I wanted to be a geisha a few years back (still kind of do). A modern one.  No, not a prostitute. That idea is all Hollywood. But the geisha who’s an expert in many things, an artist. Knows music and art and is a great conversationalist/listener. And who gets paid to do those things. You have to admit that’s a fantastic gig. Then I remembered how much of a chore it is to talk to people. But still the geisha fascinated me. The work that gets put into being one. The routine, the makeup. The stories. So when I came across Tatcha, a beauty company that claims to have studied and based their products on the geisha’s secrets and routine, I wanted give them a shot.

I first tried their skincare line and I was very pleased with the results though this blog post isn’t about those products but for one of their newer offers: Tatcha Kyoto Red Silk Lipstick

Their site says that it’s “ The geisha’s timeless vermillion lip remastered for the modern woman. Rooted in a shade that is one of the most distinctive, symbolic colors in Japan.” Translation: it’s a red that leans orange. Though they claim that it is universally flattering and adapts to everyone’s skin tone.

The Tatcha lipstick applies very smoothly with absolutely no drag whatsoever unlike most matte lipsticks. Another thing that separates it from other mattes? It has a non drying formula that just feels lovely and velvety on the lips. Though I can’t say much for staying power as lipsticks rarely ever stay put on me (I eat a lot, yeah…) I can say, however, that it fades beautifully and evenly. Doesn’t give you the patchy look or the lip line only look. You know, that thing that lipstick does when all the color in the middle is gone but the outside remains.

Color pay off is great, one swipe gives good coverage. But that also means you need practice to make sure you’re lips don’t look crooked. Thankfully the bullet is cut like a gem with multiple facets that help in application. It really earns its $55 price tag.

Anothee remarkable thing about Tatcha is the care they put in when it comes to packaging. The lipstick looks expensive with its black and gold colors and the Tatcha emblem on one end of the cap. And the weight of it on your hands adds to the overall luxurious feel of the product.

The Tatcha emblem on the cap is very reminiscent of the family seals/stamps used in Japan.

Even the box is lovely and chic.

Overall, it’s a fantastic lipstick that quickly became one of my favorites. My only regret about this is not wearing it as often as I should.

Pros

• Pigmented
• Lightweight
• Non-drying
• Flattering color

Cons

• Expensive