Besame Cosmetics is a brand worth exploring. Unlike modern makeup companies that constantly expand their collections, Besame takes a more curated approach, focusing on products inspired by the beauty styles of the 20th century.
The brand is particularly recognized for its vintage lipstick collection, highly pigmented colors, retro packaging, and historical approach to cosmetics. Its products are designed to recreate the colors and textures associated with earlier decades while incorporating modern cosmetic standards.
In this Besame Cosmetics review, we’ll look at the brand’s background, vintage makeup collection, popular lipstick shades, customer reviews, pricing, rewards, shipping, returns, and overall value.
About Besame Cosmetics
Besame Cosmetics was founded in 2004 by Gabriela Hernandez, a designer and cosmetics historian. Her concept was inspired by the simplicity and elegance of her grandmother’s beauty routine.
The company is operated by Gabriela and her family from Glendale, California, while its cosmetics are produced locally in Los Angeles. According to the supplied source material, the brand emphasizes high-quality ingredients and clean beauty.
One of the most distinctive things about Besame is its relationship with beauty history. Rather than simply creating contemporary versions of popular makeup products, the company researches vintage cosmetics and recreates shades based on historical examples.
This makes Besame vintage makeup particularly interesting for shoppers who appreciate retro fashion, classic Hollywood beauty, and historically inspired cosmetics.
Besame Cosmetics Overview
Besame maintains a relatively focused product range compared with many large beauty brands.
Its collection includes:
- Vintage lipsticks
- Eyeshadow
- Mascara
- Rouge
- Face powder
- Makeup brushes
- Cosmetic accessories
- Cosmetic bags
The brand’s vintage shades are inspired by makeup from the previous century. According to the supplied material, Besame references products discovered through estate sales, auctions, and antique stores before recreating their colors and textures.
Besame Cosmetics Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Vintage-inspired makeup collection | Relatively limited product range |
| Highly pigmented lipstick shades | Some special collections are temporary |
| Cruelty-free positioning | Higher price than drugstore makeup |
| Natural and clean-ingredient focus | Vintage aesthetic may not appeal to everyone |
| Low-waste approach | Premium pricing |
| Rewards program | Shade preferences can vary |
The supplied source specifically describes the collection as cruelty-free, low-waste, and free of mineral oil, gluten, and parabens.
Besame Vintage Lipstick Review
Lipstick is arguably the centerpiece of the Besame Cosmetics collection.
Besame vintage lipsticks are designed around historical colors and feature highly pigmented formulas. The supplied source describes them as triple-pigmented, with a satin finish and ingredients including Vitamin E, squalane, and aloe.
The collection covers a wide range of colors, from soft pinks and neutral tones to vibrant reds, oranges, berry shades, and deeper maroon colors.
Another interesting feature is the connection between individual shades and particular years or decades. This gives the lipstick collection more of a storytelling element than a typical makeup range.
Besame Lipstick Shades
Besame offers shades inspired by different periods of 20th-century beauty.
1920s: Besame Blood Red
The 1920s-inspired Blood Red shade represents the deeper, dramatic lip colors associated with the era.
Its warm red appearance makes it suitable for someone looking for a classic statement lip with a distinctly vintage character.
The decade itself was known for dramatic fashion, shorter silhouettes, glamorous accessories, and increasingly expressive makeup styles.
1930s: Besame Noir Red
The 1930s brought a darker Hollywood aesthetic, and Noir Red reflects that mood.
This shade is positioned toward the red-purple side and can work particularly well for anyone who enjoys dramatic lipstick colors.
It is an interesting option for creating a classic cinema-inspired makeup look.
1940s: Besame American Beauty
American Beauty represents the bold and romantic makeup aesthetic associated with the 1940s.
The supplied material describes it as a berry shade with magenta undertones.
For shoppers looking for a colorful alternative to traditional red lipstick, this shade provides a stronger berry character while maintaining the classic vintage appearance.
Besame Red Velvet
Red Velvet is identified in the supplied source as the brand’s top-selling lipstick.
Its neutral undertone is designed to make the color versatile across different skin tones.
This versatility may help explain why Red Velvet has become one of the better-known choices within the Besame lipstick collection.
1950s: Besame Red Hot Red
The 1950s were strongly associated with glamorous Hollywood makeup, and Red Hot Red takes inspiration from that period.
The supplied material describes the shade as a bright red with a warm yellow undertone and connects it with the style associated with Marilyn Monroe.
It is a particularly bold choice for shoppers who want a traditional bright-red vintage lipstick.
1960s: Besame Portrait Pink
For those who prefer a softer everyday color, Portrait Pink takes inspiration from the 1960s.
The supplied source describes it as a neutral pink suitable for both daytime and evening looks.
Besame Dusty Rose
Dusty Rose, inspired by the late 1960s, moves toward a darker pink and mauve appearance.
This can be an appealing option for someone who wants a vintage-inspired color without choosing a classic bright red.
Besame Lipstick Formula and Packaging
One of the attractions of Besame lipstick is that the experience goes beyond color.
The lipstick tubes feature a distinctive gold, rounded design that reinforces the company’s vintage aesthetic. The supplied material also describes the formula as having a satin finish and subtle vanilla flavor.
For customers who enjoy retro-inspired packaging, the presentation can be part of the appeal.
The inclusion of ingredients such as Vitamin E, squalane, and aloe also gives the formula a conditioning-oriented profile.
Finding the Right Besame Lipstick Shade
Besame provides a shade-selection quiz designed to help customers find colors based on characteristics such as skin tone, hair color, and intended use.
The supplied source describes the quiz as recommending neutral pink, coral, and mulberry shades for one particular combination of features.
A shade finder can be useful when shopping online because lipstick colors can appear different depending on screen settings and individual complexion.
Besame Cosmetics Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Customer feedback is an important part of any Besame Cosmetics review.
According to the supplied source, customers have generally responded positively to Besame makeup, particularly its lipsticks. Reviews frequently mention the smooth feel, vintage-inspired shades, subtle vanilla scent, and overall appearance of the products.
The source reports that popular lipsticks on the company’s website had ratings around 4.8 and 4.9 out of 5 based on more than 1,000 reviews at the time the source was written.
It also reports a 4.4/5 rating from MakeupAlley based on 540 ratings and a 4.5/5 rating from Amazon based on 732 ratings at that time.
These figures are historical snapshots from the supplied source, so current ratings may differ.
What Customers Like
Commonly mentioned positives include:
- Comfortable lipstick texture
- Strong pigmentation
- Distinctive vintage colors
- Attractive packaging
- Subtle vanilla scent
- Hydrating feel
- Historical inspiration
What Customers Don’t Like
The source also mentions occasional complaints involving:
- Color differences
- Texture preferences
- Delivery problems
The same material says Besame responded to complaints across websites and directed customers toward customer service.
Is Besame Cosmetics Worth It?
Whether Besame Cosmetics is worth it depends largely on what you expect from a makeup brand.
If your priority is inexpensive everyday cosmetics, Besame’s premium positioning may make the products less appealing from a price perspective.
However, shoppers who specifically want vintage-inspired makeup, carefully recreated historical shades, distinctive packaging, and a more curated cosmetics collection may find the brand particularly interesting.
The supplied source describes Besame lipstick as more expensive than typical drugstore products while positioning it within the premium makeup category.
Who Should Consider Besame Makeup?
Besame may be especially interesting for:
- Vintage makeup enthusiasts
- Classic Hollywood beauty fans
- Lipstick collectors
- People who enjoy retro packaging
- Shoppers looking for highly pigmented lipstick
- Customers interested in historical cosmetics
- People who prefer a smaller curated collection
On the other hand, someone who prefers constantly changing contemporary makeup trends may find the brand’s vintage-focused identity less relevant.
Besame Cosmetics Promotions & Discounts
Besame has also offered ways for customers to save through its rewards program.
According to the supplied material, customers can accumulate points through activities such as purchases, product reviews, referrals, social-media follows, and birthday rewards. The source states that 200 points could be redeemed for a $10 discount under the program described at that time.
Because promotions and rewards programs can change, shoppers should check the current official terms before making a purchase.
Where to Buy Besame Cosmetics
The supplied source states that customers can purchase the collection through the Besame Cosmetics website.
It also identifies a flagship store in Burbank, California, and notes that some lipstick products were available through Amazon.
For the latest availability, prices, and product selection, it is best to check the retailer directly.
Besame Cosmetics Shipping Policy
According to the supplied source, Besame ships within the United States and internationally to locations including the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, and the European Union.
The source states that free shipping was offered on domestic orders of at least $55 and international orders above $150 at the time of the review. Shipping charges and delivery estimates were calculated according to destination and order circumstances.
Since shipping thresholds and supported destinations can change, customers should verify the current policy before ordering.
Besame Cosmetics Return Policy
The supplied source describes a 30-day return or exchange policy, with exclusions for sample sets and final-sale products.
It also states that returns were subject to a $7.95 handling or processing fee and that only one exchange could be processed per order under the policy described.
Original and return shipping fees were also described as non-refundable.
Always check the latest return terms before purchasing because policies can be updated.
Besame Cosmetics Customer Service
Customers who need assistance can contact the company through its contact form.
The supplied material also lists a phone number and email address for customer support.
For the most accurate contact information, customers should use the current contact details published by the brand.
FAQs
Is Besame Cosmetics a vintage makeup brand?
Yes. Besame is strongly associated with vintage-inspired cosmetics and recreates shades and styles based on 20th-century beauty.
What is Besame Cosmetics known for?
The brand is particularly known for its vintage lipstick collection, historical color inspiration, retro packaging, and highly pigmented makeup.
Is Besame lipstick long-lasting?
The supplied source describes Besame lipstick as long-wearing with a satin finish. Individual wear time can vary depending on application, eating, drinking, and personal preferences.
Does Besame Cosmetics offer different lipstick colors?
Yes. The collection includes colors ranging from neutral pinks and softer shades to bold reds, berries, oranges, and deeper tones.
Is Besame Cosmetics cruelty-free?
The supplied source describes the brand as 100% cruelty-free.
Does Besame Cosmetics offer discounts?
The source describes a rewards program through which customers could earn points and redeem them for discounts. Current offers should be checked directly with the brand.
Final Verdict: Besame Cosmetics Review
Besame Cosmetics stands apart from conventional makeup brands by combining vintage beauty, historical inspiration, classic lipstick colors, and modern cosmetic formulation.
Its biggest point of difference is the way the brand connects individual shades with specific periods of 20th-century beauty. Instead of simply releasing another collection of trendy colors, Besame builds its identity around recreating the look and feel of earlier generations.
The Besame lipstick collection is particularly notable for its rich pigmentation, satin finish, vintage packaging, and wide range of classic shades. Customer feedback in the supplied source is largely positive, although individual experiences with color, texture, and delivery can vary.
For shoppers who love vintage makeup and classic Hollywood-inspired beauty, Besame offers a distinctive experience. For budget-focused shoppers, the premium pricing may require more consideration.
The brand’s combination of vintage lipstick, historical color inspiration, cruelty-free positioning, curated makeup collections, and retro presentation gives Besame Cosmetics a clearly defined identity in the beauty market.