Scarlet Siren : MUA Matte Lipstick

Seashore

In the red is back. 2015 style. I thought I'd start off with a relatively recent purchase that not only looks super beautiful but, is also very affordable. It cost £1 y'all, need I say any more. Ok from the title heading of the post you know that's its from MUA (Makeup Academy - a brand which is exclusively sold at Superdrugs or on MUA's website, click here). That's it, no more talking its time for pics /swatches ...

As you can see this red looks super vibrant. Its not a trick .. it is but, its not the strong orangey red that you might think it would be, in fact its a strawberry red. Depending on your red preferences this may or may not be a disappointment. I personally like this colour because orange based reds can be very jarring on very pale and dark skin. Whereas strawberry reds will suit everyone. 

Now, how did I come across this beauty? Its actually a bit funny. *Starts to tell unfunny story: I was in Superdrugs wandering around for no good reason, looking for nothing in particular, when I overheard two girls ranting about a lipstick - it piqued my interest. It was one of the girls signature red lipstick - at a bargain price of a pound. Now that's a big deal and sounded like a good sales pitch. So I wandered around some more, as they were occupying the counter space and when they left, I pounced on this lipstick and another MUA red  lippie in a black tube. I bought both, just to be sure I had obtained the sig-na-ture. I'm sorry, usually I am so not, the nosey type (I live in a dream bubble most of the time) but, a good red lippie is always a great find and I am up for recommendations, especially ones with great price tags. All I can say is that those girls where right, this lipstick is fantastic! Plus it opened my eyes to a new line of MUA lippies that I had not even know about (now I have 6 of them). Anyway, back to the review ...

How I wore Scarlet Siren - applied it straight onto the lips - with no lip balm or brush and the smooshed (aka rubbed) my lips together 

Thoughts about Scarlet Siren

This lipstick has a firm texture which I like. The formula is matte so expect no sheen and the colour can look at times like strawberry red than scarlet (orange based). Again I like that because it definitely makes it much more wearable for various skin tones. Although depending on lighting Scarlet Siren can look more orangey or even blue based (I think my eyes were tricked that time). The feel of this lipstick is similar to some of my higher end (priced) lipsticks that have castor oil as their main ingredients - yeah I was surprised. However factually, this lipstick does not have castor oil as its main ingredient (instead it has paraffin liquidium aka mineral oil -phooey!) but, its definitely rich and sumptuous feeling. Plus, although this lipstick is matte its not particularly drying and feels comfortable on my lips without any lip balm ... Oh and talking about smell and taste - this lipstick does have a perfumed scent but, once its on the lips its gone and it tastes of nothing ... just in case you wanted to know :)

In this picture Scarlet Siren comes off very pinky red, which is not what I got when first applying it (maybe because the room was too dark for my eyes). Yet while I was out, I peaked at myself in mirrors and my lips were definitely very bright and more pink based that what I had previously perceived from initial application. The colour is still nice though.  Just be aware that on dark skin this lipstick will ... pop. I wore Scarlet Siren without any makeup which is one of the no-nos in the unsaid but said 'makeup rules' but meh I liked the way it looked and I think it brightened my blemishes nicely (ha-ha). 

Price: £1 for 3.8g 

Ingredients: Paraffinum Liquidum, Tocopherol, Polyethylene, Hydrogenated Microcrystalline Cera, BHT, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Polymethyl, Methacrylate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Ethyl Palmitate, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin,Tocopheryl, Acetate, Parfum, Benzyl Alcohol, Benzyl Salicylate, Hydroxycitronellal, Benzyl Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal [+/- CI 15850, CI 77492, CI 77891, CI 77499, CI 77491.] 

Expiration: 12 months

Finishing my review off:

Good points 

- Pigmented

- Not very drying (to my lips)

- Long lasting - survived biscuit eating - all I needed to get the finish back was rub my lips together no reapplication *yeah for laziness! 

- Fantastic Price

- Neat packaging (white tube, screw off colour lid thingy) - I like that it's different to the regular line (black tube)

- Smells nice 

Bad points 

- None for Scarlet Siren ??

 but ...

- The MUA Matte Lipstick colour range is a bit limited and some of the colours can be rather patchy and ashy look - Scarlet Siren is not one of them so ... until then amigos 

Have you tried MUA Matte Lipsticks?

If yes, which one?

Are you impressed or disappointed?

What's a good brand for inexpensive lipsticks?

Is quality and price always synonymous?

Your comments are always welcomed and appreciated :)! 

I hope you're having a good and productive week

xxx