Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks

I adore Clinique Chubby Sticks but forever longed for a matte lip offering from the brand, well three years in the making (yep for as long as I have been blogging) Clinique have been secretly working on Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks. Why so long? Well the brand wanted to ensure that their matte offering was nothing short of perfection - soft, long wearing and non-drying. Are they worth the wait? You bet'cha.

Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks
Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks

I will level and say that I only own one other "real" Clinique Lipstick - Clinique Long Last Lipstick in Runway Coral so I am not overly familiar with the packaging (for the longest time my heart belonged to Clinique Chubby Sticks). The good news is that the Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks share the same packaging as the long last line - a ribbed chrome outer, that looks and feels beyond expensive. They really are distinctive and beautiful.

Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks
Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks

The new Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks come in 8 shades (I'm willing to bet that will expand sooner rather than later) most of which are bright, Summer ready hues but there is a a light pink and nude for those who fear bold lip colours. I was sent three shades to test out: 47 Matte Peony - a bright, yellow toned medium pink that reminds me a lot of MAC Impassioned Lipstick but matte of course, 48 Matte Petal - again a yellow toned pink but this time it is more of a light, candy pink. I personally find this type of shade hard to pull off as they have a tendency to make my teeth look yellow. Sorry! Lastly we have 49 Matte Magenta - a slightly deeper bright pink that is blue based, it reminds me a little of MAC Girl About Town but again matte. I can see this becoming one of the best selling shades within the collection.

Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks
Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks
Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks
Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks
Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks

Top to Bottom: Peony, Beauty, Magenta.

As I keep saying the Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks where indeed three years in the making but worth the prolonged wait. Why? Gosh they are so comfortable, regular readers will know I prefer a matte lip but some formulas suck the moisture out of my lips (eww I know) and then of course cling to said dry lips. Well not the Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks, they slick on with ease and feel lighter than air - no moisture loss nor do they emphasis dry areas. If you wear the likes of MAC Ruby Woo and tend to go for a flat, matte lipstick then you may not find the Clinique Long Last Soft Matte Lipsticks to be a true matte. They do have a slight sheen, not a gloss but I guess an almost 3D quality which I believe stops the colour looking flat and dare I say dry (this is a must if wearing a nude in my opinion - hello corpse lips). As for the long wearing claim Clinique have hit the nail on the head. Now I won't lie they do transfer a little on to cups etc but in my experience you will easily achieve a good four hours of wear. Even when the shade does begin to fade after 4 hours they fade evenly to a stain effect. A huge thumbs up all round from me.

but they will go on counters this coming June. This post contains press samples.