Pat McGrath Skin Show V2 Mini MatteTrance Trio Review & Swatches
Skin Show V2
Pat McGrath Skin Show V2 Mini MatteTrance Trio ($25.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a new, limited edition set of permanent shades housed in new, neon packaging. The performance of all three shades was comparable to their full-sized counterparts, and I didn’t experience any breakage while applying the minis from their tubes (often a downside with minis). The packaging definitely feels lighter-weight and less luxe, but it seemed functional to me.
Ingredients
Skin Show V2
LELimited Edition. $25.00.
Christy
Christy is a light-medium pink with strong, warm undertones and a satin finish. The texture felt smooth, lightly creamy but thin and lightweight (though not clingy), so it was easy to work with and glided well across my lips. There was a smidgen of product that settled into my deeper lip lines but wasn’t noticeable from a normal viewing distance (e.g. looking at my lips in a mirror vs. the close-up photo!). It lasted well for five and a half hours and felt moisturizing while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Guerlain Cashew Brown (819) (P, $36.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Hourglass I Woke Up (P, $34.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever C106 (DC, $22.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Estee Lauder Inescapable (P, $32.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- NARS Anita (P, $34.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Smashbox Level Up (P, $24.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- Sephora Rosewood (P, $14.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Shiseido Rose Muse (211) (P, $26.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- NARS Tahaa (LE, $25.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Laissez-Faire (P, $24.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.14 oz. - $271.43 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be “richly pigmented” with “”supreme hydration” and “opulent matte opacity.” The consistency was smooth, velvety, and dense without being too firm for one-stroke, glide-on application (I found the original shades to be slightly firmer compared to more newly released shades). They had nearly opaque to opaque coverage in one layer and most were buildable.
They had a subtle sheen--more satin-to-cream in finish--that wore down to a natural matte finish within an hour or two of wear. The formula lasted between four and eight hours on me, and while most weren't drying, they aren't "supreme[ly" hydrating either. They are, however, comfortable to wear over a longer period of time and reapply well. There was no discernible scent or taste to the formula.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Christy
PPermanent. $38.00.
Beautiful Stranger
Beautiful Stranger is a muted, medium pink with strong, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had rich pigmentation that applied evenly to my lips in a single stroke. The texture was smooth, velvety, and creamy enough to glide on but not to the point where it felt overly emollient, though there was a smidgen of product that sank into my lip lines; it wasn’t noticeable in person, just in the close-up photos. It wore well for five and a half hours and felt hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Mrs. (LE, $7.00) is less glossy (95% similar).
- MAC Pumpkin (LE, $25.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Penny Pincher (LE, $9.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar).
- Sephora Push the Limit (07) (P, $15.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Rose de Chine (LE, $60.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sephora Flamingo (P, $14.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Androgino (103) (P, $38.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Dolce Vita (P, $27.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Medium (P, $37.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Double Dare (DC, $21.00) is darker, less glossy (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.14 oz. - $271.43 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be “richly pigmented” with “”supreme hydration” and “opulent matte opacity.” The consistency was smooth, velvety, and dense without being too firm for one-stroke, glide-on application (I found the original shades to be slightly firmer compared to more newly released shades). They had nearly opaque to opaque coverage in one layer and most were buildable.
They had a subtle sheen--more satin-to-cream in finish--that wore down to a natural matte finish within an hour or two of wear. The formula lasted between four and eight hours on me, and while most weren't drying, they aren't "supreme[ly" hydrating either. They are, however, comfortable to wear over a longer period of time and reapply well. There was no discernible scent or taste to the formula.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Beautiful Stranger
PPermanent. $38.00.
Flesh 3
Flesh 3 is a medium-dark, reddish-brown with a satin finish. The lipstick had opaque color coverage that applied evenly and smoothly over my lips without tugging or dragging. The consistency was lightweight, velvety, and smooth with just the right amount of creaminess to make for a comfortable application but ensured good longevity. It stayed on nicely for six hours and felt lightly moisturizing while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Milani I Am Confident (P, $6.99) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Royal Integrity (LE, $19.00) is darker, glossier (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Unnatural Natural (DC, $40.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Legendary (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty In Deep (P, $55.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Brick (LE, $10.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Nighthawk (DC, $18.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Witty (P, $15.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Ignited Lava (120) (P, $23.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Strange (DC, $40.00) is darker, glossier (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.14 oz. - $271.43 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be “richly pigmented” with “”supreme hydration” and “opulent matte opacity.” The consistency was smooth, velvety, and dense without being too firm for one-stroke, glide-on application (I found the original shades to be slightly firmer compared to more newly released shades). They had nearly opaque to opaque coverage in one layer and most were buildable.
They had a subtle sheen--more satin-to-cream in finish--that wore down to a natural matte finish within an hour or two of wear. The formula lasted between four and eight hours on me, and while most weren't drying, they aren't "supreme[ly" hydrating either. They are, however, comfortable to wear over a longer period of time and reapply well. There was no discernible scent or taste to the formula.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Isononyl Isononanoate, Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate Polybutene, Polyethylene Dicalcium Phosphate, Paraffin, Polyhydroxystearic Acid Synthetic Wax, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax/Cera Carnauba/Cire De Carnauba, Hydrogenated Soybean Oil Stearic Acid, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Squalane, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Kaolin, Stearalkonium Hectorite Propylene Carbonate Nylon-12. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Cl 77891) Mica, Blue 1 Lake (Cl 42090), Red 6 (Cl 15850), Red 7 Lake (Cl 15850), Yellow 5 Lake C(L 19140) Yellow 6 Lake (Cl 15985), Red 28 Lake (Cl 45410), Red 30 Lake (Cl 73360), Iron Oxides (Cl 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499).
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
The quality is definitely still there for anyone who doesn’t have these shades yet! But I do have full-size Christy and Strangé, which closely dupes Flesh 3, also the balm version of Flesh 3 arrives tomorrow. This leaves only Beautiful Stranger as new to me.
Nancy I feel like Beautiful Stranger would be a stunning winter color on most people. I love Strangé more than Flesh3, but Flesh3 balm is different than the matte version and actually better as a lighter coat..
I picked up this trio. First lipsticks in a loooong time. They work well as I’m wearing warmer e/s’s overall. I particularly like Beautiful Stranger, Christy is ho-hum serviceable. I like my paler lipsticks to run cooler. I don’t know how often I will wear Flesh 3, but it works on me ?
Beautiful stranger is so pretty! I’ve been eyeing on it forever.
I’m disappointed this set has a repeat of Flesh 3 from Skin Show. I have the Skinshow in full size and Flesh 3 is pretty but I use 1995 and Omi on a daily. I really want to try Christy and Beautiful Stranger though. Decisions decisions decisions…
I picked up the mini holiday set for my daughter. The first night she wore one of the shades and went out to hang out with friends at a bar, she called me to go look in her room and see if the actual lipstick was on her vanity or the floor. She opened the bullet at the bar and there wasn’t any lipstick in it. It was never found either at the bar or in her room. Clearly the whole lipstick was not very secure in the tube. She knows not to roll it up too far and she says that she did not but probably in turning the lipstick to put it into the tube, the lipstick completely fell out. There was not lipstick even in the bottom of the bullet. It was like the lipstick was created separately and then just put into the bullet without having anything to keep it in place. Now, in addition to not rolling up too high, you have to make sure that you bring the cap down onto the body of the bullet and make sure the bullet doesn’t get inverted at any time. Not sure I am buying anymore mini lipsticks from PMGL. My daughter felt so bad that she had “lost” the lipstick at her first wearing it.
What an absolute bummer Deborah! How awful that the lipstick, for this price, isn’t secure in the tube. Your daughter must have felt really upset about it – I know I would.
Yes, she was pretty bummed about it. I will follow up with the company and see if they will replace it.
I just heard about everything going on in Australia and saw photos. It is so horrific. All the damage, the animals and homes. I am sure you are safe or you likely wouldn’t be answering questions on the blog but my thoughts and prayers are with you and for all of Australia. Is there any end in sight? I know here in Montana when we have active fires, they are often not put out until winter strikes and the temperatures and moisture finally put it out. You are just headed into summer so winter is a long way away. I just can’t wrap my head around that amount of devastation. Take good care of yourself and I am donating to the Red Cross in Australia. I would also like to find an animal rescue to donate to also. Take care, Genevieve.
That stinks! I’d email customer service. I bought some minis and one of them just fell out of the tube when I opened it. I held it over a match for a few seconds, put it back into the holder and then put it in the freezer. It fixed it, although I apply it very gently. Who knows how long it’ll hold out.
Perhaps get in touch with the company? Sounds like a quality issue so they might be happy to replace it.
Flesh 3 is the only lipstick I like in this group – my kind of shade. I wish I could easily get hold of Milani’s I am Confident and Positive…. as they are low priced dupes for this shade.
Oh, I’m getting this! Gorgeous!
I wish they didn’t repeat Flesh 3 in this kit as it was already in the original mini trio kit which I own! They should have put Flesh 5 or another new shade for this mini set. Really like the other two shades in the set though. Have the full size always been $40?! I feel like it used to be a bit cheaper.