For many people, bold, lip colours need to be matte, so that they last. I may love sheen-free formulas for A/W, but glossy finishes are more my taste during Summer, as they look so much fresher. Traditional glosses just aren't enough for me, though. Usually, they're gloopy, sticky and just add a weak wash of barely-there colour that makes them a waste of time, in my book.

The Dior Addict Fluid Sticks are a whole different kettle of fish. Vividly pigmented, the payoff is impressively intense in a single sweep of the wand. That concentrated colour, combined with a vinyl-shine, gives the lips a high-impact finish. Even the lighter, nude shades can be layered for a surprisingly opaque look. Totally smooth, the lush, gel-like texture feels so comfortable and hydrating. Instead of being heavy and too wet, the consistency is balmy, lightweight and not at all tacky. Unlike the YSL Glossy Stains which firmly set after a while and can feel irritating, Dior's versions remain feeling slick and create more of a nourishing film over the lips, to help them last.

If your pout isn't in the best condition, there's no need to worry, as the formula disguises the look of dry patches and plumps any fine lines. Pointed and curved, the applicator fits the contours of the lips easily, allowing you to draw in a definite line around the edges, before quickly filling in the rest. Clutching at straws when trying to think of any negatives, my only complaint about the Fluid Sticks is the smell of them. Don't get me wrong, the cheap, vanilla frosting scent isn't offensive and may be appreciated by some, but I'd prefer a fruity fragrance. That's just me being picky, though.


Not what you might expect from a lustrous formula, the wear time of these glosses is remarkable. The glassy shine lasts up to four hours, depending on what you eat and drink, before it eventually starts to wane. Once that has dried down, a stain of colour remains on the lips for another couple of hours, without the need to re-touch. Not bad at all, Dior!

After browsing the range when the Fluid Sticks first launched, I initially just picked up one, statement shade, Pandore. After wearing it to death and loving the formula, I recently went back to a Dior counter and added an everyday nude to my collection, Whisper Beige.


754 Pandore is the perfect, bold shade for summer. A cross between a bright, cherry red and a hot fuchsia, it's a total classic that looks stunning with a sun-kissed tan. Worn with fresh, highlighted skin and a clean, simple eye, it's one to turn heads. As it packs such a punch in terms of pigment, this shade leaves behind an even stain on the lips, which gives it that extra longevity.