Make Up For Ever M402 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bold, medium-dark red with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good color payoff that applied evenly and smoothly without emphasizing the texture of my lips too much. The color wore well for over six hours and left a stain behind, while the formula felt lightly drying after four and a half hours of wear. ColourPop TGIF (LE, $7.00) is lighter (95% similar). NARS Rouge Indiscret (LE, $28.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). NARS Just Push Play (P, $26.00) is darker (95% similar). NARS Infatuated Red (P, $27.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Viva Glam I (P, $19.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). NARS Shanghai Express (P, $26.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Besame Cherry Red 1935 (PiP, $22.00) is darker, brighter, glossier (90% similar). MAC Studded Kiss (P, $19.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). NARS Mysterious Red (P, $27.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Lee Hi (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty Nosferatu (P, $20.00) is warmer, less glossy (90% similar). Chanel Experimente (154) (P, $45.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Retro Rouge (LE, $18.00) is warmer (90% similar). NARS Vain (P, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). MAC Hearts Aflame (LE, $19.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Impassioned (P, $55.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (85% similar). Besame Red Velvet 1946 (PiP, $22.00) is brighter (95% similar). Milani Romance (LE, $8.99) is lighter (85% similar). Tarte Swamp Family (LE, $20.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Lisa Eldridge Velvet Jazz (LE, $36.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever M500 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep burgundy with subtle, cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had mostly opaque coverage with a lightly velvety consistency that glided on without tugging and distributed color evenly. The formula felt somewhat drying after four and a half hours, while the color lasted for nearly seven hours and left behind a strong, reddish stain. MAC Diva (P, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar). Chanel Rouge Audace (59) (LE, $45.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Infinite Best (LE, $6.00) is less glossy (90% similar). Kaleidos Rubino (P, $12.00) is cooler (90% similar). Anastasia Bohemian (P, $20.00) is cooler, less glossy (90% similar). NARS Chaos (LE, $27.00) is cooler, less glossy (90% similar). Guerlain Dusty Brown (940) (P, $36.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Nightberry (201) (P, $38.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). YSL Reverse Red (18) (P, $39.00) is cooler, less glossy (90% similar). Tarte Manbun (P, $20.00) is warmer (90% similar). Makeup Geek Risque (P, $15.00) is cooler (90% similar). Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Anita (DC, $18.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). ColourPop Thousand Percent (LE, $6.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (90% similar). ColourPop Chola (LE, $7.00) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Chateau (P, $6.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Sin (P, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Anastasia Brandy (P, $18.00) is more muted (95% similar). Maybelline Burgundy Blush (P, $7.99) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop And Chill (DC, $6.50) is warmer, less glossy (85% similar). Illamasqua Growl (P, $24.00) is warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Make Up For Ever M501 Artist Rouge Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a dark berry with pinky undertones and a semi-matte finish. Oddly, the lipstick had an iridescent green sheen to it (in the same way some of Urban Decay’s matte Vice lipsticks had!) but doesn’t actually have shimmer. It’s hard to find true matte berry-hued lipsticks, from my experience, as there aren’t too many dupes for this one. It had a smooth, velvety texture that didn’t tug as it applied, and it laid down color evenly. The consistency wasn’t as flat-matte as it could have been, but I think that helped it be more forgiving when applied. This shade wore nicely for over six hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. MAC Babes and Balls (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Makeup Geek Rocker Chick (P, $12.00) is less pigmented, lower quality (95% similar). Givenchy Violine Retro (P, $37.00) is lighter, cooler, glossier (90% similar). MAC Toung 'n' Chic (LE, $18.50) is lighter (90% similar). Smashbox Femme Fatale (P, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Alchemist (P, $10.00) is lighter (90% similar). NARS Zipped (LE, $27.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay CSB (DC, $18.00) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Doin' Fine (LE, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Got a Callback (P, $26.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Anastasia #10 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is lighter (85% similar). Smashbox Jam On It (P, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Chanel Muted Fuchsia (124) (P, $40.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC High Drama (P, $21.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Persuasion (LE, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Fallen Angel (LE, $21.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Oh Lady (P, $21.00) is cooler, less glossy (90% similar). Pat McGrath Deep Orchid (P, $38.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). ColourPop Notion (DC, $6.50) is darker, more muted (80% similar). MAC Fashion Revival (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (80% 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 M402 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M402 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M402 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M402 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M402 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M402 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M500 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M500 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M500 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M500 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M500 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M500 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M501 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M501 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M501 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M501 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M501 Artist Rouge Lipstick

Make Up For Ever M501 Artist Rouge Lipstick