L’Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Stick Review & Swatches
L�Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Sticks have finally arrived in the US but there is a little confusion with the display. If you head on into Target (which seems to be the only place in the US at the moment that actually has these in stock) for a purchase you’ll find a display that simply reads “Luminous Lips” but indeed these are Caresse Sticks.
Those who tried the Caresse Sticks from the UK will indeed by surprised that the formula and packaging of the US version is quite different but not in a bad way.
Here’s my thoughts and review on the new L�Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Sticks.
One thing that irks me about these is the lack of a name on the packaging. The stick on the bottom simply reads L’Oreal Colour Rich and the gold tube simply reads L’Oreal Paris. I wish they would have somehow defined that these are indeed Caresse Sticks because right now it proves anyone’s guess.
Where as the UK release is a clear gold packaging these are a completely gold tubing with a color band around the lower edge of the tube representing the shade inside. I actually like the UK’s version a little more since I can see the shade inside and it lacks the cheapness that I’m getting from the lighter all gold tube of the US release. In some cases, it kinda reminds me of a YSL Lipstick and in others I feel it looks a little cheap particularly when I’m holding it and I feel how light it truly is.
(Left: UK Release Right: US Release)
(Left: US Release Right: UK Release)
Packaging aside, what’s inside is what really matters here and L’Oreal has successfully created a lipstick to be proud of with these.
This isn’t a lipstick formula nor is it a gloss, it’s more a tinted lip product of sorts with a hybrid formula that mimics a lipstick in color and has the shine of a gloss. Unlike Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter this is very lightweight with full color pay off that’s very natural and pretty. I found all the shades had a fantastic color pay off with a far lighter less balm-y texture than Revlon’s Lip Butters. This isn’t to say that I don’t love Revlon’s formula but I must say I do prefer, at this point, L’Oreal lighter, glossy texture. If you didn’t love how heavy Revlon’s version was you’ll love how virtually weightless and comfortable Caresse Sticks feel and wear. They are considerably more pigmented and lighter than Clinique’s Almost Lipstick as well since Almost Lipstick doesn’t have the same shiny finish as these and feels more balm-y in texture.
Rose Taffeta
Sunset Angora
Cherry Tulle
Fiery Veil
The formula has a smoother, slippery feel with a buttery glide on lips. It’s a pure joy to work with as it acts as a tinted lip treatment of sorts with a far nicer pigmentation than you’d get from your average, everyday run of the mill tinted lip product.
I find the UK formula has a little balminess to it with a soft, buttery feel and glide. The US release is far lighter with more slipperiness to the formula and a higher shine. Granted, it’s not the shiny finish associated with a lipgloss but it has a high sheen to it that’s quite pretty and gives it just the right amount of shine that you aren’t wanting to reach for your lipgloss to wear on top of it.
Sunset Angora and Cherry Tulle
Rose Taffeta and Fiery Veil
Overall, L�Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Sticks are a win for me. They have a lightweight formula with a rich color payoff that wears beautifully on my lips. Even drier lips will appreciate the soft, hydrating feel which glides on flawlessly. L’Oreal has successfully captured all the great things we love about lipstick, tinted lip products, gloss, and balm and stuck it into one beautiful formula.
I highly suggest checking these out.
They deserve a Muse Approval. I loved ’em!
Available now at Target for $7.99 each (it’s the only place I’ve been able to locate them so far).