A PR agency sent me a few lipstick samples from ella+mila in 2021, which I happily tried out. I am forever trying to hunt down the perfect shade of red, and the three colors they sent were all various takes on the color. While all three were beautiful, my absolute favorite ended up being the After 5 hue.
Specifications
- Price: $7.
- Size: 0.14 fluid ounces.
Pros
- Long-lasting.
- Comfortable wear.
- Vegan and cruelty-free.
- Made in the U.S.
- Beautiful colors.
Cons
- It can be tough to clean up application mistakes.
Velvety Matte Finish
I should start by saying that I’m normally not a matte lipstick kind of person. There’s just something about a shiny gloss or lipstick that feels polished — not to mention easier to pull off if you happen to have dry lips (hello, Minnesota winters!)
But, the “velvet matte finish” of this particular lipstick is actually quite stunning. When wearing it, I don’t get that icky sensation of a cracking lip mask, as with some matte lipsticks. In fact, once it dries, I hardly even notice I’m wearing it.
Use Caution When Applying
Word to the wise: Make sure you give yourself a couple of minutes to apply this deep, berry-hued color. You’ll want to first wipe off excess lipstick from the wand applicator by scraping it against the inside of the lipstick tube. Once you’ve done that, I find it works best to trace my lip line and then fill in my lips with color.
Don’t smile or talk for at least 30 seconds, unless you happen to enjoy getting lipstick on your teeth. Honestly, I get a little nervous when applying the color since making a mistake (like applying outside of your lip line) is super noticeable and a little difficult to remove. It’s not impossible, but you’ll have to do a little scrubbing and probably redo any foundation or concealer in that spot.
It Lasts!
The application process is really the only downside to this lipstick, and it’s a pretty minor one at that. Once applied, the color lasts for hours. I often wear it to formal events for that little pop of bold color, and I typically don’t have to reapply — even after eating and drinking.
Though it’s not marketed as a long-lasting lip color, I’ve found it’ll hang in there for three or more hours. If I do need to reapply, it’s generally easy because it typically only wears off around my inner lips, leaving the lip line mostly intact.
I also like that the formula is vegan and cruelty-free, certified by both PETA and Leaping Bunny. Plus, it’s made here in the U.S. and is free of phthalates and gluten.
There are plenty of other colors to try in the velvet matte finish, but I adore After 5 for its rich, deep red hue. As an added bonus, I feel like the After 5 hue is kinder to my teeth, making them look just a touch whiter than they actually are.
Ella+Mila After 5 Lipstick
After 5 is a Must-Have
While I don’t wear this lipstick every day, it has absolutely become my go-to for formal events or for days that call for a little extra boost of confidence thanks to a bold lip. The application and drying process take a bit more time than a standard lipstick, but the hours-long, comfortable wear makes it all worthwhile.
