Colorbar DIVA Lipstick ’03 Dress to Impress’ Review

Hello IMBB beauties! On a recent visit to New Beauty Centre, Khar (Mumbai based readers will know ) I went to the Colorbar counter to pick up the Nude Pink lip liner and Ripe apple lip gloss(reviewed on IMBB some time back) I didn’t find the lip gloss so the SA started showing me other glosses and lip sticks after I described the shade I wanted. None of the shades or textures caught my fancy until she showed me DIVA lipstick in shade ’03 Dress to Impress’. The lipstick was so soft and creamy, it glided like butter on my hand when she swatched it. The shade was an earthy mauvish pink shade which looked similar to Chambor truly lasting ‘Truly Nutty’. I compared the 2 shades and once satisfied that they were different, I picked up this beauty. This is the kind of shade that’ll suit all skin tones. Now the review..

Price : Rs 350 (I purchased it for Rs 280 from New Beauty Centre, Khar)

Quantity: 4.2 g

What the website says:
Be the true diva that you are with our DIVA collection. Apply lipstick for a worthy cause. Colorbar AIDS fund was recently set up to support the fight against HIV/AIDS and increase public awareness; part of the proceeds of every DIVA lipstick will go towards Colorbar AIDS fund. Uniquely packed in a silver and red casing, this lipstick is for all those Diva’s with a soul!

Packaging : It comes in a round bottom cylindrical silver colored casing with a piece of red plastic in the centre. Once you open the cap, the red part continues to form the upper half housing the lipstick. The packaging is quite sturdy and the lipstick snaps shut with a click ensuring the cap is closed. The half red packaging is a reminiscent of MAC Viva glam lipsticks. The slanted tip of the lipstick makes application easy.

Texture and Pigmentation : The lipstick is soft and smooth without any shimmer. It glides easily on the lips. The tester that the SA had shown me was however even smoother in texture, almost buttery (Like Chambor lipsticks). Pigmentation of this lipstick is quite good. Single swipe gives opaque coverage and good color which intensifies in 2-3 swipes. The first time I applied this lipstick, I did not feel that it is very moisturizing. The lines of my lips also seem a little accentuated. But after 5-10 min, the appearance of the lips became quite smooth and the lipstick felt very comfortable on the lips.

Lasting Power : Somehow with my initial impression of this lipstick, I was not expecting it to wear well or last on my lips. But after a meal and about 2-3 hours of walking around outside, I was surprized to see the lipstick still there. The color had faded (because of the meal) but the fading was very even and my lips appeared smooth and naturally earthy pink tinted . The lipstick lasted for more than 5 hours even after another mini-meal with a little more even fading. Moreover, contrary to the first impression, my lips felt moisturized and soft few hours post application.

Shade selection : The website lists 3 shades- Dress to Impress (earthy mauve- pink), For keeps (Plum) and Red she said (Maroon) but I do remember seeing 2 more brownish shades at the Colorbar counter. The shade selection is limited an disappointing. I wish there were more pinks and peach shades.

PROs of Colorbar DIVA Lipstick

1. Sturdy packaging .
2. Smooth soft texture and good pigmentation.
3. Does not settle into fine lines. Instead gives a smooth appearance to lips
4. Good moisturization- lips felt softer after application
5. The most imp part – good lasting power of 4-5 hours with even fading on eating/drinking
6. Did not feather or bleed without lip liner. I however powder my face well so that prevents bleeding and smudging of kajal as well as lipsticks.
7. Well priced for the quality and quantity
8. The proceeds of the sale of this lipstick are used for a good cause.

CONS of Colorbar DIVA Lipstick

1. Difficult to identify shade from outside
2. Limited shade selection
3. Not as easily available(as a brand and this range also)

Final verdict – It is a universally flattering earthy mauve-pink shade with soft, smooth texture, good pigmentation and 4-5 hours of lasting power. The lip color fades evenly with time , moisturized the lips well and gives them a smooth appearance. The packaging and shade selection could have been better.

Will I repurchase – If I do finish this shade, then YES! I love this shade and the quality of this lipstick.

Rating : 4.25/5 (for reasons listed above)

Also Read:
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Colorbar Full Finish Long Wear Lipstick
10 Most Favourite Colorbar Matte Lipsticks
Colorbar Long Wear Lipstick Photos, Swatches
Colorbar vs Elle18 Lipstick
Colorbar Liquid Addiction Lipstick Caramel Mauve
MAC Diva Lipstick