Milani Violet Volt Color Statement Lipstick ($5.49 for 0.14 oz.) is described as a “purple metallic.” It’s a rich, red-toned violet magenta with violet shimmer and a frosted, metallic finish. MAC Heroine has no shimmer, so it is a bit darker and purpler. MAC Seductive Intent is very similar in color but has no shimmer. MAC Violetta is slightly purpler (not as red/magenta) but also has shimmer–but it is smaller so it doesn’t appear metallic.

Milani recently revamped and released their lipstick range, and one of the first shades I tried was Violet Volt (because who doesn’t love seeing a new purple lipstick?). The new formula is supposed to have “one stroke, full coverage application” with a “lightweight, creamy formula [that] contains vitamins A, C, and E to moisturize and nourish lips.”  It has mostly opaque color payoff, though it takes a little more than one stroke to get it there, but my biggest issue with it was how dry the lipstick felt.  I imagine part of that is due to the high frost content in this, as I could almost feel all the bits of shimmer as I applied it.  It definitely tugs and pulls at the lips, so “one stroke” is hard to achieve from a technical standpoint.  Unsurprisingly, the dryness does mean it wears like iron–no problem getting this color to last six hours (and it will stain).  It was neither drying nor hydrating, which was surprising, given how it felt on, I expected it to be drying.

Milani Violet Volt Color Statement Lipstick

Milani Violet Volt Color Statement Lipstick

Milani Violet Volt Color Statement Lipstick

Milani Violet Volt Color Statement Lipstick

Milani Violet Volt Color Statement Lipstick

Milani Violet Volt Color Statement Lipstick