Urban Decay Revolution High-Color Lipgloss in Bittersweet Review & Swatches

Last month I talked about the Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush in Bittersweet which is a beautiful purple blush that made it into my June 2015 Favorites list. Today I have yet another beautiful Bittersweet to share with you. This one comes in an amazing gloss form! Surely purple is a color harder to pull off on the lips than on the cheeks but who could resist trying it on at least? Curious how it looks on me? Then keep reading! :)

The product shown here is a mini size that I received with my online order a while ago. Seeing that I don’t wear purple lips that often (a few times a years maybe?), this little guy is probably going to last me forever and eternity. I’m happy that Urban Decay didn’t skimp on the packaging of the mini size as it has the same slightly flattened, multi-faceted transparent barrel and metallic gunmetal cap just like the full-size one.

The applicator is a soft and flexible doe-foot that is slightly tapered and pointed towards the tip. It makes reaching the corners of the mouth easy and precise. Even though it seems soaked with the product when you pull it out of the tube, I find myself dipping the wand back in a couple times to get more product to cover my lips. This is due to the slightly sheer formula of Bittersweet which I will be talking about in a moment.

Bittersweet is described as “bright purple“. It’s actually highly pink-based as seen in the arm swatches. It is a solid color without any shimmery or glittery particles. When layered, you will start to see a stronger purple hue but it’s never a true purple seen in the tube. I suppose it probably has something to do with my pigmented lips. Am I disappointed? Not really! I think it’s a little more wearable this way when it’s not quite full-on purple! :)

Onto the formula. Bittersweet has zero scent or taste. It applies with a glossy cream finish although I wish it could be a bit glossier. It is highly pigmented no doubt, but with translucency in it, I find that I need a few passes to achieve a solid, full coverage color on my lips. One layer is simply too sheer for me. Plus, it looks uneven and kind of splotchy when you don’t build it up to the color intensity it’s supposed to be.

The consistency is somewhere between a true lip gloss and a liquid lipstick. It’s not as sticky or tacky as a gloss but it’s not as crazy pigmented as a liquid lipstick. It does have a smooth and creamy feel but it doesn’t seem to spread as easily as a lip gloss, probably due to the thicker cream consistency. At least I’m glad that it adheres well to the lips without highlighting dry spots or pulling into lines. There’s no bleeding/feathering to be seen, either!

It wears amazingly long. I get about 4 hours of solid wear before the glossy shine wears off. The color then remains intact for another 1-2 hours before fading into a soft pink stain. For something marketed as a lip gloss, I think it has unparalleled levels of comfort and moisture. Besides helping my lips look their fullest, it also ensures that they are nicely conditioned during and after wear.

Below is how Bittersweet looks on me after 3 layers. Pretty solid coverage I might say!

For those who are looking for something a little more than a lip gloss but a little less than a liquid lipstick, I think this is a product worth looking into. With 14 shades in the line-up (permanent), there is sure to be one (or two, or more) that you are going to love. If I had to pick, Bittersweet would still be my first choice due to its unusual shade. Big Bang (bright pink with glitter) is another loud color that I think is quite unique and would look striking on anyone. For safe color options, you may want to check out Liar (medium pink nude) and Failbait (light neutral pink)! :)

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