Swatch, FOTD - L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Lipstick Rose Tafetta

I must have been so out of the loop that I did not know this lipstick line was introduced in the U.S. a while back.
(I used to be a (self-acclaimed) queen of drugstore makeup..!)

Better late than never, I finally got to try this thanks to the recent drugstore.com sale.
I know I have been more attracted to the higher end lipsticks lately, but this lipstick makes me realize once again that the drugstore brands really have amped up the game.

L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Rose Tafetta

I do wish they came in the same clear plastic cases like the UK ones.
Funny UK doesn't have the Infallible lipstick and the U.S. Infallible comes in the same plastic case as the UK Caresse.
Confused? Me, too!

I understand L'Oreal is a humongous global brand but they are constantly confusing us with different names and packaging (and ultimately make us to want the other versions)!

It comes with a shiny gold square case with a swatch belt(?) that is pretty much identical to the bullet.

(What can you say if L'Oreal determines that the Americans are more of "cheap gold case" kinda people, eh?)

I don't know if you can see..but there is a safety seal which I like very much!

(I haven't bought any Maybelline lipstick in a while for the opposite reason.)

Rose Taffeta (174) is a medium rose pink that is quite neutral and feminine.

It is well pigmented and provides a good even coverage but feels very light and moisturizing on.

It reminds me of the Yves Saint Laurent Satiny Radiance lipstick. 

(Then later on, I learned L'Oreal is the parent company of YSL, which also explains the similarities between the Glossy Stain and the new Caresse Shine Stain!)

arm swatch

lip swatch

To me, this texture is very interesting and even innovative.

It feels sorta silky and leaves a shine on lips upon application, but it sets down to an almost velvety matte finish after a while. Then it lasts for a long time. I only need a couple of light touch-ups through out the day.

Most importantly (and unexpectedly for its semi-matte finish), it is never drying!

This lipstick is scented with the weaker version of the (horrible) Colour Riche Lipstick, which means it smells a bit perfume-y and rosy. I didn't think it bothered me at all but I was expecting the sugary sweet smell of the Colour Riche Balms.

These are not similar colors but I wanted to do a comparison in terms of the color payoffs.

Colour Riche Caresse Rose Tafetta (L)

Colour Riche Balm Tender Mauve (R)

Rose Tafetta (Top)

Tender Mauve (Bottom)

This is a FOTD with Rose Taffeta

This color looks so feminine and soft so I felt like trying the "typical Korean girl" makeup.

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A total fail!

I look sleepy and undefined and the worst part of it is that I need to work extra hard and use more makeup to achieve this look. Can you believe it??

Never again. ;p

Apart from this utter mishap in the overall look, I do love this lipstick and have worn this more than a few times already this week.

Have you tried Caresse lipsticks?

How do you like this line compared to those higher end lipsticks?