Liquid Lipstick Round-Up
Class is back in session and that means back to the grind. Juggling a full course load, extracurriculars, studying and fitness, the UChicago fashionista is a busy girl. She's too busy kicking ass to fuss with midday makeup touch-ups. Enter liquid lipstick. Combining the application process and light texture of a gloss with the staying power of a heavy-duty lipstick, liquid lipsticks promise the best of both worlds. MODA went ahead and tested four different budget friendly options - two classics and two newcomers - for those looking to up their lipstick game.
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L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Gloss
Price: $9.99 from Ulta, and other drugstores
Review: How can a gloss be matte? Glosses are, well, glossy by definition. The latest addition to L'Oreal's Infallible line, this product somehow manages to deliver on its paradoxical name. It has the smooth texture and slick feel of a gloss that dries down to a comfortable matte color. The real innovation here lies in the applicator. More of a narrow spade than a traditional doe foot, the narrow point makes outlining lips a breeze while the cavity in the center keeps product from overloading. "Nude Allure" is a pretty rosy-toned nude that makes lips look plump and smooth even as it fades.
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Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid
Price: $7.99 from Ulta, and other drugstores
Review: In a sleekly attractive packaging, the Vivid Matte Liquid is Maybelline's latest effort in the liquid lipstick department. It certainly delivers on the "vivid" claim - "Orange Shot" is a bright orange toned red, a one-swipe-of-lipstick-and-mascara-and-nothing-else kind of color. Matte on the other hand, less so. The formula is slick and runny and does not dry down quickly. Blotting off the excess on a tissue does produce a pretty popsicle stain on the lips, perfect for summer months. The stiff stick-like applicator is good for carefully placing color but dumps the product on the lips.
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Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick
Review: The only not drugstore option here, this product from Stila is a cult classic for a reason. The color is the perfect bright French-girl red, it goes on easily, dries down quickly and just stays put. The classic doe foot applicator is small enough to maneuver the curves of your lips and one swipe leaves a rich opaque wash of color with a velvety finish. As the day progresses, the color doesn't feather or clump up, and is fairly transfer-proof.
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NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream
Price: $5.99 from Target, Ulta and Amazon
Review: A widely beloved budget-friendly buy, this NYX formula is available in a wide range of colors, ranging from caramel nude to electric violet. For those sensitive to strong scents beware - this range of lipsticks has a distinctive vanilla cake batter smell, that although not unpleasant is very noticeable. The color "Copenhagen" is a lovely dark berry but requires several coats to achieve full opacity. Layering is key with this product, first with Chapstick and then build up the color, allowing the formula to dry between applications. It dries down fairly quickly but is not fully transfer proof and for the darker colors especially, tends to fade in clumps.
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From the drugstore to the high end, various brands have been putting out their own spin on the liquid lipstick - which ones are your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
