelve lip tars. They are mini sized, but if you are a lip product junkie or have always wanted to try lip tars, this is your perfect opportunity. The reason this set appealed to me is because there is such a wide array of colors to choose from. OCC Lip Tars are the type of product you can mix to get a custom color, so buying full size individual tubes doesn’t really appeal to me. I would much rather pay a little more and get a whole artist’s palette of colors to play with.
The back of the packaging gives you lots of information. The name of each lip tar is spelled out, plus you get directions for how to use it. Your’e supposed to use the lip primer that comes with the set and a lip brush first, then use the lip brush to apply the color to your lips. I like the diagram on the right that shows all the different ways you can use this. You can apply a singular color to the whole lip, do one color for each lip, do an ombre lip, etc. The possibilities are endless! Using these lip tars really does force you to be creative because there are so many combinations you can do!
I’m so glad the set came with a large lip brush. This isn’t a mini, it’s got a really long handle, and is a pretty nice quality brush. I’m glad they gave me everything I would need in this kit!
When I was reading reviews on Sephora’s website of this set, many people complained that the tubes had an uneven amount of liquid in them. I was prepared to deal with this but it still didn’t stop me from being annoyed when I several of my tubes came mostly or half empty, whereas others were overflowing and created a holy mess when I uncapped them. One such offender was the lip primer. You can tell in the picture above, but where it’s really obvious is in the first picture when they’re all lined up and still in the bag. It’s half empty! Had I bought this as an individual product I would’ve returned it, but I let it slide because it was in a kit with so many other products and because reading the reviews, I was kind of expecting it.
The shade “pris” came nearly empty, which was disappointing. I have to squeeze the tube completely flat to get any product out at all. This was mostly disappointing because it’s the lightest shade and one that you’d probably never wear alone, but I do see using it often as a way of lightening some of the darker shades. Oh well! For every shade that is missing a lot of liquid there is another tube that is overflowing. I just wish it had been a little more consistent!
These are the products lined up in the order that they came in the packaging!
Divine, Clockwork, Psycho, Stalker, Strumpet, Pris, Lovecraft, Yaoi, Super NSFW, Electric Grandma, Authentic
These are the products in the shade. These swatches look hideous so I apologize! I instantly regretted trying to swatch these as soon as I started the process. The lip tars are very gooey and come out of the tube quickly so they were a complete mess to control! Some of the swatches are thin, some are thick and goopy. I should have used a q-tip!
The first six colors are matte and Clear is not pictured. The rest are: Divine (true pink flamingo), Clockwork (rich terracotta with orange undertone), Psycho (true blood red), Stalker (true blue based red), Strumpet (seedless grape red)
The next six colors are metallics: Pris (palest champagne metallic), Lovecraft (irridescent pink/lilac metallic), Yaoi (true fuchsia metallic), Super NSFW (gold laced red), Electric Grandma (classic coral frost), Authentic (bronzed copper frost)
Divine, Clockwork, Psycho, Stalker, Strumpet, Pris, Lovecraft, Yaoi, Super NSFW, Electric Grandma, Authentic
This set of swatches is in direct sunlight! You can see that they look a little different.
My favorite part of the OCC Lip Tars is that you get to play with combinations of colors that you otherwise probably wouldn’t. I love the mixing aspect. Below you can see that I mixed Strumpet with Lovecraft. Lovecraft is too light and frosty for me to wear alone, but as you can see when I combine it with a darker and more vibrant shade, it makes it really pop with a gorgeous, bright shade of fuchsia.
Similarly, Authentic is a shade that would not flatter me as a lip shade because it’s too bronze. When combined with more of a pastel pink/coral shade it creates a lovely neutral that I really love!
I was so excited to find these OCC Lip Tars in minis, and now that I have this kit, I think I’ve fulfilled my wants and desires to ever have more of these. I can create any combination with this kit! I just wanted to point out a couple more things that might help you make your decision…
The metallic line of lip tars only contains 14 shades. With this kit, you’re getting 6 shades, so you’ll own nearly half the line of those shades. I do think it’s an outstanding value!
This can be hard formula to get the hang of. When I got my first lip tar, I had a hard time using it and used way too much. I think the best method of application is to apply with a lip brush and apply little by little until you can come up with the right amount for you. It has the tendency to creep out of my lip lines, bleed on my teeth, and make a mess if I don’t apply it properly.
Despite the tubes having all different levels of product, and the annoyance of having to learn to apply this properly, this is an awesome value, and most people will be very happy with the amount of product even in the mini size. A little goes a long way and these will last forever! I’ve been on a lippie kick lately, and I think I can stop now because I know I can mix myself practically any shade in existence with this kit. Such a great deal!
Will you be picking this up? Sephora is the exclusive retailer.
This is such a great set and I love that you showed people how to customize shades
I love the shades you’ve customized. I haven’t had such great luck with the tars though. I find the more neutral shades are easier to work with and the bleeding is less visible. They take too much work for me overall, but if you’re looking for a really custom color this is a great set.
I would LOVE to play with that set!
I got the mini-set at Christmas too, and I love the shades. Unfortunately, they dry out my lips and I regret that I can’t wear them. Waiting for summer when maybe my lips won’t be so dry. Have fun with yours!
Those Lip Tars are pretty but the inconsistent product levels is concerning. It speaks to a slip in product quality control. I would contact the company and let them know the problems you had with fill levels and that one tube was nearly empty. I am sure that they would make it right for you. 🙂
OOO!! I didn’t see this at Sephora! 🙁
That is a pretty great deal and I love the color combos you came up with.
This is definitely on my wishlist– it’s a must have set for any lippy lover!
OCC is something I use on a lot of clients, some love it and some don’t but it is a nice brand that caters to vegan and less chemicals use in their products. David K is a super nice guy (he is the creator).
I love the color combos you made. I’m such a huge fan of OCC!
What a great set! So many shades to mix!
Lip tars are amazing! I own a lot of them.
Love your names haha I recently bought the primary set- if you’re ever thinking of getting more I highly recommend that one! You get red, yellow, & blue but also black & white for darkening & lightening.
I haven’t tried Lip Tars yet. I need to though!
SO CUTE! Sucks that some were half empty though. Wonder what is up with that.
I have had this set on my list for a while now… just because I must have them. Thank you so much for doing this post because I haven’t found good swatches from someone I trust yet. Not sure if Phyrra did it – now I have to go look 😉
The kit looks incredible but it’s a shame the quantity was lacking on some of them.
What a great set to play with, I think I need it!
Strumpet is my absolute favorite lip tar
This is a great set. Loved that you touched on the awesome customization that Lip Tars offer.
Such a great set for those wanting to try OCC! I would love to get myself this set too just because I want to do mix and match!!!
I immediately wanted the customized shades! I love the lip tars, but like you, have some trouble with the application. I’m going to turn them into pencils or lipsticks (EnKore Makeup does a video tutorial on how to do this.) I wanted this set, but was also turned off by the inconsistent fills on the bottles. 🙁
They are so pigmented !
This is so cool set, but too bad that some of the tubes are half empty 🙁
How fun! I love your “authine” blend 🙂
I love lip tars so I think this is a great set!
Liptars will always have a special place in my heart
I have never thought about mixing lip tar shades! I love the way the colors turned out when you mixed them. I think the mini sizes are perfect- after purchasing 2 full sizes for the first time ever using the product I realized even a mini would last a lifetime due to how little you have to use. What a bummer that some of the products were half way full : (
i have dying to try to some of the lip tars i need to finally get them already lol
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