We are... Red Legion!

It might be one day too late, but since it's the first post of 2013, it's only fair that I wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!!!
And why not kick off this year's posts with a bright, cheerful and rebellious lipstick shade while we're at it? :)

So, for a hardcore nude lipstick lover like myself, a new-found soft spot for red lips must truly indicate that the times are (a-)changing. Of course, I wouldn't dare to ditch my almost signature nude lips just yet, but as I get older I'm more willing to try out a bolder, statement lip colour. And red is indeed the most iconic statement lip of all!

Thus, I present you with my little... red legion:

Do you recognise them?
From l to r we have: Illamasqua Drench, MAC Russian Red, and Shiseido RD 514.
Let's have a closer looksie:

Illamasqua lipstick in Drench is described on their website as a pink berry red, and that's exactly what this shade resembles! It's a perfect balance between pink and red and it's extremely flattering against my complexion! Goes on opaque and has a matte finish, although a little bit drying for my taste. I snagged this as part of Illamasqua's holiday gwp's and couldn't be any happier!

MAC Russian Red hardly needs an introduction! Iconic true red lipstick, leaning just a tad more blue than orange. I've hardly ever seen anyone that doesn't wear Russian Red really well. It's a matte finish, like the Illamasqua one, but in this case it's ever so slightly more creamy.

Lastly, Shiseido RD 514 from their Perfect Rouge Rouge Parfait range is a brilliant lipstick alltogether and deserves more recognition! I'm starting to think that Shiseido is a brand with really good makeup, that is majorly overlooked compared to other high end brands. I got this one as a magazine freebie (another one that knocked it out of the park, for sure) and I'm impressed by the creamy and moisturising texture and the beautiful shade! This one is very similar to Russian Red, just a little more blue based than the MAC one.

And here's a comparative swatch of all three:

(l to r: Illamasqua Drench, MAC Russian Red and Shiseido RD 514).

So, which one is my favourite?

Oddly enough, Russian Red is my least favourite out of these three - imagine the irony since it's the only one I actually paid for! The reason for that is that compared to the other two, Russian Red looks almost like an orange red against my skin! As for the rest of the other two, I'm in love with Drench as a shade, but I much prefer Shiseido's texture! I'm torn, what can I say! :)

Have you worn any of these lipsticks or tried these brands?
Are you a red lip wearer and if so, which is your favourite red?