Review: Revlon Matte Lipstick Really Red

When I'm starting getting into makeup, one of the look that I was really drawn to is the matte red lips. That time I still can't afford MAC or other high end brand and back in Malaysia that time, there aren't any decent red lips and there was NO matte lipstick range. So when Revlon come up with the Revlon Matte Lipstick, I fall heads over heels with it!

Now I had a hard time to convince myself to get it since I wasn't financially well *compare to now, lol... bless you student loan!* and plus the salers at Watson (a drugstore in Malaysia) isn't helping much at all ... keep on saying I should stick to pinky and nude blah blahhhh... you see that time, the RED LIP is not trendy at all, it was still associated with mature women and probably rebellion teenagers... even Malaysian celebrities or artist do not spot a red lips ( but that was back in the those day, now many Malay girls spot a red lips... maybe because of Yuna Zarai?)

Moving on to this lipstick, (skip all the awkwardness trying to wear red lips back in college),
it was one of the best I ever had. It's really red, hence the name Really Red and it's the right amount of being not too bright or too deep. I haven't found red lipstick of the same shade, some say it's a dupe of MAC Rubywoo but I'm not too sure, since Rubywoo can be a bit too cool? but I don't have that so I'm not sure.
All in all, Revlon really nail this shade!

with flash

without flash

Other than that, I think the red is almost neutral and I think it looks a bit warm on me because of my warm skintone. I really like how it does not look pink on me even if I make a stained lips. For me it is a basic red lipstick to have. You can go for pale red stain or you can go bold matte red or you can top clear gloss over it.
Now saying that it's a basic red lipstick I love layering this over other stuff,
I love it with Revlon Colorburst in Sienna to achieve that brick-red stained lips,
I love it MAC Lipstick in Alibi to make it more red orange,
and recently,
I love it under Tony Moly Tony Tint in Red Apple for that ultra deep stained but not dark red lips,

all these look are matte which always the lip looks I prefer and definitely look more edgy compare to a typical red which many *Malay girl* is spotting.
It's inevitable that I branch out to different kind of reds and other deeper colour, I can't believe myself as well when I look into my lipstick drawer.

The formula is really matte and it's actually a drying matte I would say. So if you have a dry lips, lip balm is a must, because it can be flaky. Probably those with not so dry lips would not have this problem.
Being a dry matte, it does not feather at all. This is very important when you spotting red lips, you don't want it outside of your lips. Although I notice it does not last that long and if you have an oily meal, you might as well just wipe it clean and apply it again after eating, cause it's hardly last, well for me. What I'll do is layer it up, that is to wear it, blot with tissue, powder it and layer it again, and do it at least 3 times. That will give the best long lasting result. Wearing red lipliner is helpful as well, and I use MAC lipliner in Redd if I'm wearing its true shade.

The packaging is okay, nothing fancy and does not have that cheap look, though it does not look expensive as well. The top is clear so you can see through what lipstick it is like most of Revlon Lipstick.
Since it's a drugstore brand it's definitely more affordable, GBP 7.49, but I say nowadays many brand has come up with decent matte red lipsticks and probably cheaper. So more options and you can try compare them and find which is the best for you. Since it's quite cheap, it's a good way for experiment if you have not try red lips before but interested.
The question now is will I repurchase? I'm not so sure since I have loads of red lipstick now and I'm still greedy to try other brands as well, but I cannot deny this is a very good staple.

Overall rating: 4 out of 5