Sephora Ruby & Always Red Lip Last Matte Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Ruby
Sephora Ruby Lip Last Matte Lipstick ($14.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a medium, pinky-red with cool, blue undertones and a matte finish. It took almost 10 minutes for the formula to set to a mostly flat-matte finish that was transfer-resistant. The color payoff was nearly opaque in a single layer and could be built up to full coverage.
The formula had a more velvety consistency that was smooth, lightweight, and flexible, and while it set, it didn’t feel like it “dried” in place like a traditional liquid lipstick, so it was much easier and more comfortable to wear. It stayed on nicely for over seven hours and felt non-drying over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Revlon Bread Winner (P, $12.39) is darker (95% similar).
- Givenchy Rouge Interdit (13) (P, $34.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Shocking Revelation (P, $22.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Trophy Wife (P, $12.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Pomegranate (LE, $25.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- Chanel Immobile (70) (P, $45.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Guerlain #21 (P, $36.00) is more shimmery, darker, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC So Good For You (LE, $19.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Tarte Cheerleader (P, $20.00) is darker (85% similar).
- MAC Life's Blood (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$14.00/0.06 oz. - $233.33 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "rich, opaque color with long-lasting, transfer-resistant wear that doesn't bleed or crack," and it's also described as "non-drying" and a "modern matte." It does deliver on its promises; it applies more like a traditional lipstick but has a set more like a liquid lipstick--definitely transfer-resistant and longer-wearing than most traditional lipsticks.
The texture felt smooth, like a gel-like cream with all the slip of a velvety primer and not the traditional wetness of a balmy lipstick. The lipsticks felt like they melted against my lips, and they delivered mostly opaque to fully opaque coverage in a single layer. That softness made them more prone "breaking" a bit when I swatched them on my arm, but I didn't experience that on my lips. Most of the shades were fairly forgiving of minor imperfections of lip texture and lip lines.
The setting process took longer than most liquid lipsticks, though it was more forgiving if one accidentally pressed one's lips together during the setting time. Per the brand, they say to "wait five to 10 minutes" before eating or drinking, and I found this was true for most shades.
I was impressed by how flexible and comfortable the color felt on my lips--it was very lightweight--and I could press my lips together without product pulling away after drinking/light eating. Like most formulas, even tougher liquid lipsticks, more oil-heavy meals will still break it down and create some transfer. Without eating (just drinking), the lipsticks lasted easily past the six-hour mark with color fully intact and most shades faded evenly as they wore down (from eating). The formula felt mostly non-drying to my lips over time. There was a subtle, sweet vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our Sephora Lip Last Matte Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Synthetic Wax, CI 77891 (Titanium Dioxide), Polymethylsilsesquioxane, Caprylyl Methicone, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, CI 15850 (Red 7 Lake), CI 45410 (Red 28 Lake), Trimethylsiloxysilicate, CI 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Polypropylene, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Aroma (Flavor), Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate.
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.
Ruby
PPermanent. $14.00.
Always Red
Sephora Always Red Lip Last Matte Lipstick ($14.00 for 0.06 oz.) is a vivid, medium red with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque color payoff in a single stroke, which adhered evenly and smoothly across my lips without tugging or dragging during application.
The consistency felt velvety and almost like a melting balm without the traditional slip or wetness–perhaps… a melting, silicone-based primer is a more apt description. It took five to 10 minutes for the formula to set to a truer, flat matte finish that was transfer-resistant. I did get some slight separation along my deeper lip lines as it was setting in place. It lasted well for over seven hours and felt neither drying nor hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Trust Me (P, $6.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Revlon Lip Boom (P, $12.39) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Guerlain Fascinating Ruby (880) (LE, $36.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Lancome Rouge Pigalle (82) (P, $32.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Lancome Rouge Vintage (178) (LE, $32.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- Charlotte Tilbury Red Wishes (LE, $34.00) is darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Red Pocket (LE, $7.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- L'Oreal Le Rouge Avant-Garde (P, $13.99) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC High Heels (LE, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Viva Glam 26 (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$14.00/0.06 oz. - $233.33 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have "rich, opaque color with long-lasting, transfer-resistant wear that doesn't bleed or crack," and it's also described as "non-drying" and a "modern matte." It does deliver on its promises; it applies more like a traditional lipstick but has a set more like a liquid lipstick--definitely transfer-resistant and longer-wearing than most traditional lipsticks.
The texture felt smooth, like a gel-like cream with all the slip of a velvety primer and not the traditional wetness of a balmy lipstick. The lipsticks felt like they melted against my lips, and they delivered mostly opaque to fully opaque coverage in a single layer. That softness made them more prone "breaking" a bit when I swatched them on my arm, but I didn't experience that on my lips. Most of the shades were fairly forgiving of minor imperfections of lip texture and lip lines.
The setting process took longer than most liquid lipsticks, though it was more forgiving if one accidentally pressed one's lips together during the setting time. Per the brand, they say to "wait five to 10 minutes" before eating or drinking, and I found this was true for most shades.
I was impressed by how flexible and comfortable the color felt on my lips--it was very lightweight--and I could press my lips together without product pulling away after drinking/light eating. Like most formulas, even tougher liquid lipsticks, more oil-heavy meals will still break it down and create some transfer. Without eating (just drinking), the lipsticks lasted easily past the six-hour mark with color fully intact and most shades faded evenly as they wore down (from eating). The formula felt mostly non-drying to my lips over time. There was a subtle, sweet vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our Sephora Lip Last Matte Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Synthetic Wax, CI 45410 (Red 28 Lake), Polymethylsilsesquioxane, CI 15850 (Red 7), Caprylyl Methicone, Octyldodecanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Polypropylsilsesquioxane, Polypropylene, CI 19140 (Yellow 5 Lake), Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Aroma (Flavor), Disteardimonium Hectorite, Propylene Carbonate, Tocopheryl Acetate.
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.
These are both really pretty reds with Ruby being my favorite as it has a cooler undertone. I had hoped to get into Sephora while I was in Missoula over the weekend but unbeknownst to me, the Sephora in JC Penny’s is closed as they are remodeling the Penny’s. So, didn’t get a chance to check anything out. I am taking my daughter to Spokane for her birthday in two weeks so we will check out Sephora there. We did go into Ulta but it really is a drag not being able to swatch anything. I didn’t think I would care one way or the other but I missed walking around the store with 20 or 30 lipstick swatches on the back of my hand. I am the dufus, (is that even a word? I don’t think so but anyway), who puts all these swatches on her hand and arm so that she can let them dry down a little and check them out and then when she has decided which ones she likes and wants, can’t remember which shade it was so has to go back and swatch again to figure it out. That is part of the fun of going in person and it is a disappointing experience these days.
Nothing wrong with trying them on the back of your hand and checking them later — that just means you’re paying attention and not impulsively purchasing!! 🙂
Deborah, I’m that Dufus, too! Lipsticks, whole eyeshadow palettes one on each arm trying to choose just one, foundations, you name it. You’re in good company!
I used to always come out of makeup stores with a ton of swatches on my hands. lol Hey — you gotta see them in the sunlight!
I know that I don’t need another red lipstick, but these look great! But transfer resistant still isn’t transfer proof. So until we no longer need to wear masks, I’m not even going to entertain the thought of anything but a dark beige or light brown type shade in this formula. I already learned that lesson well!
I hear ya Nancy; I haven’t worn anything deeper than a sheer medium pink in months! 🙁
Always Red is a stunning red shade and one day we will be all able to wear it outdoors sans masks!
How does this Always Red compare in tone to the one in the Cream Lip Stain range? I find it weird that they used the same name as one of their best selling lip products, that’s gonna confuse some people for sure.
https://www.temptalia.com/side-by-side/?sbs_1_search=Sephora+Always+Red&sbs_1=228140&sbs_2_search=Sephora+Always+Red&sbs_2=437118
Brands often do that to actually let people know it is a similar color, just in a different formula – you know, so if you love that color in matte, maybe you’d love it in satin or whatever! 🙂
I’d love these…if they weren’t matte. Sephora has some great lipsticks at amazing prices but matte formulations – just not happy products for me.