For me, this summer is quickly becoming the season of the killer lip. Between these and a few other really fantastic launches (which you’ll be seeing in the coming weeks), I’ve been having a hell of a good time playing with new formulas & shades. Today though, we’ll be talking about one of my new faves – Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick ($11.99 CAD).
Maybelline is definitely upping their game by joining in on the liquid lipstick trend, and I’m so happy they did. I’m a big fan of this type of lipstick and am really happy to see a great quality drugstore version, which makes picking up a few different shades a lot more accessible than some of the other versions I love.
I want to kick this review off by talking about the staying power of the Superstay Matte Inks. This was one thing that the brand really stressed when they launched the product, noting that once it’s on it stays on – my kinda lipstick. I tend to throw it on before I head out the door for the day and I’m usually so busy on the go that I don’t pay attention to reapplication, so this fits for me. I’ll find that sometimes I even have to wash it off at the end of the day because my lips are still a little stained. I’ve been wearing these since the launch a few weeks ago (where you might have seen we tested them out during a Soulcycle class that nearly killed me) and I’m honestly really impressed with the wear time once they set.
They’ve lasted through work days, wine tastings, lunches, etc. and usually without the need for a touch up. One thing I will stress though is that given the long lasting nature you will probably want to be careful with application; as I mentioned, once they’re on, they’re on so fixing up mistakes can be a little tricky. The pointed tip of the applicator definitely makes precision a bit easier though. I suggest starting off by lining the lips using this before filling in with the flat side to avoid making mistakes and having to attempt cleanup.
Moving on to the formula, this is where I hit a bit of a snag that prevents me from giving these 5 full golden stars. These definitely feel a little different from other liquid lipsticks you’ve probably tried, and upon application, they feel a bit sticky. I’m not a big fan of a tacky feel, so if you can get past the initial feel and give them time to set (which doesn’t take long) I suggest giving these a try. The formula is nicely creamy, which means that even though the finish is matte the lips are left feeling soft. Try not to apply too much to avoid any “crumbling” and give it a couple of minutes to set once you’ve applied.
Currently, Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink is available in 10 shades, swatches of which can be seen above (a few minutes after application once set): Loyalist, Dreamer, Lover, Pioneer, Heroine, Romantic, Creator, Believer, Escapist, and Voyager. The colours are bold and extremely pigmented, which helps the with the long lasting look. Lover and Pioneer have been in heavy rotation for me, and I feel like Believer will be added in very soon.
Which shades do you want to try out?
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Disclosure: This post contains PR samples sent for editorial consideration but as always opinions are 100% my own! xo
