While the last few issues of This or That featured very, very similarly colored products, it’s also good to compare products that are not quite as colored. This helps determine why we might be drawn to one color over another, while also evaluating any formula differences. Let’s take a look at two sparkling shades of red!
Learn how to make more critical comparisons between two products as you choose between two options, whether you’re in debug mode, or considering a new purchase, or been tempted by something new and shiny!
Pat McGrath Rebel Red versus UOMA Beauty on Fire
The analysis
| REBEL RED Pat McGrath | ON FIRE UOMA beauty | |
|---|---|---|
| Finished | Moderately shiny with a lot of sheen | Moderately shiny with a lot of sheen |
| colour | Lighter, medium pink-red with cooler undertones | Slightly muted, medium-dark red with moderate, warm undertones |
| pigmentation | Semi-opaque, fairly even coverage | Semi-opaque, fairly even coverage |
| texture | Slightly pliable with easy slip (looked wetter than it felt), fairly smooth with a hint of texture from the sparkle that came through | Slightly pliable with moderate slip, slight sparkle feeling came through during use (not enough to be painful) |
| longevity | Moisturizing for 6 hours | 5.5 hours, slightly moisturizing |
| application | Applied fairly evenly but didn’t stick as evenly to the center of my lips | Applied fairly evenly but didn’t stick as evenly to the center of my lips |
| Accessibility | Online and in-store sales, moderately worldwide | Online and limited in-store distribution appeared to be less globally distributed |
| Price / size | $ 40.00 / 0.13 oz .; Brand holds 20% + sales a few times a year (regular enough that you can wait to buy) | $ 26.00 / 0.12 oz. |
| packaging | Traditional twist-up tube, bulkier with raised lips at the joint | Traditional twist lock, magnetic lock |
Reasons for Pat McGrath Rebel Red: For those who prefer a cooler blue-based red this would be a better choice as On Fire is definitely fiery red! The dimension on Rebel Red is also more complex and the glitters seemed to be a bit finer / smaller so they feel less noticeable when I pressed my lips together, which may be preferred for those who are more sensitive to sparkling textures. It lasted longer and left a noticeable reddish stain when it wore off. So if better wear and tear is required, that would speak for this shade as well.
Reasons for UOMA Beauty On Fire: For those who prefer a warmer, orange-based red and want to sparkle but don’t want it to be as dazzling as the sparkle was more tonal. The color was also darker and less bright, which may make it more “wearable” for some. This is the more budget-friendly choice, and the packaging has a magnetic closure which I think is nicer and more functional than Rebel Red.
Editor’s Choice: I prefer the color, finish, and slightly more even application of Rebel Red as I tend to wear blue-based red versus orange-based red myself.
Bottom line: They’re both comfortable, long-lasting, sparkly lipstick formulas, and I think it really comes down to preferring color rather than finish per se. If the colors were exactly the same, there’s a good chance I would go for UOMA’s formula just because it’s significantly cheaper, and I prefer the packaging (which is often part of what makes up a luxury price point).
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