My lipstick philosophy is this: get them either really cheap (Nyx) or really expensive (MAC). Anything else in between is a waste of money. Why? In-between lipsticks don’t have the superior pigmentation and staying power of more expensive lippies – at least, those that I’ve tried. So if I’m going to get lipstick that will disappear after a meal, I may as well just get Nyx Round Lipstick, which has strong color pay-off and a fairly moisturizing formula for just P160 a tube. However, I’ve been itching to get a lipstick that won’t make me want to check up on my lips every ten minutes or so. MAC’s Matte and Satin lipsticks are completely budge-proof, so I decided to get more of those – until I tried the Amplified Creme lippies and fell madly in love with the vivid burst of color, flawless finish, and moisturizing formula.
So when my sister went on a short vacation to Singapore last week, I asked her to grab me two MAC Amplified Creme lippies and a Studio Fix powder foundation at the Singapore Duty Free. MAC cosmetics in the Philippines is rather overpriced (a tube of lipstick costs $14/P630 at the MAC website, compared to our $21/P960) and I’ll take any opportunity I can get to buy their stuff at a lower price. As it turns out, MAC prices at the Duty Free aren’t that much lower than the prices here; each tube of lipstick set me back about P850. Oh well, a hundred bucks saved is better than nothing.
Next to Diva, Cosmo is probably my favorite MAC lipstick of all time. This is a pink/brown my-lips-but-better color that looks great across all skin tones. The makeup artist at the MAC counter said that this is his go-to lipstick when he does bridal makeup. It’s easy to see why; Cosmo gives me this rosy and romantic glow even when I’m not wearing makeup (as opposed to my Nyx MLBBs, which tends to make me look washed out with no eyeshadow on). Unfortunately, I discovered that I lost my Cosmo this morning, when I intended to take a photo of it and couldn’t find it anywhere. I think I might have left it at a relative’s house when I had dinner there a few days ago, but there’s no way for me to check because they went out of town this morning. Sigh. If it had been with me for a couple of months, I wouldn’t have minded too much, but I just got this lipstick last week. Naturally, I’m incredibly upset, especially since I went through all the trouble of getting it at a lower price.
Brick-o-la is actually more berry than brick. I chose this because I wanted a darker color for when I’m not in the mood for eye makeup and not in the mood for red lipstick. I kind of have mixed feelings about this; it looks great with neutral eyeshadow but is too strong for a bare face.
DO LIKE:
* Strong pigmentation. MAC’s Amplified formula provides intense color and opaque coverage upon first application. The lipstick is very pigmented but the colors aren’t indecently bright; well at least, the ones I chose weren’t.
* Very moisturizing. The texture of Amplified lipstick is to die for; it glides along easily on my lips and doesn’t dry up. It’s so comfortable to wear, even without lip balm underneath, and easy to apply if you’re in a hurry!
* Smooth finish. Unlike the drying Satin and Matte formulas, which make my lips look abnormally cracked, Amplified lipstick gives me luscious lips with its smooth and even finish. It’s also on the glossy side, which eliminates the need for lip gloss.
* Nice vanilla scent. I love lipstick that doesn’t smell like lipstick, so the vanilla scent is a plus for me.
DO NOT LIKE:
* Not as long-lasting as the matte or satin lipstick. Perhaps the biggest drawback to this product is that the staying power isn’t as strong as I would have liked. It doesn’t bother me too much because most of the color is still there after I eat or drink. However, reapplication is a must after about three or four hours.
* Overpriced in the Philippines. As I mentioned earlier, MAC lipstick costs P950 in the Philippines. Meh.
CONCLUSION:
Amplified Creme lipstick has the best of both worlds – the staying power of MAC and the super-moisturizing features of Nyx. Despite the minor inconvenience of reapplication, it’s still longer-lasting than the less expensive lipstick brands I’ve tried. The creamy consistency, vibrant color, and wonderful finish is also well worth the money I paid for. I don’t know how Amplified Creme compares to other formulas like Cremesheen and Frost, but I highly recommend this if your lips are too dry for the matte or satin variants.
In light of recent events, I have decided to put up my Brick-o-la lipstick for sale/swap. Sale price is P750 (free shipping), swap for a MAC Cosmo. Do let me know if you’re interested!
Cosmo is my first (and only so far) MAC lipstick, too. Bought it for 900 though. Eep, so that means they raised their prices yet again =/
‘fraid so. Sigh. :( When did you buy yours?
Mara! Cosmo was my first MAC lipstick too :D
January, I think. Guess it’s not bad considering it’s just been 7 months or so. =\
i LOVE amplified creme lipsticks, that theyre my most prized possessions! I buy whenever I hear releases for such texture! Nice no? :) They spread like cream! :) Looking good, Lauren! :)
Thanks! I totally want more Amplified Creme lipstick. What color do you think should I get next? :)
If you can grab hold of Slimshine lipsticks, theyre moisturizing, but theyre glossy as well. Grab a your lips but better shade like Scant, or try a peach shade like Ultra Elegant! I think a good classic peach lip color would be great now that you have pink brown! :)
Hi, OMG I am in search for months now for a NYX Lippie. I just don’t know where to get it. Do they have a free-standing store somewhere, perhaps a authorized seller in Manila? Or do you purchase it online? If you do, can you tell me where to get it? Of course if it’s ok. I’ve been dying to get my hands (or lips) on them baaadly.
Hi Alexis! You can get it at http://www.carefreeshopper.multiply.com. They have the widest array of Nyx shades. :)
Lauren, I do like your writing style!
Ohmy! Thank you so much Dahlj! I’m on the site now and so far I’ve picked 3 shades! Yay! I don’t know what I would do without blogs like these and yours too. I’m also a fan of your blog now! :)
Haha, I was just about to suggest Carefree Shopper! Digitaltraincase.multiply.com has Nyx lippies too. What colors did you get? :)
I’m such a huge fan of MAC’s DIVA line–and I love how it has a smooth finish? Like, they’re still matte but they don’t look dry? Usually, with lipsticks, when you apply them, they usually fail to fill in the lines of your lips and instead, they sink in?–and if you have dry lips, they look utterly horrid. D: MAC is definitely my go-to brand for staple lipsticks.
If I want trendy colors, I usually get the mid-ranged ones like Maybelline, Revlon, Covergirl, and Prestige–they’re somewhere along $6 to $8 dollars. Since I don’t do bold colors as much, I can’t tell about the pigmentation for sure but I have a “puta red” (hooker red) lipstick from Maybelline and it lasts me 6 – 8 hours for every single application. As for Revlon, I use their nudes–they’re nice but they don’t last as long–3 hours tops. I have their err, permanent lipstick in red and they act like lip stains so I don’t think those count? Covergirl has awesome pigments–their pink is whoa pink, I love them but they don’t last me at all. Prestige has a pretty nude color I love but after an hour, you’ve most likely ingested the remaining pigments.
Anyway! Thanks for the NYX recommednation. I’ll look forward to purchasing that!
Actually, MAC’s darker matte shades are gorgeous, but light shades like Fig make my lips look horribly dry without lipgloss on top. I turn to Nyx lipstick for trendy colors and hard-to-wear shades, simply cos they’re so cheap! The only con is that it’s only available online, which means you can’t test the colors on yourself like you would department store lipstick. But there are tons of blogs out there with comprehensive swatches of Nyx lippies. It just takes a bit of Google-fu. :D
Hi, Lauren! I’m interested in buying. :)
Oooh. Can I get back to you on that? I wanna make sure that my Cosmo lipstick is not just lost at my relative’s house. I don’t want to end up having two Cosmos! :)
HI. you might want to try Revlon lip stain + balm. has really good staying power.
amplified creme is luuurve! actually lauren, I used cosmo on you already for your BNP shoot. looks fabulous right? :)
Ooh, was this for the bridal makeup one? It does look and feel fabulous! I’m sad that my Cosmo is missing. :(
Hey Lauren,
I can’t believe MAC lipsticks are so much cheaper online and elsewhere. I am so naive and thought they were really P900++ everywhere. It’s sp pricey that I got mine as a christmas gift. It was during the whole nude lips brouhaha and as much as I love it (name: blankety), I’m looking for a nice coral shade. Something very natural looking. Any recommendations?
Your knowledge in make-up is enviable. I’m very mad my older sister never taught me anything. Haha :)
B from A plus B
Hi Lauren! Ohhhhhwoooow! I must say digitaltraincase has a lot too, i was so confused as I am on a budget of only 10 lippies though I went overboard by adding 5 more. I’m feeling a bit guilty and I def don’t promote impulsive shopping haha but the money I’m using is a part of the money I saved up for lippies. And yes I am so defensive ;)
Going back to the colors, I got Narcissus, Paris, Mars, Pumpkin Pie, Hot Pink (just cos lol), B52, Hebe, Spellbound, Snow White, Tea Rose, Circe, Doll from DTC and Miracle, Hestia and Sierra from CFS. I figured since DTC’s were less expensive I’d buy there but I can’t resist the other 3 colors. I also threw in Factory Grey from American Apparel.
And also DTC sells OPI for php400 when I buy my OPI from Rustan’s at 395 (though I haven’t bought one in 5 months), and I was kind of surprised, is it still 395 in Rustan’s counters?
Ooh good colors! Nyx Round Lipstick is so tempting to haul, haha. Hmm I’m not sure how much OPI costs these days, I don’t really buy nail polish.
love MAC amplified cremes & nyx round lipsticks! im obsessed with both!