I’ve never liked the way matte lip colour feels on the lips. Even the ones that purport to be non-drying are drying to a certain extent. The ones that aren’t are more like a balm, and don’t last long on the lips. Which is fine with me, but if one wants the colour to last even a little bit, a balm doesn’t cut it.

Maybelline’s latest lip sensation is their Lip Studio Color Blur™ lip pencil line. It’s been getting rave reviews and really stands out from the crowd of the already excellent current drugstore lip offerings, which isn’t easy. The whole concept of the Color Blur™ is the “ombre lip”. Ombré – which means “fade” – hit the beauty world when it started in the hair. It’s now worked it’s way down to lips and nails, and was all over the runways in it’s various fashion permutations.

Lip Studio Color Blur™ is a unique pencil-style lipstick with a handy twist-up style that means no sharpeners. The unique part is the silicone blurring tool at the other end of the lip pencil. You are to use this to blur the lip product along the edge of your lips, but I use it to blend the colour all over my lips, almost like a blotter. I love it.

I haven’t rocked the ombré lip yet but I do love this lip pencil just as regular old-school lipstick. It feels a lot like a balm, but it’s a lighter texture. If your lips are dry or chapped, this product won’t smooth them, so be sure to have exfoliated and moisturized before applying Color Blur™.

It glides on like silk and as it fades it leaves a soft stain effect, so it lasts well. The matte is more of a satin matte, which is gorgeous as it doesn’t look dry or dusty. I also like to layer mine with the new and amazing Baby Lips Lip Glosses (Pink Pizzaz is a favourite) for a slightly more dewy look.  The vivid shades are gorgeous, but of course I love the soft mauve-rose shade of I Love To Mauve It. For $11.99 CAD this is a great value. Color Blur™ feels and looks luxe. If you love matte lips, this is a must-have!