It was one of those days where I was cleaning out my vanity. Getting rid of things I don’t use, empties, and products that I will never use. So, when I got to my lipstick stash, that’s when I realized I like very particular shades of red….. Shades that are practically the same! All bought at different times and different price ranges. I’m talking a difference of $8-$24! That’s a big gap in the price for basically the same shade of red. I’m going to name these 3 best lipsticks shades and you can decide which one is worth your money!
Lowest Price
This red-lipstick comes in at the lowest price of the three, at $8. This lipstick is Spicy by NYX Suede and is super affordable. The application goes on smoothly and is creamier than the other two. I think that helps to make my lips feel moisturized and I appreciate that. To preface, the formula isn’t so creamy that it melts on but it’s just easier to glide on your lips. The wear is pretty good for a lipstick this low in price! Some typical fading after normal use – eating, drinking. I would recommend reapplying after eating/drinking because the middle wears out a lot more than the outer corners. If I wasn’t planning on eating anything and drinking out of a straw, this is a great affordable product! So overall, I’m impressed by the wear. Removal is relatively easy and smooth too. No stain or remenants the day after.
Lipstick-O-meter
I’m rating this lipstick an 8 because while I like that it’s creamier and that it doesn’t suffocate my lips, after eating or drinking I definitely feel the need to reapply. This is a lipstick you’ll need to bring out with you to keep it looking fresh. However, this is a great affordable lipstick if you aren’t going to be eating where you wear this to!
Medium Price
This next shade of red is Russian Red by MAC. Firstly, I just love this shade of red. While the “NYX spicy” is slightly a lighter/brighter red, I like that this one is deeper. Of the three, this one is definitely the deepest, darkest red. The formula in this MAC lipstick is firmer than the NYX but I like that because I can make a more precise outline of my lips in my application. The wear on this holds up really well! Again, with normal eating/drinking, this one practically doesn’t move. One thing I want to mention is that my lips do feel slightly dry after a long night of wear. I do like to brighten it back up but you could also choose not to and no one would notice. The removal of this one is slightly more difficult since it dries a bit more but nothing a little makeup wipe can’t handle.
Lipstick-O-meter
I’m giving this one a solid 9 because I like to be super confident my lipstick is staying put. I don’t mind the mild dryness my lips feel after a night of wear if the pigment is still there. Even after eating, I don’t feel the need to reapply. So its okay to forget this one at home after getting ready!
High Price
My first ever bright red lipstick! This is Red Lizard by NARS and it goes for $25. I couldn’t find it at Sephora or Ulta but you can find it straight from the website in new red packaging! I don’t know if the formula has changed but let me give you some tea. Let me be clear here. I LOVE this lipstick. The formula is freaking powerful and is a smear, smudge, and waterproof. It is theee longest-lasting red lipstick I have ever worn and it makes me feel so pretty and confident. Now, because this is so long-lasting and is essentially everything proof… It makes my lips feel SO dehydrated that they themselves need a glass of water.
The Removal
While I love the shade and the long-wear, removing this bad boy off my lips is a dramatic experience. Clearly, by the photo, I have worn this plenty of times. So, my best tip to remove this sucker is to soak a cotton round in coconut oil, then rub it all over your lips. Then repeat. Yes, the repeat is necessary… Probably a total of 3-4 rounds of coconut oil! Then take your makeup wipe and wipe off the rest. When I’m telling you your lips will dry out, you will notice the red-pigmented dry cracks in your lips. Then after showering, I go in with another makeup wipe and my lips are def a swollen clean mess, but it’s finally all off at this point!
Lipstick-O-meter
I’m rating this one an 8 for the exact opposite reason of the NYX brand. I like knowing that I won’t need to reapply and I can trust that after eating, drinking, talking all night, that this lipstick will stay put. However….. The cleanup game is so dramatic and time-consuming it drops this rating down to an 8.
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In conclusion, my best recommendation is the MAC lipstick. It stays on great, isn’t too drying, and is painless to take off. However, if you are going somewhere casual and don’t plan on eating or drinking much, the NYX is a great affordable option!
Let me know what you think in the comments below, or what you want to see next!
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Hannah ^
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