Matte lipsticks usually force a trade-off: either the color looks flat and dry, or it feels comfortable but fades in a few hours. Makeup by Mario Women’s Ultra Suede Lipstick is built to sit in the middle, with a soft-focus, velvety matte finish and seed oils to keep it from feeling harsh. But the brand’s claims and independent reviews don’t line up perfectly, and a few details (price, wear time, texture) matter before you buy.
Quick Verdict on Makeup by Mario Women’s Ultra Suede Lipstick
| Product | Makeup by Mario Women’s Ultra Suede Lipstick |
| Price | $28 on Makeup by Mario’s US site (some launch-era reviews list $24, so confirm at checkout) |
| Size | 0.14 oz, according to independent review coverage |
| Finish | Soft-focus, suede-like matte |
| Shades | 20, grouped into nude pinks, berries/mauves and reds |
| Formula | Vegan and Leaping Bunny approved (cruelty-free), per the brand |
| Customer rating | 4.56 out of 5 from 89 reviews on the brand site, with 93% recommending |
| Best for | People who want a blurred, modern matte that feels lighter than a classic bullet |
| Skip if | You want all-day wear without touch-ups, or a very creamy glide |
Short answer: It’s a polished, wearable matte with a lovely finish. Plan on touching up after a few hours, and pair it with the right prep.
What Is the Ultra Suede Lipstick?
Makeup by Mario describes it as a next-generation, weightless matte lipstick. Two ideas drive the formula:
- Blur-filter smoothing gels that soften the look of lip lines and create a soft-focus effect instead of a flat, painted-on matte.
- Duo seed oil (passion fruit seed oil and rosehip oil) meant to keep lips from feeling stripped.
It’s part of a wider Ultra Suede range that includes a Sculpting Lip Pencil, which the brand recommends using with the lipstick. Together they make a three-step routine: scrub, line, color.
How It Actually Feels and Wears
This is where many pages simply repeat the brand copy. Here is what independent reviewers reported.
Texture. One detailed swatch review described the formula as lightweight but denser and firmer than a typical soft matte, with less slip. In the shades tested, application wasn’t painful but wasn’t as fluid as a creamier lipstick.
Comfort. It depends on the shade and your lips. A deep berry was described as non-drying and forgiving on lip texture, while a raspberry pink felt slightly drying over time.
Wear time. The brand says “long-wearing” without giving hours. In that independent review, two shades lasted roughly 5.5 hours and left a faint stain. That’s decent for a comfortable matte, but shorter than ultra-long-wear liquid formulas that promise 12 hours or more. If you want truly all-day color, a liquid like the Maybelline SuperStay Matte Ink is the better tool, with the trade-off of a drier feel.
Settling. Berry and red shades may slightly pull into deeper lip lines after a few hours. Smooth prep helps.
Durability of the bullet. The same reviewer noted that red and berry shades were stiffer in the tube, and that two bullets broke off the twist-up mechanism. Treat the tube gently and don’t twist it up too far.
What’s in It?
According to the brand’s ingredient list, key components include:
- Dimethicone and hydrogenated polyisobutene for glide and the smooth, blurred film
- Microcrystalline wax and carnauba wax for structure
- Passion fruit seed oil and rosehip oil for the comfort claim
- Silica and kaolin for the matte, soft-focus effect
- Mica and colorants (listed as “may contain”) for pigment
Ingredients can vary by shade and may change over time, so check the packaging on the exact color you buy. If you have allergies or a lip condition, ask a dermatologist before trying a new formula.
Shades: What to Look at First
Makeup by Mario offers 20 shades. The brand’s pages name only a few, so here’s what’s publicly described or reviewed:
| Shade | Look |
|---|---|
| Sierra | Soft peachy nude pink |
| Kristen | Rich raspberry pink with cool undertones |
| Amanda | Deep reddish-berry, soft matte |
| Gabriela, Berry Rose | Mentioned in customer reviews; check the shade wall for exact tones |
Other names in the range, such as Brielle, Sam, Erin, Cam and Annie, have been reviewed by beauty sites, but availability and numbering can change, so confirm on the product page.
How to Pick Your Shade
- Start with your lip color. A nude pink looks very different on naturally pale lips than on deeper, pigmented lips.
- Check undertone. Cool berries tend to flatter pink or neutral skin, while warmer peaches and corals suit golden skin.
- Choose your mood. Nude pinks read as an “elevated lip balm” look. Berries are the evening-friendly choice. Reds are bold.
- Don’t swatch only on your hand. Matte formulas dry down differently on lips.
If you like brown-leaning nudes, a liner shifts the whole shade. This guide to matching a brown lip liner shows how to choose one for your complexion.
How to Apply It (Mario’s Method)
The brand’s recommended routine is simple:
- Exfoliate lips gently with a lip scrub, then apply a thin balm and blot.
- Define the shape with a pencil that is close to your lipstick shade. The Ultra Suede Sculpting Lip Pencil is made for this, and it’s marketed as non-feathering with a dual-ended blending brush.
- Swipe the lipstick directly onto bare lips.
- Blot once on a tissue to set the finish, then add a thin second layer if you want more intensity.
For a fuller look, the brand’s “Lip Lift” technique has you overline slightly near the Cupid’s bow and the bottom center, then blend inward before applying lipstick. Stay close to your natural lip edge to keep it looking believable.
Is It Comfortable on Dry Lips?
It’s more comfortable than many classic mattes, but it isn’t a lip treatment. Smooth lips make a big difference, and dry lips will still look textured under any matte. A few habits help:
- Exfoliate once or twice a week, not daily.
- Use a hydrating balm at night.
- Don’t apply over thick balm right before lipstick, or it will slip.
- Press, don’t drag, over dry patches.
If your lips tire of matte, switch to a more nourishing product. This Dior lip oil review covers a glossy, conditioning alternative.
Ultra Suede vs. Other Lipstick Options
Reviewers often compare Ultra Suede shades to well-known berries and reds. For example, the deep berry shade has been compared to shades from MAC, ColourPop and Burberry, though most of those comparison lipsticks are glossier or more shimmery. In other words, Ultra Suede’s selling point is the finish, not exotic colors.
- Choose Ultra Suede if you like a blurred, modern matte and a clean, minimal look.
- Choose a liquid long-wear if you need color to last through a long day.
- Choose a creamy bullet if you want the most comfort and don’t mind it fading.
If you’re comparing bullet lipsticks across price points, see this Ulta Beauty lipstick review for another bullet formula to weigh against it.
Common Mistakes
- Skipping lip prep. The formula smooths lines, but it can’t hide flakes.
- Applying too heavily. Thick layers can look cakey and make the stiffer shades feel dry.
- Twisting the bullet up too far. Stiff berries and reds can snap.
- Expecting liquid-lipstick wear. Plan to touch up after meals.
- Ignoring undertone. The wrong cool or warm shade looks dull even in a great formula.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Soft-focus matte that looks modern and blurred
- Seed oils for a more comfortable feel than a standard matte
- Vegan and cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny approved), per the brand
- 20 shades across nudes, berries and reds
- Pairs with a matching lip pencil for shape and wear
Cons
- Wear time of roughly 5.5 hours in an independent test, with a stain left behind
- Some shades feel firm or stiff and are harder to apply
- Deeper shades may settle into lip lines
- Reports of bullets snapping in some shades
- Costs more than drugstore matte options
Who Should Buy It?
Buy it if you like a soft, velvety matte, want a clean everyday color, and are happy with a pencil-plus-lipstick routine.
Skip it if you need 10-plus hours of wear, have very dry or damaged lips, or prefer a glossy, cushiony finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Makeup by Mario Women’s Ultra Suede Lipstick?
$28 on Makeup by Mario’s US site at the time of writing. Some earlier coverage listed $24, so check the current price before you buy. Retailers such as Sephora may list their own prices.
Is it drying?
It’s designed to be non-drying with seed oils, and one reviewer found a deep berry comfortable. Another shade felt slightly drying, so results vary by shade and lips.
How long does it last?
The brand says long-wearing. An independent review measured about 5.5 hours on two shades, with a light stain left behind.
Is it vegan and cruelty-free?
Yes, per the brand, which lists it as vegan and Leaping Bunny approved.
How many shades are there?
20 shades, grouped into nude pinks, berries/mauves and reds.
Do I need the lip pencil?
No, but the brand recommends it for definition, and a pencil can help extend wear and reduce settling.
Is it good for beginners?
Yes. Matte lipsticks in a bullet are easier to control than liquids, especially with a pencil to outline.
The Bottom Line
Makeup by Mario Women’s Ultra Suede Lipstick delivers a refined, suede-soft matte in a wearable shade range. It isn’t the longest-lasting formula, and some shades feel firm, but the finish is the draw. If you want a comfortable, modern matte and don’t mind reapplying, it’s a strong buy. If you want color that survives a full day untouched, start with a liquid long-wear instead.
