Liquid matte lipstick and I usually don’t mesh, or so I thought. City Lips Matte has been a game changer for me, although when I first received two new liquid matte plumping lipsticks, I thought uh-oh.
City Lips Matte Lipstick is touted as a non-drying matte liquid lipstick that provides some plumping to lips. Frankly, this wouldn’t have been the type of product I would have tried on my own because I’ve had such bad experiences with liquid mattes and with traditional plumping lipsticks. But City Lips sent me two of their 10 shades that range from nudes to reds with a peach shade too, and I figured why not.
- Pink Taupe: leans more taupe with a hint of pink that keeps it from being too brown
- Rosy Mauve: a beautiful pink-mauve, a shade that I often gravitate towards.
Two other shades that I don’t own yet have caught my eye:
- Rosewood: a deep pinky-peach-mauve
- Scarlet: true red
City Lips Matte goes on very creamy. It is quite easy to apply with a curved applicator that is at the right angle to follow the lip line.
The creaminess lasts on me for a good 10 minutes or so before it dries down.
What sort of freaked me out initially was the slight tingle that I felt on my lips. As I have complained for 5 years now, peppermint wreaks havoc with my dry lips. But this was not the strong, unpleasant, drying sensation that I usually get from peppermint. Plus I didn’t see peppermint oil in the ingredient list. There is an ingredient called Menthone Glycerin Acetal, a menthol derivative in the list. However, it doesn’t bother my lips at all. Does it plump my lips? Hard to say because my lips are not thin. Look at my lip swatches above or this photo of me wearing Rosy Mauve.
Ingredients: Isododecane, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Mica, Isoeicosane, Nylon-12, Polyethylene, Microcrystalline Wax, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Silica, Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Menthone Glycerin Acetal, Polysilicone-11, Propylene Carbonate, Dipalmitoyl Hydroxyproline, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Fragrance, Tribehenin, Octyldodecyl PCA, Perfluorooctyl Triethoxysilane, Gossypium Herbaceum (Cotton) Seed Oil, Elaesis Guineensis (Palm) Oil, Bidens Pilosa Extract, Sorbitan Isostearate, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, Cananga Odorata Flower Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Ceramide 2, PEG-10 Rapeseed Sterol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Tocopherol, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, MAY CONTAIN: Titanium Dioxide (CI77891), Red 7 Lake (CI15850), Red 6 Lake (CI15850), Iron Oxides (CI77491), Red 28 Lake (CI45410), Carmine* (CI75470), Yellow 5 Lake (CI19140), Iron Oxides (CI77492), Red 22 (CI45380), Blue 1 Lake (CI42090), Iron Oxides (CI77499). *May contain carmine as a color additive.
As you can see from the ingredient list, City Lips Matte is fairly loaded with oils, and that must be why I don’t find the product to be drying. Initially, it feels hydrating. Then it feels extremely lightweight once it dries down.Overall, I would describe it as neither hydrating nor drying. After it’s been on my lips for more than 4 hours, say, my lips feels slightly dry like I want to put on a little balm or gloss, but for me, that is normal with any lipstick or when I’m not wearing any lipstick.
How about lastingness? Over time (hours), the color does fade a bit, but it leaves color on the lips so it always looks like I am wearing lipstick. What about lasting through a meal? If I eat a meal with oil in it, like with salad dressing, it does remove some of the color where my lips come in contact with the oil. But again, my lips still look like they have color on them. Nevertheless, after a meal, they do require a quick touchup.
The proof is in the pudding, or the wearing. I am surprised that I find myself reaching for City Lips Matte in Rosy Mauve frequently. I used to wear Jesse’s Girl matte liquid lipstick from time to time in the past, and City Lips Matte is more comfortable to wear than that brand. If you have trouble wearing liquid matte lipsticks, I recommend you try City Lips Matte. It’s a whole new ballgame for those of us with dry lips.
Like the other City Beauty products, City Lips Matte is formulated without: Parabens, Alcohol, GMOs, Sulfates, Phthalates. It is not tested on animals.
A tube of City Lips Matte Lipstick contains 0.15 fl. oz./4.2 ml and is priced at $35. If you are interested, please us the 10% discount on the City Beauty website at checkout: NEVERSAYDIE. The discount is good for any City Beauty product including the original City Lips Gloss. City Lips comes with a 60 day money back guarantee with no questions asked.
The Rosy Mauve is absolutely stunning and something I would wear! If I wear liquid lipstick I usually stick to the Pixi Brand but good to know this one is comfortable as well!
Very pretty shades but t.oo pricey for make! Rosy Mauve looks great on you!
Sandy, I agree, it is pricey. When I buy from City Beauty, I wait till they have sales. I stock up when they’re 2 for 1. I really would like Rosewood and I will probably pick up an opaque gloss. I hope they’ll have a sale sometime this spring.
I’ll have to check these out. I don’t mind the dry feeling from matte liquid lippies but it’s nice when you can find something less drying. I’ve been wearing Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink lippies and they feel like my lips. And I’ve eaten three times today and I don’t need to touch up – crazy!
You are lucky, Judy, that you can tolerate the dryness. It sounds like Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink is bulletproof!
I’m not a fan of the brand for personal reasons, but you look beautiful in those shades!
Thank you!
I’m glad to hear that this is comfortable in spite of being matte. I have Pink Taupe but it’s hidden in my room that’s being remodeled.
I’m eager to hear what you think about the formula, Marcia.
The Rosy Mauve looks very good on you. I do agree I don’t see any plumping though.
Rosy Mauve is absolutely gorgeous on you!
dangit. gorgeous*
Wow, these are absolutely gorgeous! I love both shades on you, Allison! It is great to hear that they are comfortable to wear– I usually do not find mattes at all comfortable!
I had given up on most liquid mattes, and seldom reached for the couple that I found tolerable, but I love City Lips Matte in Rosy Mauve that I find myself wearing it almost every day. I’ve got it on right now in fact!
Both of these are so pretty
Those shades are so pretty! I love the sound of their formula too.
The formula of the City Lips Matte really works for my pathetically dry lips. I’m amazed.
I don’t mind having to do touchups so these sound nice to me! Pink Taupe looks to be what I’m in the mood for recently!
I love Rosy Mauve and Rosewood!!! Both look like shades I would wear a lot!
City Lips Rosy Mauve and Rosewood are my kind of shades as well!
Gosh those are really pretty! I haven’t tried a plumping matte yet!
Yessss Scarlet is calling my name as well. I’d totally grab both of the ones that caught your eye to try out.
It’s so difficult to find a liquid lipstick that doesn’t dry lips out and it seems like you picked a good one!
Yes, I am thrilled because I really can’t wear most liquid mattes.
Love me a matte lippie! This brand looks great
City Lips Matte has such a great formula!
That mauve shade is SO pretty — definitely my type of shade!
I agree, Rosy Mauve is such a pretty shade, and I know you’d love the formula