While drugstore lip products are a budget lifesaver, they can also be a dinner disaster. Half the time I go out to eat I end up looking like a mess by the end because my lip products couldn’t stand up to the challenge of my appetite for greasy food. Does a lip product’s initial beauty outweigh its eventual demise?
I’ve decided to find out and put seven drugstore lip products to the test against greasy food, (although I did mix it up with the types of greasy food) so you’ll never have to stress about your lip tint again.
Let’s Get Started
The first lipstick I put to the test was L’oréal Colour Riche lipstick in the shade Saucy Mauve. This is one of my trusty go-to lip products because it’s hydrating and also a simple yet gorgeous color.
Before:
What I ate: I was feeling creative so I mixed up a combination of Kraft Easy Mac and garlic Earth Balance, the lunch of champions. It was a strangely delicious way to upgrade the usual Easy Mac flavor.
After:
Not too bad! A little product wore off on the inside of the lip which is to be expected, and with a quick smooshing together of my lips it looked almost good as new! I give saucy mauve a solid 8 out of 10, and it’s going to stay one of my go-to’s.
Contestant Number Two, Come on Down
The next lip product I tested out was Covergirl Natureluxe gloss balm in the shade peony. This color is a nice reddish-pink that can compliment any ensemble.
Before:
What I ate: This day was a long day, so for lunch I grabbed one of my favorite greasy indulgences: dining hall chili cheese sliders. These sliders are like the king of greasy dining hall food. Nothing says good-cooking like a griddle covered in half-frozen sliders and a pot full of lukewarm chili.
After:
Not too great, pretty much all of the product wore off except for a weird outline of my outer lip. The color is still cute but this might not be the best lip product for going out to dinner. This one got a 2 out of 10 for durability and inability to smoothly reapply.
Lucky Number Three
The lip product I tested out next is Rimmel London’s show off lip lacquer in Out of This World. This one is a shimmery pink lip gloss with just the right amount of shine.
Before:
What I ate: For dinner I had a college dining hall staple, some pepperoni pizza. I mixed it up with a bread stick drowning in butter and garlic and it was a greasy meal fit for a queen.
After:
This one held up better than I thought it would, lip glosses are usually the first to go. While there’s a distinct dulling of color after eating it’s still pretty even and kind of visible. Out of This World gets a 7 out of 10.
Next Up, Number Four
The fourth lip product I tested was NYX butter lipstick in the color Moonlit Night. This color is a deep berry color, perfect for fall.
Before:
What I ate: It was date night, so my boyfriend and I went out to Cheesecake Factory for dinner to feel like actual adults. I got Fettuccine Alfredo pasta, which was delicious, but thanks to Cheesecake Factory’s intensely dim mood lighting I wasn’t able to get a good picture.
After:
Not such a great date night look. There’s barely any product left and with the dark color it’s super noticeable. I got a lot of compliments on the look before dinner but the results aren’t worthy of any compliments. 2 out of 10.
Stay Alive for Number Five
The fifth lip product I tested was BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie lip gloss in the shade Birthday Babe. This one isn’t exactly drugstore but can be found at Ulta and sells just a little over a drugstore price. This lip gloss is a shimmery coral/pink color and has a minty scent to it.
Before:
What I ate: To stave off the cold on this chilly day I got some chicken noodle soup from Au Bon Pain. While not inherently greasy, chicken noodle soup has quite the fatty/greasy broth.
After:
While there is a dulling in color it’s not very noticeable and the shine is still there. Because this gloss is rather thick it seems to stay on the lips evenly despite some of it wearing off. 7 out of 10.
Let’s Talk About Six Baby
The next lip product I put to the test was Burt’s Bees 100% natural lip gloss in the color Harvest Time. This is a nice coppery fall color that looks good on any skin tone (including my ghost pale skin).
What I ate: Tonight was a quality dining hall dinner night, so I ate a room temperature chicken patty and soggy fries. Yum.
After:
Rest in peace lovely orange lip color, this lip gloss is completely gone. There was no shine or color left over after my lovely dinner. This lip gloss gets a 1 out of 10 (but I still love the color).
C’est Moi, Seven
The last lip product I tested was Maybelline Color Sensational lip color in the shade Mauve Mania. This lipstick is smooth and hydrating and is a nice berry color that fits all seasons.
Before:
What I ate: I wanted to break from my usual routine for this last test and decided to go all out with a Kappa Tempura Roll, a sushi roll that is made with avocado, salmon, tuna, and shrimp and is then rolled up and tempura fried. This sushi roll is pretty big, and is definitely greasy.
After:
This lipstick stayed on wonderfully, it’s almost like I didn’t eat anything at all. The color is still vibrant and pretty even, with minimal wear. I think this lipstick will definitely be making more dinner date appearances. 10 out of 10!
There You Have It
I put seven drugstore lip products to the test and now you all know how they stack up. I’ve got you covered for your going out lip product needs.
Want to avoid the dilemma by cutting out greasy food? Spoon has you covered for that too! Or want to add more grease to your diet instead? You guessed it, we’ve always got your back.