Two words: Unconventional Nudes. Sounds pretty impressive, doesn’t it? Intriguing?

I agree. So here we go…

A couple of months ago, Melt Cosmetics released their Unconventional Nudes Lipstick Collection – four ultra-matte lipsticks in *you guessed it* UNCONVENTIONAL NUDE SHADES! I’ve been sitting on this little video review since I filmed it in March due to lack of spoons coupled with wanting to make sure that I gave these little lipsticks a proper trial – instead of a “first impression.”

Last I checked, these lipsticks are still available on Melt Cosmetics’ website both as a set and as individual lipsticks. I also think they are carried at a few small resell retailers but am not 100% sure on that.

Each lipstick contains 4.05oz of product in Melt’s signature satin black minimalistic packaging. The bundle price is $64 USD or $19 USD if purchased individually. The exterior packaging has the ingredients listed, barcodes, made in information, and shade name.

VOYEUR

Voyeur described on the site as: “Everyone will be sneaking a peek of you while you wear this tempting glazed pecan shade. This creamy ultra-pigmented lipstick sets to the perfect matte.”

I guess I would agree with it as a pecan-ish shade, although the lipstick bullet color pulls a lot warmer than it looks on the lips. I think this is a beautiful nude color for an everyday grab and go color – with little fuss or worry. It does pull out the warm, yellow tones in my teeth, so it’s not a shade that I gravitate to on a daily basis, but it is quite pretty – especially, like Mural, when I pair it with a copper or auburn wig.

Tomboy

Tomboy is described as “ a boisterous moss grey with neutral undertones so everyone can enjoy it. This shade can make even the most natural makeup look bold.”

Having actually read the description from the website and not just go off the pictures – like I did because I’m a novice – I would agree wholeheartedly with the description. If you look at pictures or other swatches, or straight at the bullet, it does seem like this lipstick would have more olive-warm tones to it rather than grey tones. Must be magic.

I love this shade. It is my favorite out of the four, and I think it looks incredible on the lips. Tomboy is the smoothest to apply out of all four shades a well. I will say, however, that if you do not apply an even coat or excessively mash your lips together, you can start to see the natural pinky tones of your lips peeking out from underneath. I don’t mind it much though – but I would like to mention it, especially if you are taking pictures for social media and are trying to look “perfect.” Just do a double take to make sure that everything is even.

Having worn this lipstick out about eight times, I get A LOT of compliments on it, and it remains in my top five most complimented lip shades.

MURAL

Mural is described as “a creamy burnt orange masterpiece in Ultra Matte Lipstick form that will glide on your lips.”

While I agree that it is a try burnt orange, it was the thickest – not to be confused with driest – formula out of the quad. It is such a pretty shade, and I LOVE it with this Epic Cosplay wig in Apollo (Cocoa Brown) since it is a dead ringer for the color. Oooh, I just love a solid monochromatic look. Anyways, I digress…

Mural is a lovely shade that I think would be perfect in the late summer to autumn months. This color is my second fave out of the four, and I wear it at least a few times during the month – more so when I want a bold lip without having to do more than brows and lashes. It wears very well, aside from being a thicker formula than the others. The way I’ve found to get around that is to either sit on the lipstick tube while I’m putting on my skincare and/or makeup that way it has time to warm up – OR apply some to the back of your hand to warm it up first and then apply it to your lips with a brush.

1969

1969 is described as “an enticing orange creamsicle hue with our delicious signature scent that is Woodstock appropriate and more iconic than the moon landing.”

… is it just me or is that description a bit odd? The standard Melt lipstick scent is slightly vanilla-ish and when thinking about Woodstock… vanilla isn’t the first scent to come to mind. /ba dah boom ching. Anywho, this lipstick is my least favorite out of the bunch. It is a very vibrant peachy orange nude color that is very drying to apply and wear. Bright colors can be a little drier due to the amount of white needed to lighten and/or brighten the shade. I assume from looking at the ingredients that they use Kaolin clay as their lightener – which since it’s clay can be quite dry.

Personally, aside from the dry application and wear – I don’t think this color suits me. I’ve attempted to wear this on no makeup days and on days where I switch up the hair color… because I have just a few wigs… he he he. As I mentioned in the video – I think it’s mostly due to my undertones and I stand by my statement where I think this would look AMAZING on anyone with a tan or very deep complexion.

One thing that I do like with this lipstick is to warm it up on the back of my hand and apply it to my cheeks as a cream blush color. You can do this with all sorts of lipsticks just double check first to make sure that it won’t stain your skin.

As a whole, I think this collection and color range of Melt’s Unconventional Nudes is pretty unique, and I would recommend this little set to anyone who wants to step out of the normal lipstick colors and try something that is still nude-ish but with a bit of more ooompf.

If you are like me, I recommend waiting until there is a sale on Melt’s website before picking up anything that you’re unsure of. That’s what I have done with all of my prior Melt eyeshadow stacks except their second to last eyeshadow palette, Gemini. OH! Speaking of Gemini, would you guys like to see a review and swatchfest of the palette with a look or two here on the blog? I know that it’s currently sold out, but I’m sure they will bring it back due to all of the hype. Let me know in the comments.

Out of the four, I highly recommend grabbing Tomboy for its uniqueness of shade and Mural – just because it’s really pretty and applies well. Voyeur is also a pretty shade, but I feel like it’s not that unconventional now that everyone seems to be coming out with “nude” skin tone based shades.

Have you picked up any of these lipsticks or the complete set? If so, what are your personal favorites? If you haven’t picked it up and want to – let me know which ones you are most excited to try… pretty please.

Also, as mentioned in the video, this was my first “lip swatch/review” type video, and I am a little nervous about putting it out there. I am a little leery about bringing attention to my mouth just because my teeth aren’t the most perfect, whitest, or straightest and I have rather small, dry lips most of the time. As a makeup fiend, I tend to lean heavily on my eyes and or character makeup and just gloss over anything having to do or bring attention to my lips/teeth. It’s a little gritty for me to admit this but hey, I’m human, and I deal with self-esteem/body issues… who doesn’t?  If you like this type of content, let me know via comments either here on the blog post or my YouTube video, and that may persuade me into trying more of these lip-centered posts.

… oh and isn’t Charlie the cutest. I love that not-so-little knucklehead to pieces. I just had to include a bonus Charlie Blooper round in this video because he was rather vocal while I was trying to record my little review.

FTC Disclaimer: All opinions and views expressed in this post and accompanying video are 100% my own. This post was not sponsored nor was I sent any product to review.