Maybelline Midnight Merlot, Smoking Red, Dynamite Red, Orange Danger The Loaded Bolds Color Sensational Lipcolors

Maybelline Midnight Merlot Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color

Maybelline Midnight Merlot Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color ($7.49 for 0.15 oz.) is a dark, red-burgundy with subtle, cool undertones and a fine pearl. It had a more natural sheen to its finish without being truly glossy, but it did suffer from more uneven application and sheerer coverage due to the extra slip. If it had been more satiny like other shades, I think it would have applied better. This shade lasted for six hours on me, left a stain behind, and only had minor settling into lip lines for me over time. It was neither drying nor hydrating. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Black Dahlia (P, $18.00) is cooler, glossier (95% similar). MAC Living Legend (LE, $17.00) is darker (90% similar). Estee Lauder Brazen (P, $30.00) is glossier (90% similar). Urban Decay Shame (P, $17.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (90% similar). MAC Lingering Kiss (LE, $17.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC Heart Hangover (LE, $18.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Bite Beauty Liquorice (P, $26.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Maybelline Smoking Red (P, $7.49) is warmer (85% similar). Maybelline Raging Raisin (P, $7.49) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). Colour Pop Paramour (LE, $5.00) is darker (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Maybelline Smoking Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color ($7.49 for 0.15 oz.) is a deep, muted burgundy with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. The color payoff was intense, while the consistency was smooth, creamy, and easy to apply. The lipstick went on evenly and lasted for six hours while leaving a stain behind. The formula wasn’t hydrating, but it also wasn’t drying. MAC Runner (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). Bobbi Brown Your Majesty (P, $35.00) is glossier (90% similar). Bite Beauty Black Cherry (LE, $24.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). Maybelline Raging Raisin (P, $7.49) is lighter (90% similar). Estee Lauder Desirous (P, $30.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Maybelline Midnight Merlot (P, $7.49) is cooler (85% similar). Buxom Voodoo Spice (P, $22.00) is lighter (85% similar). Urban Decay Hex (P, $17.00) is lighter (85% similar). Maybelline Chocoholic (P, $7.49) is darker (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Maybelline Dynamite Red Midnight Merlot Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color ($7.49 for 0.15 oz.) is a bold, bright medium-dark red with subtle warm undertones and a satin finish. It had very nearly opaque pigmentation with a smooth, creamy consistency that wasn’t too heavy or too thin. It sat well on the lips and didn’t slide around over the six hours it lasted. The formula was comfortable to wear but not particularly hydrating. MAC Reddy to Go (P, $20.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Starlett Scarlet (LE, $18.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC My Inner Femme (LE, $17.00) is lighter (95% similar). NARS Mysterious Red (LE, $25.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Ruffian Red (LE, $17.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Doubt (P, $17.00) is cooler (90% similar). Make Up For Ever #44 (P, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Von Teese (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). Maybelline Siren in Scarlet (P, $7.99) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Urban Decay 714 (LE, $18.00) is lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Maybelline Orange Danger Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color ($7.49 for 0.15 oz.) is bold, bright, medium-dark orange with strong red undertones and a mostly matte finish. It was one of the more matte shades in the range, but the consistency was firmer and harder to apply–I felt like I really had to press the bullet to my lips in order to get smooth coverage. It lasted for five hours but was somewhat drying. Bite Beauty Cayenne (P, $26.00) is glossier (95% similar). MAC Dangerous (P, $17.00) is warmer (95% similar). Tarte Mai Tai (P, $22.00) is warmer (95% similar). Maybelline Craving Coral (P, $7.99) is lighter (90% similar). Colour Pop Bootie (P, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar). Kat Von D Countess (P, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Barbecue (LE, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Estee Lauder Volatile (P, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Flame (06) (P, $50.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar). Bite Beauty Persimmon (P, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Lover's Lane (P, $20.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC So Chaud (P, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Bite Beauty #008 (LE, $36.00) is warmer (85% similar). MAC Quite the Standout (P, $20.00) is warmer, less glossy (85% similar). MAC True Red (LE, $17.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

FORMULA OVERVIEW | Maybelline Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color ($7.49 for 0.15 oz.) is a new set of shades that’s supposed to have “one-stroke intensity” in an “opaque, creamy clay base.” For the most part, the shade range is mostly opaque to fully opaque with some falling short with semi-sheer to semi-opaque, more uneven coverage. The texture is smooth, creamy, lightweight, and it glides on without tugging or dragging; some shades feel more satiny while others have a bit more slip. Unfortunately, some of the ones in this review were particularly slippery, which made them harder to apply evenly. I’m a fan of the Color Sensational formulas, but the one thing that I’m not a fan of (and that can be a deal-breaker) is the scent, which is a very strong, sweet, lightly perfume-y scent that lingers and sometimes tastes soapy.