I know, I know, I’m a matte lipstick kind of lady, but this winter has been particularly cold and dry, so I’ve been looking for something that feels a bit more comforting on the lips (which is also why I had to try the Rare Beauty Lip Oil).
I was pleasantly surprised to find that this “Balm-in-Lipstick” goes on like a moisturizing hug for the lips!
Cost
CAD: $13.99 or $4.66/g
(Note for comparison, MAC is at $29 or $9.67/g)
Finish, shade, and colour payoff
This lipstick gives a sheer wash of mauve with a bit of shine! Recently I’ve started to believe my skin tone is a fair and mostly neutral olive, maybe leaning a bit cool, so mauves are usually a win for me and I find this shade really flattering. It reads as a MLBB on me.
The shine is subtle (unlike a gloss), and with the wash of colour being sheer, I find I’m reaching for this frequently on no-makeup days (my whole gripe with glosses on a no-makeup day is that the shine is yet another colour variation that my variated bare face does not need).
Formula description
L’Oreal describes this formula as a tinted balm that “glides effortlessly onto your lips, melting on contact to instantly soften and hydrate.” I absolutely agree with this statement. It’s almost like it has some slip when you apply it, and on a dry-lip day this is a very welcome sensation!
Bottom: 3 swipes
The formula is also touted as being “ultra-gentle and suitable for sensitive lips” – this is probably quite true, although I don’t think I’d qualify as having sensitive lips. Apart from frequent dryness though, I do sometimes experience peeling with certain formulas, but not with this one.
As a bonus, thanks to the balm-like formula, if I’ve started my day off in a matte lipstick but my lips are suffering, this is a great product to apply on top! It brings colour to the lips and blurs whatever is left on your lips – similar to a gloss, but in bullet form (I love a bullet).
This is the perfect bullet to toss in your bag as an end-of-day lip rescue.
Fragrance
The only downside to this lipstick, in my view, is the fragrance!
Although not as intrusive as other L’Oreal lipsticks, it definitely has that signature L’Oréal floral scent which infiltrates my taste buds. This one is not as intrusive as other lipsticks (probably thanks to the balmy formula), but it is definitely there! This factor keeps me from wanting to collect other shades.
Wear
Gosh, I almost don’t notice the wear. This is so easy to swipe on without a mirror that I really do wear it sort-of like a balm, and since it is a “balm-in-lipstick”, I don’t have big expectations surrounding wear time.
What I can say is that thanks to a combination of the balmy formula and the shade, I don’t get an obvious fade ring when it wears down, and my lips still feel comfortable and nourished when it’s time to reapply.
Similar from my collection
Between the shade and the formula, this immediately made me think of the Revlon Balm Stain in Honey. I believe it’s been discontinued, but I remember it well because it was my go-to MLBB for years! Similar cool-leaning purply mauve (at least on me), but it had a bit of a menthol kick and did not have the same glide that the balm-in-lipstick has.
If you miss the Balm Stain in Honey, I would recommend this as an upgrade. No, it doesn’t stain, but it’s much more comfortable – a worthwhile tradeoff!
Final thoughts
I’m so pleasantly surprised with this formula! I think it’s the combination of the formula and this particular colour that does it for me, though, so I’m not sure I will go out and get more shades. That’s just due to my preference for matte lipsticks, though.
Have you tried this? What are your go-to comforting lipsticks?
