The Texture
Why do I think it’s more like a lip balm? Well, for starters, it has a buttery texture that’s slightly sticky, but not enough to be a nuisance on the lips. With key ingredients like vitamin E and shea butter, the formula is nourishing and I can easily rub my lips together without it feeling tacky. Oh, and the finish? It shines bright like a diamond (sorry).
The Longevity
Since it’s a hybrid lip product, it doesn’t dry out like a regular gloss. I don’t have to worry about cracked lips after a long day. The brand claims it can lock in moisture for up to eight hours and I noticed that my lips still felt soft long after the product wore off. That said, it does come off easily, so don’t expect it to last if you blot your lips with a napkin or take a sip of water.
The Shade Range and Color Payoff
Now, let’s talk about the colors. I was not expecting for them to be so pigmented. After one swipe, I was surprised to see how clearly the color showed up on my lips. For other balms I’ve tried in the past, it takes a couple of layers to get my desired finish. Yes, these sticks are buildable, but honestly, there’s no need to swipe the product multiple times to see results.
The collection comes in 10 shades and I tried them all—even ones I wouldn’t usually wear. For reference, there are browns, nudes, reds and pinks (with one purple hue in the mix). I usually prefer darker colors, so “Hot Chocolit,” (rich brown) “Sp’Ice Cold” (pink brown) and “Fenty Glow” (rose tan) were, unsurprisingly, my favorites. However, I was pleasantly surprised by “The MVP” (bluish red) and “Riri” (rose mauve). They were bold, but flattering against my skin. Although “Blaz’d Donut” (light pink beige) and “Two'Lip Kiss” (light peach) aren’t in my top five, I still appreciate the range. Overall, it’s a great selection of hues that can work well with all complexions—see how each shade looks on me below.
