This is a guest review from my best friend, Christine. I have heard so much about Lime Crime (not good stuff, I’m afraid – mostly about their controversy about them being a scam or fraud or something) that I wanted to see the products out for myself. Since the brand just launched in SpaceNK around England, I asked Christine from London to try them out and do a guest review, since I trust her opinion fully! Enjoy…
I went down to Westbourne Grove to SpaceNK to check out Lime Crime makeup at Renee’s request. We always talk about makeup and she always tells me the latest to check out so this wasn’t too much trouble for me, since there’s a SpaceNK near my university. Anyway, I didn’t have much time to look at the display because I was rushing in to get some swatches. My first thoughts is that it’s not really my style, but it does look like a fun, young brand.
But when I got into the store and checked out the lipsticks itself, my thoughts weren’t too great. My first impression is that the colors are not wearable at all, and as you can see from my swatch, there are a few nice ones, but they wouldn’t suit me. If you’re into bright colors though, this might work – although I have to ask, who wears bright blue, or black lipstick?!
Here are the swatches. The formula is very smooth and creamy, so it was easy applying. It looked pretty good on my arm.
So yes, the colors are bright and very loud, so as far as branding goes, it is done quite well! However, the formula did seem nice and creamy on my arm, though it stained my arm after swatching, as you can see, it’s still on, after rubbing it really hard with cotton.
They really were as we expected on my lips, though. The lipsticks highlight ANY sign of dryness. The lipsticks did have a chance to get warm as weather was very hot outside. Which makes me think ordinarily they are even harder to apply nicely. Saying all that though, the black was suprisingly moist and went on the easiest though obviously being black it was difficult to do neatly. The lipsticks left my lips feeling dry and there was even a slight taste and smell. Not so pleasant 
Here are the colors on my lips…
Countessa Fluorescent
Centrifuchsia Opaque
Cosmopop
Styletto
No She Didn’t
Lime Crime seems like a fun brand but I wonder why is SpaceNK, a reputable beauty brand selling Lime Crime, that looks like play makeup or should be in a fancy dress shop. It’s just personally not my style, sorry. It’s fine for dress up now and again, it looks good in photos but in real life not so much, it’s too drying. It’s really average at best. I guess SpaceNK might want to bring in a younger crowd and update its image a bit, but this seems very kiddish. It might be good for the younger crowd, but the price is another factor, it’s far too expensive – 14 pounds!
Thank you Christine for your review! Isn’t she beautiful? 
Have you tried the lipsticks from Lime Crime yourself? What do you think of the “scam” claims about the brand? (Personally, I believe it.)
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{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
The coloring of cosmopop looks really lovely on her!
I have to say, I have a really hard time wearing regular lipstick as it is– my lip line is so soft that it smears easily & I look like I’ve been eating popsicles… so the fact that these seem so difficult to put on would dissuade me more from trying them out….
Hey Ashe! She does look lovely in Cosmopop! I think the pale pink really suits her as well.
You should try out a lip liner, that really helps with keeping your lipstick in. It really helps me especially when I apply bold colors like red – Revlon makes one that is super cheap and REALLY good – no lipstick escapes it!
I’ve been wondering about these for a long time! I’m especially in love with Cosmopop, but I haven’t heard any positive reviews on Lime Crime yet so I’m still waiting it out to see if anyone sees an incredible upside to them as they are $14 each and I’m also looking to complete my MAC collection ;p
You’re probably better off buy MAC – much cheaper and def better, I assume! From what I found online these shades are really dupable. Also from the reviews I’ve read they’ve all said the same as Christine – incredibly drying and it stains afterward. :/ Do they sell samples on their website?
I really love Cosmopop on her, it brings out her features. I also love the color of Centrifushia Opaque. I definitely see her point about the line seeming childish, the blue is very, mm, theatrical? Props to Lime Crime for taking a risk though.
I’ve seen black lips done phenomenally by Nadine Luke (I love her!) for MAC – but other for day to day black is often way too much.
Yeah! I’m obsessed with the pale pink – I think Lady Gaga did a pale pink for MAC recently?
Haha, yes, the blue is unique and theatrical! Christine told me she looks like a very sad clown in that picture, haha
I don’t know, it could work if it’s part of your style but I think for the majority it’s too much.
I’d have to agree with black lips. Did you ever hear about the black lipgloss phase about 2 years ago? All the big brands were making black lipstick but I think it never caught on so they mysteriously disappeared. Black is just too hard a color to pull off regularly!
I recently bought the Lady Gaga for MAC lipstick and it is wonderful. You should totally get it!
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Ooh, thanks Julie – I love MAC, and their lipsticks are great! I know I’ll be getting a quality product.
Not sure if the collection is still out here but I’ll have to ask next time I’m in town… I saw some swatches and the color looked really beautiful!
Oh… I must say I don’t really like the Lime Crime thing all together… few months ago a lot of blogs have been buzzing about information hat they actually just re-pack products of other companies and sell for higher price.
Yeah, I read something like that ages ago but I lost track of what was going on. It was for the eyeshadows, right? I saw the original colors and it looks exactly the same so I think I believe those ‘rumors’. :/ Do you know anything about the lipsticks?
Haven’t heard the best things about it’s creator, poor ethics and repackaging with mark up prices.
Same here, I read some awful things too. Shame, really. I think this is a cute brand!
i actually really like the products despite all the drama around the creator…i know blue isn’t all that wearable but i think its fun and cosmopop and d’lilac look really good on some people for everyday. and the packaging is cute
Oh is that lilac the one in the first pic? I think that would look cute, too! I really like the pale pink. I think I’m gonna hunt down for a color like that, it’s so feminine and pretty.
Was there any staining/dryness on your end?
no it doesnt feel dry to me, but it does stain like there’s no tomorrow…haha
and no she didnt show a picture of d’lilac.
I would never buy from Lime Crime after finding out about her unethical business practices but it’s nice to read an unbiased review. I think the colors are fun and bright, just the type of colors I like, but it’s a shame the formula’s so bad and drying. And the price is definitely too high for what you get.
Agree on the price. Christine said it should be 4 pounds! I’m not sure if those personal accusations are true but I saw some blogs here and there and it does seem like their eyeshadows were repackaged, so I believe all the drama and controversy somewhat. :S
I’ve read some really nasty things about Lime Crime. Not available here in Toronto, though I can’t see myself wearing much of their lipstick…
They’re really intense! On the flipside, I can definitely use Styletto to scare people away. No better way to kill a conversation or limit interaction with any other human being than black lips.
P.S. I can tell that this post took a great deal of effort. You’ve got a great friend!
I can’t see me wearing half of those colors, either. But some look cute… but dupable so it’s no big deal I think. And black, HAHA you can try that out and let me know, haha.
And thank you! Yeah, poor Christine, I requested this from her. That’s what best friends are for, hehe! But she did an amazing job, her photos turned out awesome. Aw, I love her she’s the best.
Hi! Thanks for the lovely review!
Just to clear up something up – we do manufacture all our own shades, including lipsticks and eyeshadows. Our creator, Doe Deere, is directly involved in developing the formulas and shades – it’s her passion!
If anyone has any problems or questions, I’m always here to help – email me at customerservice@limecrimemakeup.com.
Mark D.
Lime Crime Customer Service
Mark, Lime Crime does not manufacture anything! Their lipsticks clearly state on the box that they are made in Los Angeles, not New York. Look up the definition of Manufacture. It literally means: Make BY HAND. Which your lipsticks ARE NOT. Of course Xenia helps choose the shades that the company makes the lipsticks in, but you guys don’t have a factory in your living room, so stop saying you make them all yourselves when obviously that is not possible! Unless you have a whole team of people who work all day and night to make those lipsticks, they are being created at a production plant for cosmetics. If you want people to believe you, you should take some photographs of your lipstick molds, etc, instead of giving us misinformation. Maybe you guys should spend some time actually improving your products instead of trolling peoples honest product reviews. Come on. We’re not a bunch of ignorant fools here. So stop treating the consumers as such. There are a million other brands that people can buy that have similar colors to these. This is just one in a sea of brands. You guys are selling yourself as high end, but making a product that says “childrens drug store”. Mark if you want people to love Lime Crime, you have to make a product that actually does what it is marketed to do. Or else it’s a flash bang of trend and your products time is done.
With all due respect, Mark, I agree with Melissa’s comment… from all the evidence floating around the web, it’s pretty obvious you are not making the products yourself.
I agree it is a joke.
I recently bought 2 of the Lime Crime lipsticks and absolutely love them. I have both the pink shades as most of the others are great for fashion shoots or crazy dress up nights but are far too outlandish for daytime. I too find them dry to apply and have some similair bright coloured lipstick from Body Shop in Orange shades that are also dry in texture. I have been applying mine over moisturised lips with a lip brush as i feel you get a better application with a lip brush from all lipsticks not just these ones. They also do stain your lips which can be looked at 2 ways, the colour lasts longer on the lips, or is a bugger to get off if you don’t want pink lips anymore! Mac do some fabulous strong bright colours with a moisturizing texture and are £12.50 so to be honest even though i like the new Lime Crime ones i would be more likely to buy the Mac ones in future.
i own ‘no she did’nt’
i was really excited to recive the lipstick, but it is VERY drying and shows ALL lines and any signs of dryness on my lips
now me being me, i didnt care what other people said about the brand because i thought they were just being mean.
im not saying its a bad lipstick, its ok..but if your going to pay that much for 1 lipstick, you whould deffiently expect alot better, needless to say i was a bit (okay..REALLY) dissapointed
i could of bought a MAC lipstick! ARGGHH!
the shadows are repackaged TBK pigments
the lipsticks however ARE NOT repackaged stargazer lipstick, i own stargazer lipsticks and they are alot better, if anyone is wondering
Hi,
i just stumbled upon this stream of reviews. Thanks for all the honest opinions. I’ve also been really curious to try Lime Crime. It’s a shame her stuff isn’t as great as advertised not to mention some sketchy business practices. However if you check out her blog Doedeere.com she has beautiful makeup shots and is quite a talented artist! I hope she gets her company together and improves the formula because I really like her style but I won’t buy from someone until they figure it out… Melinda