I’ve written before about my love for Josie Maran’s Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF40+ (you can read that review here), and I own a tiny sample bottle of Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil, which I occasionally use on my hair. For some reason, I don’t own any other products from this brand; at least, I didn’t until last week, when I made an impulse purchase of Josie Maran’s new Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipstick.

Love Your Lips is available in six shades, and it’s described as “a 3-in-1 formula with the shine of a gloss, the high pigment of a lipstick, and the hydrating benefits of a balm.” It has a similar design to Clarins Instant Smooth Crystal Lip Balm, which was released last year (you can read my review here): its color core is surrounded by a layer of clear balm.

Here’s a swatch:

I like the Berry Bliss shade, which is a warmer tone than it sounds, something like a neutral plum. (Definitely not a raspberry or a strawberry, in any case!) It’s not as glossy as it sounds, either, but it’s well pigmented, it gives medium coverage, and it has decent staying power. This formula is fragrance-free and paraben-free, two worthwhile considerations if you’re fussy about your cosmetics (as I am).

My one difficulty with Love Your Lips Hydrating Lipstick is its application. The two-part design gives an awkward result when I apply this lipstick directly from the tube: a horizontal racing-stripe of color, flanked by clear shine, across each lip. I end up blending the two together with the tip of my little finger or a lip brush. If I have a little more time, I apply the lipstick with a brush from the beginning.

Josie Maran gives a “hint” for this product on the company website, suggesting that you “swipe on, press lips together and you’ll be loving your lips like never before.” I hate to contradict, but just pressing together won’t be enough; you really need to work with (or against) the product in order to make it look presentable.

As much as I like the results, this seems like a bit too much effort for a lipstick that’s supposed to give an easy, healthy look—especially when there are so many hydrating lip colors on the market right now. I’ll use it up, but I doubt I’ll repurchase.

Final note: The argan oil falls very low on the list of ingredients, so it’s probably not having much of a hydrating effect.

Josie Maran Cosmetics are available at Sephora and the Josie Maran website.

Product source: I purchased this item at Sephora.

Images: photos by Tinsel Creation.