Lipstick Limit, Part 2

I acknowledge the rational part of my brain stopped functioning long ago on matters relating to makeup, but how I ended up buying 4 of the new Maybelline ColorSensational Vivids lipsticks escapes me. When I first saw swatches on Tram's blog, I was comforted by the fact no particular shade was calling out to me to immediately rush out to buy. I felt like I already had a lot of the colours in my existing lipstick collection. I convinced myself that I didn't need any of them. That I'd exercise restraint. But then gradually, they began popping up on the blogs I frequent. They looked so pigmented and bright. YouTubers were talking about them. I swatched them at Priceline to see what the fuss was about. They started looking awfully tempting.

l-r: Pink Pop, Fuchsia Flash, Hot Plum, Shocking Coral

l-r (top row, then bottom row): Pink Pop, Fuchsia Flash, Shocking Coral, Hot Plum

l-r: Maybelline Pink Pop, Australis Lick the Icing

I thought Pink Pop would be very similar to Australis Lick the Icing, but it's considerably warmer and darker, which makes it a lot more wearable. It's still a theoretically unflattering shade, but one that I was hopelessly drawn to. I probably wouldn't apply multiple layers straight from the tube as it can look jarring against my yellow-toned complexion, but I like this sheered out for a cool, pale but bright purplish-pink. This one has a silver pearl to it that I didn't even notice until I took off the lipstick and saw a load of shimmer left on my lips.

l-r: Maybelline Fuchsia Flash, Revlon Lollipop, Innoxa Pink Peony, MAC Chatterbox, MAC Viva Glam Nicki

Fuchsia Flash was the one shade that I felt I didn't have any dupes of in my collection. Surprisingly, Innoxa Pink Peony is quite close, though more pink and a touch darker. It's also more matte in texture. I keep forgetting I have this lipstick given how opaque and intensely pigmented it is — I really should show it more love. Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop is a lot darker, nowhere near as bright and more purple with silver shimmer. Both MAC Chatterbox and Viva Glam Nicki are far more pink.

l-r: Maybelline Shocking Coral, Sportsgirl Fruit Tingle, Sportsgirl Rosie Posie, Revlon Melonade,

  Maybelline Mango Diamonds, Maybelline Coral Crush

Shocking Coral looked so pretty when swatched, though I was hesitant to buy it because of how many orangey-pinky-coral lipsticks I have already. It's closest to Sportsgirl Rosie Posie, though Rosie Posie is matte in texture and slightly more muted. Still, pretty damn similar. Sportsgirl Fruit Tingle, Revlon Melonade and Maybelline Mango Diamonds are all more orange, rather than pinky-red like Shocking Coral. Maybelline Coral Crush is darker and more orange-red, not as pink.

l-r: Maybelline Hot Plum, Revlon Smitten, Revlon Raspberry Pie, Australis Limited Edition 1, 

Lime Crime Airborne Unicorn

I was tossing up between Hot Plum and Vivid Rose, but since I'm on a purple/deep berry lipstick kick at the moment, I had to go with Hot Plum. It's very similar to Fuchsia Flash — they're basically the same colour but Hot Plum is a bit darker and a smidgen more purple. It's closest to Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Smitten, a shade I recently purchased during said "purple lipstick kick". Revlon Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie is darker, more of a berry red. Australis Limited Edition 1 is a dark grape. Lime Crime Airborne Unicorn is a cool-toned violet and clearly nothing like the previous shades, though it's so nifty to layer on top of any pink lipstick to make it instantly more purple. Hot Plum stains like crazy, which could be a good or bad thing, depending on what you're after.

l-r (top row, then bottom row): Pink Pop, Fuchsia Flash, Shocking Coral, Hot Plum

The only shade that I think is a standout from this range is Fuchsia Flash. The rest I probably could've done without, but being devoid of self-discipline, they're now the newest additions to my already out of control lipstick collection. Still, being relatively affordable (especially if you manage to get them on sale) "drugstore" lipsticks, they are impressive. I love how truly bright and saturated in colour they are. I've always favoured Revlon lipsticks, but Maybelline have really stepped up their game with this launch.