Bite Beauty Tamarind & Chai Power Move Soft Matte Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Tamarind
Bite Beauty Tamarind Power Move Hydrating Soft Matte Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium-dark peach with warmer undertones and a matte finish. It had mostly opaque, buildable pigmentation with a smooth, more velvety texture that was thin, somewhat clingy, and prone to separating along my lip lines and emphasizing my natural texture (despite exfoliating). It lasted for three hours and settled further into my lip lines with a tendency to cling and collect around textural imperfections in particular.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Firecracker (LE, $26.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Minute Man (LE, $5.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Grotto (LE, $27.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Creme Fresh (P, $10.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Sultry Move (P, $22.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Fly Robin Fly (LE, $26.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Sephora Warm Nude (75) (P, $14.00) is lighter, more muted (85% similar).
- ColourPop Room Service (P, $9.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar).
- MAC One Hit (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Dose of Colors Peachii (LE, $18.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$28.00/0.14 oz. - $200.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "vibrant color payoff" with a "velvety matte finish" that "looks (& feels) good on lips." It's a silicone-based formula (the first ingredient is dimethicone), which is often something more "modern" matte lipstick formulas have been leaning toward. This gives them a lighter-weight, more velvety feel on--creamy enough to glide on but almost "dry" to the touch without being as clingy as traditional matte finishes.
The color payoff ranged from semi-opaque to opaque, though some shades applied better than others; the lighter shades seemed to be less pigmented, while some of the deeper shades did not apply as evenly. The mid-tone shades performed the best overall; they had fuller coverage, applied more comfortably and evenly, and tended to be more forgiving of imperfections in lip texture. In close-ups, you can see slight "balls" of product, though they weren't something I could feel nor see in person in most instances.
The silicone-based matte formulas have a thinner consistency that can emphasize lip texture or separate along lip lines, depending on the shade and application. Most of the shades did not do this but a few did for me. The wear down was where I found that medium and darker shades tended to pull more noticeably into my lip lines, as the colors tended to wear away unevenly to some degree.
The colors lasted between three and six hours with deeper, more red-based hues lasting longer and leaving a stronger stain behind, and the lighter shades lasting the shortest amount of time. The formula felt non-drying, but it was very lightweight and comfortable to wear for the first few hours and then felt a little clingier as the product wore away.
Most of the colors are new to the range, though the ones that are "returning" are fairly similar to the colors in Amuse Bouche but have a different finish and, to some degree, depth as a result of the finish difference. The Amuse Bouche formula was rather different, as it was a creamier, denser, and cream/satin finish, so it had shine, more depth, and had more slip. If you liked the luminosity of the Amuse Bouche formula, the new formula doesn't have that; if you always wanted a more matte version, then you might find yourself enjoying the new formula.
The formula had a vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our Bite Beauty Power Move Hydrating Soft Matte Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Ozokerite, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isoeicosane, Silica, Dicalcium Phosphate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Mica, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Aroma/Flavor, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lauroyl Lysine, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Tapioca Starch, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Aqua/Water/Eau, Bht, Tocopherol. May Contain/Peut Contenir (+/-): Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985), 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.
Tamarind
PPermanent. $28.00.
Chai
Bite Beauty Chai Power Move Hydrating Soft Matte Lipstick ($28.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark red with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque color coverage in a single layer, which applied smoothly and comfortably across my lips with barely any tugging. The formula was lightly creamy in the tube but thin but a little denser, as it felt velvety and like a silicone-based primer.
The color applied evenly and didn’t emphasize my natural lip texture initially, but after two to three hours, the color wore down somewhat unevenly and clung around my lip lines. It stayed on for four and a half hours and felt non-drying over time.
This formula is darker, more subdued, and slightly redder compared to Chai from Amuse Bouche. The warmer undertone was more noticeable with the Amuse Bouche version, whereas the undertone is truer in the Soft Matte formula.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Softii (LE, $6.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- NARS Erotic Adventure (P, $26.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Anastasia Stevie (P, $18.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Little Star (LE, $6.50) is warmer (95% similar).
- Anastasia Dazed (P, $20.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- Tarte Vacay (P, $21.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- Stellar Beauty Dark Matter 04 (P, $22.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Daniela (P, $24.00) is darker (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
$28.00/0.14 oz. - $200.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "vibrant color payoff" with a "velvety matte finish" that "looks (& feels) good on lips." It's a silicone-based formula (the first ingredient is dimethicone), which is often something more "modern" matte lipstick formulas have been leaning toward. This gives them a lighter-weight, more velvety feel on--creamy enough to glide on but almost "dry" to the touch without being as clingy as traditional matte finishes.
The color payoff ranged from semi-opaque to opaque, though some shades applied better than others; the lighter shades seemed to be less pigmented, while some of the deeper shades did not apply as evenly. The mid-tone shades performed the best overall; they had fuller coverage, applied more comfortably and evenly, and tended to be more forgiving of imperfections in lip texture. In close-ups, you can see slight "balls" of product, though they weren't something I could feel nor see in person in most instances.
The silicone-based matte formulas have a thinner consistency that can emphasize lip texture or separate along lip lines, depending on the shade and application. Most of the shades did not do this but a few did for me. The wear down was where I found that medium and darker shades tended to pull more noticeably into my lip lines, as the colors tended to wear away unevenly to some degree.
The colors lasted between three and six hours with deeper, more red-based hues lasting longer and leaving a stronger stain behind, and the lighter shades lasting the shortest amount of time. The formula felt non-drying, but it was very lightweight and comfortable to wear for the first few hours and then felt a little clingier as the product wore away.
Most of the colors are new to the range, though the ones that are "returning" are fairly similar to the colors in Amuse Bouche but have a different finish and, to some degree, depth as a result of the finish difference. The Amuse Bouche formula was rather different, as it was a creamier, denser, and cream/satin finish, so it had shine, more depth, and had more slip. If you liked the luminosity of the Amuse Bouche formula, the new formula doesn't have that; if you always wanted a more matte version, then you might find yourself enjoying the new formula.
The formula had a vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our Bite Beauty Power Move Hydrating Soft Matte Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, Diethylhexyl Carbonate, Phenyl Trimethicone, Polyethylene, Caprylyl Methicone, Ozokerite, Butylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isoeicosane, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Silica, Dicalcium Phosphate, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Mica, Ethylene/Propylene Copolymer, Aroma/Flavor, Caprylyl Glycol, Glyceryl Caprylate, Lauroyl Lysine, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter, Tapioca Starch, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Punica Granatum Seed Oil, Aqua/Water/Eau, Bht, Tocopherol, Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140).
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.
Sorry, but I would rather eat beeswax than a mouthful of silicones–even if the rating here was outstanding–which it ain’t.
The founder called the company BITE because of the edible ingredients. They have really lost the plot and this customer.
A few days ago, another poster here told me (when I was lamenting the previous BITE formulas being discontinued so quickly and so long ago, with nothing to replace them) that it was because BITE wanted to go all “clean”. Yeesh – sounds like they’re less “clean” (so nebulous a term, at best) than they used to be with the Amuse Bouche and earlier (Luminous Cream) lipsticks.
Bite’s always labelled itself a clean brand — the real reason for the reformulation was to go vegan since Amuse Bouche had beeswax.
Clean has no meaning. It’s purely a fear-mongering marketing term.
True. Also, as far as food goes. When taken to extremes, it’s an extension of eating disorders, called orthorexia. Also true.
And it’s disheartening to see how many people embrace said marketing ploy as a belief system. So gross and again – has no meaning!! How are silicones more clean than beeswax or lanolin? I’m all for cruelty-free beauty, but not all vegan products are worth the manufacturing (case in point “vegan leather” which is just plastic).
Such a long wait for what looks to be a let-down “come-back”. I don’t like matte lipsticks at the best of times and while Chai looks like something I might almost wear, I’m eager to see if they soon release a texture that I find more pleasing than matte.
This isn’t terrible. It seems that this formula isn’t going to live up to the original Amuse Bouches, but at least they aren’t a catastrophe. Curious about the bold shades for sure.
Chai is fairly nice, at least. But, honestly? I really do wish that Bite hadn’t gone the matte route. Their Amuse Bouche formula was so much more superior to these.
I do hope that their next release includes satin or cream formulas. Really disappointing that they seem to have returned with duds after three long years. Still going to wait to see the reviews for Mulberry, though.
Another launch BITE’s the dust…🤣. Not even a surprise this brand has lost the plot.
🙂
I’m just so confused by this release. The ONE thing everyone wanted from a reformulated BITE was their amuse bouche lippies back. And for the PR people to be like “it’s coming, it’s coming” and then launch this instead?
I’m guessing they just can’t recreate that formulate in a vegan formula and that’s why, but I feel like this launch will kill what little interest people still have had in the brand because it’s obvious that they’re just not going to give us what we want.
Honestly, I feel like this brand is just going to fade out into obscurity all so they could ride the trendy coat tails of “clean” beauty. I’d feel bad, but the wounds are self-inflicted and it took them so long to get here that people who were once interested in them have probably already found replacements that are as good/better than this.
Here’s the crazy thing though, they did a vegan Amuse Bouche in their holiday set (2019 I think) so clearly they have formula for it
Oh no! Well, thank you, Christine, for saving me some money! I loved their old lippies.
Chai is the sort of shade I might wear, but definitely not with this rating and with a matte finish. Bite is in danger of losing its many fans and loyal customers.
I have a few of the power move crayons, which don’t have much staying “power” on my lips, but are some what creamy and comfortable and I love the colors. I get the whole clean trend, but from a business/marketing prospective, Bite had a successful company with loyal customers. They upended it all and are replacing it with something completely different. That doesn’t create or reward customer loyalty. It’s like they decided to pursue a completely different demographic. Not a fan of matte lipstick, they aren’t all that flattering on dry lips, so these are a pass for me.
I’d definitely rec the Power Move crayons over these lipsticks for a closer replacement to Amuse Bouche 🙁
Isn’t the wear time a bit short? The matte lipsticks I have seem to last longer, and that’s on my lips, I’ve the bad habit of pressing and rubbing my lips against each other.
Chai is pretty, I think, and I have no dupes, but I would rather buy one of the dupes.
The more silicone-based matte lipsticks don’t seem to last as long as regular matte lipsticks have for me!
That must be it. Not much of an idea for me to buy any of these for me.
Thanks for answering, Christine!
I’m so disappointed. Not only in the performance of the formula, but also because Chai used to be a go-to for me. It went so well with my undertones for a more natural look. I wish they hadn’t made it redder. Easy pass twice over.
Well, it’s pretty disappointing that Bite lost the plot and isn’t getting it back yet. And this is not my Chai!
Amuse Bouche Chai was my all time favourite lipstick and it breaks my heart that this new formula doesn’t seem to stack up at all.
Bite has been dead to me since they retired Palomino.