Return of the Liquid Lipsticks: About Face Paint-It Matte Lip Color Swatches + Review
I think I purged the last of my matte liquid lipsticks back in 2018, but last month I received 4 of the brand new About Face Paint-It Matte Lip Colors from Ipsy, so I decided to put them to the test. If you hadn’t heard yet, About Face is the brand new makeup line from Hasley! The initial launch reminds me of… if Milk Makeup met Urban Decay. There’s that effortless coolness but also fun, punchy colors so there’s no mistaking that you had some fun with your makeup that day (ie this ain’t your no makeup, makeup.)
The prices are mid-range and offer shades that should work for all skin tones (yay, inclusivity!) I believe the official launch was yesterday sooo you can find it all on their site here!
Size, Price, & Availability
4.5 ml / 0.15 fl oz each, $22.00 available via About Face
Packaging
Matte, sleek, plastic. With a smallish doe foot applicator. I like that each shade is packaged with a color coordinated lid— it makes finding the shade you want in a makeup bag/ drawer much easier. The caps also screw on firmly, so I don’t worry about it prematurely drying or splattering across my makeup bag.
Scent
A very slight, minty smell. Only noticeable if I’m sniffing it.
Swatches
Wear/ Review
As previously mentioned, I have not worn a matte lip in a while. My preferences these days are for something lightweight and hydrating, that doesn’t require precise application. Aka the total opposite of a liquid, matte lipstick. But from what I do remember, my biggest issues with matte liquid lipstick formulas were how drying they were, and how streaky they were when applied— especially darker shades.
Overall, I do not find these drying even though they do dry down to a matte finish. They don’t make my lips feel tight. They also last really, really well. I can’t say how they wear more than 5 hours, because I don’t wear makeup for any longer than that these days (if you’re reading this in the future, it’s because we’re in covid times.) But they last well under masks and even while eating! I ate soup, tea, water, and an apple, and the lipstick barely budged.
Unfortunately, I do think the two darker shades I have, Cautionary Tale and Take Aim, are prone to streakiness. I have to build up 2-3 layers to even them out. And because it is such a pigmented formula, precise application is needed. So Long Summer and Last Goodbye apply much more easily and evenly, and I can get away with wearing one layer of those.
Lastly, do I recommend these? I’m going to say yes IF you wear and enjoy liquid lipsticks and like the shades available. I do think the formula is better than a lot of liquid lipstick formulas on the market. Personally, I’ll probably save these for events when I need something long-wearing but not drying (post-covid, hopefully.)