Hi there everyone, I’m Retro Dee and Welcome to Doing Your Makeup Vintage!
Way back in the Spring, I showcased the second group of 9 lipsticks being offered on the current market which replicate the bold, red-colored lips that were so popular in the 1950’s.
The upcoming Holidays are a great time wear a bright, retro-red hue. There are a very many, seemingly countless amount of red lipsticks on today’s market. So without further ado, here are The Next Nine red lipsticks I’ve tried this year:
1. Besamé Lipstick in “Victory Red”
We ended the last review with Besamé, so now let’s begin with another one of their famous red shades called “Victory Red”. This shade was inspired by the War-Time reds of 1941, so not exactly the 1950’s, but as we know, bold reds continued on loud and strong into the next decade. They say it has a neutral base, and it does. Unlike “American Beauty” which I reviewed last time, “Victory Red” doesn’t have a blue undertone, nor is it too orange. It’s definitely a bright, in-your-face red . I really like this shade! My only complaint is the shape of the bullet which makes it hard to apply. Granted, the shape replicates vintage lipstick, but it’s still not practical.
Price Point: Medium ($24 USD)
Overall Rating: 7.5
2. Clinique Pop: Lipcolor and Primer in “Peppermint Pop”
Last time, I also reviewed a Clinique Pop shade in “Icon Pop”. I liked the non-drying formula, so I was hoping that “Peppermint Pop” would give me a truer, brighter red. But no. This is a berry red, that’s more of a berry than red. Nothing is more annoying than a berry that says it’s a red. Perhaps Clinique got the message, because they have all new shades now including “Passion Pop” which looks like it might be a true red, but I’m not sure I want to take that risk again.
Price Point: Medium ($20 USD)
Overall Rating: 6
3. Beauty Bakerie Cake Pop Lippie in “Apple Açai”
With its “sweets” theme, this Beauty Bakerie lipstick looked yummy. I purchased the mini size to give it a try. I was expecting this, of all formulas on the market, to be sweetly scented. But alas, there is no scent. It’s slightly more of a red shade than a berry shade, but it’s definitely not a true red. Calling it “Apple Açai” is a bit misleading, since it’s for sure not an apple red. The formula is a little drying, but note that I have very dry lips, so this is usually the case for me. The container is paper, which I don’t love, but at least it’s light-weight. Bottom line: it’s nothing special.
Price Point: Low if you get the mini size ($10 USD) I got BOGO Free, so $5/ea.
Overall Rating: 4
4. Morphe Matte Lipstick in “Lover” and “Steamy”
This brand is inexpensive enough, so I decided to try two shades. “Lover” is a watermelon red with neutral undertones and “Steamy” is cherry red with blue undertones. This is honestly the strangest formula I’ve ever tried in a lipstick, but that’s not to say it’s bad. It tugs a lot when it goes on, but it’s a true matte that stays where you put it and doesn’t smudge. It wiped off in one swipe when I ate, but that is actually a good thing because it didn’t make a mess. And, surprisingly enough, it did NOT dry my lips out. I’d say this lipstick is a good deal for the price point, and the packaging makes it look a lot more expensive than it is.
Price Point: Low at $12 ea., but I got them on sale for only $6 ea.
Overall Rating: 6
5. Colourpop Lux Lipstick Disney Designer Collection “Snow White”
The packaging for this is gorgeous! I didn’t want to throw the box away. The lipstick shade is a deep, rich red. It goes on creamy, with good color payoff. This is more of a cream formula, not a matte. It’s an amazingly great lipstick for the price. I also like how it pays homage to one of the most classic, Disney Princesses and her timeless, red lips.
Price Point: Low ($9 USD)
Overall Rating: 7.5
6. Make Up Forever: Artist Rouge M401 “Hot Red”
Somewhat heavy case, but good quality. The tip is extra pointy, however that doesn’t make application easier like one might think. It doesn’t go on all that smoothly, however it gives you sculpting control, something like liquid lipstick does. The color is a vibrant, true red. It has great color payoff and finishes as a lovely, rich retro-matte. Made in Italy.
Price Point: Medium, retails for $22 but purchased on sale for just $11
Overall Rating: 7.5
7. Dior – Rouge Dior Ultra Care Lipstick in “999 Bloom”
When you open this you will immediately notice that it’s a tiny tube within the standard sized one. The “CD” logo is embedded as a moisturizer within the lipstick color itself. If you swatch this before you put it on, you won’t get a good idea of what it’s going to be, because the pearly moisturizer will mix with the lip color. The red is a bright red, with slightly yellow undertones. You have to apply several layers to get the full depth of the color. Once on, it’s fairly matte, and not all that moisturizing like it claims. The color payoff is so-so… and the price is unreasonable. Yes, I know Dior is for rich folks, which clearly does not describe me. However, I still feel this lipstick is over-priced, considering how much you have to use and how little product you actually get. I have to say, this was a disappointment. It’s not the Grand Central Station of disappointments, but I definitely expected more.
Price Point: High $38
Overall Rating: 5
8. Lipstick Queen: Sinner “Red”
This is a very bright, tomato red. It leans more toward warm than cool. The formula is just so-so. I expected smoother application and less of a tomato hue. I expected something magical from a red by a company that calls itself “Lipstick Queen”. Maybe I was expecting too much. But the bottom line is, it’s not something I’m inspired to reach for time and time again.
Price Point: Medium, retails for $24, but purchased on sale for $12
Overall Rating: 5
9. Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick: “Red Carpet Red”
I’ve heard so many good things about this lipstick, I finally had to try it. The first thing I noticed is that this color is much brighter on than it appears in the tube. It’s definitely a true, “Hollywood’s Golden Age” shade of red. The shape of the lipstick itself makes it easier to apply than the standard shape, and the formula goes on smooth, however I’d definitely recommend lining your lips first. It feels good on and the rich color pay-off looks great. I wish I could say it didn’t make my lips dry, but like I mentioned I have very dry lips, so I wouldn’t judge it based on that. It’s a great higher-end lipstick and I’m glad I got it! So overall I’d say that if you don’t mind spending a bit more, and you’re thinking of giving a Charlotte Tilbury lipstick a try, go for it. And if you can get it on sale, it’s worth every penny.
Price Point: High, retails for $34, but purchased on sale for $23.80
Overall Rating: 8
BONUS REVIEW!
KVD Everlasting liquid lipstick in “Outlaw”
These days wearing lipstick can be tricky if you’re going out and wearing a mask (like you should be!) There’s just no way to wear a regular lipstick (even a matte one) without it getting all over your mask and making a big mess. I began to look into smudge-proof lipstick, hoping I’d find one that might work with a mask. After a disastrous trial with Anastasia Beverly Hills’ lousy lip stain, I bought a mini of the new KVD Everlasting Lipstick in their brightest red color, “Outlaw”. To my delight, it goes on smoothly, has great color payoff and dries down completely so it doesn’t transfer! It looks great and stays put and is not too drying on the lips (and I have dry lips)! Removal is easy and it doesn’t stain. Definitely mask-worthy! I highly recommend this as an alternative to regular lipstick. (I bought it in 4 more colors!)
Price Point: Low, if you get the mini size $11
Overall Rating: 9
There you have it, the next 9 red lipsticks I’ve reviewed.
You might also like my first 2 lipstick reviews: Doing Your Makeup Vintage: 9 Great Retro Reds and… 9 MORE Retro Inspired Red Lipsticks .
You can follow me here on WordPress and on Twitter @RealRetroDee and on Instagram @mariepascal82
– Retro Dee
Disclaimer: I DO NOT get paid or compensated in any way for endorsing any companies or products, nor am I affiliated with any companies or products. All opinions are my own.
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