PB1B

Today I will be comparing the literary genres and conventions of three make-up companies. I will also be looking for their rhetorical messages. Rhetorical images help to persuade us to purchase a certain item, it's also “essential to help us to become informed consumers” (Carroll 46). The media is very familiar with different makeup companies and their certain products. We see ads on Facebook asking us to try “L'Oreal Lipstick: Discover Sensual Color And Long Lasting Radiance
Because You're Worth It” or that commercial with Katy Perry promoting her “Katy Kat” Matte Lipstick collection from Covergirl.

Kyle’s Cosmetics, Revlon, and Covergirl are all pretty successful cosmetic companies that sells Matte Lipstick. I've chosen these companies so that I can review their Matte Lipstick makeup lines. The Matte color may be similar but maybe the textures are different, maybe one brand of lipstick makes your lips chap while the other leaves them smooth.  Each company's product will have enough conventions to determine which one is the best.

First I searched Kylie's Cosmetics. Kylie's website seems plain and simple till I noticed that she has an app for her make up plus an Instagram, Facebook and Twitter page. I scrolled through some more and saw that she has lip kits, kits that come with the lipstick and lipliners. As I inspected the website more I notice that Kylie's Lipsticks are liquid and does not contain any normal name for the lipstick color. For example her lipstick that appears to be red is titled “Mary Jo K”.  I looked into the rest of the colors and nothing stands out but the dripping looking design on her lipstick tubes, all of them have the same description “The Liquid Matte Lipstick has high intensity pigment for an instant bold matte lip. The extremely long wearing lipstick contains moisturizing ingredients for a comfortable, emollient and silky feel that does not dry your lips”.

Next I will examine Revlon’s lipstick line. Revlon's website started up with its black faded background and eye catching bold red lettering. The dark background really makes the colorful words and make up stand out. Their website also has a motto“Love Is On”.  Similar to Kylie's Cosmetics, Revlon also promote their products on social media, but they also have a YouTube channel. Revlon too sells liquid lipstick, much smaller than Kylie's. The name of their lipstick line is “Revlon Ultra HD Matte Lip Color”. Once again there is no direct color for the name of any of their lipsticks but, their description is very vivid. The description is “Lightweight, high definition velvety matte color. Moisturizing, velvety feel. 100% wax-free, gel formula. Available in 16 high definition shades.” If you investigate further you can read the features of this product which states that each lipstick has a “creamy mango and whipped vanilla fragrance” and how “velvety” the lipstick applicator will feel on your lips.

Lastly, there's Covergirl. Covergirl's homepage is pretty plain, black and white, white and black background displaying their current new and old products. Covergirl also promotes their products on social media as well. A fascinating thing I noticed on their website seems to be some sort of seal reading “Accredited Business”. The only Matte lipstick that seems to be sold by Covergirl is Katy Perry's collection, Katy Katt. This is solid lipstick unlike the first two that I have reviewed. The name of the lipsticks have ridiculous cat puns such as “Crimson Cat” or “Cosmo Kitty”. The lipstick description has a little warm welcoming to the new lipstick collection as well as a little details of the looks and feels of the lipstick “ Calling all Katy Kats! Our new Katy Kat Demi-Matte Lipstick is a purr-fect collection of velvety soft and luscious-feeling lipsticks with a demi-matte finish created by the one-and-only Katy Perry. With 11 shades in all, discover a new matte lip look you’ll love that’s not flat or dry.”

After looking at features of these literary pieces, it's obvious to say that even if the websites looked different, even if the lipsticks are liquid or solid, big or small, these all belong to the genre of Matte Lipsticks (and cosmetic websites). Their rhetoric features that they share are audience and purpose. These catchy mottos, descriptions, or wacky lipstick names appeal to the audience. Maybe the name of a certain lipstick will cause someone to feel more sexy and confident. These three companies also have similar conventions such as selling cosmetics, and in particular Matte Lipstick. Even if the prices and names are different the color of this makeup is still matte. These are the similarities, what are their differences?

Kylie's cosmetics had a boring website with no color. The website displayed the lip kits along with their names and prices. Kylie's lipstick was the most expensive costing $17 per quantity. Each and every lipstick color had the same dull description, not describing the smell or the quality of its applicator. This tube of lipstick is the only one out of the other two that has some sort of design. Next is Revlon. This website had it's black background with colorful makeup and words on display such as their motto “Love Is On”. The name of their matte makeup line is “Ultra HD Matte Lip Color”. When I think of HD Lipstick color I think of bold vibrant color. Revlon also gave us an idea of how good their lipstick smells (like mangos and vanilla). These cost $9 per quantity.  And lastly Covergirl with its boring website displaying their other products. Covergirl actually didn't have a matte lipstick collection until Katy Perry partnered up with them. Since the collection is called Katy Katt, the lipstick and description was filled with cat puns.These cost $8 per quantity. All these companies are indeed selling makeup but each company has their own way of attracting customers. Whether it's a celebrity starting up their own makeup collection, using catchy words like “Ultra” or even partnering up with a someone to sponsor their own little make up line.

Being in the spotlight often Kylie could have promoted her makeup line and company better. Katy Perry's makeup collection was downright cute but is the quality description enough? I like how Revlon described the color of the lipstick along with the smell and applicator.

• Kylie's Cosmetics
• Revlon
• Covergirl