We love the fact that beauty is a global phenomenon – be it home remedies from India or contouring from USA. Which is why we were super excited to Maybelline bring the Korean ombré lip trend to the world! Here is our review of the brand’s Lip Studio Color Blur in ‘Plum Please’.

The lip pencil is dual-sided – one end bears the lipstick bullet, while the other has an angled smudger. Although the bullet is slimmer than traditional lipsticks, it allows for more precise application. The instructions on how to achieve a soft, blurred lip are printed on the cap.

As instructed, we applied the pencil to the centre of our lips. The product goes on creamily and comfortably. One swipe is enough to cover up your pout. However, it does emphasize the chapped bits and fine lines of lips. We then used the smudger to blur out the colour towards the edge of our lips. The smudger is slightly stiff to use and thus doesn’t blend the colour uniformly. For a true ombré look, we recommend using your finger or a lip brush. ‘Plum Please’ is a beautiful, rich plum shade that has a matte finish.

As far as the longevity goes, the lipstick stays on for about 3 to 4 hours without feathering, and then leaves behind a pretty stain. The formula does tend to transfer so you will need to carry it around for touch ups. On the plus side, the product feels weightless and doesn’t dry out lips.

Velvety soft, pigmented and dramatic, this lip pencil works well as a standalone product. While we aren’t big fans of the smudger (or the amount of cleaning it involves!), the texture and colour are more than enough to convince us of this purchase. Try it on for a an ultra-matte, bold pout that will stop traffic!

Note: These lipsticks are sold in India under the Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Gradation range.

Price: USD 8.99/ INR 500.00