Pat McGrath Lippies: Are They Overhyped?

Pat McGrath, the only reason I even know about this lipstick brand is because of Sephora. These lipsticks are highly rated and loved on the Sephora website by satisfied customers. I just had to purchase a couple to see if they lived up to their hype, at $38 a piece, I sure hope they do.

These lipsticks were not sent to me for free. I actually bought these two Pat McGrath lipsticks, and I’ll let ya know if I regret this expensive purchase.

Do Pat McGrath lippies live up to their hype?

NO

Look, I don’t regret purchasing these cute lipsticks, in fact, I think I’m gonna purchase two more just for the sake of it. These two Pat McGrath lippies are from the BlitzTrance collection, and I think I’ll probably purchase a couple from the LuxeTrance collection, which is their most highly rated collection on Sephora. But, I don’t think they’re worthy of a $38 price tag. I just think they’re that expensive because they are sold at Sephora, and everything is expensive in Sephora, because it’s supposed to be luxury makeup and skincare.

Drugstore lipsticks range from $4 to $8 or maybe just a pinch higher. Literally, we’re paying 30x more for these “Sephora” luxury lipsticks.

The reason I don’t think that Pat McGrath lipsticks live up to their hype is because they don’t feel like a $38 lipstick when I’m wearing it, it feels like I could get the exact same effect with a Revlon or Maybelline brand of lipstick. But the packaging is gorgeous, as you’ll be able to see in all the pictures below. And that’s it, you’re paying $30 more for the packaging and the elegant lipstick tube. Which, obviously, means these little lippies look stunning on any makeup station or visual props in an Instagram post. You’re basically paying for the chic aesthetics of these Pat McGrath lipsticks, but the actual product itself doesn’t live up to the hype, IMHO.

You’re basically paying for the chic aesthetics of these Pat McGrath lipsticks, but the actual product itself doesn’t live up to the hype.

Lipstick shade above, Nude Romantique.

The shade that I’m wearing in the picture above, and swatched on my arm below is my favorite of the two colors – It has a coral rose tint with a hint of a gold pink pearl. I love it because it’s a ballerina pink that goes good with my complexion and I don’t regret this makeup splurge purchase. But, do I think it’s all that and a bag of chips? No. The Sephora website describes this shade as, ” a full-coverage blast of explosive color with multidimensional, high-shine effects.” FALSE. As you can see in the image above, I wouldn’t really call the effects, explosive. Nor would I describe it as high-shine or multidimensional.

Lipstick shade on arm above and on lips below, Flesh Fatale.

The Flesh Fatale shade has bronzed rose with golden pink pearl mixed in it. This is just an exotic way of describing it as a copper color. It’s a pretty coppery color. It’s nice. It didn’t blow my socks off or anything. So, yeah, whatever, it didn’t impress me or disappoint me.

What I liked about both of these lipsticks is that their sparkle was subtle. I’m a working gal, and I can’t go to my office job looking like a disco ball; Or like I’m ready to run off to some music festival. When I wear these shades you can see a pinch of sparkle on my lips, and that’s it, it’s not explosive. So, if you’re looking for like a super shimmery and shinning effect, you’re not going to get it with these Pat McGrath lipsticks.

Pat McGrath Lipsticks: Pros & Cons

PROS

• Trendy
• Chic
• Beautiful packaging
• Chic aesthetic
• Not drying
• Too expensive for the amount of hype

CONS

• $38 per tube of lipstick
• Too expensive
• Gimmicky
• Not full coverage
• Doesn’t last too long
• Very subtle sparkle
• There is no “Wow” factor
• Fall off effect from glitter, you’ll probably have specks of glitter around your chin and lip region.
• Colors don’t seem as vibrant as they appear in advertisements or online at Sephora.
• Lackluster
• Colors can be misleading on advertising photography.

Have you purchased any Pat McGrath BlitzTrance lipsticks? Were you happy with your purchase? Do you agree with this product review? Let me know in the comments section below.

Thanks so much!