little white truths

I must have owned this product for around a year now: I had a fifty dollar Mecca gift card and I'd decided to buy a really expensive lipstick, and this was the one I went for because it was so hydrating and it was recommended to me by a staff member I trust.

While I do think it's a beautifully luxurious formula, I've now decided that I don't need to spend the big bucks on lipsticks because I just don't value them. Yes this has a nice formula but I've found budget lipsticks that look just as good on the lips, and I really can't tell the difference between expensive lip products and cheap ones - but I can tell the difference between eg high-end and lower-end powders, so that's where my money will go from now on.

The main difference I notice between expensive lipsticks and cheap ones lies in the packaging. This bullet looks and feels a damn sight nicer than anything else I own, and it's one I've been happy to pull out in public because it just looks good.

For this reason it makes a nice change from the cheap plastic tubes I usually carry around in my purse, but it's not enough to make me want to line my collection with expensive lipsticks. They're just not essentials for me.

• Chantecaille's Lip Chic embraces a stunning highly emollient formula with a comfortable, smooth application
• Leaves lips highly pigmented with a youthful shine
• Soft texture, high shine and rich pigments
• Instantly gratifying and comfortable on the lips
• Leaves lips fuller, more plump and youthful in appearance
• Non-sticky, long-wearing formula
• Paraben free, cruelty free and vegan
• RRP $52 AUD

There's the bullet above. It's quite lightweight so it doesn't feel as heavy as some more expensive products, but it does look sleek and I definitely like the packaging of these lipsticks.

I picked the colour Anais after having had it applied on me during a Mecca beauty lesson: it's a nice soft orange that has some terracotta in it so it's not too bright. It's the kind of flattering, understated orange that I wear on a daily basis.

There's the bullet below in direct sunlight:

And in natural light:

There's a swatch, indirect sunlight:

And in natural light:

My bare lips for reference:

Wearing the product, direct sunlight:

And in natural light:

Verdict

I've had a look at the Mecca website and these products have had some pretty glowing reviews - which I do understand because the formula is beautiful - but as mentioned above, I've come to realise that high-end lipsticks aren't something I need or place much value on because I'd much rather spend my money elsewhere. Still, it's nice to own one now and then and I'm not unhappy that I picked this particular product.

It's a lipstick that feels more like a balm in texture and looks more like a gloss on the lips, so I agree with the claim that these have a 'highly emollient formula with a comfortable, smooth application,' and they do also offer a 'youthful shine' that I enjoy.

As mentioned above, the shade 'Anais' is a very wearable, mid-toned orange that has some terracotta to it so it's not too bright and it should suit a variety of skintones. If you want to try an orange but don't want anything that's too 'full on', a colour like this would be a good place to start.

There's a very slight, clean scent to the product that I'm only aware of if I hold the bullet up to my nose: it smells a bit like vacuumed carpet to me, which doesn't sound appealing but I don't mind it and it's not overpowering so the scent shouldn't bother most people.

One thing to note is that I don't agree with the claim that these products are 'highly pigmented': mine most certainly isn't. I can't speak to the other shades, but this one offers a sheer wash of colour on my lips and I have to apply a thick layer if I want it to show up. I personally don't mind a sheer lip product, but if you prefer something with more impact, you may want to test your chosen shade before purchase - just to check it that does what you want it to do.

As for the other claims: yes this feels comfortable on the lips; yes it leaves the lips looking fuller and more plump; and yes the formula isn't sticky in the slightest. I don't agree that these are long-wearing, however: given how creamy they are, they transfer in a heartbeat so I need to keep reapplying mine throughout the day.

In sum, this is a beautifully hydrating product that offers a nice shine and it makes my lips look better when I wear it, but it's not a repurchase for me - purely because I don't need to own expensive lipsticks. If you're after something that feels plush then this might be a good buy, but I would certainly test one first because they don't come cheap.

Lovely.