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). KVD Beauty Vampira (P, $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). 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). Hourglass Secretly (P, $34.00) is cooler (95% 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). ColourPop Ambush (PiP, $7.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). NARS Mysterious Red (P, $27.00) is darker (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Nikita (Left) (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar). NARS Total Domination (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Ruffian Red (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Winnie (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter, 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). Chanel Paradoxale (54) (P, $45.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar). NARS Dolores (LE, $34.00) is darker, glossier (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. Makeup Geek Free Spirit (P, $12.00) is glossier (95% similar). 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). 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). MAC Devoted to Danger (P, $27.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Bite Beauty Persimmon (DC, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). NARS Canoga (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, glossier (90% similar). MAC Lover's Lane (P, $20.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Lisa Eldridge Velvet Morning (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Bootie (P, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Rouge Feu (57) (P, $45.00) is warmer (90% similar). YSL Red is My Savior (110) (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). NARS Light My Fire (P, $26.00) is less glossy (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.

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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