Beauty Diary: Viral $18 Revlon ColorStay Suede Ink lipstick review

A budget item sold at Chemist Warehouse is “surprising” Aussies with its quality – as it costs less than 20 bucks but feels incredibly expensive.

There’s nothing I love more than finding an incredible beauty buy that doesn’t cost a bomb.

You can’t beat that smug feeling of satisfaction knowing you’ve snagged a bargain – it’s a guilty pleasure even the richest among us love to revel in.

Luckily for you, I don’t like to gate keep my luxe for less beauty finds – and boy have I found a doozy.

Revlon recently released a new range of lippies which sell for just $18 at Chemist Warehouse, and they’re so good, they easily feel way more expensive.

But at half the price, and a no-transfer formula, the ColorStay Suede Ink collection is now my go-to.

Australians have been going crazy for a budget chemist buy with ‘incredible’ quality. Picture: TikTok/

Nica Marcello, Revlon's education manager, wearing shade ‘Type A’. Picture: Instagram

I’m not the only one who has cottoned on to how great this chemist buy is either, with Revlon education manager, Nica Marcello telling news.com.au’s The Beauty Diary Australians have been snapping up the affordable lip colours in droves.

“The reaction has been so positive, with many expressing how pleasantly surprised they are that the ColorStay Suede Ink Lipsticks are so comfortable to wear,” she said.

“They love the way their lips feel moisturised and that the product lasts so long, despite being a matte lipstick.

“The variety of shades has been well received too across the selection of nudes and reds varying in undertone – not to forget the pops of pink – plus no need for touch ups as it wears for so long.”

Nica isn’t exaggerating about how well the lippie stays in place. I’ve worn mine to dinner, drinks and even on a date – and it doesn’t budge.

On TikTok, some fans of the product – which initially launched with 12 shades but has just had six new hues added – described it as “kissproof”.

“[These] hold up damn well,” one woman declared after putting the product through a “three-course meal check”.

“I expected it to be sheer, but it’s very thick, and I can’t even feel it on,” another said.

While one lover stated: “It doesn’t crumble, rub off or make your lips look crusty.”

Social media users have been raving about the product. Picture: TikTok/sarahsaidsmith

The lipstick has been described as ‘kiss-proof’. Picture: TikTok/Yevy

Nica said despite the huge range of colours available, there were a few shades that had proved “very popular” among Aussies.

“The shade ‘Gut Instinct’ has easily been the most popular and is considered a shade dupe for another well-known high-end lipstick, along with ‘That Girl’ and ‘Hot Girl’ with slightly different undertone options for a nude,” she said.

“As far as reds go, Feed the Flame has been an instant standout, as worn by our ambassador Delta Goodrem throughout the campaign.”

As for my favourite, the lippie I’ve been reaching for is ‘Spit Fire’, a vibrant red, while I also love “In Charge”, a subtle pink that goes with everything.

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Originally published as Beauty Diary: Viral $18 Revlon ColorStay Suede Ink lipstick review