Chantecaille Brilliant Gloss in Love - review and swatches

I received this mini lip gloss in one of my Mecca Beauty Loop boxes, and I was really pleased to see it because it's been ages since I've used a fancy lip gloss and I was keen to try something new.

I don't know about you, but glosses are one of those beauty items that I'm always happy to grab on special from the chemist (drugstore): I don't feel I can see the difference between a cheap gloss and an expensive one after it's on the lips, and like mascara I go through glosses too quickly so I can't justify spending the big bucks on something like that.

Anyhoo. This is indeed a lovely product and I've been enjoying using mine for the last couple of months, but I definitely wouldn't fork out the asking price of $50 for the full size - particularly since the full size is only a measly 3ml (daylight robbery!).

But it's been nice to carry something like this around in my purse, and since it's a mini I've been rationing it so I don't get through it in the space of a month.

Chantecaille claims/product details:

• This enriching formula combines a long-lasting hydrating finish with incredible colour for a perfect pout
• Leaves lips with a gorgeous shine while still maintaining optimal hydration
• Effortlessly plumps the lips 
• Infused with green tea extracts to protect and nourish delicate skin
• Subtle colour means product can be worn both on its own, as well as layered with your favourite Chantecaille lipstick for alluring shine
• RRP $50 AUD for 3ml

There's a swatch of the product below in direct sunlight:

And in natural light:

My bare lips for reference:

Wearing the product, direct sunlight:

And in natural light:

Verdict

This is a really beautiful gloss and I can see why it's had such rave reviews on the Mecca website. While I don't think I could bring myself to drop $50 on the full-size, I might if the full-size were larger because then I could happily ration the product and make it last out a year.

The gloss is beautifully light in texture and has the faintest sweet scent that's only detectable if you hold it right up to your nose. It's rich and moisturising without being sticky, and it's not one of those products that dries out your lips with repeated use - indeed, I find it to be quite nourishing and I don't need a balm when I use this.

It's one of the better glosses I've used in terms of formula because it's thick without being too thick or gunky, and it's comfortable to wear so I can put it on and forget that it's there. It also stays on the lips a bit better than other glosses I've used, so I don't need to apply it as often as I do other products.

The other good news is that it plumps up my lips and reduces the look of lines - something I look for in lip products. Plus it doesn't turn my dry lips into a flaky mess, which can happen with lesser glosses.

'Love' is a nice light pink with a sophisticated, very fine shimmer that doesn't look glittery or chunky on the lips - just adds a nice sheen. If you're after pigment you won't get it from this, but it does add a tiny bit of colour that lifts the face and offers a youthful look.

I normally don't love brush applicators but I don't mind this one and, so far, I've had no issues with the brush splaying and becoming a nightmare to use - a plus, because brushes normally splay very quickly and I can't use them after a while - but this one's been fine so far.

All in all, this is a beautiful gloss that meets its claims and it feels luxurious on the lips so I've really been enjoying it. If you have $50 to spend on a gloss, I think you could do a lot worse than this and it's definitely worth testing if you're in the market for something like this.

Gorgeous.