You know that feeling when you spend thirty bucks on a high-end lipstick, hoping it’ll change your life, but it ends up flaking off your face by lunch? It’s frustrating. Truly. But then there’s the Wet n Wild Catsuit Liquid Lipstick. I’m talking about the Megalast Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipstick specifically—the one with the little window that lets you see the pigment.
It’s cheap. Like, "less than a fancy latte" cheap.
But here is the thing: it actually stays on. For real. While luxury brands were busy "rebranding" and hiking prices up to forty dollars, Wet n Wild just sat there in the drugstore aisle, quietly outperforming almost everyone. It’s a cult favorite for a reason. But it isn't perfect, and honestly, if you don't know how to prep your lips for it, you're going to hate it.
Let's get into what makes this formula tick, why people obsess over the "Rebel Rose" shade, and the blunt truth about the texture.
What Most People Get Wrong About Wet n Wild Catsuit Liquid Lipstick
People buy this lipstick and expect it to feel like a lip balm. It won't. If you apply a thick layer of a matte liquid lipstick and then complain that it feels "tight," you’re doing it wrong. The Megalast Liquid Catsuit is a high-pigment, film-forming formula. That means it’s designed to dry down completely.
Once it sets, it’s basically bulletproof.
The most common mistake? Applying it over a thick layer of Chapstick. If you have a waxy barrier on your lips, the lipstick can't "grab" the skin. It’ll just slide around and crumble. You want clean, dry, but hydrated lips. I usually recommend exfoliating with a sugar scrub first, then applying a light balm, letting it soak in for ten minutes, and blotting it off before the lipstick hits your face.
The applicator is another thing people overlook. It’s got this little "well" or "doe-foot" curve that hugs the contour of your lip. It’s surprisingly precise for a budget brand. You don't need a lip liner with this most of the time, which saves you another five bucks.
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The Rebel Rose Obsession and the Science of "Nude" Shades
If you’ve spent any time on makeup Reddit or YouTube, you’ve heard of Rebel Rose. It’s arguably the most famous shade in the Wet n Wild Catsuit Liquid Lipstick lineup.
Why? Because it’s a shapeshifter.
On some people, it looks like a dusty mauve. On others, it’s a perfect "your lips but better" (MLBB) neutral. It has this specific balance of cool and warm undertones that mimics the natural flush of human lips. It’s similar to the much more expensive Kat Von D (now KVD Beauty) Lolita or some of the higher-end MAC liquid lip colors.
When Wet n Wild formulated this, they used a mix of Isododecane and various dimethicones. Isododecane is a solvent that evaporates quickly—that’s what gives you that "instant dry" feeling. The pigments are suspended in a way that provides full opacity in one swipe. You don't need to double-dip. In fact, if you do, it starts to feel heavy. One thin coat is the secret to making it look expensive rather than cakey.
Let’s talk about the "High Shine" version for a second
Not everyone wants a matte lip that stays on through a nuclear winter. Wet n Wild eventually released the "High Shine" Catsuit version. It’s a different beast entirely. It’s more of a liquid lacquer. It doesn't dry down, so it will transfer to your coffee cup, but the pigment density is just as high. It’s for the days when your lips feel like paper and you just can't handle the matte life.
Is the Formula Actually Safe?
The "clean beauty" movement has made everyone paranoid about drugstore ingredients. Here is the reality. Wet n Wild is a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand. That’s a big deal for a lot of people. They don't test on animals, and most of the Catsuit line is vegan.
If you look at the ingredient deck, you’ll see things like Macadamia Integrifolia Seed Oil and Vitamin E (Tocopheryl Acetate). They added these to try and counteract the drying nature of the matte finish. Does it make it "moisturizing"? No. Let's be honest. It’s still a matte liquid lipstick. But it does prevent that painful, cracking sensation you get with lower-quality formulas.
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Compared to some high-end brands that use heavy fragrances (which can be a massive irritant), Wet n Wild keeps it pretty basic. There’s no overwhelming vanilla or floral scent. It just smells like... makeup.
The Longevity Test: Pizza vs. Lipstick
If you’re wearing Wet n Wild Catsuit Liquid Lipstick, you can eat most things. Salad? Fine. A sandwich? No problem.
The enemy is oil.
Liquid lipsticks are oil-soluble. If you eat a greasy slice of pizza or a salad with heavy vinaigrette, the oil will break down the bonds of the lipstick. It’ll start to dissolve from the center of your mouth—what we call the "butthole lip" effect. It’s not cute.
But unlike many other budget brands, the Catsuit formula is easy to touch up. Some liquid lipsticks "ball up" if you try to put a new layer over an old one. This one layers decently as long as you aren't piling it on like stucco.
Why Some Shades Perform Better Than Others
Beauty isn't always fair. In the world of pigment, purple is the hardest color to formulate. This is true for Wet n Wild, too.
While shades like "Give Me Mocha" (a stunning terracotta) and "Berry Recognize" apply perfectly, some of the very dark or very bright neon shades can be a bit streaky. This is a common industry problem, not just a Wet n Wild problem. Darker pigments like Manganese Violet or certain Iron Oxides tend to clump more than the lighter pinks and reds.
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If you're going for a dark plum or a deep chocolate, you might need two thin layers instead of one. Just make sure the first layer is 100% dry before you go back in. If you rush it, you’ll just pull the first layer off and end up with a patchy mess.
Comparing the Price Point: The Math of Makeup
Let's get real about the money.
A standard luxury liquid lipstick usually retails between $24 and $38. You get roughly 0.15 to 0.20 ounces of product.
Wet n Wild's Catsuit usually costs between $5 and $7 depending on if you're at Target, Walmart, or a CVS.
You could literally buy five or six different shades of Catsuit for the price of one "prestige" lipstick. For the average person who wants to experiment with colors like "Video Vixen" (a deep burgundy) or "Nice to Fuchsia," the risk is basically zero. If you hate the color, you're only out the price of a cheeseburger.
This accessibility is why it remains a staple. It’s not just about being cheap; it’s about the value-to-performance ratio. Professionals use this stuff in their kits because it works under hot studio lights and stays put during long shoots.
How to Get the Best Results
If you want your Wet n Wild Catsuit Liquid Lipstick to look like a professional application, follow these steps. Don't skip them.
- Exfoliate properly. Use a damp washcloth or a lip scrub. You cannot hide flakes under matte lipstick; it only highlights them.
- The "Thin Layer" Rule. Wipe the excess product off the wand onto the rim of the tube. You want the smallest amount possible on the brush.
- Trace the edges first. Use the tip of the applicator to outline your Cupid's bow and the bottom of your lip.
- Fill in the center. Once the outline is done, fill in the rest.
- DO NOT press your lips together. This is the hardest part. While it's drying (about 30-60 seconds), keep your lips apart. If you press them together while the formula is "tacky," it will create gaps in the color.
- The Finger Trick. Once it’s dry, put your clean index finger in your mouth, close your lips around it, and pull it out. This removes any excess product from the inner part of your lips so it doesn't get on your teeth.
The Verdict on the "Drugstore King"
Is it the best lipstick in the world? Maybe not. There are formulas that are more comfortable. There are formulas with more "luxe" packaging.
But for under ten dollars, the Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Catsuit is a miracle of modern cosmetic chemistry. It’s reliable. It’s punchy. It doesn't move.
Whether you’re a college student on a budget or a makeup artist who has seen it all, there is a reason this tube is in everyone's drawer. It’s the equalizer. It proves that you don't need a massive budget to have a look that stays put all day.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Makeup Routine
- Check the Batch: If you have an old tube that’s getting "gloppy," toss it. Liquid lipsticks have a shorter shelf life than bullets because of the air introduced by the wand.
- Shade Selection: Start with "Rebel Rose" if you have fair to medium skin, or "Give Me Mocha" if you have a deeper skin tone. These are the most "foolproof" colors in the collection.
- Removal Strategy: Don't try to scrub this off with water. You’ll just raw-hide your lips. Use an oil-based cleanser or a dedicated bi-phase makeup remover. Coconut oil or olive oil from your kitchen also works perfectly to dissolve the film without irritation.
- Mix and Match: Don't be afraid to use a tiny bit of a lighter shade in the center of your lips over a darker shade to create a 3D ombre effect—just work fast before it sets!