EM Cosmetics True Gloss Review & Swatches

Hello! It's been quite some time since our last post, but today I've brought you a review on one of EM Cosmetics' popular products, the True Gloss. If you haven't heard of EM Cosmetics, it is a cosmetics brand created by Michelle Phan, a famous Vietnamese-American beauty Youtuber. I can't call myself an OG fan, but I have seen some of her content and she's created a huge name for yourself. She revamped her cosmetics company after an initial rough start, which I find truly admirable and she's a great inspiration for Asian American visibility in the media. 

I didn't try anything from his first launch as EM Cosmetics, but I CAN say I'm enjoying everything I've tried with her new re-designed company. The only thing truly lacking for me is the customer service, but I'll delve into that a little later. I'm going to give you my review and opinion on the glosses and also, provide some arm and lip swatches.

Mini-size set on on the left, Full-sizes on the right

The True gloss is described as "High Shine," "vibrant," and "comfortable." It is supposed to last a long time and subtly plump the lips. They also claim that it provides moisture and it isn't sticky.

I own 9 shades total, and I just purchased the 9th one the other day! The minis are part of limited edition sets EM Cosmetics seems to release around holidays. It was gifted to me from my sister for Christmas. I wish EM would sell these mini sizes permanently as sets, as they are the perfect travel size, and I'm sad that I'm almost done with two of the colors! They are perfect for throwing in your purse on the go and for traveling.

The glosses retail for $20 and contain 4 ml/0.13 fl oz of product, which is a bit pricey, but EM Cosmetics has sales all the time and I only buy when there are sales. I've seen BOGO sales on the glosses too, which is a real steal. If you compare it to Buxom glosses, those contain 4.44 ml/0.15 fl oz of product and retail for $21. I'd say EM Cosmetics is not a super affordable brand, but it's not luxury. It's a solid mid-tier and it's only available online.

Packaging

I love the minimalist design of the gloss. It looks sleek and expensive, and the gold branding along the tube is very pretty. I actually prefer the doe foot applicator-design of the mini-glosses over the full-sized ones. The mini ones have this sculpted/rounded applicator and it just applies more smoothly and without creating any lines on my lips. The full-size tubes have a pointed doe-foot and although it is still nice and helps create crisp lines around the edges of your lips, it creates lines when you apply more layers and you have to smooth it over to get a perfect application.

Formulation

The gloss is true to all of its claims. It's very pigmented, long-lasting, non-sticky, and comfortable on the lips. I didn't notice any plumping effect until I swatched all of these colors on my lips haha! :) It definitely has a plumping effect, but it's subtle; I don't feel or smell any menthol like Buxom glosses. The glosses actually smell AMAZING...rather vanilla-y but it isn't too sweet or strong. The fragrance is addicting.

I find that the formula reminds me more of a moisturizing/thicker Korean lip tint; it can stain the lips, especially the brighter or deeper colors, but I don't mind that. I like the stain effect because it doesn't wear off in an unattractive way. I like how moisturizing and non-stick the formula is because I tend to have lips that are always chapped, and this gloss doesn't emphasize that. In fact, my lips feel more moisturized and plumped after wearing it.

My favorite thing about the glosses though is that despite being very pigmented, you can apply it fully on the lips or apply it as a gradient, similar to Korean lip tints. I think this makes it very versatile.

Colors 

There is a nice color range, but in my opinion, a lot of the reds are a little bit too similar to each other. They tend to pull on orange-y side, especially Moroccan Sunset, Blood Moon, and Red Jasper (looked similar online).

I also found the pinks to be a little hard to wear and I hope EM Cosmetics will come out with pinks with darker pinks with deeper undertones. Although I like Aurora pink, it is VERY cool and doesn't look good on people with warmer or tanner skin tones in my opinion. Secret Blush is just far too pale to wear on its own for me, and although I like Lotus Blossom, it's a redder pink and I'm looking for a good neutral pink. Maybe that's just me being picky about my perfect shade of pink, though?

Swatches

I swatched the shades on the back of my arm below and put an asterisk/star (*) next to my favorite shades.

For reference, so you know my skin tone, I'll include my foundation shades:

Skin Color - Fair with slight yellow undertones

Foundations that match me - MUFE in 117, NARS in Gobi, Urban Decay Weightless Liquid in 2.0

(From Left to Right) Secret Blush, Magic Hour, Truffle Haze, Moroccan Sunset*, Aurora Pink, Lotus Blossom*, Blood Moon*, Scarlett Knight

Although similar, EM's red/orangey shades are stand out to me. Moroccan Sunset is a really popular color and touted as being Liah Yoo's (a Korean beauty Youtuber I follow) favorite color. I also think it's my favorite as well. My sister's favorite color is Lotus Blossom, and I also like it. It's a warmer pink, pulling more on the bright pink side. I'm not crazy about the paler shades (Secret Blush, Magic Hour, Truffle Haze) because they really wash me out and I'm fair, but they would be a good gloss topper if you're a lip liner fan. I also really didn't like Scarlett Knight, because it pulls as more of a magenta-red and can look almost fuschia on the lips!

Below you will find lip swatches. Pardon the sloppy swatches (I didn't exactly line my lips properly...especially in the bright reds).

(From Left to Right) Secret Blush, Magic Hour, Truffle Haze, Moroccan Sunset

(From Left to Right) Aurora Pink, Lotus Blossom, Blood Moon, Scarlett Knight

Ordering Online & Customer Service

As I mentioned earlier, my only issue with EM Cosmetics is that it is sold exclusively online and the customer service is not very good. Be extremely careful when you place an order online because if you ever make a mistake when placing your order (ie. add too many of one product, forget to add a promo code, or select the wrong color), they cannot simply cancel your order. They have a rule on their website that you only have a certain window of time to contact customer service for correction of orders or cancelations, yet, the only way to contact them is via email. You most likely won't be able to get in touch with them before shipment. 

I have made the mistakes outlined above and if you make a mistake, they charge you an "exchange fee" to cover the cost of re-shipment. I don't know about all of you, but when I order online, I always order enough for free shipping because I think it's a waste to pay shipping. When I complained to customer service that I purposely ordered enough for free shipping and contacted them immediately to switch out a color, they said it is too late and I'd have to pay the shipping to get an exchange for the color. When I said I'm just going to return everything then and pay for the return shipping if they can't exchange it for me for free, they didn't offer me any assistance and they said that was fine. 

EM Cosmetics allows you to return, but you have to pay the return cost. If you ask me, it makes little sense to have a customer return EVERYTHING instead of just covering the shipping fee for an exchange. But I guess it's a small company. I think they need to establish a live chat service or a phone number for customer service so customers can cancel more quickly. I can't be the only person who has ever made an error while shopping online?

Closing Thoughts

EM Cosmetics' products live up to the hype and I think it's 100% the price point. The products are beautifully made and high quality. As I mentioned, my only complaint is the customer service. I think it's still growing, but make sure if you place an order online, you double/triple check everything in your order is perfect. If you make any errors, you will have to pay return shipping costs or pay for an exchange. They most likely won't be able to cancel your order.