With L'Oreal and Revlon both recently launching sheer lipstick hybrid formulas -
a lipstick that has the soothing and moisturising properties of a lip balm
coupled with the pigment value of a standard lipstick,
I thought it would be a good idea to perhaps compare the formulas to one and other.
The aspects I have graded and compared are :packaging, colour choices, pigmentation, texture,
staying power, formula and moisture levels, availability,
pricing did not factor into it as both currently cost £7.99.


Packaging
I can't honestly decide which one I prefer as they are both fairly pleasing on the eye.
Revlon has it's ever typical quilted design and the lid is colour co-ordinated to the shade inside,
something I always appreciate as you can see what the shade is at a glance.
However the L'oreal Caresse lipsticks come in really modern packaging that
also have a colour co-ordinated patch on the lid so it really does come down to personal preference.
Both brands have made sure that the lipsticks are encased in sturdy, pleasing packaging 
so you can't really go wrong but pushed I would say L'oreal pips Revlon to the post.


Colour Choices
In my opinion both have a fairly substitutional range of shades - L'Oreal Caresse has 10
and Revlon Lip Butters have 14 shades available in the UK 20 in the US/Canada.
Yes Revlon has the larger shade selection with 4 shades more than L'Oreal
but I do feel that Revlon have targeted the brighter, bold shades!
I'm a little disappointed that Revlon only released one Nude shade as U.K buyers
are known for their love of a good Nude lipstick or two.
My other bone of contention is the fact that they have teased us with 6 additional shades avaliable
overseas and nothing irks me more than forbidden fruit!

Where as L'Oreal seems to have a more constructed shade range - a few natural shades,
a few classic shades and a few bolds.
I did find a few of the Revlon Lip Butter shades unwearable for my personal tastes
where as I can honestly say applied right I can and would wear all of the shades.
To sum up L'Oreal for easy to wear shades, Revlon for it's bold, bright shades.


Pigmentation
By far Revlon wins this category but that is not to say it doesn't have some misses
and that L'Oreal Caresse are weakly pigmented because that is not the case.
It is just that generally speaking I found the Revlon Lip Butters to be more pigmented
on the whole particularly the bright shades such as Raspberry Pie and Lollipop.

Texture
As they are both moisturising formulas both are what you would call soft in texture,
not so much that the break when being used or easily melt 
but they are not as firm as a typical lipstick.
Do keep these out of the sun as they will melt into a glossy bright puddle!
I found the L'Oreal Caresse lipsticks to be slightly more robust than the Revlon Lip Butters
so if you are heavy handed I would nudge you towards this option.
All of the L'Oreal Caresse Lipsticks are shimmer free with a glossy finish,
where as the Revlon Lip Butters do vary in formula depending on the shade,
some have a shimmer/glitter finish and others are plain glossy.
I found the glossy ones to be the better option as I have an aversion to frosted lipsticks
particularly the lighter shades which it seems to be in this line!


Staying Power
Pretty much like the packaging I would say this element is an even playing field.
They both tend to last around the 2 hour mark but the deeper shades of the Revlon Lip Butters
do last a little longer some up to around the 3 hour mark if you are lucky.
Both formulas don't have a tendency to bleed or feather making them a great choice
for mature or thin lips.


Formula
As mentioned on numerous occasions both are lipstick hybrids - a mix of lipstick an balm.
I know most will say what makes these different from a typical tinted lip balm?
Well they are far less mess and have a firmness that tinted balms don't ,
not to mention through general experience they are far more pigmented than any tinted balm I own.
All of the L'Oreal Caresse Lipsticks are shimmer free with a glossy finish,
where as the Revlon Lip Butters do vary in formula depending on the shade,
some have a shimmer/glitter finish and others are plain glossy.
I found the glossy ones to be the better option as I have an aversion to frosted lipsticks
particularly the lighter shades which it seems to be in this line!
The Revlon Lip Butters are slightly more glossy than the L'Oreal Caresse formula
at least where the regular no shimmer lip butter formula is concerned.



Moisture Levels
Yes they are both fairly moisturising but I did find the L'Oreal to have more of a balm quality
than the Revlon formula did, I also found some of the Revlon Lip Butters to be a tad drying
with prolonged use - this only applies to the shimmer shades the glossy ones did not have this problem.
If moisture is your main concern I would suggest going with L'Oreal Caresse.


Availability 
L'Oreal wins this hands down, I can easily source these even in my local supermarket,
where as I found the Revlon Lip Butters to be the opposite, shops were slow to roll them out
and as they were in such demand they are scarce even when a Lip Butter stand can be found.
I imagine once all the hype dies down the Revlon Lip Butters will be fairly easy to pick up
but I guess only time will tell!

I like both formulas for various reasons -
I prefer the shades in the L'Oreal Caresse range as they are more me
and I really like the lip balm feel this formula has
but I prefer Revlon for the bright shades, variation of formula and lasting power.

I hope this long winded post helps somewhat and if you have anything to add
do go ahead and leave it in the comment section :)