BATTLE! Revlon Lip Crayons: Two New Releases Take On The Mighty Original. Review And Pics

It all began with the Clinique Chubby Sticks.

Suddenly we were gripped with the need for giant crayon-like lip colours. We didn’t mind if it looked like we had stolen them from the pencil cases of children, it was worth it for the colour and the beautiful balm-like nature of these wonder products.

One of the first Clinique dupes to catch my eye and to receive many wonderful reviews were the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains. I never bit the bullet and bought any, but when news came on the beauty vine that they were releasing both a lacquer and matte version alongside the original, I knew it was some weird sign from the makeup gods. I suddenly had to try all THREE types and pit them against each other to let you know which one comes out on top.

For comparison purposes, here are my thoughts on the original Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain. I bought two to try out and only when I got home did I realise that the name of one of them had been changed to Colorburst Balm Stain (I presume to be more cohesive with the ColourBurst Matte Balm and Colorburst Laquer Balm).

• They are really comfortable on the lips but would wear for the shortest amount of time compared to the other two, and they have a tendency to wear off slightly unevenly, sometimes leaving that dreaded dark lip line. But I do think they are a great option for those who like a more sheer, wearable lip colour.
• On the left, I am wearing ‘020 Lovesick’ and on the right ‘025 Sweetheart’. They photographed remarkably similar but in reality ‘Sweetheart’ is more of a bright hot pink while ‘Lovesick’ is a darker, blue-based fuschia.

Next up are the ColorBurst Matte Balms (which we previewed back in September).

• I picked up two bright shades ‘210 Unapologetic’, the most stunning coral pink and ‘220 Showy’, a blue-based bright pink.
• Despite their matte finish, they do not dry out the lips at all.
• But apply them to already-chapped lips at your peril. They will accentuate every flaw, line and crack. My advice is to apply them to really well prepared and nourished lips.
• They are the most longwearing of the three and I recommend them for those who love bright, matte colours and have very healthy lips or are willing to put the effort in getting their lips in good condition first.

Finally are the ColorBurst Lacquer Balms.

• I picked up one of these in ‘135 Provocateur’, a stunning red.
• This glides on easier than the other two and has such a gorgeous high shine finish, akin to that of a lip gloss.
• I didn’t have any issues with it bleeding or moving but when I accidentally went outside of my lip line while applying it, my attempt to wipe away the error with my finger resulted in the colour spreading all over my face so be careful!
• Like the Balm Stain, these wear away a little unevenly but nothing too major. I might go so far as to say this is my favourite of the three formulas although I need to pick up a few more colours, to be sure, to be sure.

All three types have a minty smell to them which I find quite pleasant during application but doesn’t linger for long.

Despite having a soft spot for the Lacquer Balms, I can really recommend all three! It is up to you which finish you prefer, or hey, you could just do what I did and buy a few of each.

They are €11.20 a pop and are available in Boots or Superdrug (where they are possibly a touch cheaper!)

What do you think? Did you try the original Just Bitten Balm Stain? Got your eye on either of the new additions?