Melt Cosmetics Besos, Recuerdos, Alma Gemela Ultra-Matte Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Besos
Melt Cosmetics Besos Ultra Matte Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, deeper red-coral with moderate, warm undertones and a flat, matte finish. The texture seemed a little more silicone-heavy and velvety compared to most of the brand’s matte lipsticks, but I found it was unforgiving of lip texture and imperfections, as it tended to cling and clump around them (despite exfoliating prior). It had semi-opaque, buildable pigmentation that wore decently for five and a half hours, left a stain behind, and felt somewhat drying over time.
Top Dupes
- NARS Famous Red (P, $27.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Chanel Tentation (238) (LE, $45.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Tryst (P, $18.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- NARS Flame (LE, $26.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty The Perfect Kiss (P, $55.00) is darker, cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Tango (LE, $12.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel La Favorite (43) (P, $45.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- NARS Rouge Immortel (LE, $27.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC A Little Tamed (P, $26.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Guerlain #40 (P, $33.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar).
Ingredients
RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX, KAOLIN, ISODODECANE, MICA, TRIDECYL TRIMELLITATE, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX, ISOBUTYLMETHACRYLATE/BIS- HYDROXYPROPYL DIMETHICONE ACRYLATE COPOLYMER, OZOKERITE, ORYZA SATIVA BRAN WAX, AROMA, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE. MAY CONTAIN: TITANIUM DIOXIDE CI 77891, RED 6 LAKE CI 15850, RED 21 LAKE CI 45380, RED 28 LAKE CI 45410.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Besos
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Recuerdos
Melt Cosmetics Recuerdos Ultra Matte Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark purple with subtle, warm undertones and a flat, matte finish. It looked pinker and lighter swatched, and while it was very stiff and dry, it actually applied a lot more evenly than I expected.
There was more sheerness than real unevenness, as it had more medium, buildable color coverage. The lipstick tugged noticeably on my lips as I applied it, though it felt thin and lightweight on. This shade stayed on well for five and a half hours, left a stain behind, and felt somewhat drying while worn.
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Jawbreaker (DC, $18.00) is more shimmery, glossier (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Pandemonium (P, $18.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Urban Decay Pandemonium (DC, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Flamingo Road (LE, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Smashbox Violet Riot (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Punk Couture (P, $19.00) is more shimmery, glossier (90% similar).
- Maybelline Violet Vixen (DC, $7.49) is more shimmery, lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- Sephora Orchid (P, $14.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Hellebore (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- Smashbox Mongal (LE, $24.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (85% similar).
Ingredients
RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX, KAOLIN, MICA, ISODODECANE, TRIDECYL TRIMELLITATE, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX, ISOBUTYLMETHACRYLATE/BIS- HYDROXYPROPYL DIMETHICONE ACRYLATE COPOLYMER, OZOKERITE, ORYZA SATIVA BRAN WAX, AROMA, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE. MAY CONTAIN: TITANIUM DIOXIDE CI 77891, BLUE 1 LAKE CI 42090, RED 27 LAKE CI 45410.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Recuerdos
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Alma Gemela
Melt Cosmetics Alma Gemela Ultra Matte Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a neon, warm-toned pink with a flat, matte finish. It had opaque color coverage in a single layer, which applied fairly evenly and felt very lightweight on, albeit somewhat on the clingier side.
The texture was denser, firmer, and dragged slightly during application but was more comfortable than most of the brand’s lipsticks that I have tried. It lasted for over six hours and felt somewhat drying over time.
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Most Curious (LE, $10.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Polaroid Pink (P, $38.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Motivate (P, $20.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Bing Bang Boom (LE, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Barely There (P, $6.00) is darker (85% similar).
- NARS Low Rider (P, $26.00) is darker, more muted (80% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Fiesta (P, $19.00) is darker (80% similar).
- Chanel Pivoine (832) (P, $45.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (80% similar).
Ingredients
RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX, KAOLIN, ISODODECANE, MICA, TRIDECYL TRIMELLITATE, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX, ISOBUTYLMETHACRYLATE/BIS- HYDROXYPROPYL DIMETHICONE ACRYLATE COPOLYMER, OZOKERITE, ORYZA SATIVA BRAN WAX, AROMA, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE. MAY CONTAIN: TITANIUM DIOXIDE CI 77891, YELLOW 5 LAKE CI 19140, RED 6 LAKE CI 15850, RED 21 LAKE CI 45380.
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
They are so nice, I like so much the matte finish (I’ve a big weak spot for matte bullet lipstick)! In particular, the First colour is my cup of tea! A pity that the texture is a bit unforgiving, but I remember that this quite a common feauture for this kind of lipsticks (some years ago they were very trendy), so not a big issue for me. The biggest issue for me, that prevent me for the purchase, is always the same of the latest 20month: what the point of buy one (other) lispticks when you wear 12hr + a day a mask (and already have 20+ lipsticks taking dust)?
These just sound so dry. They might not move under a mask, though. But, I think I’m going to chill when it comes to lip products for a bit. Besides, I’m sure I’m pretty well set with those Sephora Cream Lip Stains.
Ah, nope – none of these lipsticks look kind to the lips at all.
The packaging and tubes are lovely but these colours are just not for me…
I love the look of the purple one, Recuerdos, but I absolutely don’t need lipstick that are hard to apply, drag when applied and feel drying.
Thanks for reviewing, you save me so much money, I spend some thanks to you, Christine, but most of the time I save.