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*
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