A new item that’s been popping up at drugstores are the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains.  They’re chubby pencils that (I think) are supposed to moisturize and give glossy color, but then leave a stain on the lips.   They’re somewhat similar in that to the Tarte Lipsurgence Lip Tints (the glossy ones) – but I don’t own own, so unfortunately cannot do a comparison for you!  I don’t think they are as similar to Clinique’s Chubby sticks (which I also don’t own); although both are chubby lip pencils, the Chubby Sticks aren’t meant to stain.

I decided to buy two colors: Rendezvous, a peachy orange, and Romantic, a sheer, very natural red, so today I have swatches of both, and my first impressions of the product.  Let me just tell you this right now – this review is going to be all positive, because so far I really love these!

The packaging, including the exterior packaging, is nice.  Instead of using sticky residue-leaving labels or leaving them open to be molested by people in the drugstore, they come with a small piece of easily-opened shrinkwrap that mostly prevents people from opening them, and lets you know if someone did open one – which I appreciate!  The balm-stains themselves are packaged in a plastic tube which is approximately the color of the product inside.  They twist up – you don’t need to sharpen them. This is great in that there’s less waste, but it does mean that once you flatten the pointed tip with use, it won’t be sharp again.  I tested out the mechanism for twisting up the tubes, and both of the balm stains that I bought twist up and back down again smoothly.

The Just Bitten Kissable Balm stains smell like peppermint, though the strength seems to vary a bit.   I barely noticed it with Rendezvous, and while Romantic was more strongly scented and made my lips tingle a bit (though in a pleasant way).  They feel nice on the lips – they are moisturizing going on, and my lips felt good even once they had worn off.

I found that the color was very long lasting.  I tested Rendenzvous out for several hours. Because it is a lighter shade, I didn’t expect it to last long, but the full color and glossiness lasted at least three hours (and through a meal!), and it left a nice, even stain for a few hours after that, which I eventually removed to try out Romantic.  I’m wearing Romantic right now, and I expect that since it’s deeper, it will last as long or longer – but I’ll update this post if it doesn’t! (quick update: three hours after application, it’s not as glossy anymore but the color is still going strong, very even and lovely!)

Revlon Rendezvous

Revlon Romantic

I did notice that the color of Rendezvous reminded me of Tutti Frutti lip butter – though the textures are different, so I swatched both of them together.   They’re similar, but Tutti Frutti is more orange, and Rendezvous is more peach.

I’m sure it’s clear from this review – but if it’s not – I love these! I plan to pick up a few more shades soon. So far, I think this is one of the very best drugstore lip products I have tried.