Pat McGrath Venomistress & Glowing Garnet OpuLUST Lip Glosses Reviews & Swatches
Venomistress
Pat McGrath Venomistress OpuLUST Lip Gloss ($30.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a medium-dark berry with cooler undertones and fine plum and violet shimmer and sparkle. It had medium to semi-opaque coverage in a single layer, which could have applied a bit more evenly.
The texture was smooth, lightweight, and comfortable to spread out across my lips as the shimmer dispersed fairly well. There was a smidgen of product that sank into my deepest lip line but didn’t seem apparent when I looked for it in person (just in the close-up photo). It wore nicely for five hours and was hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Abruzzo (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Smashbox Foiled Brat (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Space Bubble (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Pink Sabre (P, $54.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Disco Queen (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker, more muted (85% similar).
- Melt Cosmetics Strange and Unusual (LE, $19.00) is darker, less glossy (85% similar).
- MAC Make Me Mercurial (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Snapped (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter, less pigmented (85% similar).
- Pat McGrath Rose Quartz Astral (P, $36.00) is less shimmery, lighter, less pigmented (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$30.00/0.15 oz. - $200.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "seamlessly glide" onto lips with "multidimensional sparkle with a smooth, non-sticky finish" that has a "shimmering, move-resistant glasslike finish" and "otherworldly opacity." The pigmentation varied from semi-sheer to mostly opaque depending on the shade, and "otherworldly opacity" combined with the brand's promotional images and swatches all points in the direction of "pigmented'," and I think there are at least a couple of shades that were designed as sheerer on purpose but lack any description suggesting they were different than other shades in the range.
The texture was smooth, mostly non-sticky, and comfortable to wear with a plush, cream-gel feel, so it was more substantial but not heavy to wear at all. Each shade packed a very high-shine, ultra-metallic look that never felt gritty or textured from all of the included sparkle/shimmer. I had very light to subtle settling into my lip lines with a few shades, though not enough to be noticeable in person. They wore between four and five hours on average, and the formula was hydrating to wear. I didn't find that there was much in the way of shimmer/sparkle migration over time (beyond my lips). The formula had a sweet, creme brulee scent to me but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath OpuLUST Lip Gloss swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polybutene, Tridecyl Trimellitate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Tridecyl Stearate, Ethylene/Propylene/Styrene Copolymer, Silica, Triisostearyl Citrate, Mica, Benzyl Benzoate, Flavor/Aroma, Butylene/Ethylene/Styrene Copolymer, Ethylhexylglycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Tin Oxide, Tocopherol, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Sodium Saccharin, Benzyl Alcohol, Vitex Agnus-Castus Extract, Limonene. May Contain (+/-): Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491, Ci 77499, Ci 77492), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200).
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.
Looks Using this Product
Venomistress
PPermanent. $30.00.
Glowing Garnet
Pat McGrath Glowing Garnet OpuLUST Lip Gloss ($30.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a deep, molten red with warm undertones and multi-colored sparkle and finer red shimmer pearl. It had nearly opaque pigmentation in a single layer, which applied evenly and smoothly across my lips.
The gloss had a lightweight texture that wasn’t too thick or too thin, so it was spreadable but plush and smooth, which ensured I didn’t feel any of the shimmers/sparkles when I pressed my lips together. The color stayed on well for five and a half hours and was moisturizing while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Smashbox Moscow Muled (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Ciate Venus (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel Flaming Lips (812) (LE, $30.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Saucey (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Shadow Man (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- Smashbox Crimson Chrome (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Smashbox Rose Magic (LE, $24.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$30.00/0.15 oz. - $200.00 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to "seamlessly glide" onto lips with "multidimensional sparkle with a smooth, non-sticky finish" that has a "shimmering, move-resistant glasslike finish" and "otherworldly opacity." The pigmentation varied from semi-sheer to mostly opaque depending on the shade, and "otherworldly opacity" combined with the brand's promotional images and swatches all points in the direction of "pigmented'," and I think there are at least a couple of shades that were designed as sheerer on purpose but lack any description suggesting they were different than other shades in the range.
The texture was smooth, mostly non-sticky, and comfortable to wear with a plush, cream-gel feel, so it was more substantial but not heavy to wear at all. Each shade packed a very high-shine, ultra-metallic look that never felt gritty or textured from all of the included sparkle/shimmer. I had very light to subtle settling into my lip lines with a few shades, though not enough to be noticeable in person. They wore between four and five hours on average, and the formula was hydrating to wear. I didn't find that there was much in the way of shimmer/sparkle migration over time (beyond my lips). The formula had a sweet, creme brulee scent to me but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our Pat McGrath OpuLUST Lip Gloss swatches.
These two, though! Both are gorgeous. I’m expecting my package with Glowing Garnet today. Can hardly wait to use it in a look! It really IS a molton red. Very toasty and fiery!
The texture and dimension do indeed look opulent! Really beautiful.
I don’t think there is a dud in this line, they’re all so beautiful!
I was wanting both of these, but now that I see Venomistress is pretty similar to NARS Abruzzo, so I’m scratching that one off the list.
Glowing Garnet is just beautiful…
Love Glowing Garnet !
I like both of these for color and dparkle.