Manic Panic Lethal Lipsticks After Midnight Review

It’s been a while since I’ve done a product review or blogged for shits and giggles so bare with me as I try to catch up to speed. Firstly, this is a non-sponsored, unpaid review of a product I bought with my own money, Gwyshop or any of their partner shops did not pay me to do this review.
Secondly, I'm going to try and write more often than before so I wouldn't just laze about and let this blog catch dust once again. So without further ado, let's dive right into it!

One of the biggest events in the Philippine cosplay community, Cosmania, has just finished and as always I have a bit of “con-swag” or stuff I’ve bought from the convention itself. I usually come home with small knick-knacks or clothing but this time I've decided to buy an item I've been itching to get my hands on again for several years now.

For those who aren't from the Philippines, Manic Panic Cosmetics are a rarity and I'm honestly really happy that we've finally had a chance to get our hands on the products at a budget friendly cost. It's been over 5 years since I've had a chance to handle Manic Panic brand makeup and it's an absolute joy that Gwyshop now carries the lipsticks at conventions with their partner shop Ilovetodye. I've continuously been buying from Gwyshop for years now and I can proudly say that I'm glad to have the chance to once again do a review on one of their newer products.

I chose to try out the color "After Midnight" when "Raven" wasn't available since I've always been fascinated with metallic toned lipcolors. Most of the ones I've tried before either dried my lips out or looked absolutely horrific on my lips. Knowing that the new Lethal Lipsticks formulation had moisturizing ingredients as well as a cruelty-friendly credo that all Manic-Panic items follow I didn't hesitate to drop P650 on it (Give or take $14). I gave it an initial swatch and lip test when I got home but forgot that I still had a bit of makeup on my lips so I put off my review until today. The packaging itself is pretty solid, compact, not bulky and can fit in any lipstick case. It's made of hard plastic and has that glam-rock feel to it with it's little diamond like indentations that are actually grooves that look and are shaped like diamonds or rhinestones. It's clearly labelled with the "Tish and Snooky's Manic Panic" label at the back and the "Glamnation High Voltage Cosmetics" line on the from along with an adorable skull and crossbones wearing Lady Liberty's crown, signifying the brand's roots in New York City.

This is a swatch on my skin with no primers, it look me two swipes on my skin with a very light pressure to apply a nice coat that showed off the color. It felt smooth and smelled faintly floral but not overpowering, something I very much appreciated as my previous experiences with metallic lipsticks left a very grainy texture and a disgustingly strong chemical smell that I absolutely hated. Although it does run a little too thin on a single swipe, the color is surprisingly buildable and easy to work with in terms of building up. The color reminds me alot of Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night and makes me absolutely giddy with delight because of how it looks. I half expected it to be a darker, much more navy blue color with a little sparkle but it's more of a blue foil color.

I plan on doing a comparison of this to the NYX Wicked Lipstick's blue colored lipstick once I get my hands on it to see who's got a better metallic blue lipcolor between the two of them.

I initially wanted to create a look similar to Maya from Boarderlands 2, a game that my brother and I absolutely enjoy, but since I don't have the right wig for her I decided to just go for an inspired look rather than going for a full-on cosplay trial for the character.

After putting on my new Twilight contact lenses (to e reviewed), applying my eye makeup and trying out my new skin toned eyeliner (another product review for another day) I immediately started applying the lipstick on my lips after exfoliating, applying a little lip balm and using a lipbrush as a way to line my lips, I was surprised that, like on the back of my hand, it was smooth with no grainy texture, the smell was tolerable and not overpowering and it didn't feather compared to the last metallic colored lipstick. I let the product sit on my lips for a while, noting that it wasn't drying at all.

Although the metallic blue color isn't for every skin tone it was actually a surprise to me that it suited my skin at all. I was afraid that it might look too unnatural or made me look too pale but apparently it make it look hauntingly ethreal to a degree, which I love love looooove! My friends pointed out that it actually complimented my ash-toned blonde hair more than my usual baby pink lipcolor. The product itself is quite pigmented and retains its colors even on my very reddish colored lips.

Overall review:

Manic Panic Lethal Lipsticks:

Quality: 5/5- If I could get the whole series of colors in one shebang I would get it for sure. I'm especially curious over their opalescent and matte lipsticks.

Packaging: 4.5/5- Although I'm a lover of glam rock style items this does seem like it needs a bit more improvement on the packaging. I know it's aimed at the gothic crowd so I was hoping for something that was a bit more elegant.

Price: 5/5-Compared to big name brands that create uniquely colored lipsticks like Lime Crime, this is a little more worth it than the previously mentioned brand. Add the much more appealing and less childish and bulky looking packaging, that's a plus for me.  

Overall: 4.5/5- I absolutely love this lipstick and would definitely try to get every color they have!

Will you be buying Manic Panic's Cosmetics line gain? ABSOLUTELY! 

Gwyshop (2014 UPDATE REVIEW):

Communication: 5/5- As always they are courteous, honest and easy to communicate with online and offline at conventions. I love the fact that ate Dona and her fellow shop owners who sell their wares at cons know and use their own stuff . Which just goes to show you how much they love their own products and proves how effective they are IRL instead of relying on company photos. I'm also glad to say that they also now have an official website that updates their stocks regularly, especially after a con when most stocks are sold out.

Handling: 5/5- From the quick responses to shipping out orders to the meticulous and careful packaging, there is nothing to worry about if you're ever buying from Gwyshop or any of their partner shops. They pack it well and safely that I've yet to receive damaged or manhandled goods from them and I've been buying from them since 2011!

Pricing: 5/5- From false eyelashes to the highly sought after Sclera lenses for the ghoul in you, the prices of the items sold by the shop are fairly priced and are worth every penny. Have a certain item in mind but not really in your budget? Gwyshop will offer you alternatives that can suit your budget and needs without breaking the bank. I'm honestly hoping they'd bring more Manic Panic cosmetic items for sale and stock more of the more popular EOS/Twilight lenses as it's always a struggle to beat other people from buying certain products because the pricing is just so cosplayer friendly!

Overall: 5/5- This shop's pretty much been a shop that I've been patronizing since 2011 when I bought my first lolita wig and to this day they are still my go to shop for contact lenses and now, Manic Panic Cosmetics. They're the first booth I look for whenever I go to dealers halls and the only shop I trust to sell me authentic NYX cosmetics and EOS lenses at cons. They're an absolute delight to buy from and I've yet to have a bad experience from them.