Alright so I know that "dupe" posts are usually done to find a cheaper duplicate of expensive branded colours and shades, however I have found that my all time favourite "everything goes", "my lips but better" colour is the all famous NYX Round lippie in B52, I love it and its the only lipstick I've managed to reach the bottom of the tube of!
So, whats my issue? I can't get it in Australia without paying a premium, and since I know its not a high end formula however I am in love with the colour and creaminess, I wanted to find something with a duplicate colour that either matched the price that I could source locally (without the premiums and shipping costs), or if I had to pay more, the formula had to be of higher quality.
So here we have it, Ive found 2 close shades to my fave B52.
COMPARISON STATS
NYX Round Lipstick in B52 (4g) = $4.00 (plus shipping costs from the US!)
BYS Matte Lipstick in Salsa (3.5g) = $3.95
Chi Chi Viva La Diva Matte Lipstick in Style Stealer (3.7g) = $18.95
RESULTS:
BYS Matte Lipstick in Salsa
This lipstick is cheap as chips and I can buy it locally here in Perth (Western Australia). At $3.95 I can get a tube of my favourite go-to colour in a very soft matte finish. In comparison to the NYX, the formula is not nearly as creamy and maintains a very firm and sturdy tube of colour. Does this mean the colour is hard and flakey? Absolutely not! It applies with a wonderful matte and feathery soft finish if you can imagine that. The texture is great and colour is buildable. This shade has slightly more warmth to it than the B52 which is a tad bit more mauve.
Chi Chi Viva La Diva Matte Lipstick in Style Stealer
I'm not sure as to why they called it a "Matte Lipstick" (perhaps because it doesn't have any shimmers), but this formula is a gorgeous gorgeous cream formula. Just as rich and creamy as the NYX B52 but you can definitely tell the difference in terms of higher quality (at $18.95 you'd hope so!). Think buttery and creamy, but sturdier than the B52 (which always broke and moved around in the tube because it was weaker and basically creaming on itself in its own fault lines). The colour is slightly towards the lighter mauve/pink side and lacks that earthy tone through it that the BYS lipstick has. Also, there is a slight botanical scent which gives a mental indication of higher quality ingredients (think along the lines of a faint jurlique smell), YEP, smells expensive!
VERDICT:
Im really loving the colour balance of mauve and earthy tones in the BYS matte lipstick and I will definitely be reaching for this one for work. However the Chi Chi Viva La Diva is the go-to if I need some moisturising on my pout and a slightly lighter colour (or an overall more luxurious application and wear experience).
