Absolute New York Velvet Lippie in "Wicked" Review

Prior to getting this in my ipsy Generation Beauty cocktail swag bag (yes, it's a press sample), I had never heard of the brand. At first glance it looks like it would be very similar to the NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams, which it is, and a black one to boot, which it's not. Since I don't feel like beating around the bush today since I'm on the better half of dying from a head cold, I'm just gonna come out and say that I'm very neutral bordering negative about this product. It's not awesome, but it's also not the worst lip product I've ever used.

The tube is much longer and thinner than a NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream, but the matte rubberized top and the colored tube are very reminiscent of one. I do like the design aesthetic of the label and think it look more high end than it's actual accessible price point at $5.99 - yet another similarity to NYX.

The product is actually an eggplant shade instead of the black that I was expecting - not gonna lie, that made me a little sad. However it's kind of a gamble of what it'll actually end up looking like on the lip because it applied rather patchy and needed several go-overs to reach uniform pigmentation. The scent is a sweet, buttercream-esque deal (yet another similarity to NYX), and the product doesn't feel too stifling or uncomfortable on the lips. It pretty much feels like a NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream. Ooh, fun game idea: take a shot for each time I compare this product to a Soft Matte Lip Cream. I believe we're up to 5 now, or 6 depending if you're counting the rules).

What isn't similar to a Soft Matte Lip Cream (7) is that it does wear very patchily and I only got about 1 hour of good wear. The company claims that you'll "discover a matte that won't crack"... it's just patch and pill wherever there is moisture like a cheap sweater though. Absolute did get the whole schtick about it being a "plush, matte finish" because it is a pretty perfect way to describe it due to it being non-drying and comfortable... but I can't look past the fact that I have to take off and reapply it every hour because of the moisture problem and the fact that it doesn't apply well over a dry layer.

That being said, I can't definitively say that my experience with this specific shade is the experience that I, or you, will have with the rest of the line. I am incredibly impressed because the line has an amazing array of everyday and unusual colors for a cent under $6. I may check a few of these oddballs out in the future because not everyday do you come across metallic gold, sky blue, and mint green lip products for lass than $10.

TL;DR section:

Price: $5.99

Size: 0.2 fl. oz/6 g

Availability: Absolute New York, Amazon

Pros:

• Accessible price point
• Wide variety of colors 
• Pleasant scent
• Comfortable

Cons:

• Patchy application
• Patchy wear - it pills where there is moisture
• Requires removal to reapply
• Only about 1 hour of good wear

Cruelty free: The brand claims to not test on animals or use ingredients that also were not tested on animals, however there is no leaping bunny so I'll leave that one up to you.

Final thoughts: Since I can't vouch for the rest of the line performing better than this one, I'd say skip this specific shade and try a Soft Matte Lip Cream (8). It is really comfortable, but the application and low wear time makes it a bit of a hassle.

1 comment Absolute New York, Drugstore, Makeup, Review