It's all about lips, lips and lips!

While eyes can be the glitz and glamour of a look, it seems that lips are slowly taking centre-stage in the makeup realm with brands launching lipstick-focussed collections be it with re-promotes or spanking new shades.

< think I can almost hear lipstick fiends rejoicing or perhaps groaning at knowing where their moolah will fly to.

❧

But keeping on the topic of this post, Make Up For Ever had taken the success of Rouge Artist Intense to another level and decided to launch a little sister collection. Well put it this way, if Rouge Artist Intense is night, the new collection, Rouge Artist Natural is day!

While Rouge Artist Intense brings B to the bold and harnesses pigmentation like no other, Rouge Artist Natural is a very friendly opposite.

Rouge Artist Natural

Inspired by a very natural and fresh look, the Rouge Artist Natural range dresses lips in a crystal-clear shine while still injecting a very natural color coverage. Described to have a melt-away texture and 'fresh lip' effect, this aims glide on and deliver 8-hour hydration to the lips.

How balmy sounding!

The lipstick is encased in a newly revamped bullet with the brand name printed on all four sides of the cap.

The shade I have on hand is N5 Nude Beige, which is one of the 50 shades available! While having Natural' as part of its name, this lipstick sure doesn't hold back in terms of color.

The Rouge Artist Natural range has you covered from pinks to reds to corals and even burgundy. It's certainly a little something for everyone.

Texture-wise, I find these do glide across the surface of the lips like butter with a soft melty texture. Yet at the same time we aren't talking about a vulnerable lipstick prone to squishing itself. It has a balm-like texture that makes it very comfortable to wear yet delivers good pigmentation like that of a lipstick.

The secret to this is a savvy-mix of film-forming polymers, intense pigments and precious pearly particles for the shade along with Candelilla plant wax and beeswax for better color adhesion despite it's light balmy texture. The moisture facter is also well taken off by a cocktail of genetal castor oil and Cupuaçu Butter for that silky feel all day.

Well, that chunk of ingredient and behind-the-scenes listing aside, all I can say is:

Hydration + Color, MUFE is doing it right!

Rouge Artist Intense

Just for comparisons sake and also to re-introduce the earlier successor, Rouge Artist Intense, here is the shade I had received - Moulin Rouge.

If I am not wrong, Moulin Rouge is the only shade in the Rouge Artist Intense collection to have it's own special casing. The rest look just like the above (minus the top design), except with a silver base. That is if I'm not wrong.

Inside, the Moulin Rouge lipstick has another little extra touch.

For someone who wasn't too familiar with the Rouge Artist Intense prior I think I gaped a little at the beautifully intense shade of red (orange-based). That gaping also continued after I did a quick swatch of Moulin Rouge on the back of my hand.

The Rouge Artist Intense lipsticks carry a whole different offering with intense pigmentation, supreme coverage and extreme color results. According to a KarlaSugar swatch post, they carry various finishes from satin to pearly but one thing is for sure - they are all packed with color!

Here's a back of the hand swatch of the above 2 lippies.

I did one swipe of Rouge Artist Intense and 2 of Rouge Artist Natural

❧

Of course I can't wrap this post up without some lipswatches so first up, a more day appropriate look featuring the Rouge Artist Natural, the new range.

I had done a half lip swatch but forgot to snap a full lip swatch though I guess there really isn't a need for it.

This shade swatches to be very similar to my actual lip color, perhaps with a little more beige. If I wanted a nude 'My Lips But Better' shade, this would be a perfect find.

The shade looks glossy and creamy on the lips, which is certainly how it feels in person too. I never got to test the wear time and 8 hour hydration theory just yet though.

I think I am going to give Nude Beige a whole lot of love in time to come.

Moving from a soft day look to something a whole lot more 'night'.

Make Up For Ever really were not playing around when they dropped the term 'Intense' into Rouge Artist Intense!

For better precision and control of the lipstick I would actually recommend applying it with a lipbrush, which was what I had done with the Intense swatch.

Now, I'm not very accustomed to seeing this bold and bright a lipstick on myself so pardon me if I look like a deer in headlights or something.

This lipstick has a drier satin finish (though not necessarily drying) and feels like it could last forever but I never did wear it about for a test. After attempting to wipe it off, it did leave a stain on my lips which kept it a nice red shade still. That leaves me to think this lipstick could fare very well in longevity.

It's also slightly amusing how a simple change in lip color can switch up an entire makeup look.

I would definitely recommend checking out the Rouge Artist Natural if you are seeking a hydrating and comfortable lipstick that offers decent glossy pigmentation. And let's not forget that full range of 50 shades out there to choose from.

If you haven't given the Rouge Artist Intense a look, you may want to do that too if you feel you have a need for a pow-wow lip shade that will last and last through parties!

These lipsticks are available for S$35. Select shades are stocked at Sephora stores while the entire assortment is available at the Make Up For Ever Academy and Pro Loft.

Thanks for reading!

Are you a lipstick fiend?

Disclosure:
Products were provided to me for review consideration.
I am not affiliated to them and all opinions expressed are my own.