Ultraflesh Perfect Reds Set Review

Sephora recently started carrying the line Ultraflesh, and there are currently two lipstick sets available: Perfect Pinks and Perfect Reds. The pink set had some light pinks in it, however, since most light pinks clash with my skintone and make my look like a Nicki Minaj wannabe, I opted for the Perfect Reds six piece set. It features minis (see pic of one lipstick side-by-side with a MAC Lipglass) of three shades of lipstick, each in two different finishes: Sheer and Matte. The Sheer lipsticks are very sheer (I had to swipe a few times to get a good amount of color on both my lips and arms) and mildly moisturizing, if at all. The Mattes are very pigmented, with a texture that reminds me of NARS' Semi-Matte lipsticks, and the typical dryness that accompanies mattes. I didn't detect much of a scent of flavor with these, and I found they did leave some staining on my lips after testing them out.

Shades included are Bonfire, a rich, bright red that reminds me somewhat of NARS Red Lizard; Torch, a vivid 1950's red which has more than a touch of coral; and Spark, a cool-toned cherry red.

Left to right: Bonfire Sheer, Bonfire Matte

Left to right: Bonfire Sheer, Bonfire Matte

Left to right: Torch Sheer, Torch Matte

Left to right: Torch Sheer, Torch Matte

Left to right: Spark Sheer, Spark Matte

Left to right: Spark Sheer, Spark Matte

Ok. So the colors are lovely and all, but I feel like Ultraflesh led me on. With a title like "Perfect Reds", I expected something more than just three shades, all of which have a very bright, retro look (especially Torch!) that I can only describe as "technicolor". (If you've ever seen an early Technicolor film, and you've seen the lipsticks the stars are wearing, you know exactly what I'm talking about). Where is a blood red? A vampy purplish red? A true brick red? A cranberry red? A wine red? While these would look beautiful on anyone with a fairer complexion (you'll totally be channeling Grace Kelly with these), they looked so cheap and garish on me. I looked like the love child of Ronald McDonald and a 1980's streetwalker! I didn't dare post a pic, because this is the 'net, and what goes up on the 'net stays on the 'net. Bonfire looked the best on my NC40 (if even that. I'm slightly darker. The flash of the camera makes me look paler than I am) skin, and even then, it was meh. I've had better. Since I prefer my reds to be like MAC Viva Glam I, NARS Fire Down Below, and MAC Dubonnet, I gave this set to a fair-skinned friend. And they all look beautiful on her.