Make Up For Ever M206 & M502 Artist Rouge Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
M206
Make Up For Ever M206 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark mauve with subtle, neutral-to-cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation with a smooth, lightly creamy consistency that glided across the lips with ease and never felt clingy. I actually felt like it seeemed a lot creamier than past mattes–more like a hybrid between the Cream and Matte formulas (see my original overview). The formula wore well for five and a half hours and was non-drying while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Morea (LE, $25.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Urban Decay 66 (LE, $18.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- NARS Save the Queen (P, $26.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Rapture (P, $18.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Marriage Material (P, $12.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Lucia (P, $24.00) is lighter, cooler, less glossy (85% similar).
- ColourPop Scorpio Moon (LE, $10.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- MAC Amorous (P, $19.00) is warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M205 (DC, $22.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (85% similar).
- Anastasia Dead Roses (P, $18.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.12 oz. - $183.33 Per Ounce
The formula 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.
Browse all of our Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
M206
DCDiscontinued. $22.00.
M502
Make Up For Ever M206 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark purple with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had medium coverage, which was buildable to semi-opaque payoff at most. The consistency felt creamy and comfortable to apply to the lips, but it applied terribly with streakiness, unevenness, and color that gathered on itself and looked grainy on the lips. To top it all off, the color separated at my lip lines and made them appear more prominent. It lasted for four and a half hours but color further pulled into my lines over time. The formula was, at the very least, not drying, so there was a margin upside.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Potent Fig (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Leap of Delight (LE, $19.00) is less glossy (95% similar).
- MAC Punk Couture (P, $19.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- NARS Kirat (P, $34.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Smashbox Mongal (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Electric Slide (LE, $12.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- MAC Epic (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- MAC Midnight Breeze (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Smashbox Bride of Chucky (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Smashbox Violet Riot (P, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$22.00/0.12 oz. - $183.33 Per Ounce
The formula 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.
Browse all of our Make Up For Ever Artist Rouge Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
M206 is gorgeous, but I have several dupes. M502 is really bad. I know that’s a tough shade for a lot of companies to get right, but I would have thought MUFE would be one of the better ones.
Me, too, Rachel – I thought MUFE would nail it!
Ugh yikes, the dark purple does look very grainy on the lips, seems like the formula just balls up, strange
I don’t know why it was so bad!
M502 looks even worse than my MAC Lust Extract, which is at least salvageable with a lip liner underneath. Wish that purple lipstick was easier to get just right, but it seems to be a very problematic pigment set to formulate and manufacture.
M206 looks wonderful, on the other hand! (But I *still* want the ABH Dead Roses, LOL)
I was surprised M502 was not better!!
206 is pretty!
It is!
M206 is so pretty!! I have several dupes, but suspect that this is still coming home with me during the next Sephora FF!!
Btw, MUFE snuck another new color onto Sephora.com — M205.
I’m sorry – I ordered M205 but it was missing from my order.
Yikes! I hope Sephora sends you a replacement.
I’m sure they will – I’ve just been so busy that I haven’t had a chance to call Sephora yet!
What a pity about the purple! M206 is gorgeous. I do hope Sephora here will get it so I can try it on.
I love your eye look so much! Now I need to see if the Friloluxe Eyeshadow Palette is available here yet. We do get things so much later than you do 99.9% of the time.
Might consider picking up M206 as it’s a dupe for NARS Save the Queen. 😉 If only M502 was as dark as in the bullet.
M206 is really pretty! Would be perfect for fall!
M502 is just a little better then a MAC Instigator that I throw away in frustration. I soooo want something in this color, butvnothing seems to work with my lips. ??