I have been meaning to write this post for a very long time since the launch of L’Oreal Shine Caresse Lip Colour in the Australian market. Pretty much every single beauty blogger have also blogged about how similar the new lip colour is to YSL Glossy Stain. Personally, I agree that both shares some similarity but overall I don’t agree that one is replaceable of the other.
By quickly assembling these two lip colours, it looks from the packaging that both products seem to share similar colours but the actual products are not quite like each another.
In total, L’Oreal Shine Caresse Lip Colour is available in 8 shades - Lolita 101, Romy 102, Marilyn 103, Princess 200, Juliet 300, Eve 400, Milady 402, Bonnie 501.
The similarities:
- Packaging wise, both products appear to be quite similar in length and shape. One luxurious, one high street!
- Both application wand is similar.
- Colour range available is quite similar, the pinks, the reds and the violets. Although, YSL do have more colour offering in the market and each season there are also limited edition colours.
- Both appear to have a stain finish and will stain your lips (only applicable for brighter shades with L’Oreal’s)
One swipe for both
The differences:
- Loreal is affordable and YSL is luxurious; this is also reflected in the look and feel of the packaging.
- Loreal lip colour is sheer, YSL is pigmented especially for the lighter shades. See picture above. Both are similar colour and yet you can tell straight away the intensity is different. I won’t be able to achieve the same result even with multiple layers from Loreal’s to the one layer of YSL’s.
- Both lip colour/gloss are easy to apply but YSL has a creamy finish while Loreal has more of an oily finish.
- Both colours are long lasting (and this is only true for the more pigmented colours), the sheerer ones from Loreal didn’t stand a chance to last past a couple of sips in a mug.
- The main difference that nailed it in for me is that after 8 hour of wear, Loreal’s made my lips dry and pruney, amplifying the fine lines and worst of all, the pigments from Loreal lip colour seeped into the fine lines. As for the YSL, it doesn’t give me the same effect and doesn’t leave my lips dry and peely (this coming from someone who is prone to lip dryness).
End of the day, Loreal is recommended for people who don’t have dry lips and is looking for a sheer finish, preferably one without pigmented lips as the sheer colours won’t show up on darker lips like me. YSL is recommended for those who are prone to dry lips and have pigmented lips because the glossy stain really stain and deliver long lasting finish.
Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro left to right: #500, #502, #504
Couple of months ago, Giorgio Armani released the Lip Maestro Intense Velvet Color in 12 colour shades. I picked #500 – Blush, #502 Artdeco and #504 Ecstasy to trial based on some photo swatches online. Please refer to the picture above to view the swatches in different lightings.
All the lip maestros comes in lip glosses tube with a click lock closing lid. These lip maestros are quite long in length, think mascara length. Texture wise, lip maestro is best described as a creamy lipstick that has a really pigmented coating with an easy to use applicator. The creamy/buttery texture dries on lips into a matte finish.
In terms of longevity, I find lip maestro to be above average, better than lip glosses and your typical lipstick applications but I still prefer my all time favourite YSL Glossy Stains to these because GS are more hydrating to the lips and leaves a good stain to the lips without drying out or seeping into the fine lines, which I find lip maestro tend to do. Lip maestro accentuates the fine lines or cracks on my lips if I don’t prep them well.
#500 Blush – This is a nude-ish colour that looks great as a day lipstick option. There’s a hint of rosy mauve to this shade, totally wearable for those who are afraid of bright colours.
#502 Artdeco – The first thought that came to mind when I saw this shade was “snow white red”. The perfect contrast between a fair complexion was the deep, intense red shade. This is no doubt the classic red shade from the Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro collection.
#504 Ecstasy – I knew I had to get a bright, fun shade so I picked Ecstasy. True to its online swatch, this is a fun bright red shade with a hint of fuchsia in it.
I also took this picture post swatching so that you can see the lip maestro does leave behind a slight stain. Apologies for the goosebumps as it was a really cold day, I had to swatch next to an open window to ensure I have enough natural day light for these pictures. Ah, the stuff we do for a good swatch pic.
Giorgio Armani Lip Maestro were purchased via Nordstrom at USD$32 each
I know this post is long overdue since I have tried and built my YSL Glossy Stains collection for awhile now. I was first introduced to YSL Glossy Stains by Shiz while we were shopping one day and she raved about how #12 was her favourite. We have similar beliefs when it comes to lip products – it has to be super moisturising for our dry lips, doesn’t exaggerate our lip cracks, smell good and long lasting! YSL GS, fully delivers that.
I purchased #11 and #15 on that day and the rest was history. I am calling these my HG lip products with #15 my favourite colour (#25 will be my second favourite) and in time of writing this I am almost finishing up my first bottle. These are definitely a hybrid lip product, more like a lipstick gloss rather than lip gloss due to its heavy pigment. Best of all, these look different on everyone’s lips so you really need to swatch the find which is the best that will work for you.
PS. Is it me or does lip gloss swatches grosses you out too? It’s almost impossible to take a good lip gloss swatch pic.
RRP AUD$50 each
Available on YSL counters now
Say hello to Illamasqua latest Summer make up collection – Illamasqua The Naked Strangers Collection 2012. The new collection comes with new shades of nail polishes, lip gloss, powder blush, cream blush, eyeshadow palette and liquid metal.
Say hello to Illamasqua latest Summer make up collection – Illamasqua The Naked Strangers Collection 2012. The new collection comes with new shades of nail polishes, lip gloss, powder blush, cream blush, eyeshadow palette and liquid metal.
Alter ego being laid bare and naked flesh, these are the inspiration of the new collection. Think nudes tones and rich gold, the tagline of the campaign is “Don’t restrain yourself, unless of course if you enjoy it.” How very fifty shades of grey*!!! In the past, Illamasqua has always called for daring, bold, bright to dark colours in their collection. It is refreshing to see this totally wearable and suitable for daily wear make up collection.
Illamasqua Powder Blusher #Naked Rose RRP AUD$42 - A pale pink powder blush with really powdery texture. Picks up quite a bit on a brush so go easy on the swirling. As always, I love the easy to store and spot packaging.
#Naked Rose Powder Blusher – A close up on the swatch, at blush has a slight hint of cool tone in it that stands out in my warm toned skin. Having said that, it doesn’t clash with my make up and the pinkish matte rose shade goes on effortless with a blusher brush.
Illamasqua Sheer Lipgloss #Intimacy RRP AUD$33 – I can see why so many people LOVE this lipgloss. It’s one of those sheer, nude-ish, neutral shade that works well with all skin tones from the palest pale skin to dark and tanned. It’s a shade that compliments all skin tone and give the lips the perfect glossy (non tacky) finish with the slightest hint of shimmer in it.
*I am obsessed with the trilogy, finished reading them twice and Matt Bomer is my pick for Mr.Grey.
Why I love it:
- 9 new lightweight lip gloss colours from the Larger Than Life collection ranging from cool beige peach shimmer to rose pink and cherry red
- Shiny but not OTT glossy
- Comes with a brush application
- Star ingredients: Jojoboa oil, rice lipids, volulip, kalpariane, hydracire
- Rich pigmented intense colour for the brighter shades as for the shade I tested was quite sheer
- Leave lips moisturised and boost collagen
- I did however find my lips quite sticky after application. If you don’t mind the sticky feeling, this would be the perfect lip gloss for you.
#gold digger – speakling peach shimmer. The shade is really sheer and compliments to go on top of any lipstick. Personally I find it too sheer for my lips but compliments lipstick really well as it isn’t too glossy.
RRP AUD$49 each
Available on MECCA counters now
Say Hello to Tom Ford Ultra Shine Lip Gloss, aka Gloss Ultra Brilliant, aka luxury on lips, aka new on the Gloss God status.
Needless to say, the packaging is classic sleek with a hint of understated luxurious feel.
#02 Rose Crush – A creamy musty rose/brown shade that goes onto the lips buttery creamy with a scented delicious vanilla. The gloss actually feels more like a tinted hydrating lip balm than an actual glossy gloss.
Another TF makeup product that does not disappoint.
RRP AUD$60
Available on Tom Ford beauty counters now
I used to swear off glosses but I’m on a roll lately. I guess gloss technology these days has improved vastly and is no longer overtly sticky, translucent or grossly scented. Australis is a local brand that continues to impress me with their makeup products. Lately, they have launched the Mint Condition Lip Gloss collection featuring 7 shades (I have 6 of them as pictured above).
As the name would indicate, these glosses are minty in scent and refreshing when applied on the lips. Pigment wise they are quite sheer to medium. They are also filled with lips conditioning ingredients like Guava, Kakadu Plum extracts, Shea Butter and Beeswax. Best of all, they contain SPF30 providing great sun protection for the delicate lips area.
RRP AUD$8.95 each
Available on Australis counters now
This month, Bobbi Brown released the new High Shimmer Gloss. They mean business when they say High Shimmer because these glosses are really shiny but non-sticky/tacky type of shine.
Leave lips beautifully hydrated and a nice shimmery shiny finish. While you know I’m not a big fan of glosses for the longest time but I do find myself reaching out for glosses more frequently lately. Simply because glosses these days are less tacky, less annoyingly sticky and more often than not smells so good!
#Hot – Fuschia with Pink Pearl
#Pastel – Soft Pink with Pink Pearl
Pigment wise, these lip glosses are subtle. If you’re after strong, bold colours on your lips, this won’t be it. These will however look and go smoothly over fresh coats of lipstick. The scent of these glosses definitely reminds me of minties!!
RRP AUD$42 each
Available in 15 shades on Bobbi Brown counters from 11th September
