Lipink Fire Red

Reading the reviews on Makeupalley, you either love Lipink or hate it. I'd always been intrigued by this product, especially as the fabulous Jitterbugdoll uses the Red Lipink for her photoshoots. I found out this week that there is a UK website, and I promptly placed an order.

This does take longer than applying your usual lipstick. You have to clean the lips with the 'Off' solution, rinse with water, apply a little of the Shine moisturiser and then apply three even layers of the colour, letting it dry between each layer. I corrected any wobbles in the line afterwards with a little of the Off solution on a cotton bud, before finishing with a layer of the Shine.

It's actually a bit disconcerting how well this stays on. It really doesn't transfer onto cups, and I could kiss Mr London without leaving a trace on him (funnily, he was happy to assist with this particular research.) The big test was lunch at GBK; chilli burger, chips and onion rings. It stayed on, almost perfectly. On close inspection it had worn a tiny bit on my upper lip around the outer corners, but I was happy to walk around without reapplying for the rest of the day. I had to use the Off to take it off; a regular cleanser would not budge it.

Surprisingly, this hadn't made my lips dry or sore by the end of the day; I'd reapplied the shine twice. With the shine it looks like a regular lipstick, and it didn't make my lips flaky or sore like the other long wear lipsticks I've tried in the past. I can't speak for long term usage yet; I don't know that I'd use this every day, I love some of my regular lipsticks too much, but if I really needed my lipstick to stay on I would reach for it again.

Some of the copy on the website is a little weird. It looks like it's been written by Dolores Umbridge; for example; "Surprising how many clients tell us 'they don't work/last/stay on' when clearly they have neither read the instructions or followed them properly. Nor have they used the spare applicators supplied. Very difficult for us to remain courteous when being fibbed to!" Personally I think it'd be better to have a no-exchange policy than one that requires a lie-detector test before you get half of your money back. I also think it's a bit off to charge £5 for exchanging one unopened and sealed colour for another; I kind of wish I'd ordered a neutral shade rather than a clear to tone the colours I chose, but I'm not sure if I can take the hassle of trying to get an exchange agreed, or if I'm willing to pay £5 to do so.

It is an expensive system; I bought a starter kit with the Off, Shine, travel Off and two colours for £45, although I think it'd last you a long time, even with daily use. The website is at lipink.co.uk.