When the Dior Lip Glow first arrived on the scene quite many years ago, it was pretty much deemed to be just another tinted lip balm. It came in only one shade, which tinted lips a hint of pink. I wasn’t really a fan because lip balm isn’t something I use, and neither was pink lipstick. But it was a big hit! Then, last year, they released the same product in the limited edition shade Berry, and I was hooked!
So, when a bunch of pretty balloons arrived, together with brand new Dior Lip Glow formulations for 2018, my interest was piqued.
Realizing just what a sleeper hit they had on their hands, Dior has now expanded the Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm range to include not only new shades, but new textures. I find the new textures very interesting, because the idea of a “matte balm” is rather oxymoronic 😛
Alongside the regular Lip Glow, which is a plain tinted lip balm, there is now a Matte Glow version, which goes on matte and velvety, with a tint of colour; and Holographic Glow, which is a tint of colour, with iridescent shine and sparkle. I couldn’t quite get my head around Matte Glow, but I learned something interesting on how to use Holographic Glow that I can share with you 😀
Dior Lip Glow – Matte Glow
I’m not a fan of matte lipstick, or matte lips, but I wanted to give this a fair chance. Still, I personally was not won over by the new Matte Glow Lip Glow. There are presently 2 shades – Matte Pink and Matte Raspberry.
In tube, they look fairly pigmented, with a dull matte appearance. As might be expected, Matte Pink is pretty much a flat pale pink, while Matte Raspberry offers more colour. I’ll have the swatches of them all below, but this is how Matte Raspberry looks when I wear it on bare lips.
There is quite clearly a deep pink tint of colour on my lips. However, it isn’t that strong, and there is a velvety, almost powdery finish to my lips. For the record, Matte Pink barely shows up on my lips, which are fairly pigmented to begin with.
What I dislike however, is that the Matte Glow formula is not as moisturising, nor as balmy. It will catch on flaky skin, and it seems to make it even drier. The product itself too is very dry. I am not a fan of the Matte Glow range at all and they are not for those who have dry lips to start.
Dior Lip Glow – Holographic Glow
The Holographic Glow also boasts 2 shades – Holo Pink and Holo Purple. These 2 I found more interesting, because I like a little shine in my lip products. These however, are not glitter lipsticks, but instead, impart a very fine iridescent shimmer on lips.
Worn on their own, there is a risk that they will make your lips look a little too frosty, channelling the frosty, metallic lips of the early 90’s. It isn’t terribly flattering. Holo Pink barely shows up on my lips, except as a pale pink frost, while Holo Purple is a very cool purple frost. I was a little at a loss at first as to how I’d wear them.
Then, a chance encounter with someone from the media gave me the idea to layer the Holographic Glow Lip Glow under a matte lip formula, to make it a little more interesting. So, that’s what I did!
On left, is just Holo Purple on my lips. It shows up, as you can see, as a cool toned pink with lots and lots of frosty shine. On right, I layered the Rouge Dior Liquid lipstick in a matte formula, and a rather dull brown – Jungle Matte. I was not keen on this shade at first, but goodness, layered over Holo Purple, I actually found it quite interesting!
Holo Purple offered a pink base to lift the flat matte brown, and gives it a shine that plumps my lips. I found the formula very comfortable and moisturising, with a nice balmy feel. Unlike Matte Glow, it did not feel drying on my lips.
From left: Holo Pink, Holo Purple, Matte Pink, Matte Raspberry and Raspberry
From left: Holo Pink, Holo Purple, Matte Pink, Raspberry and Matte Raspberry
Raspberry is also a new shade, but it is a regular tinted lip balm formula, so it is at once balmy and moisturising with a shine. It is a very pretty shade of deep pink, that I personally enjoy wearing, as much as I did Berry. I will, without hesitation recommend it.
However, I will have to throw a little bit of cold water on the campaign photos I have been seeing. For some reason, the lip colours on the girls in the campaigns are very bold. Do note that the Dior Lip Glow is NOT intended to give your lips a bold swipe of colour. It is a tinted lip balm. It protects and moisturises your lips, but imparts a TINT of colour. If you want bold colours, wear a lipstick. Don’t be fooled by the ads k? 😛
And to seal that point, here are the swatches of the shades that I have.
They are a little brighter in this photo than they are in real life. In real life, Matte Pink can barely be seen on my skin. But it will give you an idea of the sheerness of texture and colour that you can expect.
My personal favourite from the new collection is Raspberry and Holo Purple (used as a lip base). I’m not a fan of the Matte Glow formula, but hey, you might be! 🙂
IN A NUTSHELL
The Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm is a tinted lip balm. The range has now been expanded to include a a Matte Glow and Holographic Glow formula, and new colours. Expect the texture to be balmy and sheer. The Matte Glow formula go on matte, with a velvety finish. Holographic Glow goes on with iridescent shine, while the regular range boasts shine but no shimmer. I personally find the Matte Glow formula drying and unflattering on my lips. Holographic Glow on its own I find too frosty. But layered under a matte lip colour, it can offer a more interesting finish. Personally, I’d stick to the regular range which is very good – balmy, comfortable and the right tint of colour to keep things interesting but without being too in your face.
PROS: The regular Lip Glow and Holographic Glow formula are moisturising and keep lips feeling supple and comfortable, Good tint of colour on lips, Holographic Glow can be layered under or over lip colour to add shine
CONS: Pricey, Matte Glow formula is not moisturising, Matte Pink colour is very pale, Holographic Glow can be too frosty on lips
WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who likes wearing tinted lip balm, or a light tint of lip colour
PRICE: RM120 | US$34
WHERE TO BUY: Dior counters and beauty boutiques, Sephora, Nordstrom
Are you a fan of Dior Lip Glow? Do the new Matte and Holographic formula interest you?
I wasn’t a fan of the original colour, but I fell in love with the formula when I used Berry last year. It’s always in my pouch, and I use it as a top up colour mid-way through the day to refresh tired lipstick, or just wear it straight all day as a sheer lipstick. I much prefer the original range so I enjoy Raspberry the same way. I might even check out other shades. But the new Matte and Holographic ones, I’ll pass on. You? 😀
Paris B
I dunno if anyone would willing to pay top dollar to buy a regular tinted lipbalm. Their colours aren’t very impressive; they are either too pale or frosty except for the matt raspberry or raspberry.
Actually, their Lip Glow is one of Dior’s bestselling products 🙂 It’s very good IMO, one of the best tinted lip balms out there – balmy, moisturising and gives a lovely tint of colour. But from the new shades and textures, I’d say definitely go for the brighter colours. Maybe the pale pinks could work for those with very pale lips, to add a touch of pink to their lips. For those with already pigmented lips, it doesn’t serve much purpose.
I have been using the original version for a while now. It is now my 2nd or 3rd tube… don’t remember. I use it midday to freshen up my lip colour or on weekends when I am running errands where I can’t be bothered with lipstick but want to look somewhat presentable.
Have you tried the more “coloured” ones? 🙂 I remember they had a Coral one and last year they had Berry (might be permanent now) and I much prefer those! But they do make a great colour refresher don’t they? I like swiping it on especially after lunch, where sometimes there’s a hint of colour left behind. It is truly a “lip reviver”! 😀
The best tinted lipbalm, no, the best lipbalm for me ? I have used the original pink one for 4 years now, but mainly in the evening / bedtime, so never bothered with different shades available. Got the Matte Raspberry, but blerghhhh, hate it. Hate that it applies so unevenly on the lips, hate that it fades so unevenly at the centre, leaving the already uneven tint on the outside. I don’t know what should I do with it now ? but, on the other hand, that makes me interested in the other shades from the original line, maybe not the 005 lilac though. The holographic ones? Never, not even in the next lifetime ?
Sigh, I don’t know why they bothered to go the matte balm route. I personally find it so unflattering and so patchy! Perhaps you can use it as a stick blush? I can’t think of other uses for it either! IMO just stick to the regular line. The tinted ones are lovely and I enjoy them all
I’ve never tried the original Lip Glow Lip Balm, but I would! Especially the raspberry shade, it sounds very up my ally 🙂
The matte lip balm is a very interesting concept and could have been great – but doesn’t sound like it is, so I will give it a miss!
Too drying Sylvia! It defeats the purpose of a balm LOL! But the original Lip Glow formula is worth trying. I personally love Berry best. It’s a lovely berry tint on the lips that is very flattering! Raspberry probably comes second 🙂
The finishes do look rather disappointing as do most of the colours. They look much prettier on the swatches and on promo pictures. It’s such a shame, but I guess it’s good to save the money for another makeup product instead. I am eyeing up Guerlain’s KissKiss LoveLove lipsticks. The packaging is super cute! ?
I saw the pix of the Guerlain lipsticks and yes, super cute! but I’ll pass coz they’re just too cute for me LOL! I’m so difficult to please 😀 But yes, the promo pictures and videos definitely had these balms looking better than they really are. I don’t know why they made them look so strong in the photos when the fact is that it can never achieve that sort of opacity! I’m getting really tired of the misleading information we are fed out there
I find tinted balm pretty useless. If I want just a hint of colour, I can just put on tiny bit of lipstick on top of a lip balm lol
That works too Nabihah! 😀 I guess tinted balm are like people like me, who don’t own any non tinted balm (I know! So weird LOL!) and want just a sheer lip colour that is moisturising. Not a must have at all!
Hi Paris, happy Lunar New Year. I got a sample set with 4 colours from Dior store last week. This is my first time trying this balm. I found I love the texture and how it looks on my rather pigmented lip. I like the glossy finish of raspberry. Holo pink is really too much frosty pigment. The matte raspberry is like what you have mentioned but I quite enjoy wearing it. It is not so drying, maybe I put on too much of product? Maybe I haven’t discovered other brand of tinted balms and I feel this one is quite worth a try. I might want to get the full size of raspberry soon. By the way, I have been using pigmented dark colour lipsticks (Kat Von D, Urban Decay…) for too long and it might be the time to have a makeover. Thanks for sharing. Really enjoy reading your reviews.
Hi Susin, happy that you got a sample of these Lip Glows and that you like them! I do find the regular ones are the best in terms of quality and colour. I love wearing them as a light balmy lip colour, and the quality is excellent. Those I feel, are worth investing in, so Raspberry is a good choice! Thank you for sharing your thoughts! 🙂