Review + Swatches: The Maybelline Powder Matte Lipstick
Lipstick is the last thing I apply on my face before I leave the house. It's the final puzzle piece to my look and it determines so much of how I want to express myself for the day! That's a lot of pressure to put on just a single cosmetic product, I know, but that's the beauty of lipstick. You can always change your mind.
Anyway, this review is rather late as I've had these lipsticks since March, I think. The Maybelline Powder Matte Lipstick (P299) made waves when it launched earlier this year because of its crazy pigmentation, silky glide, and lightweight feel despite being ultra matte. It's definitely a huge step towards making matte lipsticks more comfortable AND good formulas affordable!
Just a touch of the bullet on my lips yield a rich color and super creamy texture. It's one of those things you just have to try for you to understand what I mean. The catch? Well, the formulation is powder- and silicone-heavy; it pills right off the tube but thankfully it flattens down with no trouble. Some colors are patchy, too - the two reds I have here are not quite as even as the others when applied (this is most noticeable in the center).
Staying power is average for lipstick, at about two to three hours without eating or drinking. It doesn't quite set and can flake easily if lips aren't exfoliated and moisturized properly. Do note also that the Powder Matte doesn't fade evenly (it comes off at the center first) so you must always watch how it's wearing throughout the day.
Touch of Nude is a lovely warm nudey pink that should work for most morena skin tones. It has a strong brown undertone so it doesn't inadvertently wash out Asian skin! I like wearing this on top of lip liner to improve the staying power.
The other "everyday" shades like Make Me Blush and Mauve It Up render surprisingly far from how they look in the bullet and even the arm swatch. They're brighter, lighter; they have quite a bit of white so they appear pale on my medium yellow skin. The two reds I have, Plum Perfection and Red Noir, look almost alike. Plum Perfection is just a tad bit more blueish.
Overall, I find the Maybelline Powder Matte Lipstick a good choice for those who hate the feel of matte lipstick but like how it looks. Just make sure to retouch it as needed and to test the shade on your lips first to see how it works with your lip texture and skin color. Touch of Nude is a great pick, but then again, if you already have a similar shade, it's not quite compelling.
Have you tried this lipstick? How did you like it?
Photography from Samantha Gonzales
