Make Up For Ever C406 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark red with warm, brown undertones and a satin finish. The consistency was creamy, lightweight, and very smooth, which resulted in even, nearly opaque pigmentation that was comfortable to wear. It stayed in place for five and a half hours and was lightly hydrating. NARS Delphine (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar). MAC Lee Hi (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Guerlain Luxure (DC, $49.50) is darker (95% similar). MAC Retro Rouge (LE, $18.00) is warmer (95% similar). NARS Fire Down Below (DC, $28.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Hourglass At Night (P, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar). Guerlain Habit Rouge (DC, $37.00) is warmer (95% similar). NARS Codie (LE, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar). ColourPop Lost (P, $7.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). NARS Rouge Indiscret (LE, $28.00) is less glossy (95% similar). MAC Dubonnet (P, $19.00) is darker (85% similar). YSL Lale's Red (126) (LE, $38.00) is cooler (90% similar). NARS Margot (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). NARS Immortal Red (P, $26.00) is cooler (90% similar). NARS Lee (LE, $34.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar). Urban Decay Bad Blood (DC, $22.00) is brighter (90% similar). YSL Insurgent Red (202) (P, $39.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Sephora After Hours (23) (P, $8.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Whatta Doll (P, $24.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). NARS Just Push Play (P, $26.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever C407 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, burgundy-brown with warm undertones and a creamy finish. The texture had moderate slip, and while I did not experience feathering or bleeding myself, it is a shade that makes me wary that it may on those who are more prone to feathering lip color as it does slide around on the lips. It was intensely pigmented, and it applied exceptionally well–very even, despite the slip and intense color. It wore well for five hours on me and was moisturizing while worn. ColourPop Prim (P, $7.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Saboteur (Right) (LE, ) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). Burberry Black Cherry (57) (P, $34.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar). Make Up For Ever Eggplant (501) (P, $24.00) is cooler (95% similar). Urban Decay Disturbed (DC, $18.00) is warmer (95% similar). Too Faced Chocolate Cherries (P, $21.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (95% similar). Besame Noir Red 1930 (PiP, $22.00) is cooler, less glossy (95% similar). Giorgio Armani Mahogany (601) (P, $38.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Double Fudge (DC, $21.00) is glossier (95% similar). MAC Living Legend (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Lingering Kiss (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Guerlain #555 (P, $36.00) is cooler, glossier (90% similar). Sephora Malt Shake (29) (P, $8.00) is glossier (90% similar). Tarte Frenemy (P, $20.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty Motorhead (P, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar). Shiseido Noble Plum (224) (P, $26.00) is cooler (90% similar). Pat McGrath McMenamy (LE, $38.00) is cooler (90% similar). Tarte High Dive (P, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Double Fudge (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Bite Beauty Liquorice (DC, $26.00) is lighter (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever C502 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, light-medium grayed lavender with neutral-to-cool undertones and a satin finish. The pigmentation was totally opaque, while the texture had a light creaminess to it that made it easy to work with and glide across the lips. The downside was that I had some color settle into lip lines after two and a half hours of wear, though the color lasted for closer to five hours overall, but it’s one that would wear better with a lip liner or primer, I think. MAC Evening Buzz (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Galaxy Grey (DC, $21.00) is darker (90% similar). LORAC Brunch Queen (LE, $17.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Fresh Amour (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). KVD Beauty Zero (LE, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Plum Princess (LE, $19.00) is warmer (80% similar). Anastasia Clover (P, $20.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Dior Cloudy Matte (380) (LE, $35.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). MAC Lured In (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). Urban Decay Vanity Kills (DC, $18.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (80% similar). Urban Decay Twitch (DC, $18.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (80% similar). 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 C406 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C406 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C406 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C406 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C406 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C406 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C407 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C407 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C407 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C407 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C407 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C407 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C502 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C502 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C502 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C502 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C502 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C502 Artist Rouge Lipstick