I love liquid lipsticks, so I can never resist trying a new release from drugstore brands just in case they are somehow better or on par with my absolute favourite lipstick, the Maybelline Superstay Matte Ink. Recently I saw a couple of beauty influencers trying this new ColorStay Satin Ink liquid lip by Revlon over on Instagram, so of course I immediately hopped online and bought the 2 shades that seemed to most reflect my usual colour preferences. 

The shade range for this lipstick is quite small, at least here in the UK, with just 6 shades available. Judging by the online photos and the colour of the packaging, I thought On a Mission was going to be a rich red and Silky Sienna was going to be a warm pink. Both shades are not accurately reflected by their packaging, which does not display a clear window looking into the formula itself but instead opaque plastic coloured inserts that Revlon have chosen to (inaccurately, in my opinion) reflect the shades. You can see this yourself with my picture above showing On A Mission on my lips and it’s packaging displayed in my hand. Still, that issue aside, I was excited to try the lipstick. Let’s look at how it performs.

The Run down:
Finish: Satin with shine.
Texture: Semi-lightweight but creamy. Feels moisturising while on, compared to the dry feeling of most liquid lipsticks. Most akin to the feel of wearing a thick lipbalm or a non-
sticky gloss.
Transfer level: Mostly transfer-proof. A slight oil-like shine will transfer onto surfaces, and perhaps a tiny faint outline of colour. If you apply too much product it will transfer easily. 
Dry down time: 30 seconds to 1 minute. 
Longevity: Long-lasting through contact-free wear and careful drinking. Wears away through the centre when eating, like most liquid lipsticks, depending upon the food consumed. Oily or wet foods break it down more easily than drier foods.
Opacity: Semi-sheer, not a one-swipe full colour product. It’s probably 60% pigmentation, so if you want a pure colour this will take building up, and may still disappoint.
Applicator: Pointed doe-foot wand with a shallow curve in the centre on one side which creates a well of product to allow for one-swipe application. 

020 – On A Mission

Natural lighting, taken indoors facing a window

LED Lighting

Despite the red colouring of this shade’s packaging, it’s a true rich berry. The LED selfie shots blew out the colour too much, so the natural lighting selfie and the close up swatches are much better representations of its berry tone. 

005 – Silky Sienna

Natural lighting, taken indoors facing a window

LED lighting

The packaging suggests a dusky pink, but this shade is a warm-pink toned brown. A relatively dark nude shade on someone as pale and cool toned as I am. 

So with the basics and lip swatches covered, the other main thing I think needs to be emphasised is that the pigmentation of this lipstick is not in line with other liquid lipsticks like Maybelline’s Matte Ink, Colorpop’s Ultra Mattes, NYX’s Lip Lingerie, XXRevolution’s XXude, even MUA’s Velvet Matte. Those products all produce an opaque colour pay-off with one swipe, but the Revlon Colorstay Satin Ink is more like a very pigmented gloss-stain hybrid. Below you can see the way one swipe of product applies, and the additional denseness of colour achieved with a second coat of product. The only issue with this is that if you over apply too much product it won’t dry down properly, so the extra product will transfer when you kiss, eat or drink until the excess has been  removed. 

Top swatch stripe is ‘On A Mission,’ bottom swatch is ‘Silky sienna’. The top trio shows the lipstick with a single swipe applied, while the bottom trio shows two swipes applied.

So, what’s my final verdict? Well, compared to my Holy Grail lipstick, Maybelline’s Superstay Matte Ink, Revlon’s Satin Ink has duelling pros and cons. For those who find Matte Ink uncomfortable due it’s somewhat thick, slightly tacky feel once dry, the creamier feel of this Revlon lipstick might be more comfortable, and it’s certainly more hydrating. I would say it’s only slightly lighter in finish on the lip than Maybelline, though, but it’s also sheerer and would need two layers to achieve a similar level of opacity to Maybelline’s high level of pigment payoff, and it still won’t fully get there. It’s shinier than Maybelline, so if you want a matte lip this isn’t for you–even Maybelline has a slight satin to the finish, and this is much shinier than that. Maybelline lasts better through eating and drinking as well, in my experience.

So, if you dislike the Maybelline Matte Inks for their feel or finish, the Revlon might be an option for you. But if Matte Inks are your Holy Grail, like they are mine, then you will likely find you’re disappointed by these Revlon lippies just as I was. I’ll be using them for occasions that ‘don’t matter’, when completing my full aesthetic isn’t so important to me; so, video calls, casual days, short term wear when I don’t expect to consume anything. They’re a perfectly fine product if you want what they do well–long-lasting shine and hydration–but despite their name, I don’t see them as a challenger to Maybelline’s Superstay Matte Ink’s crown.