Pat McGrath Christy & Forbidden Love MatteTrance Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Christy
Pat McGrath Christy MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium pink with strong, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had good color coverage that applied evenly to my lips without dragging or tugging on my lips. The texture had a bit of slip to it, beyond its more velvety, creamy consistency that I expect out of the MatteTrance formula, that led to the color getting into my lip lines. It wasn’t noticeable from a normal viewing distance, and it did not seem to get progressively worse. This shade stayed on well for five hours on me and was lightly hydrating over time. It was fairly consistent with the regularly-packaged version.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Guerlain Cashew Brown (819) (P, $36.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever C106 (DC, $22.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Estee Lauder Inescapable (P, $32.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Hourglass I Woke Up (P, $34.00) is darker (90% similar).
- NARS Anita (P, $34.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Jaclyn Cosmetics Sofia (DC, $18.00) is warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Brazen Pink (154) (P, $23.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Smashbox Primrose (PiP, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Speed Up (LE, $7.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Knockout Nude (P, $32.00) is more shimmery, glossier (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.14 oz. - $271.43 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be “richly pigmented” with “”supreme hydration” and “opulent matte opacity.” The consistency was smooth, velvety, and dense without being too firm for one-stroke, glide-on application (I found the original shades to be slightly firmer compared to more newly released shades). They had nearly opaque to opaque coverage in one layer and most were buildable.
They had a subtle sheen--more satin-to-cream in finish--that wore down to a natural matte finish within an hour or two of wear. The formula lasted between four and eight hours on me, and while most weren't drying, they aren't "supreme[ly" hydrating either. They are, however, comfortable to wear over a longer period of time and reapply well. There was no discernible scent or taste to the formula.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Christy
PPermanent. $38.00.
Forbidden Love
Pat McGrath Forbidden Love MatteTrance Lipstick ($38.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark red with cool undertones and a satin finish. The lipstick was richly pigmented and had a smooth, lightly creamy consistency that felt velvety and denser but not thick or heavy on my lips. The color was still going strong after seven hours of wear, and it left a stain behind. The formula felt lightly moisturizing while worn. It performed consistently with the regularly-packaged version but was a touch more pigmented (went from 9.5 to 10/10 on pigmentation).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Laura Mercier Rouge Ultime (P, $32.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Slay Ride (LE, $19.00) is brighter, cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Patrick Woo (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Dylan (P, $36.00) is warmer, less glossy (95% similar).
- Stellar Beauty Super Sonic 04 (P, $22.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Candy Cane (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Chanel Rouge Charnel (56) (P, $45.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC A Rose in Harlem (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Bite Beauty Gemini (Right) (LE, $26.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath Elson (P, $38.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$38.00/0.14 oz. - $271.43 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be “richly pigmented” with “”supreme hydration” and “opulent matte opacity.” The consistency was smooth, velvety, and dense without being too firm for one-stroke, glide-on application (I found the original shades to be slightly firmer compared to more newly released shades). They had nearly opaque to opaque coverage in one layer and most were buildable.
They had a subtle sheen--more satin-to-cream in finish--that wore down to a natural matte finish within an hour or two of wear. The formula lasted between four and eight hours on me, and while most weren't drying, they aren't "supreme[ly" hydrating either. They are, however, comfortable to wear over a longer period of time and reapply well. There was no discernible scent or taste to the formula.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
As much as I LOVE both of these, it would be foolish of me to get either. My tube of Russian Red is still perfectly vanilla scented despite being at least 5 years old, so there goes Forbidden Love. My Cosmo is getting a little yucky from fairly regular usage, so *maybe* Christy isn’t such a bad thing? But, I know I should wait until Cosmo gets rancid or whatever.
Forbidden Love. I had to have it!
Forbidden Love is a divine shade of red.
Forbidden Love is a beautiful red!