Women who’ve gone through a lot of lipsticks and glosses can tell how waxy their lip product is after drinking water. When water comes in contact with an extremely waxy lipstick, you’re left with an uncomfortable feeling as the lipstick components—particularly wax—are broken down by the water.

 

At a glance, Dior’s latest hybrid lip color, the Fluid Stick, looks like the regular Dior Addict lipsticks, except for a transparent cap showing off the lipstick’s shape and shade. However, the knob at the end of the tube unscrews to reveal a wand and color applicator.

 

The optical illusion created by the tube is intentional, an echo of the characteristics of the brand’s new formula.

 

The Fluid Stick eschews wax—a staple base for most lip color—completely, using water instead as base for the intense pigments encapsulated in gloss beads. The advantage of using water instead of wax is that you won’t get the weighed-down feel typical in waxy formulas.

 

Because the Fluid Stick is water-based, applying it for the first time results in a shiny and wet glossy texture on the lips. But once the water evaporates, the pigment sits on the lips comfortably. You’d feel like you’re not wearing anything at all.

 

Even though it’s water-based, the pigments are not sheer. One coat is enough for vibrant and intense coverage.

 

To make application easier, the tip of the applicator is shaped like a brand-new lipstick’s tip, allowing you to contour lips easily and to enable you to apply the product mirror-free (every woman should learn how to apply lip color without a mirror).

 

The lightweight formula is perfect for our hot weather, and for those going to the beach (applying an opaque lip color helps protect lips from sunburn).

 

Fluid Stick comes in 16 shades, with names inspired by memorable couture pieces from Dior’s rich fashion history. Because coral is always a staple during summer, try Aventure, a pure coral that goes well with all skin tones. For those who prefer a bold hue, try Pandore, categorized as a pure and flamboyant red (it’s also what Dior Addict model Sasha Luss is wearing in the ads shot by Steven Meisel). If you want to stay on trend, Wonderland is a fuchsia that echoes one of the year’s trend colors.

 

 

 

Dior is available at G/F Rustan’s The Beauty Source, Shangri-La Plaza.