Chicca Mesmeric Lipstick

So Citrine tempted me to try Chicca, and I picked up four Mesmeric Lipsticks in 06 Lucent Red (the shade she reviewed), 19 Red Rose, 32 Tangerina, and 35 Grape. Now before I go on, I should tell you that I also tried a Chicca eye palette, the Mystic Powder Eye Shadow in EX36 Fuchsia Island, and it was possibly the shittiest high-end eye shadows I've ever touched. Needless to say, that experience dampened my excitement for these lipsticks a bit.

All pictures taken in natural light without flash.

The lipsticks come in similar packaging as the eye palette. It's slightly thicker than Lunasol lipstick packaging, only heavier and more substantial in my hand. The formula is excellent. It's on the thin side but is just as moisturizing as the thicker and balmier lippies I have. It's also super glossy, and the four colors I picked are all shimmer free.

Honestly, I don't understand how Suqqu lipsticks can be priced so high at 4-5,000yen a piece while these Lunasol and Chicca ones are at 3-3,500yen. Their formulas are different, yes, but having own several lippies from all three brands I honestly can't say Suqqu is that much better to warrant the price. If anything, I think Chicca and Lunasol have better packaging than Suqqu. What a mystery.

- 06 Lucent Red: transparent warm red that's a perfectly wearable sheer red. I totally see why Citrine loves it. I do too!

- 19 Red Rose: transparent cooler red and indeed swatched a cooler, pinkish red on the back of my hand. However, it's more neutral on my lips and is another perfect, wearable sheer red. More love!

- 32 Tangerina: despite the name, this is a translucent apricot-coral on both the back of my hand and on my lips.

- 35 Grape: true to its name, this is a transparent grape with a healthy dose of violet. It's a newer color released in the same collection as the Mystic Powder Eye Shadow EX36 Fuchsia Island.

From left to right: 06 Lucent Red, 19 Red Rose, 32 Tangerina, and 35 Grape.