Maybelline Opalescent Orchid, Radiant Ruby, Mystical Magenta Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Maybelline Opalescent Orchid (515) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss ($8.99 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a new gloss released just in time for spring. According to Maybelline, it is “the first lip lacquer with intense liquid lip color and brilliant iridescent shine.” If you’re familiar with the original Color Elixirs, most were fairly pigmented, but the Iridescent range is definitely sheerer in comparison. The shades in this review are some of the more pigmented shades in the range, but it’s not the “intense liquid lip color” as described. They look and feel more like traditional lip gloss, and quite honestly, I’m surprised these weren’t marketed as semi-sheer for a “spring look” (’tis the season for sheer). The shimmer is fine and never gritty, while wear averages around four hours. The formula was nicely hydrating and comfortable to wear with only slight tackiness occurring after a few hours of wear (initially, it feels non-sticky). They have a sweet scent, but there is a very perfume-y taste, and it is noticeable. If you’re very sensitive to lip products with any taste, you probably won’t like these.
I also had packaging issues with several of the applicators broken, whether partially bent/floppy to barely hanging on. I remember experiencing a couple of wonky applicators with the original set, but it seemed more prevalent in the new shades.
Maybelline Opalescent Orchid (515) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss ($8.99 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a muted, fuchsia pink with subtle iridescent shimmer. It had semi-sheer to semi-opaque pigmentation that covered fairly evenly and smoothly. It wore well for four hours on me. MAC Ultramarine Pink (LE, $30.00) is darker, less shimmery. MAC Ceremonial (LE, $20.00) is sheerer. NARS Priscilla (P, $26.00) is brighter. MAC Pink Poodle (By Request) (LE, $15.00) is brighter. MAC Imperial Red (LE, $19.00) is darker. MAC Girl About Town (LE, $15.00) is brighter. MAC Call Me Gorgeous (LE, $20.00) is lighter. Buxom Berry Blast (P, $19.00) is lighter, less shimmery. Burberry Pink Sweet Pea (LE, $29.00) is brighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Maybelline Radiant Ruby (530) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss ($8.99 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a muted, pinky-red with cool, blue undertones and a glossy shine. This one didn’t seem to have shimmer to it, so I’m not sure how it’s part of Iridescent range (where’s the pearl?!). It settled into every lip line on me (some of the worst I’ve seen) and made all the lip lines look fuchsia-ish and really stand out. It had semi-sheer coverage overall. On me, this shade wore well for four hours. MAC Glam (LE, $15.00) is brighter, more opaque. MAC Love Alert (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery. Le Metier de Beaute Hibiskiss (LE, $32.00) is darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Maybelline Mystical Magenta (610) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss ($8.99 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a muted, light-medium fuchsia pink with iridescent violet shimmer. This shade had the most shimmer of the three with semi-sheer color payoff. Unfortunately, the color settled into lip lines, but at least the shimmer was there to distract the eye from it (somewhat). It lasted for four hours on me. MAC Ceremonial (LE, $20.00) is sheerer. NARS Priscilla (P, $26.00) is brighter. MAC Pink Poodle (By Request) (LE, $15.00) is brighter, cooler-toned. MAC Vibrant Vibe (P, $22.00) is less shimmery. Revlon Berry Allure (P, $7.99) is more muted, less shimmery. MAC Embrace Me (LE, $15.00) is brighter. MAC Call Me Gorgeous (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter. Buxom Berry Blast (P, $19.00) is less shimmery. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Opalescent Orchid (515)
PPermanent. $8.99.
Radiant Ruby (530)
PPermanent. $8.99.
Mystical Magenta (610)
PPermanent. $8.99.
See more photos & swatches!
Maybelline Opalescent Orchid (515) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Opalescent Orchid (515) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Opalescent Orchid (515) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Opalescent Orchid (515) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Opalescent Orchid (515) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Opalescent Orchid (515) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Radiant Ruby (530) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Radiant Ruby (530) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Radiant Ruby (530) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Radiant Ruby (530) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Radiant Ruby (530) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Radiant Ruby (530) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Mystical Magenta (610) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Mystical Magenta (610) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Mystical Magenta (610) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Mystical Magenta (610) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Mystical Magenta (610) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
Maybelline Mystical Magenta (610) Color Elixir Iridescent Lipgloss
I thought the wonky applicator was a fluke! same issue for me! WTH happened to the applicators? Totally a mystery!
I have no idea! It was really a surprise!
How weird that so many of the applicators were (almost) broken! That shouldn’t be… Looks like these really could use some tweaking.
Right? So odd!!
All easy passes for me. The Revlon Ultra HD Glosses have spoiled me rotten
Those are definitely way more pigmented!
Glad I skipped these. Too bad as I adore the regular formula. Thanks for doing the hard work so we don’t waste our money!!
No problem, Megan!
I bought one of the original shades once and while I liked it, I could not stand the smell… Looks like these are similar in that department :/
I would recommend passing for sure if you didn’t like the scent the first time around 🙁
The opalescent orchid looks dark in the tube but looks brighter on you, very pretty.
The other 2 look very pretty in the tube but show the fine lines.
The packaging looks like Dior.
Xoxo
Michelle
Thank you!
Wow, these are so underwhelming. Those Revlon HD lipglosses look so much better than these.
Maybelline should just stick to mascara and lipstick. :/
Honestly, I was SO surprised they didn’t say “Oh, these are sheer offering for spring!”
That’s weird about the applicator. I like the colors and the medium opacity but the lip line issues are another story entirely. On me it might not be AS bad since my lips are darker and cool toned. I won’t be rushing out to buy these that is for sure.
It is! I know it happened to me before, but it felt like every other one was somehow damaged!
Thank you for mentioning how strongly these are fragranced, since I was wondering if these might be less so than the original Color Elixirs. That was a dealbreaker for me – the colors and formula were great, but I couldn’t take the product scent or taste!
No prob, Joyce! Wish they were subtler/had no taste.
Hmm…these look ok, but I am with the other ladies about being absolutely over the moon for Revlon’s Ultra HD lip lacquers! I only have one color from the original Color Elixir line (Rose Redefined)…I wanted to love it because I enjoyed the selection of shades and the consistency, but the color isn’t pigmented enough and the wear isn’t long enough for me…at least not by itself. I think I would try another color from the regular line, though, because I have seen reviews and comments about some colors being more pigmented than others. The applicators from this iridescent line look crazy!
It would be worth looking into some of the other shades that were originally released – some are definitely more pigmented!
I’ve heard other people say that they had broken/damaged applicators in about half the tubes they bought too. To me this is absolutely unacceptable coming from a mainstream brand like Maybelline. They don’t have quality control processes in place?? They’re ok selling defective products to their customers?? Not ok. I’m not gonna buy them obviously but if I had, I would file a complaint with the brand for each and every one tube that has a damaged applicator.
I’m surprised at how prevalent the issue seems to be 🙁
Um… are they different? (directed at Maybelline, not at your photography skills)
I like Color Elixirs but yawn.
LOL! That’s what I thought about Opalescent Orchid vs. Mystic Magenta – very subtle difference, not sure why they both exist (in a range of 30, I could see it).
Those applicators >_< Mystical magenta looks like the best of these, although Opalescent Orchid looks cool in the closeup! I'm wondering if this addition to the line will make it here, although as I said, I think the Revlon HD glosses are more worth watching out for if I'm feeling in need of OMGSPARKLE. 😀
The formula looks decent but i like pigmented glosses more.. and those applicators looks like a pain.. 😛
They are a pain for sure when they’re busted, lol!
Digging these for spring! Nice and sheer but still a lovely pop of colour. Honestly, I’m not crazy about opaque lip glosses like Ultra HD. I agree about the shades, though, very similar. Although I think I like Orchid best!
Wow the applicators are outrages… I know the colours are cute, but how can that be sold for money!
I bought a few of these when the line first launched and had to throw them out because of the disgustingly strong floral scent. I see that you detected more of a sweet scent… Would you say it’s more vanilla-y or fruity? hehe… thank you 🙂
Forget the lipglosses. Can we talk about the eyeliner? I love EL eyeliners, and teal is my fav colour, so I am loving this on you, Christine! Is this from the new spring collection? Will you be reviewing it soon?
The applicator issue is really strange lol. I like these colors but I wish Maybelline stuck with the regular formula. I love how opaque the original shades are
I’ve been really curious to try these. I like the pigmentation on the orchid and ruby shades. Now I think I’ll get them! Nice swatches
Thanks!