Can a Drugstore Longwear Lipstick Outperform a High-End Longwear Lipstick?

 

Can a Drugstore Longwear Lipstick Outperform a High-End Longwear Lipstick?

By: Megan Simpson

 

In a sea of lipsticks where a rainbow of colours, finishes and ingredients are available in stores or online, how do you choose one? While people seek out vegan and cruelty-free products, longevity, comfort as well as cost per tube are what usually drive their decision. In our post-pandemic world of economic uncertainty, what was once a simple pick-me-up has now become a splurge with some high-end brands going toe-to-toe against the drugstore brands that have been around for generations. Lipstick has also gone high-tech, with skincare ingredients and formulas that claim up to 16 hours of wear without budging. But when the day is done, can a drugstore brand lipstick outperform a high-end brand lipstick?

Over the course of two days, two popular lipsticks were put through the rigors of this high-performing woman’s daily life. The rigors were simple: stay on and flawless through a grueling weightlifting and cardio workout, surviving being a wife and mother of three kids, dog mom of three dogs, college classes, work commitments, meals and errands. Easier said than done, but these two popular lipsticks have been touted in several publications and on social media to be capable of being high performing. They also needed to have a good, classic red in the lineup. Lipsticks, to your corners please.

The Contenders:

Photo credit: Maybelline.com

With a price point of $10 to $13, Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink liquid lipstick has an impressive 36 shades to choose from and is available at major retailers such as Walmart, Target and Fred Meyer.  Shade tested: Pioneer, a blue-based red.

 

Haus Labs Photo credit: mhalaty,com

At the time of writing this review, Haus Labs Atomic Shake Lip Lacquer has been discontinued. During its manufacture, it retailed for $26 at Sephora and was available in a range of no more than 10 shades.  Shade tested: Ruby Shine, a blue based red.

Application:

Maybelline: This formula stood on business with its thick consistency, pleasantly subtle vanilla scent and reliably sturdy doe-foot applicator. Smooth and pliable, it wasn’t difficult to apply it with precision and dried down in 30 seconds to a cream lipstick sheen with a rich colour payoff.  Upon dry down it was a little bit tight, but not unbearable.  No transfer to teeth during application or dry down.

Haus Labs: A thinner consistency in comparison to its drugstore competitor, the formula of Atomic Shake smells like alcohol and requires shaking for 5 seconds to activate the long-wear technology, however it glides on well despite the brand’s notoriously fragile doe-foot applicator.  Dries down to a vinyl glossy sheen with a vivid colour payoff but requires the wearer to avoid putting their lips together for approximately 15 seconds.  Also no transfer to teeth during application or dry down.  

Rigor #1 advantage: Maybelline

The Kiss Test:

Maybelline: No lipstick transferred onto my husband’s cheek, rendering him impressed and unannoyed.

Haus Labs: Thin ring of lipstick transferred onto my husband’s cheek, annoyed and late leaving for work due to needing to wash it off on account of “it looks like I had ringworm!”.

Rigor #2 advantage: Maybelline

 

Weightlifting and Cardio for 90 minutes:

Maybelline: It survived weightlifting and cardio without faltering, resisting sweat, drinking water and taking towel wipes like an absolute champ. No touchup required to go from the gym to the rest of my day.

Haus Labs: It began to melt and feather after weightlifting and cardio, transferring onto my water bottle straw and going clown-mouth with sweat and towel wipes. A touchup would have been impractical due to the melted edges.

Rigor #3 advantage: Maybelline

The Greasy Food Test:

 Maybelline: It handled a croissant sandwich for lunch before starting to falter after two bowls of frozen fruit and whipped cream. Even after that, it was still prominent on my lips and would have made it to bedtime with a little touch-up if I wanted it to. 

Haus Labs: It didn’t make it through a pastrami and Swiss on rye lunch intact. Most of the pigment was gone, as evidenced by the lipstick on my sandwich. Complete reapplication would have been a necessity to make it to bedtime.

 

Rigor #4 advantage: Maybelline

 

Time Until Failure:

Maybelline: If how exfoliated my lips were upon removal is any indication of just exactly how practically bulletproof this lipstick is, it lasted over 7 hours without a touchup. Removal required an oil-based removal balm and some rigorous scrubbing.

Haus Labs: This lipstick slowly lost its transfer-proof capability within 5 minutes of application and was almost completely gone 6 and a half hours later. Removal was easier than the drugstore competitor, makeup remover wipe and minimal scrubbing was required.

 

Rigor #5 advantage: Maybelline

 The Verdict: A 109-year-old cosmetics company's still got it! 

The winning lipstick modeled by the author

The drugstore makeup aisle is where it's at! Joining the list of drugstore cult classics alongside other products like Maybelline GreatLash mascara, Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink liquid lipstick can outperform the high-end Haus Labs Atomic Shake liquid lipstick and does it with aplomb. A whopping $13 to $16 less expensive than the high-end competition, practically bullet-proof and a richly pigmented colour payoff to boot, colour this high-performing woman impressed by this lipstick! At this price point, it’s a more economical choice with staying power and one less thing to have to worry about during your day. So go ahead and grab two tubes in your go-to shades!