It’s been a long time coming, but we have finally reached the end of the #liquidlipseries! We’re wrapping up the series with all of the drugstore liquid lipsticks: NYX Liquid Suede, Maybelline Vivid Matte, and L’Oreal Pro Matte. Rather than separate each brand into its own post, I wanted to lump the drugstore options together and share at the end which one is truly worth your money. As always, make sure to check out the previous posts within the series in the event you’re just tuning in: The Haul | Anastasia Beverly Hills | Coloured Raine | Colour Pop

The Formulas

It felt like it took a while for the drugstore brands to finally come out with their version of the liquid lipstick. When I started seeing them on the shelves, Maybelline’s packaging appealed to me the most. That being said, I was (rightfully) apprehensive about the Maybelline Vivid Matte liquid lipsticks since I’m generally not a fan of their products. The selection is very limited with only 10 colors to choose from, so I picked up the only color that stood out for me: Berry Boost. Upon initial application, the overpowering artificial floral scent caught me by surprise. I do wish they kept the product unscented, but it may not bother others as much as it did for me. The product itself is very creamy and doesn’t at all feel wet or too runny, which I like. It doesn’t last very long because the formula never fully sets to a matte finish, but the positive to that is it doesn’t feel drying on the lips.

Maybelline Vivid Matte Formula Recap (x)

• Strong, floral scent
• Non-drying
• Transfers easily
• Short-term wear
• Satin finish

While I didn’t expect much from Maybelline, I was looking forward to trying out L’oreal’s Pro-Matte lip. I’ve used the L’oreal Infallible lip gloss before and didn’t have any negative opinions about it, so I was hoping the same would be the case for the pro matte version. Much like Maybelline’s liquid lipstick, the Pro-Matte lip doesn’t set to a matte finish, which is unfortunate considering matte is in the product’s name. What I do like about the formula is the creaminess. It feels comfortable on the lips and not drying at all, but it can be a little messy to apply due to the flexible applicator.

L’oreal Pro-Matte Formula Recap (x)

• Non-drying
• Transfers easily
• Short-term wear
• Creamy consistency

There’s a lot of buzz surrounding the NYX Lingerie liquid lipsticks right now, but I haven’t found those in my area just yet. Instead, I picked up a few NYX Liquid Suede shades. For those of you fairly new to my site, NYX is my favorite drugstore brand when it comes to eye and lip products. I had high expectations for the formula, and I was not disappointed. NYX Liquid Suede has a smooth consistency that applies similarly to their Soft Matte Lip Cream, just not as dry. The product dries to a matte finish fairly quickly, and lasts around 4-6 hours. It can feel slightly drying to the lips if it’s applied without a chapstick underneath, so be mindful of that if you pick this product up.

NYX Liquid Suede Formula Recap (x)

• Minimal dryness
• Thin, mousse-like consistency
• Average wear time (4-6 hours

The Swatches

Okay so now that we’ve talked about all the formulas, let’s get into the swatches:

Overall, the only product I personally feel is worth the purchase if you’re going for a truly matte finish is the NYX Liquid Suede. Maybelline and L’oreal tried to develop a matte liquid lipstick, but neither really hit the mark. That being said, they both would be best for someone looking for high color impact without intense glossy shine.

Which drugstore liquid lipstick is your favorite?