Jun 7, 2014

Review, Swatch - L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Balm, Heavenly Berry & Tender Mauve

Sometimes you don't realize how much you love it until it is gone. L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Balm is the very example for me.
I bought 4 different shades when it first came out, and actually used up all 4 of them. This is a big deal or at least it should have felt that way because, you know, it does not happen to me.
Funny that I never thought I "loved" them although I knew I liked them, and using them all up did not hit me as a significant beauty event. It is funnier that I started missing them rather terribly as soon as they were gone. So I had to buy them again, this time not out of curiosity but necessity. (What?!)


L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Balm
L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Balm
Heavenly Berry(L) & Tender Mauve(R)


L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Balm was introduced around the time when Revlon Lip Butter came out, and I think they were compared to each other a lot. Of course, Le Balm wasn't received as well as Lip Butter being such a "sheer lipstick".
Maybe it was because of its much lipstick-like exterior, but Le Balm is more of a tinted lip balm as the name strongly indicates. 
(Btw, I am always bothered to read reviews complaining that a lengthening mascara doesn't volumize, a moisturizing foundation doesn't control oil, or a mattifying powder is too trying. I am not denying that we see more and more products that satisfy multiple aspects nowadays, but please "know thy products" before ranting about them for the wrong reasons.)


L'Oreal Le Balm Heavenly Berry Tender Mauve
(Well, before it turns into a "soapbox post", here is another pic of the colors I repurchased.)


Once you understand L'Oreal Le Balm is a tinted lip balm that focuses on treatment and protection rather than on color, you will love it as much as I do.
These sheer glossy lip balms feel very moisturizing and comfortable on lips and come from SPF 15 protection (whether constantly eating sunscreen is better than being protected from the UV rays or not is another day's debate, though).
I am not even gonna talk about the wear time. It is a lip balm, a rather glossy one, too.


L'Oreal Le Balm Heavenly Berry Tender Mauve Swatches
The swatch colors are achieved with 3 swipes each.


L'Oreal Le Balm Heavenly Berry Swatch
Heavenly Berry shows up rather nicely on my medium-toned lips.
I also love wearing this with Revlon Balm Stain Smitten, which is a deeper berry color.


L'Oreal Le Balm Tender Mauve Swatch
Tender Mauve is one of the prettiest and chicest mauve-y nude.
I get many compliments wearing this understated color paired with deep smoky eyes.


The colors I repurchased, Heavenly Berry and Tender Mauve are actually packed with more pigments than the lighter colors like Rose Elixir or Caring Coral.
Personally I think they make great "bar lipsticks". They moisturize my parched lips (from alcohol intake) wonderfully, and I can easily reapply without mirror. Plus they smell like sweet cotton candy.
I myself prefer them over those expensive (and mushy) Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatments, for example.


Have you tried L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Balm?
What is your favorite tinted lip balm?




L'Oreal Colour Riche Le Balm & Other Tinted Lip Balm Suggestions

Join the conversation!

  1. AnonymousJune 07, 2014

    my favourite tinted lipbalm is hands down - fresh. I especially love the berries and reds and I get lots of compliments for my 'lipstick' while wearing a fresh lipbalm! people are always surprised that it actually is a lipbalm. haven't come across something better, my dry lips feel so nice and moisturized. loreal never worked for me, aka lipsticks. I love them on others but on me they look like rancid peaches D: / Claire xxx

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    1. I've tried Fresh in berry and red colors but they weren't exactly what I was looking for in "tinted lip balm". For some reason, they went on patchy. After your comment, I realized I never liked traditional lipsticks from L'Oreal, either! I do like these and their hybrid stuff like Wet Shine Stain a lot, though. ;)

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  2. Hey Lena, I'm glad you've found true love here ;) I know what you mean. You have to know what a product is for before you can decide weather you like it or not! I don't wear lip balm during daytime that often, but I do like the mini Fresh ones I got from Sephora a couple of years back!

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    1. I know many swear by those Fresh lip balms, but I concluded they are not really best for me after having tried 3 different colors in minis.
      I think I like Le Balm to top with stains and other matte bases. Good stuff. ;)

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  3. Ooh, these do sound quite nice! I love the look of Tender Mauve -- I might just have to pick it up after I finish de-stashing ;)

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    1. Tender Mauve is quite a unique shade that can easily be on a par with other "sheer lipsticks". It will look beautiful on your cool complexion. :)

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  4. Oh Lena, they are on my bucket list for the longest time! because they are only available in the US , unlike the lip butters which are everywhere! these sound like things I would really enjoy! Heavenly berry swatches so pretty!
    I dislike the fresh sugar treatment as well!! can't understand all the hype around them -___

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    1. The biggest gripe with Fresh Sugar treatment is that it is too expensive for what it is! I'd buy a legit lip color with that much of money. Plus we have many other affordable options that come with good ingredients nowadays, you know! ;)

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  5. Considering your lipstick collection is impressive, using up 4 of these really can tell how much you enjoy them. I grabbed a couple of shades when they came out too. I love more sheer formula as I can reapply without a mirror.

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    1. I love sheer lip formulas in general, but these are extra handy to top with some long lasting lip bases.
      I was actually surprised to realize I used all of them, too! ;D

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  6. I do love them both in terms of color but that tender mauve shade is just darling! I would totally be happy reapplying and reapplying throughout the day for the moist pretty layer of color! Yet to check these out at the drugstore but for some reasons I've never bought much l'oreal make up.

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    1. Tender Mauve is just too pretty, isn't it?
      I've only recently warmed to L'Oreal. Before I think I was more like you. Now they have some great stuff that minds of many high-ends. :)

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  7. i love both color but tender mauve is my favourite.... ;)

    glorychen.blogspot.com

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    1. Tender Mauve is really pretty and unique! I agree. ;)

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  8. wow! both shades are nice! I liked Heavenly Berry more:)

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    1. Yeah, I guess I like these two shades more than other two sheer ones. Heavenly Berry is also prettier than Plush Plum from the same line. ;)

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  9. They seem to provide a rich colour payoff (for a tinted balm)! And wow, they even come with SPF! I own some Japanese tinted balms but they feel more like balms than lipsticks. Practically no colour hahaha

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    1. The lighter colors from the line are much sheerer than these for some reason. They still show the different tones beautifully, though. ;)

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  10. These look divine - the colours are simply so wearable all year round :) Love the SPF in it, though it sounds like more of a marketing gimmick :\ I am so glad to hear that you liked these better than the Fresh ones! I didn't like them either and the price left little to be desired about that product!

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    1. I agree with you on the SPF. Sunscreen on lips is more of a complicated matter. I mean, how safe it is to intake the agents?
      And I myself definitely prefer Le Balm or other things over the Fresh. ;)

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  11. AnonymousJune 08, 2014

    Both are so pretty on you! I haven't tried these at all, but I will for sure. I like that they have a bit of SPF in them. Couldn't hurt!

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    1. Thank you, Tracy! :)
      These maybe too sheer for you, but they work nicely for what they are. ;)

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  12. These colours are so pretty and natural looking on you :)
    I don't think these balms are out in the UK yet which kinda sucks because I'd love to try them!

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    1. Ah, but I bet you guys have the micella water from L'Oreal! These global brands annoy me sometimes. Often I end up coveting things that are available on in other countries. ;p

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  13. I agree - people should know what the product is intended to do before ranting about them! These always looked like good staples :D

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    1. Maybe this is why many companies bring out "do-it-all" gimmicks all the time, because we want all teh things at once! ;p
      I don't think these are popular at all since the brand hasn't offered any new color over the years, but I still love them. Hope they don't get discontinued! ;o

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  14. I can't believe I haven't actually seen these around before! I guess I don't have a huge interest in L'oreal products but this one looks really nice- I'm definitely on the look out for tinted lip balms :) I love the shades you have to, they are gorgeous and would be perfect for everyday wear :) Would these be fine to put on top dry flaky lips without accentuating them?

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    1. I was just like you, Karen. ;) I would ignore the L'Oreal section and go straight to the Revlon, for instance. LOL.
      Now it is a little different ever since they started introducing their version of higher-end makeups. I've been very happy with the recent lippies and foundations.
      Le Balms really work like lip balms, so I'd say they work especially well on dry lips. ;)

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  15. Wow. You used up 4!! That is quite impressive lol. I always get distracted by new stuff so I never finish anything. These must be amazing. Love the mauve shade on you!

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    1. It took a long time, but yeah. ;) There are many things I'd try once or twice and think "I love it", but Le Balm was different. I'm quite surprised myself as well. :)

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  16. I have tried one and unfortunately it made my lips peel. These two shades look great on you though!

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    1. Aw really? That's too bad. Well, I'm knocking on wood now. ;)

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  17. tender mauve is gorgeous!!!!

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  18. Wow, Tender Mauve looks incredible on you! : D

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  19. Both colours look lovely on you! I must say that they remind me of YSL's Sheer Candy lip balms, which I love! I'm going to check these out and see if they're a dupe. For my wallet's sake, I hope they are! Ahah

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    1. I think you're right! Le Balm came out shortly after YSL Sheer Candy Balm was introduced. They smell different, though. In this case, I prefer Le Balm not only for its price but also for the scent! :)

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  20. Oooh I adore heavenly berry!

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