Anastasia Smoke, Resin, Griffin Matte Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Smoke
Anastasia Smoke Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, bluish gray with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation with a lightweight, lightly creamy texture that was denser and thicker on the lips compared to other shades, though it felt the same in terms of weight. I noticed this particular shade also felt creamier and did not tug as much compared to others in the line-up. It wore well for five hours 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 Petit Four (P, $7.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Halsey (LE, $19.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Smashbox Punked (P, $21.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Space Cake (P, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar).
- Dior Montaigne Matte (207) (P, $35.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Huda Beauty Silver Fox (P, $20.00) is darker, 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
Smoke
PPermanent. $18.00.
Resin
Anastasia Resin Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, purplish taupe with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had good color payoff, though it was not quite opaque, with a lightly creamy texture that tugged on the lips a bit but was not as stiff or firm in the tube compared to the majority of shades in the formula. I did notice, however, that this shade seemed prone to emphasizing my lip lines as the color split around them. On me, the color lasted for five hours and felt non-drying but the color did pull into my lip lines more as it wore on.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Deep Rooted (P, $19.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Makeup Geek Misfit (P, $12.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Maybelline Concrete Jungle (P, $7.49) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Simply Smoked (P, $21.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Gwendolyn (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, glossier (85% similar).
- ColourPop Kapow (DC, $6.50) 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
Resin
PPermanent. $18.00.
Griffin
Anastasia Griffin Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, grayish taupe with neutral-to-cool undertones and a mostly matte finish. The texture was firm in the tube, so the lipstick tugged as it applied, though the color went on fairly evenly and did not drag or appear ragged on. It had nearly opaque pigmentation that lasted for a good five hours, while the formula felt lightweight and non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Simply Smoked (P, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Secret Number (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
- MAC Deep Rooted (P, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Esspresso (P, $21.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
- MAC Gwendolyn (LE, $19.00).
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
Resin and Griffin are both more interesting, unique colors. I wish it was easier for me to wear deep taupe-y colors like that on my lips, when I’ve tried in the past they’ve left me looking ill. They look so good on you, Christine!
Thank you, AJ! I don’t think they look good on me, so I bet it’s just a matter of perspective!
AJ, they make me look ill, too. I have a few gray-purple-taupes at home that I bought because I thought I could pull them off, but they drain the life out of my face, even when they’re lighter greige-type colors. I should have stopped at the first one, but I tried three more of these colors. So I now have four completely unwearable gray-based lipsticks. 🙁
Resin and Griffin look fabulous for this rather tricky color family. Not so sure I could pull one of them off, because gray vs. olive undertones tends to look funky. And not in a “good” way!
I feel like these shades can really look different from person to person due to the undertones!
Beautiful!
Glad you liked ’em!
I wonder if the old school 80s trick of hitting it with a lighter would work? (For anyone who doesn’t know/remember what I’m talking about, to get creamier eyeliner we’d hit the eyeliner with a lighter for a second and then when it cooled down it applied with a much creamier texture and dried down more densely upon the eye. I wonder if doing the same to the lipstick would work since it is stiff to apply?)
It’s not something I’d personally do, since I’d rather just use slightly extra pressure to apply! I would recommend using a lip brush if you were not willing to just use greater pressure!
I had to get these three with the Lipstick Day B2G1 sale. I like the consistency a lot. Not too dry, but still matte. I don’t get flaky lips unless I’ve been really ill, so these are working for me, and I want to get more colors.
Happy to hear you’re enjoying the formula so far, Rachel!
What 3 did you get? I got resin, and on me it’s a 95% dupe to dusty mauve, despite them looking 80% in the tube! With CP Femme, thanks to you, and deeply rooted, gone Greige, think I’m all set in the grayed/greige dept for now! Also got Rogue. The finish reminds me of one of the old Prescriptives formulas. Do like these, though not sure how they will age over time.
Kjh, I got these the three reviewed here: Smoke, Resin, and Griffin. I think I’m pretty well set in the gray & greige departments, too. I’m surprised to hear Resin is so close to Dusty Mauve. Good to know, as Dusty Mauve is on my wish list.
A few years ago, it would be very hard to find dupes for these colors, but so many brands have come out with non-traditional colors, it’s nice to see there’s more options for customers
I know, right? It’s very cool!
I love all three of these colors, but there’s something I don’t like the way they seem to settle into your lip lines. This is a super minor peeve too, but I feel like the lipstick case should look more high end for $18.
I did like the feel of the lipstick in my hand – felt right for the price, though fingerprints!
I really kind of dig these. 🙂 Griffin is so unique for me and I like the warm tone of Smoke.
I like that they did some cool shades that were more unusual but not like blue or green, you know? New neutrals.
Wow, I wish I had the chutzpah to wear Resin. It is a beautiful color.
Aww!! Maybe one day you will 😀
Resin is speaking to me.
It’s a gorgeous shade!
Oh my! What amazing shades if you can pull them off!
They are!
Well, one of my cats is named Griffin. But I like Resin better.
Griff is the best one to me…but I wouldn’t get it.
Great, gorgeous colours all three. I especially like Resin, I think I will have to buy it.
All three of these are such interesting and unusual shades for the lips; I really like them! I don’t know that I could pull any of them off – probably not – but they do look good on you, Christine 🙂
Griffin looks pretty awesome!