MAYBELLINE SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick - 15 Lover

1:50:00 AM mandy 0 Comments

I think I can safely say I have a growing affinity for matte lip products; they leave little to no tackiness and feel as if I had applied nothing onto my lips while being insanely pigmented in color. But the ones I have tried so far have been on the pricier end of the spectrum, ranging USD $20+ per stick of pigment.

The sensible side of me has kept me from splurging on more of the JUNGSAEMMOOL High Color Lipsticks. The frugal side of me took the chance to stack coupons and deals in order to test different colored matte lips. Maybelline's SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick in 15 Lover seemed to have a big fanbase, judging solely by number ratings, and the muted pink shade looked perfect for everyday wear.


MAYBELLINE's Description:

SuperStay Matte Ink™ Liquid Lipstick gives you a flawless matte finish in a range of super saturated shades.

Ink your lips in up to 16 HR saturated liquid matte. SuperStay Matte Ink™ features a unique arrow applicator for precise application and is available in a range of super saturated shades.

Directions
1. Apply liquid lipstick in the center of your upper lip and follow the contours of your mouth.
2. Glide the liquid lipstick across the entire bottom lip.

Ingredients
DIMETHICONE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, ISODODECANE, NYLON-611/DIMETHICONE COPOLYMER, DIMETHICONE CROSSPOLYMER, C30-45 ALKYLDIMETHYLSILYL POLYPROPYLSILSESQUIOXANE, LAUROYL LYSINE, ALUMINA, SILICA SILYLATE, DISODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, LIMONENE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, PARAFFIN, BENZYL BENZOATE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, CITRONELLOL, PARFUM / FRAGRANCE [+/- MAY CONTAIN / PEUT CONTENIR CI 45410 / RED 28 LAKE CI 77891 / TITANIUM DIOXIDE CI 15850 / RED 7 CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499 / IRON OXIDES CI 45380 / RED 22 LAKE CI 15985 / YELLOW 6 LAKE CI 19140 / YELLOW 5 LAKE CI 42090 / BLUE 1 LAKE CI 15850 / RED 6 CI 17200 / RED 33 LAKE MICA] F.I.L. D197345/2

Lipstick tube 5.0 ml / 0.17 fl. oz.

Maybelline (MSRP): USD $9.49

Packaging

Comes in a sturdy opaque plastic tube. One end is colored to match the liquid lipstick. There is a click-lock protrusion to stop anyone from over-tightening the tube. The applicator is arrow-shaped and hollow in the middle.

Since the applicator is bulbous in shape and there is a stopper bit near the top of the tube, it takes a slight tug to release the wand portion of the lipstick from the bottle. When done too quickly, liquid lipstick can fly out. When done slowly, the stopper acts as a scaper of sorts to slightly remove excess product from the tip.

Color, Texture, Finish, & Scent

Maybelline doesn't describe any of the colors of this line on their website. Lover, in my eyes, fall in the dusty rose color category. It leans cool-blue in most situations, purple in certain lighting. When applied in a light, very light, layer the blue tones aren't as apparent.

The liquid lipstick is very sticky and tacky. I saw it the moment I tried to pull the applicator wand out and was greeted by a string of dangling lacquer. No matter how thin or thick a layer I apply, the lipstick never fails to act like a glue keeping my lips together.

True to its name the SuperStay Matte Ink dries matte. There is an initial sheen if applied in a thicker manner but it eventually becomes shine-less.

There is a scent. I can't quite pinpoint what it is but it is definitely not an unpleasant one. I want to say it is like shea butter but that isn't an ingredient on the list.

How I Apply

Gradient // Scrape off most of/all the excess product from the applicator. Lightly swipe the arrow-shaped tip onto the inner portions of my bottom lip only. Smack my lips together to distribute some color onto the upper lip. Feather out the edges with my fingertips.

Thoughts & Recommendations

One thing I know for sure, I love the color of Lover when applied in a light-handed manner. Pink without being overbearing. It is my ideal MLBB shade (if that is still a thing in the beauty world).

The other thing I really like about the formulation is the lack of transfer. I don't have to worry about dirtying mugs, reusable bottles, scarves nor think about reapplying lip color. It only comes off when I eating something oily.

That said, the formulation is also the downfall. I have adjusted to my lips sticking together throughout the day. But the same tackiness makes it difficult to reapply. New layers are always uneven and blotchy. At the same time, the thicker the initial layer the more gluing power there is. Plainly said, don't apply a lot if you talk a lot.

While I can agree with Maybelline on the "saturated shade" part of their description, "16-hour wear" is a bit of a stretch. I am assuming they tested that on someone who did not eat or drink anything with even a tiny bit oily. The SuperStay Matte Ink Liquid Lipstick does stay a very long time—the lipstick is difficult to blend once it has settled. But when it meets oil, bye-bye!

My biggest pet peeve with this particular product though is the way it wears off on my lips...in flakes. It always looks like peeling paint after a meal with the inner lip areas the most naked. Paired with any of the cons I mentioned above, it is impossible to remove without carrying around extra makeup remover and unideal to reapply more color without starting with bare lips.

This wasn't a bad buy considering the price I paid (nearly half the suggested retail). I had a bit of a learning curve. Once I got over the hurdle, it didn't feel as terrible. I reach for this tube of liquid lipstick often now just because of the color alone. If high color pigmentation and transferability is most important, go for it.