clinique long last soft matte lipstick- review and swatches

Hey there guys. It's been a while, but I'm back with another post of another lippy that I just luuurve. It's the Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipstick, and I've got one in the shade 'matte crimson' to share with you today.

 

     First things first- ain't she pretty? Shiny and heavy and different to the usual gold or black casing higher end lipsticks tend to sport. 

     The shade is, as the name suggests, crimson red with a soft matte finish. But what does soft matte mean? Well, for me, I found the 'soft' part came through in both texture and finish, making it different to the standard matte. In terms of texture, it was comfortable and actually kept my lips moist throughout wear without the need for a balm. How rare is that for a matte? And it terms of finish, I think the main difference is that it was free from shine but not that full-on powder-matte. Just little differences, but overall they made the experience of wearing a matte shade much more pleasant and hassle free, and I definitely prefer it to traditional mattes. 

      As far as application goes, there were no problems at all. It was soft enough to glide on without drag, and one coat gave full opacity. It does initially appear to have a slight sheen that's more akin to a satin finish, but give it a while to set and the matte reigns. Because of the finish and opacity, this lipstick does indeed last a long while. For such a bright shade, it didn't transfer as much as I expected it to and there were no problems with bleeding or that awful red ring. The fade was actually even and flattering, wearing down to a 'just bitten' stain. In fact, I prefer to wear it applied with a light touch and blotted slightly, for a less dramatic day look. See below, bro.

Clinique long last soft matte lipstick- matte crimson

Clinique long last soft matte lipstick- matte crimson

 

    Overall, I think this lippy is a winner and worth trying if your budget stretches that far (£18). Personally, while I do love it, it doesn't beat my other matte lipstick with equally comfortable formula- Daniel Sandler's luxury matte lipstick. It's also about half the price of this one, so do check that one out if you like the look of this but don't got the dolla. 

     In fact, I think I'll give that one a review of its own at some point. Until next time, thanks for checking in, babeface x