LIPSTICK: IS IT WORTH PAYING MORE?

In my opinion, everything recently has such high price labels and sometimes I really don't know whether it is worth spending so much. Obviously, there are always cheaper alternatives but sometimes they are not as good quality. Of course, the other down side is that alternatives aren't always the 'best' brands. However, if it means spending an extortionate amount less, I am definitely up for it. I am always on the look out for dupes that are good quality, I mean most people would rather spend £5 than £15 if they can find something just as good!

Now, when it comes to makeup, I will admit that it's not the same buying brands that aren't so 'high' up in the makeup world. It is always nice to treat yourself to a brand that everyone talks about. It is important that we can do that. But at the same time, with makeup so highly priced, it is hard to always be able to afford to purchase high end brands. Fortunately, this is where dupes come to hand. 

Recently, I have collected many different brands of lipsticks and I have been testing them for several months. In this post I have three different range lipsticks; high range, middle range and bottom range (based on prices and ratings). I have the MAC Creme Cup, the No7 Classic Rose and the MUA in shade 2. I have quite detailed opinions on these three different branded lipsticks and so I thought I would share it with you. This post is purely to compare the three different brands and evaluate whether it is worth spending more on a lipstick in my opinion. 

Lasting Power 

This is without a doubt the most important quality of a lipstick. I mean, if it doesn't last on your lips, what is really the point in applying it? Most lipsticks tend to last a few hours maximum and I am not too fussed about having to apply again every few hours as I don't tend to be out for hours on end. However, there are lipsticks that tend to last for more than a couple of hours, and these are my favourites. In this collection, I find that the No7 is my favourite for its lasting power. It stays put for hours on end and leaves a slight stain which is perfect. The MAC lipstick I have in this collection isn't the longest lasting as it is a creme sheen and in my opinion, it moves around on the lips quite a lot. The MUA lipstick has a terrible lasting power. It smudges all around the lips and it lasts for an hour if I am lucky. It's terrible. 

Appearance
Once again, my favourite lipstick in this collection for its appearance has got to be the No7. It is very pigmented and is the perfect shade. It is slightly matte which means that it looks more full on the lips. My second favourite would definitely be the MAC Creme Cup which is a lovely nude natural looking lipstick shade. It is perfect when you're just looking for a simple, hydrating lip shade. MUA's shade 2 is also a nice shade; it has a berry tint and is quite shiny on the lips with a slight shimmer. I really like this lipstick in the winter months when my lips are quite dehydrated and dry looking.

Packaging Quality
This is one of the things that makes a high end product stand out from a bottom end product. Brands like MAC are well-known for being dependable and reliable, their packaging contributes to this. MAC's packaging is stunning. It is such high quality and you know that your lipstick is safe. It feels and looks good quality and that is so important. No7's packaging is also very smart but doesn't feel quite as sturdy as MAC's. MUA's packaging is quite bad quality in comparison with the other two. The lid doesn't tend to stay on well and I have had one that has smashed when I dropped it. The plastic is really thin and brittle. I would definitely say that MAC has won this one.

Formula
The formula of a lipstick is also one of the most important things. We all have different formulas that look better on our lips that others. I tend to prefer a formula that has a thickness to it and so I prefer matte textures over shimmer formulas. Matte shades don't tend to smudge which is also great because the last thing you want is a smudge of lipstick finding its way off of your lips to your face - isn't it just so awful when this happens and no one tells you? In this collection, I would say that the No7 lipstick has the best formula in my opinion. I think this is due to my preference of matte lipsticks. The MAC Creme Cup is a creme sheen which is why I prefer No7's over it. However, the MAC does have an amazing formula that is very hydrating and once again, perfect for the winter months especially. Unfortunately, the MUA lipstick is my least favourite formula. It tends to move around a lot which isn't ideal at all. It is also a very wet formula and leaves a weird coating on my lips. I am not a massive fan at all.

To summarise, I would say that yes, it is beneficial to look around for dupes. I wouldn't be quick to recommend looking for the cheapest dupe, because they are not always the best quality. However, the products from mid range brands are just as good as some of the high end products. The only difference I would say is that the packaging is quite different between high end and mid range. If you are not too bothered about packaging, then it's perfect. But if you are, definitely stick with the high end products. Remember not to forget that it is important to treat yourself now and then!

This was a collaboration with the lovely Emma and Gabriella. Definitely make sure to check out their posts and leave a comment if you are feeling up to it! I am sure they would appreciate it:)