What lipstick formula did you used to love but no longer does it for you?

This is kind of cheating, but Estee Lauder’s reformulation of the Pure Color line-up made it so it went from a really fantastic, go-to formula to one I don’t even think I’d bother to buy more shades of to review 🙁

— Christine

22 Comments

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Sydney Avatar

Melt. When I was younger, I didn’t mind that they were dry, and I loved how long lasting they are. But now there are so many formulas that are comfortable and long lasting that I don’t feel the need to wear something so dry. Also they got rid of my favorite colors.

Seraphine Avatar

Any finish that dries to the point where I have to remove it and reapply it rather than just touch it up, and finishes that don’t allow me to rub my lips together and feel the creaminess of lipstick. Lipstick that completely dries down used to be something I liked, but I strongly dislike it now.

Lily Kelley Avatar

I like the new MAC Lusterglass lipsticks but i really loved the original luster lipsticks in the Jubilee and Freckletone shades.

Melissa Avatar

Christine, with regards to the Pure Color formula,
do you mean this for the mattes or also the cream formula? It look like they redid both formulations, and I see you just rated 2 of the matte shades quite poorly, but am curious if you thought the cream formula has also suffered.

To your question: honestly, no…I actually haven’t been as disappointed by reformulations as I have been towards the trends of warm color and matte finishes and how those have in some cases replaced entire lines of beautiful, vibrant creams/satins. Most reformulations that isn’t a total revamp into a matte formula have been fine, IMO.

Lily Kelley Avatar

Christine i tried one of the new cream formulas at Macys and by the time i got home from shopping and had some water the lipstick was gone!

Jenny B Avatar

Bobbi Brown’s Lux Lip Color were amazing in longevity and nurture for my lips, especially the Hibiscus colour which was my HG for years. But after the reformulation they are no longer as good for my lips. I could live with the slight colour change in Hibiscus, but I NEED a lipstick to do well for my lips. Luckily I have two backups of the original Hibiscus now that I am using up my first.

BrandiD Avatar

MAC’s Lustre lipsticks were my favorite for a long time, until I developed an allergy to something in them. The new Lustreglass formula is even worse. I love their Love Me line, but it looks like they’re cutting it down and possibly discontinuing it. It’s frustrating.

Genevieve Avatar

It’s amazing to me how a brand can create a fabulous lipstick and then change the formula so that it’s now quite rubbish – I agree with you Christine – don’t waste your money buying anymore EL lipsticks when the ones you have purchased are just not up to the mark for the price.
As someone who now never, ever buys expensive lipsticks nowadays (because in the past I have and they have either broken (Chanel) or had a ridiculously short wear time (EL) I tend to only purchase from brands that are inexpensive but great – like CP, Maybelline and Flower Beauty.
I guess a brand I used to buy from a lot was Revlon, but we parted ways quite some time ago because I found their lipsticks to be not worth it for me.

Suzie Q. Miller Avatar

The MAC Lustre formula. I used to love the prismatic formula with an almost duochrome effect some the of the special colors had like Lollipop Loving which was coral with a slight green shift and some other shades had rainbow shimmer and glitter. It may be age related but now that formula dries out my lips and leaves them chapped. I can’t be arsed to layer with their primer and all that. Also, I just gravitated from sheerer natural formulas to more opaque. If I wanted colored lip balm, I will buy colored lip balm.

Cara Avatar

I can’t wear full opacity matte lipsticks anymore. After years of wearing tinted balms and sheer glosses, I just can’t go back to lip products that need to be babysat and a mirror for touch ups.

Matilda Avatar

Shiny and glossy formulas. They just don’t look right anymore. As I mature, I prefer a more balm-like texture or a cream that isn’t too heavy.

Maria Avatar

Every flat matte formula.
Like a lot of people, I grew tired of them, because the trend faded, and also because they are super drying.
I am no longer willing to compromise comfort so I want my lip products to feel moisturizing 🙂

sarah Avatar

Ultra matte formulas that made my lips look like a stucco ceiling!!!! I also don’t like the “plumping” tingly lipglosses. I like mousse finishes–Lisa Eldridge Velvet Lipsticks, Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick, NARS Powermatte, Lancome L’Absolu Lip Lacquer Gloss aren’t bad.

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