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Urban Decay After Dark, Bittersweet, Menace Matte Revolution Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.09 oz.) is described as a “matte medium-dark berry pink.” It’s a lightly brightened, medium-dark berry with cool, pink-red undertones and fine, iridescent violet pearl paired with a satin finish. It had mostly opaque coverage that applied evenly and smoothly. The color lasted for nine hours on me, but even after a full twelve hours (and two meals and two coffees), there was still 65% (or so) color left on my lips. It didn’t feel hydrating, but it never felt drying, and it might actually be a little hydrating to leave lips feeling no worse for the wear even twelve hours later. It faded evenly and didn’t pull into lines, nor did it feather on me. Marc Jacobs Beauty Little Pretty (130) (P, $30.00) is warmer. Kat Von D Wolvesmouth (P, $21.00) is darker, warmer, less glossy. MAC Fashion Revival (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer. Gucci Beauty Tiger Lily (P, $39.00) is more shimmery, brighter, glossier. Tom Ford Beauty Didier (LE, $32.00) is warmer, glossier. MAC Acai (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, less glossy. Tom Ford Beauty Alasdhair (LE, $32.00) is darker, warmer, glossier. Too Faced Metallic Jelly (P, $21.00) is glossier. Tom Ford Beauty Moroccan Rouge (DC, $50.00) is brighter, warmer. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.09 oz.) is described as a “matte bright purple.” It’s a slightly muted, magenta purple with subtle pink tones and a satin finish. It had rich, opaque color coverage with a light-medium weight and thickness that felt creamy and applied without tugging on the lips. The finish wore down to a more traditionally matte finish within an hour of wear, or you could blot once and get it immediately (true of most lipsticks with a slight sheen!). The color lasted for eight hours and faded evenly without feathering. It wasn’t drying, and my lips felt the same after eight hours as they did initially. MAC Love Forever (P, $18.00) is glossier. MAC RiRi Boy (LE, $16.00) is lighter. NARS Angela (P, $32.00) is lighter, glossier. Bite Beauty Grape (LE, $24.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier. ColourPop Drive In (P, $6.00) is darker, less glossy. Kat Von D L.U.V. (P, $19.00) is darker, less glossy. Bite Beauty #007 (LE, $36.00) is lighter, glossier. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.09 oz.) is described as a “matte medium fuchsia pink.” It is a brightened, medium fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and a matte finish. This was one of the few shades that was actually matte from the beginning–but it’s not a flat matte like MAC Retro Matte or the kind of matte you get from most liquid lipsticks (that dry down)–but it also had less slip and creaminess to the formula. It didn’t tug, but it was a little thinner and clingier as a result. This shade stayed on well for eight hours without bleeding and faded evenly, but it was lightly drying over time. Charlotte Tilbury Velvet Underground (P, $32.00) is glossier. MAC Pleasure Bomb (LE, $16.00) is darker, warmer, less glossy. MAC Good Kisser (LE, $16.00) is lighter, warmer. Tom Ford Beauty Pure Pink (P, $50.00) is darker, more muted. Illamasqua Glissade (P, $26.00) is glossier. MAC No Faux Pas (LE, $16.00) is warmer. MAC Ultramarine Pink (LE, $30.00) is darker, less glossy. Bite Beauty Framboise (P, $24.00) is brighter, glossier. Tom Ford Beauty Cooper (LE, $32.00) is darker, more muted, warmer. Tom Ford Beauty Electric Pink (15) (P, $50.00) is lighter, cooler. Maybelline Faint for Fuchsia (P, $7.99) is lighter. MAC Tats (LE, $16.00) is warmer. Givenchy Fuchsia Irresistible (205) (P, $36.00) is darker. Milani Hot Pink Rage (P, $5.49) is lighter. MAC Girl About Town (P, $16.00) is darker. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Formula Summary | Urban Decay Matte Revolution Lipstick ($22.00 for 0.09 oz.) is a new formula releasing on July 8th (later for retailers). There are eleven shades in the range with two exclusive to Urban Decay’s website and freestanding stores. The formula is supposed to be smooth, pigmented, creamy, and “provide long-lasting moisture.” It’s a very pigmented, semi-matte to natural finish formula that wears a really, really long time and wears away evenly without bleeding or feathering. My only issue with these is that they’re more of a satin finish than a true matte one, but if that’s not a deal-breaker, they’re worth checking out. I was extremely impressed by how long-wearing the formula was without being drying. I could wear a shade from 9AM to 9PM and not once think, “I really wish I could apply lip balm.” Some shades have more slip than others, and as a result, the ones with more slip have a more satin-like sheen to them, while a couple were less creamy and applied with more of a semi-matte finish from the get-go. Most shades wore down to a traditional matte (but not liquid lipstick flat-matte finish) within an hour to two of wear. The texture is significantly less creamy with a lot less slip compared to the Sheer Revolution and original Revolution formulas, which have a much more luminous sheen with a slight tackiness to the texture, whereas these have no tackiness and a more velvety feel (they remind me of NARS Audacious Lipsticks in that respect). These hug the lips more as a result but surprisingly, they’re very comfortable to wear. What’s particularly nice is that the texture has some creaminess and weight to it, so while it can transfer onto cups and the like, there’s so much of it that it doesn’t wear away the color, and you can also smooth out any smudges if you dabbed with a napkin. There was no discernible scent or taste.

Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay After Dark Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay Bittersweet Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick

Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick
Urban Decay Menace Matte Revolution Lipstick

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Make Up For Ever HD Foundation
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Setting Powder
  • Laura Geller Plumberry Blush
On eyes:
  • Zoeva Naturally Yours Eyeshadow Palette
  • Zoeva Opulence Eyeliner

75 Comments

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Nicole Avatar

Yeah..Urban Decay does it again! My wallet is not too happy. But, I can deal with it because they are permanent and reasonably priced. My hat is off to Urban Decay. I really wish they could have pulled it off with the Smokey palette. But, I will be all over these! Once again, thank you Christine for reviewing!

Lacey Avatar

OMG, After Dark is love! Is it just me (or my screen), or does the slight shimmer actually make it look slightly more matte? It’s almost like the finish of Essie’s “cashmere” polishes this spring that were matte with microshimmer, but in lipstick form.

Katherine T. Avatar

After Dark is a really pretty berry, but I just ordered BITE Frozen Berries in Plum (along with Barberry, Opal, and Opal Gloss ), so I’m set for berry lipsticks. I have UD Bittersweet Blush and Lip Gloss (love both), was hoping the lipstick would be more purple, but this is too pinky for me. But I’m sure there will be other UD colors to tempt me, it doesn’t take much….. 😉

Nicole Avatar

Hey Katherine, thanks for notifying me that the Bite mattes were in! I just ordered Juniper and Barberry. LMK what you think about the Opal. I didn’t know about it until I read your comment. Uh oh..my wallet is getting sacred! 🙂

Katherine T. Avatar

Will do! I’m super curious about Opal myself. I took a chance and grabbed both the lipstick and gloss, worried they would sell out. I figured that if they were duds, I could always return to Sephora

Nicole Avatar

Katherine, I know your a smart lady and I seem to like your taste. So, you got me thinking abut these even more after reading your reply. I hate the whole LE thing. But I fall into the trap every time. I decided to go back and snatch up Plum and the Opal gloss. My wallet was going run away if I purchased both the gloss and the lipstick right now. So I had to chose at the moment.:( Keep me posted on the lipstick though. Who knows. It may be around in a week or so.

Katherine T. Avatar

Awwww, thanks for the compliments Nicole 😀 ! Will definitely keep you posted. The Opal gloss should be coming by this Thurs, and the lippie by Fri/Sat.

Katie Avatar

These are all right up my alley! Glad they are permanent so I can spread out my purchases a little! Thanks for the swatches, Christine – you look amazing in After Dark!

Celia Avatar

These are gorgeous and I am definitely interested in Afterdark and Bittersweet. But it would be really great to see UD release a true matte line. Pearl and satin finishes are lovely and they do them well, but UD has been killing it on the lip front lately and it would be great to see them tackle true matte or even a modern matte that is less satiny than these.

Courtney R Avatar

I think if Urban Decay came out with a line of liquid matte lipsticks that almost every cosmetic line is trying to push out (in order to come up with replacements for Lime Crime, maybe?), they’d hit the big time – I know I’d be buying them up, at least!!

Leigh Avatar

Love love After Dark. Can’t wait to get that one. I was wondering if Bad Blood is a true red or if it leans towards warm or cool? If you’ve had a chance to test it or are going to!

Sarah Avatar

To me After Dark looks exactly like a matte version of Jilted (down to the blue/violet pearl) and I am all over that! And I’m so glad that these are long-wearing and not drying. Can’t wait for the rest of the reviews so I know exactly which ones I’m getting (these three are already on the list)!

Nancy T Avatar

My first gut reaction as well! Like, where have these beauties been all my life?!? I can barely wait for their release at Sephora! Purple frenzy continues, today I was all decked out in purples, lol, but it looked great, except I think ColourPop Rain may be a bit too light on me? I ought to have gotten UD Bittersweet when I bought Rapture…please don’t mind me, I just had a bunch of biopsies done this afternoon, and the pain medicine is making quite chatty, but half out of it!!!

Nancy T Avatar

I am head over heels for After Dark!!! It just fills that empty space that MAC Acai left when it sold out in one hot minute, but this actually looks much more unique. Bittersweet is my kind of purply-fuschia shade as well.
Btw, ALL 3 shades look great on you, Christine! I am getting After Dark for sure!

Tessa Avatar

Your face and eye makeup here is absolutely wonderful! I actually “ooh”ed aloud a bit.

Something about the color of Bittersweet is… off to me, like they mixed the batch wrong and surely meant it to be either more purple or more pink (but if it sells, I guess this is why they didn’t hire me to formulate colors for them, ha). But the other two look great!

Chris Avatar

Oh thanks for these, Christine! First release in a while where I really think I’d get colours in a unique formula, which are different from my many lipsticks 🙂

I like all three, After Dark and Bittersweet the most. Great for fall! Thanks!

fancie Avatar

I just knew UD was gonna knock these out the park and it seems they didn’t disappoint. The wear time sounds impressive and I love that the formula doesn’t get drying as they wear on. I have to have these! After Dark and Bittersweet were already on my list but Menace is looking mighty tempting too right now

Catherine Avatar

Hey Christine, UD put the matte lipsticks on their site but there’s no mention of the 2 exclusive shades. Their last Instagram post said ‘9 shades’, so I’m just wondering if you’ve heard anything about them deciding not to release these 2 that were supposed to be exclusive? I was excited to see what the colors might be.

Rachel R. Avatar

I had no idea After Dark would look so stunning out of the tube. Wow! These are all so pretty. I prefer that they’re more satiny than matte.

Jules Avatar

Oooh, After Dark looks like it could be a matte version of the regular Revolution color Jilted, which I adore. I’m so glad someone has finally managed to make a long-wearing matte that doesn’t dry out your lips! Yessss, UD’s still got it in them!

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