Maybelline Lip Gradation Review with Complete Swatches

Maybelline has many lines from their lip section. They offer a lot of various lippies with different formulas but out of all those lines, the Maybelline Lip Gradation is probably my favorite (so far)! I like this line because it is totally different from their other lippies and because the concept is interesting. This product caters to achieving that ombre or graded lips effect.

Product Name: Maybelline Lip Gradation

Price: Php399

Available at: Maybelline counters (Watsons, dept. stores)

Product description:

Available in 8 bright, matte shades, this double-sided lip product will inspire you to experiment with your looks and bring out your unique style and personality. The color stick at one end will give a gorgeous pop of color while the cushion blender tool at the other end will give a sexy, graded look. For a complete trend-on look, apply color on the center of your upper lip and use the sponge smudger to extend the color to the outer edges till the contours of your lips or use it as a matte lip color or a lip liner.

The Maybelline Lip Gradation is a dual-ended pen. The other end is a twist-up lip crayon and the other end is a sponge smudger. The cap of the sponge smudger is see-through and on top of the cap, the shade name is indicated. The overall packaging looks like a dual-ended marker and I think it is eye-catching. I also like the fact that the body of the pen is the actual color of the lip crayon so it's easy for you to identify the shade.

The texture is creamy and velvety. It glides on smooth like butter but it doesn't feel sticky. The finish is matte but it's not drying on the lips. It feels soft and lightweight on the lips, too. Since this is created to achieve gradient lips, it is  very easy to blend.

The lip crayon is not too thick like those jumbo lip pencils and chubby sticks and they are not too thin neither like the ordinary lip liners. The size is just right to easily fill in the lips and since it is not too big, it is perfect to reach the inner corners of the lips.

The color pay off is sensational! I love how pigmented each shades are! One swipe is enough to show its real color, giving even application on the lips. There are 8 shades available which are all very bold-looking. Let's divide the shades into two groups.

I want to start with the mauve, orange, and reds.

• MAUVE1 - This mauve shade is my favorite among all the shades. It is also the favorite of Maybelline Philippines' ambassadress, Georgina Wilson! :)

• ORANGE1 - Not really the exact orange shade, almost like a scarlet red

• RED1 - red shade with cool undertone

• RED2 - this red shade is more on the warmer side

Now, let's check out the pink hues.

• CORAL1 - This is my second favorite shade. Coral shades like this are one of my favorite lip colors to wear because in my opinion, it makes my skin look a little brighter!

• PINK1 - Pink shade with warm undertone

• PINK2 - Hot pink!

• FUCHSIA1 - It looks more pink when applied compared to the color of its packaging which almost looks like light purple.

While I enjoy the shades and the color pay off, I hope they'd come up with more shade options. I am hoping for more neutral shades and dark shades. However, Maybelline probably picked out these shades because these are perfect for creating the usual ombre lips.

Now, this is the ombre lips that I did using the Maybelline Lip Gradation. In my experience, it is easier for me to create graded lips using my fingers instead of the sponge smudger. 

Please excuse the mukhang kawawa face. :D

If you want to see how I did the ombre lips, you can watch my video review here:

TIP: You can use the sponge smudger not just for creating ombre effect but you can also use it as a lip applicator to blend out the lip crayon for a lighter or sheerer finish. ;)

The staying power of this product is comparable to the typical longevity of an average lip product. It does transfer but not too much though. In my experience, it stays on my lips for long hours without eating and drinking. When I eat or drink or after longer hours, I noticed that it fades easily on the middle part of my lips.

Overall, I think that this is a good lip product and I like how you can use it in so many ways. However, since I am not really always creating ombre lips and since I can create it using just my finger, I don't think I'd repurchase this for that purpose. I might repurchase one or two probably because of the shade, especially Mauve1.

Hope this post helps!