Anastasia Brandy, Stevie, Dread Matte Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Brandy
Anastasia Brandy Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is deep, reddish burgundy with subtle, warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. The consistency was firm in the tube, which made it pull at the lips as I applied it, but the color itself still went on extremely evenly and yielded opaque coverage in a single layer. The lipstick wore well for over six hours, left a stain behind, and was neither drying nor hydrating.
The formula is supposed to have “full-pigment” with a “smooth, ultra-matte finish.” Since the description was a little light, I also watched the brand’s video, where the formula is also supposed to be comfortable to apply and not settle in lip lines. The best aspects of the formula are how lightweight it felt on–almost like nothing on, so despite being more matte and denser, not heavy or clingy–and that most shades have been non-drying (so far).
There has been some transfer, and the finish is mostly matte but not “ultra-matte” (certainly not as flat or matte as their liquid lipsticks, as an example). Some shades have emphasized my lip lines from a texture standpoint or due to color settling into them, but it depended on the shade. The wear has ranged from four and a half hours to eight hours, and some of the richer shades can survive a moderate meal and definitely drinking coffee. I found the texture to be the drawback; the lipstick is incredibly firm and dense with little to creaminess, which resulted in an application that tugged and pulled on the lips. It was also the type of texture that caught on flakes, so regular exfoliation is key. There were a few shades that were creamier and thicker on the lips, which were more comfortable to apply, but the majority were quite firm. (They also did not get softer with use.)
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Thousand Percent (LE, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Infinite Best (LE, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Tarte Manbun (P, $20.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Prim (P, $7.00) is darker, glossier (95% similar).
- ColourPop Chateau (P, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Anastasia Bohemian (P, $20.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Carnivorous (P, $21.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Tarte Frenemy (P, $20.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- ColourPop Chola (LE, $7.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Black Dahlia (10) (LE, $55.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.12 oz. - $150.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have “full-pigment” with a “smooth, ultra-matte finish.” Since the description was a little light, I also watched the brand’s video, where the formula is also supposed to be comfortable to apply and not settle in lip lines. The best aspects of the formula are how lightweight it felt on–almost like nothing on, so despite being more matte and denser, not heavy or clingy–and that most shades have been non-drying (so far).
There has been some transfer, and the finish is mostly matte but not “ultra-matte” (certainly not as flat or matte as their liquid lipsticks, as an example). Some shades have emphasized my lip lines from a texture standpoint or due to color settling into them, but it depended on the shade. The wear has ranged from four and a half hours to eight hours, and some of the richer shades can survive a moderate meal and definitely drinking coffee.
I found the texture to be the drawback; the lipstick is incredibly firm and dense with little to creaminess, which resulted in an application that tugged and pulled on the lips. It was also the type of texture that caught on flakes, so regular exfoliation is key. There were a few shades that were creamier and thicker on the lips, which were more comfortable to apply, but the majority were quite firm. (They also did not get softer with use.)
Browse all of our Anastasia Matte Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Brandy
PPermanent. $18.00.
Stevie
Anastasia Stevie Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, reddish plum with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had excellent pigmentation that covered the lips with smooth, even color. The texture was ultra-lightweight and didn’t settle in my lip lines over time, though the consistency was quite dense and firm in the tube, so it did tug on my lips as I pulled the bullet across my lips during application. This shade lasted well for five hours and was non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Little Star (LE, $6.50) is less glossy (95% similar).
- Bite Beauty Chai (P, $28.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Stellar Beauty Dark Matter 04 (P, $22.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Anastasia Dazed (P, $20.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Softii (LE, $6.50) is lighter (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Cathedral (P, $19.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Daniela (P, $24.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Erotic Adventure (P, $26.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Berry Lucky (LE, $34.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Extra Sugar Buns (P, $28.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.12 oz. - $150.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have “full-pigment” with a “smooth, ultra-matte finish.” Since the description was a little light, I also watched the brand’s video, where the formula is also supposed to be comfortable to apply and not settle in lip lines. The best aspects of the formula are how lightweight it felt on–almost like nothing on, so despite being more matte and denser, not heavy or clingy–and that most shades have been non-drying (so far).
There has been some transfer, and the finish is mostly matte but not “ultra-matte” (certainly not as flat or matte as their liquid lipsticks, as an example). Some shades have emphasized my lip lines from a texture standpoint or due to color settling into them, but it depended on the shade. The wear has ranged from four and a half hours to eight hours, and some of the richer shades can survive a moderate meal and definitely drinking coffee.
I found the texture to be the drawback; the lipstick is incredibly firm and dense with little to creaminess, which resulted in an application that tugged and pulled on the lips. It was also the type of texture that caught on flakes, so regular exfoliation is key. There were a few shades that were creamier and thicker on the lips, which were more comfortable to apply, but the majority were quite firm. (They also did not get softer with use.)
Browse all of our Anastasia Matte Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Stevie
PPermanent. $18.00.
Dread
Anastasia Dread Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium taupe brown with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The color payoff was opaque in a single stroke, though the lipstick definitely tugged quite a bit as I went to apply it directly to my lips as a result of the very dense, firm texture. I was surprised at how lightweight and comfortable it was to wear. It wore well for five hours and wasn’t drying on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Kaleidos Echo Valley (P, $12.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Pillow Talk (P, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Anastasia #11 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- NYX Sable (P, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Anastasia #8 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is darker (85% similar).
- MAC Big Bertha (LE, $21.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Chi (LE, $6.50) is warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Styled in Sepia (LE, $19.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty No Angel (242) (P, $30.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- MAC Self-Aware (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$18.00/0.12 oz. - $150.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have “full-pigment” with a “smooth, ultra-matte finish.” Since the description was a little light, I also watched the brand’s video, where the formula is also supposed to be comfortable to apply and not settle in lip lines. The best aspects of the formula are how lightweight it felt on–almost like nothing on, so despite being more matte and denser, not heavy or clingy–and that most shades have been non-drying (so far).
There has been some transfer, and the finish is mostly matte but not “ultra-matte” (certainly not as flat or matte as their liquid lipsticks, as an example). Some shades have emphasized my lip lines from a texture standpoint or due to color settling into them, but it depended on the shade. The wear has ranged from four and a half hours to eight hours, and some of the richer shades can survive a moderate meal and definitely drinking coffee.
I found the texture to be the drawback; the lipstick is incredibly firm and dense with little to creaminess, which resulted in an application that tugged and pulled on the lips. It was also the type of texture that caught on flakes, so regular exfoliation is key. There were a few shades that were creamier and thicker on the lips, which were more comfortable to apply, but the majority were quite firm. (They also did not get softer with use.)
Browse all of our Anastasia Matte Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
For some reason, when I saw Brandy..I thought immediately of the color of lipstick that the animated Cruella de Vil wore in 101 Dalmatians. That very dark, deep woody red.
Stevie looks kinda nice but overall..the colors probably wouldn’t work for me.
I can totally see why you recalled Cruella de Vil!!
Brandy and Stevie are more up my alley but you never know with those types of shades, sometimes they pull warm brown on me. I’d have to lip swatch!
Let us know how they work for you, Erin!
Dread is the kind of shade I wish I could wear, but these types of colors drain the life out of my face. I’ve tried two of the dupes mentioned: MAC’s Stone and Cold Hard Cash, neither of which go well with my skin tone.
Stevie and Brandy are so pretty, but I own similar colors, including some of the dupes listed.
I know how you feel about Dread, Seraphine! I love grays and the like but don’t reach for them for the same reasons!
I love all of them! Now i’ll have to find Bite dupes.
I hope you can!
Whilst on my ABH Lipstick try-on marathon yesterday, I so wanted to try out Dread, Honey and even Resin, but not with the purple eye look I had on! And even though Dread and Honey are quite close in tone to UD Abstract, Dread seems different enough to consider.
Btw; I love these over a coat of MAC Prep & Prime. Kiss lasted for 4 full hours until I ate dinner, even afterwards I still had a decent amount left on! I’m impressed!
Thanks for the tip about putting them over Prep + Prime!
No problem, Christine! I stumbled upon that solution after my 3rd ABH lipstick try-on because my lips were on fire, buti wasn’t ready to stop yet, so out came my lip saving P&P. Allowing for at least 4 more shade try-ons. Wearing Dead Roses today over P&P since 3 p.m. and still comfy!
Brandy is my fave here!!
It’s a nice shade!
I love all the spicy brown lipsticks that have been released recently and Brandy is a great shade. But I think I prefer the Nars Audacious lipstick better because of the finish.
Me too, Genevieve! It’s nice to have so many options.
Dread is such a unique color! It definitely wouldn’t look good on me, but wow, I really do like the color!
It is a more unique shade!