Matte About This Lipstick

I rarely tackle Beauty in the blog. Not that it isn't Fashion, but I thought I'd leave Beauty to the experts. New beauty products are constantly introduced, many promising miracles. Some work, some don't.

A generous friend once gifted me with La Mer, one of those miracles-in-a-jar that sells for $130 an ounce. I was loathe to use it as I was afraid it would work too well. Well, La Mer was lovely; I managed to stop at one jar. I still believe it isn't which moisturizer you put on your face as long as it's something.

The paint box is another story. These cosmetics really can perform miracles, albeit temporarily. This is where habits are hard to break. I usually switch products only when they stop making my favorite. I always feel I could benefit from lessons. Those so far have left me running from the makeup counter to the ladies' room, kleenex in hand. These might be something I actually need to pay for...

This is all a long-winded intro to a recent discovery. Zara has introduced their first lipsticks—12 "velvety-matte" lipsticks ($12.90 each) and 8 "ultra-matte" liquid lipsticks ($9.90 eacht6).

I'm not a fan of liquid lipstick but decided to give one of the velvety-mattes a try. The lipsticks popped up as I perused Zara's sale online; they're not carried in my local store. You might want to check yours. 

 
I've never had luck with matte lipstick. I've hated the chalky way it goes on and sits on your lips. I'm not even convinced matte lipstick is the way to go. Aren't we supposed to look all dew-y and kissable? I picked this one as it reminded me of my dearly-beloved and late-lamented Mahogany lipstick from Biba.

Well, surprise, surprise. It does look matte in the tube but goes on smoothly. It actually feels creamy. It's a bit scented, but not unpleasantly so. That dissipates as it quickly dries. It stayed on for ages—through a cup of mid-morning coffee and into lunch. I could probably have gone without a touch-up, but I liked that creamy feel so went ahead with one. Unlike some other lipsticks (matte or creamy) it didn't bleed into my lips (and my lips are pretty old). Check, check, check. So it's that miracle of science—a creamy matte.

You might want to take a flyer on this one. I'd like to know what you think.