Besame Lipstick Review: My Honest Thoughts on the Vintage-Inspired Line

Hey there, fellow lipstick lovers! If you‘re a makeup fanatic like me, you‘ve probably heard the buzz about Besame Cosmetics. This luxury vintage-inspired brand is famous for their dreamy, ultra-pigmented lipsticks in shades that‘ll transport you straight to the Golden Age of Hollywood.

As a fashionista who‘s been obsessed with all things retro glam for years, I couldn‘t resist trying Besame lipstick for myself. And let me tell you, these lippies did not disappoint! I‘ve now been using Besame as my go-to lipstick for over a year, so I‘m excited to finally share my in-depth review with you.

In this post, I‘ll be giving you my honest thoughts on everything from the packaging to the formula to the wear-time of Besame‘s lipsticks. I‘ve also scoured the internet for feedback from other bloggers and Besame customers to give you a well-rounded view of the brand.

So if you‘ve been eyeing Besame lipstick but aren‘t sure if it‘s worth the splurge, I got you. Pour yourself a coffee and let‘s dive into the magical world of Besame lipstick together!

First Impressions

I still remember my giddiness when I first held a Besame lipstick tube. The weighty gold packaging looked and felt so luxe, with the most charming vintage details etched on the cap. I felt like I was holding a treasured antique from my grandma‘s vanity in the 1940s!

Besame‘s attention to detail and commitment to historically-accurate colors is apparent right away. Each lipstick is based on actual shades from a specific year, ranging from the 1920s to the 1970s. As a vintage fashion addict and self-proclaimed lipstick historian, I was completely swooning over the authentic touches.

The lipstick bullets are equally stunning. I first picked up the shade Red Velvet from 1946 (which I later learned is their bestseller). It‘s the most perfect rich, blue-based red with a satin finish. Even before I swiped it on, I could tell it would make my teeth look whiter and brighten up my whole face.

Formula & Performance

Guys, the texture of Besame lipstick is something else. I own an embarrassing amount of high-end lip products, but nothing quite feels like Besame. It‘s so smooth and creamy with an almost balm-like quality, but it still has that staying power of a matte.

The lipstick just glides across the lips in a single stroke, imparting rich, opaque pigment without settling into lip lines or clinging to dry patches. It‘s one of the only matte formulas I‘ve tried that doesn‘t leave my lips feeling dry or cakey after a few hours. In fact, the hydrating ingredients like vitamin E and squalane actually keep my lips soft and supple.

I‘m also blown away by how long Besame lipstick lasts without touch-ups. The deeper reds like Red Velvet and Merlot last through multiple cups of coffee and even lighter meals on me. I‘d say I get a solid 5 to 6 hours of wear before the color starts to fade evenly from the center, which is pretty dang impressive.

Do keep in mind that the Besame formula is very pigmented and creamy, so it can transfer and smudge a little if you‘re not careful. That‘s the trade-off for having a comfortable, non-drying matte lipstick. I always use a clear lip liner to keep the edges crisp, and blot before sipping from white mugs.

Shade Range

Let‘s talk colors! Besame‘s core lipstick line includes 15 shades in a mix of reds, berries, and pinks, mostly with a satin or matte finish. While the shade range may seem limited compared to some brands, the colors are so beautifully curated and executed.

As a medium-tan Asian gal with yellow undertones, I often struggle to find vintage-style shades that don‘t make me look washed out. But Besame lipsticks have shades that complement a huge range of complexions, from porcelain to deep. Their reds are especially impressive – it‘s rare to find ones that work on literally everyone!

Over the past year, I‘ve collected 6 Besame lipsticks (and counting). My current faves are:

• Red Velvet (1946): The perfect pin-up red that makes your teeth look instantly brighter. It‘s a neutral red, meaning it‘ll suit both warm and cool complexions.

• Chocolate Kiss (1970): A warm rusty brown with the barest hint of sheen. It‘s a great 90s throwback color that‘s trendy again now.

• Dusty Rose (1969): A sophisticated rosy pink with subtle shimmer. It gives the lips a lush, plumped look without being frosty or metallic.

• Portrait Pink (1963): My go-to everyday pink when I want a break from bold reds. It‘s a soft, ballerina pink that instantly makes me feel pretty and put-together.

If you‘re not ready to commit to a full-size tube, Besame also has themed mini sets that let you try best-selling shades for less. I started my collection with the Decades of Lipstick set, which has samples of their most iconic shades through the decades.

Packaging & Presentation

I know I already gushed about the packaging, but it deserves its own callout. Don‘t even get me started on the insanely cool collections Besame releases! From their Agent Carter collab to the Disney Snow White set, the special edition storybook cases and artwork are to die for.

Luckily, the regular line is just as stunning. The heavy gold tubes feel substantial and glide open with a luxurious click. I love the enamel detailing on the caps that correspond to the shade inside. It‘s a small thing, but it shows Besame‘s thought every detail through.

Another big plus is how securely the caps stay on. Unlike some of my other lipsticks that‘ll pop open in my purse, I feel totally confident tossing a Besame lipstick in my bag. The packaging is as sturdy and well-made as it is pretty.

One thing to note: I have heard some customers say their lipstick arrived broken or melted, especially in the summer months. While I‘ve never had that issue personally, I‘d recommend choosing expedited shipping if you‘re worried! Besame is also great about replacing any damaged items.

Customer Feedback

You don‘t have to just take my word for it – Besame lipstick has rave reviews all over the internet! On Besame‘s website, almost all the shades have 100+ reviews and 4.5+ star ratings. At Sephora, Besame Cosmetics has an impressive 4.7 out of 5 star rating across 50,000+ reviews. That‘s a LOT of happy customers.

Reading through the reviews, I saw a lot of the same sentiments I had. Fans raved about the "creamy texture," "intense pigmentation," and "gorgeous packaging." Several called out Besame‘s lipsticks as their "ride or die" and "secret weapon."

Here are a few Besame lipstick reviews that stood out to me:

"I am very picky when it comes to lipsticks, but this one checks all the boxes. Long lasting ✔️ Non-drying ✔️ Looks amazing ✔️ The color lasts through eating and drinking and doesn‘t end up all over my face."

"I cannot rave about it more!!! The color is a very deep red, and can be applied sheer with one swipe or super intense with a couple of swipes. The packaging is absolutely adorable and study, with a nice weight to it that makes it feel very high end."

"This shade of red [Red Velvet] is magic. I don‘t know how they did it, but it seems to look incredible on every skin tone. It always gets me compliments! Plus, it fades evenly and is comfortable to wear all day at work."

Of course, no product is perfect for everyone. A handful of Besame customers complained about the lipsticks having a shorter wear-time than expected, or looking different in-person than online. A few experienced shipping issues or damaged items, but it seemed Besame‘s customer service was quick to resolve problems.

Comparisons to Other Brands

If you‘re on the fence about trying Besame lipstick, you might be wondering how it compares to similar luxury brands. Is it really worth the $25 price tag?

In my opinion and experience, Besame holds its own among the top prestige lipstick brands like MAC, Charlotte Tilbury, Pat McGrath Labs, and Hourglass. While those lines have their own strengths (like a wider shade range or trendier finishes), I do think Besame has the edge when it comes to vintage-style colors.

Besame‘s lipstick shades are so unique because they‘re all rooted in historical research and real colors from the past. You can literally pinpoint the year and cultural context behind every shade – no other brand does that! So if you‘re specifically looking for an authentic retro red or antique rose color, Besame is unmatched.

Another big selling point of Besame to me is the clean formula and ethical practices. All the lipsticks are free of icky ingredients like parabens, mineral oils, and phthalates that can irritate the skin. And unlike a disappointing number of high-end brands, Besame is cruelty-free and Leaping Bunny certified.

Frequently Asked Questions

To wrap up this monster of a review, I wanted to address some common questions I see about Besame lipsticks. If you have others, leave ‘em in the comments and I‘ll do my best to help!

Is Besame lipstick worth the price?
Totally depends on your budget and preferences! If you‘re a loyal drugstore makeup user, $25 might feel steep for one lipstick. But if you‘re used to MAC or other prestige brands, Besame is a comparable price for the quality and experience you get.

How long does Besame lipstick last?
I get around 5 to 6 hours of wear from the darker shades, and 3 to 4 from the lighter ones. They last well through talking, drinking, and light snacking, but will need touch-ups after a full meal.

Does Besame have matching lip liner?
Yep! Besame makes lip liner pencils for all their lipstick shades. You can even get a perfectly curated set with a lipstick, liner, and brush for $45.

What‘s the best red lipstick from Besame?
Ooh, tough call! It really depends on your skin tone and the look you‘re going for. Besame Red Velvet 1946 is a fantastic universal red for everyone. If you want something more pinup-style, try American Beauty 1945 or Victory Red 1941.

Are Besame lipsticks dry or moisturizing?
I wouldn‘t call Besame lipstick moisturizing per se, but it definitely feels more hydrating and comfortable than a lot of matte lipsticks. The formula has vitamin E and squalane to prevent drying out the lips.

Does Besame have sales?
Occasionally, yes! I always see Besame do a big sale around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. You can also get 10% off your first order by signing up for their email newsletter.

Final Thoughts

Well, friend, if you‘ve stuck with me this far – thank you! I know I just threw a novel‘s worth of info at you, but I hope it helps you decide if Besame lipstick is right for you.

To wrap it all up: if you‘re looking for a lipstick that delivers pigmented, long-wearing color with a side of vintage glamour, I can‘t recommend Besame enough. Every part of the experience, from seeing that classic gold tube peeking out of your purse to swiping on the comfy-glam shades, feels both indulgent and empowering.

Of all the luxury lipsticks I‘ve tried, Besame really stands out to me for their impeccable curation and vintage-authentic details. No one else makes shades with backstories quite like this! The lipsticks are an accessible way to inject a bit of throwback style into your everyday looks.

I hope this in-depth review gives you a sense of what the Besame lipstick hype is all about. There‘s a reason these lippies are beloved by everyone from retro enthusiasts to modern-day celebs and makeup artists. If you do end up trying Besame, please let me know how you like it!

I‘ll just be over here steadily filling my vanity with more gold tubes of magic. Because really, can a gal ever have too many red lipsticks? I think not. 😘 Pucker up, my darlings!