Laura Mercier Lip Stain
From LoveToKnow Makeup
Quick, effortless and instantly beautifying, the Laura Mercier Lip Stain has proven an integral part of my makeup collection.
On-the-Go Beauty
We're always in a rush these days, whether it's because we're running late for work or multitasking several hundred things at once in an effort to just be done with it all a bit quicker.
Unfortunately, that special "me time" devoted strictly to beauty and pampering can often get shoved by the wayside in the process. To that end, many cosmetic manufacturers are now recognizing the need for portable, fast and efficient beauty products that make an effective difference without requiring too much effort or time. Frankly, even I, beauty obsession firmly intact, could do with something like that.
On-the-go beauty products are those that don't require several tools to apply; heck, you wouldn't even need a mirror in a perfect world. I was drawn to the Laura Mercier Lip Stain for that reason alone – it seemed foolproof and the colors were lovely.
About the Laura Mercier Lip Stain
The Lip Stain collection includes six colors:
- Mocha: A warm brown touched with a hint of rose.
- Mulberry: A red, plum-like brown.
- Peach Glaze: A neutral, sheer peach and the closest thing to nude in the lineup.
- Scarlet: A brilliant, classic cherry red.
- Shy Pink: A neutral, pinkish-brown.
- Sugar Violet: A violet-plum with a rosy background.
The products are formulated to do two things: provide the long-lasting color of a stain and impart the comfort and shine of a lip gloss. This hybrid formula makes it a bit different from traditional lip stains on the market, the majority of which feel quite dry upon application and usually appear matte.
The Lip Stain Colors
I used Mulberry, Shy Pink and Sugar Violet for a few weeks to get a feel for the product. I quickly discovered that Mulberry is the deepest and most "dressy" color of the three; in other words, it's a shade ideal to wear on an evening out or paired with a glamorous black dress. Paired with my dark hair and relatively fair skin, it boldly stands out. If I wish to wear it during the day, a hint of gloss tones it down a bit. Since it's so dramatic, the color works best if it stands out alone – keep the eyes minimal.
Shy Pink is by far the most wearable, natural color of the bunch. It appears as one of the highly coveted "your lips but better" shades that many women often search in vain for. It adds a bit of depth to my natural lip color and plays well with dark, dramatic eye makeup or even a more neutral eye look. The options are endless with a color like this.
Iridescent, surprisingly shimmery and a bit too heavy on the berry tones for my taste, Sugar Violet unfortunately was not very wearable on me. Despite looking very pretty in the pot, the color transformed into something much too bright and garish when applied.
What's the Stainability?
My main concern, in addition to the product's duration, was how it would feel on my lips. Though I've always been a big fan of lip stains in general, I've never quite found one that has felt comfortable on my lips. I've usually ended up defeating the purpose and applying a generous amount of gloss on top of the stain in an effort to impart some moisture. The benefit of the Laura Mercier Lip Stain is that it does offer some moisture; the downside is that this seems to take away from the lasting effect of the stain.
My experience with these lip stains was interesting. I found great success with Mulberry and Shy Pink, in regard to both color and durability. The Mulberry shade in particular lasts quite a while; because it's so dark, it just leaves its mark more prominently than the other shades. Shy Pink also lasts for hours, much to my surprise. Most colors in this family seem to vanish quite quickly, in my experience. On the other hand, Sugar Violet disappeared into thin air within an hour of application – without any help in the form of drinking or eating. In short, the colors all leave a stain behind, but how long it lasts seems to be luck of the draw.
The Verdict
An overall very pretty color selection makes the collection attractive at first glance. The stains are easy to grab and go, though in general I prefer applying them with a lip brush as opposed to dipping my finger in the pot. That said, applying it with a finger is not difficult and is, in fact, rather quick. More neutral shades, like Shy Pink, are much more appropriate for applying in this manner; dark shades may require more attention.
The stains retail for $20 each. Are they worth the price? I'm inclined to say yes, because the pot will last quite a while and the product is satisfactory. It's definitely a staple in my makeup bag at the moment! On the other hand, it's a good idea to test out the color beforehand. It's also important to keep in mind that the gloss formula prevents it, in my experience, from being as effective as a traditional stain. And for that glossy effect, I much prefer the Laura Mercier Stickgloss to this. It may be worth picking up one or trying to score a sample at a Mercier counter if you can!
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