While not a fan of matte lipstick, I’d roll out the Red Carpet for the Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lip Color

As much as I decry matte lipstick, there’s one specific lip colour I wear, and enjoy wearing, that often grabs attention. It is, incredibly for me, a matte lip colour.

I’d been playing around with the Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lip Color for a while. I am a big fan of the Luxe Lip Colour, which has a beautiful creamy finish.

The Luxe Matte Lip Color was going to be everything I did not look for in a lipstick LOL! 😀

Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lip Color – Matte, Full Coverage, Opaque colours

For someone who enjoys using creamy lip colours, the Luxe Matte Lip Color takes some getting used to.

It comes in beautiful matte gold packaging with good heft. The lipstick looks just like the regular Bobbi Brown Luxe Lip Colour, except it has a flat matte gold colour instead. I personally like the look as it does look quite elegant.

Bobbi Brown says that the lip colour has oil-infused powders and matte powder pigments. The colour is supposed to translate on lips as a full coverage, opaque colour, with a powdery matte finish.

When you look at the bullet of the lipstick, you can almost imagine the velvety finish on skin.

Due to the texture, I find that the texture of the lipstick in the bullet is a little dry. It can take a little more effort to apply on lips, especially when it’s new. After using it for a while, and if you use it more regularly, it is easier to apply.

The opacity of the colour however, is admirable.

When I swatch the lighter shades like Tawny Pink and Bitten Peach on my lips, it quite literally blots out the original colour, and lays down a full coverage, opaque lip colour instead. It’s great for those who like a punchy sort of lip colour.

Colour swatches are unreliable

Unfortunately for those who have to depend on online shopping, I have to say that the Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lip Color is a tricky one. The swatches on the website do not translate to how they really look on skin.

The other tricky bit is that the colours look deeper and more dull in the tube, as opposed to when worn on lips. It is therefore tricky to eyeball the colour in store as well.

When I first looked at the colors in tube, I was quite uninterested. It was only after I actually put them on, that I found myself appreciating it better.

Lightweight and comfortable on lips but has its pitfalls

Despite the opacity and high pigment, I found it impressive that the Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lip Color sits lightly on lips. It does not weigh it down, and I can comfortably say that I don’t even quite feel it when it’s worn.

The reason I abhor matte lipstick however, is because it has a tendency to be dry and drying, to accentuate lip lines, and for colours to make lips look flat and uninteresting.

The Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lip Color isn’t perfect in this regard.

While I do not find it particularly drying, It can feel that way after a few hours. It does not cause my lips to flake or chap. However, if you have lined lips, it can accentuate lip lines.

I don’t wear a lip balm underneath (you can) but I sometimes dab a little Crushed Liquid Lip Color on top for better comfort, and to make the colour look a little more interesting.

What it has going for it however, is the way the colours are formulated. It sits on lips, making lips look velvety, but it doesn’t look too flat and dull.

I personally also find it fairly longlasting, especially the brighter/deeper shades. It will mark cups but I find that it stays put long enough through meals, without wearing off patchily.

From what I read, many people complain about it not being longwearing enough. Personally, I have no truck with longwearing lip colours. If I have to wear a lipstick for a few hours on end, I’d just re-apply. How hard is that to do, really 😛

Here are the 4 colors I was gifted, and I’ll tell you which is my favourite, and which was a surprise hit for me 🙂

• Tawny Pink – Tawny Pink looks like a dark mauve in the tube. Very uninteresting and not pink at all. On lips, there is a purple tint, and while it isn’t unflattering, it isn’t a colour I’d voluntarily wear. It is a fairly safe neutral lip colour however.
• Bitten Peach – In tube, it looks like a dull pastel coral. I wasn’t thinking of even trying it as I abhor pastel lip shades. Much to my surprise, this turned out to be a sleeper hit! It looks brighter when worn, and makes me look bright and young which is always a good thing! LOL!
• Red Carpet – Red Carpet is the colour that gets me compliments all the time, whether in person or in photos. It is a true red that isn’t too bright, but is elegant. A colour I’d pick to wear on the red carpet quite easily. It is also very bold and very in your face. A colour I wear, when I want to make an impact, have a lip colour that lasts and does not travel.
• Burnt Cherry – In tube, it looks like a flat dark plum shade. On lips, it is a red with plum tones that is quite flattering. A few years ago, I would happily wear this. Today, I tend to wear lighter lip colours so as beautiful as this colour is, it isn’t one I wear often anymore.

I think you can see how opaque and bold the colours are. These are quite literally done with just one swipe straight from the tube. You do have to watch your lip line, as it is so opaque that it can easily run out of line.

There is very little shine, as you can probably tell. Yet, it doesn’t look flat. Up close, you will definitely see the lip lines, especially if you already have it.

Also, if you have flaky or dry lips, these will not be the lipsticks to go for. Instead, go for the Crushed Lip Color or Crushed Liquid Lip Color. Those are kind to lips and look flattering.

I don’t wear matte lip colours very much. Thus far, I’d only touch the Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet, and now these Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte. There are many similarities between the two formula, which might explain why I am comfortable wearing these.

But when it comes to lip colours, I am otherwise all about shine 😀

IN A NUTSHELL

The Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lip Color is a full coverage, opaque, bold, lip colour in matte formula. It is lightweight on lips, and longlasting. It may however, feel drying for some, and it can accentuate lip lines (all matte lipsticks do) The colours are hard to eyeball from online swatches or from the tube. But they are generally flattering and rich with a velvety finish. If you want to make an impact, get Red Carpet – it is the perfect true red!

PROS:
High impact bold colours
Lightweight on lips
Not too drying
Lasts a long time without fading

CONS:
Can accentuate lip lines
Potentially drying
Hard to buy without testing as colours look different in tube

WHO WILL LIKE THIS: Anyone who enjoys using matte lip colours and want bold, opaque colours

PRICE: RM111 | US$37

WHERE TO BUY: Bobbi Brown stores and counters, Lookfantastic, Adore Beauty, Nordstrom, Sephora, Selfridges

Have you tried these Bobbi Brown Luxe Matte Lip Colors? Do you wear matte lipstick?

I don’t, if I can help it. But occasionally, I break out the mattes, especially when I want something that will last and not travel. When I get home after that, I make sure I treat my lips to a nice lip mask though! LOL 😀

Paris B

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