Finding the perfect lipstick is a challenge, so we often settle for the next best thing. A great red that could be just a tiny bit sheerer. A peach that would be more flattering in the winter if it was a hint darker. A pink gloss that would look even cooler with the shine dialed up. (Real #firstworldproblems, but you feel us, right?)
So when the concept of lipstick transformers hit the market a few months back, we were intrigued— but, admittedly, a bit skeptical. Toppers that can change the depth and finish of any shade? Too good to be true. Naturally, we had to put them to the test and share our unfiltered opinions, ahead.
Smashbox's Lipstick Transformer is Instagram-famous: Just about every beauty blogger we follow made a video swatching this cool mattifying gel when it launched a few months ago.
After tapping a lentil-sized dollop over a cream-finish lipstick, we were shocked when it mattified instantly. The texture, however, leaves something to be desired: It's thick, gel-like, and heavy on our lips.
Smashbox Insta-Matte Lipstick Transformer, $24, available at Ulta Beauty.
Make's lipstick mattifier comes in pencil form for easy application — major points — and delivered on its claims to erase shine from our lipsticks while feeling weightless. Bonus: It works nicely as a lip primer, too.
Make Super Matte Lip Pencil, $23, available at Make.
The key to using these shade transformers (created solely to be mixed with your existing products) is to dab them over your lipstick, rather than slicking 'em on, so you can blend and add color as needed. This one, Turn Down, can be blended in to any color to deepen and darken it. The only downside? It's a pretty pigmented black lipstick on its own, so it's a little too easy to go overboard.
The Estée Edit Lip Flip Shade Transformer in Turn Down, $22, available at Sephora.
The yellow shade, Turn Up, is meant to lighten and brighten your existing lipsticks and it works like magic (though, if you aren't into yellow undertones, you might want to stay away). We layered it on top NARS Mona and created a custom brick shade that was so gorgeous.
The Estée Edit Lip Flip Shade Transformer in Turn Up, $22, available at Sephora.
Surratt's glosses work similarly to Estée Lauder's shade-shifters, but because of their sheer consistency, the effect is much more subdued.
When layered on top of lipstick, this Lip Lustre deepens color only slightly, taking it into plum territory. Alternatively, you can use it to give your lipstick a glossy finish, rather than a matte one.
Surratt Lip Lustre in Ton, $32, available at Sephora.
Surratt's white Lip Lustre does the opposite of the black shade — it sheers out lipsticks to make them paler. We love using it with the colors we previously reserved only for nighttime because they were so intense.
Surratt Lip Lustre in Teinte, $32, available at Sephora.
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