Monday 27 April 2015

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 Sunriseplus 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

31 comments:

  1. Thank you for posting this.
    From the swatches my favorites are Rodeo Drive - Berry Smoothie - 1995, the one I really wanna try is berry smoothie!

    www.indiranyan.com

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    1. I'm glad that you like it Indira. Berry Smoothie is beautiful for autumn and even for a bit of a sultry spring look. It's a pretty hydrating colour so you should definitely try!

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  2. I was looking at buying some of these today, but changed my mind, as I hadn't heard much about their lipsticks, but I don't like wear lipgloss!

    I may still buy them in the future, but they don't seem anything special to be spending over £12 on!

    Nicole | nicolelaurenblake.co.uk

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    1. Hi Nicole. Yeah I feel like they're a novelty item or something for collectors of lipsticks/makeup. If you're trying to be practical and actually think about the 'bang for your buck', then it's probably not what I recommend. I think there's plenty more easily accessible at drugstores or even Sephoras that are better than this!

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    2. Essence makes some really great lipsticks, not their regular line, but the long lasting line is amazing and they are only a couple of bucks. :)

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    3. I have never tried anything from Essence. I might try them. Thanks babe xx

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    4. You're welcome :) I have a review with swatches of most of the neutral colors if you want to see? I don't want to spam you with links, so I thought I'd better ask first :)

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    5. You can leave the link babe! Thanks! :)

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  3. It is amazing how just a bit of lighting or outdoors can make a difference in the lipstick you wear or make up for that matter :0 Thanks for share @tisonlyme143

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    1. I know right? That's why I try to do makeup in natural light as much as I can because it definitely can look different outside!

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  4. Good review... I'm always curious about these brands that get so much attention from YT'ers... But a lot of them get sent them for free so I hesitate to believe what they say...

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    1. I am always dubious about them for that exact reason! Thats why i decided to have a very frank and honest review untainted by personal interests! I have to say I am quite a fan of their lipgosses but... I wouldnt rave endlessly about their lipsticks! Haha im glad you enjoyed it babe.

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  5. nice review, I hope your skin gets better soon!

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  6. I just got 3 lipsticks (underground, buttercup and berry smoothie) and 5 glosses. I 2 of the products came a Little messed up, and I contacted customer service the same day, the next day, they sent me replacements. So I had a good experience. My "buttercup" lipstick is very hard to build up but my berry smoothie is super opaque in one swipe. Sounds like Gerard cosmetics have some issues with consistency :) Out of the 5 glosses I bought 1 of them smelled like oranges and the rest smelled like plastic hehe, a Little strange. I have yet to really use them, so maybe the sheer lipsticks just need to be used some more, to get to the creaminess :) Beautiful swatches you did.

    Loevens makeup rambles

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    1. That is strange. I agree though, perhaps the issue is consistency rather than quality of the service or product! I actually have found that all of my lipsticks have a bit of an issue with creaminess that doesn't seem to solve. haha But hopefully your experience improves! My lipglosses however haven't been too problematic. All smell like oranges! But I haven't ordered new ones since last year so perhaps quality is again becoming an issue of consistency :(

      Thanks babe. Thanks for reading and commenting!

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    2. Dang it! I really like the orange scent hehe, I wish all mine smelled like that. It is a Little strange though with the consistency of their products.

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    3. Maybe try contacting them about it! Thats pretty disappointing :(

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    4. Good idea. I'm having a few issues with customer serice now. They keep sending me mails, saying that they just sent my replacement items. I got 5 of those mails now all with tracking numbers that do not Work... hehe

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    5. That's terrible. Be careful because once I placed an order, got a tracking number, and turns out... they never shipped my item. I then raised a dispute on PayPal and they said "well until you close that dispute, we won't replace your items". I was like um... if I close the dispute, you guys get paid, I have zero protection, and you could simply not post me my stuff. And after me being absolutely adamant about my position, they decided to FINALLY ship it. I then received it like 3 or 4 weeks later and only THEN did I close the dispute.

      Stand your ground, be annoying and comment all over their social media. Social media for them seems to do the trick. So ridiculous how much they care about how they appear, despite being terrible with customer service behind closed doors.

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    6. wow, that's crazy! I'm definately going to be annoying them on social media if they don't behave :)

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  7. Ah great honest review, but I like the shades Rodeo drive and berry smoothie, looks beautiful.

    Sam|| BeautyDetour

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    1. Thanks babe! They are gorgeous colours. And since they are sheer, you can wear them all year everyday without looking too obvious :)

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  8. I really liked your review . They sound promising to try out :-). http://bauchlefashion.com

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    1. Let me know if you do babe xx

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    2. These colours are gorgeous ! Tried the Tequila Sunrise . It's soooo pretty your review helped so much :-)

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    3. I'm so glad that worked out for you Heather. Thanks for giving me an update babe! Glad this was helpful for you :) xx

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  9. Thank you! I thought i replied but it didnt go through. Thanks babe xx

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