Pat McGrath Labs recently released her Lust 004 collection. I decided to grab the Flesh Kit and the Venom 1 lipstick single. They were available first on Pat McGrath's website, I got mine from Sephora. The retail is $60 for the kit and $25 for the lipstick single. The kits are all sold out online, but some lipstick singles are still available.
Per Sephora: "A five-piece kit of perverse lip paraphernalia that features two sinfully pigmented matte lipsticks, a clear vinyl gloss, a metallic gold pigment, and a mesmerizing microfine glitter.
Turn your lips on and make your mouth a metaphysical masterpiece with Lust 004 Lipstick. Satisfy your cravings for unorthodox glamour and experience altered states of lip luxury with these cult classics.
Let the ritual begin in one swipe. Choose the set with the lip shades you desire: Bloodwine, Flesh, or Vermillion Venom (sold separately). Lay down a velvety rich canvas of color with the two matte Lipsticks. Wear these lush, matte shades on lips alone, or combine to create immaculate custom ombré effects.
Glide on the Clear Vinyl Gloss over the matte lipstick for miraculous shine that will leave your lips dripping in decadence.
Layer the Meltallic Gold Pigment over lipstick, gloss, or both for dramatic intensity. Then press on the Microfine Glitter for an enchanting look."
Flesh:
- 2 x 0.05 oz Lipstick in Flesh 1, Flesh 2
- 0.46 oz Clear Vinyl Gloss
- 0.07 oz Meltallic Gold Pigment
- 0.07 oz Microfine Glitter in Flesh
The glitter is fine, it's not micro glitter. It's a rose pink colored glitter. It looks like any regular craft glitter. I thought it would be more like micro glitter versus craft size glitter. Comes in a small sifter jar. The gold pigment reminds me of MAC Brass pigment that's long discontinued. I was surprised this is lip safe as it looks metallic and like it contains metal. It's a fine brass colored metallic pigment that when mixed with the gloss looks like liquid brass metal. This comes in the same small sifter jar. This was kind of exploded all over the inside of the packaging. It leaked even though it has a sticker seal. The jar lid does not screw down all the way. I also found this irritated my skin and started to give me a rash, I was allergic to it. I'm never allergic to cosmetics, ever. Besides lanolin which makes my lips go numb.
The lipsticks are slim with a creamy matte formula. Like any creamy matte it's more comfortable to wear, but lasts less time. I got about 4-6 hours of wear out of these. They set a bit darker in color then when first applied. No scent or adverse taste. They were the best part of the kit. They are roll up tubes so you have the ability to roll up and down. The slim size made for an easy application. They are all quite pigmented.
Flesh 1 is a light warm creamy peachy nude. This was way too light and opaque for me. It you like light nudes this is for you. I prefer a nude more the same tone or slightly darker than my natural lip color. Flesh 2 is a deep cooler rose nude. This is a darker nude, on the verge of being a non-nude for me. I tried to mix the two Flesh shades together to get a lighter nude but the warm and cool tones of each clashed and looked ashy. It just didn't look right mixed. Neither shade was for me. Venom 1 is a bright classic neutral red. It's warmer but not orange red, yet not blue red at all either.
L to R: Flesh 2, Flesh 1, Venom 1:
Sunlight L to R: Venom 1, Flesh 1, Flesh 2:
As always the creativity of Pat McGrath products is on par. You can create so many unique looks with this kit. As a former art major, and still artist, I appreciate the creativity, versatility and fun you can have with it. It is for the person who has the time to spend on multiple steps of makeup, not for the person who needs quick morning routine. This kit while versatile for the number of ways you can wear it, is not for the average person. You'll never wear a full glitter lip or the metallic gold gloss to the average workplace. Maybe for a holiday or night out. For the person like me with a 12 month old and a full time job, it's mostly unusable besides the lipsticks and gloss.
The packaging is cheap like the last set. I know Sephora says "At Pat McGrath Labs, their luxurious product comes in packaging that's inspired by authentic cosmetic lab samples. Products are packed with its signature couture sequins, elevating each and every kit with a subversive sense of opulence, outrageousness, and obsession." However, it feels very cheap, has a small amount of product and they charge a higher price.
The gloss is in a cheap tube and is like any average clear gloss, it's sticky and thick. Nothing spectacular. The gold pigment when added over the lipstick without the gloss turns the lipstick ashy. It needs to gloss to look good. Overall, great concept it's fun. The lipstick is nice, the pigment is nice except I couldn't use it. The gloss is a waste, the glitter you can get anywhere. I think you could pass on this set and feel just fine about it.
Top to Bottom:
Flesh 1, Flesh 2, Flesh Glitter, Gold Pigment.
Flesh 1 with Glitter, Flesh 2 with Glitter.
Flesh 1 with Gold Pigment, Flesh 2 with Gold Pigment.
Add Gloss to above.
Gold Pigment with Gloss.
Same order as above just closer up:
Top to Bottom: Tom Ford Moisturecore Carriacou, Pat McGrath Flesh 1, MAC Spice Lipliner, Pat McGrath Flesh 2, By Terry Rouge Expert Click Stick #2 Bloom Nude:
Top to Bottom: Marc Jacobs So Rouge, MAC Russian Red, Pat McGrath Venom 1, Urban Decay Spiderweb, Charlotte Tilbury So Marilyn:
