Liquid Lips — High-Shine Liquid Lipstick
Intense colour that erupts on the lips like molten lava. Six volcanic shades delivered via a precision click-pen brush — non-sticky, non-feathering, peppermint-fresh, and among the first luxury liquid lipsticks ever made.
The Vesuvius Liquid Lips has been discontinued. Individual click-pen shades appear on eBay — Vesuvian Bare and Vesuvian Candy are the most frequently listed. The hot-pink-label black click-pen packaging is distinctive. We recommend the alternatives below as your best ongoing options.
Vesuvius launched around early 2014 as one of the first luxury liquid lipsticks to market — predating the category's mainstream explosion. Lola's Secret Beauty Blog noted this directly: "liquid lipsticks have become among the most talked about lipstick formulas, but the one that isn't being talked about as much as it should be is Lipstick Queen's Liquid Lipstick — that was, incidentally, around before the trend gained such traction." The product arrived in a slim click-pen barrel with a brush applicator — twist the base to dispense the formula — in six shades named after volcanic phenomena: Vesuvian Coral (bright fiery coral), Vesuvian Blush (smoldering natural peach), Vesuvian Bare (shimmering gold-nude), Vesuvian Candy (warm elegant pink), Vesuvian Fuchsia (scorching hot pink), Vesuvian Red (burning scarlet red).
The formula was immediately distinguished by two qualities unusual for a liquid lipstick: it was not matte (a high sheen rather than a dry-down finish), and it contained Peppermint Oil — a stimulating, refreshing active that gave the formula its distinctive cooling sensation and natural breath-freshening quality. Lola's Secret Beauty Blog confirmed: "the Peppermint Oil makes this a very refreshing liquid lipstick, but it is neither overpowering, nor does it cause any discomfort for sensitive lips. The scent does fade soon upon application." The concept was the disco era — "when creating this unique formulation, Poppy wanted to recreate the excitement of the disco era" (InTruBeauty).
Vesuvius arrived in early 2014 as Lipstick Queen's entry into what would become the defining lip product category of the next five years: the liquid lipstick. The brand's claim — "Poppy King has created Vesuvius, the world's most luxurious liquid lipstick" — was made at a time when the category had not yet reached mass-market saturation. The timing mattered. As Lola's Secret Beauty Blog observed, Vesuvius "was incidentally around before the trend gained such traction." Kylie Jenner's liquid lip launch, which detonated the category into mainstream consciousness, came in 2015. Vesuvius was there first.
The volcano metaphor was structural, not decorative. The click-pen dispenser twisted from the base to force the liquid formula up through the brush — and, as British Beauty Blogger noted with the dry precision of long experience, the name was appropriate: "if you are too enthusiastic on the twist, you'll get far more than you bargained for. My advice is to twist gently, and even when the brush still looks white, wait a few seconds for the liquid to emerge." The volcano erupted on command — or involuntarily, if you pushed too hard. The packaging was more honest about its concept than most liquid lipstick applicators.
The inspiration was the disco era — a period of maximum glamour, high shine, and unapologetic statement beauty. InTruBeauty: "when creating this unique formulation, Poppy wanted to recreate the excitement of the disco era." The six shades covered the full disco-glamour spectrum: a shimmering nude (Bare) that recalled the mirrors of the dance floor, through to a burning scarlet red (Red) that embodied peak Studio 54. Lola's Secret Beauty Blog summed up the experience: "I love the formula, finish and color! If you love liquid lipsticks, then you owe it to yourself to try Lipstick Queen Vesuvius Liquid Lipsticks."
Every shade was named with a volcanic descriptor — "burning," "smoldering," "scorching," "fiery" — mapping the spectrum of heat and intensity onto a spectrum of colour from shimmering nude to burning red.
The Vesuvius packaging was a significant departure from the wand-in-pot liquid lipstick format that most competitors used. The product came in a slim barrel — black with a hot-pink VESUVIUS label band — with a brush applicator built into the tip and a twist mechanism at the base that forced the formula up through the brush on demand.
The brush applicator's precision was consistently praised. Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: "I love the brush applicator and the twist dispenser because it is handy, self-contained, and perfect for travel." Never Say Die Beauty compared it favourably to the discontinued Milani Power Lips format — the same pen-with-brush architecture that made precise, no-mirror application possible. The formula's non-feathering quality worked in tandem with the brush precision: together, they eliminated the need for a lip liner in most cases. The 0.08 oz / 2.4 ml capacity was more than adequate for the highly pigmented formula, where a single drop covered both lips.
The Vesuvius formula made two significant departures from the liquid lipstick conventions of its era. First: it was not matte. At a time when liquid lipsticks were defined by their dry-down matte finish, Vesuvius delivered a high sheen — British Beauty Blogger: "not a high gloss finish, more a high sheen, I would say, but the colour saturation is amazing." This was a deliberate aesthetic choice and a technical one: the Polybutene and Jojoba Seed Oil base kept the formula flexible and shining rather than setting to a dry film.
The base was Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil and Polybutene — two lightweight emollients that together gave the formula its slick, gliding application without stickiness. Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil was the structural wax, providing the formula's body and lip adhesion. Silica was the texture modifier. Ascorbyl Palmitate was the oil-soluble Vitamin C antioxidant — the same stable C derivative as in the Frog Prince and other LQ formulas, protecting both the formula and the lips. Tocopherol (direct Vitamin E) completed the antioxidant complex. The formula was described as hydrating and long-lasting by most reviewers — though Never Say Die Beauty noted it was not among the longest-wearing of all liquid lipsticks, and suggested layering over Too Faced Lip Insurance for extended wear.
As confirmed at Beauty Bridge (Vesuvian Candy and Bare) and Lola's Secret Beauty Blog:
Vesuvian Candy (confirmed full list)
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Polybutene, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Silica, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Linalool, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C), Cinnamyl Alcohol, Eugenol, Geraniol, Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Carmine (CI 75470), Mica (CI 77019), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).
Vesuvian Bare · Vesuvian Blush · Vesuvian Coral (pigments vary; base identical)
Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Polybutene, Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil, Silica, Limonene, Phenoxyethanol, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Oil, Linalool, Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C), Citral, Eugenol, Geraniol, [Mica, Iron Oxides, Titanium Dioxide, Carmine — as appropriate per shade. Coral uses Red 6 Lake (CI 15850) as primary pigment.]
Highlighted ingredients are key actives. Jojoba Seed Oil is the primary emollient — a lightweight liquid wax structurally similar to human sebum, providing conditioning without heaviness. Polybutene is the gloss base providing the high shine/sheen finish and keeping the formula fluid. Hydrogenated Cottonseed Oil is the structural wax providing body and lip adhesion. Peppermint Oil (Mentha Piperita) is the formula's signature active — cooling, refreshing, breath-freshening. Ascorbyl Palmitate is the oil-soluble Vitamin C antioxidant (not Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate — this is the simpler palmitate form). Tocopherol (not Tocopheryl Acetate) is the direct Vitamin E antioxidant. Limonene, Linalool, Cinnamyl Alcohol/Citral, Eugenol, and Geraniol are the aromatic components derived from the natural peppermint essential oil and associated terpenes — required to be listed individually under EU cosmetics regulations. Silica provides texture smoothing.
Three liquid lip products that capture Vesuvius's core virtues — the high-shine (not matte) finish, the hydrating non-sticky formula, and the bold pigmentation in a precise applicator.
For fans of Vesuvius's defining quality — a liquid lip product that delivers bold colour with a high-shine, non-matte, non-sticky finish — Charlotte Tilbury Collagen Lip Bath is the closest premium equivalent in the current market. Like Vesuvius, it explicitly rejects the dry-down matte that the category became associated with; like Vesuvius, it delivers full pigmentation in a comfortable, cushioned, glossy format; and like Vesuvius Bare specifically, it can be used as a topcoat over other lip colours to add a luminous dimension. The formula is hydrating throughout wear, and the shade range covers the Vesuvius spectrum from nude to vivid pink to red.
For fans of Vesuvian Candy and Vesuvian Blush — the warm pinks and peachy nudes that Vesuvius delivered best — Rare Beauty Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil provides the closest ongoing equivalent in the warm-toned, non-matte liquid lip category. Like Vesuvius, it is explicitly positioned against the matte trend; like Vesuvius, it is hydrating, comfortable, and non-sticky; and it comes in a comparable slim applicator format with a brush tip for precise application. The Candy and Blush positions in the Vesuvius range map directly onto Rare Beauty's warm-pink and peach shade positions.
For fans of Vesuvian Red and Vesuvian Fuchsia — the bold, statement-making ends of the Vesuvius spectrum — NARS Afterglow Lip Shine delivers comparable bold pigmentation in a high-shine, hydrating format. Like Vesuvius, NARS Afterglow is explicitly not a matte — the brand positions it as a high-shine alternative — and like Vesuvius, it provides full coverage in a comfortable, non-drying formula. NARS Orgasm in its bold-red and vivid-pink formulations covers the Red and Fuchsia positions most precisely, and the NARS precision applicator is comparable to the Vesuvius click-pen brush in accuracy of application.
"Vesuvius Liquid Lips is genius — from the ultra-flattering shades to the hydrating and minty formula, this pigmented wonder is an utter joy to apply. Since receiving them, Candy and Bare have not left my purse."
Vesuvian Candy is a creamy, light warm pink with absolutely no shimmer. The tiniest drop is enough to generously cover the entire lip area and its minty, nourishing formula lasts hour upon hour. Vesuvian Bare is a pearlescent champagne beige that gleams on its own and is breathtaking over darker colors. Both shades work in tandem to brighten the face and nourish the lips — they are simply stunning. I highly recommend Vesuvius for lips of epic proportions.
"The formula really does feel like lipstick liquified — the first of the liquid lipsticks to truly do so. It's not a high gloss finish, more a high sheen, but the colour saturation is amazing. Twist gently — the name Vesuvius is very appropriate."
The saturated colours are deposited using the brush system — twist from the bottom and the liquid lipstick will appear. If you are too enthusiastic on the twist, you'll get far more than you bargained for. My advice is to twist gently and wait a few seconds for the liquid to emerge even when the brush still looks white. Full-on colour other than Vesuvian Bare which is a shimmering golden shade I would use as a topcoat. From left to right: Vesuvian Coral, Vesuvian Blush, Vesuvian Bare, Vesuvian Candy, Vesuvian Fuchsia and Vesuvian Red.
"The Peppermint Oil makes this a very refreshing liquid lipstick — not overpowering, no discomfort for sensitive lips. The scent fades soon upon application. Ultra-comfortable, has the perfect amount of cushion. Stunning over a berry lipstick."
Vesuvian Bare is a beautiful golden vanilla that can be worn alone or can top any of your favourite lipsticks. It boasts a lovely long-wearing formula that neither feathers, nor bleeds. It has a beautiful shiny, shimmering finish that is ultra-flattering, and it isn't in the least bit sticky. The Jojoba Seed Oil moisturises the lips while the Vitamin E protects the skin. I love the brush applicator and the twist dispenser because it is handy, self-contained, and perfect for travel. This is absolutely stunning over a berry lipstick — that's my favourite combination.