I was a big fan of Maybelline's HydraTime Lipstick when it first came out a few years ago, and immediately bought it in six or seven different colors. (Yes, it is true, I am a lipstick fiend!) For a while it really was my favorite lipstick until I, inevitably, moved on to a different product. Every now and then I still pull out my HydraTime, though, and am instantly reminded why I used to like it so much in the first place!

Colors
HydraTime comes in a wide variety of colors. At the time I bought my HydraTime, I was going through a purple-y sort of phase so I chose lavenders and plums. My all-time favorite color is a dark plum called "Tempt," which I still wear on a regular basis. HydraTime tends to offer more trendy, *funky* shades than most of Maybelline's other lipsticks, so it tends to have a youthful sort of appeal. You can still find most of the basics here, though!

Texture
HydraTime, as the name implies, is indeed a moisturizing lipstick. It is not at all dry, but it's not super shiny either! It's a perfect look somewhere between shiny and matte. It does not dry out my lips, but it doesn't help my lips either when they are chapped! Texture-wise, this is just sort of middle-of-the-road, but that's a good thing! Too much of one extreme doesn't always work.

Wearability
HydraTime is not the longest wearing lipstick ever. It claims to be extended-wear, but I really haven't noticed this lipstick lasting a whole lot longer than most of my others. Then again, I've got the world's most absorbent lips, apparently, because I've never been able to keep any lipstick on for more than a few hours!!! HydraTime lasts about an hour-- maybe an hour and a half-- looking as though I just applied it, then it gradually starts fading. Usually, though, I can keep a trace of color on for about three hours, which is pretty good for me! It doesn't show up on my teeth, as a few of my other lipsticks do, but it will come off on your coffee cup... and him! (I can't believe I just said that.)

Packaging
I love the design of HydraTime's tube! It's very slender and not quite 4 inches long. It can easily slip in your pocket without being noticeable at all. It's perfect for going out when you might not feel like toting around a purse!

Price
HydraTime is one of Maybelline's pricier lipsticks, but, even then, it's still only around $5. Not bad for a good product!!!

Overall
Overall, I would definitely recommend HydraTime lipstick... if it weren't for the existence of Maybelline's newest: Wear 'n Go. Because Epinions doesn't have a category for Wear 'n Go yet, I can't review it, but I have to say that whatever good things that HydraTime has to offer, Wear 'n Go does even better! The only real advantage you will find with HydraTime is that it comes in a wider variety of colors. Because, however, this is a review of Hydratime, I am going to recommend it. It is, after all, a pretty good lipstick.



Recommended: Yes