After all this lecturing and posturing I’ve been up to recently about national identity and proper behaviour before events, I felt like doing a frivolous little post on something very unintellectual. And I believe I’ve succeeded spectacularly in this with my choice of the subject.

I planned to write about Chanel’s new stick-type lipsticks that I’m dying to try, but they have not yet landed in Belgium. What have landed, however, are the new Juicy Shakers (yes, indeed) by Lancome. These are tinted lip oils in the vein of the YSL ones launched last year: Juicy Tubes for the Instagram age.

The oils come in little (see raspberry for size, the lollipops are minis) shaker-shaped containers and are applied with a soft cushion applicator, something I truly enjoy. The colours are not very sophisticated and the scents even less so (fruit and more fruit, with some cupcake thrown in), but they are all fun. Juicy Shakers feel very comfortable, make your lips look nice and are completely non-sticky: so unlike with the legendary Juicy Tubes, all your hair will not be stuck to your mouth. As a downside, they have hardly any lasting power – but it’s anyway all about getting your shakers out with the girls, reapplying and giggling, so I don’t see the lack of persistence as a major issue in this case. As you would expect, the finish is shiny and sheer and will soon wear down to a stain.

Lisa Eldridge has done a possibly slightly over-enthusiastic video about what these are and how to apply them. In a nutshell, you shake to mix the oil and the pigment, you dab the liquid on the lips with the sponge – I just use it as I would any other lip product and go back and forth with the applicator. But in case you’re trying to build up colour, dabbing might help. Somewhat. Don’t expect too much, especially with the lighter shades.

These are so new that they may not yet be available in some countries. All-in-all, there are 13 permanent colours and one limited edition shade (in mint!). I got the imaginatively named Berry in Love (a berry pink, the darkest colour) and Berry Tale (a bright pink-red-coral). I absolutely don’t need them, but am thrilled nevertheless and have reapplied about 784 times today. Carry in the bottom of your backpack with some bubble gum and stickers.