L-R: GC Serenity, Mac Cosmo, Nars Anita, Colourpop Aquarius & Mac Velvet Teddy
Swatches L-R: GC Serenity, Mac Cosmo, Nars Anita, Colourpop Aquarius & Mac Velvet Teddy
You might be mistaken into thinking that these lipsticks are dupes for one another, and to be quite frank, I didn’t realise until I actually swatched them side by side how similar each shade was to one another. I guess you could say I’m a creature of habit. I like what I like and I know what works. However, despite how similar they look and more so on camera, there are subtle differences between the lip products that make them unique in their own right and why I feel the need to own all 5 which are currently my 5 top Spring lipstick picks. Here’s the lowdown on each:
Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipstick in ‘Serenity’. Serenity was last year’s collaboration with youtuber Manny Mua and one of the 3 initial colours that Gerard Cosmetics launched their Hydra Mattes with. Being a liquid lipstick, you can expect intense colour payoff. I’ve got to say, that whilst this isn’t the longest wearing liquid lipstick formulation I have tried to date, it is the most comfortable and fades the most gracefully (no white crusty rim in sight). The shade Serenity is the perfect combination of pink and peach, resulting in a beautiful warm yet soft shade that is a great option for everyday.
Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Serenity
Gerard Cosmetics Hydra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Serenity
Mac Lipstick in ‘Cosmo’ (Amplified) I have a soft spot for Mac lipsticks, with such an extensive range of colours and finishes, you’ll be hard done by not to find something that you like. And as for the scent…kinda addictive. The shade Cosmo is a deep, warm peach with a hint of pink (I’m not a huge fan of straight up peach), a bit of a ‘my lips but certainly more better shade’, and a touch darker than Serenity. It’s Amplified finish means that it is super pigmented and imparts a bit of a sheen making it a joy to wear.
Mac Amplified Lipstick in Cosmo
Mac Amplified Lipstick in Cosmo
Nars Audacious Lipstick in ‘Anita’ The Nars Audacious Lipsticks are one of my favourite formulas and Anita is one of my all time favourite shades. This is similar to Mac Cosmo but pulls more pink, which is probably why I love it so much, and again slightly deeper than Serenity. Another version of a MLBB but with a bit more of a punch. Considering they’re not a matte formula (it has more of a satin finish which means it sits comfortably on the lips all day), the Audacious lipsticks are quite long wearing and doesn’t dry out the lips as the day goes on.
Nars Audacious Lipstick in Anita
Nars Audacious Lipstick in Anita
Colourpop Lippie Stix X Kathleen Lights in ‘Aquarius’ Kathleen Lights has knocked it out of the park again with another fantastic collaboration with Colourpop. I am a hige fan of Lumiere, her first Lippie Stix collab, a beautiful, matte, pinky mauve shade. Aquarius,on the other hand, is my perfect kind of nude. It’s more of a mid tone shade so doesn’t wash you out, and it has the perfect amount of pink in it so it enhances your lips rather than concealing it. Aquarius is also a creme finish formula meaning it glides on effortlessly and leaves behind quite a bit of a glossy sheen that makes your lips look plump and juicy. And if you think that the Mac scents are addictive…the newly formulated Lippie Stix are something else (think sweet, think caramel.. think I want to eat it).
Colourpop X Kathleen Lights Lippie Stix in Aquarius
Colourpop Lippie Stix in Aquarius
Mac Lipstick in ‘Velvet Teddy’ (Matte) Velvet Teddy by Mac I feel is having abit of a renaissance at the moment with the whole brown lip trend and while this isn’t a full on brown, it’s your entry level brown for those who are not quite brave and bold enought to rock such a dark hue. For me, Velvet Teddy is the perfect transition shade into Spring. It’s a muted peach with a brown undertone and has a very 90’s feel to it (minus the darker lip liner – been there, done that, never again). On me, it looks more of a brownish nude, so again a shade that is so easy to wear everyday. It’s long lasting matte finish keeps the lips understated yet still quite edgy at the same time.
Mac Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy
Mac Matte Lipstick in Velvet Teddy
What are your current favourite lip products this Spring?
4 comments
Great article, I love reading your blog! Walking into a MAC store won’t be so daunting; I know exactly which shade of pink lipstick I need to update my spring look.
Thank you. I’m glad that this blog post has inspired you. Let me know which Mac lipstick you end up picking up.
Oh I am so loving Anita… I personally love audacious range….velvet teddy washes me out
I think if you’re darker in skintone then Velvet Teddy will do that. I’ve got a bit of a tan at the moment and the colour looks totally differnt on me, I do prefer it when I’m not so tanned but yes, Anita is stunning! Have you tried any of the other Audacious shades?