A long, blog like review FILLED with honest details. Here's everything you need to know-
I'm a 42yo die hard skincare junkie with combo sensitive skin that I am obsessed with keeping as youthful and healthy looking as possible- that includes my lips too! ⭐ARRIVAL, PACKAGING & A NOTE ON CALIFORNIA PROP 65⭐ The product arrived super quick. The clear, flex plastic box is triangular shaped, which is pretty unique and cute. It contains all of the important information like product description and ingredients. Along with the CA Prop 65 warning, there is a lot number stamped on the bottom of the package. The open jar symbol lets us know that the formula will be good for 12 months after use. I did a VERY DEEP dive (psycho style) into prop 65 a few months back and how it relates to skincare, health and beauty products. I found that the cutoff levels of over 900 different ingredients are SO LOW, that literally one breath of air or even a single sip of water (depending on where it’s sourced) can expose you to more of whatever the ingredient is that showed up on the assessment test. While I do appreciate the safety precautions of CA Prop 65, I'm also realistic about them and I'm not scared to use products (from reputable brands) that contain this warning. I do wish we knew what was found/flagged on the test (which could be one or more of over 900 different things), so I'm going to reach out to Dearcloud just to find out. I'll be back to update with any info. The outer package is sealed shut with a tamper proof sticker on both the top and bottom. Inside, we have the beautiful component. It is rectangular shaped and crystal clear (plastic), showing off the gorgeous color formula inside. There are no markings/designs on the component, save for the branding in white on one side. There is also a sticker on the very bottom with the color name. The top twists on/off and has an adorable silver (painted plastic- although the paint doesn't seem to chip and look bad) cloud on top which is branded and totally fitting for the brand name. The component seems small, but it is filled with .13oz of product which is pretty typical for a lip stain. ⭐INGREDIENTS⭐ Part of my obsession with beauty and skincare lays in the chemistry. I deep dive into every formulation, looking at all of the ingredients and seeing how they work with each other. Not only do I want to know exactly what I am putting on/in my body, but I've been studying product formulations for so long, looking at the ingredients gives me a pretty good idea about how effective the product will be. It always makes me happy when a brand posts the full ingredient list on the product page. It says a lot about transparency and makes me trust them more too. The ingredient list on the product page matches what is printed on the box- so there are no surprises here. So let's deep dive into this formulation... The ingredients in this formula are pretty straightforward for a lip care product. Ingredient #3 is noteworthy in that Hydrogenated Polyisobutene is better than a lot of it's alternatives. This isn't a skincare superstar or anything, but the synthetic polymer is a fantastic emollient (keeps skin soft and locks moisture in). It outperforms Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (which is often in lip formulas) in hydration and it is often used as a (better) substitution for mineral oil. The sixth ingredient (out of 25 total, this one is still up at the top/in the formula in a higher concentration) we have Glycerin- which IS a skincare superstar! Glycerin is something that is already in our skin and the more of it the better. It is a very strong/powerful humectant (stronger than HA), which pulls moisture to the skin. Since it has a low molecular weight, glycerin pulls that hydration down into the deeper layers of skin, not just at the surface. Basically when it is in a lip formula, it hydrates from within which equals plumping (due to extra moisture), it's brightening and fantastic for anti-aging (bye bye lines and wrinkles! Glycerin basically chokes them out, making them invisible!). On top of all that, Glycerin also has antimicrobial and antiviral properties- which is perfect for a lip product (with the wand going in and out of the formula over and over again) and your lips! Another superstar in the formula is Squalane, which is an emollient that helps the skin hold onto moisture. Squalane isn't just an awesome moisture locker though. It's an antioxidant and can help fight free radicals and skin damage and it also has a detoxifying effect when applied to the skin and lips. Towards the bottom, we have some natural oils and extracts like sunflower seed oil (AKA Helianthus Annuus Seed Oil), a great fatty acid that helps the skin create ceramides (which in turn protect the skin barrier). I got really excited to see Epilobium angustifolium flower/leaf/stem extract (AKA fireweed or willowherb extract). This stuff is AMAZING and has been used topically in a medicinal (both Eastern and Western) capacity for years! It contains a compound called oenothein B which increases oxygen molecules and protects cells from oxidative damage (basically, it helps your lips NOT look older...YEA!). So it's a powerful antioxidant, it's also a natural astringent, has antibacterial properties, it's an anti-inflammatory on top of being super soothing and helps with the softness of skin. This is an amazing natural ingredient that is just starting to gain traction in the beauty industry and I'm beyond excited that it's in this formula! Aside from what I mentioned, the formula has some other decent emollients, stabilizers, emulsifiers and colorants. Nothing really jumps out at me as dangerous or even questionable. I actually feel like the ingredients in this formula are better than a lot of others on the market. There is one ingredient however I always get nervous when I see- Parfum. I am very sensitive to scent/flavors and not only does my skin react, but I get migraines triggered by scent often (especially when it's posted up right under my nose). ⭐THE FORMULA⭐ 💄APPLICATION💄 After unscrewing the adorable cloud top we have a clear wand that ends in a typical, angled, dough foot applicator. The color of the formula looks exactly like it does through the component, although the pigment seems deeper and more vivid. On my product thickness scale (1 being water and 10 being a rich body butter or paste), I would have to gibe this a 7.25. It feels pretty thick when it goes on, but not so thick where you have to dip back into the component (1 dip covers my lips very well!) and it isn't the thick that pulls at your skin. I was a bit surprised by this at first because the description says this is like a 'Lip oil meets tint', so I guess I expected it to be thinner and more runny, but it's not thin or runny at all though. The way this applies actually feels like a matte lip gloss would, just not as goopy or heavy, but it does have that velvety feeling (without the weight) during the application. I do NOT like the feel of matte lip products- at all- so I was happy this didn't feel/look like one. It glides over the lips effortlessly and it's SO EASY to get a sharp and defined cupids bow and clean Vermilion boarders and corners. This doesn't bleed or run onto the skin outside the mouth, not even a little bit- even if there are lines/creases for it to travel in. While I was surprised at first by the texture, this has to be one of the easiest lip products I've ever applied (and I think I've used/tried a least a thousand at this point! Oh...and with the application being so clean and easy, you really don't need to purse or rub your lips together after this is on either. Since it goes on so easily, evenly and without globs, it looks pretty flawless immediately after application. I have to admit that I'm really happy about that last part too. While I've yet to get lip filler, I always do the 'Botox lip flip' which makes it nearly impossible to curl my upper lip in and rub it against the lower one.) 💄COLOR💄 I chose the color Pinky because I typically wear the mauve/pink and nude colors. I have light-medium skin and cool undertones. Pinky applies pretty dark/bold which scared me a little at first because I usually don't rock a bold lip. Within a few seconds after I swiped the color on, it did lighten up a bit. This is NOT one of those colors/tints that lightens up a lot though. It is HIGHLY pigmented- like, the most I have ever seen with a tint, so while the shade gets lighter, the color is pretty potent. Pinky is a pretty neutral color at application, with both warm and cool notes. That surprised me too because it looks VERY cool toned through the component and I expected it to be fully cool toned. It stays very neutral during wear too, although indoors (or in low light) the cool blue/purple undertones are more noticeable and when you are outside on a bright sunny day, there are warmer hints thrown in along with the cool. I feel like this is definitely a neutral color overall that can be worn by (and look great on) almost anyone to be honest, save for those with super fair, light, cool skin. I'll also note that when I first used this (over a month ago), I was very pasty white (Upstate NY translucent actually). As I have been outside more, getting more sun kissed, the color is looking a lot better on me. There is a slight glossiness upon application that remains on the lips for a while. If you blot (which really isn’t necessary because there really isn’t a terrible excess after application), you probably will blot the very light gloss right off. Again, the color is HIGHLY pigmented, but applies super even. Unlike a lot of other tints that you need to apply a few different layers of to achieve a deeper, richer color, this formula only needs ONE layer- ONE! It’s insane how much color this deposits on the lips. Even after an hour- it’s still SUPER pigmented. Two, three hours later- no change. By the 4th hour (and with lots of drinks, eating, etc), the color finally starts to fade a little bit. The whole time, there is still dimension (it’s not a flat color at all) and depth to it too. This is one he*l of a stain- I’ll say that much! I can’t remember ever wearing a stain that was this deep for so long. ‘Impressed’ isn’t a strong enough word. 💄SCENT💄 On top of the added parfum, the Octyldodecanol (the second ingredient in the formula) is known to enhance the scent of whatever is in the formula with it. As I mentioned earlier, I was worried that this would be one of those formulas that was powerful and migraine inducing. So what DOES this smell like? … Nothing! I can’t pick up on ANY scent/fragrance at all whatsoever in this (and I have a sensitive nose and even more sensitive skin!) when it is on my lips. When I put my nose right up to the dough foot, I DO pick up a light and clean berry aroma, but it’s not strong or overwhelming. I do get a little bit of that berry aroma (along with the standard lipstick/oil scent) during the application, but it really dissipates super fast because once it’s all applied, there is no noticeable scent at all. I always bring this up when I talk about added fragrance in cosmetics- My good friend is a chemist who works in makeup/skincare (for BIG names too!) and he said that ‘usually’ when a product has a very heavy fragrance added, it is in there to cover/mask the stench of sub-par ingredients (apparently if you aren’t using good stuff, some ingredients stink pretty bad!). Now, this doesn’t apply to all makeup/skincare, but he said that the ‘worst offenders’ are usually lip products- where it is easier to use/conceal cheep, low grade stuff. Yes…this DOES have added fragrance (and it’s not listed at the bottom of the list either), but aside from maybe the sunflower oil that I’m picking up on, it makes me REALLY happy that this doesn’t smell like anything at all! Better for my skin, my head and with what I just shared, it means the ingredients are top notch too! ⭐WEAR⭐ ⏲️TIME & TRANSFER⏲️ I’ve already noted how this does lighten up a tad right after application, but it stays on and very pigmented for a good 4 hours before it starts to lighten up. This is advertised as a 6hr wear, and while I don’t have the patience (or remember to check on it) to see if it actually makes it to the 6hr mark, I honestly would be surprised if it didn’t. I’m amazed that it stays on as long as it does, through eating, drinking and everything else. It doesn’t rub off, kiss off or transfer either. I know this because my tumbler is white and I have never seen a lipstick stain (from this product anyways) on the side of that, nor have I seen one on a straw that I’ve used either. Interestingly enough, this stays on after swimming and laying/working in the sun too! Of course, you do want to let this settle on the lips for a good 10 minutes to absorb all the pigment you can. If I blot my lips before that happens, they absorb a little less. Regardless, I get the definition I want and need. You can get the color off with a bit of lip scrub and a cloth (cotton) towel. But even if there is color remaining on the lips at bedtime, it doesn’t come off on your pillow- even when you put a mask or something on over it. I also have to mention that I usually apply this right on my bare lips, sans liner. Liner isn’t needed for staying power here. Sure, you can create a more dimensional/blended look if you use one, but I usually don't. If/when I do, it’s because I want to enhance what I have and I overline. This formula is perfect for that, again because it doesn’t travel and it has matte-like tendencies, so you won’t/can’t see skin underneath. One last thing- this does NOT get on your teeth! Sure, if you color it directly on a tooth or curl your lips in right after you put this on, you might have a bit of pigment that floats around on the enamel. But aside from that, this is NOT the lipstick your 8th grade math teacher from 1996 wore that was constantly covering her teeth! 💋LOOK & FEEL💋 While there is a bit of a glossy finish for a while after application, the glossiness does fade completely after about 45min-an hour- dependant on what you are doing (ie. eating/drinking). You can always throw on a clear gloss coat over the top if you want, or if you're like me and too busy to slather on lip gloss every 45 minutes, you will still be perfectly fine without. This really is weightless! As soon as this goes on, it feels super light. It isn’t sticky (even in the light gloss phase) or tacky at all! You can put this on in the middle of a field on the windiest day and you won't have a single hair stick to your lips! Your lips/the product doesn’t get that weird seam between them where they stick to each other or the product sticks to itself. It’s light (almost undetectable) and airy. I wouldn’t even know anything was on my lips at all if it wasn’t for the feeling of moisture. It’s crazy because from application through the first few hours this is on, it still feels like there is some type of gloss/product on your lips. Not that it’s a heavy or tacky feeling but if you purse them together, you do feel that… buffer (might be the best word) of moisture there. Which brings me to- 🌊HYDRATION & MOISTURE🌊 This product is full of surprises, but this is probably the biggest one of them all! Even when the initial bulk of the application has worn off and just the stain remains, there is still a ton of moisture being drawn to and locked in the lips (thanks to the glycerine and squalene)! I’ll go to rub my lips together after this has been on for a few hours and I’ll still feel that moisturized/slick (but again weightless) feeling. It’s really weird (in a good way) because while it feels like there is still gloss or something on the lips, enough that you can actually rub together, that phantom gloss doesn’t stick on or to a glass (so…no lip prints left behind) or anything else that you put your lips on. I don’t even want to admit this, but I will vape from time to time (when i’m super stressed). Usually, I hate vaping with lip products on because it gets all over the mouth part, but this does NOT! Not the color and there isn’t a glossy mouth imprint on there either, even though you can feel it on your lips. It’s honestly magical and it also speaks volumes for the formula and the ingredients chosen for it. YES- this keeps the lips hydrated and YES- this locks in moisture, very, VERY well. The hydration is able to get deep below the surface rather than just sitting on top of the lips, so it LASTS. Even when the product is off, the lips are still nice and soft, plump and healthy. Adding to that, there are glimmers of time (mostly during application) where this seems like a matte formula, but it’s not at all. Sure, we don’t have that high gloss/glass shine here, and sometimes the formula does feel a bit more velvety than it does oily/liquid like on the lips, but aside from that, this never has made my lips feel dry. It’s also never enhanced the dryness on my lips, but it has helped heal and moisturize my lips when they were in bad shape (dry/chapped). So you can still wear this (and it will still look good) if you haven’t exfoliated the (you know what) out of your lips. This is not a ‘plumping’ formula in the sense that it doesn’t have any menthol or capsaicin in it to increase the blood flow, but all that added moisture (which gets down deep) DOES add a bit of extra volume. My lips do feel firmer, bouncier and fuller. That also helps fill in/choke out any of the fine lines that are in/around the pout, making them invisible. Then, will all that Kryptonite (moisture), this doesn’t even give wrinkles and lines a chance to form. So not only will this help with existing lines, it prevents new ones too. ⭐VALUE & FINAL THOUGHTS⭐ I’ll admit- I was a bit skeptical of this when I first put it on, despite the impressive formula, but now I am beyond impressed. It is the most pigmented stain that’s super easy to apply, doesn’t smell, lasts forever AND it really does continue to deliver deep, lasting hydration. It is exactly what I need too! It gives me the color/definition I need and it keeps my lips soft, full and healthy- erasing the rotten granny lines that started to pop up and preventing any new lines from forming. Plus, it’s perfect for someone like me who really doesn’t have the time to constantly apply lip products. The Pinky color isn’t exactly what I thought it would be, as I hoped for a cool toned mauve pink. Yes, it’s still absolutely gorgeous (and I have been wearing it daily for over a month now), but it’s a little warmer (and bolder) than I expected. For $14, this is a steal! You get a good amount here and because it stays put and you don’t need to apply a million times a day, the tube will last a very long time. I have barely put a dent in mine, with the product level dropping just a few mm’s since It arrived (and with daily use since then). I like this product/formula SO MUCH and it’s beyond affordable that I actually came back here to order more and write this review. Right before I started this novel, I placed an order for Flora (which looks like a true, cool pink) and Sundae (a pinkie/nude). I feel like one or both of these will be exactly what I am looking for. When I come back to update on the Prop 65 info (if I get it), I'll add some notes about the new colors. Read more
