As a makeup enthusiast, I’m always on the hunt for the perfect lip products that deliver on color, comfort, and staying power. When it comes to nudes and browns, finding the right shade can be especially tricky – one that is flattering for your skin tone but still makes a statement. That’s why I was intrigued to try out the Maybelline New York Color Sensational Nude Lipstick Powder Matte Lipstick in the shade Carnal Brown. Maybelline is known for their affordable yet high-quality lip products, so I had high hopes for this one. After scouring through numerous customer reviews and testing it out myself, I’m excited to share my in-depth thoughts on this popular lipstick.
Packaging
Let’s start with the packaging. The Maybelline Color Sensational lipstick comes in a sleek, square plastic tube with the shade name labeled on the bottom. The case has a satisfying magnetic closure that keeps the lipstick securely closed in your purse or makeup bag. The modern, minimalist look is on par with higher end lipsticks.
While most people didn’t have issues, a few reviewers did receive their lipstick with the bullet broken off from the base or smooshed into the cap. This seems to be due to inadequate packaging for shipping rather than a product defect. Personally, my lipstick arrived fully intact, but it’s something to keep in mind if you’re ordering online. Make sure to purchase from a reputable seller who packages items carefully.
Shade
Now onto the star of the show – the Carnal Brown shade itself. This is a medium-deep brown with strong cool, grayish undertones. On the lips, it reads as a rich taupey brown, almost a grungy 90s brown. Depending on your skin tone, it can look very different – on fair skin, it’s a very deep, dramatic brown bordering on vampy. On tan to rich skin tones, it’s more of a wearable neutral that could even work for everyday.
Many reviewers compared Carnal Brown to some popular higher-end shades, noting it as a affordable dupe for MAC’s Folio and Stone lipsticks. If you’ve been eyeing those types of shades but didn’t want to shell out MAC prices, this Maybelline lipstick could scratch that itch.
While brown lipstick has made a huge comeback and is very on-trend, it can still be a polarizing shade. Some reviewers loved the edgy, fashion-forward look of Carnal Brown, while others found it too harsh or unflattering against their skin. Personally, I found it to be a statement shade that takes some confidence to wear, but it feels very current and editorial. It’s probably not going to be the most natural “my lips but better” kind of shade on most people.
Formula & Application
Maybelline describes the formula as a powder matte – it has a soft matte, almost blurred finish on the lips. To me, the finish looks a bit retro, like a 60’s matte lip. It’s not a fully flat matte and has a bit of sheen to it.
The texture is lightweight and glides onto lips smoothly without tugging or skipping. I’d say it has a medium level of creaminess – enough to help it apply evenly but not so slippery that it slides around. The pointed bullet makes it easy to get a crisp line around the edges of the lips.
In terms of comfort, I found the Carnal Brown lipstick to feel very pleasant on the lips for a matte. It’s not moisturizing per se, but it doesn’t suck all the hydration out of your lips like some matte formulas can. With proper prep (I always recommend exfoliating and moisturizing before any matte lip), it looks smooth and feels quite comfortable.
Some reviewers did find the formula very dry and even crumbly/flaky, especially those with naturally dry lips. If you have perpetually parched lips, a hydrating lip primer underneath might help, or you may want to opt for a more emollient formula altogether. But for most, with proper prep, the powder matte feels nice and weightless on the lips.
Pigmentation on Carnal Brown is fantastic – it’s rich and opaque in one swipe, no building up required. A little goes a long way. The color also stays vibrant on the lips and doesn’t seem to darken or change over time. Some mattes can look a lot darker once they set in, but this one is true to color in the bullet.
Wear
For longevity, I get around 4-5 hours of wear before Carnal Brown starts to break down and fade. It’s not the most transfer-proof lipstick – you will get some color on your cups and straws. But the fading is very even and leaves a soft stain behind instead of patches of color. Touchups are easy since the color doesn’t build up or get cakey over itself.
After meals is where I noticed more significant fading in the center of the lips. For some, this is actually a plus – it leaves behind a trendy ombré effect with more color around the edges and a softer, diffused shade in the middle. But if you want truly locked-in color, a lip liner all over the lips first will help with that.
Compared to traditional cream bullets, Carnal Brown won’t have the most bulletproof staying power. But for a non-liquid matte lipstick, it holds up well and is easy to maintain throughout the day.
Scent The lipstick has a sweet, slightly artificial vanilla scent in the tube that’s detectable but not overpowering. I didn’t notice any taste once on the lips. If you’re very sensitive to fragrance you may not love it, but for most, it likely won’t be an issue. The scent dissipates quickly after application.
Versatility
One thing I love about Carnal Brown is how versatile it can be. You can wear it bold and opaque for a statement lip, or blot it down to a soft brown stain for a more wearable look. It also works well mixed with other colors – I’ve been enjoying pairing it with a beige nude in the center of the lips for a trendy 90s supermodel vibe.
While it’s not the most natural everyday shade, you can definitely make it wearable by building up the rest of your makeup to balance it. I like a bronzey eye and plenty of mascara with a brown lip like this. For a full glam look, a smokey eye and contour also pairs beautifully.
The other shades in the Maybelline matte powder line offer some easier to wear, neutral options in the same great formula if Carnal Brown feels too bold. Shades like Almond Hustle, Pure Nude, and Cruel Ruby are all gorgeous brown-based picks that aren’t quite as deep.
Comparison to Other Shades
To put Carnal Brown into context, here are some comparisons to popular shades:
- MAC Folio: Reviewers say Carnal Brown is extremely close to this rare, celebrity-coveted shade that’s often sold out. It might be slightly warmer, but overall an excellent affordable dupe.
- MAC Stone: Stone is lighter and has more gray undertones compared to Carnal Brown, which runs deeper/richer overall. But they have a similar grungy vibe.
- Maybelline Concrete Jungle: From the same powder matte line, Concrete Jungle is a lighter, more wearable greige brown that would be a great pick if Carnal Brown seems too intense. The two could also be mixed together.
Overall Thoughts
All in all, Maybelline’s Color Sensational Powder Matte lipstick in Carnal Brown is a great option if you’re looking for a bold, editorial-inspired brown lip. The formula is comfortable and long-wearing, especially for a bullet lipstick. It applies smoothly, has great color payoff, and wears away evenly. While the shade won’t be for everyone, it’s very on-trend with 90s brown lips making a huge comeback. If you’ve been wanting to try the look, Carnal Brown is an affordable way to do so, and offers some great dupes for popular higher-end options.
This isn’t going to be the most natural, everyday lipstick for most people. But I wouldn’t call it unwearable either. Pairing it with the right makeup and choosing the right opacity level can make it surprisingly chic and current. I personally loved the shade, but I do tend to go for bolder, more unconventional lip colors in general.
Of course, shade preferences will always vary from person to person. Those with naturally very dry lips may find the matte formula too dry as well. And some quality control issues with packaging have been noted, so do purchase from a trusted seller.
In terms of pros, Carnal Brown has a great price point, comfortable matte formula, rich pigmentation that stays true over time, and a modern, fashionable shade. The trendy ombré look it fades into and versatility to be worn bold or blotted down are also big pluses.
In the cons column are the potentially drying formula on some lips, lack of more natural wearability for certain skin tones, and some shipping issues impacting product form. While not a fully transfer-proof formula, I think touchups are easy enough.
Final Verdict
The Maybelline Color Sensational Powder Matte lipstick in Carnal Brown is an excellent affordable lipstick that ticks a lot of boxes – great pigmentation and blendability, stylish shade, good wear time, and comfortable matte texture. If you’ve been curious to try out a bolder brown lip, this is a fantastic drugstore pick to do so.
Whether you wear it as a full-on statement lip or diffuse it for a softer look, the warm undertones and rich hue make for an interesting, fashion-forward brown that pairs well with many makeup looks. It may even dupe some of your favorite higher-end lipstick shades. However, those with dry lips or who prefer neutral, natural tones may want to look at other shades within the range.
Overall, while perhaps not HG status for all, this is a solid, reliable matte lipstick in a very current, trendsetting shade. The nineties are back in a big way, and Carnal Brown is the perfect accompaniment to all your grungy, supermodel-off-duty-inspired looks. If you’re a fan of bold, cool-toned browns, you likely can’t go wrong with this one. Just make sure you’re ready to rock this daring shade with confidence!
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