Le Métier de Beauté's Hydra-Crème Lipstick in Signature

Disclaimer:  I received this in my VIP subscription box.

One of the benefits of Le Métier de Beauté's VIP subscription is the possibility of receiving items prior to their general release - a sneak peek, if you will.  The first month's box included LMdB's new lipstick formula called Hydra-Crème in the color Signature, a cherry red matte. 

According to the official press:

"buttery, ultra-moisturizing formulation glides smoothly and evenly over lips for maximum comfort; long wear; and rich, brilliant color. Shades are a gorgeous mix of mattes and sheers, past favorites, and new, on-trend hues.

• Emollient, hydrating formula that won't slide
• Delivers voluptuous, full-coverage color to lips
• No mineral or animal derivatives"

I've seen conflicting dates on when these are being released, but it's either this month (nothing at online retailers yet) or October with a further six being released in November.  The packaging is not the black you see above, but is silver with the same ridged tube.  If these are replacing the current Color Core lipsticks, the good news is that they are priced at $25 compared to Color Core's $32, making them a reasonably priced luxury lipstick. 

Pigmentation is very good, and what you see above is a light layer of the lipstick.  It applies smoothly and easily, and wore well for a good 4-5 hours.  My lips did start feeling a bit dry by about hour 3, but that's normal for me. So I wouldn't say the lipstick dried out my lips, but I wouldn't call it hydrating either.  Given that this was a matte shade, not bad at all, and I'd be curious to see if the other finishes feel more moisturizing on.