MAC products used
Myth Lipglass – clickable link
Delish lipstick (frost) – clickable link
Velvet Teddy lipstick (matte) – clickable link
Aloof lipstick (lustre) – clickable link
Taupe lipstick (matte) – clickable link
Fast Play lipstick (amplified) – clickable link
Craving lipstick (amplified) – clickable link
Burning Love lipstick (powder kiss / retro matte) – clickable link
P for Potent lipstick (powder kiss / retro matte) – clickable link
Rebel lipstick (satin) – clickable link
Captive lipstick (satin) – clickable link
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Why such a review?
There are numerous swatch reviews online of this sort, but when the time comes to make a purchase and you are ready to spend your hard-earned cash, the actual decision is incredibly difficult.
The problem is that the lipstick pictures you see online do not even remotely convey what the actual product is like. Lipstick texture, which is very important, cannot be assessed by looking at a picture. The color can be assessed, but it will look different on every person depending on their skin type and lip shape.
So here are a few additional product perspectives that may help you to decide.
Myth Lipglass
GENERAL IMPRESSION
The Lipglass formula is liquid, which makes it not really a traditional lipstick. The Myth color is close to nude, a light beige with a peachy note. The formula is extremely shiny. Although the color itself is close to nude, the high gloss of the carrier makes it definitely not neutral. You can definitely tell that there is something on the lips
PRO
- Very good hydration, no wear fatigue
- Super-easy application
- Not drying
- Glossy though nude property of the color makes it suitable for many wardrobe color combinations
CON
- May not suit conservative office environments due to very glossy, high-shine finish
- Short-lasting, easy to smear, impossible to drink from cups without messing up the applied layer
- Short expiration date due to liquid formula
- The package gets used up pretty quickly compared to classic lipsticks
- Pigmentation applies evenly, but may slightly get into lip lines
MAC Myth Lipglass product link
Delish lipstick (frost)
GENERAL IMPRESSION
MAC Delish has a copper metallic feel, due to the frost formula which gives it a sparkly metallic shimmer. Niche, relatively unknown formula. It looks glossy and dry at the same time. The color is a pinkish nude.
PRO
- Easy application
- Unique shimmer
- Not drying but not hydrating either
- No clumping or settling into lip lines
CON
- The shimmer may not work for dress code environments
- Not universal; the niche frost/metallic look may require additional attention to clothes combinations that will work well with it
- Medium-lasting, may require reapplication
MAC Delish lipstick product link
Velvet Teddy lipstick (matte)
GENERAL IMPRESSION
MAC’s legendary color, one of the best they have ever produced. Warm brown matte with nude feel, but not nude in essence. Good balance between brown, pink, and nude. Relatively reserved and not aggressive. Suitable for most skin tones. Elegant and chic, works for any occasion and time of day. Was popularized by Kylie Jenner as one of her favorite shades.
PRO
- Extremely versatile and adaptable, natural looking. Works with most venues and clothing. Good on most skin tones
- Strong long-lasting hold that does not require frequent re-application
- One of the most popular shades in the world; easy to find
- Comfortable to apply and to wear
- No clumping or settling into lip lines
CON
- Semi-dry matte formula may be drying for some lips. Although most users did not report Velvet Teddy as drying
- Not hydrating
MAC Velvet Teddy lipstick product link
Aloof lipstick (lustre)
GENERAL IMPRESSION
Light pink with a medium-low lasting hold. Easily buildable with a glossy finish. Creamy and smooth on the lips, shiny but still relatively pigmented. Natural, everyday look with a hint of color and shine.
PRO
- Easy to apply, very lightweight
- Hydrating, not tiring on the lips
- Even pigmentation when applied
CON
- The color isn’t versatile and won’t work for everyone, both in terms of clothing and venue
- Does not last as long as the Matte, Satin or Amplified formulas, so reapplication may be necessary
- Over time, it may lightly settle into lip lines
MAC Aloof lipstick product link
Taupe lipstick (matte)
GENERAL IMPRESSION
Maximum color payoff combined with a no-shine texture, typical of the MAC matte formula. However, Taupe is exceptionally opaque and rich. It is a deep brown but somehow still feels natural. The color is chic and stylish, not neutral, but also not overly aggressive.
PRO
- Matte is generally accepted as the most long-wearing formula, making it great for nights out when you don’t want to reapply your lipstick over and over
- High-intensity color
- Comfortable to apply and to wear
- No clumping or settling into lip lines
CON
- May not work for some venues where nudes are more preferable
- May require more attention to clothing combination; not as versatile as Velvet Teddy
- Not hydrating, not drying either but may be drying for naturally dry lips
MAC Taupe lipstick product link
Fast Play lipstick (amplified)
GENERAL IMPRESSION
Fast Play is a natural pale light purple color with a brownish undertone. The MAC Amplified formula provides substantial color depth and opacity while being moist and shiny. The formula is bolder and more vibrant than Lustre but less intense than Satin or Matte. Medium gloss finish.
PRO
- Longer-lasting compared to Lustre
- Moisturizing and comfortable on the lips
- Comfortable to apply and to wear
- No clumping or settling into lip lines
- Can work with most wardrobe colors
CON
- Medium hold – may require slight adjustments throughout the day
- Medium gloss may not work for strict dress code environments
MAC Fast Play lipstick product link
Craving lipstick (amplified)
GENERAL IMPRESSION
Similar to Fast Play, which also uses the Amplified formula, Craving provides strong color coverage, medium shine, good moisturization, and medium hold compared to Matte formulas. The color is a cool-toned, medium plum with a reddish tint. Not aggressively pigmented, but also not nude or neutral.
PRO
- Longer-lasting compared to Lustre
- Moisturizing and comfortable on the lips
- Defined red makes it good for evening occasions
- Applies evenly and comfortably, easy to wear
- Does not clump or get into lip lines
CON
- Medium hold – may require slight adjustments throughout the day
- Medium gloss and clearly defined reddish tint may not work for strict dress code environments
- Not universal in terms of wardrobe compatibility
MAC Craving lipstick product link
Burning Love lipstick (powder kiss / retro matte)
GENERAL IMPRESSION
The new Powder Kiss (Retro Matte) formula definitely has its fanbase, but it is more of a niche product. It can be described as ‘Matte on steroids’: little shine, difficult to apply, even longer-lasting, with more of a diffused blurred coverage with a little fringing. Burning Love has a dark purple-red berry/plum shade. It might not be suitable for strict environments but could be an amazing asset during retro/noir photoshoots, ceremonies, or general evening outings. The color is relatively reserved for occasional daytime wear, but may not work with every skin type or outfit configuration. Mostly matte with a very slight sheen.
PRO
- Unique retro look
- Bright and vibrant
- Strong long-lasting hold
CON
- Very dry and hard to apply (maybe our sample was bad), but not drying to wear
- Higher price than regular MAC lipsticks
- Not an every-day product
- A little clumpy due to hard uneven application
MAC Burning Love lipstick product link
P for Potent lipstick (powder kiss / retro matte)
GENERAL IMPRESSION
Another Powder Kiss (Retro Matte) formula, with all its strengths and weaknesses. P for Potent is a deep purple, which, combined with its formula, gives mixed results. The coverage feels smeared and patchy, which may give the impression of an unprofessional application, however, this is exactly the point of this new formula.
PRO
- Unique retro look
- Bright and vibrant, the look is catchy and unique
- Strong, long-lasting hold
CON
- Prone to clumping during application
- Very dry and hard to apply, not dry to wear
- Higher price
- Not an everyday product
- Color hard to match with clothing, venues, and skin types
- May appear unprofessional due to the inherent Powder Kiss semi-opaque color coverage
MAC P for Potent lipstick product link
Rebel lipstick (satin)
GENERAL IMPRESSION
Satin brings the best of all worlds. Vibrant but not dry, moisturizing but not overly shiny, it applies easily and does not require frequent reapplication. Many users have reported Satin as their favorite MAC formula. Soft, semi-matte finish with a subtle sheen – more luminous than matte but less glossy than Lustre or Amplified. Rebel is a deep, vibrant plum, good for parties and occasions where an exceptional impact is desired.
PRO
- Fun party look
- Good hold, moisturizing
- Easy to achieve full opacity
- Easy application and buildup, clearly defined and even
- No clumping or settling into lip lines
CON
- The color is fairly aggressive
- Hard to match with wardrobe and venues
MAC Rebel lipstick product link
Captive lipstick (satin)
GENERAL IMPRESSION
Another Satin representative, Captive, features a more reserved and cool deep plum color. While still fairly bold, it is not as aggressive as Rebel and will likely match more of your wardrobe. Stylish and chic without being overly garish, unlike Rebel.
PRO
- Stylish, vibrant look
- No clumping or settling into lip lines
- Good hold, moisturizing
- Easy to achieve full opacity
- Easy application and buildup, clearly defined and even
CON
- The color is still fairly red in nature, which makes it unsuitable for venues where nude or no lipstick is preferred
MAC Captive lipstick product link
Conclusions
We’ve tried quite a few MAC formulas today, and it looks like they have perfect coverage. Each formula suits specific needs. In general, the more moist the lipstick is, the easier it is to apply, but the tackier and shorter-lasting it is. Lustre and Amplified are on the softer, creamier side, while Matte and Powder Kiss are drier and longer-lasting. Satin lies somewhere in between, making it one of the most popular formulas.
Color-wise, there is no single piece of advice since every person, skin type, and occasion will require different colors. But if we were to choose one and the only, it would probably be Velvet Teddy due to its universal and adaptable color and texture.