Sephora + Pantone Universe have released several gorgeous lipsticks with their Alchemy of Color Collection for Fall 2012. These Sephora + Pantone Universe Lip Luster Lipsticks ($18 USD / $22 CAD each) are probably one of the most beautiful pieces in the entire collection- because they truly look like jewels! Available in five shades, the sparkling lip colors just look amazing… so I was definitely excited to give them a go!

These lipsticks are basically a lipstick and lip balm duo- the centre of the product contains a tube of sparkling lip colour, surrounded by a clear lip balm.  The white packaging with clear lids just adds to the stunning appearance- but I wanted to know if there were just as beautiful on the lips as they were sitting on my vanity… unfortunately, like a lot of the Sephora + Pantone Universe products, the beautiful appearance actually hinders the functionality of the product in actual use.

Sephora + Pantone Universe Lip Luster Lipsticks

Note the size

The stunning, glittery lip color encased in clear balm

The three shades I’ve been trying out are…

• Almost Apricot: A peachy, nude pink
• Tangerine Tango: A bright orange
• Raspberry Radiance: A mid-tone berry mauve

The lip colors are a sheer-to-medium coverage color, however they can be built up… the problem is that it is so hard to be precise with them! Because the colour is only in the center of the tube, it’s nearly impossible to fill your lips in with colour, without smearing the glossy balm all around your lips.  I ended up having to twist and turn my hand to try to get the colored section to apply to my upper lip- it just really wasn’t practical.

The nude shade, Almost Apricot, was probably the easiest to apply, because it was the most sheer and light- I didn’t have to be precise with it for it to look good… but the deeper shades posed a greater challenge.

They are also quite gritty as well, because of the glitter. It looks pretty- and personally I don’t mind it because it’s not painful (some glitter lip products actually can scrape at your lips- I could definitely feel the glitter on these, but it didn’t really bother me).

(L-R) Raspberry Radiance, Almost Apricot & Tangerine Tango

Swatches (L-R) Raspberry Radiance, Almost Apricot & Tangerine Tango

Sephora + Pantone Universe Lip Luster Lipstick in Raspberry Radiance

Sephora + Pantone Universe Lip Luster Lipstick in Almost Apricot

Sephora + Pantone Universe Lip Luster Lipstick in Tangerine Tango

Summary

• Price: $18 USD / $22 CAD
• Availability: Sephora
• Selection: See all 5 shades here
• Overall: While the final result of these lip colours is quite beautiful, and the tubes themselves look like a shimmery work of art, they just aren’t practical enough for me to really like them and recommend them.
• Rating: C