Lip Gloss Week: e.l.f Studio Lip Stain in Fashionista

This kinda sounds like cheating, but technically, it isn't. So. Ha! I decided to talk about the e.l.f Lip Stain in Fashionista (P250) for my third post this Lip Gloss Week. It's an interesting hybrid of stain and moisturizing lip gloss. You get the pigmentation and staying power of a lipstick, and the plumping shine of gloss.

Applying the e.l.f Lip Stain is a two-step process. First, shade your lips with the highly pigmented color. Wait for it to dry completely. Then, apply the moisturizing gloss on top. Sounds simple right? Just remember to use a small amount of color for your first layer. Too much and it streaks! Don't wear lip balm underneath, too. You won't get an opaque layer of color.

Let me dash your hopes right here, o dry-lipped women: this isn't for dry, flaky, and/or blistered lips. You can only comfortably pull this off if you have smooth lips. Otherwise, this'll look and feel like a hot mess as soon as you wear it. The plastick-y smell doesn't help, either.

If you don't have that problem though, this is a nice drugstore find. It stays on for a good four hours! It doesn't dry my lips overmuch because the gloss has enough moisture for me. The bright pink color is pretty (reminds me of my favorite Shiseido Rouge Lacquer, Disco), and it doesn't feel too sticky.

However, I avoid eating with this on, if I can. It rather fades from the center, leaving me with weird ringed lips.

The first layer is super rich in color and has a beautiful matte finish. It feels kinda powdery and papery on the lips, though, since this is technically pigment in an oily emulsion. Don't wear this as is!

With the gloss. The shine makes lips plumper and sortof "activates" the color, making it even more vibrant. This gloss has enough moisture for my normal lips.

Overall, while the e.l.f Lip Stain formula won't win awards from me, it performs well enough for the P250 I spent on it. It's highly pigmented, it stays on under reasonable conditions, and comes in trendy colors. Try Fashionista out if you've always wanted to wear a shade like Shiseido Disco, but don't want to splurge. ;)

Let me know what you think! Have you tried the Lip Stain yet?