WHAT: Dior reformulates its Addict Gloss line, which comprises 24 lipglosses in three categories: Shimmer (subtle glitter flecks); Pearly (imbued with mother-of-pearl for a soft sheen) and Pure (a shot of pigment in shades from nude to fuchsia). All have hyaluronic acid for hydration and to boost the lips, and have a light, gel-like texture. Spring/Summer’s key colours, according to the brand, are soft nude Spring Ball, vivacious pink Princess, coral Délice, and shimmering red Diablotine.
Dior Addict Gloss, $44 each, is available at all Dior counters in Singapore.
REVIEW: On the subject of lip colour, I’m firmly in the full-on lippie camp. Namby-pamby glosses and balms are not for me: give me the rich, dense, pigmented hit of colour that you can only get from a lipstick.
But I’ve recently moved to a cold, dry climate, and my pucker is paying the price. My favourite reds and fuchsias look dreadful on my dry, flakey and stinging lips. So I turn, reluctantly, to gloss.
My aversion is mostly rooted in experiences with gloopy ’90s lipglosses: long hair plus a sudden breeze and your locks would soon be coated and glued to your face. I wasn’t a fan of the finish either – a vinyl-like sheen that looked fake and teenaged then, and now looks very dated.
The 2013 product has come a long way, especially when, like this latest formulation, it’s enriched with skin-loving goodies like hyaluronic acid. The first surprise is the texture: light, not sticky, moisturising, not greasy. It feels nourishing and comfier than many lipsticks – in fact, I can skip lipbalm because the gloss is doing a pretty good job at healing the cracks.
I’m sampling 223 Angelique, a sheer nude that leans more to the pink than beige and comes from the Pure (shimmer-free) collection. My initial reaction isn’t positive: To me, my face looks undefined and lacks a focal point without the familiar bright colour. More blusher and mascara helps balance the look, and friend tell me I’m looking fresh and pretty. The gloss’s shine also makes my thinnish pucker appear near Jolie-esque.
You won’t get much staying power from Dior Addict Gloss, and there’s not much density of pigment (in this pale shade, at least). But that’s not the point: what you get is a light, comfortable, you-but-better look, and a lip product that’s actually taking care of your skin. I can’t wait to get my paws on some of the brighter, more dramatic shades.
Rating: 4.5/5