Quickie Review: Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in Gladiolus

Hi, everyone! My regular readers really get me. They know that I'm the ultra sucker for pretty lipsticks, particularly those that are rich, bold, and bright. A couple months ago, I was incredibly surprised and thrilled when a reader of mine, Sharlie, got in touch with a lovely and generous offer. She told me that she had received Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in Gladiolus in a gift bag, but due to a sensitivity to one of the ingredients, she could not use it. She said that she thought of me when she saw the vivid shade and offered to send the lipstick my way as a gift! I couldn't not have been more shocked, excited, and humbled by her offer- so thoughtful! I eagerly accepted her gesture and am finally getting around to reviewing this beautiful lipstick. 

Revlon promises that their Ultra HD Lipsticks offer a wax-free, gel-based formula that creates pure, true, smooth colour in a single swipe. It claims intense pigmentation with a lightweight feel. 

The Ultra HD Lipsticks come in clear plastic tubes that let you peek at the shade inside. The length of the lipstick bullet allows you to see the tip of the product even when it's completely wound down. This can be a bit cumbersome (as it's easy to nick the top of the bullet since it doesn't disappear completely), but is quite helpful when purchasing the lipstick or trying to find it in your collection! 

The bullet itself is wider than many lipsticks out there and comes with a sharply cut slanted tip:

Gladiolus is a true stunner of a shade. It's a slightly warmed, saturated red with a rich, satin finish (not too matte, not too glossy). I first saw this shade worn by Emma Stone on the SAG Awards red carpet last year, and it really stuck with me. She looked so glamorous, yet still modern and cool. 

From Getty Images via vogue.com

Here is Gladiolus swatched on my inner arm (MAC NC15 skin tone). The swatch is a single pass of the lipstick only, which highlights that this really is a pigmented formula!

And here is Gladiolus in the context of a completed makeup look! As you can see, the formula is saturated with a satin finish that makes lips look dramatic and lush. 

What's my verdict on this lipstick? It's serious love! I've yet to come across a drugstore lipstick formula this is this pigmented, yet completely lightweight on the lips (just as the brand promises!). The finish is incredibly flattering and the wear time isn't bullet-proof, but is quite impressive. My only minor gripe is that the by-product of such a pigmented, non-matte, smooth formula is that this lipstick does transfer and can smudge a bit if not careful. So yes, a bit higher maintenance than some lipsticks, but so worth it! Definitely eager to snag more of the lovely shades from the Revlon Ultra HD line.

A huge thank you again to Sharlie for sending this lipstick my way! So grateful!

Is Gladiolus a shade that you would wear? Have you tried the Revlon Ultra HD Lipsticks? What's your favourite drugstore lipstick at the moment?

Hope you're having a wonderful week!