Early last year I was introduced to Smashbox Be Legendary Long-Wear Lip Lacquer lipstick in Calypso by a makeup artist at Macy’s. It’s the perfect bright coral color to focus attention on my lips and distract from my unpleasant upper lip melasma. I wore it to a wedding and it was a hit with everyone – even the bride!
A few months later, problems surfaced
- This color was difficult to find (Calypso is a nude beach – very different from their “Coral” color)
- It left a darker un-natural color stain a few hours after the originally color it wore off
- Overwhelmingly sweet added fragrance.
- Hair gets stuck in glossy finish
- Quite the long list of hard-to-pronounce ingredients
Must. Find. Better. Alternative.
These are the most comparable lipsticks I have found so far, but the journey never stops!
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Jouer Cosmetics Hydrating Lipstick Review – Monique
- True to form, very hydrating
- Nice color, but not intense enough to match Smashbox Lip Lacquer in Calypso
- Very creamy
- Not very long lasting
- Paraben-Free and Gluten-Free!
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Laura Mercier Paint Wash Liquid Lip Colour Lipstick Review – Coral Reef
- Paraben Free
- Pretty long lasting.
- Not too drying.
- Slightly scented
- Very intense color – difficult to apply and blend.
- Too bright – not the right color for me
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Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick Review – Gingersnap
- Closest in color to Smashbox Lip Lacquer in Calypso
- Highly pigmented
- Paraben, pthalate and sulfate free
- Creamy and easy to apply
- Many natural and organic ingredients
- Scented. A little distracting to me, but could be worse.
- Color lasts about 2 hours. I woudln’t classify it as “long-lasting”
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Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick Review – La Femme
- Highly pigmented
- Paraben, pthalate and sulfate free
- Long lasting and only slightly drying
- Slightly sweet scent. Not ideal but its not entirely unpleasant
- Nice matte/satin finish. Not too flat.
- Vegan
- 100% Cruelty Free
Swatches of paraben-free coral lipsticks to replace my scented and discontinued Smashbox Be Legendary long-wear lip lacquer “Calypso”.
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