L’Oreal Colour Riche Balm Review, Swatches, Photos
It’s official, Revlon has ruined me for all lip balms and lip butters. I was deeply impressed with these pigmented, hydrating lip balms and I think they set some sort of standard for newly released lip balms as that could prove why I was an ickle disappointed with the newest L’Oreal Colour Rich Balm.
Let’s have a look and see what the deal is.
L’Oreal Colour Rich Balm promises six hydrating hours of wear with an SPF 15 and a slick of tint. That’s the key word kids, “tint”. These aren’t anywhere in the realms of the pigmentation that Revlon Lip Butters sport and yes, I admit, it disappointed me. I guess I was just assuming that highly pigmented lip butters were the wave of the drugstore seasonal future but that’s not the case at all. L’Oreal took their balm along the lines of a more traditional formula with a hint of tint and a highly moisturizing formula.
The texture and feel of these is most definitely a balm-like product so you know they are on your lips as they aren’t really all that lightweight. They glide on beautifully without a hiccup even on my dry, chapped, peeling lips. The feel isn’t necessarily slick but it’s moisture you can feel and see as the finish has a bit of shine to it. The formula runs along the lines of a traditional lip balm but has a richer feel. So rich in fact you’ll feel like you spent $20 on these rather than $5.79 each. I think the formula is gorgeous. It wears comfortably, moisturizes my lips beautifully, and offers just the right touch of color for a MLBB experience (my lips but better).
If you’re trying to do a little comparing between all the latest lip balm products that have recently launched here’s a little break down…
Revlon Lip Butters are the most pigmented where as L’Oreal’s version are sheerer. Maybelline Baby Lips aren’t in the same category as they are a very basic lip balm with an even sheerer color payoff than L’Oreal’s version plus the formula isn’t nearly as hydrating as what L’Oreal has going on with Colour Rich Balm.
Speaking of color and tint…
These are pigmented as you can see from the swatches. Every color I tried was very sheer and subtle which did disappoint me a little bit however they do enhance the pigment of my lips quite nicely resulting in a my lips but better kind of look. My looks are naturally rosy pink so alot of the shades I purchased ended up looking the same after application however someone with less pigmented lips will probably see the best results in terms of distinguishing different shades. Anyone with pigmented lips already I don’t necessarily suggest hauling several shades as you probably won’t be able to tell the difference in color.
The colors I hauled were (swatched from top to bottom, left to right):
- Tender Mauve (duller shade of mauve)
- Nourishing Nude (peachy nude beige)
- Plush Plum (plum berry shade)
- Heavenly Berry (rosy berry)
- Caring Coral (nude coral)
- Carmel Comfort (golden nude beige)
Pictured above from bottom to top (Caring Coral, Tender Mauve, Heavenly Berry, Caramel Comfort, Nourishing Nude, and Plush Plum).
One shade that’s an absolute must have is Plush Plum as this shade yielded the most pigment. Other noticeable shades that are “nice to have” are Caring Coral and Heavenly Berry.
Finally I wanted to take a second to love on the packaging. Revlon’s Lip Butter packaging was very fun but L’Oreal’s is quite rich looking. They remind me of a Clarin’s Lipstick. These are light but looking at them they look like a heavy, posh lipstick tube. The translucent cap gives the balm a little fun while the gold tube and base lend a little elegance to the overall look.
Overall, L’Oreal Colour Rich Balm can prove a little disappointing as many of the shades look the same on lips no matter which you choose plus if you’re heading into this purchase thinking they’ll be as pigmented as Revlon Lip Butters you’ll be pretty disappointed. However, if you want a hydrating balm which just a hint of tint, nothing too dramatic that will enhance your natural lip color you’ll be more than happy. If you felt like Revlon Lip Butters were too much of a lipstick and less of a lip balm than you’ll be happy that L’Oreal is more of a balm and less of a lipstick however don’t haul too many of the shades as that would be a waste of money particularly if your lips are very pigmented as the shades will simply all the same on.
I think these deserve a little Muse Approval love!
Have you tried them?
Do share!
I located mine at Harmons for $5.79 each.