[unpaid/sample] Finally, Decorte has won me over. One of the things that made me slightly sceptical about their claim of being Japan’s best selling skin care range was when I went to Tokyo three years ago, I didn’t really see it anywhere (and I visited a lot of beauty shops). When it launched here in the UK, Kate Moss was briefly the face of the brand (it’s now Brie Larson) which gave it visibility but still, I just didn’t get it in the same way I get Shiseido or Suqqu for example. So, when these beautiful lipsticks arrived looking every inch a rival for the aforementioned, something clicked. Sometimes it just takes the right product for the brand to reveal itself.
Honestly, they’re delicious. Well pigmented (although not overly so), soft as butter on the lips and nicely hydrating, Decorte has found the perfect colour chart that incorporates a Japanese aesthetic while being wearable across the globe. I’m currently wearing a vibrant pink (matte) that I’ve topped with a little lip balm because the colour is so lovely. I will say about the matte formula is that you can feel the powder (as soon as I topped it with balm that feeling disappeared) but not in an uncomfortable way – just a textural one.
Decorte was founded in 1970 – it’s part of the KOSE corporation (you might also know this for Jill Stuart, a highly elaborate make up brand, and from 2014 as owners of Tarte Cosmetics) which is a multi brand company brought to life in 1946. So, there are 51 lipsticks across five different textures – Shine, Glow, Satin, Velvet and Matte of which Glow and Shine are clear winners for me. The formula contains both colour hold and moisture stay technology (and I have to say, these shade really do stay) and when I think about it, the colours do seem to stay true so you don’t really see a diminishment until after quite some time.
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Other ingredients include murumuru butter, rose extract as well as jasmine, mallow and lemon extracts which I don’t think I’ve found in lipstick before. The textures all have different shades but Signature Red runs across all five. The lipsticks have a slightly fruity floral fragrance – it’s very mild and so much so that I didn’t notice there was any scent until it was pointed out on the press release. You have to really give it a good sniff to get a drift of it which is fine by me.
Shades from bottom to top are: Berry Glow (glow), Movin On (velvet), Morning Smile (satin), Timeless Modernity (velvet).
Signature Red (satin), Blissful Moment (glow), Sunny Warmth (shine). As a bit of a fun fact, one of Decorte’s first products was a pressed powder in a 20 carat gold case sold for Y116,000 – the equivalent today of £2,900! The Rouge Decorte is not on that level at £32 each but still a luxury buy HERE.
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All products are sent to me as samples from brands and agencies unless otherwise stated. Affiliate links may be used. Posts are not affiliate driven.
2 comments
Lovely! These velvets make me think of Lisa Eldridge – similar blur in them… At the beginning of my acquaintance with Japanese cosmetics, somewhere 16-17 yrs ago I tried a piece of true luxury from Cosme-Decorte AQMW line – made in collaboration with famous designer who’s name I blissfully totally forgot now it had the most beautiful package – like frost flowers over the window glass… I still use the soap box (for another soap now but do plan repurchase one day) and emulsion bottle (impeccable quality! all these years the pump goes smoothly) and both products albeit pricey (facial soap bar with the box was about 60 Euro, emulsion – rich like cream – about 200) were great and it pains me to say worth the money… and that sandal aroma… *dreamy* Nice that brand finds it’s way to us (I ordered from my lj friend – by then it was just her doing a favor, now it’s expanded to the real online shop – the audience is mostly Russian speaking but I guess translator works on it and they send everywhere.. well, whatever help you ever may need with Russian – give me a cry 🙂 it’ll be my pleasure) – the more good stuff the better, huh? 😉
You’re right – I know Lisa takes a lot of influence from Japan so that’s a very good perception. glad to hear your experience with the brand has been good.