Pat McGrath Red Opulence Mini Lip Gloss Trio Review & Swatches
Red Opulence
Pat McGrath Red Opulence Mini Lip Gloss TrioPat McGrath Red Opulence Mini Lip Gloss Trio ($25.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a new, limited edition set of lip glosses with two shades from the existing gloss range and one new shade (with a new formula), Celestial Ruby. The existing glosses were consistent with their full-sized, original counterparts, while the new shade was pigmented, long-wearing, and comfortable to wear, though it wasn’t quite as smoothing as it could have been.
Red Opulence
LELimited Edition. $25.00.
Blood 2
Blood 2 is a bright, ruby red with cool undertones and a glossy, cream finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage in a single layer, which went on somewhat unevenly and let some color settle into my deeper lip lines. The shininess of the finish made some of the imperfections less noticeable in person. The texture was smooth, lightweight, and comfortable to wear without being tacky. It wore well for four and a half hours and was moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty True Coral (P, $54.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Dressed to Kill (P, $54.00) is brighter (95% similar).
- NARS Disruptor (LE, $26.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Ribbon (P, $23.50) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Fortune Red (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Chanel Romance (784) (LE, $30.00) is more muted (90% similar).
- MAC Tease Don't Touch (LE, $20.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Rock and Red (P, $27.00) is less pigmented, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Russian Red (P, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Smart Aleck (LE, $20.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$30.00/0.15 oz. - $200.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "multidimensional shine" with a "non-sticky texture" that "nourishes" with "exceptional adherence." The opacity ranges from "opaque to transparent." The color coverage really does vary quite a bit, but most of the shades I've tried are sheer to medium in coverage--the brand could be clearer on which shades are opaque.
The consistency has a smooth, lightweight texture that wasn't tacky and was comfortable to wear. For the most part, they didn't seem to sink into my lip lines, which can be a pitfall of gloss. I didn't find the wear time to be better than average--three to four hours--but the formula was moderately hydrating. There was a subtle vanilla scent but no discernible taste when worn.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath LUST Lip Gloss swatches.
Ingredients
Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isostearyl Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Propylene Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethyl Vanillin, Dicalcium Phosphate, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol. May Contain / Peut Contenir / +/- : Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Iron Oxides (Cl 77492, Ci 77491, Ci 77499).
Blood 2
PPermanent. $30.00.
Carnal Desire
Carnal Desire is a soft red base with flecks of pink, gold, and red sparkle throughout. It had semi-sheer coverage, as opposed to the medium coverage intended, that spread evenly across my lips and didn’t emphasize my lip lines. The texture was lightweight, smooth, and spreadable with good dispersion of the sparkle/pearl, too. It stayed on well for four hours and was hydrating while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay SPL (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
- Colour Pop Bad Apple (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Big Bang (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Pearly Girl (LE, $21.00) is more pigmented, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC It's Just Candy (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (80% similar).
- Colour Pop Kink (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, more pigmented, cooler (80% similar).
- Dior Rose Harpers (766) (P, $35.00) is less shimmery, brighter, more pigmented (80% similar).
- Becca Snapdragon (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, more pigmented (80% similar).
- Chanel Sparkling Red (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, cooler (80% similar).
- MAC Queen P (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, darker, more pigmented (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$30.00/0.15 oz. - $200.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "multidimensional shine" with a "non-sticky texture" that "nourishes" with "exceptional adherence." The opacity ranges from "opaque to transparent." The color coverage really does vary quite a bit, but most of the shades I've tried are sheer to medium in coverage--the brand could be clearer on which shades are opaque.
The consistency has a smooth, lightweight texture that wasn't tacky and was comfortable to wear. For the most part, they didn't seem to sink into my lip lines, which can be a pitfall of gloss. I didn't find the wear time to be better than average--three to four hours--but the formula was moderately hydrating. There was a subtle vanilla scent but no discernible taste when worn.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath LUST Lip Gloss swatches.
Ingredients
Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isostearyl Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Silica, Propylene Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethyl Vanillin, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140).Ingredients / Ingrédients : Polybutene, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Isostearyl Isostearate, Synthetic Wax, Polyglyceryl-2 Tetraisostearate, Hydrogenated Styrene/Methylstyrene/Indene Copolymer, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Stearalkonium Bentonite, Silica, Propylene Carbonate, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Ethyl Vanillin, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140).
Carnal Desire
PPermanent. $30.00.
Celestial Ruby
Celestial Ruby is a rich, medium-dark red with neutral undertones and cooler, ruby red pearl that gave it a more metallic finish paired with a high-gloss sheen. It had nearly opaque color payoff in a single pass, which applied evenly but there was a bit of product that settled into my deeper lip lines. In person, I didn’t notice it as the shinier finish and richness of the color camouflaged that minor flaw. The texture was smooth but thicker and moderately tacky, though I didn’t find it unduly heavy or sticky, it very well might be for those who prefer completely non-tacky formulas. It lasted nicely for five and a half hours without feathering/bleeding and felt hydrating over time.
Top Dupes
- Tom Ford Beauty Ravageur (P, $54.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Smashbox Crimson Chrome (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- Lancome Rouge Magma (05) (P, $22.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Red Corset (P, $54.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Chanel Flaming Lips (812) (LE, $30.00) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
Ingredients
Polybutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Polyglyceryl-10 Decaoleate, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Vp/Hexadecene Copolymer, Silica, Cera Microcristallina / Microcrystalline Wax / Cire Microcrystalline, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Polyurethane-79, Benzyl Benzoate, Flavor / Aroma, Mica, Sodium Saccharin, Benzyl Alcohol, Limonene, Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090).
This looks like the perfect little gift for my daughter for Valentine’s Day. I also like the shades and I like the formula so may pick up one for myself also.
This is the set I’m getting. All 3 look amazing, even Blood 2. But especially gorgeous is Celestial Ruby!
This trio is utterly gorgeous, and very, very tempting. I really love Celestial Ruby.
Reds looks so darned good on you. Reds tend not to work on me. It’s either that I am a green girl or my mouth shape. Or both.
Love Celestial Ruby, and your eye look is smokin’:)
Beautiful trio especially celestial ruby, that’s stunning!
As always, your reviews and insights are spot-on, Christine. I bought this set last week, and Carnal Desire is my favorite of the trio. I’ve worn Pale Fire Nectar since it came out, and I think Carnal Desire will become a new go-to shade. I had trouble with Blood 2 settling into lip lines, too, so I’ve been treating it more like a lip stain and carrying Carnal Desire to top it off throughout the day.
The glosses look great…but Pat’s breaking my heart with those sequins. More plastic waste, really?
I do agree! We saw here the same packaging for some Essence glosses last year, so to me this package feels very cheap instead of what deserved for a luxury brand.
Beside the fact that they are so small and tiny they look like a toy.
Tear the plastic, toss the sequins, 3 expensive small toys 🙁
I agree. It has no function, it’s simply garbage.
The beauty industry is awful for waste, I can no longer support it. I’m not sure what this means as my decision though…
I really hope she releases Celestial Ruby as a full-size, it looks beautiful! But I’ve also wanted to try Carnal Desire so I’ll probably pick the set up.
I love Celestial Ruby but not enough to buy the set.
Hey Christine, do you think these will be eventually coming as a stand-alone shade? I’m dying for Celestial Ruby but not the rest. Or will there be an expanding lust lacquer formula? Just asking in case you’ve got some inside deets!
Hi Gabby,
Any information I’m able to share will be published to the blog 🙂 If it was inside info, I wouldn’t be able to share without facing consequences (whether being blacklisted by PR/brands or legal consequences). Thanks!
These look so plush and lovely… I love how these look on you. I don’t think I want to muss about with a red deep red gloss myself (good for photos but a pain for day to day wear). I would wear Carnal Desire though so a bit disappointed it isn’t on its own. Not worth it to buy a set for only one I’d use up. I think the pearl of Celestial Ruby is just absolutely beautiful and if a similar finish hot pink or fushia one comes out (yes I’ll muss about with a pink) it will be in my cart immediately!
These are gorgeous. Not so much of a gloss person but am tempted.
I don’t think this set would work for me after seeing your review. Money saved 🙂