Read ALL about my review process including how I take swatches, photos, and more here.
When you’ve been around the block a few times, you’ll know that most things aren’t “new.” A lot of the beauty trends we’re seeing now came from a few decades ago. One that I didn’t think I’d see come back so hard is metallic lipstick. I can’t think of metallic lipstick and NOT think of mid to late 1980s R&B music videos. Or my mom’s gold metallic lipstick stash. In fact I would wonder why brands like Black Radiance and Black Opal still had gold and copper lipstick in their offerings because it seemed dated, but shoot—they were just ahead of the pack.
I’ve seen some really gorgeous versions of metallic lipstick especially with liquid lipsticks and especially with vivid colors like reds, pinks, and purples. Maybelline is getting in on the trend with the new Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Metallics Lipstick which comes in 10 shades that include daring colors like a black metallic and a green metallic. And they’re actually really pretty, too.
Maybelline sent over all ten shades and I swatched them out for you. Some colors like the lighter golds and silvers might be best suited as layering shades on top of other solid shades (depending on the look you’re going for); some look amazing on their own; and some I wish had more staying power because they’d otherwise be perfect.
For instance I really wish Gunmetal had better staying power. I think a shade like it would be awesome if done by a brand like Make Up For Ever, NARS, or MAC because the pigments would be stronger. I’m not surprised Maybelline’s Gunmetal is super pretty but doesn’t have great staying power because sometimes these outlandish colors are a bit hard to do on the drugstore level because of the kind of pigmentation necessary to make it look good. Ditto when it comes to black lipstick sometimes. If you don’t wear black lipstick often you don’t want to spend a ton of money on a tube, but if you really want it to be completely opaque and pigmented without having to do a bunch of makeup tricks to it, sometimes you might have to spend the extra coin.
But for a brand like Maybelline I do give them a slight pass because I’m so proud of them for stepping out of the box. They’ve been coming through with the trendy colors for quite some time now.
Just know you’ll need to use liner as a base for these if you want them to last longer and be very cognizant when wearing these and drinking anything (coffee, water, cocktails, etc.) as you will need to reapply. Maybelline doesn’t claim these are long-lasting though so it’s not like they’re lying to us. (Oh and WAIT until you see the L’Oreal Infallible Paints Metallics—I also got those in and they are OMG gorgeous—I need more shades! Review coming soon—make sure you’re subscribe to the blog so you don’t miss it)
I did notice on a few shades (particularly Gunmetal which I’m pissed about it because it’s one of my favorite shades…lol) where after some wear time, the base shades kind of separates from the metallic finish. It happens mostly in the center of my mouth which makes sense this is the area where lipstick would start to fade on me first—but with such a standout shade like Gunmetal, it becomes super obvious.
NOTE ON THE SWATCHES: There are nuances in some of the shades that couldn’t get picked up well on camera. For instance the Molten Bronze shade is a brownish shade with a greenish metallic finish. It’s almost like MAC Blue-Brown Pigment in lipstick form. The swatches on my arm and even the swatches on my lips in the video below aren’t all picking up some of the metallic nuances.
Also some shades (when worn alone) will look different depending on your natural lip color. Also another thing to note: my bottom lip is pink (the top is brown) which can affect the way a color looks on my arm vs how it looks on my lips.
(See the shade names in the video below)
Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Metallics Lipstick Lip Swatches Video:
(there’s no sound on this so feel free to watch from almost anywhere)
Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Metallics Lipstick Swatches on Dark Skin from Danielle Gray on Vimeo.
Bottom line: While the Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Metallics Lipstick is fun and you’ll find some really unique lipstick shades in the line especially if you’re looking to venture out from your typical color choices or want to use these to add dimension to your existing stash, they aren’t my favorite namely because of the formula. The colors and finishes were really beautiful but if I could get some of these colors in the formula of the L’Oreal Infallible Paints Metallics (which I’ll be reviewing soon so stay tuned and hello, L’Oreal if you’re reading this, please make colors like the ones in this Maybelline line but in a super pigmented and opaque gloss like the L’Oreal Infallible Paints Metallics), I’d definitely get them. This isn’t to say Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Metallics Lipstick is bad, just that they aren’t like OMG I NEED THESE for me.
Price and where to buy: about $7.49 at drugstores and mass market retailers. Go here to shop online or here to find stores near you.
