Max Factor Velvet Matte Lipstick Review

I was on the BR trial team for this product and I picked the shade Rose 20. For a matte formula this lipstick is very creamy. They do mention it in their write up about it but it was so creamy that to me it didn't feel like a matte. I was also sent the universal Max Factor lip liner and used this two different ways with the lipstick. The first time I wore this lippy I broke one of my own cardinal rules which is, one must do a lip scrub before applying matte lipstick. I didn't and you could tell. The first time I wore it I applied the universal liner around and then all over my lips. I have done it before with other liners and find it can help. I this case I'm not sure it did. The next time I wore it I just applied it around my lips (after doing a lip scrub) and the lippy felt nicer on. The formula is not what I expect from a matte and I found on both occasions I wore it I had clumps of the lipstick on my lips after I had touched it up a couple of times. The first time, having not done a lip scrub, I kind of expected it but there was a lot of it. I took the whole lot off at lunchtime and reapplied it because it looked awful. The second time it was much less but still enough to annoy me. Because this formula is creamy for a matte I didn't find the staying power what I would expect from other matte lipsticks. I had to reapply it more often, as I would do when wearing a creme or similar formula lipstick. This is a big downside for a matte lipstick I have to say. I quite like the packaging and I especially love being able to see the colour without taking the lid off. When you have over 70 lipsticks being able to locate the one you want quickly is important. The case has a nice matte feel and clicks together tightly and securely. I really liked the shade I picked and in all honesty this is the overriding factor as to why I will continue wearing it long-term. I am a bit of a lipstick connoisseur and I know what I like and have very high expectations for lipsticks. With the price of these I'm not sure I would purchase more of the range because I don't need to spend too much more to be getting into the price range for, in my opinion, superior lipsticks so I would take that option. It is a nice lippy overall and I will continue to use it but I don't have the same expectations of performance and longevity as I would of other matte lipsticks.