Make Up For Ever M202, M203, M204 Artist Rouge Lipsticks

Make Up For Ever M202 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M202 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a vibrant, medium magenta pink with a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage with a velvety texture that didn’t tug, but it seemed to emphasize the texture of my lips and did not apply as evenly as it should have (it’s not as obvious, since the color is bright). It lasted for six hours but was moderately drying on me. MAC Candy Yum Yum (P, $17.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). Smashbox Talk to Me (P, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Stupid Love (P, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Sephora Whipped Blush (LE, $14.00) is lighter (90% similar). Colour Pop Tickler (P, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar). Sephora African Violet (LE, $14.00) is lighter, more pigmented, warmer (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever M203 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bold, bright, medium-dark raspberry red with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. Like M202, the texture didn’t feel dry or stiff going on, but it looked thin, drier, and unflattering on my lips as it emphasized the texture of my natural lips. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that covered fairly evenly. This shade wore for over six hours and left a stain behind, but it was somewhat drying as well. Colour Pop Out of Sync (LE, $5.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (90% similar). Too Faced It's Happening (P, $21.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Colour Pop Mars (P, $6.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar). Tarte Lovespell (P, $20.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC Dangerously Red (LE, $17.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Electric Poppy (P, $32.00) is warmer (90% similar). Colour Pop Cougar (LE, $5.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar). MAC To Matte with Love (P, $20.00) is warmer (90% similar). Chanel La Merveilleuse (347) (LE, $36.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (85% similar). Make Up For Ever M204 (P, $22.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (85% similar). MAC Pleasure Bomb (LE, $17.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). MAC Intoxica (LE, $17.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Make Up For Ever M301 (P, $22.00) is warmer (85% similar). MAC All Fired Up (P, $17.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Tarte Selfish (P, $20.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (80% similar). Colour Pop Brooklyn (P, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever M204 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark raspberry red with very subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation, and it applied evenly. The consistency was velvety but thin, and it felt somewhat clingy on the lips, which seemed to emphasize the texture of my lips. Some of the color gathered in lip lines after two and a half hours of wear, though the color lasted for five and a half hours. The formula was slightly drying to me. MAC Intoxica (LE, $17.00) is cooler (95% similar). Chanel La Merveilleuse (347) (LE, $36.00) is glossier (90% similar). MAC All Fired Up (P, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). Tarte Lovespell (P, $20.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Electric Poppy (P, $32.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Tarte Selfish (P, $20.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Make Up For Ever M301 (P, $22.00) is lighter (85% similar). Maybelline All Fired Up (P, $7.99) is lighter, brighter, glossier (85% similar). Make Up For Ever M203 (P, $22.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Formula Overview

Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is supposed to be long-wearing, “extremely pigmented,” and hydrating. It is available in two finishes–Cream and Matte, indicated by the C or M in the beginning of each shade’s name. The Cream formula is richly pigmented, lightly creamy without being too emollient or slippery, and go on smoothly and feel good while worn (wear ranges from four to eight hours, depending on the shade). The Matte formula is thinner and clings somewhat to lips, though it goes on nicely and doesn’t tug, and it doesn’t always look flattering on as it can emphasize imperfections on my lips but really depends on the shade, as some look great on. I found the Cream formula to be moderately hydrating, while the Matte formula was slightly to moderately drying. All shades had a slight, rosy scent to them, though I didn’t notice any taste.