You'll notice that I have a "thing" for these certain nude colors and drugstore brands are starting to cater for this "thing." I mean, brown and warm nudes are universally flattering, aren't they?
Tati on YouTube had great reviews for the L'oreal Pro Matte Gloss ($9.99 each) and I picked up 2 of the 3 nudes online: Statement Nude and Bare Attraction. I didn't trust the germ-fest of opened tubes in Ulta. I'm on the lookout for Nude Allude to complete my collection, but L'oreal offers a bigger range that includes deep berries, reds, and pinks.
They're not quite liquid lipsticks (apocalyptic world-proof) since they feel like a gloss when you press your lips together. Still, it will look like a matte lipstick in the mirror. See what L'oreal did there with the name? They last for 2-3 hours before touch-up and they don't make my lips peel or crack though they do make my lips feel "tight" after an entire day of wearing and re-application.
Overall, they go on like a Jeffree Starr or KVD liquid lipstick with less staying power, if that makes sense. They aren't tacky or sticky and the wide doe foot applicator makes getting corners and edges a cinch. The best part? They don't have the typical L'oreal lipstick scents UNLESS you really take in a deep whiff. Otherwise, they're scentless and tasteless!
Here are swatches in different lighting. From right to left: Statement Nude, Bare Attraction, KVD Lolita, KVD Lolita II, Colourpop Grunge, TF La Creme in Sweet Maple, MAC Velvet Teddy.
Under warm indoor lighting:
Natural (gloomy) lighting. You'll see that the KVD lipsticks actually set matte very quickly, while the L'oreal products stay glossy for a while longer and look like the other lipsticks in the line up.
Flash.
TLDR: These are the best "liquid lipstick" dupes that I've found at the drugstore so far. Soon, everyone will be able to rock the matte brown and nude lip trend without spending $20 and upwards at a department store.
xo Be
