Comfortable, creamy formula with rich color and easy touch-ups for everyday wear.
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick is a drugstore classic for a reason. I revisited the formula across popular shades and finishes to see how it holds up today, what still shines, and where you might want to look elsewhere.
Few lipsticks have the staying power in culture that Revlon Super Lustrous enjoys. It has been a top-shelf drugstore staple for decades, the kind of bullet your mom or grandmother might have carried, yet it still earns space in makeup bags today. I spent time with multiple shades and both finishes to see how the classic formula performs in modern, everyday life, from quick coffee runs to long office days and date nights.
Overview
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick is a traditional bullet lipstick available primarily in two finishes: Creme and Pearl. The Creme finish is what most people think of when they picture this line, a smooth, slightly shiny cream that glides on with a plush feel. Pearl shades add fine shimmer for a soft-luminous look. The brand highlights emollients and vitamin E to cushion lips, with a lightweight feel and buildable coverage. There is no heavy fragrance, and the taste is minimal to none.
The packaging is simple and functional: a glossy black tube with a gold band and a clear top window so you can see the shade at a glance. The bullet has that pleasing old-school lipstick silhouette that makes precise application easy. Shade selection is excellent, with a broad range that includes nude neutrals, pinks, berries, reds, corals, and deeper vampy tones. Iconic shades like Cherries in the Snow, Fire & Ice, Rum Raisin, Black Cherry, Pink in the Afternoon, Revlon Red, and Toast of New York remain standouts for a reason. Pricing varies by retailer, but it is firmly in the affordable drugstore bracket.
What you need to know at a glance: this is not a long-wear, liquid-matte product. It prioritizes comfort, classic cream coverage, and easy touch-ups over extended wear time. If that sounds like what you want, the formula is likely to impress, especially for the price.
Who it’s for
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick fits best if you want a comfortable, classic lipstick that delivers color without drying your lips. It is great for people who dislike sticky glosses or the taut feel of long-wear mattes. The formula is also friendly to beginners, since it glides on evenly and can be blotted to soften mistakes. If your lips run dry, the Creme finish is especially forgiving when you prep with a quick balm or lip mask.
Who might skip it: if you absolutely need transfer resistance or eight-hour wear with no touch-ups, this is not that product. Pearl shades can emphasize texture on very dry or lined lips. Deep, dramatic shades can benefit from a liner to avoid feathering. If you prefer a modern blurred-matte look with zero slip, you may want to explore matte-focused ranges instead.
How it feels and performs
Texture and glide: the Creme finish has a smooth, cushy slip that hugs the lips without feeling greasy. One pass gives medium coverage, two passes build to nearly opaque. The finish has a soft cream sheen that looks polished but not glossy. The Pearl finish has micro-shimmer that diffuses light nicely, though on very textured lips some shades can catch on flakes. The shimmer particles are fine, not gritty.
Weight and comfort: lightweight to medium. The formula feels moisturizing for the first couple of hours, then settles into a barely-there feel. It never tightened my lips during testing, and I did not experience flaking. If you are used to matte liquids that feel taut, this will feel pleasantly plush by comparison.
Wear time: expect 3 to 4 hours for lighter nude and pink shades, slightly longer for bolder colors that leave a soft stain. Coffee or light snacks will reduce the cream shine but leave a veil of color behind. A full meal will require reapplication. Transfer is moderate, so it is not mask-friendly. The good news is that it fades evenly, which makes quick touch-ups simple.
Application and evenness: the slimmer bullet tip makes it easy to trace the Cupid’s bow and outer corners without a brush. Most Creme shades lay down evenly with one to two swipes. Deeper shades like Black Cherry can look a touch patchy if you lay them on quickly; pressing the first layer into the lips with a fingertip, then applying a second layer, solves this. Pearl shades vary a bit by color: many are smooth, while very pale Pearls can show lip lines more readily.
Hydration and feel over time: this behaves like a classic cream lipstick, not a treatment balm. It helps lips feel comfortable and prevents tightness, but it will not fix chapped lips on its own. A thin layer of balm underneath, blotted before lipstick, adds extra comfort without sacrificing wear.
Scent and taste: very light to none. I noticed a faint classic lipstick scent only when smelling the bullet directly. No noticeable flavor while wearing.
Shade notes from testing: Rum Raisin is a versatile brown-rose that reads sophisticated without looking heavy. Cherries in the Snow brightens the face instantly, a bold pink-red that flatters many undertones. Sassy Mauve and Pink in the Afternoon are soft office-ready choices. Toast of New York brings a warm brick tone that is lovely in fall. Black Cherry serves drama, best with a liner to prevent migration. Fire & Ice is a vibrant coral red for statement lips.
How to use for best results
Because Super Lustrous is a cream formula, your prep and layering make a clear difference. Here is a simple routine that takes less than two minutes.
- Prep: smooth away flakes with a damp washcloth or a quick sugar scrub. Apply a thin layer of lip balm, wait 1 minute, then blot excess with tissue so the lipstick grips.
- Define: if you are wearing a bold shade or have fine lines around the mouth, outline and lightly fill the lips with a matching or clear lip liner. This reduces feathering and boosts wear time.
- Apply: swipe once for a stained, fresh look. For full coverage, apply a second pass. Press your lips together to even out the color instead of rubbing side to side.
- Set: blot with tissue, then reapply a final thin layer. For extra longevity, place a single-ply tissue over the lips and dust translucent powder over the tissue. This sets the color without flattening the finish entirely.
- Refresh: keep the tube with you. Reapply after meals or when the cream sheen fades. Touch-ups are quick, no mirror needed for lighter shades.
If your lips are very dry, choose Creme over Pearl. Tap the product on with a fingertip rather than swiping the bullet to avoid catching on texture. For a blurred, natural look, apply to the center of the lips and diffuse outward with your finger, then finish with clear balm for cushion.
Shade selection tips: neutrals with a hint of rose or mauve tend to be the most forgiving. Try Pink in the Afternoon or Sassy Mauve for a soft everyday lip. For medium to tan skin, Rum Raisin and Toast of New York bring warmth without looking flat. For deeper complexions, Black Cherry, Cherries in the Snow, and Revlon Red deliver vibrant payoffs that read rich rather than chalky. When in doubt, swatch on the inner wrist and step into daylight, or hold the bullet next to your bare lips and teeth to check undertone harmony.
Pros and cons
- Pros: comfortable cream texture that does not tighten lips, broad shade range with several timeless colors, easy and quick to apply without a mirror for lighter shades, fades evenly and is simple to touch up, minimal scent and taste, affordable price with frequent sales.
- Cons: not transfer resistant, typical wear time is 3 to 4 hours so you will reapply, Pearl shades can accentuate lip texture, deeper shades benefit from liner to avoid feathering, bullet can soften in hot weather if left in a warm car or near heat.
Final verdict
Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick remains a classic for a reason. It is comfortable, flattering, and easy to live with day to day. The Creme finish is the star, delivering soft-shine color that makes lips look healthy and full without fussy prep. The Pearl finish can be lovely, but it is better on moisturized lips and may not be ideal if you are concerned about lip lines. You will need to reapply after meals, yet the even fade and quick touch-ups make that feel like a feature rather than a chore.
If you want a smooth, dependable lipstick that looks like you invested more than you did, start with Creme shades like Rum Raisin, Pink in the Afternoon, or Cherries in the Snow. If you require budge-proof wear or a modern matte effect, this is not your match. For the rest of us who value comfort and classic polish, Super Lustrous still earns its name.
See also
If your lips run dry or you want no-fuss comfort, our guide to the Best Lipstick for Dry Lips will help you pair prep steps with forgiving formulas. For a barely-there stain that reads effortless for errands and work calls, see the Best Lipstick for Natural Look, and compare that vibe to the sheer cult favorite covered in our Clinique Almost Lipstick Review: Black Honey and Pink Honey.
Choosing a lip that photographs well and lasts through toasts takes planning, so bookmark the Best Lipstick for Wedding Day. If you want a cream bullet with an extra hit of skincare-style moisture, our take on a premium option is in the jane iredale ColorLuxe Hydrating Cream Lipstick Review.
FAQ
How does the Creme finish differ from the Pearl finish in Super Lustrous?
Creme gives smooth, even color with a soft cream sheen and no shimmer. It is generally more forgiving on dry or textured lips. Pearl adds fine shimmer for a luminous look that can emphasize texture if your lips are very dry or lined. If you are unsure which to pick, start with Creme for the most versatile, flattering result.
How long does Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick last, and how can I extend the wear?
Expect 3 to 4 hours of comfortable wear for most shades, with bolder colors lasting a bit longer as a soft stain. To extend wear, apply a thin layer, blot with tissue, then apply a second layer. Lining and lightly filling the lips first, plus the tissue-and-powder trick through a single-ply tissue, can add another hour or two without making the lips feel heavy.
Is there a noticeable scent or taste?
The formula is essentially unscented with a very light classic lipstick note if you smell the bullet directly. There is no significant flavor during wear. If you are sensitive to strong fragrances in lipsticks, this is a good option to try.
Which shades are the most versatile for daily wear?
Pink in the Afternoon and Sassy Mauve are soft office-friendly pinks that flatter many undertones. Rum Raisin offers a polished brown-rose that works from casual to evening. Toast of New York adds warm brick without reading too bold. For a lively yet wearable pop, Cherries in the Snow brightens the face while staying classy.
Will it dry out or emphasize lines on mature lips?
The Creme finish has a cushy feel that helps lips look smoother, and it does not tighten as it wears. Prep with a quick scrub and a thin layer of balm, blot before applying, and avoid very pale Pearl shades if lip lines are a concern. Using a clear lip liner around the edges also prevents feathering without changing the shade.
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