Swatches + Review: Maybelline Lip Gradation Lipsticks

If you're digging matte Korean gradient lips, you have to try the new Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Gradation Lipstick (P399). It glides on like butter (an achievement for a matte!) and has a true shine-free finish. Its bullet is intentionally thin to allow us to draw the gradient with zero hassle; even if you do prefer a solid lip, the tip offers a lot of precision. 

I adore the glide of this lip product. It's just sooooo smooth for a matte lipstick and it has impressive staying power to boot. I've worn these colors for over five hours and they barely faded afterwards (short of eating). When they did fade there was still a solid stain left.

This is a dual-ended lippie. The butt end is a sponge for blending away edges to create that perfect gradient lip. I'm personally not into the gradient look, but when I do feel like wearing it, I am assured that the sponge can help me any time. It's fairly soft and easy to work with.

I have three colors with me: Mauve 1, which is not mauve at all; it's a mid-brown that's quite trendy at the moment. Not nude, not dark, just right! Pink 1 is a bright pop o' pink. Nothing exciting imho. Finally, I have Fuchsia 1 which is a deep purply pink. It's the kind of electrifying color that would weather trends!

Note: Mauve 1 looks a bit shiny in the picture above but it was freshly applied. It's definitely matte in person.

The downside is that like any matte lipstick, the formula ends up being drying after the first hour or two. The initial tactile feel is creamy but it dries and sets into a harder texture later on. I would recommend soaking your lips in balm first then blotting it before using the lipstick.

I highly recommend this line if you want a true matte that's a breeze to apply and play with. Staying power is good and, oh did I say it's scentless and tasteless? It's an excellent lippie if you don't have too-dry lips. You can get it from your fave Maybelline counter.

Thoughts? Have you tried this already?