Stila Color Balm Lipstick

Put "balm" in the name of a lipstick, and I'm there. As soon as I saw Stila's Color Balm Lipsticks ($22), I purchased a few - a few too many. Silly me, in the same week, I ordered a few from Sephora, then forgot I had done that and purchased two at Ulta.

Here is what Stila says about Color Balm Lipstick...

A modern take on traditional lipstick, this creamy lip color provides the full pigment load of a lipstick, yet delivers the nourishing properties of a balm. Featuring a luxe, satin finish, this formula offers excellent color payoff while phyto-derived emollient properties deliver hydrated, healthy lips. Naturally cooling peppermint oil provides a fresh and rejuvenating sensation on the lips, while an exclusive certified organic sunflower-based polyglyceride soothes, smoothes, and adds volume and definition to lips. 

You can read more about them at Stila's Web site. While I was shopping at Ulta, I purchased Evangeline (#10), a dusty rose shown at left above, and Sheri (#19), the cocoa berry shown at right. I did a quick hand swatch to see whether these two colors suited me, and at the time, I was struck by how pigmented these lipsticks were for "balms."

After wearing both of them, I have to report that there is nothing balm-like about them. They are not particularly sheer, and they are not particularly hydrating. They feel and look like regular, highly pigmented lipsticks - pretty lipsticks, but not in the same league with this season's, sheer, shiny, and balm-like beauties. I'm wondering if the name "Color Balm Lipstick" was a marketer's dream. Stila is perfectly upfront in the description about what to expect: a full pigment load and a satin finish. The problem lies with the company's description of the creamy, hydrating properties. Technically, the ingredients may be expected to hydrate, but they don't feel particularly hydrating to me. My lips cry out for a gloss on top of them.

The day I took photos, it was so windy that the lipsticks were rolling every which way. That's why they look a little beat up above. I took my swatch photos in full sun hurriedly, just trying to get back into my warm house.

Evangeline is shown at the top of my arm, with Cocoa Berry below. Aren't these pretty colors? I would be excited about them if I hadn't had the sheer-shine-balm expectation. Had I read Stila's description before I bought, I would have seen that the finish was described as satin (best representation is in the photo below), and I would have known that there would be a peppermint flavor - which does not appeal to me. Stila even says, "Naturally cooling peppermint oil is an emollient-rich botanical that provides excellent antiseptic and astringent benefits with a refreshing tingle that both soothes and stimulates irritated lips." OK, while it annoys the heck out of me.

I have these two, they are very pretty, but that's enough. I didn't need any more "regular" lipsticks, so the ones I ordered from Sephora and never opened will go back. If you want a nice lipstick in a gorgeous color, and you are good with the finish and flavor, definitely check out Stila's Color Balm Lipstick. If, like me, you are loving the new breed of balmy, sheer colors, head over to the Tom Ford counter.

You can purchase Stila's Color Balm Lipsticks at Stila's Web site, Sephora, Ulta, and other online sources.

Photo at top courtesy of Stila; other photos by Best Things in Beauty