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| Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Vivienne |
With their new Color Balm Lipstick ($22), Stila seems to be trying to take advantage of the wave of popularity brought on by tinted lip balm products such as the now-iconic Revlon Lip Butters, L'Oreal Colour Riche Balms, Maybelline Baby Lips, and Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments. Unfortunately for Stila, their new offering seems to be missing some of the key characteristics that made those other products attractive in the first place.
For example, the Revlon Lip Butters have a glossy, moisturizing texture that feels and looks great. Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Vivienne, on the other hand, feels fairly dry and not at all glossy. The shine is very minimal and the texture lacks that slick, smoothing feeling that I look for in a lip balm. I suppose some people might not want their balm to have a glossy finish, but why not buy Burt's Bees Tinted Lip Balm ($6.99) for a third of the price if that's the case?
Another drawback about this product is the packaging. Sure, the silver tube is pretty but the balm stick is quite wide. I don't really have thin lips, but I found the diameter of the balm to be too large for easy application. I feel at risk of going outside my lip line when I use Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Vivienne.
Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Vivienne lasts about 3 hours on me. After it's gone, my lips don't really feel softer or more moisturized. They don't feel dry either, but a product marketed as a lip balm should be more nourishing. Additionally, Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Vivienne starts out with a strong peppermint scent that makes my lips tingle, but that sensation fades within one hour of wear.
Overall, I recommend that you pass on this product. It does not provide enough moisture or shine to be worth the $22 price tag. Besides, the drugstore offers several tinted lip balms that are superior to Stila Color Balm Lipstick in pretty much every way!
Another drawback about this product is the packaging. Sure, the silver tube is pretty but the balm stick is quite wide. I don't really have thin lips, but I found the diameter of the balm to be too large for easy application. I feel at risk of going outside my lip line when I use Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Vivienne.
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| Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Vivienne Swatch |
On the bright side, Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Vivienne is an attractive, "my lips but better" shade that would flatter many complexions. It's a terracotta rose shade that I find to be neutral in tone. Vivienne is quite subtle and would be appropriate for daytime wear at school and work.
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| Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Vivienne |
Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Vivienne lasts about 3 hours on me. After it's gone, my lips don't really feel softer or more moisturized. They don't feel dry either, but a product marketed as a lip balm should be more nourishing. Additionally, Stila Color Balm Lipstick in Vivienne starts out with a strong peppermint scent that makes my lips tingle, but that sensation fades within one hour of wear.
Overall, I recommend that you pass on this product. It does not provide enough moisture or shine to be worth the $22 price tag. Besides, the drugstore offers several tinted lip balms that are superior to Stila Color Balm Lipstick in pretty much every way!