Reintroducing Dior Rouge Brillant

Dior Rouge Brillant is a lip gloss launch to get excited about this spring, and coming from a girl who loves lipstick and heartily dislikes the sticky, goopy nature of gloss that's really saying something. Rouge Brillant has been around since 1981, but this season it's got a new formula, new applicator, new packaging...so shall we delve deeper into why Rouge Brillant has me all aflutter? More details after the jump!

Most swab-shaped, sponge-tipped applicators pick up too much gloss, which means goopy lips, product waste and imprecise edges. Not so with Rouge Brillant; excess product sinks right into the reservoir in the middle of the applicator tip. What's left is just enough for your upper or lower lip, and the angled edge hugs the cupid's bow and lower lip line perfectly.

And then there's the formula, which boasts the shine of a lip gloss without the stickiness. I've tried some glosses that have plenty of shine and slip but don't actually moisturize lips, leaving my mouth feeling tight and dry by the end of the day. But the newly reformulated Rouge Brillant is intended to deliver shine, colour, and care in a single product. Its formula features three refractive treatment oils and vitamin E, and has the thick, slightly slippery feel of a really luxe lip balm. Again, no stickiness (I cannot stress that enough!).

The 12-shade range runs the gamut of reds and pinks, of which three shades are swatched here. 'Victoire' is a fresh coral with a slightly retro feel inspired by one of Monsieur Dior's muses, while 'Darling' is a bold fuchsia. Both of these shades are more pigmented than my fave, 'Bonheur'—a sheer pretty pink that gives lips sheen and a "like you, but better" rosiness.

Lastly, there's that ultra-slim tube with just a hint of a silver cannage motif. So elegant.

Dior Rouge Brillant retails for $39 and is available at The Bay starting March 1, and at Dior counters nationwide starting April 1. Will you be checking it out?