September 15, 2014

MUA Liquid Lipstick Review & Swatches

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

MUA Liquid Lipstick

MUA Liquid Lipstick ($9) is a new CVS exclusive Liquid Lipstick created by the UK brand, MUA Makeup Academy for US release that’s available in eight shade selections.

Let’s take a look!

First thing you’ll might notice about MUA Liquid Lipstick is the price especially if you’ve used MUA Makeup Academy in the past from the UK as this is $9 versus most lip products being $2-$4 in the UK. I admit I didn’t love that the prices were so high but CVS has so many sales and deals you likely won’t pay more than $5 for this Liquid Lipstick during a good sale so I’m not bugged over much by the price difference.

MUA Liquid Lipstick Coral

MUA Liquid Lipstick

MUA Liquid Lipstick swatches

MUA Liquid Lipstick Swatches (Coral)

Much to my delight this has a brush applicator for application. I think Liquid Lipsticks and even gloss for that matter apply best with a brush application so I was quite happy with this. Unfortunately right out of the tube the brush was frayed, split, and quite a mess. This made for a messy application of the product. You might wish to take a tissue and straighten it out and reshape it prior to use. One of the things I noticed first about this formula was the smell. I guess it’s supposed to have a peppermint flavor and fragrance. This translates well on lips as it has a cool, refreshing taste (although it might be too intense for sensitive users). However, the peppermint translates as a bit a medicine-y smell when you open the packaging which isn’t pleasant to my nose.

I find the texture very gloopy and for the life of me I could not get it to look smooth or even when using the brush. For the best results I applied with the brush and used my finger to smooth the color out. This helped give color a smooth, even appearance. It sets REALLY fast so you have very little time to get it applied correct, my advice, work QUICKLY! Once it sets it doesn’t transfer and stays within the lip line very, very well. It’s quite pigmented so a single application provides opaque color and it can be built for extreme intensity if you want a wilder look.

I did notice that the first hour my lips were quite dry under this. But that’s the case for me with many long wearing liquid lipstick formulas. It does stay in place like a champ during this time and I can eat, drink, etc and not have it transfer, move, migrate, or feather. However, after about two hours it does crumble and flake up badly. The problem here is it’s difficult to remove with just a napkin when it starts doing this! Even with the flakiness it leaves color behind and I need an oil based remover to get everything off!

MUA Liquid Lipstick fotd

The pigment is incredible but the MUA Liquid Lipstick formula has a little ways to go to becoming perfect. The dry down is dry and after a few hours it becomes flaky and cracked and applies unevenly without an intervention from my fingers. MUA did a good job with the long wear time on this as well as the pigment but the formula definitely needs to tweaking as it has some unforgivable quirks.

MUA Liquid Lipstick is available exclusively at CVS and CVS.com.

This was provided to me by a brand for review but all opinions expressed are my own

About the Muse

Isabella MuseIsabella is just an average everyday geeky girl who doesn’t blend her eyeshadow correctly, wears too much blush, and hopes she never finds her holy grail products because she likes the thrill of the chase so much. Her mission is to bring you super honest reviews on makeup, skincare, fragrance and all things beauty. She’s in no way an expert on the topic and she sure as hell isn’t a super model. But she’s passionate about makeup and is seeking like-minded individuals that like pina coladas, getting caught in the rain, and ones that enjoy spending hundreds of dollars at Sephora without feeling buyer’s remorse. If you’re that person feel free to reach out and leave a comment or follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Bloglovin‘.

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Comments

  • Maggie

    I got a couple MUA lipsticks just the other day–the High Shine and the Color Intense. They applied really nicely–hardly tugged at all! I didn’t like the scent though–it’s the very sweet kind and it felt like it would trigger a reaction (but many lipsticks do on me). Anyway, it’s one I would be recommending to friends if they’re fine with the scent.

    • Isabella Muse

      I tried the lipstick too and liked it, I agree the vanilla taste/flavor is pretty strong!

  • Fancie

    I’ve only tried the hot pink one once but it was so bad lol. It emphasized every imperfection and was drying. I said I’d play around with it again but Idk. I don’t think this formula is for me. I really wish they kept everything the same. Including the prices lol

  • Kiss & Make-up

    The color is pretty. But it does look a bit dry on your lips, yeah. And too bad about the smell too.

  • Heidi

    That’s pretty impressive pigment. But if it flakes and crumbles after a couple hours, I think I’d pass. The color is really pretty on you, though.

  • Bex

    Funny, in the UK this costs �3 (around $5), it’s sort of like Superdrugs own brand line, like Ulta.
    Some are saying that MUA is made by the same people as Makeup Revolution which you can buy online.