Maybelline Midnight Merlot, Smoking Red, Dynamite Red, Orange Danger The Loaded Bolds Color Sensational Lipcolors Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Maybelline Midnight Merlot Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Midnight Merlot Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color ($7.49 for 0.15 oz.) is a dark, red-burgundy with subtle, cool undertones and a fine pearl. It had a more natural sheen to its finish without being truly glossy, but it did suffer from more uneven application and sheerer coverage due to the extra slip. If it had been more satiny like other shades, I think it would have applied better. This shade lasted for six hours on me, left a stain behind, and only had minor settling into lip lines for me over time. It was neither drying nor hydrating. Tom Ford Beauty Liev (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (95% similar). KVD Beauty Prayer (P, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Black Dahlia (DC, $18.00) is cooler, glossier (95% similar). Tarte High Dive (P, $21.00) is darker (95% similar). Revlon Black Cherry (P, $8.49) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Pat McGrath Full Blooded (P, $38.00) is warmer (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Black Orchid (LE, $57.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Power Driven (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar). Makeup Geek Risque (P, $15.00) is less glossy (95% similar). MAC Living Legend (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Tarte Soul (LE, $20.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Hello Stranger (P, $10.00) is darker (90% similar). Burberry Black Cherry (439) (P, $35.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Near Dark (P, $57.00) is lighter (90% similar). Estee Lauder Brazen (P, $32.00) is glossier (90% similar). MAC Lingering Kiss (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Estee Lauder Deep Secret (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Dior Ultra Poison (883) (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay White Walker (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Tutu (LE, $7.00) is darker (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Maybelline Smoking Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color ($7.49 for 0.15 oz.) is a deep, muted burgundy with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. The color payoff was intense, while the consistency was smooth, creamy, and easy to apply. The lipstick went on evenly and lasted for six hours while leaving a stain behind. The formula wasn’t hydrating, but it also wasn’t drying. Milani I Am Strong (P, $6.99) is less shimmery (95% similar). NARS Bette (P, $34.00) is glossier (95% similar). Lancome Pigeon Blood Ruby (481) (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar). Chanel Rouge Audace (59) (LE, $45.00) is cooler (95% similar). Shiseido Curious Cassis (RD620) (DC, $28.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Runner (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Bad Behavior (LE, $30.00) is warmer (95% similar). ColourPop Tiana (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Diva (P, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar). Estee Lauder Desirous (P, $32.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Fetishist (P, $55.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Cheers Dears (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Your Majesty (DC, $37.00) is glossier (90% similar). Tarte High Dive (P, $21.00) is cooler, glossier (90% similar). ColourPop Cashing Out (PiP, $7.00) is cooler (90% similar). Givenchy Pourpre Defile (P, $37.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Bite Beauty Black Cherry (LE, $24.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). NARS Josephine (LE, $34.00) is cooler, glossier (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Doge (210) (P, $38.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar). Bite Beauty Liquorice (DC, $24.00) is cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Maybelline Dynamite Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color ($7.49 for 0.15 oz.) is a bold, bright medium-dark red with subtle warm undertones and a satin finish. It had very nearly opaque pigmentation with a smooth, creamy consistency that wasn’t too heavy or too thin. It sat well on the lips and didn’t slide around over the six hours it lasted. The formula was comfortable to wear but not particularly hydrating. MAC Dynasty Red (LE, $19.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Burberry Military Red (P, $34.00) is glossier (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Best Revenge (P, $55.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Starlett Scarlet (LE, $18.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Reddy to Go (P, $20.00) is darker (95% similar). NARS Rita (P, $34.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Warren (P, $36.00) is lighter, glossier (95% similar). Hourglass Secretly (P, $34.00) is cooler (95% similar). ColourPop Ambush (PiP, $7.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). NARS Mysterious Red (P, $27.00) is darker (95% similar). Make Up For Ever #44 (DC, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Winnie (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Ruffian Red (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). Estee Lauder Immortal (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Bad Blood (DC, $18.00) is darker (90% similar). Givenchy Heroic Red (321) (LE, $36.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Scarlet Rouge (P, $55.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). NARS Dolores (LE, $34.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). Givenchy L'Interdit (333) (P, $36.00) is brighter, cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Bad Blood (P, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Maybelline Orange Danger Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color ($7.49 for 0.15 oz.) is bold, bright, medium-dark orange with strong red undertones and a mostly matte finish. It was one of the more matte shades in the range, but the consistency was firmer and harder to apply–I felt like I really had to press the bullet to my lips in order to get smooth coverage. It lasted for five hours but was somewhat drying. Chanel Ardente (175) (LE, $45.00) is cooler (95% similar). Bite Beauty #076 (P, $18.00) is more muted (95% similar). NYX Pure Red (P, $6.00) is brighter (95% similar). MAC Dangerous (P, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar). Chanel Entusiasta (164) (P, ) is lighter, glossier (95% similar). Tarte Mai Tai (P, $22.00) is warmer (95% similar). Bite Beauty Cayenne (DC, $26.00) is glossier (95% similar). Makeup Geek Free Spirit (P, $12.00) is glossier (95% similar). MAC Lady Danger (P, $19.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). Estee Lauder Uninhibited (P, $32.00) is brighter, glossier (95% similar). Pat McGrath Elson 2 (P, $38.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). YSL Red is My Savior (110) (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Bootie (P, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Rouge Feu (57) (P, $45.00) is warmer (90% similar). NARS Light My Fire (P, $26.00) is less glossy (90% similar). Bite Beauty San Francisco (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Flame (06) (P, $55.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar). Make Up For Ever M300 (DC, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Wild Ginger (P, $55.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar). NARS Claudette (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
FORMULA OVERVIEW | Maybelline Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color ($7.49 for 0.15 oz.) is a new set of shades that’s supposed to have “one-stroke intensity” in an “opaque, creamy clay base.” For the most part, the shade range is mostly opaque to fully opaque with some falling short with semi-sheer to semi-opaque, more uneven coverage. The texture is smooth, creamy, lightweight, and it glides on without tugging or dragging; some shades feel more satiny while others have a bit more slip. Unfortunately, some of the ones in this review were particularly slippery, which made them harder to apply evenly. I’m a fan of the Color Sensational formulas, but the one thing that I’m not a fan of (and that can be a deal-breaker) is the scent, which is a very strong, sweet, lightly perfume-y scent that lingers and sometimes tastes soapy.
Midnight Merlot
DCDiscontinued. $7.49.
Smoking Red
DCDiscontinued. $7.49.
Dynamite Red
DCDiscontinued. $7.49.
Orange Danger
DCDiscontinued. $7.49.
See more photos & swatches!
Maybelline Midnight Merlot Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Midnight Merlot Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Midnight Merlot Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Midnight Merlot Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Midnight Merlot Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Midnight Merlot Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Smoking Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Smoking Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Smoking Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Smoking Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Smoking Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Smoking Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Dynamite Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Dynamite Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Dynamite Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Dynamite Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Dynamite Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Dynamite Red Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Orange Danger Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Orange Danger Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Orange Danger Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Orange Danger Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Orange Danger Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Maybelline Orange Danger Color Sensational The Loaded Bolds Lip Color
Smoking Red is on my must-buy list!
Yay!
No fooling. Mine, too. Big surprise.
Yep, resistance is futile!
My only fear about these is that they will languish in the back room at Ulta, while the UD gets sorted out. Lots of good choices with good grades, overall.
Here’s hoping that’s not the case!
Orange Danger, woooooh 🙂
It’s bold!
These are screaming my name…especially Smoking Red and Dynamite Red!
Awesome! 🙂
Wow every single one of these is gorgeous. All are bold, yet wearable. I will definitely be purchasing all of these in this group.
Woohoo! Enjoy ’em, Dani!
It’s definitely hard to pick a fave. Each one is a gorgeous shade — and you look great in them all!
Thank you, Chris!
Smoking Red looks like a HE lipstick! And when one considers that this one has some of the loveliest burgundy red dupes across several HE brands, it makes it even more desirable. Beautiful, rich shade!
When it comes to Midnight Merlot, I think I would much rather get the newly reformulated, and improved, UD Shame from the Vice range.
Some of these were really quite nice!
I love these colors. Who knew bright orange lips could look so good with purple eyeshadow?
Haha! 😉
I just LOVE those colours and want all of them…….especially Midnight Merlot and Smoking Red. Wow – great colours, great ratings and a great price.
They are some rich shades here!
Not my colours, but they really nailed the bold red and orange. I like the finish. Kinda retro and very classy.
Finally some good ones 😉
Smoking red calls out to me, but I don’t think I could pull that color off.
Aww!
Christine, thank you for reviewing this more affordable lipstick option. The colors in this line are all quite beautiful.
My pleasure, Shari!
Not bad at all. I like Smoking Red but it’s a little brown for my coloring. Midnight Merlot is a little more lively, but not as nice when applied 🙁
Smoking Red definitely has a warmer tone to it!
Smoking Red & Midnight Merlot are coming in my ULTA haul, and I was able to nab Red Dynamite at Target yesterday. I had to whittle down my ULTA order, and it was cut, but then I regretted that decision… It doesn’t pull as warm on me, and is the truest primary red I’ve come across.
I don’t to orange lips, so that one was an easy pass, but it is a pretty color!
Can’t wait for you to get your Ulta order!