REVIEW: MUA MATTE LIPSTICK COLLECTION

MUA are on fire at the moment when it comes to new releases. There was the Undress Me range which contained products you still can't get hold of now due to their immense popularity, the 1D line that sold out within a matter of days and now we beauty junkies have even more new products to play with. To accompany the new MUA Matte Eyeshadow Palette and the Smokey Eye Palette (which I'm still to get hold of and try out) are these MUA Matte Lipsticks.

Sigh, you all know me well enough by now to know I can't stop at just purchasing one when it comes to MUA products so I bought all five to test and review. I need someone watching over me when I place internet orders from now on because I can't help myself. The packaging has moved on from the usual black fare of the drugstore to a white. I think it's a good idea personally; it's a way of standing out from competitors at least. It's the usual lipstick fare apart from that - a basic pull off lid with a wind-up bullet. I love how MUA put colour indicators at the bottom of their lipsticks - it makes it so much easier to know which shade to pluck from my stash when I'm in a rush or simply can't be bothered to hunt for the specific one I'm after.  There are five shades available in this range for £1 each. There's something for everyone - going from a nude to a berry.

Matte finishes are my favourite - especially in autumn and winter (I tend to change my colours and finishes according to the season - it's just personal preference). The product itself was not what I was expecting at all though. The formula is quite waxy in comparison to other matte lipsticks I own. That being said, they don't drag on the lips even though the bullet is fairly hard and don't cling to dry patches like the others do which is a massive bonus. They don't feel heavy on the lips and they feel quite moisturizing. They're aren't amazingly pigmented but, in my opinion, that could be a bonus. Sometimes with matte finishes they tend to be very powerful in the pigmentation arena and need blotting down substantially for a more subtle 'bitten' finish. These MUA versions are very buildable though so you can go for a sheerer look (if there is such a thing with matte finishes) or a more colourful look with a heavier application. I've found that they apply with a little bit of a sheen but that wears down to a matte-r finish. They wear evenly and the time depends on what you're doing: I've found the wear to be about 2 hours if I'm eating, drinking or talking a lot but it can stretch to three if I'm being less active with my mouth (*wink* don't be rude now...). I haven't tried these lipsticks with a lip liner but I can only assume that they'd last a lot longer as lip liners do tend to lengthen the longevity of lipsticks. TOTALLY NUDE - This is the least favourite of the colours as it's been a while since I personally went in for the 'concealer' lips look. I would say it's nude but with a touch of pink which makes it a little bit more wearable than a more yellow toned nude.

PEACHY KEEN - This shade is a lovely light peachy with a hint of pink. There's something almost coral about it on the actual lip. It's really pretty and I won't hesitate to reach for it when I want something bright.

POUTY PINK - No new lip collection can be released without some kind of pink and this is the offering from MUA. It's quite a Barbie pink but because it's slightly blue toned so it makes teeth look whiter.

SCARLET SIREN - This is the most pigmented of all the shades in the collection and is a true Hollywood red. It's very easy to wear and if you want to try one of these lipsticks for yourself this would be the shade that I suggest you pick up first.

WILD BERRY - This is my personal favourite right now but that's because it's such a wearable berry. It's dark without washing out my pale skin and because it's buildable I can go for a hint of berry or I can take it very dark.

All in all, although they're not the usual Matte lipsticks available in the drugstore, certainly not what I was expecting anyway, they're definitely worth a look at and a purchase if you're in the market for a little pick-me-up (sometimes that's all we beauty lovers need). Will I repurchase in the future? I haven't taken Wild Berry off yet so that will be a repurchase for sure. MUA are also bringing out a new Luxe range in October which looks to be very exciting: beautiful eye shadow palettes ranging from the romantically pretty to the scandalously glittery, as well as new Velvet Lip Lacquers that look incredibly pigmented from pictures I've seen.

You can read all about the new MUA releases on British Beauty Blogger. MUA Matte Lipsticks (RRP £1.00 each) are available in Superdrug stores this week. You can also order yours online from the MUA website. You can follow MUA on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and the MUA Blog for news, product launches, reviews, tutorials, discounts and much more.