Review: Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in #104

Matte lipsticks probably spark more intense emotions than any other type of lip product I've blogged about in the past four years. Either you really love mattes or you really despise them. There simply is no middle ground.

It's no secret that I'm in the "love" camp for matte lipsticks. Since I'm about the same age as Tori Spelling, Jennie Garth and Shannon Doherty, I rocked what I like to call "Matte 1.0" lipsticks in the early 90s, right along with the gals on (the original) Beverly Hills, 90210.

And like I've said a zillion times, Matte 1.0 lipsticks are NOTHING like Matte 2.0 lipsticks. Modern day matte lippies have come a looooong way, so when I saw the new Rimmel Kate Moss matte lipstick collection at CVS recently, I plopped one into my basket quicker than you can say "I still love Dylan McKay."

Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in #104 

(retail: around $5, 0.14 oz)

Keep reading for my full review...

According to the Rimmel website, there are ten shades in this range (I don't think my CVS had all 10 shades in the permanent Rimmel display, which is where I found these).

From Rimmel: 

Sumptuously Rich Matte Colour with a sublime comfort.
Ruby Powder enriched formula.
Intense velvet colour all day!

Shade #104 is very true-to-tube. It is EXACTLY what I was hoping for when I swatched it:

This lipstick has great, one-swipe pigmentation. Here it is on my lips:

(I don't care who you are; matte lipsticks never look good in extreme close-up. But I assure you, from a regular viewing distance, this color looks smooth on my lips and doesn't accentuate every little line you see above)

Texture and finish: This lipstick obviously has a matte finish, but the texture is unlike any other matte lipstick I've tried before. There's a slickness to this that keeps it from being one of those "I think I just swiped tar on my lips" matte lipsticks from yesteryear. When I squish my lips together, there's absolutely NO resistance. The same goes for application--this lipstick glides across the lips so easily and smoothly that you'll be convinced you accidentally applied a glossy lipstick instead of a matte. This is NOT a heavy matte lipstick. It's incredibly light on the lips and in no way feels suffocating (the signature characteristic of Matte 1.0 lipsticks).

Pigmentation: Like I mentioned above, shade #104 provides one-swipe color. There's absolutely no need to go back and forth over the lips for additional color.

Staying power: Absolutely impressive in every respect. I can get a minimum of four hours of wear from shade #104, and I've even gotten six hours of wear when I didn't eat a full-on meal while wearing this color. I can drink coffee, water, and even have a light snack of crackers or something like that and this lipstick stays put like a champ. I'm one of those people who plays with their lips lot (biting, licking and smooshing my lip together) and it even survives that type of abuse. Also, this lipstick fades evenly--no ring-around-the-lips. Oh! One more thing: Matte 1.0 lipsticks had a tendency to ball up a bit after a few hours on the lips. I have experienced no balling up at all with this product.

Hydration: Let's not beat around the bush. Matte lipsticks are known for being drying. But is this matte lipstick as drying as others I own? Absolutely not. In fact, I would say that it isn't drying at all to my lips, but you must keep in mind that I've been wearing matte lipsticks for over 20 years, so what I consider non-drying may be different from what you consider non-drying. I don't think it adds hydration to my lips, but it certainly doesn't leave my lips feeling parched. 

Fragrance and flavor: This lipstick does not smell or taste like the regular Kate Moss lipsticks, which are kind of "perfumey." To my nose, this lipstick has a soft berry-floral fragrance, and the flavor is sort of berry-floral as well. I find both the fragrance and flavor quite pleasant.

FINAL VERDICT: This lipstick is an absolute LOVE MATCH for me. I love everything about it, from the gorgeous, versatile pinky-brown color to the finish to the staying power to the lack of dryness. If you're used to heavy, drying matte lipsticks that make you run for the hills after just a few minutes of wear, I think you're going to be quite pleasantly surprised by the new Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipsticks. They feel beautifully light on the lips and, for this matte lipstick veteran, not drying at all. The color of #104 is one of those versatile works-for-everyone shades with excellent pigmentation  If you love matte lipsticks, I think you're going to love these. I give this one my highest recommendation (and I don't do that too often).

Have you tried any of the new Rimmel Kate Moss Lasting Finish Matte Lipsticks yet? I'd love to hear if you agree with me about these!