REVIEW & SWATCHES: Gerard Cosmetics Lipsticks

ITEM: Gerard Cosmetics Lipsticks
RRP: $19USD + shipping (However there are always discount codes available for packages and/or free shipping). 

There is overwhelming social media attention channeled into the Gerard Cosmetics lipsticks and I decided that it would be good to do a review and swatches since I had so many of the colours (both new and old). I don't have every single colour, but I feel that I have enough colours and have tested them out enough to be able to write a meaningful review.

The ones with only the colour written on is what I called the "original" shades. The others are the "new" ones.
That's because the original ones I bought when these lipsticks were first released and the others are very recent purchases.

Firstly, the packaging has been compared repeatedly to MAC packaging. The size and shape of these are definitely comparable. The colour (gold) is obviously that much more glamorous than the black packaging of MAC. However, the packaging quality is not on par with MAC. MAC has a thick sturdy packaging, whilst these are more plastic-like and easy to break (which I have broken one simply by having it in my handbag all day). It is lighter in weight and 'cheaper' feeling. However, the packaging doesn't bother me. I like that it's gold and love the shape. Just want to clarify that it's not comparable to MAC packaging in my opinion. 

I also want to say that they don't have the best customer service in my opinion. I have had more than two bad experiences with them. Yes, in the end, the issues were solved, but that was because of my persistence rather than as a result of excellent customer service. I can't say that the customer service is s**t, because in the end the issues were resolved. However, I really felt that the process was very tedious and I honestly had to push and push for resolutions.

Okay, so for the actual formula. One first thing I want to mention is the difference between the "original" and the "new" formulas. I feel that the original ones are more opaque, more pigmented, slightly thicker, but at the same time slightly more dry. On the other hand, the new ones were difficult to build up, sometimes skips, but at the same time is more satin in finish and more hydrating on the lips. I don't know if this difference is attributed to a formula change in the entire line, or whether the colours themselves are actually formulated differently. Nonetheless I do think that there is a difference. 

On that note, I do think that the finishes of the lipsticks are different (and that's how it's supposed to be). So the "original" ones (Nude, 1995, Tequila Sunrise) all have a matte finish. Kimchi Doll & Buttercup have a satin finish, whilst Rodeo Drive and Berry Smoothie are satin but are quite sheer, so you need to build it up a lot if you want complete opacity. 

For the specifics of the formula, I think that the matte finish formulas (Nude, 1995, Tequila Sunrise) plus Buttercup & Kimchi Doll are super pigmented and opaque but are a little bit drying. It's strange but I feel that the lipsticks have a dry layer that forms at the top but once you rub it around a little it gets to the more creamy formula underneath. The issue is that this happens to me every single time that I use it. So essentially, I need to rub it around to get rid of the dry formula to get access to the creamy one. However once you get to it, it applies beautifully, it's opaque and it lasts a long time. 

On the other hand, Berry Smoothie and Rodeo Drive are hydrating and creamy straight away. The only issue about these ones is the sheer-ness of the formula. So again, you have to build that up!

ARM SWATCHES

Indoor Lighting
Left - Right
Kimchi Doll - Buttercup - Nude - Rodeo Drive - Berry Smoothie - 1995 - Tequila Sunrise

Outdoor Sunlight
Left - Right
Kimchi Doll - Buttercup - Nude - Rodeo Drive - Berry Smoothie - 1995 - Tequila Sunrise

As you can see, the pigmentation on these are pretty good in these photos. However, I definitely found a huge distinction between the "original" and the "new" formulas as I mentioned above.

I really wanted to do lip swatches and was putting off posting this review so that I could. However if you follow me on Twitter you will know that my skin has erupted on my face and my eczema has spread very bad everywhere. I ran out of my steroid cream so I am going to the doctor ASAP. Nonetheless, this means I wear no makeup and putting anything on my lips is a real no-no. So I have just posted this without the lip swatches. If however, people want lip swatches leave a comment down below and I can do a follow up post! 

Overall: So overall, I do like these lipsticks. There is nothing that I get frustrated about the lipsticks themselves all that much. The packaging is pretty (although slightly cheap feeling) and look really nice on display. The fact that they are constantly available in some sort of sale/bundle (with international shipping frequently available now) makes it affordable (but it makes me question the value of the original exorbitant price). However, I don't loooove the product. There is nothing outstanding or spectacular about the lipsticks. The lipglosses are pretty unique, but these lipsticks are not that special in my opinion. I like them, but it happens to be a lipstick that I tend to just forget about. I just like to look at it because it's so pretty. I feel that the hype around the lipsticks can be attributed mainly to the outstanding lipglosses from Gerard and the collabs they do with Youtubers.

Rating: 6/10