Splurge or Save: Lipstick

With so many bright lips appearing on the runway and on the streets, it's clear that they will be a lasting trend. But which lipstick should you choose? There are myriad on the market at different prices, and it can be hard to decide whether a more expensive lipstick will perform better than a cheaper version. Beautylish's Tara decided to put two to the test.

Splurge

• Tom Ford Lipstick: $48
  

Save

• Maybelline Color Sensational High Shine Lipstick: $7.49
  

VERDICT

I'm the biggest fan of bright lipstick. You could even call it my signature. I love to wear it in all different shades: fuchsia pink, burnt orange, deep tomato red, burgundy, the list goes on. As such, I've tried a lot of different brands. My lips are very dry, so I've searched high and low to find a lipstick that actually moisturizes. I started with Tom Ford. His new collection, which hits stores soon, comes in gorgeous chocolate brown and gold packaging. The lipsticks are very heavy—physically. They feel like special containers of some mystery potion when you hold them in your hand. I slid off the lid to reveal a stick of jewel-toned color. There’s an array of shades to choose from, ranging from a gorgeous red to a vibrant purple to a punchy coral. The shades are all extremely matte, with not a speck of shimmer to be found. I slicked a coat of Flamingo, a bright, fuschia pink, onto my bottom lip (I always start this way) and pressed my lips together before adding another coat and repeating the process. It may sound strange, but this is how I apply lipstick! My initial reaction was that it feels how you would imagine an old fashioned lipstick to feel. It goes on heavy and creamy, really filling in your lips. You don't need any more than one or two coats to get a very solid color. I loved how it looked. I’m not cautious when I wear lipstick, so I drank, kissed, and ate with abandon. Most of the lipstick did come off, but it left a stain of color on my lips. Two hours later, I had to reapply. I received a heap of compliments, when I wore Tom Ford, everyone asking what lipstick I was wearing. The only problem? After an hour my lips felt so dry I had to slather on lip balm.

Next up was Maybelline. The Color Sensational has a little bit of shimmer, so I picked the least glitzy there was. Surprisingly, I actually liked the effect. The tiny particles gave me a little radiance, and I felt a bit flirtier. I chose a pretty pink color called Fruit Punch, but had to apply about three coats before I got solid coverage. The texture is almost a cross between a balm and lipstick, and the consistency isn't heavy at all. It almost felt like I wasn't wearing lipstick. I could rub my lips together and not feel anything. I put it to the drinking test and, to my surprise, nothing came off. I ate, and nothing came off. I kissed, and a teeny bit disappeared. But overall, this lipstick did not budge. And, Beauties, it stayed on for hours and kept its color.

If you love lipstick and you love to splurge, then the Tom Ford is your buy. The color range is stunning, and pulling out such a beautiful case does give one a sense of satisfaction. But for value for money, Maybelline wins the race. At only $7.49 and with so many colors to choose from, how can you go wrong? Especially with its long-lasting formula.