I love makeup. It's not something I talk about a whole lot on the blog. But since this is my very own space to discuss what I please, how about we talk amongst ourselves? 

I'm a drugstore makeup queen. I love trying new colors and new brands. I'm let down about as many times as I find a product I really like. I thought it would be interesting to have something of a throw-down between several brands of makeup that are similar colors or have similar promises. 

For the first ever makeup throw-down how about plum lipsticks? I actually didn't own any plums, but I have noticed that more and more companies are coming out with deep purples and mauve's. So I went to a few stores and picked up the ones that caught my eye. Yes I know there are many more brands and colors than what I have here. These colors were just the most available and appealing to me. I did pick up a few very light purples, but that's another post entirely. 

Let's begin, shall we? 

      

For reference here are my lips with no lipstick. You'll have to excuse the rats nest I call my hair.

Let's begin with the most expensive lipstick shall we? Coming in at 12$, this is the Sephora brand creme rouge in #23  crush. The color is awesome, which makes me really sad that the formula is so so horrible. It's waxy, and even though it photographed a bit better, didn't apply evenly (Can you see that patch on my bottom lip?!). The color stuck to my lips in patches. I've heard people also use this lipstick as a stain. You would really have to work it into your lips for that though, I tore up mine as it was just trying to apply it regularly. This is definitely a loser. I noticed that this is no longer carried online. I wonder if they're reformulating their lipsticks? 

Next up we've got the Milani Lip Flash Pencil in "In a Flash". This as you can see is crazy bright. It's full of micro glitter as well, so it definitely catches the light and flashes. It was about 6$. I like the formula a lot, and there's definitely some fun novelty in Lip Pencils for me as well. It goes on a bit sheer, but is very build-able. It's one of the least wearable, most neon colors, of the group. I could see myself wearing it for a night out, but not so much the office. The only drawback I can see to this pencil, is how the hell I'm going to sharpen it. It's really chunky and doesn't fit in my regular sharpener. I didn't see any matching sharpeners at the drugstore where I purchased this though. I know I could probably find something at an art supply store, but that seems like poor planning on Milani's Part. Overall though I really like this pencil. It's not my favorite of the group, but very fun! 

This is Covergirl Lip Perfection in "Embrace", which was about 6$. I'm not really a Covergirl buyer at all. It was one of the first makeup brands I was allowed to wear, but I'm not a huge fan of the scent all their cosmetics seem to have. I actually really like this lipstick though. The formula is great! It's creamy and hydrating, and goes on very smoothly and evenly. It has a bit of a douchrome with blue undertones. It'll make your teeth look super white! This is one of my favorites. It's purple, sparkly, but still wearable. I like the new lipstick packaging as well, it feels much more "expensive" than the old CG lipsticks. 

Here, for 5.50$, is Maybelline Color Sensational in "Magnificent Mauve". I love Maybelline's packaging. The lipstick itself is good as well. It is more of a pinky plum though, but really wearable. I feel like this would be flattering on a lot of skin tones because of the pink. The formula is smooth and build-able. Another Favorite. It didn't stand out to me as much as the one that I liked the best, but it's solid. 

I've got a big thing for WNW lipsticks, normally that is. However this lipstick, part of the Fergie Centerstage Collection, kind of blows. I know this is the only one that's bad though, as I own the rest of the collection. The color is D-Vinely Chilly lipstick for about 3.49$. The glitter, which is purple, is so obnoxiously gritty. I felt as if I was dragging sandpaper across my lips. The final result isn't horrible though. It's nice and deep, with good color payoff. I really just can't get past the texture when it's applied. It's giving me shivers just thinking about it. The packaging isn't great either. In the photo above the lipstick bullet is all the way retracted. It's a lipstick pet peeve of mine when I can't bring the lipstick all the way down the tube. I'm way to prone to knick the lipstick bullet when I replace the cap. It's kind of silly that it wouldn't be able to retract, it's almost twice as tall as the WNW megalast lipsticks, which do retract all the way. I don't think I would have brought this had I known about the texture though. That alone makes this a loser for me. 

Last up here's WNW's Megalast Lipstick in "Sugar Plum Fairy" for 2.99$, which I've heard is a very good dupe for MAC's "Rebel". I absolutely love this line. The color payoff is amazing, and they really do last most of the day for me! This particular color is great. It's a very deep plum, which is something I can see myself wearing more. The formula is a bit drying, so make sure you prep your lips before with a moisturizer or lip primer. I find it helps if I start by working the lipstick in the center of the bottom lip to "warm" it up a bit. It's a matte lipstick also, which I love. WNW Megalast lipsticks are a great way to try shades, because there just so darn cheap. For the price it's completely worth it! 

Winners and Losers

Overall I think the worst lipstick was the Sephora Creme Rouge! Which is a bummer, because it's the most expensive, double what the other lipsticks cost. I hope that they're reformulating their lipsticks, although I don't think I'll give them another shot. I don't really feel like wasting 12 bucks. D-Vinely Chilly would have lost, but at least it was cheap. 

The Winner of this throw-down was CoverGirl Lip Perfection in "Embrace"! It's just a beautiful shade, and an awesome formula! 

What are your favorite plum lipsticks?