Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color: Part 1

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color SPF 12 ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) are new lipstick formula for spring (and being added to the permanent range). The line consists of twelve shades, and this review features five of those. According to Bobbi Brown, these are “lightweight, yet intense” and have “a clear base to deliver pure, crisp color with just one swipe.” The formula is also “creamy and moisturizing.” These shades are officially described as: Guava (bright pink coral), Old Hollywood (bright cherry red), Sweet Nectar (coral pink), Soft Coral (pale peach), and Bikini Pink (soft white pink).

I’ve road tested three shades from the line-up specifically for wear: Bikini Pink, Soft Coral, Old Hollywood. The idea is to test for wear and to do so with shades with different intensities. Bikini Pink is the lightest, while Soft Coral lies in the middle, and Old Hollywood, being a red, was likely to last the longest. The lighter colors inevitably fade/last less than deeper shades, as deeper shades often stain, which is why I try to test from both ends of a spectrum when it comes to a new lipstick formula.

• Guava is a deep pink-coral-red with a hint of orange. It’s bright without being neon. It is slightly less orange than Illamasqua’s Mistress. It is darker than Laura Mercier’s Tangerine. It is more intense and deeper than MAC Crosswires.
• Old Hollywood is a bright, rich cherry red with a blue-base. It is similar to Guerlain Greta, MAC Russian Red (but it’s not as bright), and Rimmel Alarm (it is darker).
• Sweet Nectar is a medium-dark pink coral. It is richer and a little brighter than MAC See Sheer, slightly more orange-based than Milani Bora Bora.
• Soft Coral is a softened orange; more orange than coral. It is more orange than MAC Ravishing, but it is less coral than MAC Vegas Volt.
• Bikini Pink is a soft, light-medium pink with subtle yellow undertones. It is a few shades lighter than Cle de Peau #106, not as pink as MAC Angel nor as light as MAC Hue, but it is similar to MAC Overtime.

my thoughts on the formula: These are really comfortable to wear,with their semi-matte finishes, creamy but lightweight texture, and rich color coverage.  Every shade was opaque and needed very little product to achieve full color coverage.  They are also scent- and taste-free, which should appeal to some.  Wear was anywhere from four to six hours, with deeper shades like Old Hollywood lasting a full six and beginning to fade after that.  Lighter shades hung on for about four hours.

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• Product: 30/30
• Value: 8/10
• Ease of Use: 4/5
• Packaging: 5/5

final thoughts: I actually really liked these; I love how pigmented they are, but they’re creamy without actually being creamy.  They have the feel, glide, and finish of creamier formulas, but there is very little slip and very little product is on the lips, giving a rather featherweight feel.  These colors do not have a full matte finish, but they still wear well–no clinging or seeping into lip lines.

where to buy: Bobbi Brown, Nordstrom

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color Lipstick: Guava (1), Old Hollywood (2), Sweet Nectar (6), Soft Coral (7), Bikini Pink (8)

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color Lipstick: Guava (1), Old Hollywood (2), Sweet Nectar (6), Soft Coral (7), Bikini Pink (8)

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color Lipstick: Guava (1), Old Hollywood (2), Sweet Nectar (6), Soft Coral (7), Bikini Pink (8)

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color Lipstick: Guava (1), Old Hollywood (2), Sweet Nectar (6), Soft Coral (7), Bikini Pink (8)

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color Lipstick: Guava (1), Old Hollywood (2), Sweet Nectar (6), Soft Coral (7), Bikini Pink (8)

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color Lipstick: Guava (1), Old Hollywood (2), Sweet Nectar (6), Soft Coral (7), Bikini Pink (8)

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color Lipstick: Guava (1), Old Hollywood (2), Sweet Nectar (6)

Bobbi Brown Rich Lip Color Lipstick: Soft Coral (7), Bikini Pink (8)

Bobbi Brown Guava Rich Lip Color Lipstick

Bobbi Brown Guava Rich Lip Color Lipstick

Bobbi Brown Old Hollywood Rich Lip Color Lipstick

Bobbi Brown Old Hollywood Rich Lip Color Lipstick

Bobbi Brown Sweet Nectar Rich Lip Color Lipstick

Bobbi Brown Sweet Nectar Rich Lip Color Lipstick

Bobbi Brown Soft Coral Rich Lip Color Lipstick

Bobbi Brown Soft Coral Rich Lip Color Lipstick

Bobbi Brown Bikini Pink Rich Lip Color Lipstick

Bobbi Brown Bikini Pink Rich Lip Color Lipstick