Pat McGrath Bronze Opulence Mini Lip Gloss Trio Review & Swatches
Bronze Opulence
Pat McGrath Bronze Opulence Mini Lip Gloss Trio ($25.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a new, limited edition trio that features three, miniature-sized glosses; two are existing and one is a new shade in a new gloss formula (“Lust Lacquer”). The existing shades were consistent with the full-sized shades I reviewed previously. The new shade and its formula are comfortable to wear, but it wasn’t as pigmented as described and didn’t apply as evenly as I would expect. I also think the tackiness and thickness of the new formula will not be everyone’s favorite.
Ingredients
Bronze Opulence
LELimited Edition. $25.00.
Pale Fire Nectar
Pale Fire Nectar has a more translucent base (at best, peach-tinted) with flecks of with pink and violet sparkle paired with a high-shine, glossy finish. It had sheer coverage, and it was part of the set of glosses intended to be more “translucent” (the range goes up to opaque, but I definitely think the brand could do a better job of describing this). The gloss spread evenly across my lips and had a lightweight, smooth consistency that wasn’t too thick or too thin. It lasted well for three hours and was moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Sugar Coat (LE, $18.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Inter-spatial (LE, $22.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Clear Water (P, $10.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- ColourPop Purple Aura (LE, $8.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Bibbidi (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Neat Freak (LE, $10.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Supercute (LE, $10.00) is more pigmented, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Ghosted (LE, $20.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Queen G (LE, $8.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Dreamlover (LE, $18.50) is more pigmented (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$30.00/0.15 oz. - $200.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "multidimensional shine" with a "non-sticky texture" that "nourishes" with "exceptional adherence." The opacity ranges from "opaque to transparent." The color coverage really does vary quite a bit, but most of the shades I've tried are sheer to medium in coverage--the brand could be clearer on which shades are opaque.
The consistency has a smooth, lightweight texture that wasn't tacky and was comfortable to wear. For the most part, they didn't seem to sink into my lip lines, which can be a pitfall of gloss. I didn't find the wear time to be better than average--three to four hours--but the formula was moderately hydrating. There was a subtle vanilla scent but no discernible taste when worn.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath LUST Lip Gloss swatches.
Ingredients
Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isostearyl Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methyl Styrene/Indene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Mica, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Silica, Propylene Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethyl Vanillin, Tin Oxide, Dicalcium Phosphate, Tocopherol, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Red 6 (Ci 15850).
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.
Look Using this Product
Pale Fire Nectar
PPermanent. $30.00.
Flesh 6
Flesh 6 is a muted, medium-dark copper-red with warm undertones and a shiny, cream finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage in a single layer, which applied evenly and smoothly across my lips. The texture was smooth, spreadable, and comfortable to wear without being heavy or tacky, though there was a smidgen of product in my deeper lip lines–not enough to be noticeable in person, though. It wore well for four and a half hours and felt hydrating while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Macadamia (LE, $10.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- NARS No Regrets (P, $26.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Sydney Grace Faith (P, $10.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Would Rather Lounge (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Ale (LE, $10.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Kick It Up (LE, $10.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Noise (LE, $26.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Cookie Jar (P, $19.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Rebel Rebel (308) (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- YSL Transgressive Cacao (211) (P, $38.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$30.00/0.15 oz. - $200.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "multidimensional shine" with a "non-sticky texture" that "nourishes" with "exceptional adherence." The opacity ranges from "opaque to transparent." The color coverage really does vary quite a bit, but most of the shades I've tried are sheer to medium in coverage--the brand could be clearer on which shades are opaque.
The consistency has a smooth, lightweight texture that wasn't tacky and was comfortable to wear. For the most part, they didn't seem to sink into my lip lines, which can be a pitfall of gloss. I didn't find the wear time to be better than average--three to four hours--but the formula was moderately hydrating. There was a subtle vanilla scent but no discernible taste when worn.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath LUST Lip Gloss swatches.
Ingredients
Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isostearyl Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methyl Styrene/Indene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Propylene Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethyl Vanillin, Tin Oxide, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Tocopherol, Silica. May Contain / Peut Contenir / +/- : Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492, Ci 77491), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090).
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.
Flesh 6
PPermanent. $30.00.
Lunar Bronze
Lunar Bronze is a medium-dark, coppery red base packed full of multi-colored shimmer and pearl. IT was dominated by copper and ruby shimmer with bits of gold and violet that came through at times. The formula was light-medium in weight and thicker with a fair amount of tackiness, which helped keep in place better than most glosses but might not be comfortable for those who dislike tackiness in their gloss.
It had semi-opaque color coverage (and it was intended to have “high pigmentation”) that could have applied more evenly; I felt like it had so much shimmer and shininess that the unevenness wasn’t as noticeable in person, though. The gloss stayed on well for six hours and was moisturizing over time.
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Dirty Talk (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Ruby Taboo (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, less pigmented (90% similar).
- MAC Would Rather Lounge (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Shadow Man (LE, $7.00) is more shimmery, brighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Rose Magic (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Atomic (400) (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, more muted, cooler (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Hot Love (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Smashbox Moscow Muled (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker, less glossy (85% similar).
- Smashbox Haterade (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- MAC Autumn Russet (P, $21.00) is lighter (80% similar).
Ingredients
Polybutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaoleate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Mica, Cera Microcristallina / Microcrystalline Wax / Cire Microcrystalline, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Polyurethane-79, Benzyl Benzoate, Flavor /Aroma, Silica, Tin Oxide, Sodium Saccharin, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891).
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.
I wanted Lunar Bronze: past tense
Lunar Bronze is a bit of a disappointment, I thought it would be a fabulous one. I love the colour and it does look quite moisturising.
Liking it, but I’m holding out for the red set. As for the newer formula used, I don’t understand why she felt that this was a good idea when even MAC has gone with a less tacky formula in the past couple years. Strange choice on her part!
I love lunar bronze. I have all of Mother’s glosses and a bunch of others, including Fenty, Hourglass, Marc Jacobs, Chanel – high and low. Lunar Bronze is one of my favorites. I don’t mind the tackiness at all. It’s opaque original and beautiful.
Along with PFN which is freaking gorgeous, this is a terrific trio and it complements Golden Opulence extremely well.
I just hope she releases lunar bronze as a full size.
I agree. I wasn’t going to get this but now that I’ve seen them, I think I will!
I have PFN. I would go for a full-sized Lunar Bronze. ?