Melt Cosmetics x Beetlejuice Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Miss Argentina
Melt Cosmetics Miss Argentina Ultra Matte Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a brighter, medium red with warmer undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque color payoff in a single layer, though achieving a single layer was nearly impossible to do as the product was so firm and stiff to work with that I had to use shorter, more overlapping motions as it did not move in a fluid stroke.
It felt clingy and emphasized any natural lip texture/lip lines. The color stayed on like glue–still was going strong after six hours of wear and left a very strong stain behind–but was extremely drying.
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay 714 (LE, $18.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Milani Desire (LE, $8.99) is lighter (95% similar).
- Maybelline Siren in Scarlet (P, $7.99) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Von Teese (LE, $19.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- YSL Corail Antinomique (10) (P, $39.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Chronos (LE, $6.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Fashion Legacy (P, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Kismet (P, $7.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Bloombox (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Best Revenge (P, $55.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
Ingredients
RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX /CANDELILLA CERA, KAOLIN, ISODODECANE, MICA, TRIDECYL TRIMELLITATE, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX / CERA MICROCRISTALLINA, ISOBUTYLMETHACRYLATE/BIS-HYDROXYPROPYL DIMETHICONE ACRYLATE COPOLYMER, OZOKERITE, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN WAX, FLAVOR (AROMA), DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE. MAY CONTAIN: TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), RED 6 LAKE (CI 15850), 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.
Miss Argentina
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Ghost with the Most
Melt Cosmetics Ghost with the Most Ultra Matte Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark olive green with muted, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation, which did not build up from the bullet. The texture was incredibly firm and stiff, so it dragged painfully across my lips and clung to any imperfections on my lips.
When I tried to layer it or use shorter, more overlapping strokes for application, it just thickened unevenly in places and pulled color from other places, which resulted in a worse-looking application. It separated along my lip lines, which worsened over the six hours it stayed on for. The formula was incredibly drying and uncomfortable to wear.
Top Dupes
- MAC Zerocool (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar).
- Maybelline Serpentine (P, $7.49) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
Ingredients
RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX /CANDELILLA CERA, KAOLIN, ISODODECANE, MICA, TRIDECYL TRIMELLITATE, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX / CERA MICROCRISTALLINA, ISOBUTYLMETHACRYLATE/BIS-HYDROXYPROPYL DIMETHICONE ACRYLATE COPOLYMER, OZOKERITE, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN WAX, FLAVOR (AROMA), DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE. MAY CONTAIN: TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77499, CI 77491), YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140), BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090). MAY CONTAIN: TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77499, CI 77491), YELLOW 5 LAKE (CI 19140), BLUE 1 LAKE (CI 42090).
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.
Ghost with the Most
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Calypso
Melt Cosmetics Calypso Ultra Matte Lipstick ($19.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, pinky-berry base with cooler, iridescent violet pearl that gave it more of a satin finish. It was terribly stiff to work with to the point where it was both painful to use–a lot of tugging but also the lipstick would stick, lift, and then thicken on itself–and looked the part.
It had zero forgiveness to imperfections (and I did exfoliate prior!), felt clingy, and was very drying over time. It had semi-opaque color coverage that wore like iron with well-over six hours of wear and an intense, pinky-red stain left behind.
Top Dupes
- KVD Beauty Razzle (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- UOMA Beauty Allure (P, $26.00) is more shimmery, darker, glossier (85% similar).
- MAC Junie Bee (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, glossier (85% similar).
- Milani Automattic Touch (07) (LE, $8.99) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- MAC Starstruck (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery, warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- Sephora Sagittarius (97) (LE, $8.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Smashbox Foiled Brat (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Control (LE, $56.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar).
- Estee Lauder Lure Me On (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (80% similar).
Ingredients
RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, SYNTHETIC FLUORPHLOGOPITE, ETHYLHEXYL PALMITATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, EUPHORBIA CERIFERA (CANDELILLA) WAX / CANDELILLA CERA, KAOLIN, MICA, ISODODECANE, TRIDECYL TRIMELLITATE, MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX / CERA MICROCRISTALLINA, ISOBUTYLMETHACRYLATE/BIS-HYDROXYPROPYL DIMETHICONE ACRYLATE COPOLYMER, OZOKERITE, ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN WAX, FLAVOR (AROMA), DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLENE CARBONATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, TIN OXIDE. MAY CONTAIN: TITANIUM DIOXIDE (CI 77891), IRON OXIDES (CI 77499), RED 7 LAKE (CI 15850), 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.
Calypso
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Melt Cosmetics Miss Argentina Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Miss Argentina Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Miss Argentina Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Miss Argentina Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Miss Argentina Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Miss Argentina Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Ghost with the Most Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Ghost with the Most Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Ghost with the Most Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Ghost with the Most Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Ghost with the Most Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Ghost with the Most Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Calypso Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Calypso Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Calypso Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Calypso Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Calypso Ultra Matte Lipstick
Melt Cosmetics Calypso Ultra Matte Lipstick
That’s very disappointing to read but not surprising. I have a couple Melt lipsticks and they’re either super duper stiff and dry (Bane) or just OK (Dark Room). I suppose one could just make it work, but with so many alternatives on the market right now I’m surprised they have not improved their formula at all.
Your review of Calypso reminds me a lot of trying to apply Bane. I really wanted to try that color too. 😞
Yeah, and these are “Ultra Matte,” which seems to be code for “super duper stiff.” 🙁
While the formula is very polarizing, there are many who love it, so why would they “improve” it…? From what I’ve gleaned from comments on SM platforms, and the fact they’re constantly selling out & having to restock lip products for over 5 years, it seems more people enjoy the formula than hate it… I happen to really like them, and while they aren’t “hydrating”, I don’t particularly find them “drying”. They are definitely stiffer, and have a tendency to “tug” for the first few uses, but I find once I get past that point, they’re much smoother…
Bane is very stiff and also goes on patchy and tends to wear off in clumps. It doesn’t look pretty and is very high maintenance. I don’t have much experience with Melt lipsticks outside of Bane and Dark Room. Bane did get less tugging wearing over the course of a week, but it’s still not as smooth as say Lisa Eldridge’s mattes. I’d like Melt’s colors + Lisa’s formula 😀
What a shame that miss Argentina is so stiff and drying, since both the color and the ultra matte finish are stunning!
Oops! Always a shame when a unusual shade (green) with very few dupes does poorly. People who live for these offbeat shades must be very disappointed.
Oh no! Poor Christine and your poor lips! The things you put up with for reviews’ sake, lol.
I did get the PR box (it’s still in Miami though, and I’m in Brazil 🤣) and after reading this I’m praying that the heat from our summer makes these easier to apply, lol
Either way, I’d have bought the box because I’m crazy about Beetlejuice and love the color story, so I’m willing to make it work somehow – or at least that’s what I’m telling myself before I actually get to try the products. Let’s see if I don’t regret paying a fortune for it then 😂
Try applying the lipsticks with a lip brush, so at least some of the application won’t be so painful/hard! Maybe add a lil’ bit of balm ahead of time, which might help the formula go on better!
Have you tried Melt’s Ultra Matte formula before? I probably would have bought these, but I normally skip Melt lipsticks because they can be pretty stiff/dry!
I’ve never tried anything from them before, actually. I have gambled (and quite expensively 🤣) buying this, but since the only product I’m so-so about is the Weirder and Weirder lip paint because I don’t usually go that dark, I believe I can wear nearly all of this collection in one way or another now that my job allows whatever makeup colors you want to wear.
I’ll try the lip brush, thanks! Lip balm is already a daily staple, but I’ll also try mixing a tiny bit of it with the lipstick if things get too rough. I’m not too dead set on the matte finish, anyway, so if it applies somewhat decently I’m ok with it 😊
I had a gut feeling that these would fail miserably upon seeing your preview swatches. They really do look painfully dry! I was hoping that Miss Argentina would be a far better outlier, but nope. Money saved!
Slightly better but not much better, haha!
Disappointed, but not surprised 🤷
Gosh – these are really bad! It must have been pretty awful on your poor lips too.
I am sooo sorry for your lips. How would you compare the dryness of these to Ruby Woo? I absolutely love the classic Ruby Woo formula which many find too dry so curious how these compare
It’s definitely in that vein, but I’d argue these are stiffer than Ruby Woo and more drying as a formula (for me).
Thank you! Yeah, dryer than that is a tough sell
I really dislike their bullet lipstick formula with the exception of Voyeur – which is legit creamy and comfortable (at least mine is) – and while Ghost with the Most is the color that speaks to me, I can’t add another to my collection. I have….8? 10? of their bullet lipsticks and had to start throwing them out when I realized how horrible and unusable some of them are. Again, with the exception of my Voyeur, with an honorable mention for Laced and Old Fashioned.
Glad I’m not alone!
Would you say these are drier and apply similarly to Belladonna2, Bang Bang, Shady Lady? Especially after they’ve been around awhile? Thank you for your help!
They seemed drier to me 🙁
Thanks again for saving me money so I can get formulas that look and feel better. All sold out anyway or for now! People on IG are offering to sell parts of their collections and asking if anyone wants to split them. As a fan of Beetlejuice (since I was a kid) it’s tempting but doesn’t seem like a safe bet.
Such a bummer! 🙁
The two palettes are still listed as coming soon to Sephora, in case that’s at all useful info for you!