A few months ago (actually maybe closer to six?) I picked up one of the Maybelline Color Sensational Color Elixirs. I got the shade Raspberry Rhapsody because I was trying to dip my toe in pool of berry shades and this one was quite tame. I probably only wore it once or twice after I bought it though, because I wasn’t sure about the texture and I fell in love with the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Berry Couture. I didn’t think about it again until I saw Allison Anderson’s Spring Lip video. She talked about one of the other Color Elixirs in the shade Hibiscus Haven. As soon as I saw it, I knew I needed it in my life. Since then, I have also picked up Signature Scarlet.
There are 20 shades in the collection raging from light nudes to deep violets. They are basically a gloss and lipstick combination, and depending on how much you apply them, they can be super light, or a deeper, bolder punch of colour. They do have a slightly sticky glossy texture to them, which can be slightly annoying if you are eating or drinking right after applying them. I do find though if I apply a light layer, that glossy stick doesn’t last long.
As far as wearability goes, I find the darker shades to last the longest (probably a few hours). This isn’t something you can throw on your lips in the morning and forget about for the rest of the day, but it isn’t a pain to reapply. The applicator makes it really easy to apply an even layer without getting it all over your face. Also reapplication doesn’t make it look worse like some glosses or lipsticks can. If you reapply before it fades it just deepens the pigment, which I really like (especially with the red shade). If you don’t like to reapply your lip colour throughout the day or forget to pop it in your purse, it’s okay because these do leave your lips with a light stain once the gloss wears off, which is really pretty. Personally, I’m not a fan of leaving it with just the stain with the red, but it’s really pretty with the bright pink.
As you can see, Raspberry Rhapsody is a really soft pinky-berry. I have found that when I first apply it it looks more like a berry, but the longer I wear it, the closer to pink it becomes. With a light application, it can be really subtle and perfect for just that wash of colour. I think it would be great with any eye look since it’s not too dramatic on its own. 
Hibiscus Haven is a much brighter pink, and probably my favourite of the bunch. Although it is a brighter pink, the glossy texture and look tones it down a bit and makes it more of an everyday pink for me. This one lasts the longest in terms of stain. 
Signature Scarlet is such a beautiful red. It’s definitely a true apple red (think Snow White) even though the camera doesn’t pick it up as well as I’d like. I think this is the perfect starter red for anyone hesitating to go into the red-lip territory. I tried this out on Saturday night, and really loved the easy application compared to my other reds. I love that with this one, if you get out of your lip line, it’s much easier to clean up than say the Sephora Cream Lip Stains.
I am really in love with these colours and formulations, and am trying to convince myself that I don’t really need any more colours.. but maybe I do? If I were to pick up another shade, it would either be Fuschia Flourish or Rose Redefined.
Have you tried any of the Color Elixirs? What colour is your favourite?
