four red lipstick reviews

Aug312011

It was for research, darling! Research! That’s why I had to spend $65 on red lipstick! There are people out there who, like me, simply cannot find the perfect lipstick. I am trying to help them. That is how kind I am.

Helping people is fun.

Thank you all for your comments on my previous post about red lipstick and my ongoing battle with it. After reading your advice, I decided to splurge and buy four different brands of red lipstick, try them all out and post about which I like and which I didn’t. It was actually really fun, but then again I love makeup and spending money.

All the brands I tried are from Sephora, which means they could be considered high-end. While I’m not opposed to drugstore makeup, I’ve found very few products that are high-quality and still cheap, especially with lipstick. I am a firm believer in paying for what you get, so I decided to stick with more expensive brands for this test. I have never tried any of these specific shades before, so I had no idea if they would work for me or not.

This photo session was only possible after I used about a pound of foundation and concealer to cover the Zit That Will Not Die.

Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick, Passion Red, $12

This was the cheapest of my purchases, and it was also my least favorite. Part of that had to do with it being so dark. I gravitate toward lighter reds than this – the color was a deep cranberry brick red. This lipstick smudged so easily, which led to me looking like I had just drank a bunch of Kool-Aid instead of put on red lipstick. Not a moisturizing lipstick either, which was a mark down for me. Definitely not worth the money.

Clinique Long Last Soft Shine lipstick, All Heart, $14.50

I took my friend Lora’s advice and purchased Clinique’s lipstick. (Lora has an amazing fashion sense and is also a killer writer. I love her and you will too. I mean, her blog is named Madam Donut for godsakes!) All Heart is an almost-sheer cherry red that has a very light, smooth texture. I remember now why I love Clinique. This lipstick stayed on and didn’t overpower my light skin. I can’t believe it was only $2 more expensive than Sephora’s version – because it was much nicer to wear.

Benefit Full Finish Lipstick, Flirt Alert, $18

Easily my favorite lipstick, but then I knew it might be. Benefit’s lipsticks are all very moist – perfect if you’re more used to wearing glosses. Flirt Alert was slightly darker than All Heart, which I liked. It was all about the texture with this one. Lipsticks tend to dry my lips out, but Benefit’s always make mine feel healthy and smooth. The color brightened my blue eyes and brought out the slight pink in my cheeks. Worth the money.

Buxom Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish, Betty, $18

I cheated a little on my last review – it isn’t technically for a lipstick. Instead it’s for a gloss. I am a much bigger fan of glosses, since I think they tend to last longer after application, and Buxom is one of my favorite brands. My mom and I call it Botox lipstick for a reason – the mint in this gloss will make your lips cool and pucker, and appear slightly fuller. The color is a deep glossy red that I wouldn’t wear every day, but I’ll definitely bring out for special occasions.