A Gold Lipgloss for the Season

Illamasqua Stranger Intense Lipgloss ($22.00 for 0.20 oz.) is described as a “metallic gold.” It’s a dirty, antique gold with a green-ish tinge and warmer, bronzy gold shimmer. It’s probably a shock to no one that I don’t have a laundry list of dupes for this shade–in fact, I couldn’t think of anything all that similar. MAC Liquid Lurex had a similar coloring in the tube, but it’s very sheer and glittery. OCC Triptych is warm, yellow-y gold. It’s different, and it’s certainly not a shade for everyone, but I’m really glad I picked it up. I think you can lightly dab it over various lipsticks/glosses to add a metallic shimmer if wearing it on its own isn’t your style.

It has mostly opaque color coverage, and the color applied evenly overall.  The Intense Lipgloss formula is designed to give rich color with a high shine finish.  It’s supposed to have a non-sticky texture, and there was no tack in the gloss to speak of.  It delivered a lot of color (and a ton of shimmer), and the finish was a bit glossy but very metallic.  Stranger lasted five hours on me, which is longer than average for a gloss. While worn, it was neither drying nor hydrating. The only downside is that ever since Illamasqua switched to brush-type applicator, nearly all of mine have had wonky, splayed brushes.

Illamasqua Stranger Intense Lipgloss

Illamasqua Stranger Intense Lipgloss

Illamasqua Stranger Intense Lipgloss

Illamasqua Stranger Intense Lipgloss

Illamasqua Stranger Intense Lipgloss

Illamasqua Stranger Intense Lipgloss