Make Up For Ever Empowered Beige, Vivid Naked, Powerful Greige Rouge Artist Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Empowered Beige (100)
Make Up For Ever Empowered Beige (100) Rouge Artist Lipstick (2020) ($23.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a light beige with subtle, warm peachy undertones and a natural sheen. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in one layer, which applied somewhat evenly, but the product looked almost crumbly with color that settled into my lip lines from the get-go–this only worsened as I wore the product. The texture felt lightweight, thin but not clingy, and had light glide. It lasted for three hours and felt non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- YSL Beige Tribute (10) (P, $38.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Sharp Nude (152) (P, $23.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Jaclyn Cosmetics As If (DC, $18.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Naked Ambition (P, $57.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Influentially It (P, $22.00) is more muted, warmer (85% similar).
- Estee Lauder Oblivious (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Alexander (2016) (P, $36.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Choker (LE, $7.00) is more shimmery, warmer (80% similar).
- Too Faced Topless (DC, $22.00) is more shimmery, warmer (80% similar).
- ColourPop Oh Snap (P, $7.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$23.00/0.11 oz. - $209.09 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "blur, smooth, and hydrate" with "intensity of a matte and the comfort of a cream" and delivers "ultra-pigment[ation]." The consistency reminded me of the more new-school "matte" formulas that feel velvety without wetness/shine--the ones that feel more silicone-heavy and primer-like, which are often thinner, too. I'd say that the new Rouge Artist formula has a little more traditional creaminess, so there was a satin shine (which was as marketed--satin finish!).
The consistency was smooth, lightweight, and thin without feeling clingy. In the close-up photos, there were several shades that looked like there were little bits scattered on my lips, almost like it had pilled, though I didn't feel it when I pressed my lips together and couldn't see it in person.
They had mostly opaque to opaque color coverage in a single layer. Most shades applied evenly and sat well enough on my lips, though there were some that emphasized my lip lines slightly. They wore for four to six hours on me with some of the very rich, deeper shades lasting a little longer than that. The formula felt mostly non-drying to lightly hydrating to me.
There was a sweet, slightly floral scent that was noticeable on for the first few minutes, but I didn't notice any taste.
Browse all of our Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipstick (2020) swatches.
Ingredients
Empowered Beige (100)
PPermanent. $23.00.
Vivid Naked (102)
Make Up For Ever Vivid Naked (102) Rouge Artist Lipstick (2020) ($23.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a very light peach with warm, more orange undertones and a satin finish. The texture felt smooth, lightly velvety with moderate slip that applied comfortably across my lips, but the product was prone to settling into my lip lines.
It had mostly opaque color payoff that adhered evenly for the most part. This shade stayed on decently for three hours and felt lightly hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Influentially It (P, $22.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Maybelline Nude Thrill (DC, $7.49) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Peachy Peter (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC LarLarLee (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Jaclyn Cosmetics As If (DC, $18.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Myth (P, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Maybelline Blushing Beige (915) (P, $7.49) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Blush Nude (P, $57.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Maybelline Beige Babe (P, $7.99) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Strip Poker (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$23.00/0.11 oz. - $209.09 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "blur, smooth, and hydrate" with "intensity of a matte and the comfort of a cream" and delivers "ultra-pigment[ation]." The consistency reminded me of the more new-school "matte" formulas that feel velvety without wetness/shine--the ones that feel more silicone-heavy and primer-like, which are often thinner, too. I'd say that the new Rouge Artist formula has a little more traditional creaminess, so there was a satin shine (which was as marketed--satin finish!).
The consistency was smooth, lightweight, and thin without feeling clingy. In the close-up photos, there were several shades that looked like there were little bits scattered on my lips, almost like it had pilled, though I didn't feel it when I pressed my lips together and couldn't see it in person.
They had mostly opaque to opaque color coverage in a single layer. Most shades applied evenly and sat well enough on my lips, though there were some that emphasized my lip lines slightly. They wore for four to six hours on me with some of the very rich, deeper shades lasting a little longer than that. The formula felt mostly non-drying to lightly hydrating to me.
There was a sweet, slightly floral scent that was noticeable on for the first few minutes, but I didn't notice any taste.
Browse all of our Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipstick (2020) swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polydecene, Octyldodecanol, Dimethicone / Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Nails, Polybutene, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) Wax, Silica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Bentonite, Propylene Carbonate, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Perfume (Fragrance), Olive Oil Decyl Esters, Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil, Citric Acid, Glycerin, Hydrated Silica, Aqua (Water), Aluminum Hydroxide, Lactic Acid, Lecithin, Squalene, Limonene, Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, Linalool, Maris Sal (Sea Ciher Salt), +/-: Tocher Salt, +/-: 15850 (Red 6, Red 7, Red 7 Lake), Ci 19140 (Yellow 5, Yellow 5 Lake), Ci 77491, Ci 77492, Ci 77499 (Iron Oxides), Ci 77891 (Titanium Dioxide)].
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Vivid Naked (102)
PPermanent. $23.00.
Powerful Greige (116)
Make Up For Ever Powerful Greige (116) Rouge Artist Lipstick (2020) ($23.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a medium-dark taupe with subtle, cooler undertones and a satin finish. It had opaque pigmentation in a single stroke, which adhered evenly and smoothly across my lips, but it seemed to look clingier and emphasized my lip lines.
The consistency felt smoother, lightly creamy, and a little velvetey, so while it looked clingy, it didn’t feel that way. It wore nicely for four hours and felt lightly moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Fenty Beauty I Quit (P, $18.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Stone (P, $19.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (90% similar).
- ColourPop Mrs. Norris (LE, $7.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Bow 'n' Arrow (P, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- NYX Butter (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Shiseido Rose Syrup (BR721) (DC, $28.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Maybelline Grey Over It (DC, $7.49) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$23.00/0.11 oz. - $209.09 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "blur, smooth, and hydrate" with "intensity of a matte and the comfort of a cream" and delivers "ultra-pigment[ation]." The consistency reminded me of the more new-school "matte" formulas that feel velvety without wetness/shine--the ones that feel more silicone-heavy and primer-like, which are often thinner, too. I'd say that the new Rouge Artist formula has a little more traditional creaminess, so there was a satin shine (which was as marketed--satin finish!).
The consistency was smooth, lightweight, and thin without feeling clingy. In the close-up photos, there were several shades that looked like there were little bits scattered on my lips, almost like it had pilled, though I didn't feel it when I pressed my lips together and couldn't see it in person.
They had mostly opaque to opaque color coverage in a single layer. Most shades applied evenly and sat well enough on my lips, though there were some that emphasized my lip lines slightly. They wore for four to six hours on me with some of the very rich, deeper shades lasting a little longer than that. The formula felt mostly non-drying to lightly hydrating to me.
There was a sweet, slightly floral scent that was noticeable on for the first few minutes, but I didn't notice any taste.
Browse all of our Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Lipstick (2020) swatches.
Ingredients
Even though I don’t think it would look so good on me, I really love Powerful Greige! THAT is a beauty for anyone who can pull it off.
More than 50 years ago, I had a tackle box full of m/u and I KNOW the first two were in it. Swingin’ London era. Now, I have (extent of storage deleted due to embarrassment) with 2 or more dupes for the last shade. Pandemic era. Bookends.
I wish I could pull off a color like Powerful Greige!
I am really not a fan of these shades as I think they would end up making me look lifeless. Powerful Greige is probably the more interesting shade of the three.
Powerful greige looks stunning! Swaying me to buy based on your photos! Love it!
Jessica….Greige is my total fave. I’ve found that using a more sheer formula can put a toe in the water without thinking it looks unacceptable. Check these two lip swatches here: Sephora rouge lacquer Squad Goals and Riot Girl. They sheer out nicely and are not at all overpowering. On me they lean cooler, towards purple, with Riot Girl being a tad darker and more brown. On me, anyway. Check ‘em out if you (dare) go to Sephora or pop one in your basket for the sale. Matte greige can be quite stern, but those Sephora shades are not. Not a wallet challenge, either.
Powerful Greige is coming home with me! Just in time for Sephora sale 🙂
Joining in to say that I too love Powerful Greige. I don’t think I can pull it off, unfortunately.
Whenever I see the full face photos I’m amazed that you look beautiful in ALL lip colours you swatch.