The Smooch Proof Liquid Lip Stains come in very standard lip gloss tubes with a simple doe-foot applicator. Usually I am impartial to fancy doe-foot applicators but with this particular formulation, I would have really prefered a wider paddle doe-foot for smoother application.
Also, I'm not sure if it's just my lip stains but the shade names of these are nowhere to be found on the actual packaging. A bit inconvenient but not a big deal.
Out of the six shades, there's a bit of variation in terms of formulation. The three darker shades- On Everyone's Lips (brown mauve), Unforgettable Fuchsia (deep berry), and Get Noticed (bright red with slight orange undertones)- are very pigmented, about two coats provide a nice coverage. On Everyone's Lips is a bit of an exception because it's noticeably thicker and the color for some reason gathered near the outer rim of the lips, resulting in sort of a dark lip liner look, not quite my cup of tea.
The paler shades, including Perpetually Mauve (medium pink), In the Spotlight (sheer light pink) and Faithful Coral (sheer milky papaya), are quite different because they all had sort of a weird milky texture. After the colors have really sunk into the lips, an unsightly milky layer gathers in the creases of the lips. I blotted my lips after the colors have mostly set to rid of the weird remnant and that worked quite well. Additionally, I felt some tingling sensation during the application of these stains. It's not a big concern of mine but perhaps those with sensitive lips may experience a more dramatic reaction.
In terms of wear, these are quite interesting. Although transfer-proof after it's blotted, the lip stains are not waterproof so some color will fade with drinking. However, the colors (especially the darker ones) really penetrate and stain the lips. The berry and the pink will easily last the entire day if not more. However, I don't like the way these wear off. The lighter colors are not a problem but as the darker shades wear off, they kind of peel away, starting from the center of the lips so you will see some patchiness. Additionally, these are not at all hydrating so it's important to have a balm handy.
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| Arm swatches, one swipe of each shade. |
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| Lip swatches, blotted after the product has set. |
Depending on the shades, these lip stains can be quite intense and long lasting but they are not hydrating and tend to wear off unflatteringly. However, given the price and the range of colors, I would suggest giving them a go. My recommendations are Get Noticed and Unforgettably Fuchsia. Faithful Coral, Perpetually Mauve, and In the Spotlight are great as well if you want just a flush of tint.
Availability:
NYC is available in stores at London Drugs, Shoppers, and Walmart.
