Product Review: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shine

I switched out my purse and found this gloss that I had stashed in a side pocket. I was in a messy bun on one of my few low-key days looking like I rolled out of bed.  I was feeling particularly dehydrated and thought “why not” so I decided to be a bit extra on my lips.

Just in time for #NationalLipstickDay here is a review for Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shine!

Background

I am a habitual dry-lip picker as you’ll read from my review on Sara Happ’s lip scrub that I did a few months back. I don’t claim to have fantastic Instagram-envious lips. They are dry, asymmetrical and see a lip color once a year. As I get older I’m seeing where every line is going to show up. What’s that saying about prevention….?

What it is

Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shine is a drugstore find that is meant to be multi-purpose – provide some color to the lips, put some shine on your pout all the while acting as a hydrating treatment. The website says that it creates fuller-looking lips, feels luxurious and not sticky (which is so annoying on a lip product) and gives shine, Does it stand up to the claims? Read on for more!

Ingredients

Neutrogena’s website states the ingredients as follows: Polybutene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Octyldodecanol, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Tribehenin, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopherol, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil, BHT. May Also Contain: Red 7 Lake, Iron Oxides, Blue 1 Lake, Red 22, Yellow 5 Lake, Titanium Dioxide, Red 6, Yellow 5 Lake, Red 28 Lake, Blue 1

What drew me in to purchase this in the first place was the castor and soybean oils(hydrators and conditioners), sodium hyaluronate (also known as hyaluronic acid) which draws in moisture, tocopherol (vitamin E) and Ascorbyl Palmitate (derivative of vitamin C although not the most stable) which conditions and provides structure to skin.  Okay here…I can see where they may be on to something with these claims.

Color, Application & Packaging

I purchased colors Soft Blush and Flushed Coral. I always think I’m going to be fancy and use a lip color but Soft Blush is where it’s at for me. Both colors provide a little something, although Soft Blush looks like a pale pink it is as nude of a “your lips but better” color you can get. The coral was a nice touch for summer and is safe for someone who wants to switch it up and have some fun without a super bold lip look.

I pulled the applicator out (more on this in a second) and swiped the gloss around my lips. The product goes on easily with no tugging and looks like a slick, translucent, jelly-cushion on my lips. It felt really nice and I agree that it didn’t feel sticky, had no taste or fragrance (which can be an issue for sensitive skin), and felt hydrating.

The applicator definitely leaves something to be desired. You’ll see it mentioned in just about any review you see. It’s a sort-of doe foot applicator, but it’s so big and bulky that it’s hard to pull out or put back into the tube. It does make application a breeze because the opening to the applicator holds plenty of product and the applicator itself is soft. But, every time I use it I feel like I’m going to fling product out of the tube across the room or break the applicator putting it back in. Is it annoying? Yes. Is it a deal breaker? Not for me given it’s performance.

Overall

Here’s a picture of my lips before and about 5 minutes after application. Now, I could have lined them, and put foundation on took 100 pictures with the best filters and the whole nine yards to give the world a more glam look of myself (hey freckles) but I didn’t because keeping it real is what ReadHead is all about. This is an honest untouched picture of my lips with the color Soft Blush. You can see that they definitely look more hydrated and fuller. They feel that way too (almost like I’m pouting!) plus protected. All of this without any stinging or tingling. Look how the little lines are filled in particularly on my bottom lip. I’m a fan.

Now of course this won’t replace a super tingle gloss which irritates the skin and therefore plumps, and of course won’t touch the results of injections. But incorporating a healthy look that can give you some polish and has more skincare benefit vs. harsh drying or stinging of the lips, this really excels and I really like this product for that reason. Pop some highlighter at the bottom of your lip and the Cupid’s bow and you’ll have a really nice, natural lip game.  At a drugstore price of about $10 plus sales galore at just about any drugstore this is a really great option for your natural lips that look full of healthy hydration. At that price you can get a few options to go with your favorite look. Highly recommend!

Rating

Overall: 4/5

Price: $$$$$

Packaging: 2/5

 

Have you tried Hydro Boost or have a product you love? Drop us a line in the comments.