save or spend - lipstick

a few weeks ago you may have seen i did a post comparing different mascaras from a variety of price ranges (if not then you can read it here) to see if it's worth splashing out on pricier brands or if cheaper 'budget beauty buys' can do the job just as well. today i'm going to do a similar thing but this time with a favourite of mine, red lipstick! i generally stick to red if i'm wearing bright lipstick as i think it suits me and it always leaves me feeling like i've made an effort even if i had to rush to get ready (i'm always running late!). so here are my comparisons from a wide variety of brands to see if it's worth spending a bit more or saving your pennies when it comes to lipstick!

natural collection moisture shine lipstick

in the shade 'cherry red'

RRP £1.99 available here

i absolutely love these lipsticks. firstly, the price is amazing, less than £2 for a lipstick and there is always an offer on the natural collection range at boots where you can get any 3 products for £5 (!!), insane! these lipsticks are available in a wide range of colours (i also own the shade raspberry) and they are so pigmented and creamy. as someone who suffers from dry lips i find most lipsticks can really dry out my lips and look quite unflattering but this is a really moisturising product which doesn't need reapplying too often. it also fades evenly rather than leaving a sort of ring of lipstick around my lips when i've eaten or had a drink! this is cheap enough to just throw in my bag and reapply whenever and i find myself turning to the moisture shine lipsticks for most of my day to day lipstick needs!

would i recommend? yes! these lipsticks are fabulous value for money and the packaging might look a little basic but this is a perfect product for everyday wear.

rimmel kate lasting finish lipstick

in the shade '001'

RRP £5.49 available here

i really wanted to love this lipstick, i think the packaging looks great and they're really hyped up but honestly? i don't like the kate moss lipstick range. i also own the shades 016 and 005 which are more pink and i find them really difficult to apply, the lipstick isn't creamy and doesn't glide on, i end up having to use a lipbrush. all 3 shades also cling horribly to dry skin on my lips so unless you've got ultra flawless lips, this lipstick probably isn't for you. the 'lasting finish' part is true but unfortunately the lipstick only seems to last around the edge of my lips and fades really quickly in the middle meaning i have to reapply ALL the time, something you don't want to be worrying about when going about your day. the shade 001 is actually a nice red but it just doesn't wear well on my lips and i wouldn't buy any more lipsticks from the kate moss range.

would i recommend? no, these lipsticks aren't exactly a bargain price and just aren't creamy enough for me. they're very pigmented but don't wear very well and tend to fade quite quickly, not suitable for anyone who's prone to dry lips.

avon ultra colour lipstick

in the shade 'perfect red'

RRP £7.50 available here

i recieved this lipstick as part of a gift set from my grandma and i have absolutely loved it. i've used some avon products before, especially when i was younger but this is the first time a product of theirs has really impressed me. this lipstick is really pigmented and very creamy and gives quite a bold look so i usually use a lipbrush to make it a bit more precise and neater. you could however blot it on gently to get a more subtle look as it's really easy to apply and the colour transfers to the lip really easy, something i wasn't getting with the rimmel lipstick. the packaging is really pretty and looks very high quality in my opinion and i think that £7.50 is a really reasonable price for this lipstick. i carry it around with me all day to reapply but a little goes a long way and it's lasted me absolutely ages.

would i recommend? yes, this lipstick is really good value and gives a really good creamy, pigmented finish, everything you want in a red lipstick. i've actually recommended it to my mum and she has since purchased 2 shades (which obviously i'll be 'borrowing' from her...)

max factor colour elixir lipstick

in the shade 'chilli'
RRP £7.99 available here

the lipstick i've got has different packaging to the ones i can find online so i'm not sure what's going on there but basically this lipstick is bit sheerer than the others i've talked about and is a much darker red with a sort of shimmer going through it, it's really nice for autumn. as it's quite sheer, it's also a bit more subtle and easier to quickly slick on, it doesn't require as much precise work with a lipbrush (and a lot of cotton buds because i always smudge lipstick when i put it on!) in terms of price, £7.99 is quite expensive for this lipstick in my opinion as i'm not totally wild on the shade, it feels a bit more like a shade my mum would go for as i favour a brighter red. that being said, it is a really good quality lipstick and goes on easily with a creamy consistency. it wears fairly well and evenly without too much need to worry about reapplying.

would i recommend? yes, if you're looking for a less pigmented and bold lipstick then a max factor colour elixir lipstick is probably for you. there a loads of different shades available so it's worth having a look.

mac lipstick

in the shade 'russian red'

RRP £15.50 available here

now, i really wanted to love this lipstick. it's the first mac product i've ever owned and it seems like everybody raves about mac lipsticks, especially this shade. however, it wasn't my favourite lipstick. it really upsets me to say that but for £15.50 and the hype that surrounds mac, i just expected so much more. the lipstick is very pigmented which is great and it's a really flattering shade of red for my skintone but as with the rimmel kate moss lipstick i find it very hard to apply. it doesn't go on well at all straight from the bullet and i have to painstakingly apply with a lipbrush meaning it's something i only really reach for on a night out when i've got plenty of time to get ready and make a bit more effort. it also really clings to any dry skin on my lips and makes them look a lot drier than they are and i tend to get that dreaded ring of lipstick if i don't reapply enough, something you don't want to be thinking about on a night out!

would i recommend? maybe..it's worth trying to see if you like this lipstick because so many people seem to and obviously this is only my opinion! it is a beautiful shade of red and i will continue to wear it and buy mac lipsticks in future but maybe i would go for a sheer lipstick next time or one with a creamier texture.

thanks for reading! i feel like these posts can get a bit long with my rambling on but i always have so much to say. so if you manage to stick with it right to the end then well done and thanks! i really appreciate anyone reading my posts and especially all you lovely people that have followed me!