Review: Makeup: Shiseido Integrate lipgloss

My friend loved this lipgloss by Shiseido Integrate so much that she sent me this as a gift. Integrate is another brand under the Shiseido umbrella and its presently only available in Japan. Some stores in Hong Kong or Taiwan may stock some of the items or colours, but in the main, this is a Japan only brand. Pity really, as this looks like an interesting brand.

The Integrate Glamourous Rouge lipgloss comes in the shape of a pen with a clear body where you can see the colour of your gloss. However, the amount is very little. That bit of colour you see is about all you’ll get.

Initially, I thought that it was similar to the Stila Lip Glazes, where there’s a brush as an applicator. However, when I opened up the cap, I was surprised to see that there was no brush at the end, but a silicone spatula. Very odd.

You twist the bottom of the pen and the colour will ooze out the middle bit of the applicator. You then dab the colour on your lip and spread it out using the spatula. As its made of silicone, its pretty flexible. However, I found myself scraping off the colour rather than spreading it. That was until I pretended it was a butter knife and applied it that way. Then, I got it to spread nicely.

When you are done, just twist the bottom in the opposite direction and the excess colour will be sucked back into the tube so you don’t get a mess. Clever!

The colour looks scary in the pen, but when applied, its a cool sheer pink without much shimmer. Its not sticky and in fact, feels very comfortable on. Its not super shiny either. Just a nice sheer gloss with a tint of colour. The colour stays on quite long too, for a gloss. However, what puts me off a little, is the scent. When you apply the gloss, there is a sweet scent that lingers for a bit. I found it a tad cloying.

I’m not sure of the price, it being a gift, but I think Integrate ranks slightly below Maquillage, so I don’t expect it came cheap. In fact, they use Angelina Jolie as their spokes model. She can’t come cheap!

I’m not sure if or when this line will be released overseas. If you’d like to try it, there are some limited items from this brand in Adambeauty. I haven’t tried buying from them, so you are on your own there!

Pros: Long lasting for a gloss, sheer glossy colour, innovative design

Cons: Sweet scent, not much product

[rating:3.5/5]