I primarily bought this set for a Ren Faire look Im going for. I dont wear many lip products, and when I do, they are similar to my natural lip color. To my surprise, Black Locust is a very wearable, day-to-day shade. I thought it would wash me out too much, but I kinda love it. A sort-of grunge-y, cool, brownish-gray. I also like the formula, as it applies nicely and is relatively opaque but not too much so. I also dont find it to be drying without the gloss like I did for their lipstick.

As for Black Thorn, I also like this much more than I thought. It is hydrating and i actually do feel like it gives a plumper appearance to my thin lips. The color payoff is really good compared to most glosses. My only qualms are that its kinda sticky and a bit hard to get an even appearance, but given its a gloss, that makes sense.

A note for the attached pictures: First is just natural lips for comparison of color, then just Black Locust, and then the combo. I did not exfoliate my lips before this, but I found the application to be better when I did, so i recommend doing so.

Lip Sheer is exactly what the description says: it's a semi-matte and semi-sheer lipstick. It's not a lip balm, since it has more pigment and it's more waxy. As for the undertone of Black Locust, it's decidedly grey, not purple, for example.

If you do want it to be less matte, that's where the gorgeous Black Thorn gloss comes in. it's very comfortable and not sticky and with enough pigment to wear on its on, but not completely opaque.

I've added a picture with a few comparisons from my collection. Unfortunately, I don't own either M138 or The Void from MOB, so I can't compare the shades, but the texture of MOB lip balms is, unsurprisingly, more balmy and melty and MOB's lip glosses are generally more opaque.

From left to right: RdF Eclipse, RdF Black Locust, RdF Black Thorn, Isamaya Vanity, Isamaya Black Veil.

Top: Pat McGrath Noir (discontinued); Bottom: Lisa Eldridge Metropolis (a very sheer dark aubergine).

I am too shy to wear a full on black lip when I want to dress up and omg is this the perfect way to have a black lip but not as in your face. The lipstick is sheer but buildable and really is your lips but vampy. The lip oil, also fantastic. You can layer it over any lipstick to make it moodier or wear it with black locust or on its own. Super duper happy with this one.

I’m sure a lot of people use these as they would any lip product: all over. I don’t. I use them mostly as modifiers. Black Locust lines the lip. Creates shadow in the corners. Velvet-ifies liquid lipsticks. Muted liquid lipsticks whose colors are too loud that day. Black Thorn adds wetness and moisture and depth. I almost always use it in the lip crease to create darkness. I know I’m not the typical applicator. I use both of these damn near every day.

The photo is the rare occasion where I have only a wash of black locust on the lip with black thorn in the crease. It’s a perfect light, summer, but still shadowed, look.