The word "lipstick" automatically makes me think of red lipstick. Lots and lots of red lipstick, caked on and smeared around like the lipstick scene in Wild at Heart and a million other things because HELLO RED LIPS (they're everywhere.) It's about time I do a red lip color comparison post, although it makes sense that it's taken me so long since I've relied on the same few for so long. Yesterday, I stopped by MAC for two Back to MAC lipsticks, but ended up with three since I wanted RiRi Woo and it can only be purchased because it has different packaging. I had a hard time choosing because the majority of their lipsticks are quite unappealing to me but I decided on two other matte red lipsticks, Ruby Woo and Russian Red.
I could've done a much better job at arranging the shades for swatching, so I'll describe them as best as I can for better reference. Generally, these products have great wear and are comfortable but I personally need lots of balm underneath the matte ones.
OCC Lip Tar in Stalker is a vivid blue-based red with an opaque semi-matte finish. NYX Round Lipstick in Chaos is a shimmery medium bright blue-based red with a creamy finish and buildable opacity. Wet n Wild Megalast Lipstick in Stoplight Red is a vivid blue-based red with an opaque semi-matte to matte finish. Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Lipstick in On Fire Red is a vivid blue-based red with a cream finish and semi-sheer opacity. These are all very close in color, however Chaos is slightly duller, pinker, and darker at the fullest opacity. The biggest differences come down to the formula. Stalker and On Fire Red are almost exact dupes, but the latter is slightly more matte.
MAC Lipstick in Russian Red is a medium blue-based red with an opaque matte finish. MAC Lipsticks in RiRi Woo and Ruby Woo are both bright blue-based reds with an opaque matte finish. OCC Lip Tar in NSFW is a medium bright true red with an opaque semi-matte finish. The MAC ones aren't as close as I thought. Color-wise, RiRi Woo is cooler and slightly darker than Ruby Woo. RiRi Woo is also creamier and easier to apply than Ruby Woo. Compared to the other products, they look somewhat duller, but are still very rich colors. OCC Lip Tar in NSFW is surprisingly the only true *red* I have, but I think Russian Red is similar, albeit slightly cooler and matte.
As I was going through reds, I picked these out and didn't realize how dark they were until I was swatching the others. They're not terribly similar and the image shows enough of the differences (at least more than the set above), but I felt compelled to include them in the post anyway. Also, can I say how much I appreciate the current OCC packaging? Those last two nearly exploded on me so it looks like my arm hair is drowning in red mud.
Dior Extreme Lipstick in Sunset Boulevard is a medium brick red with a shiny finish and semi-sheer opacity. Shiseido Lacquer Rouge in Nocturne (RD 607) is a shimmery deep red with a glossy finish and semi-sheer opacity. OCC Lip Tar in Strutter (discontinued, but using for reference with Vintage and it's one of my favorite lip tars - definitely pick it up if you come across it) is an opaque slightly dull deep red with a semi-matte finish. OCC Lip Tar in Vintage is an opaque browned deep red with a semi-matte finish.
SEE MORE LIP COLOR COMPARISONS:
› BERRY
› FUCHSIA, VIOLET
› LAVENDER, TAUPE, GREY, TEAL
› MELON, CORAL, ORANGE, RED-ORANGE
› METALLIC
› NYX MACARON LIPPIES + OTHER UNTRADITIONAL COLORS
› SIMPLE, GO TO & ON THE GO
› TEAL, BLUE
› YSL GLOSSY STAIN, OCC STAINED GLOSS, L'OREAL WET SHINE STAIN
I've been thinking about getting OCC NSFW for the perfect red this fall but it seemed a bit pink when I saw it irl? (& have you tried Black Dahlia? I was thinking about getting that one too) It's nice to see so many products compared. Great post!!
ReplyDeleteIf there's a little too much of the liquid part of the lip tar and not enough of the pigment, then it can look slightly pink but it's straight up red other than that. I do have Black Dahlia! It's really beautiful and unique among the others because of how versatile it can be with its opacity. It needs to be built up slowly and sheerly for darker colors though since it bleeds quite easily if there's too much applied. Still, it's definitely one of the top lip tars worth owning! And thanks as always!
DeleteI'm currently favouring orange and coral but you've made me realise I want to play with a true red again. Going to check out that Shiseido and dig through my makeup bag.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! The Shiseido Lacquer Rouge line is sorely underrated.
DeleteWhich is more of a true red. NSFW OCC or STALKER OCC
ReplyDeleteNSFW is a true, neutral red and Stalker is a blue based red.
Delete