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OCC Black Dahlia, Hollywood, Memento, Technopagan Lip Tar/RTW Reviews, Photos, Swatches

OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Lip Tar/RTW ($15.00 for 0.14 fl. oz.) is a new way to get your Lip Tar delivered to you, as it is packaged in a clear tube with a doe-foot applicator, instead of a squeeze-tube that requires a lip brush. I figured I would try two shades that I found more challenging to apply, and then two shades that applied quite well to see if the doe-foot really helped for application/delivery of the product. From the four I tried, I don’t think that the doe-foot deposits too much in general, but Black Dahlia’s very liquid, almost runny formula makes it hard to apply, period–marginally easier than the squeeze-tube but a brush would still be better. I think they are more foolproof to apply with the doe-foot applicator.

The pricing is interesting on the RTW, as they are significantly more expensive by the ounce ($107.14/oz. vs. $54.50/oz.), as thee RTW version contains a lot less product (0.14 fl. oz. vs. 0.33 fl. oz., so it’s less than half the size). However, the general consensus has always been that few will ever finish a single Lip Tar, so for those that don’t finish them, their cost is less, as the RTW are $15 instead of $18 for the original Lip Tar. If you want more bang for your buck, the squeeze tube is a lot more product for your money without question. If you rarely finish lip products (and with Lip Tars, a little goes a long way), pay less and get less) but waste less.

OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW ($15.00 for 0.14 fl. oz.) is described as the “blackest, blackened red.” It’s a a blackened burgundy with subtle, warm undertones (I could see this going almost cool-toned on fairer/cooler skin tones). The consistency was runny, and it was hard to apply with the doe-foot applicator but easier than if it had been in squeeze tube form. I found the doe-foot version to be much, much more pigmented and true-to-tube color compared to the squeeze tube, which comes out as more of a berry on me. It had better, more even coverage, though it still sits in lip lines, but the richer pigmentation helps to make it less noticeable. This one bleeds on me, though, within four hours of wear, and the total time I wore it was eight hours–but it could have gone on longer, I expect. Urban Decay Blackmail (DC, $22.00) is less glossy (90% similar). Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Black Dahlia (DC, $18.00) is lighter, less glossy (85% similar). Make Up For Ever Eggplant (501) (P, $24.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Disturbed (DC, $18.00) is lighter, less glossy (85% similar). MAC Prince Noir (LE, $19.00) is cooler, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Living Legend (LE, $19.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Double Fudge (DC, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar). KVD Beauty Damned (P, $20.00) is lighter, less glossy (85% similar). Urban Decay Blackmail (DC, $18.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Sephora Power Suit (01) (P, $13.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Burberry Black Cherry (57) (P, $34.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Paramour (LE, $7.00) is lighter, less glossy (85% similar). MAC Power My Spirit (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler, less glossy (85% similar). Besame Noir Red 1930 (PiP, $22.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Bite Beauty Elderberry (LE, $24.00) is lighter (85% similar). Bite Beauty Truffle (DC, $24.00) is lighter (80% similar). Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Anita (DC, $18.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

OCC Hollywood Lip Tar/RTW ($15.00 for 0.14 fl. oz.) is described as a “beige/gold shimmer.” It’s a light beige with darker, warmer gold shimmer that gives it a semi-metallic finish. I noticed that the consistency was a little thinner, and it seemed less pigmented applied with a doe-foot as more of my natural lip color came through and made the color look “darker” than the tube version on me. It also settled into lip lines noticeably, and it worsened over the five hours I wore it. Tom Ford Beauty Rory (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Hollywood (DC, $18.00) is lighter, more pigmented, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Metalwork (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). MAC Warm Companion (LE, $19.00) is less pigmented (85% similar). NYX Mischievous (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, darker (80% similar). MAC Opal Beach (LE, $25.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Altered Beige (LE, $19.00) is less pigmented, cooler (80% similar). MAC Playland (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker (80% similar). Too Faced Shimmering Naked Dolly (DC, $22.00) is darker (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

OCC Memento Lip Tar/RTW ($15.00 for 0.14 fl. oz.) is described as a “midtone pink/plum neutral.” It’s a slightly muted, medium pink with warm undertones that makes it appear almost coral-like. It had rich, opaque coverage that applied evenly and smoothly, and took about two hours to settle to more of a matte finish. The application was very comparable to the squeeze-tube, just easier and much less of a learning curve if you’ve never used Lip Tar before. NARS Brigitte (P, $34.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar). Hourglass I'm Looking (P, $34.00) is darker (95% similar). Bite Beauty Sable (DC, $24.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Slacker (P, $7.00) is brighter (90% similar). Smashbox Nude Beach (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker, less pigmented (90% similar). Sephora Strong as Helle (27) (P, $13.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Runway Hit (P, $19.00) is darker, less glossy (85% similar). L'Oreal Luminous Coral (P, $9.99) is darker (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Fling It On (Lip Color) (PiP, ) is darker (90% similar). Bite Beauty Café (LE, $24.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Givenchy Nude Cachemire (101) (P, $37.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Bite Beauty Heather (DC, $28.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). NARS Julie (P, $34.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Spotlight Me (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar). Clinique Melon Pop (P, $19.50) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Bitch Perfect (P, $37.00) is more muted, warmer (90% similar). MAC Modern Wow! (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). MAC Nicki's Nude (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). Chanel L'Aristrocatica (65) (LE, $45.00) is warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Carriacou (LE, $55.00) is more muted, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

OCC Technopagan Lip Tar/RTW ($15.00 for 0.14 fl. oz.) is described as a “blackened purple with blue pearl.” It is a brightened, dark bluish-purple with metallic shimmer. It is very comparable in color and longevity to the one in the squeeze-tube, but I noticed the consistency was thicker (and much thicker than your typical Lip Tar) so it appeared less glossy applied, which gave it a slightly darker look as light reflected less off of the finish. The color wore for over eight hours (and it was still going strong) and was neither drying nor hydrating for me. It’s still one of my all-time favorite lip colors — it is a total showstopper. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Technopagan (DC, $18.00) is more shimmery, glossier (95% similar). Smashbox Iced Out (P, $24.00) is warmer, glossier (95% similar). Sephora Ice Breaker (46) (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, less pigmented, lower quality (90% similar). KVD Beauty Bruno (LE, $20.00) is lighter, less glossy (80% similar). NYX Envy (P, $6.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). NYX Immortal (P, $6.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). NYX Ego (P, $7.50) is less shimmery, lighter (80% similar). Illamasqua Disciple (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (80% similar). Melt Cosmetics Weirder and Weirder (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (80% similar). Urban Decay Reverb (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, more muted, less pigmented (80% similar). Urban Decay Monarchy (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, more muted, less pigmented (80% similar). KVD Beauty Televator (P, $22.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Black Dahlia

DCDiscontinued. $17.00.
B-
B-
8.5
Product
9
Pigmentation
7
Texture
8.5
Longevity
4
Application
82%
Total

Hollywood

DCDiscontinued. $17.00.
C+
C+
7.5
Product
8.5
Pigmentation
7.5
Texture
8
Longevity
4
Application
79%
Total

Memento

DCDiscontinued. $17.00.
A
A
9
Product
10
Pigmentation
9
Texture
10
Longevity
5
Application
96%
Total

Technopagan

DCDiscontinued. $17.00.
A
A
9.5
Product
10
Pigmentation
9
Texture
10
Longevity
5
Application
97%
Total

See more photos & swatches!

OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Black Dahlia Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Hollywood Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Hollywood Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Hollywood Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Hollywood Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Hollywood Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Hollywood Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Hollywood Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Hollywood Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Hollywood Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Hollywood Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Hollywood Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Hollywood Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Memento Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Memento Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Memento Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Memento Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Memento Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Memento Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Memento Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Memento Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Memento Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Memento Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Memento Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Memento Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Technopagan Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Technopagan Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Technopagan Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Technopagan Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Technopagan Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Technopagan Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Technopagan Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Technopagan Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Technopagan Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Technopagan Lip Tar/RTW

OCC Technopagan Lip Tar/RTW
OCC Technopagan Lip Tar/RTW

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Setting Powder
  • Charlotte Tilbury Medium/Dark Filmstar Bronze & Glow
On eyes:
  • Sephora Welcome to My Loft Eyeliner

66 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
Katherine T. Avatar

I have some tubes of Lip Tar sitting in my stash, unused –love the colors and formula, but I’m too lazy to use a lip brush and don’t like to carry the tube around. So I’m thinking of ordering some empty lip gloss containers with doe foot applicators from Amazon, and putting it in there, so I don’t have to buy these. Just hoping the containers don’t leak. Technopagan is bad-ass looking!!

Katherine T. Avatar

Nicole, I found some empty lip gloss containers on Amazon that look almost the same as these, but are big enough to hold a full size lip tar tube(.33 oz). Same tiny doe foot applicator, and they are only 6 for $15! They are suppose to be coming this Friday, so I can play with them this weekend and see if they work out. If they do, I can stick my existing full-size lip tars into a $2.50 lip gloss tube, which would be great, so I can use them and it’s so much cheaper by the oz. Then I would only buy the $15 RTW if I don’t have that color already.

Nicole Avatar

Oh my goodness! You have to let me know how that works out! I have a ton of lip tars that have not been used at all.. just sitting and collecting dust! You’re a genius Katherine! 😀

Katherine T. Avatar

More like mad scientist LOL! I hope I don’t end up with a gooey lip tar mess on my lips, or a lip tar leak in my purse, but we’ll see… It’s worth a try, because I paid $18 for a full size tube of Anita that’s been barely used, and I can’t justify paying ANOTHER $15 for a SMALLER size. And if it works, they also sell smaller empty lip gloss tubes, so I can pre-mix custom colors, use the funnel to pour it in there, so I can carry it around. I will report back and let you know how it goes!

Nicole Avatar

Sounds good! Yep, Anita is a pretty one! I hope it works out. I can’t wait to hear the results. Maybe you should use a ziplock baggie to protect your purse at first..just in case. (;

Daheep Avatar

That’s what I did! I got mine from TKB Trading (as they were even less expensive at $1.25) & they work great. Thank you for the price breakdown, Christine! I’m going to stick with the old version & just buy the empty DIY containers.

Katherine T. Avatar

Thanks for the tip! I already ordered my containers from Amazon, but your tip might help another reader. Very glad to hear they are working for you! I don’t know why I didn’t think of this before

Nicole Avatar

I love Black Dahlia and Technopagan (even though I haven’t left the house in it to date) so much and I own them in the squeeze tube. But, sounds like it may be worth trying them in the RTW. I’ll have to check my stash to see if I have Memento. I love the way that looks. these just seem to look thicker than I could ever get my tube forms to look. Yep, added to wish list!

Nicole Avatar

Christine, have you ever tried Hollywood over a liner? maybe just a MLBB shade. How do you think it would do that way? It’s such a pretty color. Also, I looked for these earlier at Sephora.com. They still only had some of the tubes which are all marked down. Are they for sure getting these in? I’m surprised Beautylish isn’t going to stock these! They used to carry every color of OCC lip tar under the sun!

A Avatar

Pretty colours! I’ve yet to try a lip tar myself, but form what I’ve heard about them (use the smallest drop) the doe foot applicator didn’t sound like it could work. Good to know you didn’t think it dispersed too much – did you find it messy, like it could get everywhere if you weren’t careful?

Also, I wonder if Hollywood would look better on a very pale person with pale lips? It is such a pretty shade, shame it sunk into liplines so much.

Nancy T Avatar

Technopagan is a knockout! Oh man, that I could be your age, give or take 5-10 years, I would buy this in a nanosecond! Unfortunately, I’m 56 and live in an area where we don’t have hardly any makeup enthusiasts period, and Arizona is a bit too conservative in its taste for me to wear it outside of my home. But, I DO love this shade on you!
As for Hollywood, I like the color itself, but I would probably love it *lightly* applied as a topper or mixed with another shade to make it just add glow factor, Idk if that could work or not?

nicole o. Avatar

technopagan is my fave lip tar of all time & i’m seriously considering getting the rtw version .

i doubt i’ll finish the original one anytime soon , but it eases my mind knowing that it’s permanent .

occ , PLEASE don’t ever discontinue technopagan !!!

Helene Avatar

Technopagan makes my heart skip a beat, it’s such a beauty. I’ll not get this one, as I have it in it’s original tube. I found I like the look of both Hollywood and Memento, Hollywood is the type of colour I never look twice on, as I generally don’t like nude neutrals on me. I would love to try it so I might just have to order it. I have Black Dahlia, I never use it as I find it so hard to apply and on me it disappear very quickly, I suppose I just eat it.
I do think having the doefoot application will make OCC Lip Tars a lot easier to use, and maybe make the products appeal to a wider range of costumers.

Al Avatar

Yay! I knew the doe-foot applicator would make things a bit easier. I LOVE Lip Tars but I had stopped buying them a while back because I found myself avoiding the ones I already own as they are too much of a hassle. This definitely changes things for me.

Rachel R. Avatar

I think I’ll stick with the tubes. What a shame some are thinner: It was supposed to be the same formula. Black Metal Dahlia applies beautifully out of the tube. At least Technopagan turned out great.

Rachel R. Avatar

Sorry, I wrote Black Metal Dahlia when I meant just Black Dahlia. I have both. I don’t have problems with either one out of the tube.

Yuu Avatar

They claim it’s the same formula but it’s really not. I was extremely skeptical how they can literally put the squeeze-tube formula in a gloss tube and make it easier to work with, but that’s not what they did. I have the original matte formula Black Dahlia so I compared ingredient lists and there are a few extra things added to facilitate a more user friendly application and help with pigment suspension, and it seems they may have even tweaked the colour pigment as there are a few more dyes in the RTW than the original. I have a problem with the original being too pink than red and I’m thinking they may have corrected this for the RTW version. It’s a shame I didn’t wait to get this version instead, it’s what I expected the original to be like and I would have gotten way more use from it that way.

Christine Avatar

When did you get your original Black Dahlia? No idea if they’ve tweaked the formula at all over the years of the original! I don’t have any boxes for the Lip Tars (I don’t know if I’ve ever received a box… LOL!) so I don’t have the ingredient list to compare.

Yuu Avatar

Actually I’ve made a mistake, the ingredients (according to OCC) in both forms are the same. Instead of referencing the ingredient list on my own Black Dahlia I lazily used the one Beautylish has on their site, and for some odd reason they are missing a few ingredients and some dyes in the “may contain” section.

So my first comment is basically nullified lol. But now I’m baffled as to why the RTW reiteration would be more true to colour if there hasn’t been a change to the ingredients.

Jenny H. Avatar

Gosh, I hope so. My tube of stalker is terrible about separating and shaking it isn’t enough; I have to basically massage the tube to recombine it sometimes. If I knew that the RTW version doesn’t have that problem I would buy it, even if it meant re-buying a color I already own.

Shalonda Avatar

Christian I must be the only one who absolutely loves the black dahlia original tube. You are right about the color looking more like a berry color which I happen to really love. I own about 5 of the original tubes. I don’t ever forsee using the entire tube when it only takes 1 at most 2 drops to cover your lips and it last all day. The technopagan reminds me of MAC Gunner. I love memento I have to see about ordering.

Rae Avatar

This was such an interesting review to read, Christine! Props to OCC for releasing these with a more consumer-friendly applicator — yes, it’s more expensive per oz, but you’re totally right about most people never finishing their Lip Tars anyways.

I was surprised to hear that the formula and texture in these was a little different — good on OCC for trying to tweak their formula for optimal results with a different applicator!

(PS: LOVING the new layout!!! The fonts especially ;))

Lina Avatar

Do they have the same minty taste/scent as the original Lip Tars? That is one of the things I hate most about the original Lip Tars. I’ve been using doe foot applicators to apply mine for years – much easier than a brush!

Christina Avatar

Thank you so much for the review! I love certain OCC lip tars but have always hated the hassle of carrying around a brush to reapply. I think I finally need to take the plunge and get Technopagan, looks fabulous on you!

Brianna Avatar

Oh my gosh, Technopagan is amazing looking. I don’t think I’d ever wear a shade like that, but it is super cool to look at.

On another note, I’m glad OCC is doing the new packaging. I’ve never purchases a Lip Tar because I felt like it was a lot of work to apply. This makes the product seem more approachable and easy to use.

Brittany Avatar

I’m still pretty excited about these! Thanks for comparing the price per ounce between RTW and the classic tubes. I have such a hard time with math that I usually wait until I see somebody else mention prices per ounce. I usually like getting a better value, but I’ve never used up a lip tar and doubt I ever would, so maybe it’s actually more sensible to get RTW because my lip tars go bad when they’re hardly half gone.

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