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Saturday, April 4, 2015

Review: Gerard Cosmetics 1995 Lipstick

If you're a makeup addict and you're on social media, I'm guessing you've at least heard of Gerard Cosmetics. I first discovered this brand after some of you tagged me on Instagram alerting me to sales on the Gerard Cosmetics website (I've since shared some of those sales with you here on the blog).

After hearing so much about their lip products from you, I thought it was finally time for me to try this indie brand out of Valencia, California. I decided to purchase their famous 1995 Lipstick since there was a code at the time for 35% off + free shipping. I actually wasn't planning on reviewing this product since the regular retail price of Gerard Cosmetics is far outside the niche of my blog (their lipsticks are $19 each). BUT, since I've been following Gerard Cosmetics on Instagram, I've noticed that they're constantly posting codes for discounts + free worldwide shipping, and those codes usually bring the price of one lipstick down to about $9 or $10, making these much more Nouveau-Cheap-friendly. So that's why I thought I'd share my thoughts about this lipstick with you today.

NOTE: Gerard Cosmetics offers new discount codes (which include free worldwide shipping) all the time, so I highly suggest checking their latest posts on Instagram or on Facebook before you place an order, to see which codes are valid. They often post codes for two lipsticks for $20 with free shipping, three lipglosses for $29 with free shipping, etc.


1995 is a signature shade created by popular Youtuber Jaclyn Hill. According to the Gerard Cosmetics website, this shade is "inspired by the 90s grunge revival and the beauty trends of an unforgettable decade" and it is "a matte but creamy lip color that isn't trendy but a timeless expression of glam."

I like to think of myself as sort of an authority when it comes to lipstick shades of the 90s. I graduated from college in 1995 and I had a lot of disposable income at that time to spend on makeup. I didn't have a mortgage or any of that other "fun" stuff that tends to keep many of us on tight budgets. Aside from splitting rent and utilities with roommates, it was a magical time for me and the majority of my income from my first real job out of college was spent on travel, clothes and makeup. Lots of makeup.

Now you can understand why a lipstick named 1995 has serious significance for me. But I admit that I'm a harsh critic when it comes to anyone attempting to recreate a shade from that era, so here we go...

Gerard Cosmetics 1995 Lipstick
(retail: $19; weight unknown)


The lipstick I purchased did not come with a list of ingredients, nor could I locate one on the company's website. I did, however, find the ingredients on the Gerard Cosmetics Facebook page (copied from a response by Gerard Cosmetics to a Facebook comment):
Castor Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Candelilla Wax, Lanolin, Cetyl Acetate, Liquid Paraffin, Ozokerite Wax, Acetylated Lanolin Alcohol, Beeswax, Carnauba Wax, Myristyl Lactate, Lanolin Alcohol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Octinoxate, Grapeseed Oil, Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, Aloe Vera Lipoid, Soybean Oil, Phenoxyethanol, BHA
May Contain: Mica CI 70019, Iron Oxides CI 77491/CI 77492/CI 7499,Titanium Dioxide CI 77891
1995

One swipe, three swipes

Excuse the chapped lips...

1995 has a matte finish, and I would consider it a warm medium brown with cool red undertones. It's not a brick or rust--the red is more rose-toned.

So did Jaclyn Hill/Gerard Cosmetics nail this color? Does it truly evoke the year 1995? I'd say they're 95% there! But don't get me wrong--I'm not at all upset that this isn't 100% what I think of when I remember my lipstick stash in 1995, because so many of those shades were just not as versatile as lip colors today. Back then, lipsticks were either EXTREME warms or EXTREME cools. There just weren't a lot of neutrals at that time, and I feel like 1995 straddles that fence nicely. I can see this working on those who already love warm brown lipsticks, and I can also see it working on those who usually avoid warm brown lipsticks. There's definitely enough of a call-back to 1995 here to make those nostalgic for that era happy but, at the same time, this feels like a more modern take on the lip colors of that era.

I find the formula of this lipstick to be a little bit on the dry side, but I'm quite used to that when it comes to mattes. It doesn't ball up or get grainy after application, and I find that it wears down quite evenly all the way to the end. I can get about four hours of wear before I feel the need to reapply. The fragrance of this lipstick is faint vanilla (sort of like a MAC lipstick) and there's very little flavor (just a tiny hint of vanilla).

One more thing! I've heard that Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Touch of Spice is a dupe for 1995, but I think it is a bit more pink. If you scroll to the bottom of this blog post, you'll see what I mean.

FINAL VERDICT: For this 90s girl, 1995 manages to evoke the best of that era when it comes to lip color. It's right in the zone when it comes to color and finish, but it also manages to feel more current since it's not quite as warm as the shades I was wearing back then. It also doesn't feel like tar on the lips (which is exactly what matte lipsticks felt like back then). But if you're new to mattes or are only familiar with second generation mattes, then this might feel a bit drying to you. Since I lived through the first generation of mattes, I'm not as sensitive to dry lipsticks and this one doesn't bother me at all.

Do you own any Gerard Cosmetics? If so, I'd love to hear what you have and what you think!

The products featured in this post were purchased with personal funds. For more information, click here.
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33 comments

  1. Thank you for referencing my blog post! Much love <3

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    1. My pleasure!! Thanks for the great swatch comparison! xo

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    2. I had a horrible reaction to there lip color and gloss. I had to discard them. Oh well live and learn. I will only be purchasing my tried and true MAC, Buxom and my Mary Kay that smells and feels on the lips so wonderful. These Gerard lip products were just horrid cheap feeling drying lip products. My opinion is do not waste your money on them and pick up the better products like for instance Mac that are less expensive and much nicer quality.

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  2. I caved with one of those codes - 4 lip items for $39 and free int' shipping, and the only lipstick I bought was 1995 :) The order hasn't arrived yet, but if 1995 were a dupe of Touch of Spice, I'd be disappointed at my choice for the first Gerard lipstick lol. Great review, G, you brought me back to those young years too

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    1. Aaaah, I hope you find that they're not too similar when you get your package! And thank you, H.! Those were the days, right? ;)

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  3. Very interesting review G! I've been hearing a lot about this lipstick on You Tube so I'm glad there is now a thorough review from a trusted source. I own Touch of Spice and I agree that it's not really a dupe but it looks very close. I think Touch of Spice is a little too dark for me so I don't think I would purchase 1995. Man I wish I could have been you in 1995! Lol I was 10 years old though:) Thanks again!

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    Replies
    1. Lol!! It was a great time! :) And you're so welcome. I'm glad this helped!

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  4. I have this color as well and I love it. I also find it s bit on the dry side so I have to make sure I balm-up well before I use it. It looks great on you.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! And good tip about applying some balm first! :)

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  5. Beautiful color! It looks a lot like wet n wild spiked with rum

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    1. I will add a side by side swatch pic to this post this week! I think the WnW is darker, but I'll have to see them together to confirm. :)

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  6. Thank you so much for posting the ingredients! I was curious about this brand but I'm always wary when ingredients aren't listed because I'm extremely allergic to lanolin. This formula would probably make my lips fall off! LoL

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    1. You're so welcome! I'm glad it helped save you from a potentially uncomfortable situation!

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  7. My first thought when I saw the photos was they nailed the 90's. I'm trying to remember what I wore then, but it wasn't this color. I think Sand Storm by Revlon.

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    1. Aaaah yes! I loved me some Sand Storm and also L'Oreal Real Raisin! :)

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  8. I remember wearing red lipstick and mixing brown liner with it to get reddish brown back in the 90s. Brings back memories! Thanks for the review.

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    1. You're so welcome, and omg i used to do that too! Lol! :)

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  9. I'm not going to claim to know so much about the lipsticks of 1995 because I was 11 years old then and basically lined by whole lip with brown Wet N Wild liner but it cracks me up how these young girls who were like 3 years old at the time are bringing back these 90s matte lips like they have been wearing them all of their life...does it make me a crab to say that lol...i love the color but lining my lips with brown liner was my 1995 heh heh

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    Replies
    1. Lol I understand, but I also try to remember that when I was younger I went through a period of wanting to look like a 60s hippie, and I wasn't even a glimmer in my parents' eyes in the 60s. Lol! So yeah, I have absolutely no issues with this type of thing, as long as the colors are true to the period (and in this case it definitely is!). :)

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    2. Oh yeah I'm totally all about the 90s making a comeback! I didn't even realize what an impact it would have now!! I went for a period of time where I was like ugh brown lips what was I thinking and now it's all the rage heh heh...what's next lol

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  10. wow, i live in Valencia and I've never heard of this brand. I did see someone selling some on a beauty resale FB site for our town. I'll have to check it out.

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    1. They're online only (no storefront in Valencia) so that's probably why you didn't know? :)

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  11. I do like the bullet shape of the tube!

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  12. I've been eyeing these lipsticks for a while. I guess it's time to place an order lol. Great review!

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    1. Lol! I'd love to know what you end up getting! :)

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  13. On my NW47 skin, this is a perfect brown nude! I also own Grape Soda, Tequilla Sunrise, Rodeo Drive, and Berry Smoothie. They are nicely pigmented and I love them all! The only compliant that I have is the cheapy plastic packaging. Regular price, these lipsticks are $19 a pop. That's more than a limited edition MAC lipstick! ($17.50) I purchased all of mine with coupon codes which brought them down to $10 each. A $19 a pop, they're not worth it. But at $10, I can live with that.

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  14. Yay for 1995 college grads!!! No wonder I <3 you and your blog so much. I was actually just about to get 1995 and kimchee doll but since I have Touch of Spice, I will pass and use my $ for other stuff (um like more makeup).

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  15. For some reason this reminds me of a touch darker version of Revlon's Sandalwood Beige, which I was obsessed with in college.

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  16. I ordered a lipstick and got a shipping confirmation 6 days ago but still no tracking updates, just "label printed". I see a lot of people complaining about not getting their order on Instagram as well. Ugh. I live in California too so I was hoping to get it soon! Just sent their CS an email. I got the lipstick in Rodeo Drive. These muted 90s shades just don't suit me!

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  17. I tend to avoid brown shades but this is a beautiful color. Might just get one hehe :) Great review!

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  18. How well does the case stay closed? Like, would I be able to throw this in my bag with no worries of it popping open or would it open up?

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