Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipsticks (Review & Swatches)

Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipsticks

There’s only so many times us bloggers can extol the virtues of Mary Kay before I hope we’re heard! While Mary Kay has long been touted as “your grandmother’s brand”, they are really, REALLY are stepping up their game. It’s not (yet) apparent in every product, but the more I try, the more I’m blown away by their transformation.

Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipsticks
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipsticks

Available as of August 16, 2016 (yesterday!), Mary Kay has launched their Gel Semi-Matte Lipsticks. These are the “first full coverage lipstick by Mary Kay to utilize gel microsphere technology for rich, stay-true colour that lasts for hours without leaving lips looking or feeling dry”.

Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipsticks
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipsticks

There are currently eight shades available and they’re an interesting selection – there’s a bunch of nudes with a twist (I’d say they have a brown edge to them) as well as some bright  colours. The colours are intensely pigmented – you won’t find very much of your own lip colour peeking through (except for Crushed Berry, that was the only one that I felt was a slightly bit sheer).

Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipsticks - swatched
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipsticks – swatched

There is a slight scent to the lipsticks that I can’t quite put my finger on. It’s almost a little herbal-y. At fist I wasn’t sure how I would feel about that, but in the end they are completely tasteless on my lips so I was really pleased about that.

Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick Swatches

Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Bashful You
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Bashful You
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Rich Truffle
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Rich Truffle
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Mauve Moment
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Mauve Moment
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Powerful Pink
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Powerful Pink
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Always Apricot
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Always Apricot
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Poppy Please
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Poppy Please
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Midnight Red
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Midnight Red
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Crushed Berry
Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipstick in Crushed Berry

To see these on a deeper skintone, please visit my friend Samantha Jane’s blog. She has a MAC NC42 skintone and has the whole range swatched out as well.

My Thoughts

My initial thoughts on these lipsticks was that I wasn’t going to be okay with the scent of them since they aren’t your usual vanilla lipstick flavour. However, once I discovered that these had no flavour on my lips, it was smooth sailing! These are absolutely gorgeous lipsticks that wear like a dream. The longevity of them is phenomenal (easily 6+ hours and it was still going strong) and they are exceptionally comfortable on the lips. They’re not even remotely drying which is always a blessing in a matte lipstick.

I also like just how solid the bullet feels – I never felt like I was at risk of breaking my lipstick and I was able to get full colour opacity with only a few swipes. I found the colour range adequate for a first launch (my personal favourite shade is Poppy Please), as it pretty much covered all the usual lipstick bases. Going forward, I would really like to see this shade range get expanded because I think Mary Kay has a truly winning formula in this lipstick range!

The products featured in this post were sent to me for consideration.

23 thoughts on “Mary Kay Gel Semi-Matte Lipsticks (Review & Swatches)

  1. I have not been this excited over lipstick in years! Crushed Berry intrigued me because it looks purple in the tube but on my lips looks fantastic and helps my teeth to look whiter (bonus!). I love it! Wondering if anyone else has felt a slight tingling after applying it? It doesn’t last but I feel something.

    1. Wooo! Nothing like a fantastic lipstick that also makes your teeth look whiter! I’ve not noticed any tingling at all – I wonder if there’s something in the ingredients that you’re particularly sensitive to though?

  2. Hi
    Im a Mary Kay consultant and all these colors are great. However, i find that my top seller is the Crushed Berry! All colors look amazing on u!

    1. I would love a sample of the almost apricot and the poppy please. I have been looking for the perfect lipstick for four months and haven’t found it yet. Is the poppy please more orange or red??

  3. The colors are lovely, but I’m an orange or tangerine person. Would love to see those colors added.I would like to try the rich truffle.It’s close to a color I would wear.

  4. I’m an older woman, light skin tone, blonde hair, blue eyes Of course my teeth are not as white as I’d like, and I don’t want a lipstick that’s going to show that. These all look so pretty on you, and I’m drawn to the first three. Any suggestions?

    1. Go for something with a cooler undertone to help cancel out the potential yellowness in teeth. (For example, a blue based red instead of an orange based one.) As for the first three shades, I feel like Mauve Moment is the least warm shade in there. Hope that helps!

  5. What color replaced the very lovely ‘Sunset’ and/or ‘Coral Bliss’ ? ?

    My very favorites that matched my skin coloring…

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