Melt Cosmetics Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.16 oz.) is supposed to have an “ultra-matte texture” and otherwise encompass “perfect lipsticks.” The brand describes the scent as “vanilla cake,” and it has a sweet, vanilla scent, but it almost veers tropical fruit to me–it’s very sweet, noticeable when worn, but there’s a bit of a plastic-scent somewhere in the background, which might be why the taste is a bit like play-doh at times. Melt is known for some of the wilder colors, which are nearly always sold out (I gave up trying to catch ’em available, so I bought shades from what was available–would have loved to check out their teal/blue shades). The good: they’re long-wearing, richly pigmented, and when they apply right, they look great. The bad: they’re slightly to somewhat drying, lighter shades pull into lip lines as they wear away, difficult to remove, unforgiving when applied, and tug at the lip. The texture is drier and therefore somewhat stiff, though I will say that despite the dryness, darker shades still applied fairly evenly and ended up looking good. I would recommend applying with a lip brush to maximize the results with these, but you’ll have to do some layering to get the same opacity as you would straight from the tube. As they are really long-wearing and cling on to lips, absolutely use something oil-based to break down the color and a have a few cotton pads (or similar) on hand, but removal may still be a little more difficult. They all stain and persist for a few hours after removal, which you may love or not.

Melt Cosmetics By Starlight Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.16 oz.) is a medium-dark, pink-toned purple with a matte finish. It had mostly opaque color payoff, and this shade was a little creamier than the other two, but there is still some tugging/pulling during application. This shade wore well for eight hours but some color had pulled into the lines of the lips. It was somewhat drying when I wore it. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Rollergirl (P, $18.00) is lighter, less matte. MAC Punk Couture (LE, $16.00) is darker. Illamasqua ESP (P, $24.00) is cooler-toned, iridescent. MAC Potent Fig (LE, $16.00) is darker. Illamasqua Kontrol (P, $24.00) is cooler-toned, darker. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Belladonna (DC, $18.00) is lighter, brighter, less matte. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Melt Cosmetics Darling Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.16 oz.) is a cool-toned, light lavender with a matte finish. It had opaque color coverage, and the texture was somewhat dry, so it did tug and pull at the lips when applied from the tube. It requires full prep before application–exfoliate, balm, etc. and your lips have to be in tip-top shape, as the drier consistency will grab onto any imperfections otherwise. This shade lasted five and a half hours but settled and looked “cracked” after four hours. It was somewhat drying when worn. MAC Dodgy Girl (LE, $16.00) is pinker, darker. MAC Fresh Amour (LE, $16.00) is grayer, darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Melt Cosmetics Shady Lady Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.16 oz.) is described as a “electric pink.” It’s a brightened, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and a matte finish. It had rich, opaque color payoff, and the texture was a little dry and stiff to work with, so you may want to apply with a lip brush. It wore well for eight hours, was slightly drying when worn, but this shade wore away evenly and didn’t settle into lip lines as time went on. Too Faced Melted Fuchsia (P, $21.00) is less matte, brighter. Ardency Inn Twist (P, $25.00) is similar, slightly lighter. MAC Flat Out Fabulous (P, $16.00) is darker. MAC Quick Sizzle (LE, $16.00) is more muted. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

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Melt Cosmetics Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics By Starlight Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics By Starlight Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics By Starlight Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics By Starlight Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics By Starlight Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics By Starlight Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics Darling Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics Darling Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics Darling Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics Darling Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics Darling Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics Darling Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics Shady Lady Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics Shady Lady Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics Shady Lady Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics Shady Lady Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics Shady Lady Lipstick

Melt Cosmetics Shady Lady Lipstick