Sephora But First Coffee, Vacation Goals, Backstage Lipstories Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
But First Coffee (58)
Sephora But First Coffee (58) Lipstories Lipstick ($8.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a rich, deep red-brown with warm undertones and a cream finish. It had rich pigmentation in a single layer, which glided effortlessly across my lips and delivered a smooth, even application. The texture felt lightweight, creamy without being too slippery, and was comfortable to wear. It stayed on nicely for five hours and was lightly hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Chocolatier (LE, $10.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Oh Behave (LE, $7.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Consensual (P, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Divine Brown (P, $38.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Pitch (LE, $7.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Tarte Grunge (P, $20.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Anastasia #6 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- Sephora Spice (P, $14.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Once Strangers (P, $25.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Patricia Bright (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.14 oz. - $57.14 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "lightweight" with "full-coverage color in one swipe." The majority of shades were pigmented with semi-opaque to full color payoff in a single layer, as described. The more shimmery shades tended to be a bit sheerer overall, while the mattes and creams were usually closer to opaque in coverage.
The textures were typically creamy, lightweight, and not too thin or too thick on the lips, so they were comfortable to apply and to wear. There were some shades where the color pulled into my deeper lip lines upon application, and it was more or less noticeable just depending on the color and finish of the particular.
Some shades seemed hydrating and others were non-drying. They lasted anywhere from three to over six hours on me. There was a subtle, sweet, fruity scent (I couldn't detect it on, just in the tube), and I haven't noticed any taste after wearing them.
Browse all of our Sephora Lipstories Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Octyldodecanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), Polybutene, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake), Fragrance, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT.
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.
But First Coffee (58)
PPermanent. $8.00.
Vacation Goals (59)
Sephora Vacation Goals (59) Lipstories Lipstick ($8.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a medium taupe-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a cream finish. It had opaque color coverage that adhered evenly and smoothly across my lips. The consistency was lightweight, creamy without being too thick or too slippery, though I had some product sink into my deeper lip lines. Thankfully, the settling wasn’t noticeable in person, just in the close-up photos. It wore well for four and a half hours and felt lightly moisturizing while worn.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Makeup Geek Offbeat (P, $15.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Stone (P, $19.00) is lighter, less glossy (85% similar).
- ColourPop Mrs. Norris (LE, $10.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty I Quit (P, $18.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Cold Hard Cash (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, less glossy (80% similar).
- Maybelline Grey Over It (DC, $7.49) is more shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Rare (P, $15.00) is lighter, less glossy (80% similar).
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Spike (DC, $17.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- MAC Café au Chic (P, $21.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (80% similar).
- Sephora Backstage (60) (P, $8.00) is more shimmery, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.14 oz. - $57.14 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "lightweight" with "full-coverage color in one swipe." The majority of shades were pigmented with semi-opaque to full color payoff in a single layer, as described. The more shimmery shades tended to be a bit sheerer overall, while the mattes and creams were usually closer to opaque in coverage.
The textures were typically creamy, lightweight, and not too thin or too thick on the lips, so they were comfortable to apply and to wear. There were some shades where the color pulled into my deeper lip lines upon application, and it was more or less noticeable just depending on the color and finish of the particular.
Some shades seemed hydrating and others were non-drying. They lasted anywhere from three to over six hours on me. There was a subtle, sweet, fruity scent (I couldn't detect it on, just in the tube), and I haven't noticed any taste after wearing them.
Browse all of our Sephora Lipstories Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Octyldodecanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), Polybutene, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake), Fragrance, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT.
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.
Vacation Goals (59)
PPermanent. $8.00.
Backstage (60)
Sephora Backstage (60) Lipstories Lipstick ($8.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a deep taupe base with green and gold shimmer and light sparkle. It was an interesting, complex color that was harder to dupe, partially because this combination of color and shimmer is hardly ever released! The texture was lightweight, creamy with some slip so it glided on without tugging on my lips but felt a little slippery during wear. There was some product that sank into my deeper lip lines, though the shimmer camouflaged some of that in person. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that could have applied more evenly. It lasted well for four and a half hours on me and was lightly hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Studded (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, less glossy (90% similar).
- MAC Secret Number (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Derelict (DC, $17.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Sephora Vacation Goals (59) (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, warmer (80% similar).
- Makeup Geek Offbeat (P, $15.00) is less shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
- NYX Trickery (P, $6.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$8.00/0.14 oz. - $57.14 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "lightweight" with "full-coverage color in one swipe." The majority of shades were pigmented with semi-opaque to full color payoff in a single layer, as described. The more shimmery shades tended to be a bit sheerer overall, while the mattes and creams were usually closer to opaque in coverage.
The textures were typically creamy, lightweight, and not too thin or too thick on the lips, so they were comfortable to apply and to wear. There were some shades where the color pulled into my deeper lip lines upon application, and it was more or less noticeable just depending on the color and finish of the particular.
Some shades seemed hydrating and others were non-drying. They lasted anywhere from three to over six hours on me. There was a subtle, sweet, fruity scent (I couldn't detect it on, just in the tube), and I haven't noticed any taste after wearing them.
Browse all of our Sephora Lipstories Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Octyldodecanol, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Polyethylene, Diisostearyl Malate, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, CI 77492 (Iron Oxides), Polybutene, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, CI 77491 (Iron Oxides), Cera Microcristallina (Microcrystalline Wax), Disteardimonium Hectorite, CI 42090 (Blue 1 Lake), CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake), Fragrance, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, BHT.
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.
I love all three of these.
They’re such underrated kinds of colors – like I wish we saw Backstage type hues more often!
These look so nice. I have many of their lippies and find them a great value and quality. A big deal breaker for me though is they have a VERY perfumes smell and taste. I really hope they reformulate these without the perfume because they’re really nice otherwise.
These are all lovely browns. Of course, I wish Backstage were better, but I could use it over lip pencil.
I hear ya – at least it is more unique and that gives it a bit of leeway!
Yeah. I’m always willing to work with a unique shade, as long as it doesn’t get too ridiculous.
So my speed, all three. I have dupes, but most don’t seem like 80% to me. Think i’ll trot over to S with my dupes for comparison.
Good idea! Let us know how that goes, KJH!
I’m oddly attracted to Vacation Goals even though I usually don’t go for these grayish shades. It’s got something to it!
Maybe it’s that it isn’t super gray?
Probably! Plus, not it not being super matte gives it “life”, I think?
These are not my sort of colours at all – I find it very difficult to pull off brown… but then I think these would look STUNNING on beautiful deep skin tones.
I grew up with so many lamenting the 90s and brown lips that it took me a few years to love ’em!
LOL, I was wearing PMG 1995 lipstick today while I wrote that comment and that is about as “brown” as I can go – that and Flesh 3, which Deborah S. said was really beautiful… They’re about my limit (and not just because they’re Pat!) and I’m still trying out nude shades after avoiding them for years but there seems to be a common denominator between most brown, beige, peach and some orange shades that makes me look very jaundiced 🙁
And that’s never a good look…
But I’m glad you enjoy them!
Brown lip stick is one of my favorite colors to wear. I haven’t picked up one of these lip sticks yet “But Coffee First” is going to be mine!
Good pick 😀
I love them ALL. Nice to see Sephora growing their house brand with such well priced, quality offerings!
They are so cool!
“BUT First Coffee” screams Fall! Love the depth and richness of it !
Oh, that But First Coffee is luxe! Such a rich, gorgeous color with a great opaqueness and shine.. I need this one. The other too, a hard pass. My wallet will be happy for that.
I probably would have loved all three of these back in the 1990s. But dark shades like this don’t work on me anymore. 🙁
Dayum, I wish Backstage wasn’t so slippery looking. The pigmentation looks uneven. I may pick up Vacation Goals in lieu. Perhaps Backstage over MAC Stone would lend a more consistent look. Hmmm.. both are tempting. I’ll look like my 90’s photos, but with more wrinkles ?
I thankfully have Chocolatier from Colourpop, so I can skip on But First Coffee. Vacation Goals has me really intrigued, but I would need to swatch it against my skin tone first.
Christine, this is not a snarky question but I am curious about the Temptalia Recommendation? The shade that got the recommendation, Backstage, had a dupe that was 90% and received a C+ rating while the shade Vacation Times got an A- and it’s closest dupe was only 85%. Is there something intangible that makes it a recommendation? I am just curious. I can’t wear any of the shades, LOL!
It’s an error because I’m a complete MORON! It was for But First Coffee but I ticked the wrong box.
Wow, these are all really gorgeous! Even though I don’t care for the super glossy formula of Backstage, it’s inexpensive enough I’ll probably still pick it up just because.