Make Up For Ever C503 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright pop of medium lavender with subtle, cool undertones and a creamy finish with a light sheen. The texture was lightweight, moderately creamy with noticeable slip, but applied fairly evenly overall–though not as smoothly as other shades in the Cream range. This shade wore well nearly five hours but had some color settled into lip lines, though the formula was lightly hydrating. LORAC Brunch Queen (LE, $17.00) is more muted (85% similar). Sephora Trippin (50) (P, $8.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). MAC Lavender Jade (P, $19.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). KVD Beauty Coven (P, $19.00) is darker (85% similar). Urban Decay Vanity Kills (DC, $18.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). Urban Decay Shallow (DC, $18.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). Pat McGrath Faux Pas (P, $38.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (85% similar). Fenty Beauty One of the Boyz (P, $18.00) is darker (85% similar). MAC Courting Seduction (LE, $19.00) is more muted, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Fluke (P, $7.00) is darker (85% similar). MAC Fresh Amour (LE, $19.00) is lighter, more muted (80% similar). MAC Lured In (LE, $19.00) is darker (80% similar). Urban Decay Solo Player (P, $25.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever C506 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep berry with subtle, cool undertones and a lightly glossy finish. The texture was very smooth, creamy, and easy to apply as the color went on evenly and smoothly without tugging on the lips. It did feel wetter and more emollient than the majority of the Cream shades, though. I did not experience feathering or bleeding along the edges of my lips, but neither is something that I experience frequently so your mileage may vary. It lasted for over six hours, left behind a pink-hued stain, and was hydrating over time. ColourPop Darling (LE, $7.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tarte Yachting (P, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). Tarte Wet Suit (P, $22.00) is less glossy (90% similar). Urban Decay Marfa (LE, $18.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC It's a Tie (LE, $26.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Hourglass I Hide My (P, $34.00) is lighter (90% similar). Makeup Geek Rocker Chick (P, $12.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Babes and Balls (LE, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar). Smashbox Femme Fatale (P, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar). Urban Decay Mosh Pit (DC, $18.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Hel's Bells (P, $37.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Sumac (LE, $19.00) is darker (85% similar). Bite Beauty Aquarius (LE, $26.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Make Up For Ever Passionate Fig (220) (P, $23.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (80% similar). Pat McGrath Deep Orchid (P, $38.00) is lighter (80% similar). Maybelline Berry Bossy (DC, $7.49) is lighter, less glossy (80% similar). Urban Decay Troublemaker (LE, $18.00) is darker (80% similar). MAC Rebel (P, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever C600 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a light white with cooler undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a lightweight, creamy consistency that applied unevenly and with noticeable streaks. I was surprised that while the brand nailed their black-hued lipstick, they really left a lot to be desired with this shade. Due to the texture and how it appears alone, it is likely better for mixing and layering than as a standalone shade, so it is not as versatile other shades in the range. The color lasted for four hours and was lightly hydrating, but I noticed some color pulled into lip lines after two and a half hours of wear. KVD Beauty White Out (P, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar). Bite Beauty #058 (P, $18.00) is warmer (95% similar). Sephora In the Clouds (43) (P, $8.00) is warmer (95% similar). Dior Ultra Light (000) (P, $37.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Bite Beauty Blanc (DC, $24.00) is warmer (90% similar). NYX Coconut (P, $6.00) is warmer (90% similar). Anastasia Primary #1 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar). Maybelline Wickedly White (DC, $7.49) is warmer (90% similar). MAC City Slick (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (85% 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 C503 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C503 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C503 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C503 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C503 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C503 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C506 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C506 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C506 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C506 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C506 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C506 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C600 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C600 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C600 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C600 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C600 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever C600 Artist Rouge Lipstick