Ok, I’m really really excited about these new Pure Color High Intensity Lip Lacquers from Estee Lauder because I think I may have found my perfect “nude” lip. The thing about “nude lips” is that they are so tricky. Half the time, a colour proclaiming to be “nude” is a dull beige and seriously, have you seen anyone with a natural beige lip before? No one, I’d warrant. Well, maybe a corpse.
But I recently tried on the Pure Color High Intensity Lip Lacquer in Vinyl Rose, a colour I’d never pick up at the best of times, and much to my surprise, fell head over heels for it!
The Estee Lauder Pure Color High Intensity Lip Lacquers are new products. What they are, is a hybrid between a seriously pigmented, highly opaque lipstick and a shiny lip gloss. They come in liquid form, in packaging similar to that of the Pure Color Lip Glosses with a sponge tip applicator.
The texture is really thick and they apply like a creamy thick lacquer on your lips. It all sounds quite intense and uncomfortable, but they aren’t. You can feel the creamy, slightly thick texture on your lips for sure, yet it does not feel heavy nor goopy. The colour is intense, crazily opaque and last. For. Hours.
I’m a bit of a strange fish in that I’m not really into wearing lip gloss but a good liquid lipstick like the offerings from Guerlain, Laura Mercier and Shiseido really get the ol’ blood going. Well, add these Estee Lauder Lip Lacquers to the bunch!
While I usually dislike sponge tip applicators. these paddle shaped applicators are actually really good for holding the colour and then spreading it onto your lip. It also helps you shape your lips because an intense colour and liquid product can be a little challenging to get in line.
Pure Color High Intensity Lip Lacquer in Wet Plum (Left) and Vinyl Rose (Right)
I find these incredibly long lasting, without drying out my lips at all. The colour, especially a strong one like Wet Plum, stays on and wears evenly for hours. Yes, I took it through my regular oily noodle soup lunch test and it passed with flying colours! But be warned not to be too violent about eating of course. I usually wipe off my lip colour after lunch and then reapply or use a different colour thereafter so I can say it safely takes you to the 5 hour mark without fading but I can’t say for sure how much longer you can take it thereafter.
Here are swatches on my arm.
Vinyl Rose is on left and Wet Plum on right. Only 1 layer of product.
Vinyl Rose is a rather muted pink in tube and even when swatched on my arm. It is what I’d consider a safe colour, in that it isn’t terribly exciting, but it is a colour that I’d easily be able to wear everyday without too much trouble. On me, this is what I’d imagine a “nude lip” to be. A healthy, natural pinkish toned lip that doesn’t make me look washed out, yet offers a little colour to my complexion. There isn’t any shimmer, but there is a high lacquered shine.
Wet Plum is a deep plummy red. The colour is incredibly intense so it is a bit tricky to ensure it all stays within your lip line and that you get it all evened out. But it is such a lush colour on the lips and the lacquered shine is incredible. The best part of course, is that it sticks to your lips and stays on, without fading or bleeding. I had this on through coffee, water and noodles. Incredible.
And here they are on lips for reference. I find that Vinyl Rose isn’t as shiny on as Wet Plum. In these swatches I’m wearing just 1 layer, blended out. The colour is incredible. (Have you been keeping count of how many times I’ve said ‘incredible’?)
For an idea of how it looks when worn in a full face look, I wore them with the same look but just changed the lips. You could say this might be how you’d want to wear this from day to night 🙂
This is what I meant when I said that the Vinyl Rose Lip Lacquer was my “nude lip” shade. It isn’t too eye catching, it isn’t too shiny but just gives the right amount of colour to not wash me out, yet helps me look polished for the day. I love this one in a way I never expected to. Easily one I’ve been wearing very often for it’s longevity and easy to wear colour 😀
For the evening, switch up the colour for something brighter and more intense 😀
Wet Plum glams things up with a plummy red lip with high intensity colour, opacity and shine. Love it! Then again, I also wear this in the day. I’m a rebel that way 😉
In a nutshell
The new Estee Lauder Pure Color High Intensity Lip Lacquers are strongly pigmented, highly opaque, intensely coloured and high shine liquid lipsticks. The texture is quite thick which can take some getting used to and you can feel it on your lips. However, it doesn’t feel uncomfortable (I’d know coz I’m sensitive that way) and the colour and shine are out of this world. It is seriously as if you painted your lips with lacquer. The longevity is very good and it does not wear off that easily. There is a light vanilla scent I could do without but it doesn’t bug me that much. If you love a strong, shiny lip, you’ll love these. Or if you don’t, then check out Vinyl Rose. It’s my to-go “nude lip” colour 😀
Pros: Intense colour, High opacity, High shine, Not drying, Long lasting, Thick texture but not sticky, Easy to apply, Bright colours
Cons: Colours may be too bright for some people,
Who will like this: Anyone who loves bright lip colours, Anyone who likes wearing liquid lipstick
I think these are fab for the price, texture, colour and longevity. Absolutely, incredibly, fab! On the flipside, I never saw this one coming out of the Estee Lauder stable. So I am very very pleasantly surprised!
Have you taken a look at these Lip Lacquers yet? Do you like wearing liquid lipstick?
I have found that I really enjoy wearing liquid lipstick even if I don’t like wearing lip gloss. It’s funny isn’t it? I think it’s to do with the pigment and intensity of colour. I’m all about colour for lips! 😀 Might have to take a look at a couple of the other shades available.
Paris B
Estee Lauder Pure Color High Intensity Lip Lacquer comes in 12 shades Price: RM80 Availability: All Estee Lauder counters
Can I just say how gorgeous these colours are?!!! I have been on a shopping crave for months now because I have been holding myself back from spending, especially when I have SPM coming up (it’s tomorrow omg), but after my exams, I am totally going on retail therapy and I now have a target 🙂
EL have good lipstick but always ended up no longer in production. Another product which i love most but couldn’t anymore is their lip vinyl. definitely i’ll try this lip lacquer ..