Laura Mercier Stickgloss
From LoveToKnow Makeup
Life is so much easier when you have a product that you can rely on at all times, and for me, one of those daily essentials is the Laura Mercier Stickgloss. This lightweight lip color is available in a cornucopia of shades and boasts an incredibly moisturizing formula.
A Change for the Better
I'm not a big fan of matte lipsticks -their drying tendencies feel very uncomfortable as the day wears on, and the colors tend to look harsh on my fuller lips, and I prefer not to wear glosses without lipstick.
In that case, I may occasionally find myself in a bit of a conundrum if I'm looking for the best of both worlds. Many companies now offer lip products that combine all the color of a lipstick with the sheen and moisture of a gloss, but the problem is usually that the effects (both color and shine) do not last very long.
It was a no-brainer for me when I came across the Laura Mercier Stickgloss selection while doing my usual walk through the cosmetic department one day. I've always had marvelous luck with Mercier's products; everything from her body and skin care to her fragrances and cosmetics have always served me well and been a great investment.
However, her lipsticks have always left a funny taste in my mouth – quite literally. Everything from the musty, almost moldy aroma to the slightly chalky texture always convinced me to keep my distance from them.
This time, though, I noticed that the lip products had been repackaged into sleeker, shinier and more petite tubes. The sales associate informed me that the problems associated with the older lip products no longer applied to these, and that the Stickglosses in particular were being met with great fanfare.
The Colors
The Stickglosses are marketed as something of a wonder product for the lips. Mercier states that they are part lip balm, part lip color and part Lip Glace (a richly-pigmented gloss in the Mercier lineup). If the claims are to be believed, it's a moisturizer, lipstick and lip gloss in one.
Available in 16 colors, each Stickgloss is $20 and promises to deliver endless color, shine and moisture to the lips. That's a lofty claim, since most products tend to vanish within an hour or so. It's also quite an expense for a small tube, but I purchased two with cautious optimism.
- Brown Sugar is a delightful pinkish-brown shade that tends to fall more on the nude end of the spectrum. Depending on one's coloring, it can either look pale or dark. On me, it looked quite minimal and understated, very similar to my own lip color but with a shot of pinkish tint to liven things up. The color is flattering and versatile enough to wear year round.
- Maple is a deep, earthy, rusty reddish-brown that is essentially made to wear as soon as the weather starts to cool down. Despite its dark appearance (which I would normally avoid in a traditional lipstick), I was attracted to this because of the sheer finish. On my lips, it looked dramatic, but not flamboyant or over-the-top. Beautiful with neutral eyes and rose-flushed cheeks, it instantly perked up my look.
The Formula
The Stickgloss formula is quite impressive, not least because it happens to do just what it claims to. The color lasts as a lipstick would, the shine is ample as one would expect from a gloss and my lips felt supple and smooth the entire day. Of course, a glossy product will inevitably wipe off a bit after eating or drinking for extended periods, so I did have to reapply a couple of times. Fortunately, a quick slick is all it takes – I consider this the high-end equivalent of a tinted lip balm.
As mentioned, the formula is sheer, so even the darkest colors will not overpower the way a traditional lipstick might. The majority of the shades are universally flattering and wearable, ranging from low-key nude tones (such as Brown Sugar and Patchouli) to vibrant, shimmery shades (such as Quartz and Peony).
The Laura Mercier Stickgloss Verdict
Though my expectations were low, I was almost immediately thrilled with these great lip colors. In fact, I've added a couple more to my collection since my initial purchase. The Stickgloss provides lasting color, noticeable shine and endless moisture. In other words, it does what it promises to, nothing more, nothing less. It's a winner.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 603 times. This page was last modified 03:48, 16 March 2009.
© 2006-2009 LoveToKnow Corp.
Print this page
Follow ltk on twitter
Visit us on facebook