My faith in drugstore lipsticks is reaffirmed because I like all of them I chose, but I must say I am slightly let down by L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm Pop in Wild Lily. Not a bad lipstick (actually it is quite nice), but let's just say I am not blown away.
L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm Pop Wild Lily
Some of you know I love the original Colour Riche Balm and have repurchased them (documented here).
Colour Riche Balm Pop is basically a more pigmented version with brighter colors.
Wild Lily is a very bright medium pink that almost looks neon from the tube.
It covers well only with a couple swipes.
L'Oreal Balm Pop reminds me of Revlon Lip Butter although Balm Pop feels lighter on the lips.
I fetched out some of the sheer pink lipsticks I own.
Paul & Jow Sheer Lipstick Pink Balloon
L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm Pop Wild Lily
Chanel Rouge Coco Shine Romance
Next to the other two, Wild Lily even looks purple.
The "8 hour moisture" claim isn't true even for the precedent, but with more pigment packed in, it starts to feel dry on lips quicker. And the pigment ends up clinging on the dry patches.
Please don't get me wrong. It is a hydrating kind and feels comfortable on. It gives a nearly full coverage (I think the "balm" definition is lost right there), but isn't exactly long lasting. Which requires touch-ups that result more pigment clinging on the dry patches. When the color is on the loud and unnatural side, this effect is not so attractive.
I have to admit I am being extremely picky about this, because the other ones pulled out for comparison are not much different. It is an unfortunate finding for a sheer lipstick lover that many glossy sheer lipsticks behave this way whether it is a high-end or not.
I usually have zero problem with cool-toned pink, but this time I felt I needed to balance out the excessive pinkiness. Khaki eyeshadows usually come in handy for that.
Makeup itmes used
L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm Pop Wild Lily
Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quadra Enigma (top right)
Jane Blushing Cheek Blushing Orchid Shimmer (discontinued)
L'Oreal Voluminous Manga Waterproof mascara Very Black
Marc Jacobs Eyeliner Black
I used the shimmery khaki eyeshadow from Chanel Enigma all over, and lined my lower lash lines and the top corners with the Prestige liner (which I mindlessly use every single day yet I never talked about).
Marc Jacobs liner was used to tightline although it doesn't show in this picture.
L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm Pop Wild Lily in context
(wearing NEO Vision Shimmer Honey lenses here)
Highly pigmented lipsticks with opaque coverage often appear harsh and aging on my already pigmented and well-defined lips, so I have to think that some of us look better with sheer lipsticks.
To me, L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm Pop certainly isn't a balm. It is not even a sheer lipstick, if you ask me. I'd say it is a semi-opaque lipstick with glossy finish because I find it is quite similar to its other sibling, Colour Riche Caresse Lipstick except for that Balm Pop is more pleasantly scented.
I feel slightly irritated thinking, "Why did they have to put in more pigment and ruin the perfectly good thing? What is so wrong about a tinted lip balm being sheer?".
But then, it is an added choice, not a reformulation. So let it go, Lena. You sort of like this lipstick anyway.
Thanks for reading.
Have you tried L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm Pop?
What is your lipstick preference in general?
*Disclosures*
OH DEAR. This shade is just seriously gorgeous! I love that violet purplish undertone to it! I have a blush that would go with this so well! I've yet to swatch or check these out in store yet but would love to! I'm actually trying to do the opposite by focusing less on the drugstore and cheaper products and aiming to get fewer more expensive items that I've been wanting forever! I personally like light to medium pigmented lip colors which a moist texture!
ReplyDeleteYou wear all kinds of pinks so nicely, so I am sure this will look fabulous on you, Sharlynn!
DeleteI guess I am buying more of higher-ends lately, but I have respect for some of the drugstore offerings (especially from L'Oreal & Revlon), so I wanted to check these out. They are all nice. I will review them soon, too. :)
That is a really pretty shade and I agree with you, drugstore lipsticks have become so much better. I haven't tried this particular one though.
ReplyDeleteSome of the L'Oreal lippies are really close to higher-ends, too. I'm actually obssessed about the Wet Shine Stain and have 7 of them. LOL
DeleteLOL Lena. Yes, just let it go. You look stunning in this pink! I'm kinda jealous, because I know I can't pull it off :-)
ReplyDelete;D Thank you, Lily! I think if this particular color was sheerer, it would be universally flattering. I think I want one of those Lancome Baume thingy after this experience. ;p
DeleteI love colours like these but can't pull them off, it looks great on you! On an everyday basis I defintiely prefer sheer lipsticks. I can get away with wearing brighter colours when they are sheer and don't have to be worried all the time if they are smearing.
ReplyDeleteIt still offers some sheerness, and I find bright pink/fuchsia looks great on skin with olive undertones. It looks so exotic! Balm Pop is very easy to work with, for sure. Maybe more so for the other colors, too. :)
DeleteLOL Lena hahaha! This is so pretty on you! I like these a lot-and you are right-some people suit sheer lipsticks more than others! My lip line is horrible, so I think I look better in opaque lipsticks.
ReplyDeleteSilly Tracy, your lip line is perfect! I remember admiring this shade on you back in the summer. I'm about 6 months late to try this! LOL
DeleteI am swooning over that FOTD, Lena! It's gorgeous! The khaki eye shades are the perfect match. I love pinks like this, actually - the purple lean makes them so interesting!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Larie! The contacts are cool brown color and show up khaki on me, too. ;)
DeleteThis almost unnatural pink is quite interesting, I have to agree with you. I kinda want a matching nail polish, too. ^-^;
Haha. Love how you ended this post. Classic. I don't own much from L'oreal lipstick, lip gloss or lip balm wise. I actually only have the one nude lipstick that was really popular...can't remember the name right now. That is a really bright pink and more pigment than I would have expected. :-)
ReplyDeleteI used to really dislike L'Oreal lipsticks. The old ones had this perfumy taste and scent! Now I like them maybe better than Revlon's offerings (I used to favor them by far) ;)
DeleteLOL. The colour is gorgeous and suits you really well. I appreciate sheerness too but sometimes the colour gets totally lost and I love the brightness of this shade. It's weird, I used to LOVE L'Oreal but lately they have no pull on me. I don't know anything about this balm series but now will have to check it out. Thanks a lot. ;)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Liz! :)
DeleteTo think about it, this would satisfy more people than the original Balm. I'm still quite fond of what L'Oreal has offered in the recent years. Love to see some more shades from the Wet Shine Stain range. I bought practically every color, so I can't buy any more even if I wanted to. ;-/
Ooh the shade makes your skin brighter and more porcelain than usual :) tinted lip balms are my fav kind of lippies! I sadly suffer from very dry lips and a lot of lipsticks make me peel
ReplyDeleteThank you, Meiko. :) It is a very brightening shade, for sure! I don't think this is more moisturizing than other sheer lipstick although it is quite comfortable on lips. The original Balm is more hydrating.
DeleteNever tried l'oreal lipsticks and this has gotten me interested! I'm all about the sheer balm lipsticks <3
ReplyDeletewww.chubbylamb.ca
I didn't like them before at all! They all had this outdated lipstick scent but not they are different. Plus I can see close dupes for many higher-ends from the brand as well. :)
DeleteLove the look you created! The khaky eyeshadow look is amazing :) This lipstick has such a gorgeous shade, but I can definitely see why it's not perfect ;) xx
ReplyDeleteGyudy's Notes Of Beauty
Thank you, Gyudy. :)
DeleteAll shades in the Enigma quadra looks interesting and pigmented. I like pairing pinks with khakis. ;p
Even though it wasn't love and first swipe, the color looks smashing on you!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteI actually bought a Glossy Balm based on your review and I love it a lot. (will review it soon!) ;D
I thought it looked really nice on you! I love love love this kind of pink so even if the formula seems a bit "off", I'd still buy it and wear it. :) I really don't care for sheer lip balms unless I'm just being lazy at home. :D
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am quite fond of the color for myself but just wish it went sheerer and thinner on the lips. The balace would have been perfect since the color is so intense in its own way. Maybe I'd like other colors better since the formulation isn't half bad to being with. :)
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