Laura Mercier Fresh Raspberry Crème Smooth Lip Colour

Laura Mercier's Fresh Raspberry is exactly what it claims to be: a bright, raspberry sorbet kind of lipstick, in a smooth (and gorgeous) formula. I love the Crème Smooth Lip Colour range; Laura Mercier got rid of the heavy scent and upgraded the packaging to a heavier magnetic tube (completely unrelated to my own lack of attention which resulted in smooshing the lipstick's edge the very first time I opened it). If that's not enough, the Lip Cremes feel barely-there yet almost balmy, glide on like a dream yet don't give the impression of sliding right off one's lips.

I've found that longevity varies between the shades. Fresh Raspberry leaves a stain after a cup of tea but needs reapplying once a meal is over. I tried hard to capture the almost-glossy finish. It's not shiny, but it reflects the light just so for a lively look. The color of Fresh Raspberry is very bright when first put on. My lips push  it towards purple, but you may see more red if you're pale. I find that it makes a statement, but the easygoing formula ensures that it's not very high-maintenance (though I do recommend using a brush).

Bottom Line: brightens a gray day.

Laura Mercier Fresh Raspberry Crème Smooth Lip Colour ($27) is available at the counters, Sephora, and lauramercier.com. I *think* it was sent to me as a press sample, but I'm not completely sure.