Bringing Glossy Back: Bourjois 3D Effet Glosses Review + Swatches

Bourjois 3D Effet glosses, €10.49, are must-haves in my makeup collection. I haven’t mentioned them before – the blogosphere doesn’t get very excited about lipgloss – but think the time has come to give them some credit.

It’s only in the last few years that I’ve gotten back on the gloss horse. You know how those scientists that research weird stuff discovered that girls mutilate their Barbie Dolls as a rite of passage? A head-shaving two fingers to babyish paraphernalia. That’s what I think we do with glosses.

Our first dip into the makeup pool is often a slick of shimmery gloss. Lipstick is hard to apply and very obvious, but gloss is subtle on and tastes like sweets. As a tween, it was my lifeblood.

Then came the my teenage attempt to prove that punk’s not dead, man, and that I was the word’s most grown-up 14 year-old. You wouldn’t catch me around Temple Bar without overdrawn (the SHAME) bold lips, courtesy of the Natural Collection.  It came in shades other than Robert Smith red and slut pink, but these were the only ones I settled with.

Now, an actual adult with the eye cream to prove it, I’ve found that gloss does have its charms. The 3D Effet (that’s french, I’m not forgetting a ‘C’) range by Bourjois is my absolute favourite.

A fifteen-shade strong range of every finish from high shimmer to flat creams, they underwent a reformulation in 2011, removing parabens and adding heaps of emollients. The latter creates a balm-gloss hybrid texture – slightly sticky but also softening and comfortable.

Pigmentation varies. Number 52, pictured above, is a soft peach that shows up as a warm nude when applied on its own. Pictured below is the more opaque number 53, a tomato red.

I like them best on their own, to provide shine and a subtle wash of colour.

So, if you’re going come back to glosses, start with these. They’re currently on special offer at Boots (is everything always on special at Boots or is it just me?) so there’s no better time.