A couple of months back, a friend sent me an early sneak peek of the Dior Fluid Stick by Allure magazine. I shared it on Instagram and it had me very intrigued. The reason was two-fold. First, the packaging reminds me of the very much more affordable Maybelline Lip Polish (which are really nice by the way!).
Second, Dior had a product called Lip Fluid back in 2005/2006 that I actually really liked using. It came in the Dior Addict packaging, with a solid coloured opaque tube, and was a liquid lipstick that was creamy, well pigmented and very nice. Loved it and was sad to see it discontinued. Seeing a similar formula return was surprising and intriguing.
So yes, I was very excited about the Dior Addict Fluid Stick, which is touted to be a hybrid lip product, that is liquid and shiny like a gloss, highly pigmented like a lipstick and with a thin film that offers comfort.
The problem is, once I got hold of a few, I realised that these are quite possibly the first Dior lip products that I have little love for 🙁
The packaging is unique, but not something we haven’t seen before this. The exterior gives the impression of a Dior Addict lipstick. It shares the same Addict packaging and looks rather like the Dior Addict Gloss. What sets it apart, is the lipstick-shaped product holder embedded in the clear base, that holds the product. So, the colour is pretty much what you will get and it’s easy to spot.
Like the Addict Gloss, the top twists off but unlike the Addict Gloss, the Fluid Stick comes with a sponge applicator. While I love the brush applicator used in Addict Glosses, I have to say that the sponge applicator in this case serves a very good purpose.
It is shaped in such a way that it picks up and is saturated with a lot of colour. The sponge tip is very soft on skin and it holds a lot of product in the little “well” within the applicator, so I would advise that you wipe off excess before applying to lips. The sponge too holds a lot of product, so if you want a very thin layer, you have to wipe off quite a lot and then use a light hand.
The texture of the Fluid Stick is in a word, strange.
I didn’t quite like it the first time I tried it and I still don’t like it much on first swipe. Dior says that they made this product without wax, and it is water based for maximum lightness and a fresh effect. To that extent I’d agree somewhat. You do not get the usual slippery, waxy feel of lipstick or gloss on lips. Instead, when I apply the product to my lips, it seems to feel almost like a film of water on my lips. Yet, it’s sticky. And that’s what makes it weird.
I personally dislike sticky lip products so sticky glosses gets the thumbs down from me, as well as sticky lipsticks. I like them feeling fresh and comfortable. I love Dior Addict lipsticks and Addict glosses, neither of which I’d consider sticky. But this one feels weird on my lips. When I smack my lips together, I feel the tackiness. It isn’t uncomfortable, but I don’t like it very much. It doesn’t go away either. So in terms of texture, I’m not a fan of this.
However, I have to give Dior full props for colour. There is a range of 16 shades available in the Fluid Sticks and they are very vibrant and bright. In fact, I’d say that most of the range consist of bright, eye popping shades that are absolutely gorgeous. I have 3 here for your viewing pleasure.
Aren’t they absolutely gorgeous shades? These swatches were made with just 1 swipe of a cleaned applicator down my arm. The colour is amazing and I love that!
551 Aventure and 754 Pandore are 2 of the 4 colours picked out by Dior as their signature colours for this range, the other 2 being Wonderland and Mirage. I purchased 669 Rose Tricheuse because I wanted to try something a little more everyday, without realising that it was so bright! Lighting in beauty halls really need revising 😛
The longevity is fair for me. I wouldn’t say it’s very longlasting, but it does last me well enough for most of the morning. The Fluid Sticks apply with a high gloss shine if you go over your lips straight with the applicator, and the colour is brilliant. However, I learned that if you don’t want such a brilliant glossy shine, just lay a piece of tissue over your lips, blot it a little and the colour immediately tones down to a much more wearable, less glossy shade.
I also found that lasts for me well enough through most of the morning but not through lunch. It does and will mark coffee cups like most glosses do, but the colour stays on for me. I don’t detect much of a stain but I read of some people experiencing a bit of a stain.
Here are how these 3 colours look on lips for me.
These were done also with just 1 swipe of the applicator over the lips. The colour as you can see, is freaking brilliant! I love it just for the colour alone!
- 669 Rose Tricheuse – A wearable rosy red that is a little more transparent, with a little less glossy shine
- 551 Aventure – An opaque orange-red with high glossy shine
- 754 Pandore – A bright opaque pink-red with high glossy shine. Pandore is the shade used in the promotional visuals and it’s a gorgeous colour if you have the guts to wear bright lip colours.
For me, Aventure was the boldest colour for me because of the strong orange tone. I rarely wear orange lipstick because it makes me look sallow but the red tones in this one really lift the complexion and the bold orange-red pigment is very summery and fun.I love this one 😀
Pandore, Aventure, Mirage and Wonderland come with matching Dior Addict and Dior Addict Extreme lipsticks and nail colours. I love the colour of Aventure, even if I’m not a fan of the formula, but I found that the same colour wasn’t as bold in the solid lipsticks. I might cave for the Addict Extreme in Aventure but I might not. We’ll see 🙂
Anyway, long story short, I’m not a fan of the Dior Addict Fluid Stick formula, but I absolutely love the intensity of the colour.
In a nutshell
The Dior Addict Fluid Stick is a new hybrid lip product that is a liquid lipstick with high glossy shine and the opacity, pigment and lasting power of a lipstick. The applicator applies product very well and can hold a lot of product so it is advisable to wipe off excess first before applying. The colours are brilliant especially if you like bright lip colours and I find the lasting power fair. However, I am not a fan of the formula. It feels a little strange on lips, like a film and it is tacky which is something I dislike in lip products. So I’m not a fan of the formula but I love the colours in the range. They need to make lipsticks with these sort of intensity, not the other way around!
Pros: Beautifully pigmented and intense colours, Bright lip colours are very well done, Applicator is easy to use and applies colour with just 1 swipe, High gloss shine, Lightweight texture
Cons: Tacky feeling on lips, A strange feeling film on lips, Pricey
Who will like this: Anyone who doesn’t mind a tacky liquid lip product, Anyone who loves bright and intense lip colours
For completeness, here are full face shots with 3 of the colours I have for an idea how they look.
669 Rose Tricheuse
551 Aventure
754 Pandore
With the Fluid Sticks, I feel the bright colours are really what makes them special so if you are planning to get one, go for a bright shade. The intensity of colour is seriously impressive. I noticed this most when testing the solid lipsticks in Aventure. They just didn’t quite measure up to the intensity of colour of the Fluid Stick which is why I passed on them although I love the texture. Some things you just have to overlook so while I’m not a fan of these and do not plan on getting more, I will use what I have because the colours just can’t be beat 😀
Which colour grabs you the most? Might this be something you’d like? Do you remember the Dior Addict Lip Fluid?
I actually like all 3 shades. I love the bold, fun colours but I much prefer the old version of the Lip Fluid. I remember it as having a better texture even if not such a brilliant choice of colours. Which would you pick? 😀
Paris B
Dior Addict Fluid Stick comes in 16 shades Price: RM102 Availability: Dior counters
Vera Jots Dots says
Hello!
All 3 shades are pretty like spring summer of variety of roses 🙂
The geek in me love the design. Very clever of the combo applicator. Like James Bond gadget!
Btw. I also like the Guerlain lipstick. Come wth a flip mirror. I got their nude pink one. Goes well for the day look. Their booth at KLCC (outside Parkson) are having promo now till 5th May. Can get a free makeover too! I like their sets of coral eyemakeup & the ‘rainbow’ powder :). Always run of out stocks at Sephora.
Yesterday, their makeup artist taught me how to play & use green, moss green, gray for the eyemake up. Surprisingly I did not look like Kermit the Frog (dah lah musim hujan!) LOL
Aah sometimes colors look so diff. when applied to the skin & match w.diff outfit.
Paris B says
Thanks for the heads up Vera! I have the bright pink Rouge G one and it’s gorgeous! Rouge G are amazing aren’t they? 🙂 Glad the makeup artists got you out of your comfort zone! Green is very pretty for Asian skin – now that you’ve reminded me, I have to go dig up some greens to use next week 😀
Vera Jots Dots says
Aaah guess what Gmail auto filtered your reply to my Spam. This is the 1st time. Luckily I checked. Strange, did not apply any setting changes.
Oh yeah Chanel’s exhibition KLCC till 6th May. You (&all dear readers of MWS) can call them to reserve for a makeover session & intro to latest range & tips. 27859200 🙂
Watch out for their Giant Cs & perfume.
Paris B says
Ooh I’m spam! 😛 I saw the Chanel exhibition thing at KLCC yesterday but didn’t stop by – I get all sorts of intimidated at these centre concourse things LOL But they usually have some good deals on then 🙂