The Velvet Revolution: Pat McGrath MatteTrance Dupes

When Pat McGrath—the world’s most influential makeup artist—launched her MatteTrance lipsticks, they changed the game. These aren't your typical dry, flat mattes. They are "powder-in-a-bullet" formulas that provide intense, opaque color with a weightless, blurred finish. The packaging, featuring gold lips on the tube, is a work of art.

But at $39 a tube, building a collection is expensive. If you’re looking for a pat mcgrath lipstick dupe that offers that same "velvet" look, here are the best picks.

The Dupe for "Elson"

Elson is a fierce, blue-toned red that looks like velvet on the lips. The most convincing pat mcgrath lipstick dupe for this shade is Maybelline Color Sensational Ultimatte in More Ruby.

Maybelline’s Ultimatte formula was clearly inspired by the "powder-matte" trend. It has that same lightweight, blurred effect that makes Elson so iconic. The color is a vibrant, cool red that gives you that "McGrath Muse" look for under $10.

The Dupe for "1995"

1995 is the ultimate 90s warm nude, named after the era when Pat McGrath was defining the look of the runway. A fantastic alternative is NYX Professional Makeup Matte Lipstick in Whipped Caviar. It has that same moody, brownish-pink tone that defined the 90s aesthetic. While the NYX formula is a bit more traditional than the MatteTrance, the color match is spot-on.

The Texture Match: Revolution Beauty

Revolution Beauty specifically creates "pro-inspired" products, and their Matte Bomb liquid lipsticks or their Renaissance Lipstick line offer high-pigment, matte finishes that aim to replicate the luxury experience.

Ready to find your perfect shade? Skip the guesswork — try POUT's free Shade Matcher and discover your match in seconds.