Talking about a new-to-me Liquid Lipstick formulation today.
THE BACKSTORY: I am almost always sceptical about products that companies create to suit an entire country. When I heard that Smashbox was going to release an exclusive shade for my country, I was ready to give it a go. With such a dense population of varying skintones and undertones, it will most definitely be a challenge to nail a single colour to suit an entire country. Granted, a majority of the girls here do have warm undertones… But there’s also oddballs like me. So to market a shade that claims to be “created” for said country… is very bold.
THE PRODUCT: I do quite like how hefty the packaging is. It feels like it’s made of glass and I honestly can’t tell whether it actually is glass or just heavy, high-quality plastic. I like the rectangular component too. I also like the flat, tear-drop shaped applicator. I think applicators can make or break a Liquid Lipstick and when it comes to shapes such as this one, it makes the whole application process a lot easier because of the sharper edges that allow precision.
When it comes to the formula, it is rather thin and it spreads on smoothly. It is very pigmented and opaque enough to cover your natural lip-colour with a single swipe across the lips. It’s also very lightweight and is more comfortable than your average matte Liquid Lipstick. I feel like this is a formulation that will work well with a lot of different people, including Liquid Lipstick naysayers like myself, because of how comfortable it is. Then again, matte finishes and comfort don’t really go hand in hand. So, take that how you will.
Longevity-wise, it is a long-lasting formula and will last a good 4-5 hours. However, after meals, it will start wearing off from the middle like most other matte products. Re-application with matte products can be a tricky subject but because of the thinner formula, this one fares better overall. I would, however, suggest removing the remnants of the lip-colour after a meal, with a tissue, and re-applying the colour once more.
As far as the “created” for *insert country name* colour goes, it works surprisingly well on a neutral-cool undertoned person like me. I was pessimistic about how a Medium Pink would work as a one-size-fits-all lip colour.
But then, I noted the dry-down of this formula. The colour deepens tenfold – I’m assuming it differs from undertone to undertone – after it sets and it changes to a point that it no longer is a Medium Pink on me. It’s more of a mauve-y pink.
While I was disappointed at how the Medium Pink was obviously not going to register as such on my complexion, I’m also aware of how this makes the product a true, all-encompassing chameleon to suit other undertones and complexions. On fairer skintones, it will look like a darker pink (great for daily use nonetheless) and on darker skintones, it will work as a light nude pink (again, great for daily use).
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in ‘Gula-Bae’.
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in ‘Gula-Bae’.
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in ‘Gula-Bae’.
SWATCHES AND SHADES AVAILABLE: Smashbox has a wide variety of shades in their Always On Liquid Lipstick line, from your nudes and pinks to your statement-making purples, greys and blacks.
- ‘Gula-Bae’ – A medium pink with mauve and brown undertones. Depending on your complexion, one undertone or the other will be more apparent.
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in ‘Gula-Bae’.
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in ‘Gula-Bae’.
PRICE AND QUANTITY: 2100 INR for 4 ml of product.
AVAILABILITY: Nykaa stores, Sephora stores, Shoppers Stop, Nykaa (online), Sephora (online) etc.
♥ OVERALL: It’s a good formula and the colour is actually pretty. Not much else to say that I haven’t already.
Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in ‘Gula-Bae’.
Pros
- Pigmented and opaque.
- Goes on smoothly and dries down quickly.
- Good longevity.
- Comfortable formula despite its matte finish.
- While Gula-Bae is a pretty shade, you also have a large variety of other colours to choose from.
Cons
- Price is steep.
