Of course, as with any lip stain you might come across, the condition of your lips is an essential component to the success of the product. If your lips are at all dry & chapped, the stain will adhere to those areas too much. Once all of that is squared away and you're starting with conditioned, exfoliated lips, this stain goes on quick, sheer, and sets fairly quickly. It can be layered to increase color payoff, but I do suggest that you wait a few seconds between coats to avoid merely rubbing off some of what you just applied.

Once you've got the look you want, you could step right out the door, but I like applying a bit of gloss on top for comfort and to add a little shine. The nib is fine enough to be precise, however keep in mind that some of the lighter shades are sheer enough that the definition is less prominent. The stain doesn't last through everything (after a sandwich you'll probably want to touch up, for example), but it does have worthwhile staying power otherwise (about 3-4 hours, in my experience) before you'll get the urge to touch up a bit.

Overall, I love the mode of application and color results, but it would be even better if it stayed longer through any situation. Also, there's a small learning curve if you're not used to applying lip stain. The look is pretty and not too overdone, just right for warm weather style. $16, maccosmetics.com.

DeLush Rating: