Make Up For Ever M402, M500, M501 Artist Rouge Lipsticks

Make Up For Ever M402 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M402 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bold, medium-dark red with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good color payoff that applied evenly and smoothly without emphasizing the texture of my lips too much. The color wore well for over six hours and left a stain behind, while the formula felt lightly drying after four and a half hours of wear. Colour Pop TGIF (LE, $5.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Hearts Aflame (LE, $17.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Carina's Love (P, $32.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Studded Kiss (P, $17.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). NARS Infatuated Red (LE, $25.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Retro Rouge (LE, $18.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Viva Glam I (P, $17.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Make Up For Ever M401 (P, $22.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Kat Von D Nosferatu (P, $20.00) is warmer, less glossy (90% similar). NARS Consuming Red (P, $25.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). NARS VIP Red (P, $28.00) is warmer (85% similar). Tarte Swamp Family (LE, $20.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Colour Pop Avenue (P, $6.00) is darker, less glossy (85% similar). Milani Romance (LE, $8.99) is lighter (85% similar). NARS 413 BLKR (LE, $28.00) is darker (85% similar). Tarte Bae (P, $20.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever M500 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep burgundy with subtle, cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had mostly opaque coverage with a lightly velvety consistency that glided on without tugging and distributed color evenly. The formula felt somewhat drying after four and a half hours, while the color lasted for nearly seven hours and left behind a strong, reddish stain. Colour Pop Chateau (P, $5.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Sin (P, $17.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Anita (P, $18.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). Tarte Manbun (P, $20.00) is warmer (90% similar). Illamasqua Growl (P, $24.00) is warmer (85% similar). Maybelline Burgundy Blush (P, $7.99) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever M501 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a dark berry with pinky undertones and a semi-matte finish. Oddly, the lipstick had an iridescent green sheen to it (in the same way some of Urban Decay’s matte Vice lipsticks had!) but doesn’t actually have shimmer. It’s hard to find true matte berry-hued lipsticks, from my experience, as there aren’t too many dupes for this one. It had a smooth, velvety texture that didn’t tug as it applied, and it laid down color evenly. The consistency wasn’t as flat-matte as it could have been, but I think that helped it be more forgiving when applied. This shade wore nicely for over six hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. Smashbox Femme Fatale (P, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Oh Lady (P, $20.00) is cooler, less glossy (90% similar). Smashbox Jam On It (P, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). MAC Acai (LE, $17.00) is lighter (80% similar). MAC Fashion Revival (LE, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

FORMULA OVERVIEW | Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is supposed to be long-wearing, “extremely pigmented,” and hydrating. It is available in two finishes–Cream and Matte, indicated by the C or M in the beginning of each shade’s name. The Cream formula is richly pigmented, lightly creamy without being too emollient or slippery, and go on smoothly and feel good while worn (wear ranges from four to eight hours, depending on the shade). The Matte formula is thinner and clings somewhat to lips, though it goes on nicely and doesn’t tug, and it doesn’t always look flattering on as it can emphasize imperfections on my lips but really depends on the shade, as some look great on. I found the Cream formula to be moderately hydrating, while the Matte formula was slightly to moderately drying. All shades had a slight, rosy scent to them, though I didn’t notice any taste.