Make Up For Ever Edgy Black (422) Rouge Artist Lipstick (2020) ($ 23.00 for 0.11 oz.) Is a blackened burgundy with subtle, warm undertones and a cream finish. It had medium coverage that was buildable to semi-opaque pigmentation, though it was hard to apply it evenly, especially along the inner areas of my lips where it was more prone to sliding around.
The consistency was moderately dense in the tube, and it felt slightly thin and more velvety than ultra-creamy, but it looked and felt quite emollient on my lips. There was product that settled into my lip lines, which worsened slightly over time. It stayed on decently for four and a half hours and felt lightly hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
- MAC Black Night (LE, $ 19.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Maybelline Pitch Black (DC, $ 7.49) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Nayeon (P, $ 19.00) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Street Thing (LE, $ 19.00) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Metal Head (LE, $ 19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
- NYX Chambord (P, $ 6.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- MAC Kling It On (LE, $ 19.00) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
- Smashbox Bankrolled (P, $ 21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, less pigmented (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$ 23.00/0.11 oz. – $ 209.09 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to “blur, smooth, and hydrate” with “intensity of a matte and the comfort of a cream” and delivers “ultra-pigment[ation]. “The consistency reminded me of the more new-school” matte “formulas that feel velvety without wetness/shine-the ones that feel more silicone-heavy and primer-like, which are often thinner, too. I’d say that the new Rouge Artist formula has a little more traditional creaminess, so there was a satin shine (which was as marketed-satin finish!).
The consistency was smooth, lightweight, and thin without feeling clingy. In the close-up photos, there were several shades that looked like there were little bits scattered on my lips, almost like it had pilled, though I didn’t feel it when I pressed my lips together and couldn’t see it in person .
They had mostly opaque to opaque color coverage in a single layer. Most shades applied evenly and sat well enough on my lips, though there were some that emphasized my lip lines slightly. They wore for four to six hours on me with some of the very rich, deeper shades lasting a little longer than that. The formula felt mostly non-drying to lightly hydrating to me.
There was a sweet, slightly floral scent that was noticeable on for the first few minutes, but I didn’t notice any taste.
Browse all of our Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipstick (2020) swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polydecene, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone / Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Nails, Polybutene, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Bentonite, Propylene Carbonate), Sodium Myristoyl Oil Oleifera Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Hydrated Silica, Aqua (Water), Aluminum Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Lecithin, Squalene, Limonene, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Linalool, Maris Sal (Sea Ciher Salt), +/-: Tocher Salt, +/-: 15850 (Red 6, Red 7, Red 7 Lake), Ci 19140 (Yellow 5, Yellow 5 Lake), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you’re purchasing, or the brand or retailer’s website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Make Up For Ever Brave Blue (222) Rouge Artist Lipstick (2020) ($ 23.00 for 0.11 oz.) Is a slightly muted, deep navy blue with strong, cool undertones and a satin sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that applied somewhat evenly – not the worst I’ve come across but room for improvement – paired with a lightweight, thin, and lightly creamy consistency.
The formula struggled to adhere evenly and to build up on my inner lip area. It lasted for four and a half hours and left a faint stain behind, while the formula felt lightly moisturizing.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
- Maybelline Midnight Blue (DC, $ 7.49) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Blue Beat (DC, $ 21.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty #054 (P, $ 18.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Clapback (P, $ 18.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Smashbox Deep (P, $ 21.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- Maybelline Sapphire Siren (DC, $ 7.49) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (80% similar).
- KVD Beauty Bruno (LE, $ 20.00) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
- Urban Decay Heroine (DC, $ 18.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Sephora City Beat (45) (P, $ 8.00) is more muted, warmer (80% similar).
- Sephora Ice Breaker (46) (P, $ 8.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$ 23.00/0.11 oz. – $ 209.09 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to “blur, smooth, and hydrate” with “intensity of a matte and the comfort of a cream” and delivers “ultra-pigment[ation]. “The consistency reminded me of the more new-school” matte “formulas that feel velvety without wetness/shine-the ones that feel more silicone-heavy and primer-like, which are often thinner, too. I’d say that the new Rouge Artist formula has a little more traditional creaminess, so there was a satin shine (which was as marketed-satin finish!).
The consistency was smooth, lightweight, and thin without feeling clingy. In the close-up photos, there were several shades that looked like there were little bits scattered on my lips, almost like it had pilled, though I didn’t feel it when I pressed my lips together and couldn’t see it in person .
They had mostly opaque to opaque color coverage in a single layer. Most shades applied evenly and sat well enough on my lips, though there were some that emphasized my lip lines slightly. They wore for four to six hours on me with some of the very rich, deeper shades lasting a little longer than that. The formula felt mostly non-drying to lightly hydrating to me.
There was a sweet, slightly floral scent that was noticeable on for the first few minutes, but I didn’t notice any taste.
Browse all of our Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipstick (2020) swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polydecene, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone / Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Nails, Polybutene, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Bentonite, Propylene Carbonate), Sodium Myristoyl Oil Oleifera Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Hydrated Silica, Aqua (Water), Aluminum Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Lecithin, Squalene, Limonene, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Linalool, Maris Sal (Sea Ciher Salt), +/-: Tocher Salt, +/-: 15850 (Red 6, Red 7, Red 7 Lake), Ci 19140 (Yellow 5, Yellow 5 Lake), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you’re purchasing, or the brand or retailer’s website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.