Dose of Colors Review: An In-Depth Look at This Inclusive, Cruelty-Free Beauty Brand
In the vast sea of beauty brands, Dose of Colors stands out for its commitment to celebrating diversity, self-expression, and cruelty-free formulations. Founded in 2013 by Armenian-American beauty entrepreneur Anna Petrosian, Dose of Colors has gained a reputation for vibrant, high-quality products that cater to a wide range of skin tones. This Dose of Colors review will take a comprehensive look at the brand‘s story, best-sellers, customer experiences, and more to help you decide if their products are worth adding to your beauty routine.
About Dose of Colors
Dose of Colors is the brainchild of Anna Petrosian, a makeup artist with over a decade of experience in the beauty industry. Frustrated by the lack of inclusive shade ranges and the use of animal testing in cosmetics, Petrosian set out to create a brand that would celebrate individual beauty while adhering to ethical practices.
The PETA-certified cruelty-free brand offers a wide array of products, from bold lipsticks to skin-nourishing foundations, all made in the USA. Dose of Colors has garnered acclaim from major publications like Allure, Cosmopolitan, and Refinery29, and boasts an engaged social media following of over 3 million on Instagram.
Pros and Cons
Before diving into specific product reviews, let‘s weigh some of the overall pros and cons of Dose of Colors:
Pros:
– Extensive shade ranges for foundations and concealers
– Cruelty-free and mostly vegan formulas
– High-quality, long-wearing formulas
– Regular promotions and discounts
– Free shipping options
– Affirming brand mission of diversity and inclusion
Cons:
– Some products can be pricey compared to drugstore alternatives
– Limited return window of 14 days
– Not all products are vegan (some contain beeswax or carmine)
– Shade matching can be tricky when shopping online
Best-Selling Products
Liquid Matte Lipsticks
Dose of Colors is perhaps best known for their iconic Liquid Matte Lipsticks, which come in a whopping 41 shades from neutral nudes to bold berries. The brand‘s most popular lipstick shades include:
- Stone: a cool-toned pinky beige that‘s become a cult favorite
- Truffle: a rich terracotta rose that flatters a variety of skin tones
- Brick: a classic blue-based red that makes a statement
These highly-pigmented lipsticks have a mousse-like texture that dries down to a transfer-resistant matte finish. Infused with hydrating ingredients like vitamin E, the formula promises comfortable all-day wear without flaking or settling into lip lines.
Many customers rave about the lipsticks‘ opacity and longevity, with one reviewer noting, "These liquid lipsticks are no joke. The pigmentation is unreal and they last through eating, drinking, and even kissing!"
However, some shoppers with particularly dry lips found the formula too drying, so proper lip prep is key. Exfoliate lips first and apply a thin layer of balm before swiping on the liquid lipstick for best results.
Foundations
In 2017, Dose of Colors introduced their first complexion product: the Meet Your Hue Foundation. This full-coverage liquid foundation comes in an impressive 42 shades across six intensity levels: fair, light, light medium, medium tan, dark, and deep.
The foundation claims to even out skin tone, blur imperfections, and control oil for a flawless matte finish that lasts all day. With nourishing ingredients like sunflower seed oil and glycerin, the formula aims to keep skin looking smooth and hydrated without clinging to dry patches.
Beauty YouTuber Nyma Tang, known for her foundation reviews across deep skin tones, praised the Meet Your Hue Foundation: "I am blown away by this foundation. Not only did they nail the undertones, but the coverage and finish are exactly what I want in a foundation. It‘s like my skin, but better!"
Some reviewers noted that the formula could oxidize slightly darker throughout the day, so Dose of Colors recommends choosing a shade that‘s half a step lighter than your natural skin tone. The brand‘s website also offers a helpful shade matching quiz to guide you to your best match.
Concealers
For those seeking a full-coverage under eye concealer, the Concealer might be your new go-to. Available in 30 shades that correspond with the Meet Your Hue foundations, this creamy concealer claims to camouflage dark circles, blemishes, and hyperpigmentation without creasing or looking cakey.
Infused with skincare ingredients like shea butter, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E, the Concealer promises to nourish the delicate under eye area while providing a smooth, matte finish. Many customers with mature skin appreciated that the concealer didn‘t settle into fine lines or look dry and chalky.
A little goes a long way with this highly-pigmented formula, so start with a small dot of product and build up coverage as needed. Some reviewers found that the concealer could look a bit heavy under the eyes, so setting it with a light dusting of translucent powder is key for a natural finish.
Eyeshadow Palettes
Dose of Colors offers a range of curated eyeshadow palettes, each with five coordinated shades in both matte and shimmer finishes. Two standout palettes are Marvelous Mauves and Sassy Siennas.
Marvelous Mauves features cool-toned plum and mauve shades that work beautifully on green and hazel eyes. The mix of buttery mattes and dimensional shimmers creates an effortlessly romantic, smokey eye.
For those who prefer warm tones, Sassy Siennas brings the heat with terracotta and spice-inspired hues. The reddish brown mattes pair perfectly with the coppery metallic shades for a sunset-inspired look.
Both palettes have earned praise for their rich pigmentation, easy blendability, and minimal fallout. However, some reviewers noted that the shimmers performed best when applied with a wet brush or a fingertip, as they could look a bit sheer when used dry.
Ingredient Spotlights
In addition to color cosmetics, Dose of Colors offers a small selection of skincare-focused products. The brand‘s Skin Glazing Highlighting Drops feature hydrating ingredients like squalane and hyaluronic acid to deliver a dewy, glass-like glow to the high points of the face.
For those concerned about lash health, the Lash Remedy Lash Serum claims to support fuller, stronger lashes with nourishing ingredients like biotin, green tea extract, and panthenol. Of course, as with any lash growth serum, consistent use over several weeks is key to seeing results.
Is Dose of Colors Cruelty-Free and Vegan?
Dose of Colors is proudly cruelty-free, meaning they do not test on animals at any stage of product development. The brand is also certified cruelty-free by PETA‘s Beauty Without Bunnies program.
While not all Dose of Colors products are vegan, the majority of their formulas are free from animal-derived ingredients. The brand clearly labels which products are vegan on their website, making it easy for conscious consumers to shop according to their values. Some non-vegan ingredients used in select products include beeswax, carmine, and lanolin.
Who is Dose of Colors For?
With its colorful shade ranges and Instagram-worthy packaging, Dose of Colors has cultivated a loyal following among millennial and Gen Z beauty lovers. The brand‘s ethos of celebrating individuality and self-expression resonates with younger consumers who view makeup as a form of creativity and empowerment.
However, Dose of Colors‘ commitment to inclusive shade ranges and cruelty-free formulas makes their products appealing to beauty enthusiasts of all ages. The brand‘s foundations and concealers cater to mature skin concerns like fine lines and dryness, while their eyeshadow palettes offer a mix of neutral and bold shades for various occasions.
Ultimately, Dose of Colors is for anyone seeking high-performance, ethically-made makeup that allows them to express their unique beauty. Whether you‘re a makeup minimalist or a bold glamour lover, the brand offers something for every style and skin tone.
Brand Comparisons
If you‘re considering Dose of Colors, you might also be familiar with similar brands like Stila Cosmetics. Both brands are cruelty-free and offer long-wearing liquid lipstick formulas, but there are some key differences.
Stila‘s Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick comes in 12 shades, compared to Dose of Colors‘ 41 shades. While Stila‘s formula is infused with avocado oil and vitamin E for hydration, it does contain beeswax, making it unsuitable for vegans. Dose of Colors‘ liquid lipsticks are free from animal-derived ingredients.
In terms of price, Stila‘s liquid lipsticks retail for $22, while Dose of Colors‘ are slightly more affordable at $18. Both formulas have similar claims of long-lasting, transfer-resistant wear with a comfortable matte finish.
Other cruelty-free brands with comparable product offerings include ColourPop, Morphe, and Jeffree Star Cosmetics. However, Dose of Colors stands out for their highly curated shade ranges, lush formulas, and sleek branding that reads more high-end than its accessible price point might suggest.
What Customers Are Saying
Dose of Colors has earned a positive reputation among beauty enthusiasts for their high-quality formulas and inclusive shade ranges. On the brand‘s website, their best-selling Liquid Matte Lipsticks have an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, with reviewers praising the opacity, longevity, and comfortable wear of the formula.
The Meet Your Hue Foundation has an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars, with many customers applauding the extensive shade range and skin-like finish. However, some reviewers with dry skin found the matte formula too drying, so proper skin prep and moisturizer are key.
Beauty influencers have also taken notice of Dose of Colors, with YouTubers like Jackie Aina, Desi Perkins, and Tati Westbrook featuring the brand‘s products in their videos. Tati praised the Concealer for its full coverage and smooth finish, noting that it didn‘t crease or look dry under her eyes.
Of course, no brand is perfect, and some customers have had issues with Dose of Colors‘ products. The most common complaint is difficulty shade matching when shopping online, as the brand‘s swatches can sometimes appear different in real life. Dose of Colors does offer a generous return policy within 14 days of purchase, but some customers found the process of returning items to be inconvenient.
Is Dose of Colors Worth It?
After thorough research and testing, we believe that Dose of Colors is definitely worth trying for those seeking high-quality, cruelty-free makeup with inclusive shade ranges. The brand‘s liquid lipsticks, foundations, and concealers have earned high marks for their pigmentation, longevity, and comfortable wear, while their eyeshadow palettes offer a curated selection of blendable mattes and shimmers.
While some of Dose of Colors‘ products are more expensive than drugstore alternatives, the brand does offer frequent promotions and discounts to make their products more accessible. Customers can save 20% on their first order by signing up for the brand‘s email newsletter, and Dose of Colors often runs seasonal sales and bundle deals.
Ultimately, what sets Dose of Colors apart is its commitment to celebrating diversity and empowering customers to express their unique beauty. In a beauty industry that often promotes narrow standards, Dose of Colors‘ inclusive shade ranges and cruelty-free formulas offer a refreshing alternative for conscious consumers.
As with any makeup brand, individual results may vary based on skin type, personal preferences, and application techniques. We recommend reading reviews, watching tutorials, and taking advantage of Dose of Colors‘ shade matching tools before making a purchase.
If you‘re looking to support a cruelty-free, inclusive beauty brand that delivers high-performance products, we highly recommend giving Dose of Colors a try. With their extensive shade ranges, luxurious formulas, and affirming brand ethos, Dose of Colors is a standout in the beauty industry that deserves a spot in any makeup lover‘s collection.
