Archived Post

Besame American Beauty & Besame Red Classic Color Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick
Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick

Besame Classic Color Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) recently popped up on Sephora with six shades, and I bought two of them to try out. The formula is supposed to have a “satin, matte finish that delivers full coverage in one coat.” It also is supposed to “leave lips feeling soft and hydrated.” Both of these were pigmented, comfortable to wear, and long-wearing. They’re not ultra-hydrating, but they were lightly moisturizing to the point where after six hours, my lips still felt good (no need to rush for the balm). The consistency is lightweight and thin but still yielded good coverage and glided on without pulling on the lips. I didn’t have any color that bled or feathered outside of my natural lip line (though I am not prone to either, but I have experience both occasionally). The formula had a sweet, vanilla scent to it but no discernible taste.

Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is described as a “cool berry red.” It’s a subdued, medium-dark red with cool, raspberry undertones and a satin finish. It had very nearly opaque coverage (you can just barely see my lip freckle peeking through) that applied evenly and smoothly. The color lasted for six and a half hours and was lightly hydrating over time. Clinique Cherry Pop (P, $18.00) is lighter. MAC Stunner (LE, $16.00) is warmer. Anastasia American Doll (P, $20.00) is lighter, brighter, less glossy. Tom Ford Beauty Ruby Rush (07) (P, $50.00) is lighter, warmer. NARS Deadly Catch (LE, $26.00) is warmer. Kat Von D Hexagram (P, $21.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy. MAC Frank-n-furter (LE, $16.00) is darker, less glossy. Chanel La Desiree (327) (LE, $34.00) is warmer. Chanel Rouge Byzantin (LE, $34.00) is more shimmery, darker. MAC Just a Bite (LE, $16.00) is darker, glossier. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is described as a “true red with a cooler, blue-toned base.” It’s a brightened, medium red with cool, blue undertones and a satin finish. It had full color coverage that applied with smooth, even color without dragging or tugging on the lips. The texture was lightly creamy but didn’t slide around (but it isn’t transfer-proof). It was comfortable to wear during the six hour period it lasted. MAC MAC Red (P, $16.00) is darker. Chanel La Precieuse (317) (LE, $34.00) is warmer. MAC RiRi Woo (LE, $16.00) is less glossy. MAC Ronnie Red (LE, $16.00) is darker. NARS Deadly Catch (LE, $26.00) is darker. MAC Ruby (LE, $16.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier. Kat Von D Hexagram (P, $21.00) is more muted, less glossy. Too Faced Melted Ruby (P, $21.00) is glossier. Anastasia American Doll (P, $20.00) is warmer, less glossy. MAC Tenor Voice (LE, $16.00) is lighter. MAC Opera (LE, $16.00) is lighter. Tom Ford Beauty Ruby Rush (07) (P, $50.00) is warmer. MAC Kinky (LE, $16.00) is warmer. Kat Von D Outlaw (P, $19.00) is warmer, less glossy. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

American Beauty 1945

PPermanent. $22.00.
A
A
9.5
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
9
Texture
10
Longevity
5
Application
96%
Total

Besame Red 1920

PPermanent. $22.00.
A
A
9.5
Product
9.5
Pigmentation
9
Texture
10
Longevity
5
Application
96%
Total

Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick
Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick

Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick
Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick

Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick
Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick

Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick
Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick

Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick
Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick

Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick
Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick

Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick
Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick

Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick
Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick

Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick
Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick

Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick
Besame American Beauty 1945 Lipstick

Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick
Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick

Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick
Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick

Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick
Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick

Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick
Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick

Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick
Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick

Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick
Besame Besame Red 1920 Lipstick

120 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
ceebee_eebee Avatar

Besame is my favorite lipstick brand. You have no idea how nervous I was when I saw this review pop up. YAY FOR GETTING GOOD GRADES!

Celia Avatar

These shades are fairly undertone dependent so Besame Red picks up warmer and American Beauty redder on Christine than they do on my lips which are cooler toned and heavily pigmented. That aspect of them is part of their popularity since the shades tend to work extremely well regardless of undertone. On me, Besame Red is a bit cooler.

Celia Avatar

Definitely been my experience with them. Besame Red especially seems to read very neutral on many people’s lips but retains the smile-brightening aspect of the blue and certainly swatches out blue. It’s a bit unexpected since they go on near-full opaque but they pick up undertones in a way that many sheerer shades would.

Nicole Avatar

Both are really pretty! Glad to hear these did well. I noticed they have a 5 star rating on Sephora’s site too . I hope they expand the range though. I wouldn’t mind trying the formula. But,I have many dupes and I honestly don’t seem to get too much wear out of reds.

Celia Avatar

Exotic Pink is the only shade I’ve yet to get my hands on, but I can definitely HIGHLY recommend Portrait Pink from their site. It’s beautiful. Absolutely one of my favorite pinks. It’s a soft, natural-looking, neutral-ish pink (the site describes it as “pastel baby pink” but it’s more of a MLBB shade than a MAC Saint Germain ha). I was sad to see Dusty Rose is no longer listed at their site. That was a phenomenal dusky, mauvey rose.

Nicole Avatar

Thanks Celia! I think I want to try one of their reds actually after reading all your comments . I don’t really have a”go to” red in my huge stash. My coloring is almost spot on Christine’s .Is there a red you suggest for summer? They don’t carry any of these in store at the Sephora.

Celia Avatar

I don’t think you can go too wrong with your coloring and their reds 🙂 It’s hard for me to pick my favorites on such coloring but given the desire for a more summery red I think you can safely rule out Cherry Red as that one is pretty deep and a hint berry-ish (though I mix Cherry and Besame often on warmer toned folk and it looks great!). Carmine is on the more warm-toned end and runs pretty orangey, but it’s more of a pink-orange almost coral-shade so I’d eliminate that one too since you’re specifically wanting a red. Noir Red is super vampy and plummy so that one too can be eliminated for a summer red. So that leaves us with…

Besame Red is lovely and clearly flatters Christine since it’s a pretty true red, so that would be a great and versatile option. Just blue enough to keep teeth looking bright. If, however, you’re looking towards the ones more specifically targeted to warmer tones than Tango Red or Red Hot Red would be great (if you prefer a more orangey orange-red go with Tango. If you prefer a truer warm red more like Marilyn Monroe’s signature color, go for Red Hot). Red Velvet is a hint brick-ish and seems to look great on everyone but is slightly darker than the others. American Beauty is completely amazing on Christine and is not as cool-toned or deep as Cherry Red so I think that one would be great too.

And again, they really do layer beautifully so it’s really easy to make sort of a custom red if you find yourself wanting something in-between the offerings. Carmine is my least favorite and it’s still a completely gorgeous lipstick I’m glad I own so I trust you’ll enjoy whatever you pick. Let me know what you choose or if you need any help narrowing it down further 🙂 I swatched out all my shades again to make sure I had everything right for you here so it’s no problem to pull them out to check something for you/anyone in need.

Celia Avatar

(Though I totally think Cherry Red and the others would be beautiful on you! Cherry Red is just more of a wintry shade, Noir Red is darker than you’re looking for atm, and Carmine Red may be more coral than the red you’re looking for. All of them definitely look great on warmer toned people. Just the others are more suited to your desired look)

Nicole Avatar

Hey Celia, no worries..I found some good swatches on Pinterest. I went with American Beauty,Portrait Pink, and Noir Red and the lipliner you suggested thanks to your and Christine’s helpful convo and her review.I can’t wait! Yet another lipstick formula to love!

Nicole Avatar

Lol..Thanks for doing that Celia! I guess I didn’t see your response had come through. I jotted down notes as I have a feeling I’m going to like these. I almost went with Cherry Red over American Beauty as the bullets look so close. It took me reading some of the reviews. Finally, I just decided I didn’t want to spend that much on my first purchase. Then I went back and forth forever on AB and Besame. Finally, I had my daughter look at the 2 pictures of Christine and tell me which she thought looked better, lol. I went with that one. The PP, online swatch and your rec ,sold it. Noir red- gorgeous even if it is more of a “fall” shade- if the reviews are serving accurate in the quality , I need that. If I wear it once until Sept, so be it. I couldn’t help but wonder the site.Any opinion on the violet powder? You are an amazing help! Thank you so much.! Knowing myself,I’ll have the other shades soon ! 🙂

kjh Avatar

I’ve only bought the non-reds, so far: chocolate kiss,champagne, and the licorice gloss. i knew i would be in severe trouble, once i started with the reds. i think the ones i got are d/c’d…or as i say when i snagged them Just in Time. The lipstick construction works. The product is of good quality. The tube design (iconic) and little protection sack make pleasant, handbag-friendly packaging. (For those of you who still carry a bag, or wear a watch…i know it’s very passe… They also withstand pants pockets well.) All in all, I’ver quite liked my trio of Besame. And now, they added some red l/s to Sephora. Let the trouble begin! Not like I have no dupes, but oooooh! BTW, Besame mail order was a good experience, in case anyone isn’t up for Sephora..l.and they do have occasional sales.

Kelley Avatar

I tried Chocolate Kiss in their matchbook form, and am kicking myself for not buying it before it was discontinued! Any idea of where I could still get it, or any recommendations for something similar?

Celia Avatar

Ooo how fun! You reviewed two of my favorites together (though it’s always hard to pick Besame favorites). For years, Besame has been one of my most frequently complimented brands whenever I wear it. The lasting power on these is amazing and people often stop me when I’m eating with a Besame color on and inquire as to what lipstick is managing to last through a meal so perfectly. On my cooler-toned, darker lips American Beauty reads a hint more berry on me than the lovely red goodness it is on you. The Besame Cerise and Red Master Lip Liner is available on their site proper at the moment and it is absolutely perfect with both of these shades or on its own if people are looking for a worthy liner (I believe it’s LE but it’s so precise and perfect that I highly recommend it. Plus it has the usual beauty Besame packaging).

Hopefully they’ll add the pinks to Sephora one day. Love the pinks.

Celia Avatar

The first time I ordered from them I was a little nervous since old-fashioned inspired shades tend to run very dry. But they really do a terrific job at replicating signature retro colors in an amazingly comfy formula. Surprisingly easy to forget you have bright red lips on!

kjh Avatar

yes, and it’s nice to see some classics that i WASN’T around for the first time! for me, red rules, pinks are infrequent, and warm pinks/pink corals are definite nays. So Besame is totally my alley. Gonna go pull the plug on a few reds. Your comments are insightful; it IS interesting how this formula shade adjusts more than most primarily opaque formulas. I was major surprised that Am Beauty pulled so warm on Christine; i had ruled it out as too pink a red. For now, think i’ll do the doris day 1959 one and the noir. But i feel them all calling. These really appeal to me. Maybe it’s ’cause i’m retro, too.

Celia Avatar

They’re so very appealing. I reach for them all the time and absolutely adore my collection. Hope you love whatever shades you wind up choosing! There really isn’t a dud among them.

Raeanne Avatar

Oh, I’m so glad these rated well! Like I need another red lipstick – but lawd knows I will be getting at least two of these. LOL

Blue Avatar

These look beautiful and I’m very curious about Cherry Red and Noir red. I hope you get a chance to review them later on, but even if you don’t, it’s great to know that the quality is there for the other shades. Thanks as always for the review! 🙂

Michelle Avatar

I’m so glad that you’ve reviewed these.. they look great! I’m interested in their dark red color, I think it will be a good purchase!

koolchicken Avatar

I just checked the brands website. Sadly the lipsticks do no say they’re gluten free. I know their face powders are (I love, and have been using them for a while). But if the lipsticks aren’t then I guess I’ll be passing. 🙁

Sheb Avatar

Wow, these lipsticks are absolutely gorgeous! Sold! The tip of the lipsticks reminds of those times I’ve unintentionally smashed a lipstick against its lid; nice to see it’s purposeful in this instance. 😛

Rachel R. Avatar

Those are some beautiful reds. I love the bullet shape and pretty packaging. I’ll have to try one of these now that they’re at Sephora.

kellly Avatar

Oooh, those are pretty! I especially like the 1945 one. Not sure I’d buy it, tho, because it’s really rare when I wear a full-out red.

zVintageFashionizta Avatar

The colors you chose are gorgeous on you!
I love Besame Cosmetics; I tried them out because of their vintage packaging. I am happy that they now make brushes and that the line is available at Sephora.

Paige Avatar

American Beauty looks really fantastic on you, Christine! I couldn’t stop staring at your lips, and how nice the whole look is!

I was so excited when I saw Besame lipsticks being reviewed!!! I bought Red Velvet (because that was the lip color Marvel’s Agent Carter wore in the TV show), but have not yet tried it. Was also eyeing American Beauty and Besame Red, so I am glad that they have received good grades! =)

Nancy T Avatar

These both look so wonderful on you! I know my red lipstick addiction just got a poke in ribs! Gonna need one of these…..probably American Beauty since it may morph into something a teensy bit warmer with my undertones.

Trish Avatar

Awesome Christine that you reviewed this brand! I’ve been wanting to try their lipstick for ages but never knew where to start. They both look super moist and comfy. I kinda favor 1920- & it looks great on you too!

Shawna Avatar

Yay Besame! I’ve been a hardcore fan for awhile and it’s so great to see them finally getting the attention they deserve! The packaging is so classy. It’s also interesting to see how the colours change depending on skin tone, American Beauty looks very pink on me but I find it looks very red on you. If you can get a hold of them I also recommend Merlot, Dusty Rose and Carmine <3 The one thing I don't like is that if they sell out of a colour they take the listing off of their site so I find that a bit annoying because you can't see everything they have to offer.

Shawna Avatar

tbh I’ve never used any of their other products! I’ve been curious about their face powders and cream blushes because I’ve heard really good things about them…

Sarah Avatar

I absolutely love Besame Cosmetics. I bought two of their shades, Red Hot Red 1959 and Cherry Red 1935, about nine months ago and I am constantly being complimented when I wear the shades. I was so excited to see these pop up on the site, and I’m glad to see that you love them too! They’re a winner in my collection!

monikamanson Avatar

oh my WORD these are so stunning, i have a million and one red lipsticks already but these look so creamy and pigmented I have to get my hands on them. american beauty is a beaut, it looks lovely on you! the product on your lips looks a lot like how the UD revolution lipsticks looked, are they comparable?

Melanie Avatar

Oooh I’ve been hoping that one of my favorite bloggers would review some Besame shades! Maybe we’ll see more reviews of this brand in the future. They both look vibrant on you!

Kecia S. Avatar

I was excited to see these on Sephora’s website. I discovered Besame lipsticks last year when I was on a mission to build up my collection by trying many different brands. I ordered Besame Red & Cherry Red through Amazon (LOVE both of them) & I recently picked up American Beauty & Noir Red from Sephora. Besame Red seems to morph on me: depending on the lighting, it looks cooler to slightly warm. Besame does lipsticks well!

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!