This story first appeared on Wednesday, September 11, 2024, in The Strategist Beauty Brief, a weekly newsletter in which our beauty writers share their must-tries, can-skips, and can’t-live-withouts. But we liked it so much we wanted to share it with all of our readers. If you want more first impressions of buzzy launches, quick takes on what’s trending on TikTok and Instagram, and deep dives into the week’s best beauty launches, sign up here. The Strategist Beauty Brief is delivered every Wednesday.
A hydrating lip stain is my beauty white whale. Most lip stains dry out my lips for days, or worse, they settle into the fine lines on my lips. And many formulas that claim to be hydrating are really just glosses, fading after a couple sips of pretty much anything. Kulfi, a newer brand I’ve been following, released a lip oil this summer that promised both moisture and budgeproof wear. Sure, I thought.
When I first applied Lassi Lips (in a nude caramel), I noticed the texture was in between those of a typical lip oil (goopy, thick) and a lip stain (watery). Even though it was a little thinner, it stayed in place. It was also easy to apply precisely, thanks to its pointed applicator. Just one swipe of the product and my lips looked glossier and fuller. I rubbed my lips together and waited a minute, and it dried down to a subtler sheen with just as much pigment.
I went about my work day — eating lunch and sipping water out of my Owala. I checked the mirror every hour or so, not expecting much. After work, I met up with a friend for a very sweaty Pilates class. I was sure that after my workout, the lip stain would have worn off. But when I looked in the mirror, my lips still had the healthy, subtle glow they’d had all day. They were evenly pigmented and hydrated. It felt like I wasn’t wearing anything — no tackiness and no spidery lines around my mouth.
Also worth noting: Caramel is my perfect nude. I’ve always struggled to find the right shade. They’re usually too pink or too deep of a brown, which is great for certain occasions but not a true natural look. This shade felt like wearing the right bra size for the first time. It complemented my skin tone so perfectly. After two months, I’m reaching for Lip Lassi constantly (I’ve kind of stopped wearing my balms and lipsticks). For casual everyday wear, it’s easy. I don’t have to layer to get both moisture and lasting color. And for going out, I like to keep the finish high shine, so I reapply it like a gloss. But even after all this obsessive use for months, I’ve barely made a dent in the tube. It truly takes one swipe for full coverage, and my lips are set for hours. I’m planning on buying a couple more shades to round out my collection.
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