REVIEW Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Stains

On busy days, especially when I am at work, I am rubbish at getting around to reapplying lipstick.  Although I am not one for bright and bold lip colour, I do like some colour on my lips.  A light lip stain is the perfect solution and I have found two colours here that do the job just right.

180 - Wink of Pink
640 - In the Buff

I got mine in Boots for £5.99 each and they are currently part of their 3 for 2 deal.  On the Boots website, this product has received some pretty poor reviews.  This was mainly down to three factors: not a strong colour payoff; felt dry on the lips; dries out after a week. 

I have to say that I am so far in disagreement with these reviews.  Personally, I am after a lightly pigmented stain that gives a hint of colour - much better for my job as a teacher and much more suited to my skin tone.  As the colour can be built up with a few applications, this point seems to be a bonus for me rather than a downside.  Secondly, I would expect a stain to leave my lips with a natural, dry finish that I could add a slick of balm, gloss or Chubby Stick to in order to achieve a different texture - this seems no drier than other stains I have used.  Finally, mine has not dried out after at least 3 weeks, though I have not been using it everyday. 

The first thing I notice with these stains is the smell - a fruity, raspberry fragrance that lingers pleasantly on the lips (or arm when swatched) for a while after application.  The lip stain has Maybelline's first pen applicator and I like this; the tip can be used to line the lips and then you can use the side to fill in. 

The colours are natural and buildable.  If you are looking for a bold statement then these are not for you!  Maybelline recommends choosing 1 or 2 shades darker than your lips for 'the ideal everyday shade'.  This is how the two colours look swatched on my arm:

Without Flash

In the Buff 1 coat / 3 coats             Wink of Pink 1 coat / 3 coats

With Flash

Overall

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Stains are easy to use with a nice fragrance.  The shades In the Buff and Wink of Pink are the perfect nude-but-better shades for my skin tone and they are buildable to create a more striking effect.  You will need to use a balm or gloss on top if you want to add moisture or to obtain a glossy texture. 

 

 

 

Have you tried these lip stains?

What do you think of them?

Do you have a different lip stain that you would recommend?

 

I love to read all comments and always try to answer them!