Review: Colorbar Velvet Matte Sultry Pink Lipstick

For the last two and a half years, I had reverted to wearing nude lips most of the time. When not wearing lippies like Oriflame Pure Colors Lipstick in Vintage Rose, I was wearing very light colors like Lotus Herbals Pure Colors Lipstick in Mod Mauve or my Nivea Starshine lipbalms. Around 8-9 months back, I realised the pattern had to be broken and began venturing into bolder colours. My journey is a story for another day. For now, I'll share my latest one with you guys. Ladies, I bring you the Colorbar Velvet Matte Lipstick in Sultry Pink. I'd gotten this back in November and had swatched it immediately for you guys. But after using it for the last two months, I can't get enough of it!

Colorbar Velvet Matt Lipstick Sultry Pink Tube

Colorbar Velvet Matt Lipstick Sultry Pink Colour in Tube

What Colorbar Says

For a rich lip colour with a creamy shine, the Velvett Matte Lipstick, available in 45 stunning shades infuse the lips with vibrancy. Its unique 2-in-1 formulation gives the lips a creamy, yet matte finish. A one of a kind product in India, it has super softening agents that give the lips a soft and supple appearance while keep them nourished with Vitamin E. Staying on up to 5 hours on application, the Velvett Matte Lipstick can be further accentuated with lip gloss and lip liner.

What I Think

Someone said the other day "Colorbar got it right with the Velvet Matte". I disagree. I don't think they got it right. They got it DAMN RIGHT! That's how awesome these lipsticks are. I have Bare and Sultry Pink and am totally berating myself for not getting one of these sooner. These are just brilliant!

In the lipstick world. we associate Matte with drying. For someone like me who has prune lips (thanks for the phrase Zara!), Matte lipsticks can be horrifying. But these are not drying at all. The lipstick is quite creamy and has a lovely finish. Even though this is a bold colour, it does not bleed at all. With a lipliner underneath, it does not settle into fine lines. Without one, it does after 3-4 hours. Its starts to fade after this time leaving a nice even tint. And guess what, it survives a full three course meal and coffee! I've tested that out too :) 

Sultry Pink is a bright berry pink with reddish undertones. Following Lisa Eldridge's advice, I wear it in three different ways. Check out the swatches to see what I mean!

Colorbar Velvet Matt Lipstick Sultry Pink Swatch with Flash
(As Lipstain, Two Swipes & Single Swipe)

Colorbar Velvet Matt Lipstick Sultry Pink Swatch without Flash
(As Lipstain, Two Swipes & Single Swipe)

1. Lipstain: A lovely warm berry lipstain that lasts all day and can be glammed by topping off with a gloss / lipbalm
2. Single Swipe: The low intensity colour makes for good office wear specially with a neutral outfit and or eyes. If you don't have time to do your makeup in the morning, just swipe this on and you wont need anything else
3. Two Swipes: It builds up to opaque brilliance in just two swipes. Looks fantastic and makes for great evening wear. But the best part is, it can even be worn when you want a glam look in the daytime! It is not over the top at all :)

What it Costs

At INR 225 for 4 gms, this is a steal!!

The Good

1. Great Pigmentation
2. Awesome lasting power
3. Non-Drying
4. Transfer resistant!

The Bad

1. Colorbar is not as easily available as its counterpart Indian brands, like Lakme
2. It has a synthetic smell that lasts a long time

The Ugly

Nothing is ugly about this one... its a beauty!

Final Rating

9/10

Review: Oriflame Pure Colours Lipstick in Vintage Rose

Back when I was on the lookout for the perfect nude lipstick, I came across this little beauty. And little it is! Oriflame Pure Colours is available in a smaller size (2.5 gm) for trial and I picked the two nude shades that the catalogue showed. One is Vintage Nude and the other is Vintage Rose. Today, let's talk about Vintage Rose

See how small it is compared to a standard lipbalm?

What Oriflame Claims
There is no product info on the site

What I Think

Without Flash

With Flash

The colour in tube comes across a soft pink and upon swatching you realise it is a warm, pink toned nude shade. It is quite sheer and glossy. You can see the swatches which are built up post 3 swipes.

The packaging is ok. Does not look cheap but not very elegant either. I wish the shade was easier to detect though. I have to squint my eyes and read the shade name on the small tube.

It has a pleasant sweet smell that lasts for a while post application. Nothing offensive, but not everyone likes their lippies to smell.

The lasting power could have been better. A lot better. This lasts for about two hours and vanishes without a trace :( It is non drying but not moisturising. If you wear a balm underneath, the pigmentation goes for a toss!

This was my goto lipstick when I first got this. Great for office wear and will match any outfit and look. My Mahogany has usurped it from crown position but I still love to get it out. It is excellent for air travel. Fits into the smallest of pockets and small enough to do a discreet touch up on your seat!

What It Costs
The 4 gm version costs INR 179 and the 2.5 gm one costs INR 99. But they are on offer very often and I picked mine for INR 59 only. These are good enough without the offer as well, but becomes a steal deal with discounts

The Good

1. The shade. It is an amazing warm nude shade that will suit just about everyone
2. You don't need a gloss with this
3. Quite economical

The Bad

1. It should have been more long lasting
2. Shade selection from catalogue is tricky. It looked nothing like this in the printed swatch

The Ugly
Availability is a big issue. It is available only thru Oriflame reps. Let's not count ebay here. I am not sure if they sell genuine or fake stuff! And even if you have a rep close by, the product may not feature in every month's catalogue.

Final Rating
7/10