Lip Luxury : Sensai Rouge Intense Lasting Color Lipsticks

Sensai is a luxury Japanese brand that offers an extensive line of cosmetics, skincare, body care, and hair care treatments. This prestigious line is based on the precious qualities of Japan’s finest and exclusive Koishimaru silk that contributes to the moisturizing properties and luxurious texture of all Sensai Products.

Sensai Rouge Intense Lasting Color Lipstick ($40) is the latest addition to the Kanebo Sensai Colors collection for Autumn/Winter 2012.

From Sensai :

A luminous lipstick that combines long-lasting color and a pleasurably smooth application that glides over the lips. Stay Color technology ensures enduring color fidelity that stays true for hours with a silky texture and a glossy effect. Available in 15 shades.

As much as we love long-wearing lipsticks, it’s a fact that most of them tend to dry out the lips. But with these Sensai Rouge Intense Lasting Color lipsticks, you won’t have to sacrifice the comfort of soft, supple, hydrated lips in order to get a long lasting color, thanks to the nourishing Koishimaru silk extract infused into each lipstick!

I tried out three shades from the Intense lasting Rouge line – IL103 Usuiro (shimmery golden peach), IL 108 Sakura Kasane (rose pink) and IL 109 Neshoubu (coral pink).

L – R : IL 103, IL 108 and IL 109

These lipsticks glide onto lips really smoothly and the formula itself is very lightweight without any scent or flavor. They have a medium color payoff with a satin, creamy finish and a lovely sheen. All the shades are as easy to wear as they’re pretty but I just can’t get enough of IL 103 and find myself reaching for it quite often. This warm peachy shade does have quite a bit of shimmer but still not over the top and goes with pretty much everything.

In direct sunlight

My next favorite is IL 109…..you know I have a soft spot for peachy pinks so this was an instant hit! This lippie has the most vibrant color payoff out of the three shades and lasts nicely even through a meal, leaving behind a light stain as it wears off. So, these are not the most long-wearing lipstick I’ve ever tried but definitely stay put quite long and as I mentioned above, the formula wears comfortably throughout without any flaking or dryness. When applying this lipstick, you won’t have to use a lip balm beforehand (unless of course, your lips are already very dry)

Another thing worth noting about these lippies is that the color is transfer-resistant once set and doesn’t leave lipstick marks on coffee/tea cups…score! (note, the description of this product does not indicate it is transfer-free or -resistant). Here are the lip swatches :

IL 103

IL 108

IL 109

Bottom Line – Sensai Rouge Intense Lasting Color lipsticks have a truly comfortable long-lasting formula with a luxurious texture that keeps lips soft and supple. The elegant, lavish packaging surely adds to the luxurious feel of these lippies!

Sensai Rouge Intense Lasting Color Lipstick retails for $40 and can be purchased at  the Sensai counters in Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman.