I am a total sucker for a movie tie-in. Give me a themed palette or a limited-edition lipstick and my brain immediately goes into "I need this for my collection" mode. But when the r.e.m. beauty Wicked: For Good collection dropped, I actually hesitated. At $20.00, the Poppy Plumping Lip Gloss sits in that middle ground between a drugstore impulse buy and a Sephora splurge. I finally caved and grabbed the shade Pretty as a Poppy because, honestly, if I can't look like I belong in Oz while sitting in my pajamas, what is the point of makeup?
Spicy Vanilla and Golden Shimmer
The first thing you notice about this gloss isn't the color—it is the scent. It has this warm, vanilla-pepper vibe that smells like a fancy chai latte. The packaging is surprisingly sturdy for the price; it doesn't feel like that lightweight plastic that cracks the second it hits the bottom of your bag. When I first swiped Pretty as a Poppy on, I was expecting a lot of purple, but it is actually a very sophisticated sheer violet. It has these tiny golden pearl shimmers that make your lips look glassy rather than glittery. It is giving "main character energy" without trying too hard.
The Movie Marathon Test
I decided to put this to the ultimate test: a three-hour movie marathon involving a giant bucket of popcorn and a suspicious amount of Diet Coke. Most plumping glosses disappear the moment a kernel of popcorn touches your face, but this one actually hung on. Fair warning: the plumping effect comes from vanilla spiced pepper, so it is a "hot" tingle rather than a "cooling" minty one. If you have sensitive skin, you might want to tread lightly, as some people find the spice a bit much. For me, it just felt like a localized workout for my pout.
- Wear Time: Lasted about two solid hours through snacking, which is impressive for a non-sticky formula.
- Plumping Effect: It won't replace a syringe of filler, but it definitely smoothed out my lip lines and gave me a juicy, "just-bitten" look.
- Texture: Not sticky at all. My hair didn't get glued to my face when the ceiling fan was on, which is the highest praise I can give a gloss.
- Hydration: Thanks to the cotton seed oil, my lips actually felt softer after the gloss wore off.
The Final Verdict
Is it a life-changing miracle? Maybe not. But is it the prettiest thing in my makeup bag right now? Absolutely. The r.e.m. beauty Poppy Plumping Lip Gloss is a solid win if you want a luxe-feeling product that actually performs. Pretty as a Poppy is the perfect "cool girl" shade that looks good over a nude liner or just on its own for a quick grocery store run. If you don't mind a little heat in exchange for a lot of shine, this one is worth the gold coins.
Who Should Buy This:
- Wicked fans who want a high-quality piece of the collaboration.
- Anyone who hates the thick, gloopy feeling of traditional glosses.
- People who want a subtle, sheer tint that makes their natural lip color pop.
Who Should Skip This:
- Those with super sensitive skin who react poorly to spicy plumping agents.
- If you are looking for a high-pigment, opaque purple lipstick.
- Anyone who prefers a cooling menthol sensation over a warming tingle.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Lauren