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.

Maybelline Violet Vixen Color Sensational Lip Color ($7.49 for 0.15 oz.) is a bold, bright, medium-dark purple with warm, red undertones and a satiny sheen with very fine pearl. It had semi-sheer to semi-opaque pigmentation that applied unevenly and tended to clump up. It gathered in my lip lines noticeably within two hours of wear–I think it’s too emollient for the type of color it is. The color lasted for four and a half hours while leaving behind a very strong, fuchsia-tinted stain. It was neither drying nor hydrating. Urban Decay Pandemonium (DC, $18.00) is more muted, warmer, less glossy (95% similar). Urban Decay Jawbreaker (DC, $18.00) is more muted, warmer (90% similar). Sephora Orchid (P, $14.00) is less shimmery, darker, less glossy (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Recuerdos (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker, less glossy (90% similar). Smashbox Violet Riot (P, $21.00) is more muted (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Mariachi (P, $19.00) is lighter, less glossy (85% similar). MAC Hellebore (DC, $21.00) is warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Leather (DC, $7.00) is warmer (85% similar). Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Alt-Girl (DC, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar). Revlon Stir the Pot (P, $12.39) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar). MAC Punk Couture (P, $19.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). Lancome Reve Toujours (509) (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar). Smashbox Mongal (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Maybelline Sapphire SIren Color Sensational Lip Color ($7.49 for 0.15 oz.) is a deep, navy blue with strong, cool undertones and as atin finish. It had mostly opaque coverage, which applied decently, but I had a tough time getting it to stay perfectly in place as it had moderate slip. I think a lip liner or primer would really help this one, since it’s biggest issue is just evenness. The color wore well for five hours, left behind a stain, and was lightly hydrating. Anastasia Cobalt (P, $18.00) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Heroine (DC, $18.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Blue Beat (DC, $21.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). Sephora Violet Vertigo (103) (P, $14.00) is lighter, less glossy (85% similar). Maybelline Midnight Blue (DC, $7.49) is darker (80% similar). Bite Beauty #054 (P, $18.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (80% similar). Makeup Geek Wild Child (P, $12.00) is lighter (80% similar). Make Up For Ever Brave Blue (222) (P, $23.00) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (80% similar). KVD Beauty Bruno (LE, $20.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Maybelline Midnight Blue Color Sensational Lip Color ($7.49 for 0.15 oz.) is a blackened blue with cool undertones and very fine shimmer with a satin finish. It had mostly opaque pigmentation that went on evenly for the most part, though it wasn’t perfect. Again, it’s a shade that I think would be helped by a lip liner or primer to fill in lip lines as well as help it adhere evenly. This shade lasted for five hours and left behind a bluish-purple stain. Bite Beauty #054 (P, $18.00) is more muted, less glossy (95% similar). Make Up For Ever Brave Blue (222) (P, $23.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). MAC Nico Kiss (LE, $18.50) is more muted (90% similar). KVD Beauty Poe (DC, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). Sephora City Beat (45) (P, $8.00) is lighter (90% similar). Smashbox Deep (P, $21.00) is more muted, warmer (90% similar). MAC Blue Beat (DC, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). Sephora Ice Breaker (46) (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar). NARS Unspoken (P, $27.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Urban Decay Time (LE, $18.00) is lighter (85% similar). Urban Decay Time (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter, less glossy (80% similar). Bite Beauty Squid Ink (DC, $26.00) is cooler (80% similar). KVD Beauty Echo (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter, less glossy (85% similar). Fenty Beauty Clapback (P, $18.00) is more muted, warmer (80% similar). Too Faced Who's Zoomin' Who (P, $21.00) is lighter, less glossy (80% similar). Maybelline Sapphire Siren (DC, $7.49) is lighter (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Maybelline Pitch Black Color Sensational Lip Color ($7.49 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark black with a natural sheen. This is best applied with a lip brush over a lip liner or primer, because it just doesn’t go on evenly due to having a lot of slip–it slides around and gathers in lip lines. If you press your lips together, it moves and creates “lines.” This shade wore for four hours, feathered slightly on me, and further gravitated towards lip lines. It was neither drying nor hydrating. Dior Ultra Night (111) (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). KVD Beauty Slayer (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). MAC Black Night (LE, $19.00) is brighter, warmer (85% similar). NYX Chambord (P, $6.00) is darker, better quality (90% similar). MAC Hautecore (LE, $19.00) is darker (85% similar). NYX Go Rogue (P, $7.50) is darker, more pigmented (85% similar). Smashbox Bankrolled (P, $21.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar). Make Up For Ever Edgy Black (422) (P, $23.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar). KVD Beauty Nayeon (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery (85% similar). Make Up For Ever #50 (DC, $19.00) is darker, better quality (90% similar). Revlon Midnight Mystery (P, $8.49) is more shimmery, lighter, less pigmented (80% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

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Maybelline Violet Vixen Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Violet Vixen Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Violet Vixen Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Violet Vixen Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Violet Vixen Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Violet Vixen Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Sapphire Siren Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Sapphire Siren Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Sapphire Siren Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Sapphire Siren Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Sapphire Siren Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Sapphire Siren Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Midnight Blue Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Midnight Blue Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Midnight Blue Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Midnight Blue Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Midnight Blue Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Midnight Blue Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Pitch Black Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Pitch Black Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Pitch Black Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Pitch Black Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Pitch Black Color Sensational Lip Color

Maybelline Pitch Black Color Sensational Lip Color