Based in Australia, Aya Cosmetics is relatively new to the beauty scene. Like all products featured on this blog, they're all natural and cruelty-free, though to kick things up a notch, Aya is eco-friendly as well. At the moment, they primarily offer lipstick, with a selection of toe separators also for sale. It was, of course, the lipsticks that drew me to this company though. As it stands, there are only four shades in the line, and the range is limited to nudes and pastels, though as the company grows I'm sure the colour selection will as well.
I went with the shade Just Peachy, a bright, milky, coral-peach colour, as I've been on the hunt for the perfect spring/summer shade. In addition to Just Peachy, Aya also offers two nudes called In the Buff and Naturally Nude, as well as a pastel pink called Particular Pink.
The Good
Formula: Aya lipsticks are creamy and moisturizing, making them a pleasure to wear.
Packaging: I'm a sucker for pretty packaging, and Aya offers just that! While the cardboard-like recycled material does make these lipsticks less durable than your average bear, I find them absolutely adorable and chic looking all at once, not to mention the fact that they're actually good for the environment.
Longevity: The vibrant coral colour of Just Peachy kicks around for a good few hours before fading evenly to a nice muted peach stain. No tacky lip rings either, which has to be my biggest lipstick pet peeve.
The Price: Unlike many natural makeup products, the cost of these lipsticks is comparable to most drugstore brands. At around $15-$18 a pop, depending on what country and website you're buying from, they're not exactly cheap, but they're certainly more affordable than many other brands in the same genre.
The Bad
Availability: Like my past few reviews, Aya only appears to be available online, making the brand more difficult to get a hold of than if they were available in brick-and-mortar stores. I found mine on eBay, as it offered the cheapest shipping option to Canada, though they do sell from their website as well.
Texture: While the feeling of these lipsticks on your lips is a pleasant one, the finish or texture is strangely milky, for lack of a better word. It appears to sort of sit on top of the lips instead of blending in. (see swatches at the bottom of this review)
Selection: As noted above, the colour selection for Aya lipsticks is currently very limited. No big if you're a neutrals fan, but for those (like me!) who like a bolder lip, Aya doesn't have much to offer just yet.
The Ugly
There's nothing ugly about these pretty lippies!
The Verdict
Just Peachy took some time to grow on me as a colour. It's very bright, almost florescent for the first hour or so after application, which I wasn't so sure about at first. After a few days, however, I fell in love with this vibrant, spring-friendly shade and have been wearing it most days since. If you're a fan of nudes and pastels, I highly recommend giving Aya Cosmetics a look.
Natural lighting
Artificial lighting