I believe these wildly popular balm stains from Revlon arrived on our shores towards the end of 2012. So wildly popular, they eclipsed the popularity of the Revlon Lip Butters. Now that’s quite a feat don’t you agree? I thought the Lip Butter craze was bad enough!
Yet, I will understand the craze for the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains. They have been touted by many to be the drugstore or low end version of the other wildly popular stick lipbalm – Clinique Chubby Stick. This is where I will disagree wholeheartedly with all comparisons and allegations of dupes. The Revlon and Clinique lipbalm sticks are NOTHING like each other. Nothing. Thinking they are will leave you disappointed.
You see, the Clinique Chubby Stick is a tinted lipbalm (for the record, I don’t like them. They dry out my lips) Expect colour to be sheer and for it to provide your lips with more moisture. The Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains are lipbalm stains. The “Stain” bit is a give away that it will offer more pigment and also last on lips. Chalk and cheese, if you ask me. If there is a “dupe” I would compare these to the Clinique Chubby Stick Intense versions with a caveat that the Clinique ones aren’t as long lasting.
I picked up the Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey and Romantic at the peak of the craze. I didn’t like them. I told all my friends so. I found it drying and it didn’t feel right. Then 2 months ago, I rediscovered these in my drawer and thought I’d use them again just to see if my opinion had changed. Much to my surprise, 6 months down the road, I find myself using these almost regularly and I don’t even know how or why it works. Now, it just does! I’m weird 😛
The Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains are packaged as lip crayons which make them very easy to use. You quite literally draw on the outline of your lips and then colour it in. Quite a no brainer in terms of application. It is also very portable and wallet friendly so I can understand why many people like it.
At a glance, they do look very much like their higher end Clinique cousin’s don’t they? The difference will lie in the cap. The cap on these Revlon ones aren’t silver, but a matching colour to the body. Just a minor detail. It is otherwise similarly packaged. Twist up the silver base and the stick will extend or retract as you please. No need for sharpening.
I will confess to a slightly weird feeling when I apply these because they leave a minty feel and scent on my lips. I don’t like lip products with a minty feeling. I prefer them to just be tasteless and odourless. It will go away after a while, but that initial bit always bugs me.
As for the balm qualities, let’s just say that I’m not a lipbalm user so I’m not your best gauge. This applies with a balmy feeling like a more intense version of the Dior Addict lipstick but does not feel waxy or heavy going on. I wouldn’t say that these are your most moisturizing lipbalms because they aren’t. The first few times I used Honey, I disliked how it felt because it actually felt drying. On hindsight, it could well be that I wasn’t drinking sufficient water back then, or that I am doing something better now i.e. drinking more water in the day, so my lips don’t dry out. I don’t use lipbalm as a rule. I don’t believe in them and I actually think using them creates an over-dependency on them but that’s me and my half-baked theories 😛
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain swatch Left: Honey Right: Romantic
I swatched 2 layers of these and you can probably see just how pigmented they are on skin. Honey is a wonderful my-lips-but-better shade that I believe will suit many women. The colour on me is a natural soft rose that is perfect for a day-to-day look. Romantic is a warm, bright red that is, for want of a better word, bright.
In terms of these being lip stains, I have to say that they are quite impressive. For days when I know I need my lipstick to last, I’ve taken to wearing Romantic because the colour does last. It lasts me all through my morning coffee and drinks and all the way past oily noodles at lunch. Of course, it does fade a little by then, but I can just top up the colour with a light Dior Addict lipgloss and it’s enough to go on again. Impressive!
Usually lip stains dry my lips out but these don’t. Again, it wasn’t always the case. Back in November/December 2012, it did. Now, it doesn’t. Don’t ask me why but it might be because I now ensure I stay hydrated all day more diligently than I used to.
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain on lips Left: Honey Right: Romantic
The colour isn’t matte, having just a light gloss so it doesn’t look too flat on lips. The stain isn’t matte either. I have swatched most of the other colours at the counter and I can say that the colour quality varies quite a lot. I picked these 2 up as they are colours I’d usually use. I never went back to the counter because I know I disliked the other colours which were pale pinks that make me look dead, or weird fuchsia colours that clash with my skintone and one curious orange that will make me look like an orange. I still won’t go near them until I see a better selection of colours available.
So, here I am wearing Honey which has become an everyday colour for me. It makes me look natural and polished without drawing too much attention to my lipstick.
And for glam factor, we have Romantic for that pop of colour and attention. Importantly, the wear time is impressive and it does not leave that dreaded ring around your lips where it wears out from inside out. It wears quite evenly which is pretty impressive.
Also wearing: Guerlain BB Beauty Booster in Light, Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla, Lunasol Smokey Ocean eyeshadow palette
I’m glad I decided to give these a second chance. They have quite certainly surprised me the second time around. If I had written a review back in December 2012, I’d have said forget it, don’t get these. Now, I’d say give them a chance. They aren’t highly raved by many for nothing 🙂
In a nutshell
The Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains are affordable lip crayons that have good pigment and longevity on lips. There is a slight minty feeling and taste when I first apply and that does bug me because I dislike it. However it will dissipate. The colour Honey is a colour I think most people will like because it gives lips a lovely tint of natural rosey colour. Romantic is an intense red that not everyone will go for, but it is a good option if you are trying out bright lipstick. The wear time is impressive and does leave a stain on lips that lasts. I originally found these drying but I don’t any longer which is very strange. On me, there is a light gloss and isn’t matte at all. I’d say they are nice and affordable lip products to have but do not treat them as a lipbalm because I don’t think they are moisturizing enough and they are nothing like Clinique Chubby Stick lipbalms. That’s my last word on this.
Pros: Affordable, Longlasting colour and stain on lips, Easy to use and portable, Honey and Romantic are good colours to have
Cons: Minty scent and taste bugs me, Some people may find it drying as I originally did, Weird selection of colours
Who will like this: Anyone who likes intense lip colour that lasts a long time, Anyone who likes lip crayon style lipsticks
I’m sure many of you have tried these – what’s your verdict then? Have a favourite colour?
I’ve been pleasantly surprised, I don’t deny. My favourite colour is actually…. Honey! Haha! I don’t usually go for such neutralish shades as you will notice, but it serves its purpose well and works for everyday, and especially well when working with deeper eye colours 🙂 Yours?
Paris B
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain Price: RM32.90 or watch out for sales Availability: Revlon counters at most major pharmacies and Sasa
I have tried this lipbalm in Crush, which is an okay color for my pigmented lips, though a tad too purplish. I’ve wanted to try it out in Honey, but haven’t yet because it definitely did dry out my lips the few times I’ve used it. However, my lips are typically very dry, and I’m trying to keep them more hydrated. I might try out Honey once that’s happened.
Ah I think anyone who has dry lips will have a bit of a problem with these simply because they are drying. I just managed to get them to work on my non dry lips. You won’t miss out on anything not having this one, really 😉
I think I’ll give Honey a shot. My lips are not naturally pigmented at all and my hunt for nude/natural shades always end up making me look washed out.
By the way, I do realise that some products work at different times of the year and I think the weather change does effect our skin somewhat. I definitely require richer and more moisturizing stuff on my skin during the “winter” period (as I like to call it :D) i.e during the north-east monsoon season. My skin becomes significantly drier so I’m hardly surprised that certain products work better / not as well then. In the past, for example, I used to experience that the skin at the corners of my mouth would flake and I’d have cracked lips. But after changing my skin care to take into account the lack of moisture during the “winter” season, I no longer have this problem.
Hmm I like your idea of the different “seasons” affecting our skins. I’m going to pay a little more attention. So far, I have been able to detect when my skin feels like it needs more moisture and when it has enough. But I never thought of it in terms of seasons! 😀 Honey is a very flattering colour to most, I believe. Definitely doesn’t wash me out and I don’t suppose it’ll wash you out either!
Haha we both have a lip crayon thingy today haha! Great minds think alike! 🙂
I like these too! I only have one though-the colours are kind of weird I agree. You look lovely in both and your skin is all GLOWY. Dang it I need that Guerlain BB Cream haha!
Haha! Great minds indeed! Thanks Tracy and yes, you got to get that BB 😛 I do often wonder why Revlon came out with such strange colours. It’s like they were targeting these at teens 😛
Both colors look really nice on you! Love the smooth finish also! 😀
I know this is a review on the lip stuff but what were you wearing on your cheeks? The blush is SO NICE!! 😀
Thanks Jenn! You know, I racked my brains so hard but couldn’t remember what I had on my cheeks! That’s why I didn’t include it 🙁
I might revisit this again after your review. Hahaha. I remember disliking the minty feel on my lips when I tested them last year. I do remember how pigmented they were and also they did leave a nice stain on the lips. The colour selection is not great though and also that it can be a little bit drying. So lips need to be well-hydrated to wear this lippie.
You’re absolutely right about lips having to be well hydrated. I just wore this a couple of days ago when I couldn’t drink a lot of water and eeks! Old wrinkly lips! 😛 For some I can imagine it’s a bit more trouble than it’s worth 😀
Paris! I have this in Honey which I use every single day! This thing is SERIOUSLY pigmented. I remember applying them heavy-handedly and without buffing them in with my finger (as I do now with this and most other lipsticks) the first time I wore it right after the purchase. Caught myself in the mirror 2 hours later and went ‘Where did those lips come from?!?’
For day to day office/day look, since I don’t wear eyeshadows and crazy blush, one layer of Honey, buffed in with finger is perfect. It adds healthy colour to my lips (they look dead otherwise – not so professional eh) without looking disproportionately colourful in comparison to the rest of my neutral face. If I want a little bit more colour, I wear another layer on top, and it is perfect. Lips look JUST BITTEN and the colour last and last. And very importantly, I find that even with the rest of my face gone by the end of a working day, this on its own still doesn’t look OTT.
One last note on lasting power – this thing clings to every piece of skin on lips. I actually have to use makeup remover/vaseline to remove them. Planning to pick up the intense fushcia one for my crazy days!
Woohoo, Irene! High 5! 😀 I don’t find these deepening on me after a while as some people have reported but then maybe I don’t notice because I am used to brighter lips. But you’re right. Honey is a very good colour to perk up the complexion when you feel a little dead. I do notice that I have to run a cotton pad with makeup remover over it at the end of the day and it’s still pink! Yikes!
Colors don’t look weird on lips, quite ‘healthy’ and soft
That they do, Lina 🙂
I absolutely love these Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain, I have them in the shade Honey and Adore. I don’t expect them to be as moisturizing as a lip balm, but I would say that when I’m out and in need of a lip balm, only to realize I don’t have any with me except for these Balm Stain, it’s moisturizing enough. And I love how long lasting they are because I just don’t have the habit of touching up makeup, even just lip color. I love the shade Honey so much, it’s quite similar to my lip color, really a MLBB shade. I’m not brave enough to rock a red lips but I find that Adore is quite a wearable red.
Haha you sound like me, Emma. I don’t touch up my makeup either 😛 The only thing I do touch up is lip colour and then, only if I have to meet someone after it’s all gone e.g in the afternoon or towards the end of the day. haha! These are great for those times when I forget only to realise I still have a tint of colour on lips 🙂 I haven’t seen Adore (I’m not sure if we have that one here) but I agree with you on Honey. I think anyone who likes these have to own that colour!
Ohhhh… I have Romantic too! And I love it to bits. Really long lasting. I don’t wear is as opaque as you though. Most of the time I’ll just apply slightly just enough to give my lips a bit of colour.
Yay for Romantic! 🙂 I guess I’m just too used to wearing opaque lip colours haha! Everything is piled on 😛 But a light tint sounds pretty too!
At first, i thought it was drying too. But friends raved about them so much that i bought Honey. wow, i luv it! luv it so much that i bought almost all the shades recently. I have to prep my lips with a lip scrub/ washcloth and a very hydrating lipbalm about 15mins before putting them.
Wow MJ, all the shades! Which is your fave? 🙂 You are right about them sticking to flaky bits which is why I hesitate to recommend them as a balm because I don’t think they act that way. They will catch on all the dry flaky skin and make it look worse 😛 I don’t usually use a lipbalm though so I’m probably not the best person to comment on that haha!
Honey is still my fav. You are so lucky you get to skip lipbalms.
Just drink lots of water and lips stay supple all day long 😉
I have the orange one Rendezvous and I love the colour. It does feel a little drying after an hour or so, but it’s not so bad that I need to run for a lip balm. I love how Honey wears on you. Reminds me of my Clinique Curviest Caramel which I wear nearly every day lately. Might have to swatch Honey to see how comparable they are 🙂
Ooh is the Curviest Caramel the Intense one? I love the Intense versions of Clinique’s Chubby Sticks. The Chubby Stick lipbalm, I hated 😛
I’m a fan of this product! I’ve tried Honey and Romantic and today I just bought Lovesick which is the color Emma Stone wore in the poster. The color is absolutely gorgeous.
Ooh that shade is bright, Hani! 😀 Bet it looks fab on you 😀
My rutine lipstick balm.hahaha I used it everyday since it stays the stain of course..so no need to wear again lipstick because I am malas in a lot of way.. I don’t powder my nose or anything…so what goes in the morning is everything that I use for the whole day.. I used Lovesick Passionate which is so dark and vibrant deep pink but once it stains you could only see it like a natural really kissable lips ahaha
Haha the lazy girl’s solution to lipstick! 😉 I must say it does leave a very pretty stain and if you do want to top it up, a little gloss makes it very pretty too! Lovesick sounds pretty! I know I can’t wear it but I’ll take your word for it looking pretty and kissable 😉
The color look so nice on you!! My friend hates this. She said it’s too drying for her and it doesn’t stained her lips at all so she passed it to me. I do find it drying for my lips as well but I always apply lipbalm before I put any lip products. So I had no prob with this. Sadly I couldn’t carry bright color as it looks horrible and scary on me. Lol.
Thanks Cynthia 🙂 Isn’t it funny how different people will perceive things differently? 😀 I’m sure you can wear a bright colour – you just have to find the right one 😉
I have yet to try Honey because I can’t find that shade anywhere near me. But I do have Romantic and it is one of my favourite reds. It’s just kind of like the perfect red to me, it isn’t too daring and bright but not too deep of a red as well. But that’s just my opinion. I love these balm stains and I wish we could have more shades like they do in the US *sobs*
No Honey near you? Boo! Must have been swept off the shelves! Keep looking 😉 I think it would be nice to see more colours come in. Who knows, maybe it’ll be like the Lip Butters. They’ll trickle in slowly 😉
I agree that Honey is a very nice shade ! perfect on you! 🙂
Thank you Issa! I think it’s one of those colours that will suit most! 😀
U and the red!!! Love this red on you….U hv the sweetest smile for lipstick swatches, u noe… keep it up…. hehehe
Aww *blush* Thank you *blush blush * 😀
Ooooh wow, Honey is sooo pretty on you, Paris! I feel like it looks a lot more bright and obvious on my lips but maybe that’s because I’m not really used to wearing lip color 😛 I have several shades of these and silly me, even though they clearly are labeled as a stain, I was still half-hoping for a Chubby Stick dupe. I was sorely disappointed. I felt like they were drying on my lips and didn’t like the minty feel of them, either. Now, I use 1 or 2 of them (mostly Rendezvous, lately) from time to time but this is how I use them to avoid overstaining (these get BRIGHT!) and drying out my lips: I apply a heavy layer, wait 5-10 minutes, remove, then apply a clear balm or gloss over them. That way I get a bit of color but without the icky after-effects. 😛
Thanks Becca! 🙂 Thanks too for sharing your tip on how to wear these without having the full on look. It’s very helpful because then, you can wear these on a weekend face 😀 I didn’t like the Chubby Sticks at all so I was a little more forgiving to these from Revlon. Take away the minty taste and I think they are even better! 😉
I’m using Honey too everyday in the office! I love the MLBB effect this gives me plus the impressive staying power so much, that my other drugstore lipsticks don’t see the light anymore. Haha. I have a strange experience though — the color changes on me overtime. It starts off in a nudish pink color, then transforms into a more pinkish hue after a couple of hours. And if I apply it heavily from the start, it will eventually change to a really bright pink shade.
Hmm I didn’t notice that Ceej. For me the colour will wear of but leave a stain behind. Honey doesn’t stain as much as Romantic of course but it leaves a rosy stain that is quite pretty 🙂 On the bright side, you never have to buy a bright pink lipstick! 😉
Hi Ceej.
I have the same experience. Need to remind myself to wear it lightly so that it won’t look weird on me.
I passionately *hate* lipsticks, so when these were released, having heard of the from YouTube and whatnot, I pounced on them, and I liked them! I have a tonne of them, and wear them all the time. These and the Lip Butters feel light on my lips, not sticky, and mask-like like lipsticks. With the balm stains, I wear Honey, a lot, and Rendesvous, as I am on an orange/coral kick right now. They don’t dry my lips (like the Clinique Chubbies -ugh!), and I love that colour intensity is not so intimidating, but can still dress up your look. Love!!
Hahaha You were converted by Revlon, yay! 😉 I took a look at Rendezvous but boy! It was bright 😛 I’d look like a traffic light from a far I think haha! It’s interesting that you mentioned that Clinique Chubby Sticks dried out your lips because I experience it too! I thought I was the only person in the world who didn’t like them, and now I’ve found a friend yay! 🙂