Make Up For Ever M300 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bold, medium-dark orange-red with strong, warm red undertones and a matte finish. The texture had a velvety feeling to it, so it glided on with ease and did not tug on the lips during application. However, it was a bit thin and clingy, so it wasn’t the most flattering finish on the lips and tended to accentuate lines and imperfections. I highly recommend exfoliating prior to applying this shade. It had good pigmentation that wore well for six hours, but the formula was a bit drying. NARS Marlene (P, $34.00) is lighter, less glossy (95% similar). Anastasia Blood Orange (LE, $18.00) is cooler (95% similar). Dose of Colors Hot Fire (LE, $18.00) is lighter (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Tell Laura (P, $37.00) is lighter (95% similar). Bite Beauty #076 (P, $18.00) is cooler, lower quality (95% similar). Chanel Rouge Feu (57) (P, $45.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). NYX Pure Red (P, $6.00) is brighter, glossier (90% similar). Revlon Spit Fire (P, $12.39) is lighter (90% similar). Maybelline Craving Coral (P, $7.99) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Wild Ginger (P, $55.00) is lighter, cooler, glossier (90% similar). Make Up For Ever C403 (DC, $22.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). MAC Lover's Lane (P, $20.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Barbecue (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Estee Lauder Chilean Sunset (LE, $45.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Bite Beauty Cayenne (DC, $26.00) is brighter, glossier (90% similar). MAC Lady Danger (P, $19.00) is glossier (90% similar). Anastasia Cinnamon (LE, $18.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Temper (DC, $18.00) is darker (90% similar). NARS Light My Fire (P, $26.00) is cooler (90% similar). Bite Beauty Mimosa (DC, $24.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever M301 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark fuchsia-red with warmer undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation that applied evenly, though the thinner consistency of the formula tended to emphasize imperfections on my lips. The lipstick had a lightly velvety texture, which made for easier application as it didn’t drag or tug on the lips. This shade lasted for over six hours, was somewhat drying, and left a stain behind. Too Faced Candy Cane (LE, $21.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC All Fired Up (P, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Dangerously Red (P, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar). Pat McGrath Full Panic (LE, $38.00) is glossier (95% similar). NARS Get Up Stand Up (P, $26.00) is warmer (95% similar). Lisa Eldridge Rainbow Spill (LE, $36.00) is lighter (90% similar). Estee Lauder Jealous (P, $32.00) is glossier (90% similar). MAC Intoxica (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Brooklyn (P, $7.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Fall in Love (P, $22.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Tarte Selfish (P, $20.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). MAC A Killing Smile (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC To Matte with Love (P, $21.00) is more muted (90% similar). Chanel Camelia Fuchsia (347) (LE, $40.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Anastasia #12 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is darker, cooler (90% similar). NARS You're No Good (P, $26.00) is more muted (90% similar). ColourPop Toucan (LE, $7.00) is warmer (95% similar). Urban Decay Psycho (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar). Maybelline All Fired Up (P, $7.99) is warmer (90% similar). Anastasia Chrome Red (LE, $20.00) is brighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever M401 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark red with neutral-to-cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had good color coverage, though it was not fully opaque (you can see my lip freckle peeking through still). The consistency felt velvety, so it glided across the lips comfortably, but it was thinner overall. This particular shade wasn’t as clingy as some of the other Mattes, which resulted in a more flattering application as it did not emphasize imperfections. The color was still going strong after six hours, left behind a reddish stain, and was a bit drying overall. Urban Decay Crimson (P, $18.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (95% similar). Rare Beauty Transform (P, $20.00) is brighter (95% similar). MAC Rusi Woo (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty LA Woman (P, $60.00) is lighter (95% similar). ColourPop Melonade (LE, $6.50) is darker, warmer (95% similar). Lisa Eldridge Velvet Duchess (P, $36.00) is cooler (95% similar). MAC Chateau M (LE, $21.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Frenesi (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). ColourPop Besame (LE, $6.50) is darker (95% similar). YSL Rouge Extravagant (01) (P, $39.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Candy Cane (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Pretty Vulgar Blood Flower (P, $24.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tarte Cheerleader (P, $20.00) is cooler, less glossy (95% similar). Guerlain Ruby Red (880) (P, $36.00) is darker (95% similar). NARS Amontillado (LE, $27.00) is warmer (95% similar). Bite Beauty Hot Tomato (P, $28.00) is cooler (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Dominic (P, $36.00) is warmer (95% similar). Tarte Firework (P, $22.00) is darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Rock Steady (P, $18.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Pat McGrath Elson 4 (P, $30.00) is darker (95% 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 M300 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M300 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M300 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M300 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M300 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M300 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M301 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M301 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M301 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M301 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M301 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M301 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M401 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M401 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M401 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M401 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M401 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M401 Artist Rouge Lipstick