Battle of the e.l.f. Matte Lipsticks: Liquid vs. Velvet

I could still remember the disaster that is the e.l.f. Studio Matte Lip Colors. I was so excited when I saw this at the e.l.f. kiosk in a local department store that I actually purchased two!

I wore Praline (yes, I could still remember the shade even after 5 years) the next day and my god was it the worst lipstick ever! The shade was an amazing MLBB nude but the product itself was just, ugh… horrible to say the least! I wore Tea Rose the day after, hoping that it would probably be better, but it was the same awful shit!

I never purchased another e.l.f. lip product since. Well, that was until recently when I found about this new (to me) mattes that the brand offers while I was browsing their site during their Black Friday sale.

I didn’t go overboard because of my history with the brand and their lip products so I just bought a single shade from each type. I just wanted to test the waters first and see if they’re items I would be repurchasing or if they have the same terrible formula that the Matte Lip Colors have.

Round One: Packaging

Since this isn’t the exact same type of product, there’s a difference in the packaging of each. However, I have to give it to e.l.f. because both are so sleek and frankly, better looking than a lot of the other lipsticks that I have from other more expensive brands.

And the pointy, tapered applicator of the Liquid Matte is something that I really like! It makes it easier to apply on the lip corners and on the cupid’s bow. Plus, it works for lining your lips as well.

3 full swipes for Blushing Brown and a layer and a half for Mauvelous.

Round Two: Pigmentation & Application

There’s no questioning this: liquid lipsticks have better pigmentation (from my personal experience, at least). Surprisingly though, the Velvet Matte lipstick was a lot more pigmented than I expected that it didn’t take too many layers to get the opacity that I prefer on my lips.

I was abe to apply both smoothly and without any tugging. The Liquid Matte lipstick was a little patchier than what I wanted but I didn’t get any problems with layering it so the “bald spots” can be easily remedied.

Round Three: Longevity

I’m not even gonna compare the longevity of these two because we all know that most liquid lipstick stay longer than most regular ol’ matte lipstick.

I will say though that both of these lasted fairly long, with very minimal fading — about 4 hours for the Velvet Matte and about 8 hours for the Liquid Matte.

They both faded evenly so you’re not gonna look like you only put lip liner on and neglected the rest of your lips. And there’s no dryness and no chapped lips! Plus my favorite part: no tackiness on either of these, even the liquid one. We all know how sticky matte lipsticks irk the shit out of me so I’m glad that neither of them were, even after several drinks and food consumption.

Also, both can be layered and re-applied throughout the day without causing dry flakes or patchiness or cracks… oh what a godsend!

e.l. f. Velvet Matte Lipstick in Blushing Brown

e.l.f. Liquid Matte Lipstick in Mauvelous

Round Four: Shade Range & Price

The Liquid Matte Lipstick has 11 shades while the Velvet Matte offers 9. Both have a diverse color selection — from nudes, to MLBBs, to pink, to reds, and even to vampy dark ones — so one’s definitely bound to find at least one that suits them.

There’s not many shades that I like on both but I’m willing to try more because they’re so fucking affordable — $5 for the Liquid Matte and $3 for the Velvet Matte. I mean, how can one say no to those prices?

If I have to choose between the two, I would pick the liquid lipstick all because y’all know I prefer really matte lips. But you can’t go wrong with either of these so it just all boils down to personal preference.

WHERE TO BUY
Direct from the e.l.f. website for $3 (Velvet Matte) and $5 (Liquid Matte)
Not sure if e.l.f. products are still available here and if they are, if these specific products are available.