Bobbi Brown Ruby, Cali Rose, Sunset Crushed Lip Colors Reviews & Swatches
Ruby
Bobbi Brown Ruby Crushed Lip Color ($29.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark red with warm undertones and a natural finish. It had buildable color coverage from to mostly opaque (two layers). The texture was lightweight, thin without being clingy, and glided on without tugging but never felt slippery or really cream-like. I appreciated how the color went on evenly and seemed to smooth out most of my lip lines. It stayed on nicely for five hours, left a barely-there stain behind, and was non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Makeup Geek Plain Jane (P, $12.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
- NARS Golshan (P, $25.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
- NARS Lea (LE, $34.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Brun Affirme (862) (P, $55.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Business Casual (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Tea Thyme (P, $10.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Revlon Rum Raisin (P, $8.49) is lighter (90% similar).
- NARS Fire Down Below (P, $26.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Devoted to Chili (P, $22.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (85% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Dangerous Liaison (P, $34.00) is darker (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.11 oz. - $263.64 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "high color payoff" with a "blotted-down stain effect" that "glides on comfortably" and keeps lips "hydrated." It's also supposed to be long-wearing and is buildable from "blotted-down" in one layer to "intense color payoff" in two to three layers. The majority of the shades in the range have medium to semi-opaque coverage in one layer, and they were buildable from there with two to three layers. A few shades applied less evenly than others, though most went on well enough.
The consistency was more like a firmer, harder balm, as it glided easily across my lips, but it didn't feel wet, emollient, or oily, more waxy like a traditional lipstick but very lightweight. Some shades pulled into my lip lines and a few emphasized my natural lip texture, while others were more smoothing and flattering in finish/texture. The wear typically lasted between three and six hours with some of the richer/darker shades leaving subtle stains behind. The formula was more non-drying to lightly hydrating, but it wasn't hydrating enough that I'd put it in that category (hydrating lipstick). They had a faint, lemon-meets-wax scent that sometimes wasn't noticeable at all (depended on the shade).
All swatches are with two layers.
Browse all of our Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color swatches.
Ingredients
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Lanolate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Candelilla Cera/Cire De Candelilla, Cetyl Lactate, Paraffin, Beeswax/Cera Alba/Cire D'Abeille, Nylon-12, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Fragrance, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 (Ci 15850), Red 27 (Ci 45410), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Red 22 Lake (Ci 45380), Carmine (Ci 75470), Red 21 (Ci 45380), Orange 5 (Ci 45370), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163)]
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.
Ruby
PPermanent. $29.00.
Cali Rose
Bobbi Brown Cali Rose Crushed Lip Color ($29.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with subtle, cool undertones and a natural sheen. It had buildable pigmentation from medium to mostly opaque (two layers) with a smooth, lightly waxy texture–glided on but never felt wet or creamy. The lipstick was lightweight and didn’t emphasize my lip lines, which gave it a flattering finish. It wore well for five hours and was lightly hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Jaclyn Cosmetics Mom (DC, $18.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Ladyflower (DC, $18.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Love of My Life (LE, $36.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- ColourPop Byron Babe (P, $6.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- YSL Rosewood Star (98) (LE, $38.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- YSL Smoking Plum (48) (P, $38.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Moody Bloom (P, $10.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Killing Me Softly (P, $23.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar).
- MAC Plumful (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
- Revlon Mauvy Night (P, $8.49) is darker, more muted (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.11 oz. - $263.64 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "high color payoff" with a "blotted-down stain effect" that "glides on comfortably" and keeps lips "hydrated." It's also supposed to be long-wearing and is buildable from "blotted-down" in one layer to "intense color payoff" in two to three layers. The majority of the shades in the range have medium to semi-opaque coverage in one layer, and they were buildable from there with two to three layers. A few shades applied less evenly than others, though most went on well enough.
The consistency was more like a firmer, harder balm, as it glided easily across my lips, but it didn't feel wet, emollient, or oily, more waxy like a traditional lipstick but very lightweight. Some shades pulled into my lip lines and a few emphasized my natural lip texture, while others were more smoothing and flattering in finish/texture. The wear typically lasted between three and six hours with some of the richer/darker shades leaving subtle stains behind. The formula was more non-drying to lightly hydrating, but it wasn't hydrating enough that I'd put it in that category (hydrating lipstick). They had a faint, lemon-meets-wax scent that sometimes wasn't noticeable at all (depended on the shade).
All swatches are with two layers.
Browse all of our Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color swatches.
Ingredients
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Lanolate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Candelilla Cera/Cire De Candelilla, Cetyl Lactate, Paraffin, Beeswax/Cera Alba/Cire D'Abeille, Nylon-12, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Fragrance, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 (Ci 15850), Red 27 (Ci 45410), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Red 22 Lake (Ci 45380), Carmine (Ci 75470), Red 21 (Ci 45380), Orange 5 (Ci 45370), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163)]
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.
Cali Rose
PPermanent. $29.00.
Sunset
Bobbi Brown Sunset Crushed Lip Color ($29.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a bright, medium orange with warm undertones and a natural sheen. The consistency was more emollient compared to most shades, which gave it noticeable slip when I applied it. The color coverage was more semi-opaque to opaque (two layers), and I wouldn’t describe it as “buildable” compared to the rest of the range. The color settled into a few of my lip lines but wasn’t noticeable from a normal viewing distance. This shade lasted well for four and a half hours and was lightly moisturizing.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bobbi Brown Sunset Orange (P, $40.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Bite Beauty Scorpio (LE, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- Revlon Kiss Me Coral (P, $8.49) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Glowing Ginger (314) (P, $23.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- NARS Lana (P, $34.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Guerlain #44 (P, $33.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- YSL Orange Fatal (154) (LE, $38.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- ColourPop Rêver (LE, $7.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Peachy Party (LE, $26.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Inglot #103 Lipstick Cream (P, $12.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$29.00/0.11 oz. - $263.64 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "high color payoff" with a "blotted-down stain effect" that "glides on comfortably" and keeps lips "hydrated." It's also supposed to be long-wearing and is buildable from "blotted-down" in one layer to "intense color payoff" in two to three layers. The majority of the shades in the range have medium to semi-opaque coverage in one layer, and they were buildable from there with two to three layers. A few shades applied less evenly than others, though most went on well enough.
The consistency was more like a firmer, harder balm, as it glided easily across my lips, but it didn't feel wet, emollient, or oily, more waxy like a traditional lipstick but very lightweight. Some shades pulled into my lip lines and a few emphasized my natural lip texture, while others were more smoothing and flattering in finish/texture. The wear typically lasted between three and six hours with some of the richer/darker shades leaving subtle stains behind. The formula was more non-drying to lightly hydrating, but it wasn't hydrating enough that I'd put it in that category (hydrating lipstick). They had a faint, lemon-meets-wax scent that sometimes wasn't noticeable at all (depended on the shade).
All swatches are with two layers.
Browse all of our Bobbi Brown Crushed Lip Color swatches.
Ingredients
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Isopropyl Lanolate, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax/Candelilla Cera/Cire De Candelilla, Cetyl Lactate, Paraffin, Beeswax/Cera Alba/Cire D'Abeille, Nylon-12, Microcrystalline Wax/Cera Microcristallina/Cire Microcristalline, Tocopherol, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Linalool, Limonene, Citral, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Fragrance, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Manganese Violet (Ci 77742), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 (Ci 15850), Red 27 (Ci 45410), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Red 22 Lake (Ci 45380), Carmine (Ci 75470), Red 21 (Ci 45380), Orange 5 (Ci 45370), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163)]
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.
Cali Rose is sooo pretty! It’s going to the top of my Sephora wishlist.
Oh dang. Sephora doesn’t have that particular color.
Re: the waxy feeling of these Bobbi Brown lipsticks (I think that Nancy T was asking about it when Christine reviewed Babe): they contain, high on the ingredient list, two types of waxes: 1) Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, obtained from the plant Euphorbiamy cerifera, which grows in North Central Mexico and the Texas area, and 2) Beeswax. They also contain Paraffin. This is what gives them that slight waxy and thickness feeling when applied, in comparison with, for instance, Guerlain Rouge G, which contains emollients like jojoba and mango butter.
During the weekend I did a little experiment. I applied Guerlain Rouge G no. 65 on my upper lip and Bobbi Brown Crushed Lipstick in Babe on my lower lip, both without any lip liner and lip balm. My lips are not pigmented and are usually dry , so that 90% of the time I need to apply a lip balm prior to applying a lipstick. On my lips, the two colors looked the same from a normal viewing distance; you couldn’t tell the difference in terms of color. By looking in my magnifying mirror, Guerlain no. 65 seemed a bit darker than BB Babe. I know that Guerlain 65 is not given as a dupe for Babe but if you check Christine’s swatches on the lips (not on the arm) for both lipsticks, using “compare any two”, you will see what I’m talking about.
The difference though was in terms of:
– appearance (Guerlain no. 65 had a shine, whereas BB Babe did not);
– application (I needed one application of Guerlain, which adhered right away due to the emollient formula, whereas I felt the need of two for BB Babe, due to its wax components);
– transfer (after 30 min: noticeable less transfer on the back of my hand and coffee cup for BB, and a lot in the case of Guerlain; after 2 hours: almost no transfer for BB – seemed “locked-in”, less noticeable for Guerlain as well)
– staying power (after 2 hours: Guerlain no. 65 disappeared from the lip line and faded considerably as a whole but left a stain behind; BB remained strong on the lip line as if I had used a lip liner and kept its color on the entire lip);
– hydration (after 2 hours: Guerlain felt hydrating all the time, even when it left a stain behind and no lines showed up/were accentuated; BB felt a bit drying and the middle line + two vertical side lines showed up on my lower lip, as they usually show up on my dry lips if I don’t apply a balm).
Note: I usually apply Guerlain Rouge G lipsticks with a brush, in a couple of layers, as I find this method extends considerably their staying power. I didn’t use one this time. Guerlain is my absolute favorite during the cold season here in Canada. I purchased BB Babe last December, but I think that it will hold better than Guerlain Rouge G during summer, when it’s hot and humid outside, as the wax components help with that. From my experience last summer, Guerlain almost melted under the same conditions.
That being said, I’m interested in Cali Rose and I’m sorry for the long rant 🙂
Thank you for a very detailed analysis, Nicole! 😉
The texture is interesting on these, because I feel like most lipsticks aren’t as overtly waxy in how they feel, so as a result, it is more noticeable. Definitely quite different than more traditionally creamy formulas!
Thank YOU, Christine for providing us with such detailed reviews , swatches and tools to help us in our choices! I encourage everyone to look up for “Compare any two” tool under the “Swatches” section. It has been of tremendous help for me in terms of comparing/choosing lipsticks. I can see your natural lip color, compare it to mine and also, I can see the swatches on your lips.
You rightly noted the waxy feeling of the BB Crushed Lipsticks. Due to the waxes contained, they are more difficult to apply with a lip brush for instance, whereas Guerlain Rouge Gs are prefect for the brush application. Waxes are generally occlusive as well, so they “seal” better – hence the staying power and a certain impermeability to color transfer-, but they don’t moisturize the lips as the jojoba and mango butter contained in Guerlain Rouge G formula.
Happy to hear that the Compare Any Two tool is useful! It was built very much for users so they didn’t have to rely on asking me about two shades (and inevitably, me taking some period of time to reply!), so I love hearing that it’s being well-used! 🙂
Ruby looks AMAZING! But of course I would love it, right? After all, I have dupes galore for it and Cali Rose, lol. I really *may* have far too many lipsticks, me thinks.
Ruby is such a beautiful shade, but alas is so expensive here in Aus.
I’m in love with the deep stained effect of Ruby. It’s luscious.