Still loving Estee Lauder, even 20 years later!

I'll admit it, I was totally obsessed with Estee Lauder cosmetics back in my college days. Their lip and face products were all I needed, but over time, I got into other cosmetics and kind of forgot about the brand. But their latest release somehow managed to catch my attention.

The Glossy Pout transforming oil gives your lips a mirror-like shine and instant visible volume. It provides 24-hour deep hydration and antioxidant protection from external aggressive factors. Every drop is packed with volume, care, and comfort. The light, silky texture wraps your lips in a shiny finish, instantly providing a sense of comfort. The formula is composed of 98% caring ingredients, including 38% nourishing oils.

Active ingredients:

• Hyaluronic acid - intensely hydrates• Vitamin E - provides antioxidant protection• Raspberry seed, burdock root, and apricot kernel oils - care for and soften your lipsOn the price

I picked it up at Rive Gauche for 2700 rubles.

On the packaging

I wouldn't say the brand has changed much in terms of packaging - it still looks like a strong retro from the box to the bottle. Classic, old-school style that's not embarrassing to pull out of your makeup bag. Although the materials have become noticeably simpler, it doesn't have that luxurious feel like it used to. China has spoiled us with beautiful packaging.

The sponge is classic, shaped like a petal, and very easy to use, matching the texture of the product.

Volume: 6 ml

Country of origin: Belgium

On the texture and scent

The oil is lip-smacking, unlike Dior or Clarins, it's lip-smacking but not overpowering, just right for a lip oil. It has the brand's signature fragrance and a sweet taste - we all know how many lip balms we've eaten in a year, right?

GLYCERIN • WATER/AQUA/EAU • DIISOSTEARYL MALATE • HYDROGENATED POLYISOBUTENE • BIS-BEHENYL/ISOSTEARYL/PHYTOSTERYL DIMER DILINOLEYL DIMER DILINOLEATE • C13-15 ALKANE • POLYGLYCERYL-6 POLYRICINOLEATE • POLYGLYCERYL-3 POLYRICINOLEATE • CAPRYLOYL GLYCINE • SODIUM HYALURONATE • TOCOPHERYL ACETATE • TOCOPHEROL • RUBUS IDAEUS (RASPBERRY) SEED OIL • LIMNANTHES ALBA (MEADOWFOAM) SEED OIL • PRUNUS ARMENIACA (APRICOT) KERNEL OIL • SORBITAN SESQUIOLEATE • GLUCOMANNAN • DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE • POLYSORBATE 80 • TRIHYDROXYSTEARIN • SODIUM CITRATE • POTASSIUM SORBATE • SODIUM HYDROXIDE • CITRIC ACID • SALICYLIC ACID • FRAGRANCE (PARFUM) • VANILLIN • BENZALDEHYDE • CARVONE • TRIETHOXYSILYLETHYL POLYDIMETHYLSILOXYETHYL DIMETHICONE • ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE • ISOPROPYL TITANIUM TRIISOSTEARATE • ETHYLHEXYL METHOXYCINNAMATE • DIETHYLAMINO HYDROXYBENZOYL HEXYL BENZOATE • [+/- MICA • TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77491) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77492) • IRON OXIDES (CI 77499) • BISMUTH OXYCHLORIDE (CI 77163) • BRONZE POWDER (CI 77400) • COPPER POWDER (CI 77400) • MANGANESE VIOLET (CI 77742) • RED 6 (CI 15850) • RED 7 (CI 15850) • RED 27 (CI 45410) • RED 30 (CI 73360) • BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090) • RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850) • RED 28 LAKE (CI 45410) • RED 30 LAKE (CI 73360) • RED 33 LAKE (CI 17200) • YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140)]

The effect

As I've gotten older, my lips have become a real pain to deal with. They're not just a problem, they're a real nuisance. And the worst part is, I'll use a product that finally seems to work, and then I'll go out and buy a new one, only to find out it doesn't work at all! So, when I saw the oil-based formula, I was a bit skeptical - what if it doesn't work for me?

I'll get to the point. I've been using their lip formulas for ages, and I'm still not having any issues with them. The color payoff is so subtle that you can pretty much pick any one you like.

The balm makes my lips look just a tiny bit more vibrant, adding a glossy finish that lasts for ages. The color is minimal, but it's definitely there. Maybe if you've got really bright or really pale lips, the color might make a difference, but from what I've seen, it looks like any of the three shades I've got from my friends would look pretty similar.

Without balmWith balmI'm actually quite fond of the sticky formula, which is how I usually like it. It's a bit of a pain with long hair, but it does make my lips look spotless.

I didn't have any issues with the balm, even though my lips can get ridiculously dry. I've had blood-cracked lips and just plain old windburn, but this stuff sorts it out in no time. For now, it's one of my top picks for winter lip care.

It does migrate a bit with active facial expressions, but the color is subtle enough that it's not noticeable. It lasts for 4-5 hours, even with a snack in between, and comes off with anything - even a dry napkin.

On ethics

The brand isn't exactly known for its ethics.

Verdict

I'm not going to say this balm has blown me away, but it's not something I'd trash either. I'd like it to be cheaper, have a cooler packaging, and more defined color options, but it's a great lip balm!

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My reviews of other lip balms:

Ecomake Moisturizing and Tinted Lip BalmEcomake Nourishing Lip BalmRhode Peptide Lip TintACQUA PERLATA, L'arte del bello Lip GlossDior Addict Lip Maximizer in Lilac Graphite