Dessa

$18
(34 reviews) Write a Review

=LIMITED EDITION=

SOLD OUT - Check out Dessa Remixed

This limited-edition lipstick was created for Dessa of the Doomtree collective with a charitable cause in mind.

Dessa wanted a matte red lip that didn't pull pink on her golden skin. At first glance, Dessa's skin tone appears pale, but her Puerto Rican ancestry shines through with golden undertones. Golden and yellow undertones, common in most women of color, often cause red lipsticks to look pink.

To create Dessa's signature color, The Elixery assembled a team that included Emmy® Award winning makeup artist Crist Ballas. In response to Dessa's dilemma, Ballas suggested a shade of red that was a departure from the traditional blue- or orange-based red, and instead envisioned a red with a yellow undertone.

The result...?  A color that looks great on Dessa, but also manages to be universally flattering.

Dessa is a well known contributor to social justice, and her signature lipstick is no exception. To that end, Dessa will be donating 100% of her share of the proceeds (20% of the profits) to CARE.org, an organization that educates and empowers women. The sale of this lipstick will benefit CARE's POWER WITHIN program, which focuses on educating girls in the poorest developing countries. Through this program, CARE hopes to educate 10 million girls by 2015.

Read more about the project here.

See Ingredients

All Elixery lipstick is free of animal testing (cruelty free) and free of animal products (vegan.)

 

 

34 Reviews Hide Reviews Show Reviews

  • 5
    AMAZING - Please bring it back asap!

    Posted by Karen on January 25th, 2013

    Nicest red lipstick I've ever bought and I ordered it in from the US to Europe especially. The yellow undertone makes it the most flattering colour I've ever found for my pale Irish skin and the colour lasts for ages. I bought it because I love Dessa's work and I loved the charitable donation aspect. We need more quality make-up that improves the world!

  • 5
    so, so sad

    Posted by Unknown on January 9th, 2013

    the fact that this lipstick is limited edition may turn me into a hoarder. please, please make this a permanent item so i don't have to buy a dozen in the next month.

  • 4
    Pretty Bad A**

    Posted by Chanel on December 18th, 2012

    A little on the dry side for me, but it's a matte, so that's to be expected. Love the color. Takes a few layers to acheive maximum Dessa-ness. I recommend a liner to keep it sharply in place. As noted in the description, Dessa is a different formulation than the other Elixery colors which are more silky smooth. Overall, nice red, good product, indie company and the best endorsement ever-Dessa Darling.

  • 5
    Brilliantly elegant

    Posted by Unknown on December 12th, 2012

    I was nervous about this color for me (I am extremely pale and any kind of red makes me look a little bit/a lot like The Joker), but purchased anyway, as a fan of Dessa and as a contribution to charity. I was quite happily surprised that this color really works for me, especially when so few do. Thanks for a great product, and for being connected to such great artists in many mediums.

  • 4
    Rival to MAC Lipsticks

    Posted by Unknown on December 5th, 2012

    I purchased the lipstick because 1) The color in the advertisement looks SO gorgeous and sold me and 2) I have an olive complexion that can be hard to find the right red lipstick that isn't pinkish. First off, the lipstick smells AMAZING- like vanilla, very similar to MAC lipsticks but a little more potent (in a good way!). The color looks best when layered a few times for a darker look. Sometimes red lipsticks that do not have a blue undertone make teeth look yellow, but surprisingly enough, this lipstick makes teeth look super white! It is a bit drying, as most mattes are, but it lasts FOREVER. I'm very satisfied with my purchase!

  • 5
    As incredible as the artist!

    Posted by Kelly on November 30th, 2012

    This was given to me as a gift by my cousin. Dessa is a color that is beyond my normal color range. I wore it to work and got great compliments by peers who loved the change! It was a large leap and I am glad I took it. I forgot the lipstick at home and during the day found that it made my lips still feel moisturized without it on!

  • 5
    Alluring!

    Posted by Unknown on October 18th, 2012

    I feel bold and sexy wearing this shade - I wear it going out in the evening with my hubby but I am sure it could be worn day time as well.

  • 5
    Nooo, it can't be limited edition!!

    Posted by Unknown on October 8th, 2012

    I finally found a red that looks RED on me (instead of pink)! I love it to death, but I'm seriously bummed this is only going to be limited edition. Can you at least tell us when it's gonna end so that I can order another tube (or two)?

  • 4
    I still don't look like Dessa, but...

    Posted by Unknown on September 27th, 2012

    Love the deep red color (although it still does turn a bit pinky, if you don't reapply often enough). Great texture and smell and you don't even get that nasty gummy white line around the inside of your lips after wearing it for a few hours... or am I the only person that happens to?

  • 5
    Love this lipstick!

    Posted by Sandy on September 26th, 2012

    This is my first Elixery lipstick and I really love the Dessa color. I have fair hair and skin and it really is as complimentary to my skin tone as they said it would. Love the texture and staying power and the drama of the shade. I will purchase other shades as well since it is so nice!

  • 3
    Great base color

    Posted by Unknown on September 26th, 2012

    I have mixed feelings about the color, but love the consistency of the lipstick itself. The red, as it appears on my lips, is REALLY bright - way brighter than I thought it would be - but it IS red (not pink or orange because I also have a hard time finding a red for my skin tone). I was looking for something a little deeper or jewel-toned. That being said, I discovered that if I put the Dessa on as a base color and then apply a brown lipstick that I own, the mix is absolutely perfect and exactly what I was looking for. And I think this was a marvelous idea!

  • 5
    Exceeded expectations

    Posted by FB on September 26th, 2012

    I was excited to try this after I read that Dessa was giving the profits to charity and that she designed it to work on olive-toned skin. I like red lipstick on occasion, but the undertones in them sometimes look gaudy or "off" with my coloring (I'm half paraguayan, half eastern european). They really did a great job with the color- it looks warm and intense but it works well casually, at work, or for a night out- not too over-the-top for everyday wear. My boyfriend, who generally doesn't care for make-up, actually commented that the color looked great on me. In regards to other comments about texture- try applying it with a lip brush.