I had to search my Gmail inbox to get the backstory on my mysterious Lydia purchase. I mean, I didn’t forget buying it, but I wasn’t sure what the circumstances were or why it took me so long to review it. After remembering why I got it (Black Friday sale—$12.80 instead of $16), I began writing this review.
The OCC Cosmetic Colour Pencil is “a long-wearing multipurpose pencil for the eyes, lips, and body. This versatile range of cosmetic pencils perfectly complement Lip Tar. From everyday neutrals to bold hues, each pencil can stand alone as highly pigmented liners for the eyes and beyond.”
Tragically, Lydia is one of the eight shades that are not recommended for use in the eye area. But, it matches one of my first and favorite lip tars. Here they are, swatched side-by-side:
Swatched, L-R: OCC Cosmetic Colour Pencil in Lydia, OCC Lip Tar in Lydia
As you can see, the CCP is a hair darker. My lip tar has also gone a bit watery, which is one of the things I hate most about the lip tars in general. It’s absolutely grating and inescapable, and only worth it if the color is abso-fucking-lutely unique. Here is both on my face:
Left: OCC Cosmetic Colour Pencil in Lydia only, Right: OCC Cosmetic Colour Pencil in Lydia + OCC Lip Tar in Lydia
The color itself, wonderfully described as a “darkroom plum,” is fabulous—one of the few purple tones that are both bright and “natural” or laid-back looking, but the texture of the pencil is a bit dry. It delivers powerful pigment, but it is also very drying. The lip tars are, thankfully, pretty hydrating, from my experience, so paired together, they make your lips look plush and amply moisturized.
OCC’s one of those companies that I wish I naturally gravitated towards because they are “100% Vegan & Cruelty-Free,” plus their colors are so good. The price point is a little steep, though, sometimes. For some reason, I don’t think that these are worth $16, though I would jump on the chance at getting Trick and Sebastian, in case another sale comes along.
And then there’s me totally side-eying this lip balm duo because of the name.
Have you tried any of these pencils? And because I’m curious, do you have anything from OCC that you can’t live without? Do tell!
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Softly Sometimes 
Cool watch! What type is it?
Hi Meredith! It’s by Aark 🙂
This shade is stunning! Definitely laid-back like you’ve described 🙂 I’m really looking to try more shades like this!
Tasha // shiwashiful.
Thank you! Ack, I really, really like it. I think I’d wear it more often if it wasn’t a lip tar, haha.
Girl I like your style. LOL. My sorority sister bought me LYDIA from a makeup event (Imats) and I love it.
Woot woot, we’re twins! 😀
When I first saw the title of this post, I was all “nooo, why must Carina remind me that Lydia exists in pencil form?!” But I’m surprised at how different it looks from the Lip Tar. Both colors suit you really well (seriously, plums look amaaazing on you), but the pencil looks so much darker and grayer.
Thank ya! Totally, I almost missed the grey there, but once you pointed it out, that’s all I could see! Haha, anyway, it’s quite dry, so I’m not sure if I’ll even get other colors. Quite pretty, though.
I love this shade too! I recently mixed Vintage and Kava-kava to get a new shade. Vintage is one of my faves. I also love Dahlia! 🙂
Ahh, I’ve been wanting to try Kava-Kava, but the formula really puts me off. I’ve gotten so lazy about makeup application, haha.
Omg occ, this is is a gorrrrgeous dusky purple and looks amazing on you. if only it wasn’t a drying formula!
I know! Or if only the lip tars came in an easy-to-apply formula. Thank you! x