Make Up For Ever M202 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a vibrant, medium magenta pink with a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage with a velvety texture that didn’t tug, but it seemed to emphasize the texture of my lips and did not apply as evenly as it should have (it’s not as obvious, since the color is bright). It lasted for six hours but was moderately drying on me. MAC Candy Yum Yum (P, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). Melt Cosmetics Stupid Love (P, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Smashbox Talk to Me (P, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Shiseido Peruvian Pink (RS418) (DC, $28.00) is lighter (90% similar). Sephora Whipped Blush (PiP, $14.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Tickler (P, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar). KVD Beauty Crush (P, $19.00) is warmer (85% similar). Sephora African Violet (PiP, $14.00) is lighter, more pigmented, warmer (85% similar). Anastasia Orchid (P, $18.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Fake Love (P, $10.00) is warmer (85% similar). KVD Beauty Babe (LE, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar). Makeup Geek Moonwalk (LE, $12.00) is lighter (85% similar). ColourPop Fast as You (LE, $7.00) is darker (90% similar). Makeup Geek Bachelorette (P, $12.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). MAC Both Cheeks (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Goodie Bag (P, $7.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever M203 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bold, bright, medium-dark raspberry red with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. Like M202, the texture didn’t feel dry or stiff going on, but it looked thin, drier, and unflattering on my lips as it emphasized the texture of my natural lips. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that covered fairly evenly. This shade wore for over six hours and left a stain behind, but it was somewhat drying as well. Urban Decay Noise (P, $22.00) is more muted (95% similar). MAC Moxie (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop Maxed Out (P, $7.00) is lighter (95% similar). ColourPop Pin Wheel (LE, $6.50) is lighter (95% similar). Fenty Beauty Unlocked (P, $24.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Billion Dollar Smile (P, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Cougar (LE, $7.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Notorious (P, $60.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (90% similar). NARS Schiap (P, $26.00) is cooler (90% similar). Hermes Rose Velours (78) (LE, $67.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC A Killing Smile (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Guerlain Deep Pink (525) (P, $36.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Mars (DC, $6.50) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Dangerously Red (P, $19.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar). Makeup Geek Mambo (LE, $12.00) is darker (90% similar). YSL Contrary Fuchsia (08) (P, $39.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC To Matte with Love (P, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Out of Sync (LE, $7.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (90% similar). Guerlain #61 (P, $33.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Anastasia Pink Punch (LE, $20.00) is lighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever M204 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a slightly muted, medium-dark raspberry red with very subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation, and it applied evenly. The consistency was velvety but thin, and it felt somewhat clingy on the lips, which seemed to emphasize the texture of my lips. Some of the color gathered in lip lines after two and a half hours of wear, though the color lasted for five and a half hours. The formula was slightly drying to me. Chanel Magnetique (46) (P, $45.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Intoxica (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar). MAC All Fired Up (P, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC A Killing Smile (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Tarte Lovespell (P, $20.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Heart Goes Boom (LE, $19.00) is brighter, warmer, glossier (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Jared (P, $36.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Moxie (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel La Merveilleuse (347) (LE, $45.00) is glossier (90% similar). Rare Beauty Ascend (P, $20.00) is cooler (90% similar). NARS You're No Good (P, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Runaway (P, $6.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Dangerously Red (P, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Hermes Rose Velours (78) (LE, $67.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC If Wishes Were Roses (LE, $22.00) is lighter, less pigmented (90% similar). Chanel Camelia Fuchsia (347) (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Guerlain Deep Pink (525) (P, $36.00) is cooler (90% similar). Pat McGrath Full Panic (LE, $38.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Anastasia Pink Punch (LE, $20.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Electric Poppy (P, $37.00) is lighter, brighter (85% 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 M202 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M202 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M202 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M202 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M202 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M202 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M203 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M203 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M203 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M203 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M203 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M203 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M204 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M204 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M204 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M204 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M204 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M204 Artist Rouge Lipstick