Lipstick Deal Breakers

Over the past 3 and half years since launching Beauty Swatch, you could say that I have tried a lippie or two (hundred).  Most of the time, I would try my best to bring the best out a lipstick on “good lip” days. But in reality, such days can be few and far between for many people who’re on a busy schedule. There have been numerous times I’ve delayed reviewing a lipstick because it didn’t sit well on my lips, or do much for dryness and lip lines.

It was one particular afternoon when I was particularly frustrated with a lipstick collection (that shall not be named), as I had swatched it unsuccessfully THREE TIMES.  It was that moment that I decided that if a lipstick doesn’t make my lips look even the slightest bit fabulous, it belongs in the bin.

With lipstick formulas coming a long way & the explosion of the blogosphere, it’s only natural that we’ve not only come to expect more from our lippies, but also become more articulate in describing the technicalities of what we look for in a lipstick.

It got me thinking about what my pecking order was for what I look for in a lipstick.  Here’s my list of deal-breakers, can-live-with’s and lust-have’s.  This list of course is influenced by many things – my lip condition (dry with lip lines), possibly a little snobbery and a fussiness that comes part and parcel of blogging about lipsticks for this long.

Absolute Deal Breakers

• Taste & scent.  It’s one reason why some brands don’t feature as prominently on this blog.  I like mint, vanilla & fig, whereas rose, chocolate and citrus are just OK.  Scents that really put me off are tropical fruits, bubble-gum or if it tastes so synthetic it’s unrecognisable.
• How it sits on lip lines.   If it sinks or slips around, it’s not going to be of much use the moment I apply it.
• Shade.  I admit I am a bit of a snob on colour – it has to be sophisticated for me to justify diverting dollars to a lipstick instead of other more responsible ways to use my money.

Can Live With

• Opacity. I don’t mind translucence, but for a barely-there tint, I’d rather go with lip balm or gloss.  When I fork out good money for lipstick I expect my monies worth in pigment / coverage!!
• Moisture. I can put up with a moderately moisturizing lipstick, but the line is drawn on lipsticks that causes lips to shrivel or flake.
• Lasting Power. It always seems to be a trade of between lasting power and comfort.  If push comes to shove I’d rather touch up more often with a comfortable lipstick, than have it last the whole day only to leave me with dry lips.

Lust Have

• My ultimate lipstick formula is one that has minimal or no scent, that’s plush with a good grip and sculpts lip contours.
• And saturated with moisture, to the extent that I don’t need lip balm beforehand.

What are your top lipstick deal-breakers?