It's been a while since I've actually been excited about lip gloss, but Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss is definitely one that's worth mentioning. Relatively new to the color cosmetics world, Korres is recognized primarily for its skin care products. The recent introduction of its makeup collection has been met with great enthusiasm.
About Korres
Korres was established in Athens, Greece and bases its roots in the capital city's first ever homeopathic pharmacy. The company is known specially for its lineup of safe, beneficial products made with natural, nourishing ingredients and top-quality plant extracts. Korres specifically does not use synthetic ingredients, instead choosing to focus on treating the skin as the delicate organ that it is. In addition to cosmetics and skin care products, Korres also carries hair care, sun care and body products.
Back to Nature: Korres Cosmetics
Since the interest in natural and organic products in general has grown to such enormous proportions in recent years, it's no surprise that many cosmetic companies are adding these types of products to their lineups.
The entire Korres lineup of color cosmetics is made with beneficial, pure and natural ingredients derived strictly from nature. Leaving out such ingredients as mineral oil and propylene glycol, the company instead focuses on medicinal herbs (like Echinacea, ginseng and evening primrose), Greek flora (many of which are highly unique), food ingredients (such as edible yogurt and Greek thyme honey) and other high-efficacy natural ingredients (like hibiscus, sunflower and wild mango).
These types of ingredients are touted not only for their nutritional value, but also for being rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Many are also known for their anti-aging properties. Needless to say, the unique quality of these ingredients added an angle of interest to the Korres color cosmetic collection.
Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss
Few lip glosses are actually remarkable enough to really be considered noteworthy. Sure, many of them plump, smooth, moisturize, glisten and do all sorts of fancy things to our lips, but they don't necessarily stand out from the pack. For me, the ultimate standout point of any gloss is its longevity. I appreciate one that lasts from the moment I apply it to the moment I remove my makeup at night. This is such a tall order that I can't say there have been any that have truly met the criteria.
I purchased the Korres Love Your Lips Collection at Sephora recently, mainly because the colors were gorgeous and the price made it an irresistibly great deal ($29 for three full size glosses and a full size lip butter, valued at $57 total). In greater detail, the kit contains:
- Natural Purple Gloss (a sheer plum-brown with a hint of shimmer)
- Light Purple Gloss (a light mauve-pink gloss with a touch of peach shimmer)
- Beige Pink Gloss (a sheer, shimmery champagne flecked with pink shimmer)
- Quince Lip Butter (a richly moisturizing sheer rose tint infused with shea butter)
Pigmentation
Colors that live up to their names are a good thing, but fortunately none of these glosses are actually purple or beige when applied to the lips. Instead, Korres Cherry Full Color Gloss lives up to its color description. My favorite of the bunch is the Natural Purple, which offers a hint of noticeable color when worn on its own and helps amplify lighter lipstick shades, too.
My favorite way to wear it is over a lipstick pencil, like NARS Sex Machine or any of Sonia Kashuk's pencils. The color is easily appropriate for fall, thanks to its attention to plum. It's easy to tone down yet still retain the color's integrity; simply blot away the shine and you're left with a natural stain.
The other two shades of gloss are slightly sheerer and thus do not wear well on their own, at least in my experience. On naturally pigmented lips like mine, they appear washed out and very faint. Used on top of lipsticks, though, they genuinely make a difference and look striking. These colors are ideal for women who can pull off light lipstick or gloss shades, and especially for those who don't have naturally pink or otherwise pigmented lips.
Formula
This gloss is unique primarily for its pampering formula. It's made with hydrating cherry and jojoba oils, as well as antioxidant-rich vitamins C and E. The cherry oil helps impart a delicious scent to the gloss, one that is pleasant without being cloying or over-the-top.
Additionally, the formula is free of all commonly known irritants, including parabens, mineral oil, silicone, propylene glycol and ethanolamine. It is also dermatologist-tested and safe for even the most sensitive skins. I should note that many shimmer- or glitter-infused glosses could cause sensitive individuals (like me) to experience a burning sensation; that was not the case with this gloss.
Longevity
The color is great, the formula is outstanding - but does it last? In a word, yes. I wouldn't say it wears consistently through three square meals a day, but it does maintain itself through lunch and even coffee, and does not, in my experience, require a touch up.
The Verdict
This is an outstanding, lustrous gloss. It boasts a hint of a cherry scent, is available in 10 very wearable hues and is reasonably priced at $16. I recommend purchasing the set for its more sensible price and taking advantage of the opportunity to try out the equally impressive Korres lip butter.
