Lorac Pro Matte Lip Color Pink, Mauve, Rose Taupe review, swatches

Move over, Bobbi Brown Lip Colors and everything else. I have a new favourite lipstick. Okay, second favourite, since Chanel Rouge Double Intensite, reviewed here, is my number one, but then they have discontinued my shade, Rose Garnet. Boo! Hiss!
You know I love a subtle lip. Not for me are the deep berries, bold pinks or bright oranges. Give me your  dusty rose, your neutral brown, your MLBB shades.... You also know I love my matte makeup - matte finish foundation, matte eyeshadow and matte lipstick.
The Lorac Pro Matte Lip Colors combine both these qualities. They do have bold shades, but the ones I picked are the subtlest of the lot. Add matte-but-not-drying to beautiful shades, great pigmentation and really good staying power, and these retractable lip colours have shot straight to the top of my list of best lipsticks. They are probably my favourite products from my mid-year makeup haul here.

Here is my review of the Lorac Pro Matte Retractable Lip Colors and swatches of Mauve, Pink and Rose Taupe.

Packaging of Lorac Pro Matte Lip Color 

These come in long, crayon-like tubes. I love that you can see the colour at the other end. These are retractable and there is no need to sharpen them.
The tips are sharp-edged so you can line your lips and then use the flatter side to apply colour all over.

Formula and staying power of the Lorac Pro Matte Lip Colors

These are matte, yes, but non-drying as such. However, you need thorough scrubbing and de-flaking of the lips before application, since the colour WILL stick to the flakes and make them stick out, and actually accentuate any dryness, as you will see below.
The texture is just what the label claims: velvety-smooth. The colour glides on creamy and nice.
Staying power? Beyond brilliant. These stay on for longer than Lancome Rouge in Love, than Too Faced La Cremes, than Givenchy Le Rouge, than UD Revolution, than Chanel Rouge Allure Velvet... well, anything that comes in bullet form, with one exception - Barry M TMLP Lip Paint, seen here. But then those things are customised.
You can easily get through sandwiches or salads with these. Even after pizza, there is some colour left, though faded. I find that these are the non-liquid lipsticks which need the least reapplication. Of course, Chanel Rouge Double Intensite, MUFE Aqua Rouge, Mikyajy Sabaya and that sort of liquid or opaque stain formula will definitely stay on for longer.

These contain anti-ageing antioxidants such as acai berry, pomegranate, grape seed extract and Vitamin C and Vitamin E. And, no parabens!

Pigmentation and swatches of the Lorac Pro Matte Retractable Lip Colors

I picked three shades: Pink or Rose, Mauve and Pink Taupe or Rose Taupe. Yes, the first and third-named come with two handles. Needless to say, all three are subtle. They do have deeper and brighter shades such as Merlot.
I am actually kicking myself for not having bought Purple, which comes out as a beautiful pink. I could have skipped Pink, which looked different in store lighting. Ah well, next time.
Swatches, in pairs from left: Mauve, Rose Taupe or Pink Taupe and Pink or Rose.
The first swatch in each pair is one swipe, while the second is multiple swipes of colour. Pigmentation, as you can see, is great.

On-lips swatches next. You will have to forgive the dry lips there. We are talking about years, not days or weeks, of neglect here.
Mauve first. A medium dusty rose with, rather than an open mauve, though there are undertones. Picture taken in natural light.

With lip balm on top, it looks even subtler. Picture with flash, so you can see the difference, and how the mauve tone is more pronounced here.

Rose Taupe or Pink Taupe is a brownish neutral. There is some rose in there, but more brown. I took these pictures on a day when my lips were in reasonably better condition.

I am on the verge of selling Pink because it is on the fringe of too-pale for my liking. A couple of colleagues have liked it, but I think it is a bit anaemic on me, and has a whitish look.

If I add a bit of Ellovi lip butter on top, it becomes much better and looks less dry, and does not wash me out as much. Even the unevenness is reduced, which is why I am inclined to keep it. Natural light, as above:

Summary

Pink Taupe is my favourite shade here, followed by Mauve. I really wish I had got Purple instead of Pink, though I can pull it off with lip balm. These are magnificent in terms of pigmentation and staying power, but I recommend application above well-scrubbed and well-hydrated lips. These are a must-have for any lipstick fan, and are currently my favourite non-liquid/gel/stain lippies. I am going to get Purple and N*ude the next time I haul from the ME!

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