ColourPop Time Square & Love Bug Ultra Matte Liquid Lipsticks Review, Photos, Swatches
ColourPop Time Square Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
ColourPop Time Square Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick ($6.00 for 0.11 fl. oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy beige with subtle, warmer undertones and a mostly matte finish. The texture was thin, almost runny, but smooth and very pigmented. The color was easy to apply on the lips before it dried down, though it didn’t fully dry down for almost an hour (there were a few areas that still has very light transfer). This shade wore well for six and a half hours before starting to fade noticeably, and it was moderately drying after four hours of wear. Make Up For Ever M101 (DC, $22.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC Bronx (P, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Jalea (LE, $21.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Burberry Dusty Pink (406) (P, $35.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Sephora Alter-ego (72) (P, $14.00) is warmer (85% similar). Too Faced Sugar Cookie (LE, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). NYX Mauve Mist (P, $7.50) is darker (90% similar). Dose of Colors Nude Chica (LE, $18.00) is warmer (85% similar). Anastasia Soft Touch (P, $18.00) is lighter (85% similar). Natasha Denona Amorosa (36NP) (P, $25.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (85% similar). KVD Beauty Bow 'n' Arrow (P, $20.00) is warmer (80% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Sugar High (292) (P, $30.00) is brighter, warmer (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Cream and Sugar (P, $30.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar). KVD Beauty Lovecraft (DC, $21.00) is cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Beeper (P, $6.50) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Smashbox Safe Word (P, $21.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). MAC LarLarLee (LE, $19.00) is lighter (80% similar). NARS Raw Love (P, $26.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
ColourPop Love Bug Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick ($6.00 for 0.11 fl. oz.) is a deep, plummy brown with warm undertones and a flat, matte finish. This might be one of the worst liquid lipsticks I’ve had the displeasure of trying, because it felt heavy on the lips, clung and emphasized every lip line I had, and then the color flaked off as it cracked when I tried to move my lips. It was very pigmented, and I had no trouble applying an even layer of product before it dried down, but it looked awful on. It wore terribly, as it flaked away just by talking, and it faded significantly faster from the center of the mouth–noticeable after five hours. The formula was also painfully drying. KVD Beauty Plath (LE, $20.00) is brighter (85% similar). Tarte Sis (P, $20.00) is brighter (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Ben (P, $36.00) is cooler, glossier (85% similar). NARS Bondage (LE, $27.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Chilly Chili (LE, $6.50) is more muted (90% similar). NARS Somebody to Love (P, $26.00) is lighter (85% similar). Milani I Am Positive (P, $6.99) is darker, glossier (85% similar). Pat McGrath Spellbound (P, $30.00) is lighter (85% similar). ColourPop Vignette (P, $7.50) is darker, warmer, glossier (85% similar). Pat McGrath Flesh 3 (P, $30.00) is darker (85% similar). ColourPop Brick (LE, $10.00) is brighter, glossier (85% similar). Anastasia Rock Sand (P, $20.00) is lighter (85% similar). Charlotte Tilbury So 90s (was Birkin Brown) (P, $37.00) is warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Christopher (P, $36.00) is cooler, glossier (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty In Deep (P, $55.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (85% similar). KVD Beauty Hawkwind (P, $20.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Anastasia Bittersweet (LE, $20.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). ColourPop Kae (LE, $6.50) is warmer (85% similar). ColourPop WYD (P, $6.50) is lighter (85% similar). Tarte Front Row (P, $20.00) is lighter (80% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Formula Overview
ColourPop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick ($6.00 for 0.11 fl. oz.) is a long-wearing, pigmented lipstick that starts off glossy and dries down quickly to that super flat matte finish. They have minimal transfer with some of the lighter shades having almost none for the first few hours of wear, but any time you’ve had a meal, they lose that transfer-resistant quality to a noticeable degree. They tend to wear anywhere from six to ten hours with darker shades maintaining better color coverage and wear over a longer period of time. Some shades get a little drying about two-thirds to three-fourths through the wear, while a few shades have been fairly non-drying even many hours into wear. They fade away evenly with most color loss occurring from the center of the lips if eating a more oil-based meal but the majority of color survives a meal. Reapplication has been hit or miss and tends to depend on how well it wore away and how easily the shade applies normally, but reapplication tends to emphasize the lip’s natural texture significantly compared to initial application and gives lips a very wrinkled, dried-up look. I’ve layered gloss on top of some shades with moderate success, though it will obviously lose the matte finish and will transfer and I’ll get tiny flakes where the matte lip color has lifted by mixing with gloss but has been pretty minimal. The formula had no discernible taste or scent.
Time Square
LELimited Edition. $6.50.
Love Bug
PPermanent. $6.50.
See more photos & swatches!
ColourPop Time Square Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
ColourPop Time Square Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
ColourPop Time Square Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
ColourPop Time Square Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
ColourPop Time Square Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
ColourPop Time Square Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
ColourPop Love Bug Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
ColourPop Love Bug Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
ColourPop Love Bug Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
ColourPop Love Bug Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
ColourPop Love Bug Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
ColourPop Love Bug Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick
Lovebug looks like such a pretty color! Odd and sad it didn’t work out like the other ones in the range. :/
The new four are all a little off to me 🙁
I love Time Square but Love Bug is probably the worst shade Colourpop has put out. 🙁
Yes, Love Bug is definitely a new low for CP!
So sad Love Bug was such a disaster, it’s such a gorgeous color!
I know!
That really really is such a bummer about the love bug shade was really looking forward to it ?Do u think a lip balm or lip primer underneath might help with the flaking?
I’m not sure! Maybe a little? The thing is that you can even see how it has a weird dry down on my arm!
This is exactly how Kae wears and swatches on me. It is very thick and goopy and applies so horribly because of how thick it is and it crumbles/flakes off. Very disappointing! So happy I did some research on the Love Bug shade cause the color is perfect and I was immediately drawn to it!
Wow, even the Lovebug swatch looks awful. So glad I didn’t continue with my cart!
I know, right?!
I feel like I dodged SUCH a bullet. I heard that these were recently reformulated (I bought Solow during its initial release on your high recommendation, and unfortunately its rating from me was just that — so low :x) and I wanted Love Bug but went with Times Square in the hopes that it would replace Solow for a pink-leaning nude. TS looks SO beautiful on you — I’m sorry you had to go through that awful experience with LB. Thanks again for such a thoughtful and insightful review!
Love Bug was one of the worst liquid lipsticks I’ve tried… drying I expect from liquid lipsticks, but the flaking and absolute wrinkled, cracked texture?! Just so, so bad on.
Oh no! The reformulated Solow is terrible??? That’s really disappointing to hear, its one of my favorite shades from the initial release, now I’ll treat the tube I have as liquid gold.
Wtbf happened with love bug? It’s not as if CP screws up that type of shade. (That is a rhetorical question.) as I am on years 25-37 of standard love bug, would have liked it….. love cosmetics references. Speaking of references, what’s the deal with Time Square? Everyone knows TimeS Square, but time? Means something….
The texture after dry down is SO bad with Love Bug. It might be one of the least flattering lipstick textures I’ve come across.
Love Bug is a pretty color, but I’m wincing looking at that close-up of your lips, looks like the red surface of Mars. Nope, no water found there. Add in lip torture to the things you have to do for this blog!
The texture is soooo unflattering, not to mention uncomfortable!
Oh yikes- I earned 2 freebies with my order this weekend, so glad I didn’t picked Love Bug, lol! I chose Times Square (actually looks pretty good from your review) and Viper. I guess I can’t complain too much since I’m not paying for them, but I still hate to get something and just dump it in the trash. Hopefully Viper is a good one.
Hope you like them, Julia!
I got Viper and it’s nothing like the mess that is Love Bug.
That’s a relief! I wish they had given out Ultra Satin instead, though- that seemed like the direction they were going/ where the trend is headed.
Oof, both a pass for me.
Totally understand!
Naw, I’m a bit over the super matte finish, I’ll pass.
Gotcha!
I earned two freebies and picked Viper and Love Bug and I am regretting the fact I picked them up! From your swatches both look horrendous! I find it strange that Colourpop’s ultra matte lip formula is so inconsistent across shades! It’s a shame because Love Bug is such a pretty colour!
Fingers crossed that at least Viper is better! I feel like that one has some hope 🙂
Oh yikes! Love Bug is such a good color, but it is an obvious dud. It looks like it’s drier than the Sahara on your lips.
I know! I feel like it looks even drier than it felt!
I must say thank you Christine because you are the reason I will not buy any CP liquid lippies. Your reviews of them have been the honest thus far and I just can’t get on board with them not even for the low price. I tried CP’s lippie/pencil mix and had a bad experience so I never went back although I am thinking about trying their eye shadows.
LoveBug looks as horrible on as you say it feels. I think with so many liquid lipsticks on the market, every one keeps trying to perfect it but leave them be. ABH and BH Cosmetics liquid lipsticks can run a mile around many of the brands out there. They should just leave well enough alone.
I think they have some good ones, but it’s definitely not a consistent formula and has some losers! I am a bigger fan of the Ultra Satins, as I feel like I get really long wear like a matte liquid lipstick but they’re SO much more comfy to wear.
I love CP’s eyeshadows and cheek colors 🙂 Their gel eyeliners and pencil eyeliners are good quality, too, but I know some have had issues with the twist-up pencils breaking easily.
Daaaaang it!!! I got three free with my order and Love Bug was one of them. SMH. Wish I’d picked Time Square instead.
Maybe yours will be better 😀
Wow, you can see how drying Love Bug must be just from the initial swatches! I’ll definitely be passing. It’s a great color, but I’m sure there’s a dupe out there somewhere.
It was SO weird how it dried that wrinkly even on my arm!
Oh NO ! I selected love bug as the free gift ! The formula looks awful!
Oh no! 🙁
Boooo, I was really excited about Lovebug – it’s on its way to me right now. At least I got it for free :/
Aww! 🙁 Maybe yours will be easier to use!
Times Square sounds like a nice formula just like the Cheap Thrills shade I bought! Which says “comfort” to me. The very reason why I only have bought Cheap Thrills up till now.
But. Love Bug is a major letdown. It could’ve been a wonderful fall shade if the formula was like Cheap Thrills or Times Square. Sounds like sheer h3ll to have had to wear and test! ?
Yeah, definitely wouldn’t get Love Bug if you’re at all concerned about drying lip products, lol!
So sorry about Lovebug, as the color is gorgeous, and perfect for fall. It looks exactly how Trap and Sundae look on me. 🙁
Oh, wow! Really? That is terrible 🙁
Yeah, I have to layer them with balm or a creamy lipstick, but of course that negates the matte/long-lasting aspects of them.
Oof, they look pretty crackly, like they’d be super uncomfortable on my lips. Idk what it is, but over the past couple of years, liquid-to-matte lipsticks dry my lips out too much for my liking, save for a few that are less drying. I’ve only tried CP’s Ultra Mattes from the initial launch, but all 4 of them were WAY too dry. 🙁
I’d avoid these! The originals weren’t nearly as bad as Love Bug for me!
*Sad face* I loved the colour of Lovebug. But, with my acne medication I can’t do SUPER SUPER drying lipstick. I can do some of colourpop’s ultra matte lipsticks but not all!!
Oh, definitely skip if you can’t do drying!
I also got Love Bug and was so disappointed! I threw it out. What a waste!
Oh no!! 🙁
Ouch! Lady Bug is awful! The colour is nice though 🙂
I must say I’m a bit over the flat matte lip products, I’m feeling a lot more for metalics, satins and really glossy, shiny lipsticks.
Lady Bug was SO bad!!
aww the texture of LB looks very awful, such a shame because the color is so pretty. looking forward for Viper review.
thank you so much christine for always being honest!
My pleasure, Angie! xo
Fudge. I got Love Bug as my freebie…if mine is as bad as yours, you lost yourself a loyal customer CP!
Oh no 🙁 I hope yours is better!
I fell in love with the color of Love Bug when I first saw the swatches. I liked how brown it looked in Colourpop’s photo, but it looks darker and more rosy in your swatch. After seeing the color and that awful swatch, I’m so glad I passed on this.
You really dodged a bullet here!
I got Viper and Love Bug in the ColourPop promo. So sorry to see that Love Bug worked so terribly for you. I tried Love Bug today to see how it worked out for me–I’ve actually never tried their matte liquid lipsticks until now. I found that it performs best when applied very thinly, quickly, and when you avoid layering. Too bad, because it’s difficult to get that perfect application in one go under 30 seconds! I went over a spot on one side of my cupid’s bow when the rest of the application was mostly dry. That spot is the part that’s flaking the most now, but the rest of the color is fine. The flaking reminds me of the Maybelline 24 Hour dual-ended lip colors when reapplied.
Thank you for the tip, Jenn!
Lol your face in the second picture says it all! It looks like you’re afraid it’s going to flake off at any second. 😉
Ha! Sometimes I forget how to smile. Like I really do, and then half the photos turn out in a grimace instead.
Yikes, I picked Love Bug because it’s so unique I thought there was no way CP could mess up such an easy color. Hopefully mine works out a little better but the chances are slim.
I’ll cross my fingers for ya, Kayle!
Aw, drat! I chose Love Bug as my freebie on a recent order. The color is nice, too bad the formula is so wretched.
Here’s hoping yours is better, Kirsten!!
Have they published the ingredients list for the new shades yet? I got love bug as part of the promo but I never checked the ingredients and threw the packaging away. Do any of you have it?
I don’t think the new shades are listed on the site, though as far as I know, it isn’t a different formula.
I just got Times Square and I tried it on today and am currently wearing it. I am fair with pink undertones, so the color leans a little darker dusty lavender on me! (a welcome surprise) The last color I tried was Solow during its initial release, and the color broke up on my lips and crumbled EVERYWHERE in a matter of minutes. While the quality of Times Square doesn’t necessarily meet up with other formulas (KVD for example), it is a HUGE improvement over my first foray into the Ultra Matte Lips arena. That being said, I notice the issue you had with the product not drying immediately, and I accidentally pulled a flake up not realizing that it hadn’t fully dried. Additionally, I went to layer Flexitarian over it, and I think the emolient formula of the Super Shock Cheek may have rubbed some of the lipstick off. (Update — I think Flexitarian caused slight breakdown of the formula, as it does not appear to be cracking or flaking, but appears faded in the areas I attempted to apply the highlight. Just a word to the wise!)
Flexitarian, by the way, is GORGEOUS! WOW! No wonder it got a 100%!
Yay! I am glad it is, at least, better than Solow!! 🙂
I really like Times Square but it looks so different on me! It’s a mid-toned mauvey nude. I like it though – I’m NW10 for comparison.
Damnit, I bought Love Bug. lol At least I’ve found a balm to make any dry liquid lipstick work without changing the color. It’s the Nivea Lip Butter in Macadamia Kiss.
Awww!
It’s sad that Love Bug didn’t work out for you. I got that one as well and I have to say I love it! It’s such a beautiful colour. I haven’t had any of the problems you mentioned with it, except for it does have a dry feel, so maybe there are some other people it will work well on too 🙂
Did you get one recently? Like when they were available for purchase?
Loved the color.. hated the formula ?
Too bad I bought it before seeing the review.
Aww!!