Laura Mercier's new Gel Lip Colours ($22) are the latest lipstick addition to the Laura Mercier makeup collection. I purchased three. I didn't think I would purchase any of them because my friend Gaia, The Non-Blonde, and others had mentioned that they are highly fragranced. As a rule, I don't like fragranced/flavored lipsticks. For the new Gel Lip Colours, I made an exception when I played with them in the store. The why's follow.Gel Lip Colour is described as soft, smooth, and shiny. The gel formula gives them great slip, making the color glide onto the lips without any special application effort. They are said to provide a soft color-wash payoff. I wouldn't call the color soft; I think it's vivid.
I find them much like Chanel's new and already beloved Rouge Coco Shine in terms of saturation and finish. They gleam with a subtle shine, but they are not what I would describe as exceptionally shiny (like the new Dior Addict lipsticks). The color is fairly saturated; it's not transparent like gloss. I have worn them with and without gloss. I do add gloss when I want more shine. I think they feel more hydrating than the Rouge Coco Shines. As they say on Twitter, #justsaying. They cost less too.
The color is long-lasting (for me). I like that characteristic. Even after the gleam is gone, I have color. Fortunately, I "lose the taste/fragrance" pretty quickly. It's not an unpleasant taste. I assume it's related to the emollient-rich peach, apricot, and almond oils in the moisturizing formula, and I can definitely taste the vanilla in the ingredients. These Gel Lip Colours remind me of my favorite YSL Gloss Volupté Sheer Sensual Gloss Sticks in that respect. The mango in the YSL Gloss Sticks doesn't bother me; others (like Kari at Fab over Forty) find it distracting. Anyhow, the taste and fragrance dissipate fairly quickly. Either that, or I get used to it.
I purchased three shades: Berry Sorbet, Rosette, and Sweet Cherry. They are swatched at right in that same order, top to bottom. My photo was taken in outdoor sunshine. I think all three shades are beautiful. I couldn't make up my mind on one, so I purchased three. What's new?
Below, I've appended a second photo, taken in slightly more sunshine. I decided after I initially published this feature to add it.
The colors are much more sheer on my arm than they appear in the tubes. They do offer vibrant color on my lips because, like many, I have rosy lips. It may sound silly, but these are what I call "adult lipsticks." They enhance a woman's femininity, without gimmicks or heavy metals. That shouldn't surprise me. Many (and I do mean many) years ago, I attended a master class led by the gorgeous Laura Mercier at Neiman Marcus. To this day, I have an image of a beautiful Mediterranean woman when I think Laura Mercier.
It surprised me that Laura Mercier's Web site described the Gel Lip Colours as limited-editions. Maybe they are a test case and will stay in the line if they continue to be successful. They are so pretty, I think they deserve it.
If you want to see the full list of ingredients for each shade, pop over to Laura Mercier's Web site. I love the availability of ingredient lists online. You can purchase these lovely lip colors at all Laura Mercier counters and online. All of my favorite department stores have them.
Photo at top courtesy of Laura Mercier