Almay Liquid Lip Balm Review & Swatches
Almay Color + Care Liquid Lip Balm is a newly launched hybrid formula that has the pigment and shine of a gloss but the texture and moisturizing properties of a lip balm.
I dunno how I feel about a hybrid gloss slash balm. I mean I’m happy enough with my lip balm being a lip balm and my gloss being a gloss. Do the two products really need a marriage?
Let’s find out.
I recently purchased three of the new Almay Liquid Lip Balms (0.24 oz) at Harmons for $4.99 each (I’m sure they’ll be higher at CVS, Walgreens, etc…EEP! Yak! Burp!).
Truffle Kiss, Just Plum, Apple a Day
These come in a chubby style tube with a sponge tip applicator. The packaging quite reminds me of a lip balm of sorts so the cross over isn’t just with the formula but also the packaging that will make you think of lip balm when you see it.
I kinda like them and I kinda don’t. Shrug…! And I think some of you will feel the same. They are either a “Oh gee, these are really great…” or more of a “Meh, these are cool…” I kinda fall into feeling they are pretty cool but uneventful. I just don’t think I need a marriage between my lip balm and my lip gloss.
These have a thicker consistency like a melted down lip balm of sorts. The texture has a silicone-y feel which slides onto lips evenly and easily with a soft, buttery texture much like a good lip balm. They have a fairly nice pigmentation which offers opaque color coverage when built up. They leave lips feeling moisturized and hydrated through the wear of around three to four hours. I find the finish has a nice sheen with a lighter shine but nothing super glossy.
I would say the formula probably looks, feels, and applies like your favorite lip balm but in a liquid formulation. They basically offer the moisture of a balm, the buttery texture of one, yet the application and pigment of a good gloss. They aren’t terribly lightweight so like a balm they make themselves known on your lips with their thicker consistency.
Just Plum
Truffle Kiss
Almay Liquid Lip Balms will probably gain the favor of those with drier lips who want a tinted lip balm slash gloss. Personally…I’m cool with not marrying the two products. Gloss should be gloss and balm should be balm, they really don’t need to be combined in my humblest. It’s not that I don’t like these as the formula is fairly good. I just find them a little uneventful. I carry lip balm around because I don’t like reapplying lipgloss. Balm is an easy swipe and go method to get moisture on my lips as well as a hint of color. I find gloss a little more work for reapplication so you can see why the idea of a glossy balm just doesn’t really appeal to me!
Shrug.
Not really impressed.
I would recommend trying at least one out as you may have some gloss changing experience if you do. Who knows you might adore them! Personally I’m good with carrying around both a gloss and a lip balm. No marriage needed.
Thoughts?
Tried ’em?
Do share!