Testing Fenty's Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipsticks
Fenty's latest product drop — much like everything else Rihanna creates — gained the attention of fans all over the world. Early last month, the mogul posted a teaser of the Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipsticks in the form of a selfie, matching fur coat and all. Almost instantly, it had everyone on the planet coveting periwinkle blue lipstick before it was even available.
Indie brands and big name makeup lines ranging from Lime Crime to Anastasia Beverly Hills have been rolling out unnatural, bold lipsticks for what feels like forever. But Fenty's version is truly different for a few reasons. First of all, the colors are incredibly pigmented and show up on a variety of skin tones, unlike many other brands. Shades range from the aforementioned periwinkle to a camo green, tangerine, navy, deep burgundy and an electric pink. Second of all, you can actually wear these in the dead of winter when the typical bold, matte blue or green toned lipstick will completely dry out your lips.
The product name itself is a dead giveaway. These lipsticks indeed have a plush texture that delivers a creamy formula that lasts. There is some slight color transfer and movement, when drinking a coffee for example, but much of that can be combated with a lip liner. At $18 a pop, they retail for slightly less than lipsticks from similar brands in the same luxury category too.
Below, I tested out three of the most extreme shades from the range in real life.
Of all the extreme colors in the collection, One Of The Boyz (described as a "wild lilac") is the most wearable. It has a lot of pink undertones and under indoor lighting it lacks some of the neonness that the other shades have. It's an intrinsically flattering shade on a variety of different skin tones, and it's bold yet subtle enough to still be worn with heavy eye makeup without being completely overpowering.
Fenty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in One of the Boyz, $18 at Sephora
Who wouldn't want to wear a lipstick called "Clapback"? Described as a true navy, this was one of the richer shades I tested. Typically, with a lipstick this dark, it requires a few swipes to get even coverage. Not this one — it's so pigmented that one swipe instantly delivered the color. Since it's so dark, a lip liner would definitely help to keep the shape more precise. On me, the shade appeared almost-black but that's the beauty of it. Above, Rihanna wears the same hue which appears more true blue. According to swatches and other reviews, on olive toned skin, the grey undertones pop out more. Regardless, it's a strong look and not for the faint of heart.
Fenty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in Clapback, $18 at Sephora
The Instagram-famous Ya Dig?! sported by Rihanna looked less purple and more blue on my skintone. However, it's one of the most dynamic blue lipsticks I've ever tried. In some lights, it looks like a deep lilac, in others, it's a very earthy, flat blue that looks surprisingly modern with minimal makeup.
Fenty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick in Ya Dig?!, $18 at Sephora
