Revlon Really Red Lipstick Review
- Bright red lipstick by Revlon that is smooth on application. Its matte formula offers full coverage.
- Isononyl Isononanoate, Trioctyldodecyl Citrate, Ozokerite, Silica, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Paraffin, Microcrystalline Wax, C10-30 Cholesterol/Lanosterol Esters, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Pentaerythrityl Tetraethylhexanoate, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Synthetic Wax, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol. May Contain: Mica, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Red 7 Lake (CI 15850), Red 6 Lake (CI 15850), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, 77492, 77499), Red 27 Lake (CI 45410), Red 33 (CI 17200)
- Use a lip brush to apply this lipstick for cleaner, straighter lines.
- Purchase this item at leading drugstores like CVS, Walgreens and Ulta.
Revlon Really Red Lipstick Review
Finding the perfect red lipstick is tricky at times. In fact, a lot of women shy away from red lipstick altogether because they can’t find a shade that will complement their look, rather than make them look like they’re from the circus. Clowns anyone?
I discovered Really Red by Revlon when I was on a matte spree a few months ago, and it’s one of the few products from that batch that I repurchased.
Quick Test
Before you pull out your hair at the makeup counter, do yourself a favor and figure out if you have warm or cool undertones. Examine the veins on the inside of your wrist. If your veins appear bluish, then you have cool undertones. If they appear greenish, then you have warm undertones.
Color Payoff
One of the best things about this lipstick is how similar it is to Ruby Woo by MAC. I don’t know about you, but if I can get a similar product at a cheaper price, I’ll most definitely go for the cheaper product. It’s slightly more orange than Ruby Woo, but isn’t too obvious in natural light. I also think Ruby Woo is slightly darker and richer. Really Red is fairly neutral, a retro red. It’s not too cool and not too warm. It’s a versatile red that would suit women with warm or cool undertones. I do think it would complement all skin tones, from light to dark.
On me, Really Red appears a little on the cool side because my lips are on the purplish side. If you want the lipstick to appear true to color, I suggest applying concealer or a thick, matte nude lipstick under it for the full effect.
Formula
The first thing I noticed when I applied this lipstick was how smoothly it glided on. I was hopeful that it would stay that way, but unfortunately, it didn’t. My lips felt drier after 2-3 hours, which isn’t too bad considering it is a matte lipstick, and that’s to be expected, I guess. It’s nothing a little lip balm can’t fix, but it won’t look quite as matte.
Coverage
Matte lipsticks offer full coverage, and Really Red was no exception. In comparison to Ruby Woo’s coverage, I’d say Really Red would be about the same. I would apply a red lip liner underneath to get that extra solid effect, though.
Staying Power
This lipstick usually lasts for about 4-5 hours on me. I feel like it dries up and really clings onto the lips, which can be a good and bad thing. Good because you don’t want your lipstick to smear all over the place. Bad because if it does smear, you’ll see where it smeared because of the stain it leaves. The stain is to be expected since it’s a very bright shade.
Verdict
Women who are looking to buy their first tube of red lipstick would do well with Really Red. It’s cheap, so if you don’t like it you won’t feel too bad about the cost. It goes for about $5-$9 depending on where you buy it. It’s also a good dupe for MAC’s more expensive alternative, Ruby Woo. Will I purchase this lipstick again? Yes, it’s a versatile red that goes for pretty much any skin tone, and I make sure to keep it in my kit when I meet clients.
Pros:
- Dupe for MAC’s Ruby Woo
- Good staying power
- Excellent color payoff
Cons:
- Presence of silica; drying
- Packaging could be more attractive
Myth Debunking
Myth: Lipsticks that glide on smoother are more moisturizing than lipsticks that feel dry upon application.
Fact: Revlon’s matte lipsticks have earned a reputation of being less drying than other matte lipsticks such as MAC’s, for example. Revlon matte lipsticks contain less emollients or moisturizers than other lipsticks. Instead, they are made mostly of silica, wax and pigment. A common misconception is that lipsticks with silica are better than lipsticks without. Silica is responsible for the “silky smoothness” which is great, but it also absorbs oil. So in the long run, lipsticks that contain silica tend to be more drying than you’d initially think upon application.
Quick Tip
Warm reds will bring out the yellow in your teeth, while cool reds will bring out the blue in your teeth, making them appear whiter.
Patricia Ramos
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- Revlon Really Red Lipstick Review – September 5, 2012
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Hello gorgeous! Looooooooove what you did in your invisible make-up article. Do you mind making one on acne marks? Like how to cover them up properly?
Thanks for the feedback and the suggestion, Mike! We’ll definitely consider doing an article about covering acne marks.
Hi, Thank you for this review. I was looking for a red lipstick that would suit my skin tone & I think I found one…