Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain Review & Swatches
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain has recently launched in drugstores in 12 shades for around $6.79 each (that’s what I paid at Harmons).
These are very exciting release as they are a chubby lip balm pencil that resembles Clinique’s popular Chubby Stick and Tarte’s Lip Surgence at friendly price tag.
The variety of colors, budget price tag, and lighter, balmy formula will prove an ideal pick for Summer beauty budget’ors out there but are they as great as Clinique and Tarte?
Let’s take a look and find out.
These chubby pencils are a swivel up design so no need for a sharpener, simply twist them up and apply. The pencils are travel friendly with nice secure caps that don’t have issues falling off in your makeup bag (Clinique has a looser cap that has a way of wriggling off during travel).
0.095 oz of product makes them just a little shy of what Clinique (.10oz) and Tarte (0.10oz) offer in terms of size so there is a deal to be had here particularly when drugstores offer them at around $6-$7 with a possible chance of a BOGO (buy one, get one) offer of some sort. I do suspect you’ll run into issues at CVS, Walgreens, and other less than price friendly drugstores that will likely mark them up to $8-$9 in some cases and that’s when you enter in a realms of, “Is this really a good deal?”
First off, I have to say, that both Clinique and Tarte have the nicer formula in terms of moisture. These both have a soft, easy glide on lips with a soft, balm-y texture that feels moisturizing through the wear.
Revlon, fails in this department. I find the formula tugs across lips to get into place and has a drier texture. Not too dry mind you but it is noticeable when you’ve used this type of product from higher end brands. To soften it up I run the stick across lips a few times and the glide becomes smoother as I go.
(Smitten, Adore, Rendezvous)
(Romantic, Lovesick, Honey)
The texture is that of a balm but it has a nice light feel to it that isn’t waxy, heavy, or uncomfortable to wear. They don’t have a glossy or shiny finish so a little gloss on top (as I’ll show you in photos below) really gives a nice pop to the overall look. They have a very subtle mint taste in the background but nothing too noticeable.
Now the rave….
I do feel they are quite a good deal more pigmented than Tarte’s or Clinique’s version. I feel like those two brands give a lovely overall MLBB (my lips but better) shade that enhances the look of my own lip shade without every looking too overwhelming. Revlon takes the idea to a nicer level in the fact that you can really achieve a bolder look with these if you apply a few layers. What you see in the tube is what you can easily get on lips, there isn’t any subtly here less you choose to use a small amount of the balm.
The stain factor?
Why is it called Balm Stain?
What’s that all about?
First off the balm will last well into a four to five hour period on lips. It’ll begin to fade away slowly as it does you’ll feel less and less of the balmy texture. Now the cool part….underneath your lips will still be stained the shade you applied that day and that color will pretty much last you throughout your day without a touch up. I literally had to remove with a little oil based eye makeup remover since it stained my lips in a major way. That stain isn’t drying either so my lips were pleasantly flushed with color all day without looking dry due to that stain.
Lovesick
Smitten
Honey
Adore
Romantic
Rendezvous
Adore with Clear Lipgloss
(Smitten after six hours of wear)
Overall, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain isn’t the most moisturizing lip pencil around. I find they tug a bit during application and may look a little sloppy on less than smooth lips. However, the variety of colors, interesting stain effect, and overall pigmentation on the product is a solid win at this price. The pros definitely outweigh the single con of the product.
I likey!
Well worth picking up and I think a Muse Approval is in order here!