I’m kind of a tough crowd when it comes to beauty, if you haven’t already gathered that from reading here. I was initially a Glossier holdout. I wrote more about that in my review of Boy Brow which was really when the brand first blew me away. Boy Brow is the best brow product I’ve tried. I literally use it every day (I use the brunette shade as I like my brows to be a bit darker.) I just like feeling like my brows are groomed + defined, but not in an unnatural sort of way.
More recently, the brand launched a few more makeup items. I was excited to try them but also a little skeptical. Anytime a brand gets such a crazy amount of PR, I’m always a little bit skeptical. And then I tried the new lip stains. Oh boy, I had a new favorite.
The lip stains are the perfect lip product for those of us who want a low-maintenance but still really pretty look. The formula is a bit magical as it glides on very smoothly, and isn’t the tiniest bit drying, but it’s also super matte (but a natural, I’ve been eating berries/sucking on a popsicle matte, as opposed to the Kylie Lip Kit sort of matte. There’s nothing wrong with the Kylie look, I just happen to prefer a more natural look… and I like to be able to see my lips through the color.
The stains retail for $18 a pop, and they’re practically perfect. I really love them all. I’ve swatched them below but to summarize… “Cake” is your perfect nude. Think of your lips but a little bit better and more even in tone. “Like” is for when you want a subtle pink shade. It’s like applying blush to your lips. It isn’t obvious that you are wearing makeup, you just look a bit more flushed. “Crush” is probably my favorite of the bunch as it’s a red… but red “undone.” Know when you’ve had lipstick on for hours and don’t look in the mirror for a while? Ninety percent of the time, you look terrible. But every now and then the lipstick just fades to a subtle red stain and you look really pretty. That’s what this looks like… without the guessing game. Last but not least, “Jam” is the modern-day Clinique black honey, in that it’s got that same beautiful berry pigment… but it’s matte. It’s also the most saturated of the bunch.
This is my favorite lip product right now. I daresay I’m obsessed!
(swatched, from left: Jam, Crush, Like, Cake.)
(in package, from left: Cake, Jam, Crush, Like.)
want them so badly but I live in Italy
xo
http://www.cherry-mag.com
These look awesome! I love a good barely there lip. I might have to try these out!
emily
http://www.deltachic.com
Hi Grace, just received your “cat lady” newsletter which is great, but I wasn’t sure where to comment, so I am doing it here. As an older lady, I can tell you a few “words of wisdom” . The boy/girl thing never changes , no matter how old you get. It still fells like you are a teenager trying to navigate an alien planet (men). As someone who grew up talking on the phone, I can honestly say, you can tell tell a lot about a guy( and often whether you have chemistry) from his voice. Texting, doesn’t have pauses or inflection or if he can actually speak a coherent sentence . I wouldn’t go on a date with a guy, if he didn’t call me. I would think he is lazy, can’t speak and has no class. The main thing is though, there is less room for error. It’s easy for a lot of jerks to hide with social media. It gives everyone a “voice”. Sometimes that’s good and often not. I have friends of all ages and quite a few are Millennials, so I’m thinking it is not just an age thing, but also a how you were raised thing. To each their own. But, I think people could save themselves a lot of wasted time, hope and texts, if they spoke on the phone first. I had no idea that some people felt the way you and your friends do, so that explains a lot. I’ve had text exchanges with guys and suggested that we have a “live” conversation before we met. The jerks were quicker to weed out. Texting is just too easy and much less meaningful. It makes it very easy to ghost someone too. 🙂 My two cents.
I TOTALLY agree with this and was thinking the exact same thing as CY. Grace, I think your “Southern Gentleman” deserves points for making the effort and calling. And this is coming from someone who doesn’t really like to spend a lot of time on the phone because I don’t have a lot of time to spare. But I do appreciate guys who make the time to pick up the phone and call. I love that after he called you realized hey, I like talking to him like this!
The other thing I’ve noticed about guys who just text: it seems it quickly escalates to sexting! Gross when it’s someone I barely know. Maybe it’s just the classless guys I’ve had the misfortune of meeting! Anyway, Grace, good luck with your guy … and enjoy the calls!
PS. Looking forward to trying these stains, I like the same kind of lip! I haven’t tried the boy brow yet. I am currently loving my dupe version by NYX in brunette. It’s less than $5.
I can’t wait to try these!
I just love your writing style! I feel like I’m talking to a friend about the product as I’m reading about it. Brilliant piece.
–Roxanne
http://GlassofGlam.com
I’d love to know if you’ve tried any of their masks or skincare products. Like you, I’ve been super skeptical of the hype w/ Glossier. So hard to tell if it’s all smoke and mirrors and big advertising/marketing budgets! xx
So here’s the deal. I’ve tried out the whole line. It isn’t bad but it isn’t great either. I think it’s a great entry-level skincare set… I would have loved it in high school or college. I just want something a bit more high-tech now… or all natural. One or the other. I just felt kind of blah about the line which bummed me out as Emily is such an expert when it comes to skincare.
There are a few exceptions. I have not tried the Milky Jelly Cleanser but I have a few friends who adore it. I also LOVE the coconut balm dot calm (it smells so good!!) The masks are decent but the green one was too strong for my skin (it’s really sensitive and I don’t do well with deep cleanse/clay masks). I really liked the white mask (I think it’s called the Moon Mask? It’s super hydrating and great if your skin is irritated or dry.
Hope that’s helpful!
Ooooh, those two middle pinks are calling my name! so pretty.
nice colors
http://www.myhappynook.com
Those are beautiful lip colors! I find that I reach for that type of a product this time of year and through the summer. I don’t care for the look of a heavy matte lip when the weather gets warm out. I just like a little color with a more natural side. Great review!
Pam
Pam’s Life
Loved seeing you review on these!
Tianna | http://www.bigcitytyro.com
I have been dying to try these—like you, I think from the looks of it Crush might end up being my favorite!
yessss! so glad you did a review on these, i’ve been so curious! I think Jam is my jam.
love! Thanks for the honest review!!!
Want them all!
Hi Grace! Do you find these very different from the beautycounter lip sheers?
Hi Casey,
Yes – they are two very different products. The lip sheers are more like a balm. A little bit shiny, and super moisturizing. The stains, while velvety in consistency are not hydrating and there is absolutely zero shine – they go on very matte. (I would not put these on chapped lips, whereas the lip sheer would be great if your lips are dry).
Pigment-wise they are pretty similar. Both deliver a sheer wash of color (with the exception of Jam which is very saturated), but formula-wise, they could not be more different!
I would like to order cake lip stain and like!!
I do not see where to order?
Please help I live in Pennsylvania. USA
Hi Katie,
You need to go to the Glossier website and place your order… this is just a blog, not an ecommerce site!
Were you tired? Weary? Or did you mean leery?