Clarins | Water Lip Stain: Review and Swatches

Disclaimer: The products featured were provided for review.

New for Summer 2018, Clarins has a line of fun, long-lasting lip colors called the Water Lip Stain ($25 CAD for 7 ml each). Formulated with raspberry water and aloe vera, the stains are customizable and can resist up to 300 kisses! I've got review and swatches to share with you today so to read on, click......

Clarins | Water Lip Stain

Packaging:
The Water Lip Stains are packaged in a chubby lipgloss tube paired with a shade-matching matte metallic cap. The stain actually has a mini brush applicator but I personally would have preferred a doe-foot as the formulation is very liquid and the bristles tend to hold too much product. Nevertheless, as long as you take your time during application, you can still get a precise outline.

Formulation:
Made with 77% water and infused with aloe vera and raspberry extract, the Clarins Water Lip Stain has a light liquid consistency only slightly more viscous than water. Scented with a sweet fruity fragrance, the stain spreads easily on the lips and quickly dries down while leaving behind no residue or texture. Because the formulation is so runny, I found that I had to be very careful with application and only work with a small amount at a time to avoid bleeding or teeth-staining. Although all four shades are very pigmented, they are buildable in that you can either go for a soft tint or really layer to achieve an intense pop of color. After absorbing, the colors are 100% transfer-proof but they will fade with eating and drinking. They can last through a moderate meal with no problem but with heavy eating and drinking, the finish will start to patch. The fading isn't too bad but it definitely becomes noticeable by the end of the day and you will have to touch up to keep the color presentable. Lastly, although the stains are not drying, they are best paired with a balm or gloss to maintain hydration. See below for a breakdown of all four shades.

01 Rose Water: Probably the most natural out of the four, this is a bright light pink.
02 Orange Water: With a rich orange appearance in the tube, this shade wore a lot more yellow-orange than I expected. It's not one I would personally go for but the color is surprisingly natural for the summer time.
03 Red Water: This is a super bright red with a pink undertone. The shade actually looks brighter (almost neon) in person than how it showed up in the swatches.
04 Violet Water: My favorite out of the four, this is a beautiful berry pink. This shade can get quite dark after just a few swipes but it also wears the best out of the four.

Clarins | Water Lip Stain in "01 Rose Water"

Clarins | Water Lip Stain in "02 Orange Water"

Clarins | Water Lip Stain in "03 Red Water"

Clarins | Water Lip Stain in "04 Violet Water"

Below is a collage I made to show all four shades. On the right-hand column is how the lip stains look when topped with a clear lip balm. Because the stains are completely transfer-proof, you can top them with a balm or gloss without worrying about spreading the color around. I think all four actually look better with a bit of a shine. Overall, this is a fun and bright range of lip stains! The formulation is pleasant and comfortable on the lips and the wear time is very impressive. These do get patchy after heavy eating and drinking but they are still some of the longest-lasting lip stains I've tried. Which is your favorite shade? Share with me in the comments below!

Clarins | Water Lip Stain

Availability:
Clarins is available at Hudson's Bay, Shoppers Drug Mart, and Clarins.