Chanel and I have a special relationship. Apart from the fact that I've always coveted the brand's iconic bags (Christmas gift, anyone?), their beauty line was one of the first I was introduced to as a little girl. My mother always had on a fragrance, rouge and lipstick from their range of products. Thus, nostalgia took over when I chanced upon the Rouge Coco Stylo Lipstick in '212 Récit'. Here is my review.

Unlike traditional lipsticks, this one comes packaged like a pen (a.k.a stylo). With each twist, the pen clicks to reveal more of the angled bullet. However, the product does not retract back into the tube, which is a major negative. Another downside is that this slim tube only holds 0.07 oz(i.e. 2g) of the product, which is nearly half the amount of a standard lipstick. The shade name is printed on a sticker beneath the tube.

As far as the formula goes, this lipstick is pretty much how Chanel describes it. Due to the creamy and almost buttery consistency of the product, this lipstick is one of the smoothest I have ever tried. However, you can definitely feel the emollient formula on your lips, so it isn’t as lightweight as promised.  ‘212 Recit’ is a medium plum shade with gold micro-shimmer flecks and a glossy finish. One swipe provides semi-opaque pigmentation, which is ideal for that just bitten look. For full coverage and maximum shine, I recommend applying two coats. The lipstick also has a slight floral fragrance, which should be pleasing to most people.

On the longevity front, this lipstick stayed on for about 4 hours, which is more than I expected. The balmy texture however, did cause the colour to migrate and fade over the hours. On the plus side, the formula felt hydrating and made my pout look plumper. It even covered up the fine lines and dry patches on my lips.

Although this lipstick isn’t the most long lasting or affordable one available, the moisturizing feel, gorgeous shade and ultra glossy finish make it a worthy buy.

Price: USD 37.00