Maybelline Superstay 10 HR Stain Gloss vs L'Oreal Color Riche Caresse Aqua Lacquer

Hello Ladies,

I recently purchased two different lip gloss stains: Maybelline Superstay 10 HR Stain Gloss and L'Oreal Color Riche Caresse Aqua Lacquer.  The products are very similar in concept to the YSL Glossy Stain, and I wanted to see which drugstore version worked best for me.

Maybelline Superstay 10 HR Stain Gloss:

The packaging is a white plastic tube with a cap that matches to color of the product inside.  It is nothing fancy.  The wand is a good length and allows for precise application of the product.  I purchased the shade Fresh Fuchsia.

Left: Two Coats, Right: One Coat

The product smells fruity and goes on easily.  The formula is rather thin, not goopy and gloss-like.  However, the product is very pigmented.  Once on the lips, the stain sets in about 2 - 5 minutes, depending on how thickly it was applied.

Initial Application

The Maybelline gloss wears well, but it does not last anywhere near 10 hours.  I took photos two hours after application, and there was very little product remaining on my lips.  It also fades more on the inside of the lips than the outside and can leave a visible outline on the lips.  That said, it does not come off on glasses, food or people.  While wearing this stain, I took a drink of water from a clear glass, and there was no lip print!

After Two Hours

Final Thoughts: Good product.  You will have to reapply every couple of hours, but the color doesn't transfer to objects or people. 

Price: About $8.99

L'Oreal Color Riche Caresse Aqua Lacquer

The packaging is a small gold tube with a wand very similar to the YSL Glossy Stain.  I think the idea was for the packaging to look high end, like Estee Lauder or YSL.  However, I don't like that it is such a gaudy looking plastic, and you leave fingerprints any time you touch it.  I am also not a fan of the nubby little wand.

Top: One Coat, Bottom: Two Coats

The product doesn't really have a smell and is thicker and more gloss-like than the Maybelline version.  I chose the color Endless Red, and it is a gorgeous orangey-red hue.  I found the L'Oreal version to be very buildable.  I first applied a light coat and went back with a second coat that made the color much more vibrant.  I like that the product can be worn sheer or opaque.

Initial Application

My biggest gripe about this product is that it takes a really long time to set.  In fact, I didn't feel like mine every really set.  When I drank from a water glass, the product definitely transferred.  It also left a lip print on my boyfriend's cheek when I kissed him goodbye, and that was about a half hour after application. When I checked back in at the two hour mark, there was very little product remaining on my lips.

After Two Hours

Final Thoughts: Meh product.  The packaging is kind of ugly (in my opinion), and the product is a bit of a goopy mess.  They do have some beautiful shades in the line.  However, if you are looking for a long wearing stain, this isn't it.

Price: About $9.99

Overall:  Neither of these products is a must-have.  If you are going to buy one, I would recommend the Maybelline.  While it definitely does not live up to its 10 HR claim, it does stain the lips and sets much faster than the L'Oreal version.

Do you own either of these gloss stains?  What do you think?

Talk Soon,

T.