Have we had enough of Taylor Swift yet? No way. From the moment she dropped her pop-focused 1989, her signature red lips has been popping up all over YouTube makeup tutorials. Was it Style, Blank Space or, my newest obsession, Bad Blood? I have no idea, but it seems that with each music video releases, my collection of reds just keeps increasing. This month I found myself obsessing over my olds reds, as well as, one from MAC Cosmetics’ latest Wash & Dry collection.
1. VDL Festival Lipstick Matte Intense 607 Jared
This is not a full red, but more of a cherry with a slight orange hue. Matte lipsticks tend to be very drying (especially Matte ones from MAC), but this was surprisingly moist. It is easy to apply, filling up the creases of my lips nicely with just one coat. Even as it wears off through the day, it does so evenly leaving a cherry red tint – no need to be conscious about patchy lips during a meal!
Also, I feel very K-pop when I put this on.
2. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick Crème 725 Love That Red
Just because you want to look like a celebrity, it does not mean you have to break the bank. Watsons is one of my favourite places to stock up on new lipsticks because of Revlon. Affordable, good and they have tons of shades and finishes for your choosing.
This shade is a bright, sexy red with a pinkish tinge. Like the name says, it has a creamy, lustrous texture to it. Dry lips are not a problem with this, and it does stay well enough. The only qualm I have with this is that it does not wear off as gracefully as the others. Still, the price point makes it a great buy and re-applying it is quick and easy anyways.
3. MAC Wash and Dry Satin Steam Heat
I may be a little bias, but its packaging made it one of my favourites instantly. One of the newest addition to MAC’s seemingly endless range of reds, Steam Heat is a vivid yellow red with a satin finish.
It has strong pigments that stay throughout the day, for a good five to six hours. Going out for a meal however, may shorten its staying power quite a bit. Nevertheless, even if it wears off, it stays on as a soft tomato red that is just as attractive.
Like all of MAC’s satin series, it has a smooth consistency allowing for a velvety smooth application. It is neither drying, nor is it moisturizing. I would still bring out a tube of Ettusais Lip Essence for some quick treatment before reapplication.
4. MAC Retro Matte Ruby Woo
Revealed by Taylor Swift as her favourite red lipstick, Ruby Woo needs no further introduction.
Strong pigmentation as you would expect with MAC, and an instant upgrade to retro pin-up glamour with a swipe. This cherry red is vibrant without making you look clownish – something Love That Red might do to you if the rest of your look is not on par. Its staying power is superb, as with all MAC mattes, but entails a constant battle with chapped lips. What I love to do is put on my Lip Essence right at the start of my routine and as it gets absorb towards the end, I swiftly apply a nice coat of Ruby Woo.
5. MAC Matte Diva
There is a quick story to this shade. I did not want it at first. I came to the store with a mission – to get Sin, a deep burgundy shade with a brown undertone to achieve my vampy dreams. Sadly, it was sold out, but I was then promptly introduced to Diva, a deep burgundy with a reddish undertone. Just looking at the stump I am left with just shows how much I have fallen in love with this shade.
Extremely opaque and pigmented, it applies smoothly. As usual, it is very drying (use the trick I mentioned above) but, it is not patchy. Even though my lips got a little chapped through the day, it still look gorgeous!
6. Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque 03 Brun’croyable
I hate gloss. I hate gloss that sticks all over the place, with my hair catching some of it – it is just a mess I cannot deal with. So, when I got Bourjois Rouge Edition as a sample I was hesitant. Boy, was I wrong.
It was non-sticky! Almost like applying a thin veil of water, it does not feather or run. The “lipstick” still gives off a mirror-line shine but with intense colour. Drying is obviously not a problem with this. On the contrary, it is actually hydrating. This is for those days where I still want a pop of berry red without the hassle.
Which is the reddest of them all?
After all that is said and all the trouble, my love for MAC’s matte stays strong. The shades are just too beautiful, and there is just something very old school Hollywood glamour about the matte finish. The Satin Steam Heat is my compromise, but I would always reach out for my Ruby Woo any given day.
Still, no need to fret. Givenchy’s newest luxe lipstick La Rouge a Porter in 302 Rouge Atelier is a great combination of velvety red lips and hydration. The only reason it is not on this list is due to its price (S$52), but since it is a combination of a lip balm and a lipstick it makes for quite a deal. Who knows, it might end up in my August Favourites if I do get it eventually.
All, except Bourjois Rouge Edition Aqua Laque, were my own purchases.
About the Writer
Jessica is a young lady of many obsessions. She gets herself into everything ranging from the latest in the monochrome fashion world (she only wears black, and sometimes, white) to convincing the masses that Community is the best TV series ever made.
Currently, she enjoys looking like Sailor Mercury had a baby with Wednesday Addams.
