ColourPop x Mulan Lux Lipsticks & Glosses Reviews & Swatches
Hua Mulan
ColourPop Hua Mulan Lux Lipstick ($7.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, peachy-coral with warm undertones and a glossy, cream finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation that adhered evenly and smoothly across my lips without tugging. The texture was lightweight, creamy with a touch of tackiness, which helped it stay in place, despite having a creamier feel. There was a smidgen of color in my deeper lip lines but not enough to be noticeable in person. It wore nicely for four and a half hours and was moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bite Beauty Atlanta (LE, $26.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Carina's Star (P, $37.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Hourglass At Dawn (LE, $34.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Spring Roll (P, $10.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- Hourglass Explorer (P, $32.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- YSL Nu Transgression (156) (LE, $38.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Virgo Moon (P, $10.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Liar (P, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Benedetta (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Dreamy (PiP, $7.00) is darker, warmer, less glossy (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$10.00/0.12 oz. - $83.33 Per Ounce
The formula that is supposed to be a "creamy-matte" that "glides on like butter, doesn't feather or bleed, and lasts so long you'll forget you're even wearing it." The majority of the shades were quite pigmented with full color payoff in a single stroke with a few in the more semi-opaque coverage range.
The texture was, on average, smooth, lightly creamy, and not too thick or too thin, so there was no tugging during application but the color didn't feel slippery while worn, which made them easier to apply straight from the tube and low-maintenance on the lips.
They tend to dry and wear down to a soft matte finish within one to three hours of wear, and while they are very lightweight on, they hug the lips more as they become more matte (compared to initial feel). The wear time has been between four and six hours for most shades, and most shades were non-drying to lightly hydrating. They were vanilla-scented but had no discernible taste.
Browse all of our ColourPop Lux Lipstick swatches.
Hua Mulan
LELimited Edition. $10.00.
Phoenix
ColourPop Phoenix Lux Gloss ($8.00 for 0.16 oz.) is gold-tinted base with flecks of pink and gold sparkle throughout. It had sheer coverage in a single layer but good dispersion of the sparkles, so it had a shiny finish and light twinkle. The texture was smooth, non-sticky, and plush enough that I couldn’t feel the texture of the sparkles coming through when I pressed my lips together. It wore well for three hours and was hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Goldfinch (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Stella (LE, $10.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Phew (DC, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Player 1 (LE, $8.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- YSL Gold Track (15) (LE, $38.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Anastasia Citrine (P, $16.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop On Board (DC, $10.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Twerk for Gifts (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Feelin' It (LE, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Blitz Gold (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.16 oz. - $50.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "shine" with a "cushiony soft" texture that "hydrates lips." The brand isn't clear on how pigmented or how sheer the formula is intended to be; they instead they have the "perfect amount of colour all in one." Based on what I can infer from promotional images, their marketing, and typical lip gloss claims (in the industry), gloss is typically sheerer coverage rather than opaque, so based on that, I will be rating on the expectation of medium coverage.
The formula has a smooth consistency that was more like a gel-cream, as it felt denser ("cushiony") without being heavy or tacky. I didn't feel like they were the most forgiving, though, as most shades settled into my lip lines to a small degree. The coverage was sheer to semi-sheer, which resulted in the shades looking more similar on than they looked in the tubes (the initial line-up could have been much more diverse as a result). They lasted between two and three hours and were moisturizing to wear.
There was no discernible taste, and they had a sweet, sugary scent.
Browse all of our ColourPop Lux Gloss swatches.
Ingredients
Phoenix
LELimited Edition. $8.00.
Strong Chi
ColourPop Strong Chi Lux Liquid Lip ($8.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a vibrant red with cooler undertones and a flat, matte finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage in a single layer, which seemed more pigmented than described; for a sheerer effect, I’d recommend applying to the center of the lips and using a lip brush or fingertip to diffuse it outward to the edges.
The texture was lightweight with a creamy, almost mousse-like feel that applied evenly across my lips and dried down for the most part (I noticed it was very slow to dry down on my arm vs. my lips, though). It would be best to exfoliate prior to applying the formula as it doesn’t hide imperfections at all. It wore well for six hours and felt neither drying nor hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NYX Perfect Red (P, $6.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Rare Beauty Transform (P, $20.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Crimson (P, $18.00) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Self Love Club (LE, $6.50) is lighter, brighter, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Big Bang (P, $9.00) is darker (95% similar).
- ColourPop Season 10 (LE, $6.50) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- elf No Regrets (P, $9.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Velvet Ribbon (LE, $36.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Chateau M (LE, $21.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Lucky Red (403) (P, $38.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
Formula Overview
$9.00/0.17 oz. - $52.94 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "medium buildable coverage" that has a "soft, diffused" effect. It's a more amped up take on their Blotted Lips concept or a slightly "washed out" take on their Ultra Matte/Ultra Satin range. The formula is much thinner--almost weightless--and spreads evenly with a single layer. I'd argue that most shades were often closer to semi-opaque rather than medium and buildable--and I used only what was on the doe-foot applicator to apply (without going back for more) for both top and bottom lips.
The consistency was airier, light, thin, and spreadable with a soft dry down that didn't feel like it was wholly locked in (like Ultra Mattes) but had significantly less transfer than a traditional lipstick (or even the Ulta Satins). They were not the most forgiving of lip texture or lip lines, but they were more flattering than most formulas I've tried that are similar in effect and coverage. Some shades had more of a matte finish shortly after application while others had subtle shine that wore down to a matte finish within an hour or less.
Longevity ran anywhere from three to six hours with some shades leaving subtle stains behind, and the formula felt mostly non-drying for me. It had a sweet, vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our ColourPop Lux Liquid Lip swatches.
Ingredients
Hua Mulan I a splendidly rich looking coral-nude! I’m just loving how sophisticated and polished it looks.
Strong Chi is another beauty! If I didn’t have so many blue-based reds already, yeah, I’d get this. I still may.
These are not what I expected! I thought the lipstick would be a muted brick red. It’s a beautiful color, though, and I think more people will get used out of this pinky shade.
I thought the red liquid lip would be more vibrant. It’s pretty, but the dry down doesn’t seem ideal.
The lipstick looks really comfortable to wear, even though, alas, the shade isn’t for me. I like the colour of the Strong Chi lipgloss, but drying down to a matte finish makes it look dehydrating to the lips.
Does anyone know why ColourPop doesn’t put the expiration/period after opening symbol on any of their products? I thought this would be against regulations?
I don’t think it is required in the US, though I’m not overly familiar (at least, I don’t remember at this point!) on how that translates if they ship to other countries vs. have physical distribution points in other countries.
I finally received all 3 lip products and but only love the lipstick and the liquid lipstick. After reading your review and other reviews, I think I have a botched lipgloss. Its super thick and sticky and goes go on smoothly. I’m not sure what happened. Anyone else have this happen with their luxe glosses?