This Whimsical Vegan Makeup Brand Has the Brightest Swatches Yet!

I tested out three of Chaos Cosmetics' glitter-doused, ultramoisturizing, beeswax-based lipsticks, including two from the Hydra Lipstick Bundle ($45). True to the brand, each features all natural, cruelty-free ingredients. Isn't the packaging adorable? #swoon

Here's Lady Love, a creamy, pale pink hue topped with sheer, color-changing golden glitter. Note that the glitter on all the lipsticks is just on the outside of the lipstick.

Based on my own experience with vegan lipsticks, I wasn't anticipating such a smooth and creamy formulation. The lipstick glided on easily and stayed put. As you can see, a tiny bit of sparkle makes its way onto your lips with every application.

Aptly named, this Rich Girl lipstick ($16) is absolution drenched in gold glitter! Underneath, you'll find the dreamiest shade of rose gold.

Rich Girl lipstick has a fun, multidimensional effect when worn by shifting slightly into more metallic territory in the right lighting.

And now for my personal favorite of the three I tried — Pink Passion ($16). This flirty, red-pink hue is topped with multidimensional pink glitter and like the other lipsticks, applies easily and evenly.

Check out how sheer the color looks, but how pigmented it is. And I can't get over how moisturizing each of the lipsticks are!

Next, I tried the Color-Shifting Highlighter ($15 each), which comes in the most darling opaque pink seashell packaging you've ever seen. We tested out three:

• Ice: a pastel blue that shifts among green, blue, and purple
• Cosmic: a pastel pink that shifts among pink, silver, and green
• Moon: a pastel yellow that shifts among green, yellow, and orange

As you can see, these color-shifting highlighters have ludicrous levels of pigmentation. A very tiny bit goes a long way, and depending on how you're facing the light, they'll subtly change colors. Pictured here is Ice, which is nearly blinding!

From top to bottom: Moon (yellow), Cosmic (pink), and Ice (blue). These have an almost wet appearance on the skin when you see them in person.

When I discovered that the Chaos Cosmetics name was inspired by founder Megan Martinez's experience as a homeless teenager — and that she'd made money on the side in high school by doing her friends' makeup — I was already a fan of her and the brand. The playful packaging, inventive colors, and overall uniqueness of the brand made me that much more excited to try it out myself.

The truth is that you never know whether a brand will live up to the hype (your own internal hype, or otherwise), but I can confidently say that all the products exceeded my expectations. If you've been thinking about playing with some of the products, yourself, I enthusiastically encourage you to go for it! Mermaid on, friends!