Smashbox Level Up & Stepping Out Be Legendary Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Level Up
Smashbox Level Up Be Legendary Prime and Plush Lipstick ($24.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a light, rosy brown with soft, warm undertones and a cream finish. The texture was smooth, moderately creamy, and lightweight without being too thin.
It had opaque pigmentation in one layer, but the color gravitated toward my deeper lip lines; it wasn’t noticeable in person until after two hours into the three-and-a-half-hour wear time. The formula was comfortable and lightly moisturizing to wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Pat McGrath Christy (P, $38.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar).
- Jaclyn Cosmetics Sofia (DC, $18.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Princess Incognito (LE, $20.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Fling It On (Lip Color) (PiP, ) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Venusian Peach (LE, $30.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Androgino (103) (P, $38.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Hourglass I Woke Up (P, $34.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Natasha Denona Jeniffer (22P) (P, $25.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Dream Lover (LE, $38.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Milani I Am Smart (P, $6.99) is brighter, less glossy (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$24.00/0.14 oz. - $171.43 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have a "creamy" texture with "rich, pigment-packed color." The textures were smooth, creamy with light slip, and comfortable to apply in a fluid motion as they did not tug. Some shades were more satiny in their creaminess, while a couple felt more emollient and would likely benefit from a lip liner for better wear, though I did not experience any shades feathering/bleeding on me.
The pigmentation was semi-opaque to opaque with more shades being closer to opaque than not. They were typically buildable and weren't prone to emphasizing lip texture or gathering in my deeper lip lines. The lipstick wore between four and six hours and was hydrating while worn.
The formula had a faint, sweet vanilla scent but no discernible taste. I almost thought it was fragrance-free when I first tried to smell it as it was that faint.
Browse all of our Smashbox Be Legendary Prime and Plush Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) WaxCandelilla CeraCire De Candelilla, Ozokerite, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Silica, Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline WaxCera MicrocristallinaCire Microcristalline, Polyethylene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) ExtractExtrait D'Orge, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Tribehenin, Cholesterol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polydecene, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ng, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Peg-10 Phytosterol, Alumina, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Titanium/Titanium Dioxide, Linoleic Acid, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Flavor (Aroma), Saccharin, Vanillin, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Bronze Powder (CI 77400), Copper Powder (CI 77400), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 (CI 15850), Red 21 (CI 45380), Red 27 (CI 45410), Red 28 (CI 45410), Red 30 (CI 73360), Red 33 (CI 17200), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 21 Lake (CI 45380), Red 27 Lake (CI 45410), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360), Red 33 Lake (CI 17200), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 6 (CI 15985), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985)]
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.
Level Up
PPermanent. $24.00.
Stepping Out
Smashbox Stepping Out Be Legendary Prime and Plush Lipstick ($24.00 for 0.14 oz.) is a muted, light-medium rosy brown with soft, warm undertones and a cream finish. It had opaque color payoff paired with a lightly creamy, smooth consistency that wasn’t too firm in the tube, so it glided across my lips with ease. It stayed on nicely for four hours and felt lightly hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bobbi Brown Cocoa (P, $29.00) is darker, warmer (95% similar).
- elf Drive (P, $9.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Revlon Rose Velvet (P, $8.49) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Tarte Siesta (P, $21.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Meet Me in Berlin (P, $36.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Dior Ultra Tender (325) (P, $37.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Giorgio Armani Forte (106) (P, $38.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- UOMA Beauty Sexual Chocolate (LE, $24.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Honey (LE, $29.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Becca Souffle (DC, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$24.00/0.14 oz. - $171.43 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to have a "creamy" texture with "rich, pigment-packed color." The textures were smooth, creamy with light slip, and comfortable to apply in a fluid motion as they did not tug. Some shades were more satiny in their creaminess, while a couple felt more emollient and would likely benefit from a lip liner for better wear, though I did not experience any shades feathering/bleeding on me.
The pigmentation was semi-opaque to opaque with more shades being closer to opaque than not. They were typically buildable and weren't prone to emphasizing lip texture or gathering in my deeper lip lines. The lipstick wore between four and six hours and was hydrating while worn.
The formula had a faint, sweet vanilla scent but no discernible taste. I almost thought it was fragrance-free when I first tried to smell it as it was that faint.
Browse all of our Smashbox Be Legendary Prime and Plush Lipstick swatches.
Ingredients
Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Diisostearyl Malate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Euphorbia Cerifera (Candelilla) WaxCandelilla CeraCire De Candelilla, Ozokerite, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Hydrogenated Polydecene, Silica, Octyldodecanol, Microcrystalline WaxCera MicrocristallinaCire Microcristalline, Polyethylene, Tocopheryl Acetate, Squalane, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheat) Germ Extract, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Hordeum Vulgare (Barley) ExtractExtrait D'Orge, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract, Tribehenin, Cholesterol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Polydecene, Ceramide Np, Ceramide Ng, Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-12, Peg-10 Phytosterol, Alumina, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Titanium/Titanium Dioxide, Linoleic Acid, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Flavor (Aroma), Saccharin, Vanillin, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Bronze Powder (CI 77400), Copper Powder (CI 77400), Red 6 (CI 15850), Red 7 (CI 15850), Red 21 (CI 45380), Red 27 (CI 45410), Red 28 (CI 45410), Red 30 (CI 73360), Red 33 (CI 17200), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 21 Lake (CI 45380), Red 27 Lake (CI 45410), Red 28 Lake (CI 45410), Red 30 Lake (CI 73360), Red 33 Lake (CI 17200), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), Yellow 6 (CI 15985), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985)]
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.
Because I love a good beigey lip, I love Stepping Out! That’s a super pretty one.
Stepping Out is a lovely nude brown, very wearable shade for me.
Both lipsticks look like very good everyday shades that are nice and creamy.
Hi, Christine–
Which eye look (or maybe, if you haven’t filed it yet, which eye palette or palettes) did you use in this photo? It’s GORGEOUS. I love the shine and the colors and the blending… well, everything about it!
Thanks in advance,
Emily
Here you go! https://www.temptalia.com/looks/nars-climax-eyeshadow-look/
Oh, my gosh, Christine–that is HILARIOUS. I bookmarked that look when I first saw it (then asked you about it earlier, LOL) and again when you posted the complete details. I found all the dupes necessary in my stash and wrote it up and set it aside for when I had somewhere to wear it (maybe in 2022? ha, or not)!!
In other words, I have loved this look every time I saw it since I first saw it and I still love it so much I reach out. I fully expect to like something in a few years and be told once again it was the NARS Climax look!
Sorry I didn’t come back and thank you for (as ever) getting back to me with the answer; life got busy here.
Well, at least you know you REALLY love the look! Thanks, Emily 🙂