The Best & Worst of Anastasia Matte Lipsticks
Anastasia Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a new, permanent formula available in 30 shades. The formula is supposed to have “full-pigment” with a “smooth, ultra-matte finish.” Since the description was a little light, I also watched the brand’s video, where the formula is also supposed to be comfortable to apply and not settle in lip lines. The best aspects of the formula are how lightweight it felt on–almost like nothing on, so despite being more matte and denser, not heavy or clingy–and that most shades have been non-drying (so far).
There has been some transfer, and the finish is mostly matte but not “ultra-matte” (certainly not as flat or matte as their liquid lipsticks, as an example). Some shades have emphasized my lip lines from a texture standpoint or due to color settling into them, but it depended on the shade. The wear has ranged from four and a half hours to eight hours, and some of the richer shades can survive a moderate meal and definitely drinking coffee. I found the texture to be the drawback; the lipstick is incredibly firm and dense with little to creaminess, which resulted in an application that tugged and pulled on the lips. It was also the type of texture that caught on flakes, so regular exfoliation is key. There were a few shades that were creamier and thicker on the lips, which were more comfortable to apply, but the majority were quite firm. (They also did not get softer with use.)
Chrome Brown is a medium-dark, reddish-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a faint, metallic sheen. The consistency was lightly creamy without any...
Chrome Brown is a medium-dark, reddish-brown with subtle, warm undertones and a faint, metallic sheen. The consistency was lightly creamy without any...
Anastasia Rogue Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a dark, brownish red with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It will wear down to a...
Anastasia Rogue Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a dark, brownish red with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It will wear down to a...
Blood Orange is a deep orange-red with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It was intensely pigmented that adhered evenly and smoothly to my...
Blood Orange is a deep orange-red with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It was intensely pigmented that adhered evenly and smoothly to my...
Anastasia Brandy Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is deep, reddish burgundy with subtle, warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. The...
Anastasia Brandy Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is deep, reddish burgundy with subtle, warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. The...
Anastasia Cotton Candy Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium pink with cool, blue undertones and a matte finish. It was richly...
Anastasia Cotton Candy Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium pink with cool, blue undertones and a matte finish. It was richly...
Coconut is a light-medium, rosy brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The consistency was smooth, velvety, and dense but had...
Coconut is a light-medium, rosy brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The consistency was smooth, velvety, and dense but had...
Anastasia Dead Roses Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque...
Anastasia Dead Roses Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque...
Anastasia Stevie Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, reddish plum with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had...
Anastasia Stevie Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, reddish plum with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had...
Anastasia Dread Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium taupe brown with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The color payoff...
Anastasia Dread Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium taupe brown with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The color payoff...
Anastasia Smoke Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, bluish gray with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had nearly opaque...
Anastasia Smoke Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, bluish gray with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had nearly opaque...
Anastasia Midnight Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, inky black with neutral undertones and a mostly matte finish. It was richly...
Anastasia Midnight Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, inky black with neutral undertones and a mostly matte finish. It was richly...
Anastasia Rosewood Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque color payoff in...
Anastasia Rosewood Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark plum with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque color payoff in...
Anastasia Rum Punch Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with neutral-to-warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. There...
Anastasia Rum Punch Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark plum with neutral-to-warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. There...
Anastasia Orchid Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark magenta with cooler undertones and a matte finish. It had rich, opaque...
Anastasia Orchid Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark magenta with cooler undertones and a matte finish. It had rich, opaque...
Anastasia Ruby Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep red with cool, bluish undertones and a matte finish. It had very nearly opaque...
Anastasia Ruby Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep red with cool, bluish undertones and a matte finish. It had very nearly opaque...
Anastasia Sedona Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with strong, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had nearly...
Anastasia Sedona Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark pink with strong, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had nearly...
Cinnamon is a muted, medium-dark orange with soft, warm undertones and a matte finish. The lipstick had opaque pigmentation that applied evenly to my...
Cinnamon is a muted, medium-dark orange with soft, warm undertones and a matte finish. The lipstick had opaque pigmentation that applied evenly to my...
Anastasia Buff Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium, rosy mauve with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good color...
Anastasia Buff Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium, rosy mauve with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good color...
Anastasia Staunch Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is muted, medium brown with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The pigmentation...
Anastasia Staunch Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is muted, medium brown with subtle, warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The pigmentation...
Anastasia Spice Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium, rosy brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque...
Anastasia Spice Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium, rosy brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque...
Anastasia Dusty Mauve Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a dark, purple mauve with neutral undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had good...
Anastasia Dusty Mauve Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a dark, purple mauve with neutral undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had good...
Anastasia Petal Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium pink with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. This shade was creamier and...
Anastasia Petal Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium pink with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. This shade was creamier and...
Anastasia Latte Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good...
Anastasia Latte Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark rosy brown with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. It had good...
Anastasia Griffin Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, grayish taupe with neutral-to-cool undertones and a mostly matte finish. The texture...
Anastasia Griffin Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, grayish taupe with neutral-to-cool undertones and a mostly matte finish. The texture...
Anastasia Rage Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark purple with warmer, pink undertones and a matte finish. It had good...
Anastasia Rage Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark purple with warmer, pink undertones and a matte finish. It had good...
Anastasia Plumeria Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep berry with subtle, cool undertones and a fine sprinkling of iridescent pearl. It...
Anastasia Plumeria Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep berry with subtle, cool undertones and a fine sprinkling of iridescent pearl. It...
Anastasia Stargazer Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and a semi-matte finish. The...
Anastasia Stargazer Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and a semi-matte finish. The...
Chrome Peach is a light-medium copper with strong, warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had nearly opaque color coverage in one layer, which was...
Chrome Peach is a light-medium copper with strong, warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had nearly opaque color coverage in one layer, which was...
Anastasia Kiss Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium pink with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The consistency was...
Anastasia Kiss Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium pink with warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The consistency was...
Anastasia Soft Pink Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium pink with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque color...
Anastasia Soft Pink Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium pink with warm, yellow undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque color...
Anastasia Nude Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark peach with warm, orange undertones and a matte finish. The texture was...
Anastasia Nude Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark peach with warm, orange undertones and a matte finish. The texture was...
Anastasia Honey Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium peachy brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque...
Anastasia Honey Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium peachy brown with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque...
Anastasia Peachy Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium peach with warm undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was nearly...
Anastasia Peachy Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, medium peach with warm undertones and a matte finish. The pigmentation was nearly...
Anastasia Cool Brown Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, dark brown with subtle, rosy undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly...
Anastasia Cool Brown Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a muted, dark brown with subtle, rosy undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly...
Anastasia Soft Touch Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a soft pink with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation...
Anastasia Soft Touch Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a soft pink with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation...
Lychee is a medium-dark mauve with warm undertones and a fine, metallic shimmer and slightly larger bits of gold sparkle throughout. It had a denser,...
Lychee is a medium-dark mauve with warm undertones and a fine, metallic shimmer and slightly larger bits of gold sparkle throughout. It had a denser,...
Pink Champagne is a soft, peachy coral with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that didn't build up to full...
Pink Champagne is a soft, peachy coral with warm undertones and a frosted sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that didn't build up to full...
Staycation is a deep, yellowed peach with warm undertones and a matte finish. The lipstick had good color payoff in one pass, which didn't really...
Staycation is a deep, yellowed peach with warm undertones and a matte finish. The lipstick had good color payoff in one pass, which didn't really...
Spirit is a medium peach with warm, orange undertones and a semi-matte finish. The lipstick had a dense consistency that was thin, lightweight, and...
Spirit is a medium peach with warm, orange undertones and a semi-matte finish. The lipstick had a dense consistency that was thin, lightweight, and...
Anastasia Hollywood Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium coral with warm undertones and a matte finish; it was quite well-balanced between...
Anastasia Hollywood Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium coral with warm undertones and a matte finish; it was quite well-balanced between...
Orange Blossom is a medium-dark peach with strong, warm orange undertones and a fine, frosted finish. It had nearly opaque color payoff in a single...
Orange Blossom is a medium-dark peach with strong, warm orange undertones and a fine, frosted finish. It had nearly opaque color payoff in a single...
Vida is a deep, raspberry red with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color payoff that adhered evenly, but it was an incredibly...
Vida is a deep, raspberry red with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color payoff that adhered evenly, but it was an incredibly...
Anastasia Rust Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, muted brown with subtle, warm red undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had good...
Anastasia Rust Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, muted brown with subtle, warm red undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had good...
Anastasia Resin Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, purplish taupe with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had good color...
Anastasia Resin Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium-dark, purplish taupe with neutral undertones and a matte finish. It had good color...
Anastasia Cobalt Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, deep bluish purple with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. There seemed to be...
Anastasia Cobalt Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a rich, deep bluish purple with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. There seemed to be...
Chrome Purple is a blackened purple with cooler violet and purple sparkle. The texture felt grittier due to the size and amount of the sparkles, and...
Chrome Purple is a blackened purple with cooler violet and purple sparkle. The texture felt grittier due to the size and amount of the sparkles, and...
Anastasia Sweet Pea Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deeper pink with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had good color coverage...
Anastasia Sweet Pea Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deeper pink with subtle, cool undertones and a matte finish. It had good color coverage...
Anastasia Insomniac Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium, greenish-teal with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had good...
Anastasia Insomniac Matte Lipstick ($18.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a medium, greenish-teal with subtle, cool undertones and a satin finish. It had good...
Rose Gold is a medium-dark, rosy coral with warm undertones and flecks of gold and pink micro-glitter. The consistency was grittier initially,...
Rose Gold is a medium-dark, rosy coral with warm undertones and flecks of gold and pink micro-glitter. The consistency was grittier initially,...
Guava is a light orange with strong, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage with a dense, slightly...
Guava is a light orange with strong, warm undertones and a sparkling, metallic finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage with a dense, slightly...
Glossover Averages
Reader Reviews
Based on 5 Reviews, 12 Quick Reviews
The Good: Long-wearing (12), Easy To Apply (10), Smooth (9), Travel-friendly (9), Blendable (5), Creamy (4)
The In-Between: Highly Pigmented (13), Non-sticky (8), Thick (5), Buildable (4)
The Bad: Dry (7), Tugs/pulls (6), Drying (5), Hard To Apply (4), Uneven (1)
Anastasia Matte Lipstick
Anastasia Matte Lipstick
Anastasia Matte Lipstick
Anastasia Matte Lipstick
Anastasia Matte Lipstick
Anastasia Matte Lipstick
Anastasia Matte Lipstick
Anastasia Matte Lipstick
Anastasia Matte Lipstick
Thank you for the mammoth effort in reviewing all of these lipsticks – it can’t have been easy as the formula was unforgiving on your lips.
There are lots of lovely shades here, but the mostly matte texture turns me away.
Great selection of colors here, there’s something for everyone!
I might pick up Brandy, that looks right up my alley.
Strangely, I really love these. I think the lightweight texture along with pretty excellent and comfortable wear made these a win for me, so far. Of note, many lipsticks give me gunkiness where my lips meet as well as gathering in the corners of my mouth, these do not. Another plus. However, I DO always exfoliate and lay down a coat of my trusty MAC lip primer before these!
Christine, it might be good to note to your readers that these are made in China/PRC. Anastasia is now sacrificing quality to consumers for their profit. Their foundation sticks are also made there.
There are too many other good lipsticks and cosmetics that are made in other countries that have higher quality standards. I realize that you just do product reviews, but this might be worth noting. Do you remember the baby formula scandal there years ago, and the Purina dog treats that were made there and some dogs here were poisoned?
Any cost-cutting Anastasia does is by Anastasia – they are the ones who choose the manufacturer for their products and set the quality standards for their products. If country of origin is a concern to you, I do my best to photograph the packaging (particularly ingredients) where this information is typically found, but on this particular product, I believe it was listed on another portion of the box so I did not photograph it (I did not know it was located elsewhere until after taking photos).
Otherwise, I find the concept “made in China” being inherently dangerous or inferior in quality to be problematic and would not participate in fear-mongering. What I’ve learned from behind-the-scenes is that a lot of the raw ingredients are still purchased in China, even if the product is technically made in the US, so anyone who is concerned about “Made in” fineprint should see if the brand will verify the sourcing at all.
Thanks for that, Christine! While there’re certainly some shady and unethical manufacturers in China (and here as well), it’s unfair and unreasonable to class ALL Chinese manufacturers as dangerous or sub-par.
(However, I got one of these in “Cool Brown” and hated it so much I sent it back, regardless of its mfg provenance. :D)
I’m glad you were able to return it! Sorry to hear it did not work out for you, though!
This is a great comment and if I had a way to like it, I would.
I wore Ruby for the first time when I went out last night. It was a bit of a struggle to put on because it required so much tugging, but once on, it stayed on for hours without budging and was not uncomfortable to wear. I’m happy with it. It’s an excellent alternative for MAC Ruby Woo.
As for Dead Roses, that’s the one I returned because it was too dry for me and I didn’t think the color looked nice as such an extremely dry matte. I’m a huge fan of dusty mauve and dusty rose shades in general, so this was a big disappointment.
Dead Roses and Rum Punch were my faves. I love “fall transitional” shades though!