For daring souls only.
I remember when ages ago when we were kids, my best friend showed me her mother’s electric blue lipstick. I was mesmerized by the color – it was a deep blue shade, so dreamy we just had to try it on right away. Little did we know it was actually an eyeshadow in a tube (her mother was not amused).
Now I finally have a chance to actually wear one. L’Oréal x Balmain lipstick collection was on sale, and their Rebellion shade was the only blue I could find. It was pretty close to what I had in mind – dark blue, punchy but somehow classy.
I also purchased Liberation from The Couture Tribe, Power from The Rock Tribe, and Fever from The Glamazon Tribe. Three mini-collections, three ‘tribes’, 12 unusual shades in the Colour Riche Matte formula. The collection is an ode to women that are a force of nature, wild at heart, elegant and tough.
People who can’t express themselves with a limited drugstore shade range and want a little of haute couture on their lips will find this collection refreshing.
A true cobalt blue
Think of deep blue ocean and blue lobsters. Rebellion is a rockstar-bold shade that might look decent on just about anyone. Of course, it requires some confidence to wear.
Rebellion is part of The Rock Tribe mini-collection. Although it’s advertised as a creamy matte, this is actually a demi-matte, almost satin lipstick with a texture between powdery and creamy. It has a classic but strong scent typical for L’Oréal – it smells literally like lipstick. The packaging is made from thin plastic with a blue gem-like pattern and golden elements.
Low staying power
This is the type of lipstick you have to check all the time. Rebellion feathers very much, especially in the corners of the mouth. There are many ways you can prevent or slow down feathering, like by exfoliating or using a lip pencil. I had to use a brush to make this lipstick look almost spotless on my lips.
But if any of that doesn’t help, then try using it as an eyeshadow.
I’m not impressed with the coverage either. The formula is so thin I can compare it to applying watercolors on my lips. Which is why it’s so easy to make mistakes. No matter how much you apply the pigment, it’s never fully blue.
Rebellion also gets blurry with time. It’s no surprise that it wears down significantly and unevenly. Expect patchiness almost immediately after application.
This is not the first time L’Oréal performed subpar to what I expected, considering the price. But, hey, at least it feels very comfortable on the lips.
I love the shade, but…
That’s not enough.
The feathering problem is the biggest crime of all. I know L’Oréal x Balmain are drugstore lipsticks with focus on beautiful packaging and unique shades that will look good on any skin tone, but this is not worth $13.
If you’re planning on chatting, eating or sipping on a bubbly while looking as a normal human being without lipstick all over your face, then I don’t recommend L’Oréal x Balmain in Rebellion. It could have been a great alternative for all of us who are bored with typical drugstore shades, but it’s just so messy.
Maybe go for something cheaper, long-lasting and very pigmented – like Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid City Edition in Explorer. Haven’t tried that particular shade, but I can vouch for the longevity of Pioneer.