Wearing N.Y.C. New York Color Ultra Last Lipstick in Sugar Plum
I seriously cannot believe these NYC New York Color Ultra Last LipWear lipsticks are just $2. TWO DOLLARS!
Like Trader Joe’s Two-Buck Chuck, (I think) these are worth way more than their price implies. I’m talkin’ hidden drugstore gems.
I didn’t expect much from the three tubes I bought on a whim last weekend, but what a pleasant surprise. Opaque, pretty colors, a smooth texture, a hydrating formula and a high-shine finish? WOW!
Wear time’s been pretty good (about five hours), and they’ve been able to withstand gin-n-juice sips of water, but they don’t really tolerate meals.
Tabs gives ’em two paws way up for being both drugstore AND cruelty-free, and I give them two thumbs up for not having an (ob)noxious taste or scent (I’m talking to YOU, NYX Beautiful).
To top it all off, they come in 20 shades! The perfectly named Berry Rich is my favorite of the three I got. It makes lips sing sonnets paired with purple eye looks.
But here’s the thing…the bullet’s gotta go. It doesn’t screw all the way down, so the sticks jut out of the tubes; consequently, I keep nicking the sides of the bullets when I put the caps back on, grrr…
The caps also feel kinda flimsy, too, but maybe that’s a trade-off for a $2 tube. I keep expecting one to pop open in my purse… Ms. Kate Spade would not be down with that.
N.Y.C. New York Color Ultra Last Lipsticks from left: Berry Rich, Sugar Plum and Caramel
Wack-@ss packaging!
Swatches from left: Sugar Plum, Berry Rich and Caramel
Berry Rich
Sugar Plum
Caramel
Berry Rich
Caramel
Bargain hunting beauties, broke college students (been there!) and low-cost lipstick lovers — you might want to give these a try on your next trip to the drugstore to buy toilet paper and grapes — wait, that’s me. 🙂
PRICE: $2 each; 20 shades to choose from
AVAILABILITY: At most drugstores and online.
MAKEUP AND BEAUTY BLOG RATING: A
In completely unrelated yet sufficiently scintillating news…
Ryan Reynolds’ abs just snagged People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive award! See, Ryan! I knew you could do it, LOL!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Appu says
I love Caramel! I never knew these were so good. Will pick them up 🙂 The NYC creme blushable sticks are pretty good too!!
Karen says
I’ve heard those are great. Must pick up some soon…
Kim says
I like Sugar Plum and $2 is a definitely steal. Of course, if given the choice, I might go with the Two Buck Chuck. 🙂
Karen says
I hear that! Especially after a long day…
sophia says
Hi! I must ask ~ where is your necklace from in the first photo?? It’s gorgeous I love it!
Karen says
Hi Sophia,
I just picked that up at Forever 21 for $7:
https://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/daily-photo/imagine-this-necklace-on-tabs/
Lindsay a.k.a. RVAfashionista says
Hey Karen,
I will definitely have to check out those N.Y.C. lipsticks. I’m normally a MAC or Clinique gal for lipsticks but considering I have a bad habit of losing lippies sometimes, I definitely need some drugstore alternates.
I thought it was 3-Buck-Chuck but either way, LOVE me some wine from TJs. 🙂
Karen says
TJs is so rocking my world right now. Have you ever had their Dark Chocolate Stars? NOM!
NeutraKris says
Thanks for this! I have seen these around but have been reluctant to try them… I don’t know why. I usually am down for going on a limp on cheaper lipsticks. I will definitely pick some of these up the next time I’m out.
Karen says
You’re welcome, Kris!
Nina says
those are pretty!!! NYC lippies are relatively OK. must check these out soon!
Karen says
Hi Nina,
They’re great lil’ drugstore gems. I hope you find a color you like!
Trinidad Pena says
I’ll give it go. 5 hours and only 2 bucks! It’s a great deal. Especially if you wanna try out a color that isn’t your norm!
Karen says
Hi Trinidad,
Yup, yup! I hope you like ’em.
Trisha says
First, I looooooove Ryan Reynolds. I would marry his face and attitude in a second.
Second, those lip sticks look awesome. I like how pigmented they are and how great they look on you. I’m going to have to pick some up!
Karen says
Hi Trisha,
I loooove him too!
Cindy (Prime Beauty) says
This is definitley a brand to take a second look at–I also love their blush sticks for $3.99!
Karen says
Hi Cindy,
I’ve heard those are great! Do you have a fave color?
Dao says
I was surprised at how pigmented these guys are when I bought Blue Orchid a couple of months ago. I just wanted a very bright and tacky pink lipstick and that fit the bill quite nicely. Now, CVS and K-Mart are having a BOGO half off this week. Which means, you’ll get 2 lipsticks for 3 bucks!
Karen says
Thanks for the heads up on the BOGO sale, Dao!
mkdallas says
I’ve really enjoyed seeing your posts on NYX and NYX products! I love me some high-end department store makeup goodies, but I also think finding a drugstore treasure is extra fun. You really get way more than you pay for with both lines and I’m thrilled to learn that NYC is cruelty-free. I hope you’ll keep throwing in the occasional cheap thrill review; it really is nice to know that good-quality makeup is available at a fair price.
Karen says
Hi MKDallas,
It really gives me a thrill to find those drugstore makeup gems. I’ll try to throw more budget reviews in. 🙂
gio says
Berry Rich is gorgeous! And what a steal too!
Karen says
Hi Gio,
That’s my fave shade!
Ashley says
Berry Rich looks great. I might just pick it up later today!
But you know what or rather who looks even greater? Ryan Reynolds! Mmm.. And he’s Canadian, eh 😉
Karen says
Hi Ashley,
I knew that! Go Canada! 😉
vonnie says
WOW! it’s beautiful for such a low price…look moisturizing and pigmented
Karen says
Hi Vonnie,
They’re super moisturizing. Should be great for the cold weather season!
Rae says
Holy crap, $2?! I’m impressed! Maybe I’ll have to give one a try and just put it in a separate pot or something…
Karen says
Yeah! Or maybe pop ’em into a lipstick palette?
lo says
Pretty… I think I need to check these out! I’ve been wanting to creep into the world of lipstick lately, and some of those colors look like they’d be perfect. Do they smell or taste like anything?
Karen says
Hi Lo,
They’re flavor- and scent- free!
Marian says
I’ve gotta check these out…..but everything looks fab on you, Karen!
Karen says
Hi Marian,
I hope you get your hands on a tube. 🙂 Let me know if you find a color that you love!
steph b says
Ohhh…going to have to check out Berry Rich. So pretty.
I know you love Whip My Hair — have you seen the Jimmy Fallon (as Neil Young) and Bruce Springsteen cover? Freaking hilarious. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhFh-JqQuMg&feature=related
Karen says
That’s my fave out of the three.
Um, that video totally made my morning! I can’t stop laughing!
Elaine says
Hey Karen!
Something I do to keep my makeup under control in expensive purses is it put my makeup in a small makeup bag and then put the makeup bag in my purse! This was after an unfortunate incident with a powder blush explosion…
Karen says
Hey Elaine,
Ah! Ye olde bag-within-a-bag trick! Yes, that works great. I’ve been carrying a wristlet around lately in the attempt to streamline, so it doesn’t really work (maybe I can put it in a ziploc?), but for big purses it’s a good trick.
Sorry to hear about your powder blush explosion. 🙁 How long did it take you to clean out your bag?
Christina says
I just started to read your blog (I tagged it as a favorite). You are so funny – and an inspiration for people like me who are not makeup savvy. You make it all look fun, easy and approachable. Plus the occasional pic of Ryan doesn’t hurt.
I’ll have to check out these lipsticks. I love a great bargain.
Thanks!
Karen says
Hi Christina!
It’s very nice to meet you. And yes… an occasional picture of Ryan is always a good thing. 🙂
BTW, I just picked up another shade of this lipstick yesterday — Lilac Dream. Will let you know if it’s any good.
Resham says
WOW!! $2….I just love Bargain Beauty Products!
Hazel says
thanks karen! i can’t wait to pick a few of these up!
Leah says
mousse is my new HG color. perfect for me and lasts a long time which us important cause I’m a teacher. but I always hit the cap on the lipstick too!