Lip Gelee

The formula is supposed to have "transparent color" and a "wave of glossy shine" that "imparts a cushion-like, conditioning tint." It has a "sheer color core" surrounded by a "hydrating balm." The product screams gimmicky, and the performance was so dismal that I can't help but think that's all it is. On my lips, I did actually see differences in tints--warmer, cooler, pinker, redder--but anyone with more natural pigmentation will likely find that harder and harder to determine. The transparent aspect was accurate, and the sheerness was really as expected based on the marketing.

What wasn't expected was that these did not function at all as a hydrating product. I put one on, and I had to reapply before I even finished taking photos of various cheek colors because it had disappeared. The shine lingers for a half hour, at best, doing absolutely nothing (no eating, drinking, or talking), and all that remains is a tight, clingy feeling, no shine, and no comfort. I wore them over and over again, and my lips never felt hydrated during nor did they feel hydrated after wearing the formula all day long. Even upon initial application, "a wave of glossy shine" is a stretch.

To make matters worse, the whole concept of the jelly encasing the tint makes it difficult to apply evenly, as the color portion is tiny and delivers tint to the center of my lips but doesn't move it outward. In order to get even distribution of color, I had to press my lips together or use my fingertips to spread out the product.