Kanebo Sensai Intense Lasting Lipstick

It was happy coincidence that introduced me to Sensai’s Intense Lasting lipstick, and I haven’t stopped raving about the formula since. (Click here for an introduction to the Sensai brand.)

I find the name “Intense Lasting” to be sort of confusing and forgettable (especially since Sensai launched “Intense Lasting” and “Vibrant Cream” lipsticks simultaneously), but the operative word is lasting.

Intense Lasting lipsticks have no scent. They go on with the same “heavy jelly,” moisturizing feel as Chantecaille’s Lip Chics. But the most amazing thing about them is that the formula — which is not a stain — miraculously bonds with your lips for ridiculously long wear.

On more than one occasion, I have applied this lipstick, gone through an entire day (eating, drinking, licking my lips, talking), brushed my teeth for the night — having forgotten it was on — only to wipe my lips on a towel and realize I’ve just wiped lipstick onto my towel.

For anyone who’s been avoiding bold lip colors because they’re too high maintenance, this product could change your life.

The shade names are in Japanese (which I don’t speak), and Neiman Marcus’s website refers to them by number, so I thought it would be easiest to label the photos by number.

112 (Hazemomiji) is flushed peach with gold sparkles. 103 (Usuiro) is a warm pink with gold sparkles. 114 (Kousome) is a muted, slightly burnt/tomato-ey red. 102 (Soubi) is currently my most precious lipstick possession, a screaming orange-red. 110 (Hananadeshiko) is a strawberry red-pink. 113 (Utsuroikiku) is a lighter, sheerer, more-pink-less-red strawberry with a few silver sparkles. 109 (Neshoubu) is warm reddened pink, like a saturated guava, or pink pickled ginger. 101 (Hitoeume) is a cool, bright, Barbie pink with dense silver shimmer.

108 (Sakura Kasane) is a muted blue-pink, like peonies, or English roses. 105 (Momo Kasane) is a muted, cool, terracotta rose with shimmers. 115 (Iwatsutsuji) is a deeper blue-pink, a violet-rose. 111 (Kabasakura) is a dark strawberry (or warm raspberry) with gold sparkles. 104 (Kurenainihohi) is deeper and jammier, and sparkle-free. 106 (Matsu Kasane) is rose-cocoa with sparkles. 107 (Urayamabuki) is like an old rose-toned photo, rosewood with sparkles.

Intense Lasting lipsticks are $40 each, available exclusively at Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman. In case you get confused at the counter, Intense Lasting is the only one (of Sensai’s three lipstick formulas) where the bullet touches the case.

Neiman Marcus is also offering free shipping at any price with code MARCHFS.