Pat McGrath Elson 2 & Forbidden Love MatteTrance Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches

Elson 2

Pat McGrath Elson 2 MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark orange-red with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The pigmentation was opaque in a single layer, which applied evenly and smoothly across my lips without tugging. The lipstick had a lightweight, velvety consistency that was comfortable to wear but adhered well, too. There was a smidgen of product in my deeper lip lines from the initial application, though it wasn’t noticeable from a normal viewing distance, and it seemed to smooth out as it wore down to a matte finish (within an hour). It stayed on well for seven hours and was lightly moisturizing while worn.

Top Dupes

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Estee Lauder Chilean Sunset (LE, $45.00) is more muted (95% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Cristiano (P, $36.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Charlotte Tilbury Tell Laura (P, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Bobbi Brown Flame (P, $37.00) is glossier (95% similar).
Pat McGrath Obsessed (LE, $38.00) is warmer (95% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Foxfire (P, $54.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar).
Bite Beauty Cayenne (P, $26.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Maybelline Orange Danger (P, $7.49) is darker, more muted (95% similar).
Dose of Colors Hot Fire (LE, $18.00) is lighter (95% similar).
Tom Ford Beauty Vermillionaire (P, $54.00) is glossier (90% similar).
More dupes -- click to see the full list!

Formula Overview

$38.00/0.14 oz. - $271.43 Per Ounce

The formula is supposed to be “richly pigmented” with “”supreme hydration” and “opulent matte opacity.” The consistency was smooth, velvety, and dense without being too firm for one-stroke, glide-on application (I found the original shades to be slightly firmer compared to more newly released shades). They had nearly opaque to opaque coverage in one layer and most were buildable.

They had a subtle sheen--more satin-to-cream in finish--that wore down to a natural matte finish within an hour or two of wear. The formula lasted between four and eight hours on me, and while most weren't drying, they aren't "supreme[ly" hydrating either. They are, however, comfortable to wear over a longer period of time and reapply well. There was no discernible scent or taste to the formula.

Browse all of our Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick swatches.

Ingredients

Elson 2

Permanent

9.5

Product

Pigmentation

9.5

Texture

Longevity

Application

98%

Total

Forbidden Love

Pat McGrath Forbidden Love MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark red with cooler undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation with a lightweight, creamy consistency that felt velvety and dense without being firm, so it applied without tugging on my lips but did not slide around while worn. I noticed that this particular shade had a bit more slip compared to most shades in the MatteTrance line, though. The lipstick stayed on well for eight hours and left a strong stain behind, while the formula was lightly hydrating over time.