Sephora Luster Matte Long-Wear Lip Colors in Nude Pink Luster and Electra-Pink Luster Review & Swatches

I’m curious. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you read the name of these lip colors? For me, it’s the “Luster Matte” part that had me intrigued! I know matte, I know luster, and I know they normally don’t go together. Sephora somehow has managed to combine the two common finishes into their liquid lipstick formula that has gathered impressive 4-star reviews on their site so obviously the product is well-loved by most of us! Is it a love for me, though? Let’s find out! :)

As always, let’s talk packaging first! Sephora Luster Matte Long-Wear Lip Colors come in a traditional lip gloss tube albeit a chubby size. The tube is see-through so you can spot your color easily from a mile away. It is practical and convenient, but what’s not so practical and convenient is the applicator! It is a long, paddle-shaped style that simply holds too much product and lacks precision. With the formula being so saturated, things can get messy if you apply directly using the supplied applicator and chances are you’re likely to slip out of your lip lines. I usually deposit the product on the back of my hand first and pick it up with a lip brush so that I have a better control of my application.

Luster Matte Long-Wear Lip Color is formulated with rose hip seed oil so you can expect a very emollient texture. It goes on so smooth and feather-light yet it has plenty of rich, opaque pigments that conceal your natural lip color in one pass. The thin consistency feels soft and nourishing on the lips, plus it is non-scented and non-sticky!

Now onto the Luster Matte part! As confusing as it sounds, the formula leaves your lips looking exactly that — luster matte — meaning, in the first few hours, your lips will be coated with saturated colors and wet, lustrous sheen. It’s not as glossy as a true lip gloss but much more glossy than a true lipstick. Once the sheen wears off, the color will finally set to a true matte.

It has a long drying time which is good in a way since you will have plenty of time to polish your look but long drying time and emollient texture results in the color transferring and smudging easily, especially in the first few hours. The color is less likely to last a meal if you don’t let it set first but everything will eventually dry down to a matte finish that stays on for another few hours.

My lips feel fairly hydrated during the “wet” phase but slightly dry during the “matte” phase. It’s easy to reapply to touch up the color during the day but I much prefer reconditioning my lips with just a lip balm instead.

• Nude Pink Luster
  Nude Pink Luster is a slightly peachy, pinky nude shade that is not too nude. I like that I can wear it alone without looking washed out. It goes on near-opaque in one pass and doesn’t settle into lip lines as much as I thought it would. The color lasts about 4-5 hours on me.
• Electra-Pink Luster
  Electra-Pink Luster is a ridiculously bright neon pink color! I look silly wearing it alone so I like to do gradient lips with this shade instead. I’d apply a nude base color such as Nude Pink Luster and only pop Electra-Pink Luster on the inner lips. Electra-Pink Luster settles into lip lines more than Nude Pink Luster and also makes my lips look slightly dry. The wear time is around 5-6 hours on me.

To answer my own question whether I love this product, well, I do but only with a little bit of manipulation. I’m not crazy about the super emollient and transferring/smudging texture so I try to apply it over a lip liner, or do the apply-blot-apply technique to help the color adhere to my lips better. :)

Purchase

Disclosure: The Sephora Luster Matte Long-Wear Lip Colors in Nude Pink Luster and Electra-Pink Luster were provided by Sephora for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.