Though our days of wearing lipsticks are few and far between in this year of wearing face masks, it doesn’t hurt to have one ready by our desk for video calls and sudden meetings. So while I don’t wear lipstick as much on the regular, I do enjoy swiping some on for a quick, empowering boost to my mood. I have a soft spot for bold berry hues, so the Innisfree Vivid Cotton Sticks in shades 4, 6, and 9 are up my alley. I’ve worn these through various video interviews and regular workdays, so read on if you want to know my full thoughts on this lipstick-tint hybrid.

First impressions, claims, and packaging

The Innisfree Vivid Cotton Sticks promise to be the only non-drying matte bullet lipstick you'll ever need.

Upon first glance, the Innisfree Vivid Cotton Sticks look like any other K-beauty lippie. Innisfree claims that this lipstick-tint hybrid has a moist “cotton” matte texture (matte on the outside and moisturising on the inside) and a lot of pigment that stays even as it fades with time. It’s available in 10 neutral and muted shades. While I’m not expecting a budge-proof formula, I do want that slight hint of colour to last until the end of the day.

Packaging-wise, it touts the oh-so-trendy matte casing that’s all the rage right now. The slim, minimalist design seems nondescript. What impressed me the most was that the colour of the packaging closely resembled the lipstick shade encased in it. The petite size also makes it easy to slip into a clutch bag for a quick touch-up. But how does it fare when worn?

Usage and application

As a bullet lipstick, the Innisfree Vivid Cotton Sticks can be applied in two ways. One full swipe for a rich and opaque finish or a swipe-then-dab motion for a blurred lip. I tried both methods to test the versatility of this product.

One swipe of these lipsticks packs a lot of pigment.

When applied in one full swipe, the Vivid Cotton Sticks can make a fully opaque lip. The creamy formula glides on without tugging and dries down to a demi-matte finish eventually. It didn’t cling on to the dry patches on my lips. It also leaves a stain on my lips by the end of the day, but it’s a “my lips but better” look than anything else. This is my preferred method of applying the lipstick, especially for video calls with the shade

9 Plum Vibe, since the colour pops even with my laptop camera washing me out.

(Top) Shade 4 Red Bean Pink, a muted rose (Middle) Shade 6 Cinnamon Red, a muted brick red (Bottom) Shade 9 Plum Vibe, a berry mauve.

As for dabbing it on for a blurred lip look, which is how the brand recommends one to apply this lipstick, I focused on applying the lippie at the centre of the lips and then blending it out with a finger. This is closer to a lip tint finish but creamier and more pigmented than the liquid formula. I did notice that by the end of the day, the colour has completely faded. Luckily, these three shades complemented my skin tone so I didn't mind the fading as much and simply reapplied as I saw fit.

Overall thoughts

The Innisfree Vivid Cotton Sticks are worth a try.

Overall, I enjoyed using the Innisfree Vivid Cotton Sticks. These are creamy and very pigmented demi-matte lipsticks that pose a lot of benefits for both lipstick and lip tint fans. Though I only tried three of the 10 neutral shades, I’m eager to try the others just to step out of my comfort zone. At PHP700/~USD14.49 per bullet, there are certainly more affordable options that deliver the same results, but I still think any makeup user, both beginners and mavens, will enjoy the pack of pigment this lipstick offers.

The Innisfree Vivid Cotton Sticks are available in the Philippines through the Innisfree Official Stores on Shopee and Lazada.

*The product was sent as a press gift. The views and opinion of the reviewer are independent and purely editorial.

This has been requested for me to review and I gladly bought it since I know I would love this line from them since Innisfree has been one of my favorite lip tints especially this Cotton Vivid line from them. What I love from their lip tints is that they are very opaque and longlasting although they don't dry down completely which is not transfer proof at all but if you just drink water, you wouldn't worry about it since it will stay put on your lips well for hours as long as you don't eat like bread or anything greasy then you need to retouch it after but with crackers it should stay pretty well on your lips without retouching.

But this line is different. It says blur since it is more lighter kind of formula than their other line. This is really perfect for those who like blotted kind of look since the formula is so light and thin that if you like that barely there kind of lipstick looks, this would be perfect for you.

According to the description:

Matte lip tint boasts an airy texture that doesn’t dry lips. Dries to a powdery finish, its powerful formula stays fresh and smudge-free all day.

• A matte lip tint comes with airy cotton texture without drying out your lips. • Simply rub with your upper and lower lips after application. It gives a blurred powdery finish.

• Tinted vividness stays fresh and smudge-free for a long time.

If you compare the packaging from the other Vivid Cotton Ink version, the only difference is the cap which the Blur one has shiny cap so you can distinguish them when you store them together.

The wands on the hand are identical which is suprising to me since what I noticed with other lip tints like peripera and the like, the wand types are different depending on the formula.

The shades I got are from 1-5

01 Ginger Coral

This is one of my fave shade. It can be my everyday kind of shade since it can be a nude shade for me but more on the peachy side kind of shade. I thought this would be too light for me but surprisingly it suits me pretty well.

02 Rosette Pink

This kinda pink reminds me of a rose color indeed. This pink is not too much for me since it's not a bright pink but it has more orange tone to it that compliments my skintone.

03 Moody Rose

This is like a mauve shade. This kind of pink does not really compliment my skintone very well that's why I don't really reach for it so much but this is not so blue toned kind of pink that's why I might use this more.

04 Coral Rose

As what the name says, it is a coral pink kind of tint. This is a bit bright for me so I normally don't like this kind of pink. This looks better to people who has lighter skintone than me which I feel it will suit them more. But it's still a pretty shade.

05 Brick Mocha

This is my fave shade among the 5. This is my MLBB shade and it is much more opaque than the others as well. This kind of red really suits me well and I just love how it will match with all the looks I usually go for.

I do love this new line from them. It just needs more work especially the first 3 shades since they are not so opaque than the last 2 shades. I need to layer them a lot which takes time compared to their normal Vivid Cotton Ink line. But if you like this kind of effect then this would be for you but if you are like me that wants good coverage for my lips then this would not be the best option. But if you like gradient kind of effect then this would be best for you since it blends so well to get that blurry effect. It does dry to a powdery matte finish which I love since it is really comfortable on the lips compared to the normal western type kind of liquid lipstick that when they dry down completely they look and feel so drying on the lips which is totally not the case with this one. This formula is so light on the lips like cotton that's why I love it as well even though the coverage is not that great.