Okay so the swatch I saw online was obviously wrong, because it show Istanbul as being a nude. It is definitely not. It's a mid tone pink, not too bright, but not too deep either.
IT IS BEAUTIFUL. Totally wearable, completely matte, super pigmented and there is no way you can see your natural lip colour through the product. It goes on super easily and then dries completely matte while staying slightly sticky, just enough to keep the lips feeling comfortable without making it so that it goes all over your face. I love the doe foot applicator and I love the way it just glides onto the lips. It smells sweet and yummy. Best part is that you can LAYER it - my only complaint with the Collection Cosmetics lip creams was that you couldn't layer them.
SPEAKING of the Collection Cosmetics lip creams, Istanbul is almost an exact dupe for Cotton Candy from that line. I prefer these over the Collection ones because I feel like they're more comfortable on the lips.
The staying power is really good and it will hold up against most food and drinks. There are SO many shades for anyone and everyone. I adore this line and absolutely want MORE.
I loooove these!! I got on the NSMLC bandwagon after seeing so much about them online. I initially ordered one in a gorgeous soft pink shade called "Milan" (I love how they're all named after famous cities). When it arrived, I was really pleased to see it was in a doe foot applicator form (I know it's called a cream, but I still kinda expected a stick form). It makes it so easy to use and apply. On application, I was even more pleased with the beautiful, moussy, almost whipped consistency with glided onto my lips smoothly and evenly, topped off with a gorgeous creamy, sweet, fragrance. The product feels delightfully smooth and soft (I applied it just before writing this review for maximum detail), but it's certainly not a product to use when your lips are cracking or peeling, as even though this isn't drying, because the finish is very matte, I find it clings to and exacerbates any dry bits when it sets. Whereas a nonsetting formula can be a little more forgiving. I make sure I exfoliate and hydrate before using this! I have not given it 100%, as NYX call this product moisturising. I didn't find that to be the case. Now as much as it isn't drying, and my lips feel fine once it's set (unlike most matte lip products), I certainly haven't found it hydrated it nourished, but I didn't buy it for that purpose so that really doesn't worry me. I have since purchased two more shades, "Antwerp", which is a pink still, but with a slightly orangey hue, also much more vivid than "Milan", less of a natural shade, and "Stockholm", a beautiful nude, peachy tan. I wish I could attach swatch pictures! I love these creams and I can't wait to collect more. The colour selection is amazing, ranging from neutrals to brights to darks, and the longevity is brilliant. They begin to slowly fade after eating and drinking, but I've never had them dissappear entirely. Even when they do fade, it's merely the colour becoming less intense. There's none of that lip corner gathering, crumbling, smudging or flaking nonsense. These are brilliant.
Tips: Exfoliate first and apply a balm a couple of hours before you intend to use your cream. Take off any excess balm before you use this. I find one coat gives easily adequate and even coverage, but sometimes I apply a couple of coats for a bolder look, or sometimes I just apply to the bottom and smoosh for just a really light, subtle wash. Check out a few of the swatches online to give the best idea of colour as sometimes the lighting varies and they can appear slightly different.