So, I usually hate liquid lipsticks. Especially those that dry matte. Either they dry to a uncomfortable tight layer and suck every bit of moisture out of my lips until they look like raisins, or they leave a gloopy mess that slides around, never settles, and still feels uncomfortable, and still feel drying. Still, I wanted to try out the new EL Pure Color Envy Liquid Lip Potions.
Why, you may ask? Well, look at EL’s own description of these new liquid lipsticks and it becomes clear why I fell for them:
“This innovative liquid lipstick hybrid plumps with continuous moisture. Saturates with high-intensity color, without sticky shine. Lips look pouty, sculpted, sexy. Creamy, moisture-rich formula glides on in one effortless swipe of bold liquid color. Goes on wet. Comes on strong. Lasts up to 8 hours. Oil elixir-infused formula is infused with avocado, jojoba and sunflower oils, creating a luxuriously comfortable, satin-matte finish. Dual-sided applicator lets you shape and color with precise definition. One side has a rounded tip that follows the curves of your lips. The other, a well that holds extra color to build impact. Depth, dimension and definition in one stroke.” (EL PR)
I mean, how could I not try at least one?! It promises everything: moisture, rich colour, and longevity. I got Strange Bloom after swatching every colour on my hand first. That’s an easy colour for me to wear – a wine red that leans neither particularly warm or cool. Plus, it’s a shade where finish and colour fit very well together – I think it looks very sophisticated with that satiny finish.
Application
You can use the applicator, but it’s not my favourite way to apply the LLP (Liquid Lip Potion). I rather use a lip pencil for precise edges. I also like to use a transparent lip liner around the edges of my lips, because it gives a crisper look. I haven’t experienced any feathering though, which is very good, because the times, they are a-changing and nobody’s getting any younger and lips are getting wrinkly. Lauder mentions the little ‘reservoir’ on one side of the applicator that’s supposed to hold extra colour, and I don’t like it. Not because it messes with the application, not at all, but I find it rather unsanitary. Rimmel/Manhattan did the same when they came out with their Apocalips/Lip Lacquers, but their applicator looks like a standard doe-foot lipgloss applicator, while the LLP applicator is slightly curved to hug your lips.
Texture
Yeah, baby! LOVE. Sorry, I’m not being objective right here. I love the formula, and I think that this is the perfect formula for people who don’t like the typical liquid lipstick formula, and people with less than perfect lips – i.e., everybody over 30 whose lips aren’t baby bottom smooth and plump any longer.
So, like EL promised, the formula doesn’t dry out your lips. It never dries down completely and it has some slip for the whole time you’re wearing it (until it has worn down to a stain), but it isn’t slippery, and you never have that uncomfortable feeling of some gloopy mess sliding around on your lips. (Which I experienced with the Apocalips formula.) Because it doesn’t dry out your lips, your lips look quite smooth and plump while you’re wearing the LLP – no old raisin look here! The finish is a quite shiny satin right until the end when it’s just staining your lips. It looks grown-up and sophisticated.
Longevity
Yeah, well. I haven’t had the urge to wear any lip product for 8 hours in my life ever. Even if some matte lipsticks maybe would have the staying power, I just don’t like it. I’m not into that slightly faded look with that ring of colour around the lips. Nope. I’d rather re-apply after a few hours. And guess what? I never had that with the LLP. Why? Because of the texture. I applied Strange Bloom in the morning and went on with my life. I had some tea, some water, and then lunch (very greasy pasta). While it hold up very well when I drunk something (it’s not transfer- or kiss-proof) after lunch the dreaded fading started and all the original colour appeared to be only at the edges of my lips. I pressed my lips together, smooshed them around a bit, and voilà! A light, but even layer of colour on my lips. That wore down quite soon to a stain, which looked very pretty as well. All in all, you’ll likely get four to six hours of wear with this – maybe even 8 if you’re not fussed and like to wear a stain. The best thing is that your lips won’t feel dried out even then.
Colour range
The line-up is divided into colour groups.
Nudes and browns: (Naked Ambition) Extreme Nude, Bitter Sweet
Corals and reds: Fierce Beauty, Cold Fire, Lethal Red, Strange Bloom
Pinks and berries: (Not So Innocent) (Pierced Petal) Wicked Sweet, Naughty Naive, Quiet Riot
Mauves and plums: Vague Obsession (Fragile Ego) True Liar (Savage Garden)
(Here in Germany, we seem to have a line-up of 12 LLP – eleven shades plus a clear lip plumper. Shades that aren’t available here are in brackets.)
The nudes seem to reflect the trend to brownish lipcolours. I rather like that they included brights, but I feel that for me, the finish works especially well for darker shades.
Conclusion
What’s not to like? Honestly, I really think it’s an exceptional formula. Matte lip aficionados won’t appreciate the formula as much as I do, but for me, it’s perfect. Grown-up, non-boring colours, non-drying formula, non-feathering, satiny, non-slippery texture. I’ll get more.
Availability
Permanent at Estée Lauder counters, EL online and Sephora/Douglas for around $30/31€.
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