Dior Fluid Stick vs. Maybelline The Color Elixir

There is a new trend of hybrid lipsticks available in drugstores as well as department stores. They are supposed to have the feel of a lip balm, shine of a gloss and the color of a lipstick.

Maybelline The Elixir was launched at least 6-8 months ago in a huge range of colors. In Canada there are 20 shades available at around $8 - 10. The tube is very interesting as it appears to encase a lipstick bullet but actually is a gloss wand. The applicator is slightly bent with grooves to pick up more product. The shade I purchased is 500 breathtaking apricot.
This shade is more of a peachy pink with yellow shimmers. The gloss lasts about 2-3 hours on me and leaves a stain that is not obnoxious. 

While browsing at the duty free shop in the airport I was drawn to the beautiful display of Dior lipsticks. Without much thought I picked up the hot newly launched Fluid Stick in Tiny Pink. It's a golden peachy pink with a hint of neon sparkles. The case is shaped much like the Maybelline one but feels much more sturdier and luxurious. The wand is a plush doe foot applicator. The color is beautiful, almost milky peach and appears to be much lighter at first until it settles into the lips to a pretty color. It retails at $36 and there are 16 shades. These have been heavily marketed and several shades are sold out on Sephora website. 

It's hard not to compare the two as they are so similar.
Formulation are quite similar and feel like a thick but smooth gloss on the lips. The Maybelline one is a bit sheer so need several coats to achieve the opaque color I want. Whereas Dior only needs one coat.
As for the wear time Maybelline seems to last a little longer as it leaves more of a stain than the Dior one.

The Elixir has a bit of an artificial vanilla scent which doesn't linger long. Fluid stick has a fruity scent that is light and not noticeble once applied. Both are very moisturizing and feel comfortable on the lips.

Dior applicator on left, Maybelline on right

If you are looking to buy one of these I would suggest The Elixir based on the fact that it is almost 1/4 of the price of Dior and the wide availability, especially if you want to try several colors.  $36 is very steep for a product that has an almost identical dupe available in drugstores.
The shades available in Dior are not as commonly found in drugstores lip glosses which is one of the reasons to consider it.
Have you tried any of these hybrid lipsticks? 

Dior Tiny Pink on right, Maybelline Breathtaking Apricot on left

My Lips but Better (MLBB) lipsticks - pinks and nudes

My lips are very pale naturally and without lipstick or gloss, I can look quite sallow and tired. With the new season, I have been digging up my old stash of lipsticks and buying a couple more (because who doesn't need more lipsticks? :)). When I was browsing through them I realized I tend to buy the same tonal family of lipsticks - rosy/mauve pinks that can be categorized as My Lips But Better.
Here are some of my favs, mostly from the drugstore.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Warm Me Up ($6 US $8 CAD)
The Color Sensational Lipsticks come in several categories: Neutral, Pinks, Reds/brights.
Warm Me up is from the Neutral line (indicated by the brown lid) and is a perfect "warm" pink. It is quite opaque and lasts at least 3 - 4 hours on the lips. The shade looks more orange in the tube but on my lips it gives a nice rosy color. It does have a scent - something like artificial vanilla. It's not too overwhelming for me but those who are sensitive to smell may not like it.

L'oreal Infallible Le Rouge Lipstick in Forever Frappe and Unending Kiss ($9 US $12 CAD)
This is a super matte long wearing lipstick range that I really enjoy. Typically the long wearing lipsticks are 2 part system, that tends to have a gloss that you need to wear throughout the day. This does not give that glossy look; however, the color pay off is great. It is tad drying on the lips compared to other lipsticks but not uncomfortable. The lipstick stays on for at least 4 - 5 hours. If applied with heavy hand, the lipstick can chip off the lips.

YSL Rouge Volupte in Shade #3 & #23 ($34 US $39CAD)
Rouge Volupte is a very luxurious, opulent line of lipsticks that a true makeup junkie would own at least one tube of. The case is a heavy embellished gold tube with the shade band in the middle of the tube. The lipstick itself is super creamy and buttery on the lips.
Because my lips are on the white side, the true nude shades in the range do not suit me (makes me look very pale and sickly). #3 is called Ultimate Beige and is a orange-y toned beige on my lips.
#23 is called Luscious Pink and is a good nude for my skin tone. It is a darker rosy color and brightens up my face nicely.
Due to its slippery texture, the color lasts only about a couple of hours and despite them feeling buttery, can be drying on the lips. 

Shiseido Perfect Rouge in BE740 ($25 US, $30 CAD)
This is also a beige-toned nude lipstick. The Lipstick is encased in a beautiful metal tube. The lipstick feels smooth on the lips and the color pay off is great. It lasts at least 3 hours on my lips. I tend to prefer rosy MLBB shades than beige shades so this has been in my makeup drawer for the last little while.

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Fiend ($22US $26CAD)
UD has launched a new line of lipsticks and this shade is described as muted rose. This lipstick is amazing. The metallic tube is heavy and has a nice "click" of the lid. The lipstick is very opaque and the color clings to the lips for hours. This shade is probably the brightest of the ones mentioned here. It is not drying and does not flake or fade weird. I am looking to purchase more shades (muted tones: Naked 2, Rush, Rapture).

L to R: maybelline warm me up, L'oreal unending kiss, YSL #3, #23, Shiseido BE740, UD fiend 

 Top to bottom: UD, shiseido, YSL 23, 3, L'oreal, Maybelline 

Maybelline warm me up

L'oreal unending kiss

YSL shade 3

YSL shade 23

Shiseido BE740

Urban Decay fiend 

Battle of mascaras

I love mascaras. I currently am rotating at least 4-5 different ones, which are all waterproof. I cannot wear regular ones because they do not keep my curls and will smudge.
The ones I am loving are YSL singulier, Stila all day waterproof volumizing, Maybelline Rocket volume and Maybelline cat eye hyper curl (only in Asia). 

My eyelashes are on the long side but are thin and sparse. They are straight without a hint of curl and cannot be coaxed to curl with just the mascara. 

Today's battle is between YSL and the Maybelline Rocket Volume.

YSL Singulier mascara was a spur of the moment buy at the duty free store in San Francisco. The tube is heavy gold and is very beautiful to hold. The bristle of the mascara wand is a spiral shape - I have not seen anything like it with other mascaras. The formula is on the drier side and does need multiple coats to give the result I like (thick, dark dramatic lashes). For $34, I expect it to be amazing. I have to say while I like it's non-clumping, non-smudging, super dark colour, I would not repurchase at this price. It feels like I have to put in more of an effort in coating my lashes than other mascaras.

Maybelline Rocket Volume has a nylon bristle, similar to Covergirl Lash Blast, but a little smaller. The bristle can be quite stiff and if not careful can poke the rim of your eyes. 

This formula is also on the drier side (especially compared to Maybelline Falsies). This also provides pretty clump free lashes with multiple coats. What I don't love is how stiff and brittle the lashes feel. Also since I like my lashes to look full and dramatic,  the look this mascara gives is not what I like so much.

Have you tried these mascaras?

Bare lashes - curled with Shu Uemura curler

YSL Singulier

Maybelline Rocket Volume

YSL Singulier - side view

Maybelline Rocket Volume side view