The Maybelline Moisturizing Serum Lipstick ($7.99-10.99, depending on retailer) is supposed to deliver the look and color intensity of a bullet lipstick while moisturizing like a serum. The formula is vegan and claims to provide comfortable wear and 8 hours of moisture, with no feathering. While Maybelline is marketing the Serum Lipstick heavily for its added hyaluronic acid and oil blend, which helps add moisture, I don’t find this formula to be moisturizing. It also doesn’t dry my lips out, so that is good. In fairness, I do have dry lips, and I find that lip products with lanolin provide the best moisture for me. I also tend to get along better with formulas that do not contain hyaluronic acid. Some Lipstick formulas I like more for moisture than this one are the old-school Maybelline Color Sensational formula (which contains lanolin), the Estee Lauder Pure Color Creme Lipsticks, and the Pat McGrath SatinAllure Lipsticks. The Revlon Super Lustrous Formula is about even with the Maybelline Moisturizing Serum Lipstick in that it doesn’t dry my lips out, but I don’t think of it when I want something moisturizing.
This blog uses affiliate links (marked with **). I may earn a small commission when you purchase through links on my site. Learn more here.
**Maybelline Serum Lipstick, $9.99 @ Ulta – Swatches of 103 Make it Work and 104 Maybe It’s…Intense
These are not long-wearing, but don’t claim to be. I drink water and tea all day without a straw and can get about 2 hours of wear before I see noticeable fading. The fading doesn’t look too bad from a normal viewing distance. However, up close in the mirror, it wears down a bit unevenly and has noticeably sunk into my lip lines. The shades I have are dark, so it is possible the lighter shades might wear better and be less noticeable as they start to wear off. Speaking of the shades, I find the range to be very limited. Maybelline created some beautiful colors, but for my olive undertone and the purple undertone of my lips, many of the colors read too cool-toned for me. My favorite of the shades that I tried is 104 Maybe It’s…Intense. 101 Upstate, 102 Out Til 4, and 103 Make it Work were all too cool-toned (on me) for my preference. For reference, one of my best foundation matches is NARS Tahoe in the Natural Radiant Longwear formula.
 | $ 9.99 SalePrice $ 9.99 RegularPrice |
| Maybelline Serum Lipstick – Make It Work | |
 | $ 9.99 SalePrice $ 9.99 RegularPrice |
| Maybelline Serum Lipstick – Maybe It’s…Intense | |
**The Maybelline Moisturizing Serum Lipstick has a light vanilla scent that I don’t notice once it’s applied. Although this lipstick’s finish is called satin, I think it has more shine than I’d categorize as satin. After a couple of hours of wear, it does look more satin to me, but it has also faded considerably. The packaging, while nice, has to be lined up a certain way to close. This is a nitpick that I have with the L’oreal Colour Riche Lipsticks as well. But overall, I do think the packaging still looks nice, and I appreciate that the barcode sticker is placed so you can tell if it’s been opened before you buy it.
Comparison Swatches
103 Make it Work and 104 Maybe It’s…Intense turned out to be more unique than I anticipated. Hopefully, these comparison swatches are helpful as a point of reference. Although the **Maybelline Serum Satin Lipstick is fine, I don’t find its formula any better than those already on the market. I do think it is nice that Maybelline now has a vegan bullet lipstick for those who need that option (the **Teddy Tint liquid Lip Tints are also vegan). And again, it is possible that the lighter colors might wear down better than the two shades I’ve road-tested.
Have you tried this formula? What are your thoughts?
If you’d like to check out more of my content, here are some places to start.
- Blush Index
- Brands A-Z
- Bronzer & Highlighter Index
- Brush Index
- Concealer Ranking
- Eyeshadow Index
- Foundation Round-Up
- Lipstick Index
- Makeup Storage and Organization Ideas
- My Favorite Makeup
- Powder Round-Up
Disclaimer: I purchased all products featured with my own money. This site receives a minimal commission from participating in the WordAds program and using affiliate links (marked with **). For my full disclosure policy, click here.
Nikki From HR 
The lipsticks look really nice from the component to the bullet shape and the colors you selected. It’s unfortunate that they’re not actually moisturizing. Still good that they don’t dry out your lips, but then I’d want the formula to be longer lasting if it wasn’t actually moisturizing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has been a very cold winter here, so maybe they’ll do a little better for me once it warms up a little. 🤷🏽♀️
LikeLiked by 1 person