Last week in my mini Walgreens haul, I mentioned the new Wet N Wild Fergie Vicious Varnish High Shine Lip Stain. I bought four shades: Flawless - a dark pink, magenta shade, Street Queen - pinkish-lilac shade, Legendary Face - a little darker than nude in shade and Ball in Vienna - a beautiful bright fuchsia shade. After a week of trying it out, I think I can confidently give you a review on it.
Like I mentioned before, I own many Wet N Wild products, their lipsticks being most of them. I love almost all of lines of lipstick, Megalast Lipstick and Fergie Centerstage Cream Lipstick being two of them. But like most cosmetics line, there are hits and misses, like the Megalast Liquid Lip Color. That product was just a biggo face palm and 'smh' moment. However, being an optimist, I had very high expectations for this new product.
Seeing the tubes on the store display, the shades looked so bright and gorgeous. Upon coming home, I couldn't wait to open and see how the shade actually was. And what do you know, color was as pretty as it was from the tube. The color pay off was almost a 100% match as I swatched them. My expectations increased a bit more.
Color Pay Off = PASS
Wet N Wild's products never really had a scent, not a strong one, or any that really bothered me. My nose isn't all that sensitive so if it had some sort of scent or smell, I wouldn't be easily bothered. However, these lip stains has the most uncomfortable smell to them. To me, it smells like plastic mixed with other foul smelling chemicals. I kid you not, it was lingering there for the next five to ten minutes.
Scent = FAIL - unbearable smell
I mentioned before that I don't usually wear glosses, reason being that I dislike that sticky, takcy feeling on my lips. Yes, not all glosses are like that like Revlon Super Lustrous but I just don't like that feeling. These lip stains...man. They are sticky and icky. I had a hard time parting my lips after applying. The formula was also very thick. The thickness of the stain lasted for a while and it was not a pleasant experience for me.
Formula = FAIL - too thick, too sticky
I'm not sure if this product claims to be long lasting, but I'm sure that's what most, if not all of us look for in our lip wear. No one has the time to reapply every hour, on the hour. A normal work or school day is usually 8 or 10 hours long. Considering how this is a lip stain, I do expect it to 'stain' my lips. However, this product's name also include high shine, I don't expect this 'shine' to last as long as the 'stain'. That doesn't mean that the shine should go away within the hour either.
All of this week, I first applied these lip stains around 9 AM. Within the first few hours, the 'shine' completely disappeared leaving only the 'stain'. By lunchtime at 12 PM, I was left with dried out, stained lips. The stain pretty much was gone when I wiped my mouth. I reapplied after lunch and went on with my day, sipping from a straw, drinking from a bottle or cup and snaking. By 5 PM, I was once again left with dried, stained lips.
When a product claims to be shiny or shines, I become skeptical because obviously the shine will not last and after that shine leaves, your lips will become very dry and uncomfortable. This product isn't any different. You can continue to reapply for that continuous shine I guess. But the more you put on, the thicker it gets and everything just goes wrong from there.
Lasting Power = FAIL
They are $3.49 each, with 10 shades to choose from, ranging from nude to Vampire red. I found mine at Walgreens and haven't seen them anywhere else. The quality is too low for it to be $3.49. It's safe to say that I will not be purchasing anymore shades. I might even return these or give them away.
Bottom Line = Does not recommend
If you're looking for a good lip stain, may I recommend Jordana Twist & Shine Balm Stain, Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain, Revlon Colorburst Matte Balm and/or Revlon Colorburst Lacquer Balm.
Jordana has been my go to lip stain. When I want that K-Pop lips look, this lip stain is perfect for that. It has somewhat of a shine and very hydrating. The stain power is awesome! It will leave your lips stained from morning til whenever you wipe it off with a make up remover.
Revlon Just Bitten Balm Stain was my go to lip stain. I still use it, but I just love my Jordana a tad more. This however, has a larger shade selection compared to Jordana. I really have no complain for these Revlon lip stains. While the Matte Balm has a matte finish, it does not leave your lips looking dried and cracking. Revlon did a good job with the Lacquer Balm also, even after the shine disappears, your lips will not dry out. Which is, in my opinion, very impressive. Kudos to Revlon.
Thank you for reading guys and enjoy your Sunday! :)
