Make Up For Ever C403 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark orange-red with warm undertones and a satin finish. It was intensely pigmented and had full color coverage after one stroke. The texture was smooth, lightly creamy with enough give to apply without tugging but did not slide around at all–it was less emollient than other shades in the range. It felt like a cross between the Cream and Matte formulas, actually. On me, the color wore well for over six hours and left a stain behind, and the formula felt lightly moisturizing. Tom Ford Beauty Jagger (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Estee Lauder Chilean Sunset (LE, $45.00) is cooler (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Connor (P, $36.00) is glossier (95% similar). Bite Beauty Marmalade (DC, $24.00) is lighter (95% similar). NYX Indie Flick (P, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Wild Ginger (P, $55.00) is warmer, less glossy (95% similar). MAC Lady Danger (P, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). NYX Pure Red (P, $6.00) is more muted (95% similar). MAC Sail La Vie (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). Estee Lauder Uninhibited (P, $32.00) is glossier (95% similar). MAC Habanero (DC, $21.00) is glossier (95% similar). Guerlain #44 (P, $33.00) is less shimmery, more muted (95% similar). Dior Forever Feminine (647) (P, $45.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tarte Mai Tai (P, $22.00) is lighter (95% similar). ColourPop Cruella (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Chanel Ardente (48) (P, $45.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Tell Laura (P, $37.00) is darker (95% similar). Estee Lauder Volatile (P, $32.00) is darker (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Cristiano (P, $36.00) is lighter (95% similar). Pat McGrath Obsessed (LE, $38.00) is glossier (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever C404 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a sligthly muted, medium-dark red with neutral-to-cool undertones and a natural sheen. It had nearly opaque pigmentation that covered exceptionally well; I felt like the finish made my lips look a bit plumper and smoother overall. The consistency was lightweight, creamy enough to glide on easily but did not move around. This shade lasted for over six hours, did not feather or bleed around the edges, and was lightly hydrating over time. Marc Jacobs Beauty Oh Miley (200) (P, $30.00) is lighter (95% similar). Pretty Vulgar Blood Flower (P, $24.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). Tarte Juicy (LE, $20.00) is warmer (95% similar). Make Up For Ever C405 (DC, $22.00) is lighter, less glossy (95% similar). MAC Betty Boop Red (LE, $19.00) is brighter (95% similar). Chanel No. 02 (LE, $45.00) is lighter (95% similar). ColourPop Hi Striker (P, $7.00) is lighter (95% similar). YSL Le Rouge (1) (PiP, $38.00) is brighter (95% similar). Bobbi Brown Parisian Red (P, $40.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). Chanel No. 01 (LE, $45.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). Bite Beauty New York (LE, $26.00) is glossier (95% similar). KVD Beauty Outlaw (P, $19.00) is brighter (95% similar). NYX Eden (P, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar). Chanel No. 5 (LE, $45.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar). Makeup Geek Elegant (P, $15.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). NYX Perfect Red (P, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Frenesi (LE, $19.00) is brighter (95% similar). Shiseido Ruby Copper (RD501) (DC, $28.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Como La Flor (LE, $19.00) is glossier (95% similar). Make Up For Ever Cherry Muse (406) (P, $23.00) is lighter (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever C405 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, pinky-red with cool undertones and a satin finish. It’s very similar to C404, but it is noticeably darker and will be more likely to pull cooler on most skin tones (I can see C404 looking closer to neutral at times). The texture was smooth, lightweight, and more satiny, so it didn’t have as much as lip as most of the Cream shades, but it wasn’t clingy or drying. It had nearly opaque pigmentation which covered evenly. This shade wore well for over six hours and was lightly hydrating. ColourPop Million Dollar Baby (LE, $10.00) is less glossy (95% similar). NYX Eden (P, $6.00) is lighter, less glossy (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Night Porter (P, $55.00) is lighter (95% similar). Makeup Geek Elegant (P, $15.00) is glossier (95% similar). ColourPop Big Bang (P, $9.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Como La Flor (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Dominic (P, $36.00) is more muted (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Screen Siren (P, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar). Estee Lauder Boldface (P, $32.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Brave Red (P, $19.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar). Chanel No. 02 (LE, $45.00) is lighter (95% similar). ColourPop On Display (P, $10.00) is warmer (95% similar). ColourPop Let's Vogue (P, $8.00) is warmer (95% similar). Bobbi Brown Imperial Red (DC, $37.00) is darker (95% similar). Make Up For Ever C404 (DC, $22.00) is darker, glossier (95% similar). Shiseido Poppy (RD312) (DC, $28.00) is lighter (95% similar). Pretty Vulgar Blood Flower (P, $24.00) is lighter (95% similar). Shiseido Ruby Copper (RD501) (DC, $28.00) is lighter (95% similar). Pat McGrath Major Red (DC, $40.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). MAC Nyma Tang (LE, $19.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Formula Overview

Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is supposed to be long-wearing, “extremely pigmented,” and hydrating. It is available in two finishes–Cream and Matte, indicated by the C or M in the beginning of each shade’s name. The Cream formula is richly pigmented, lightly creamy without being too emollient or slippery, and go on smoothly and feel good while worn (wear ranges from four to eight hours, depending on the shade). The Matte formula is thinner and clings somewhat to lips, though it goes on nicely and doesn’t tug, and it doesn’t always look flattering on as it can emphasize imperfections on my lips but really depends on the shade, as some look great on. I found the Cream formula to be moderately hydrating, while the Matte formula was slightly to moderately drying. All shades had a slight, rosy scent to them, though I didn’t notice any taste.

Make Up For Ever C403 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C403 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C403 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C403 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C403 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C403 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C404 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C404 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C404 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C404 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C404 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C404 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C405 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C405 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C405 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C405 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C405 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C405 Artist Rouge Lipstick