Disclaimer: The products featured were provided for review.
It's been quite a few years since the emergence of the matte lip trend and the craze does not seem to be slowing down, what with every single drugstore and department brand putting out their own formulation. Not too long ago,
Maybelline has released another matte liquid lipstick called the
Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick ($11.99 CAD) and I've got reviews and swatches of the collection to share with you. To read on, click......
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| Maybelline | Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick |
Packaging:
The Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick is packaged in an angular plastic tube with a solid-colored body that reflects the shade color inside. The doe-foot applicator is tapered to a point and it has tiny reservoirs on both sides to help pick up ample product. Overall, the packaging feels a bit bulky and clunky but the applicator is very precise and easy-to-use.
Formulation:
With a strong scent of cake frosting, the Superstay Matte Ink is a matte liquid lipstick with a pretty unique formulation. Unlike the usual liquid lipstick, the Matte Ink feels a lot thicker and goopier. With the exception of a couple of shades (Lover and Pioneer), the colors require quite a bit of effort to apply evenly and smoothly as they are prone dragging and puddling on the lips.
What's even more interesting with the formulation is the finish. Again, with the exception of Lover and Pioneer, the Matte Ink takes a long, long time to completely set (~7+ minutes) and "mattify". Before then, the finish is extremely sticky and prone to creasing. Therefore, if you as much as lightly purse your lips together, the lipstick will move and bunch. With that said, the finish feels tacky even after the formulation sets.
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| Maybelline | Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick |
The upside, however, is that the formulation is very long-lasting. Aside from a tiny bit of feathering (with the brighter shades) and transferring (only initially), the Matte Ink is very smudge-proof. Even after a heavy and greasy meal, the color stayed pretty much intact. In fact, the lip color seems to only remove with bi-phase makeup removers as cleansing oils and water-based makeup removers barely make a dent. Lastly, although not crackly or cakey, the Matte Ink does feel a bit drying after a few hours.
Please Note: For some of the shades before, I photographed the swatches before the formulation had fully set. These do eventually take on a very matte finish but depending on the shade, it can take a long time.
05 Loyalist: This is a very pale neutral nude. The formulation is surprisingly pigmented and opaque.
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| Maybelline | Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick | 05 Royalist |
10 Dreamer: A pale pastel pink, Dreamer is also very pigmented and smooth.
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| Maybelline | Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick | 10 Dreamer |
15 Lover: This is a gorgeous dusty rose. The formulation is extremely pigmented and the finish sets much quicker than some of the other shades. Nevertheless, the lipstick has a noticeably tacky finish.
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| Maybelline | Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick | 15 Lover |
20 Pioneer: My favorite out of the bunch, Pioneer is a deep true red. Similar to Lover, the formulation stands apart from the rest of the shades with its ultra-pigmented and lightweight feel that's much more similar to your traditional matte liquid lipstick. With that said, the finish is still very tacky.
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| Maybelline | Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick | 20 Pioneer |
25 Heroine: A bright orange red, Heroine has a surprisingly disappointing formulation. Although pigmented, the color is extremely patchy and difficult to apply.
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| Maybelline | Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick | 25 Heroine |
30 Romantic: This is a neon hot pink. The formulation is very creamy and pigmented.
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| Maybelline | Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick | 30 Romantic |
35 Creator: A bright violet, Creator is slightly patchy and uneven.
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| Maybelline | Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick | 35 Creator |
40 Believer: This is a rather patchy eggplant purple. As you can see, the color is noticeably uneven.
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| Maybelline | Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick | 40 Believer |
45 Escapist: Last but not least is this very deep oxblood brown. This is another shade that's very patchy and uneven.
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| Maybelline | Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick | 45 Escapist |
Overall, I am a bit on the fence with these liquid lipsticks. Although the formulation is incredibly long-lasting (better than any other liquid lipsticks I've tried), the long setting time and the extremely tacky finish are a huge nuisance. A few of the shades such as Heroine, Creator, Believer, and Escapist are also extremely patchy and uneven. Therefore, the only shades I really recommend are Lover and Pioneer. Loyalist, Dreamer, and Romantic are all pretty good as well but I am personally not a fan of those colors.
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| Maybelline | Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick |
Availability:
Maybelline is available at various drugstores nationwide.
It's been quite a few years since the emergence of the matte lip trend and the craze does not seem to be slowing down, what with every single drugstore and department brand putting out their own formulation. Not too long ago, Maybelline has released another matte liquid lipstick called the Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick ($11.99 CAD) and I've got reviews and swatches of the collection to share with you. To read on, click......