NYX Alabama, Merlot, Aria, Siren Matte Lipsticks

Alabama

NYX Alabama Matte Lipstick ($5.99 for 0.16 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It was richly pigmented with a creamy, smooth consistency that glided on without tugging on the lips and delivered even coverage. The color wore well for over six hours and left a slight stain behind, though the formula was neither drying nor hydrating over time.

The Matte Lipstick is supposed to be “highly pigmented” and have a “velvety, non-glossy” finish. In general, the formula has semi-opaque to opaque color coverage with a velvety texture that glides on without tugging but doesn’t have a lot of slip, so the lipstick won’t slide around while worn. The formula varied from non-drying to moderately drying with wear times that ranged from four to over six hours (deeper, reddish shades lasted quite long). It has a mint scent and no discernible taste. I noticed that the packaging had a tendency to twist up the lipstick too easily (even barely holding it) and sometimes would twist down as I would apply it directly from the tube.

Top Dupes

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NARS Olivia (P, $32.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
Makeup Geek Saucy (P, $15.00) is more muted, less glossy (90% similar).
Bite Beauty #046 (P, $18.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Bite Beauty Maple (P, $26.00) is lighter (90% similar).
MAC Chili (P, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
Stellar Beauty Dark Matter 04 (P, $22.00) is lighter, more muted (85% similar).
Colour Pop Mama (LE, $6.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar).
Colour Pop Love Life (P, $5.00) is lighter (80% similar).
Charlotte Tilbury Walk of Shame (P, $34.00) is lighter (80% similar).
More dupes -- click to see the full list!

NYX Matte Lipstick Alabama

Alabama

Temptalia

Permanent

Product

Pigmentation

Texture

Longevity

Application

98%

Total

Merlot

NYX Merlot Matte Lipstick ($5.99 for 0.16 oz.) is a medium-dark, reddish plum with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation that applied evenly and smoothly across my lips. The texture was lightweight, creamy without being too emollient or slippery, and comfortable to wear. It wore well for just over five hours and was just a touch drying after four hours of wear.

Top Dupes

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Dolce and Gabbana Dahlia (320) (P, $33.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Colour Pop Scrooge (DC, $6.00) is less glossy (95% similar).
Marc Jacobs Beauty Headliner (608) (P, $28.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
MAC Deliciously Forbidden (LE, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Estee Lauder Unattainable (P, $30.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
MAC D for Danger (P, $17.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Illamasqua Magnetism (P, $24.00) is glossier (90% similar).
Too Faced Hey Gurrl (P, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar).
Colour Pop Lyin' King (P, $6.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
Chanel Luxuriant (150) (P, $37.00) is darker (90% similar).
More dupes -- click to see the full list!

NYX Matte Lipstick Merlot

Merlot

Temptalia

Permanent

Product

9.5

Pigmentation

Texture

9.5

Longevity

Application

93%

Total

Aria

NYX Aria Matte Lipstick ($5.99 for 0.16 oz.) is a brighter, medium-dark magenta berry with cooler undertones and a barely-there pearl. The texture was thinner and seemed to have a lot more waxiness to it, which resulted in semi-opaque coverage and less even coverage. The lipstick stayed on well for five and a half hours but was moderately drying over time.

Top Dupes

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Givenchy Heroic Pink (212) (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
Maybelline Berry Bossy (P, $7.49) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Colour Pop Plastics (LE, $5.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Guerlain Plum-brella (070) (P, $32.00) is less pigmented, warmer (85% similar).
Charlotte Tilbury Hel's Bells (P, $34.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
MAC Quelle Surprise (LE, $17.00) is warmer (80% similar).
Colour Pop Too Sexy (LE, $5.00) is more shimmery, warmer (80% similar).
Anastasia #10 (Vol. 1) (P, ) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
MAC Babes and Balls (LE, $17.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
More dupes -- click to see the full list!

NYX Matte Lipstick Aria

Aria

Temptalia

C+

Permanent

Product

7.5

Pigmentation

Texture

9.5

Longevity

Application

78%

Total

Siren

NYX Siren Matte Lipstick ($5.99 for 0.16 oz.) is a deep, reddened berry with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. The consistency was lightly creamy with some slip (more than other shades in the range), which resulted in more of a sheen for the first few hours of wear. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that applied fairly evenly, though a bit of color pulled into my lip lines over the five hours it lasted on me. The formula was slightly drying after three hours of wear.