CoverGirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm vs. Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick

     After hearing so much about the new CoverGirl Jumbo Gloss Balms I had to try them! As I was searching the aisles of my local drugstore I noticed a very similar product. Neutrogena has come out with a comparable lip item and I just had to do a comparison.

CoverGirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm:
Price: $8.99
Size: 0.13 OZ
Shades Purchased: Blush Twist, Watermelon Twist, and Berry Twist
Shade Selection: 16 (even through there are double the colors of the Neutrogena brand, some tend to be very similar when applied).
Marketed As: "Twist up the color and glide on the shine. Treat your lips to a balm fortified with shea and mango butters for a smooth look with just a hint of color" (Covergirl.com).
Packaging: Twist up bottom that doesn't require a sharpener. Very similar to the Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains.

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick:
Price: $8.99
Size: 0.11 OZ
Shades Purchased: Fresh Papaya and Bright Berry
Shade Selection: 8 (yes, there is a narrower selection but the colors are all unique and there aren't any similar colors in the collection).
Marketed As: They instantly moisturize lips, while continuously conditioning them so they are softer and smoother in just 3 days. Made with fruit extracts along with mango and shea butter, the balm-like formula glides on easily, providing a sheer wash of moisturizing color that lasts for hours. Dermatologist tested" (Neutrogena.com). 
Packaging: Twist up bottom that doesn't require a sharpener.

NOTE: I did not want to compare these products to the Revlon Balm Stains because these two particular lip products are not marketed as a "stain". They are intended to be a balm.

Photos:

-CoverGirl shades (from top-bottom): Berry Twist, Watermelon Twist, and Blush Twist.

-Neutrogena Shades (from top-bottom): Bright Berry and Fresh Papaya.

*UPDATE*

     After loving this formula and the two shades I originally picked up I had to try more! I purchased the three darkest shades from the Neutrogena line (especially Rich Raisin from Beauty Broadcasts recommendation). Of course I had to share the swatches!

-From left to right: Soft Raspberry, Plum Perfect and Rich Raisin.

- I wore Rich Raisin today and it is the perfect deep berry shade for this time of year! 

 While browsing the displays (which were out of a few colors) I found two sets of comparable shades- one from each brand.

Set #1:

-Here Neutrogena Fresh Papaya and CoverGirl Blush Twist are pictured.

- In person, they come off as a nude lip color. You can see that Fresh Papaya is more peachy where as Blush Twist has more of a pink undertone.

Set #2:

Here Neutrogena Bright Berry and CoverGirl Berry Twist are pictured.

-In person, they come off as a bright pinky-berry shade.

- You can see that both are generally the same berry shade. Bright Berry has more of a pinkness to it as well as being more pigmented and brighter.

     Immediately I realized that these berry shades were VERY similar to a completely different product that I already owned and love! 

     The Korres Lip Butter in Wild Rose is almost an identical dupe for both shades in my opinion. They come off exactly the same on the lips. They are all swatched (from top-bottom): Neutrogena Bright Berry, Korres Wild Rose Lip Butter, and CoverGirl Berry Twist.

     After trying these for a few days a winner finally emerged... Drum roll please!!!

Covergirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balm:
Overall Texture/ Application: These were creamy and glided on quite easily. They weren't too slick and didn't stray outside the lip line once on. I will also add that I prefer this products packaging- to me it just looks classier.
Overall Feel: They weren't the most moisturizing thing I've ever worn on my lips. However, they weren't drying either. They were smooth and provided sheer color when on the lips, as they were said to do.
Overall Scent: There is a very slight odor to the product that is present in all of CoverGirl's lip products. The only way I can describe it is a light, powdery/chemically scent that is bearable but isn't pleasant.
Overall Wear: These lasted only a few hours on my lips even without eating or drinking. They would need to be re-applied after meals as any typical lip product would. I found that for me, the glossiness wore off with the product not before.

 Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick:
Overall Texture/ Application: This category was mostly the same as the one above. I did however find these more creamy and they glided on even easier with more color payoff.  I also felt that the shade selections in this brand were more versatile and different.
Overall Feel: They weren't drying but weren't incredibly moisturizing. They for sure didn't leave my lips "conditionally conditioned" as they are marketed to do.
Overall Scent: I had to add this category because these smell SO good! It is a fairly strong, fruity smell that is very appealing to me. I want to smell it every time I put it on! Once on the lips the scent is detectable for around 5-10 minutes then fades away.
Overall Wear: They lasted about 3 hours as the other brand did, but remember they aren't supposed to be a long lasting product! I sort of expect to re-apply my lip products on a regular basis so this is not something that bothers me. The gloss also wore with the product and not before.

Bottom Line: I am a huge fan of the Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks and will be searching for more colors to add to my collection! I will be returning the Covergirl LipPerfection Jumbo Gloss Balms that I purchased for 3 reasons...
1. Shades (each one is different from others in the line).
2. SMELL!
3. Color payoff

P.S These new Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks are already getting some attention in the YouTube community. Check out one of my favorite gurus Emily Noel and her channel Beauty Broadcast as well as her blog to hear her opinion!

Love, Lacey