Beauty Loreal 173 Lipstick Compared: Top Two Models Face Off Today
Sunwash and Sugar Plum both come from the Colour Riche Original line, so the creamy formula is shared. The choice comes down to nude versus berry. Sunwash is a warm everyday nude for light to medium skin. Sugar Plum is a richer berry-plum for medium to deep skin and evening looks. Both deliver the same comfortable satin finish and drugstore value.
| Factor | L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Original Lips | L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Original Lips |
|---|---|---|
| Shade | Sunwash, warm nude | Sugar Plum, berry plum |
| Finish | Creamy satin | Creamy satin |
| Undertone | Warm | Cool to neutral |
| Best skin tones | Light to medium | Medium to deep |
| Comfort | Hydrating, soft | Hydrating, soft |
| Wear time | 3 to 5 hours | 3 to 5 hours |
| Best for | Daily office wear | Evenings and events |
| Price tier | Affordable drugstore | Affordable drugstore |
Our Verdict
Pick Sunwash if you want a warm everyday nude in the creamy Colour Riche formula. Pick Sugar Plum if you want a deeper berry-plum with the same comfort. Daily neutrals choose Sunwash, bold moods choose Sugar Plum.
True Satin: How to Verify Before Buying
Nobody explains how to tell a true satin from a mislabeled one, so here is the buying guide. True satin is a bullet lipstick with a creamy, light-reflecting finish; it is neither flat matte nor glossy. Brands attach "satin" to liquid long-wear formulas that behave nothing like classic bullet satin, so read the texture description, not just the name. The Colour Riche Original line is genuine classic satin; the creamy bullet, the soft sheen, the comfortable wear.
The ingredient signal: satin formulas balance waxes for structure with oils for the sheen; a formula dominated by volatile silicones and film-formers is a long-wear liquid wearing the satin name. The swatch test: true satin shows a soft highlight on the swatch, not a flat patch and not a wet shine. Knowing the difference prevents the disappointment of buying "satin" and getting a drying liquid. For the luxury satin reference, our Chanel Rouge Coco Bloom guide covers the high-end satin.
Satin in Heat: The Summer Survival Rules
No guide covers satin lipstick in hot climates properly, so here is the version. Heat softens the wax structure; the bullet deforms, the tip bends, and the formula can separate. The storage rules beyond "cool, dry place": never the car, never the beach bag in direct sun, and refrigerate upright for an hour if it softens. Which wax blends survive summer is the unasked question; harder wax structures hold shape better, but no drugstore bullet is heat-proof.
The application adjustment for heat: a softened bullet deposits more product, so use a lighter hand in summer. Blot after applying; the blotted satin sets better in humidity. For outdoor events, the satin will need touch-ups; the heat plus humidity breaks the finish faster. The Liquid Matte alternative does not melt, but it trades the satin's comfort; summer is the season the finish trade-off matters most. For the full satin category, our satin lipsticks hub covers every shade family.
Satin Expiration: The Signs It Has Gone Off
Nobody covers satin lipstick expiration honestly, so here is the guide. The 12 to 24 month PAO is the official window; the real signs of a turned satin are wax bloom, the whitish film on the bullet, oil separation at the base, and a scent change from neutral to crayon-like. Wax bloom is harmless but signals age; oil separation means the formula is breaking down.
Normal aging versus gone off: slight softening in summer is normal; graininess, rancid smell, or color change means discard. The bullet cannot be sanitized perfectly; wiping with alcohol and shaving the top layer is the best available method. Sharing satin bullets spreads illness more readily than sharing pencils, because the creamy surface harbors more. When in doubt, the nose knows; a lipstick that smells wrong is wrong. The Colour Riche bullets are affordable enough that replacing beats risking, so do not hoard shades past their prime.
Layering Satin and the Mature-Lip Technique
Nobody explains how to layer satin properly, so here is the order that works. Satin over lip stain: the stain provides the lasting base color, the satin adds the comfortable finish; this is the longest-wear satin combination. Gloss over satin: a clear gloss in the center adds dimension without breaking the satin; full gloss over the whole lip turns it into a gloss lip. Powder over satin: a translucent powder blotted over the satin mattifies it, which defeats the purpose unless you want the hybrid.
Nobody addresses satin for mature lips beyond a mention, so here is the technique. Satin's sheen is flattering on mature lips because it reflects light over texture rather than clinging like flat matte. The blotting technique preserves the sheen without settling: apply, blot once lightly, then reapply just the center. This keeps the dimension while removing the excess that migrates into lines. The Sunwash nude suits mature lips; the Sugar Plum's depth needs the liner-first technique to prevent feathering. For the luxury satin comparison, our Gucci Rouge guide covers the high-end bullet.
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