Review & Swatchfest: Shiseido Shimmering Rouge in Sugar Plum and Venus

Shiseido Shimmering Rouge lipsticks promises "Full Brilliance," and "Sheer color," to keep lips moisturized all day. Venus is a medium berry-tone that's slightly less purple than MAC's Rebel Lipstick while Sugar Plum is a borderline nude with a hint of dusty plum that's similar to Chanel Stunt Rouge Allure Laque.

These deliver on the long-lasting moisture claim, and are incredibly smooth and buttery, but the same cannot be said for the color. Given the glossy finish, I didn't expect the color to stay put for long, but there is inconsistency in opacity and coverage was disappointing. Sugar Plum was very even in its application, but wasn't what I would describe as "sheer color". Not a bad thing, but not as advertised. Venus, on the other hand, had a patchy application and was sheer in some areas and opaque in others. While it was highly pigmented and stained my lips even after the sheen was gone, my lips always looked uneven for the first few hours of wear.

Overall, these are like ultra-smooth, but overpriced Lip Butters. If you are looking for a plush, moisturizing lip color, you might consider looking at these. But, at $25 a piece for half the amount of product (.07 oz.) that comes in a Shiseido's Perfect Rouge Lipsticks (.14 oz. also at $25), I would recommend going with a  Lip Butter or even a perfect Rouge Lipstick.

Shiseido Shimmering Rouge in RS 619 Venus 

Shiseido Shimmering Rouge in RD 718 Sugar Plum

Venus on the left, Sugar Plum on the right

Bare lips 

RD 718 Sugar Plum

RS 619 Venus