Lipcote

Something Real by Breakup

I saw this lip product rattling around for years. Marketed as an age-old secret for long-lasting lipstick straight from the enviable 1950s vintage sirens lips, I expected great things. 

Lipcote ... is meant to make all lipsticks last longer giving them a no trace finish on champagne glasses and anything else you'd be willing to get personal with. Yeah, I know its hard to imagine but, there was a time when kissproof matte lipsticks were not a thing and lipcote was an answer to long-wearing lipstick. Since Lipcote managed to survive for such a long time, in an often at times ferociously fierce market, I thought it would be nice to try this classic vintage cult product out - so I did. Here are all my thoughts. 

Packaging: Lipcote comes in a clear little nail polish looking bottle. It's classic looking but still fresh and there are no packaging issues (doesn't leak). 

Tests

I chose to use W7 lipstick in Very Red. It's a shiny pigmented red that has a wet (satin) finish and a bright medium red hue. I think a matte lipstick would work best with this type of product but, I was intrigued to find out how well it would work with a lipstick formula that has no long wearing claims or abilities (shiny lipsticks usually have poor longevity). Then again, I didn't make claims that this would work with all lipsticks but Lipcote at the very least alluded to this. Let the games begin!

First Application

The process

Admittedly, first time around I messed up. I applied the lipstick and then applied lipcote soon after. First mistake. Lipcote has an interesting feeling which I'll get into at the end of my post. Since it's made up of mostly alcohol its very runny and dries quickly so I thought I had to work fast with it.  

The result and how it looked after moving my lips

Once dried, my lips did indeed feel encapsulated with something. The texture was no longer shiny but there was still a sheen. Its hard to explain but I felt like the sheen is similar to the coating applied to smarties (a British sweet) as it had a crackly effect and feeling like a "shell". I waited for some time and then moved my lips. Second mistake. The layer cracked and peeled and flaked. Below is the final result of my first swatch test. 

The Final Result

Hmm, lovely. I know its nearing October but, I don't celebrate Halloween and I'm not planning to appear in a horror movie. 

Second Application

Remembering that I had to blot before applying the product I decided to do a second application. This time around I lightly blotted my lips as instructed. I didn't include a picture of me stretching (smiling) my lips out but, it cracked similarly to the first application but not as bad. Removing the product I noticed that parts of the product stuck on/stained my lips which is kinda annoying but, it gave me glimmers of hope that this could really work as those stains/flakes would not budge. 

Third Application

Using Very Red again (natural lighting changed the look)

I decided to give it one last pictorial go. I applied the lipstick and then heavily blotted it down. Parted my lips and applied the product leaving it to dry completely before I moved my lips. This process resulted in a stable finish with little flakes but my lips looked and felt parched and patchy. 

My thoughts on the application process: It burns ... a little but still, it burns. The first time I tried it, the muscles in my lips shivered ... all by themselves. Nowadays, when I try out, it only burns every now and then. Yeah ... the process really is unpleasant and part of the reason I haven't chucked it out, is that I felt it necessary to do the review  ... and perhaps a smidge of me is a tad bit hoardic (like the north node of a hoarder - which means I have the tendencies but have not reached the south node so there is a chance to change). It claims to have a vanilla scent but it smells like alcohol mostly and then slightly like a vanilla.

First End Thought

Would you recommend it? No ... not if you like your lips. 

*Wait here's more info*

I did do a fourth trial with this product but instead of using W7 lipstick, I used Mac's Whirl which has a much thicker and matte formula. I applied the lipstick, blotted, then applied lipcote (which stung as usual) and stretched my lips out, did a smouch test and it worked with hardly any issues (not flaky or patchy). It's not extremely budge-proof but definitely made the lipstick more resilient. Thus, I was right to assume that this product works better with thicker lipstick with a matte texture. If you can bear stinging lips and would like to add some longevity to your matte lipstick collection or you're concerned about bleeding or feather lip products I can see this working for you. Just don't expect this product to work well with all lipsticks formulas and textures and remember to blot. 

Final End Thoughts

There are ways to make this work. This product just doesn't play nice with glossy lipsticks and thin formulas. If you like and or love your lips use this product with thick matte lipsticks or at least a thick matte base, as it will give your skin some protection from the burn (lipcote recommends testing the product on the back of your hand before applying it to your lips - see info and ingredients here). I think it would be fair to assume that this product hasn't changed much from the 1950s and like many older makeup formulas, I think it requires some work. I've heard that in the 1950s most if not all lipsticks were matte so it makes sense as to why this formula may have worked with all lipsticks because glossy products didn't exist (?!). Plus, perhaps women back then weren't wussy about stinging, shivering and burning lips if it meant that their pout stayed on all day and they were saving money. Who knows?

Anyway, I'll show how lipcote works with a matte lipstick in another post. Till then keep well, stay blessed and thanks for sticking around :)

Have you tried lipcote?

Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated!