Along with my Notoriously Morbid Vanishing Cabinet subscription came a renewed interest in the rest of their offerings, and when I was browsing their website a few months ago I was delighted to see that they'd formulated their own take on the liquid matte lipstick trend: Mystic Mattes. Even better, they were incredibly reasonably priced, at $9USD for a 4ml full size tube, or $8USD for a duo of shades containing 1.5ml each.
Sadly Notoriously Morbid have apparently had a lot of issues with faulty tubes for the duos (fortunately detected on their end and not passed onto customers), and will no longer be using this packaging from the 16th of November onwards. Still, it was a great option while it lasted as I was able to pick up the majority of the range to swatch & review for you! I have two more shades to show you, Sacrifice and Temple, which I'll pop up ASAP and there are ten permanent shades in all. Notoriously Morbid have released a few limited edition shades, so if you like the sound of the formula it pays to keep a close eye on their new releases!
Swatched under daylight bulbs on bare skin: Awaken, Tarot, Karma, Sorceress, Lilith & Arcane
Formula overview:
These liquid mattes are among the easiest I've used to date, with a thin but easy to control formula and great opacity. Most are opaque in one coat, though they can be layered easily if needed and will not clump, streak or stick to themselves. There's no need to keep your lips parted while they dry, as many formulas require, because of the non-tackiness and fairly quick dry-down, yet they never fully set. You'll still get transfer with the Mystic Mattes, although obviously less than a creamy lipstick, and they tend to wear away evenly like a regular lipstick, instead of mostly in the centre, as I often experience with liquid mattes.
Some shades are drying but most are more clingy than anything. I did not experience any feathering or bleeding with any of them, they can be smudged if touched or smeared, but will not otherwise migrate. They have a faintly sweet scent.
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Awaken
Notoriously Morbid call Awaken a 'terracotta red orange', which to my eye translates as a muted warm peach. This is probably my favourite out of the shades reviewed today, as I know I'll get a lot of wear out of it - though not technically a nude, it's the kind of everyday shade I'd wear as one. It wears for just under six hours on me and is somewhat drying.
*
Tarot
Tarot is described as a 'deep purple/brown toned mauve'. Based on their website swatches, which look very cool and purplish, I suspected might be similar to Lime Crime Cashmere, but in reality it's much redder, although my natural lip colour does play a part in that too. It wore for just under six hours and was somewhat drying.
*
Karma
Karma is a 'metallic rose' which I'm still on the fence about! Far from being frosty, the metallic effect gives Karma an incredible, glowing depth, but I'm not sure whether the rosy brown colour suits me. It wears for a bit over six hours on me and is noticeably clingy, but not drying.
*
Sorceress
Now Sorceress is undeniably cool! It's a warm brick red brightened by intense purple shimmer - if you love duochrome eyeshadows and nail polish, you need this, right now. Sorceress wore for just over six hours on me and was clingy without being drying.
*
Lilith
Lilith is described as a 'blackened plum red', my lip swatch is a little over exposed but the full face shot is accurate and shows the plum undertones better. Lime Crime Wicked is very similar, perhaps a touch redder. Lilith wore for six hours on me and was not drying.
*
Arcane
Arcane is a 'deep raisin'. It's a gorgeous, warm blackened purple which I think would be similar to Lime Crime Jinx, although I don't own it to compare. Another consistent one here, lasting six hours without being drying.
What I liked:
- Great colour pay off
- Formula is easy to control and apply
- No feathering or bleeding
- All shades last around six hours
- Lilith, Sorceress, Karma and Arcane were not drying
- Wears away evenly
What I didn't like:
- Awaken and Tarot are somewhat drying
Where to buy:
Have you tried Notoriously Morbid's Mystic Mattes? Which colour do you like best?
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Lani
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