Rare Beauty Ascend & Energize Lip Souffles Reviews & Swatches
Ascend
Rare Beauty Ascend Lip Souffle Matte Cream Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark raspberry pink with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had rich color coverage in a single layer, which spread smoothly and evenly across my lips without emphasizing my natural lip texture or settling noticeably into my lip lines.
The texture was very lightweight, like a velvety powder but with slip (kind of like a silicone-based primer), so it did have that “airy” and mousse-like texture the brand was going for, but it had coverage and substance to it to actually look good on. It’s one of the better-applying and more forgiving of this type of formula in my experience. It stayed on well for seven and a half hours, left a faint stain behind, and felt neither drying nor hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- YSL Contrary Fuchsia (08) (P, $39.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Guerlain Deep Pink (525) (P, $36.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Mittai Pink (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Skyscraper Rose (LE, $36.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Maxed Out (P, $7.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Fuchsia Intense (P, $32.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar).
- Bite Beauty Radish (DC, $26.00) is cooler, glossier (95% similar).
- ColourPop I Heart This (LE, $7.00) is more shimmery, cooler (95% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Candy Venom (P, $18.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- ColourPop Runaway (P, $6.00) is warmer (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$20.00/0.13 oz. - $153.85 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be an "air-whipped lip cream" with "rich, melted-in color" paired with "nourishing hydration." It's a liquid lipstick with a more velvety consistency and satin to matte finish--some shades seemed to turn matte very quickly while others were a bit denser and creamier.
It has a lot of silicones in it, which gives it slip and glide but not in the typical way a liquid lipstick might feel; it has a lighter-weight feel and a slight powderiness to it. If you're familiar with silicone-based primers, it has a similar glide to it. The fomrula felt "air-whipped" as it was lighter-weight, mousse-like, and had softer edges as it was applied with most shades.
Most of the shades were opaque in a single layer, and I did not have any issues with the applicator over-applying product. It seemed like it was enough product for full coverage, but if one wanted more of a blotted, diffused matte look (which is often how this type of mousse-like formula is used for), it felt very doable without having to wipe off product.
The majority of the shades applied evenly, didn't crack or emphasize my lip lines, and lasted anywhere from four to eight hours (some left a stain). They were more neither hydrating nor drying to me over time. They had a faint, beachy floral scent but didn't seem to have a taste as the lip balm formula did.
Browse all of our Rare Beauty Lip Souffle Matte Cream Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isododecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, Fragrance/Parfum, Linalool, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera (Sacred Lotus) Flower Extract, Nymphaea Odorata Root Extract, [+/- May Contain/Peut Contenir: Red 27 (CI 45410), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Iron Oxides (CI 77491).
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.
Ascend
PPermanent. $20.00.
Energize
Rare Beauty Energize Lip Souffle Matte Cream Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.13 oz.) is a pop of light-medium peony pink with moderate, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It seemed to dry down to more of a matte finish after the initial application, whereas some of the other shades wore down (after an hour or so) to this level of matte finish.
It had nearly opaque color payoff in a single pass, which applied fluidly and spread readily across my lips without a fuss. I really appreciated how nicely it applied to the edges of my lips–the color self-leveled a bit and naturally diffused as I worked with it along the edges. The consistency was very lightweight, thin but had enough substance and glide to it that kept the velvety, almost powder-like to a degree, texture workable but adhering. It lasted nicely for five hours and felt non-drying while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop I Heart That (LE, $8.00) is lighter, cooler, glossier (95% similar).
- Maybelline Pink Sugar (P, $7.99) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M200 (DC, $22.00) is more muted, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Brat (P, $18.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- ColourPop 1st Base (LE, $6.50) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Silly (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Revlon That Girl (P, $12.39) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Feeling Fizzy (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- NARS Chaser (LE, $26.00) is darker, cooler, glossier (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Saint (LE, $20.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$20.00/0.13 oz. - $153.85 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be an "air-whipped lip cream" with "rich, melted-in color" paired with "nourishing hydration." It's a liquid lipstick with a more velvety consistency and satin to matte finish--some shades seemed to turn matte very quickly while others were a bit denser and creamier.
It has a lot of silicones in it, which gives it slip and glide but not in the typical way a liquid lipstick might feel; it has a lighter-weight feel and a slight powderiness to it. If you're familiar with silicone-based primers, it has a similar glide to it. The fomrula felt "air-whipped" as it was lighter-weight, mousse-like, and had softer edges as it was applied with most shades.
Most of the shades were opaque in a single layer, and I did not have any issues with the applicator over-applying product. It seemed like it was enough product for full coverage, but if one wanted more of a blotted, diffused matte look (which is often how this type of mousse-like formula is used for), it felt very doable without having to wipe off product.
The majority of the shades applied evenly, didn't crack or emphasize my lip lines, and lasted anywhere from four to eight hours (some left a stain). They were more neither hydrating nor drying to me over time. They had a faint, beachy floral scent but didn't seem to have a taste as the lip balm formula did.
Browse all of our Rare Beauty Lip Souffle Matte Cream Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Methyl Trimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Isododecane, 1,2-Hexanediol, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-10 Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Propylene Carbonate, Fragrance/Parfum, Linalool, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Gardenia Florida Fruit Extract, Nelumbo Nucifera (Sacred Lotus) Flower Extract, Nymphaea Odorata Root Extract, [+/- May Contain/Peut Contenir: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 27 (CI 45410), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985), 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.
Ascend is the perfect time of rich raspberry pink that I can definitely wear! And so I landed squarely on my redonkulously long WL, of course. I love that it appears to be the sort of pink that transcends seasons, too.
If it’s any help, i have candy venom from Fenty which is one of the dupes… and it’s a bomb colour! Not discreet, but I love it to bring up a boring look or a grey day.
Fenty Candy Venom is a stunner, too! Not sure how either one would work with a mask, but I’ve been living in mostly 3 lipsticks since late March. Now up to 5 with the addition of Sephora Lip Cream Stains in Blaze Of Glory and Vintage Rosewood.
Ascend is such a beautiful bright pink and I love it which is why I have 5 of the dupes for it which might be a record for me!! Wouldn’t stop me from buying this to try out the formula, though. What is one more pink/berry/red/wine when you have a gazillion already.
These are so flattering on the lips! Ascend is such a perfect bright pink, I am seriously tempted to pick this one up.
A
Energize is too light for me, but I am amazed that a shade like this isn’t lip line settling!
Ok now I want the Ascend, I bought Heroic which is a deeper pink but Ascend is beautiful!
Love Ascend…it’s going on my wishlist!
I’m loving the look of Ascend; Energize is the sort of milky pink that I find unflattering on me but I may well check out Ascend.
Christine, off topic but has the Reviews section changed somehow or am I doing something wrong? Since yesterday (I think), when I try to search in there, I get taken to the Database. I used to be able to do in and set filters so I could see a category for all the UD 24/7 liners or the Nars eyeshadow duos or Hardwired eyeshadows, for example, and then click to find the shade I was looking for. I don’t seem able to do this any longer….is there a glitch or is the glitch in me?
I’m not sure what you are doing – where are you searching and what are you searching for? Could you link me the page you start from?
I went to Reviews -> searched for Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil -> selected that and it took me to the product page?
I’m not sure what I’m doing either, Christine – remember, you are truly dealing with a Luddite here. When I click on the Reviews tab at the top right of the page (on my screen), I get taken to:
https://www.temptalia.com/product/
then, when I select “product or brand” and type in Nars, I get this page:
https://www.temptalia.com/p/_brands/_nars-cosmetics/
and I see “Most Wanted”, “Most Loved”, “Editor’s Top Rated Products” and “Temptalia’s Most Recently Reviews” and all of these are shown as individual products (if it’s an e/s palette, I’m not seeing the palette but pics of the individual shadows). At the top right of the page, it gives me options to click on “Find a product or browse by makeup, skin care, tools” and if I click there, I get taken to “Product Database” at https://www.temptalia.com/p/_brands/_nars-cosmetics/_makeup/
It’s not at all how reviews used to work for me just 3 or 4 days ago.
In the process of fixing an error I reported, my developer misunderstood and changed something without running it by me for double check, so it has been reverted but certain aspects are still broken since it didn’t actually get fixed.
As much as I don’t want you and your team having problems and errors, I’m relieved that (a) it’s not me and (b) the wonderful Reviews function that I know and love will, at some point, be back as I remember it. Thanks for letting me know, Christine. Perhaps it’s an indication of just how dependent I am on this site that I’m the first to report the issue.
It was already reverted!