bubz von chubsss

MUA's Luxe range packaging is exceptionally stylish, and exceedingly deceptive. No way does it look like it only costs £3. The lip lacquers come separate, obviously, in the black and gold packaging - very classy, if you ask me.

The tube itself, is plastic, but it doesn't feel cheap, and the frosted glass effect really adds to the luxurious appearance.

The doe foot applicator loads easily, so there's no need to pump, plus it makes applying the product pretty easy, although I found I had to be very careful and precise. The pigmentation is immense, and both colours I have definitely only need one coat, so I'm going to go out on a limb and say it's probably the same across the range. The only downside with this is that they're quite a staining product, meaning if you go outside your natural lip outline and don't correct it virtually straight away, you're gonna have a nice stain where you messed up. Unless it's just me who sucks at putting lip products on and that doesn't happen to other people.. I don't know.

Other than that, it does go on very smoothly, and, yes, feels quite velvety even when wet. It doesn't take long to dry to the matte finish either - a minute, maybe a minute and a half maximum. The only thing I've found is that unless I keep my mouth open while it's drying (which is oh so attractive), that in the corners of my mouth it stays quite tacky for quite a long time which is pretty irritating. 

In terms of staying power, it definitely lasts. Drinking doesn't really seem to effect it, though eating and smoking does slightly. Without disturbing it too much, it lasts a good couple of hours. However, herein lies it's two major downsides: firstly, where it's been disturbed, it doesn't fade so much as crumbles which can start to feel quite horrible, and secondly, once it's started to disappear, you can't apply any more without the crumbling places being noticeable, so it's a case of removing it entirely and reapplying. 

One other thing to bear in mind, is that it's advisable to put some of your favourite lipbalm on prior to application, because as with any matte lip products, it can leave your lips feeling a little dry and neglected, but not to the point that it's problematic, and it's nothing some lipbalm or Vaseline can't fix once you've taken it off. 

Despite it's downsides, the MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquer is a great product. I can't compare it to the Velveteen lip products, because I've never used them, but I'd like to bet it gives them at least a slight run for their money. It's a fraction of the price of the other alternatives on the market, and comes in a decent range of colours to suit any tastes (except a nude one, which would actually be quite nice to see!). I'd definitely repurchase the two colours I already have, and I'm wholeheartedly considering in investing in the other 4 colours in the range. 

If, like me, you're looking to branch out into the realm of matte lips, but don't feel like reapplying a lipstick every time you have a drink, then you should definitely check these out. Or even if you just want to try these bad boys out, they're worth the price for the quality you get - an all round great buy!

MUA Luxe Velvet Lip Lacquers are available to buy from MUA or Superdrug (online and in certain stores), priced at £3.