Mattes For Measure

Continuing on from my Revlon Super Lustrous (crème finish) and Revlon ColorBurst lipstick posts, I have this final installment featuring my collection of Revlon matte lipsticks. Nothing is more validating than when Queen Lisa Eldridge lists the Revlon matte lipsticks among her High Street/Drugstore Makeup Favourites. In her words, the lipsticks are "very wearable, not drying, comfortable to wear on the lips, long-lasting, and the colours have been really editorial." Matte lipsticks are notoriously drying and I find that the texture of these inconsistent in terms of how forgiving they are on the lips. I normally apply a thin layer of lip balm (Maybelline Baby Lips in Relieving Menthol) to prime my lips first for best results.

Sky Pink (012)
One of the very first lipsticks I bought when I started to delve deeper into makeup. I believe I even paid full price (!!), which was $21.95 (though to be fair, it was to redeem some gift with purchase, but still). This light, yellow-based pink is exactly the kind of shade I remain obsessed with, despite it usually not working for my sallow Asian complexion. I need flawless, pale skin to pull this off. The colour payoff isn't great, especially on my already pigmented lips. I found it emphasised lip lines and sat on top of my lips, rather than sinking in. I had to work the colour in with my fingers. It might be smoother and more hydrating with a gloss over the top.

Pink Pout (002)
Rumoured to be a dupe of MAC Snob (or even MAC Angel), Pink Pout is a cool mauve-pink. It's very similar in colour to Revlon Super Lustrous lipstick in Primrose, but I prefer the formulation of Primrose to Pink Pout. On my lips, it appears more like a muted, dusty pink that could almost pass as a nude. The texture and pigmentation were considerably better than Sky Pink — much creamier and melded into the lips better.

Smoked Peach (013)
Bit of a strange one. It's a retro, nudeish orange with almost a fluoro, burnt edge. Despite being a matte lipstick, it contains quite a noticeable silver pearl that I dislike. Overall, the colour just looks very unnatural against my skin tone, which is why I don't find myself reaching for it much, despite my preoccupation with coral/peach shades in general. I found it to be relatively drying and a bit chalky as well.

Mauve It Over (003)
Brownish rose colour, a bit too tan and dark on my lips to be a true MLBB shade. I would prefer if it were more rosy, perhaps a bit pinker, and lighter. Combined with the matte texture, I personally find the shade looks quite mature on me. I like fresher, juicier, more youthful shades. Still, this is a good pick for something work-appropriate and conservative. The formulation is one of the best from this matte line.

Pink About It (004)
Reddish, coral pink that's not too loud or bright. It perks up the face, but still remains more on the subdued side. There's a dustiness to it that prevents it from being super vivid and intense. Very similar to Sportsgirl Rosie Posie, also a matte lipstick, but Rosie Posie is lighter, brighter, more pink and less red. Like most brights, works best with minimal eyes and fresh, luminous skin.

Strawberry Suede (005)
Probably the only shade you really need from this line, and infamously discontinued. Of the six Revlon matte lipsticks I have, Strawberry Suede has the best pigmentation, the most vivid colour and applies the most smoothly to the lips. It happens to be one of my favourite reds. I find that orange-leaning reds like Strawberry Suede are more playful and summery than blue-based reds, which tend to be more dramatic and serious. The matte finish makes the bright colour seem more polished and gives the impression I put in much more effort to apply it than I did. With a slick of balm underneath, it appears to have a subtle sheen.

l-r: Sky Pink, Pink Pout, Smoked Peach, Mauve It Over, Pink About It, Strawberry Suede

l-r (top row to bottom): Sky Pink, Pink Pout, Smoked Peach, Mauve It Over, Pink About It, Strawberry Suede

The Revlon matte lipsticks are a bit hit and miss, but I still enjoy having Sky Pink in my collection (if only to look at) and Strawberry Suede is a must. I could probably do without Smoked Peach (not the most flattering shade on me) or Pink Pout (only because of its similarity to Primrose, which I prefer). Pink About It is a good pick for a bright that's not too in-your-face. Mauve It Over, despite being too brown and dark for me, is still worthwhile having as I feel it is a timeless neutral, especially for those with lips that aren't as naturally pigmented as mine.