MAC Fashion Sets: Lipstick Review Round-up

In the collection, the lipsticks, on average, were the strongest product. The quality of MAC’s lipstick range is definitely there, particularly with their core, permanent shades. The permanent shades are often overlooked because of the neverending onslaught of limited edition shades coming out each month (and sometimes each week!). Many of these shades have been around for several years and have proven to be bestselling shades for the brand for good reason.  I would recommend the lipstick over the matching lipgloss and nail lacquer for every single shade (which is not to say I recommend every single lipstick, period).

These shades did the best when it came to pigmentation. They’re rich, pigmented, and pretty much opaque across the board, with some being totally and utterly opaque and others being nearly opaque. When it comes to the overall quality and claims, these do well, but some finishes are more drying than others. I don’t find MAC to have moisturizing lipsticks, but for the most part, they are not drying either. Lustres and cremesheen finishes are the most drying for me, while mattes and satins can be slightly drying depending on the individual shade. Frosts are neither drying nor hydrating in my experience.

Generally, lighter shades (think Angel, Myth, Snob, etc.) will not wear as long or as well as richer, deeper shades (think Girl About Town, Rebel, Russian Red, etc.), as those deeper shades (combined with their finish) lead to six hour wear as a result of staining–and staining may be good or bad depending on your preference. Lighter shades typically wear three to four hours with deeper shades lasting four to six hours–and this is based on experience of over a hundred MAC lipsticks over the years. I’m pretty sure it’s way more than that, but I’m not going to guarantee it.

The best shades were:  Girl About Town, Morange, and Russian Red (all As).  Good but not great shades were:  Peachstock, Please Me, Rebel, and Spice.  The most under-performing shades were:  Myth and Razzledazzler.

Availability: Based on the information I have received from MAC, the distribution of these shades is regional. I cannot confirm the extent of non-regional shades being available online for your region (e.g. whether all of these will be available on the UK website). I can confirm only that for North America, all shades are available for purchase online. Only the North America-specific shades will be available in-stores on May 3rd, 2012. Select Macy’s will also carry Latin America & Middle East region-specific shades.

North America: Chestnut, Girl About Town, Myth, Rebel, Russian Red, Snob, Spice; Chestnut and Spice are limited edition–the rest are permanent
Asia Pacific: Angel, Morange, Impassioned, Peachstock, Ravishing, Razzledazzler, Saint Germain; Peachstock is permanent at PRO stores only, Razzledazzler is permanent in Asia only–the rest are permanent
Europe & Africa: Impassioned, Morange, Myth, Rebel, Russian Red, Saint Germain, Spice; Spice is limited edition
Latin America & Middle East: Girl About Town, Impassioned, Morange, Pink Nouveau, Please Me, Russian Red, Snob; all shades are permanent

Reviews, Photos, Swatches

• MAC Angel Lipstick
• MAC Chestnut Lipstick
• MAC Girl About Town Lipstick
• MAC Impassioned Lipstick
• MAC Morange Lipstick
• MAC Myth Lipstick
• MAC Peachstock Lipstick
• MAC Pink Nouveau Lipstick
• MAC Please Me Lipstick
• MAC Ravishing Lipstick
• MAC Razzledazzler Lipstick
• MAC Rebel Lipstick
• MAC Russian Red Lipstick
• MAC Saint Germain Lipstick
• MAC Snob Lipstick
• MAC Spice Lipstick

The Glossover

	MAC Fashion Sets: Lipstick Review Round-up A-
	The quality of MAC's lipstick range is definitely there, particularly with their core, permanent shades. The permanent shades are often overlooked because of the neverending onslaught of limited edition shades coming out each month (and sometimes each week!).
	Product 9/10 Pigmentation 10/10 Texture 9/10 Longevity 8.5/10 Application 4/5
	Where to Buy
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

Please note that the photos included in this post are for summary purposes only–there are four additional photos for each lipstick shade that have been excluded in this post but are available in the set’s original post: two product photos, one lip swatch (diffused flash), and one lip swatch (studio lighting).  All links to the individual posts have been provided above.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Angel Lipstick

MAC Angel Lipstick

MAC Chestnut Lipstick

MAC Chestnut Lipstick

MAC Girl About Town Lipstick

MAC Girl About Town Lipstick

MAC Impassioned Lipstick

MAC Impassioned Lipstick

MAC Morange Lipstick

MAC Morange Lipstick

MAC Myth Lipstick

MAC Myth Lipstick

MAC Peachstock Lipstick

MAC Peachstock Lipstick

MAC Pink Nouveau Lipstick

MAC Pink Nouveau Lipstick

MAC Please Me Lipstick

MAC Please Me Lipstick

MAC Ravishing Lipstick

MAC Ravishing Lipstick

MAC Razzledazzler Lipstick

MAC Razzledazzler Lipstick

MAC Rebel Lipstick

MAC Rebel Lipstick

MAC Russian Red Lipstick

MAC Russian Red Lipstick

MAC Saint Germain Lipstick

MAC Saint Germain Lipstick

MAC Snob Lipstick

MAC Snob Lipstick

MAC Spice Lipstick

MAC Spice Lipstick

MAC Myth Lipglass, Lipstick, Nail Lacquer

MAC Myth Lipstick ($14.50 for 0.10 oz.) has been such a top-seller that it has now inspired a Lipglass ($14.50 for 0.17 fl. oz.) and Nail Lacquer ($16.00 for 0.34 fl. oz.) to complement it. This shade is part of the North America and Europe/Africa portions of the collection, so it will be available both online and in-store. Myth is described as “light neutral nude.”

When you layer the lipgloss over the matching lipstick, the end result is a milky peach-beige with very subtle silver micro-shimmer and pink undertones. The two don’t work especially well with each other, and it seems to cause some unevenness. The gloss and nail lacquer don’t match the lipstick at all–both of them are far warmer and peachier. I remember when I applied the gloss, I double-checked the label, because I thought perhaps I grabbed Peachstock! The gloss and nail lacquer do match fairly well, though.

Myth Lipglass is a milky peach beige with subtle silver sparkle. It’s mostly opaque but does settle into lip lines. The consistency of this shade was particularly thick–more so than most MAC Lipglasses. MAC 2N is slightly more orange and darker. MAC Ready or Not is darker. MAC Orange Tempera is pinker. MAC C-Thru is lighter, less peach. MAC Scottish Lilt is very similar but sheerer. (8, 8.5, 8, 8.5, 3, 4; B-)

Myth Lipstick is a pale pink-tinted beige nude with a creamy consistency. It has a satin finish, and it is part of the permanent range. There’s something about the consistency that makes this harder to apply just right; it sometimes tugs a bit. MAC Restrict is grayer. MAC Fleshpot is cooler-toned. MAC Happy Hibiscus is lighter. MAC Innocence, Beware! is a bit pinker and darker. (8.5, 9, 8.5, 8.5, 4, 4; B)

Myth Nail Lacquer is a pale peach beige with a cream finish. It’s opaque in two coats, but it is streaky on the first coat, so you’ll want to pay attention to how you apply the second coat to help cover the initial coat of polish. Rescue Beauty Lounge Sheer Nude is less warm, a little more beige. MAC Hangin’ Loose is a little darker and has shimmer. MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 is browner. MAC Sandpiper is lighter, less peach. (8.5, 9, 8.5, 9, 4, 4; B)

MAC Lipsticks are vanilla-scented but taste-free. Satin finishes like Myth typically wear four to six hours on me, with lighter shades like this one wearing closer to four hours. I find Myth to be slightly on the drying side, especially if I wear it for four hours or more. MAC Lipglasses are also vanilla-scented but taste-free. They are very sticky and have a thick, borderline-goopy consistency. If you prefer gel-like, cushion-y glosses that feel lightweight on, I don’t recommend MAC Lipglass. Because of the tackier texture, MAC Lipglasses do tend to wear a full four hours on me, with some of the darker shades lasting up to six hours (with mostly the color lingering at that point).

Note: I am reviewing each “set” together. After I’ve reviewed all sixteen sets, I will do round-ups for each product type (so all lipsticks together) to deliver an overall Glossover rating. This rating is more indicative of the product type, as the rating that follows this post is an average across three totally different types of products. You can also see the individual scores listed after each product, which are listed in the same order as they are in the Glossover.

The Glossover

	MAC Myth Lipglass, Lipstick, Nail Lacquer Review, Photos, Swatches B
	I'm not overly enthused with the quality of these three--I don't think any of them are of high quality, and while they're not the worst in their category, they're not the best. The gloss is the hardest to work with, and I did not like the way the gloss and lipstick layered together. It was a battle working with both!
	Product 8.5/10 Pigmentation 9/10 Texture 8/10 Longevity 9/10 Application 4/5
	Where to Buy
Login or Register to be able to add this to your Vanity or Wishlist! Plus rate and review!

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Myth Lipglass, Lipstick, Nail Lacquer

MAC Myth Lipglass layered over Myth Lipstick, Myth Nail Lacquer

MAC Myth Lipglass layered over Myth Lipstick (Diffused Flash)

MAC Myth Lipglass layered over Myth Lipstick (Studio Lighting)

MAC Myth Lipglass layered over Myth Lipstick

MAC Myth Lipglass

MAC Myth Lipglass

MAC Myth Lipglass

MAC Myth Lipglass

MAC Myth Lipglass (Diffused Flash)

MAC Myth Lipglass (Studio Lighting)

MAC Myth Lipglass

MAC Myth Lipstick

MAC Myth Lipstick

MAC Myth Lipstick

MAC Myth Lipstick (Diffused Flash)

MAC Myth Lipstick (Studio Lighting)

MAC Myth Lipstick

MAC Myth Nail Lacquer

MAC Myth Nail Lacquer

MAC Myth Nail Lacquer

MAC Myth Nail Lacquer

MAC Myth Nail Lacquer

MAC Myth Nail Lacquer

* Myth nail lacquer was a press sample; all other products from Fashion Sets were purchased by me

The Spring Season: Cooler Nude Lipstick Wrap-up

We’re winding down the Spring Season, and the best way to do that is by giving you a visual summary of all of the colors we’ve taken a look at in the past three months!  This post features cooler nude lipstick shades.

• MAC may have a lot of nudes, but it definitely looks like you don’t need to own every single one to have your nude lips covered.  #5 (MAC Creme d’Nude), #6 (MAC Fleshpot), and #7 (MAC Myth) are all quite similar–Creme d’Nude is sheerer and glossier, while Fleshpot and Myth have similar textures, Fleshpot is pinker, Myth is peachier.
• #1 (Benefit Lady’s Choice) and #4 (Korres #13 Natural Pink) seem to be similar, except Lady’s Choice has a glossier finish; #8 (MAC Velvet Teddy) is also similar to these two, but seems a little darker and cooler.

1. Benefit Lady’s Choice Lipstick
2. Guerlain Beige Mousseline Lipstick
3. Guerlain Galia Rouge G Lipstick
4. Korres #13 Natural Pink Guava Lipstick
5. MAC Creme d’Nude Lipstick
6. MAC Fleshpot Lipstick
7. MAC Myth Lipstick
8. MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick
9. Smashbox Charming Lipstick

MAC Myth Lipstick

The Spring Season: MAC Myth Lipstick

MAC Myth Lipstick ($14.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a pale, flesh-toned slightly peach-pink tinged nude. Myth has a satin finish, which means it has a very creamy, opaque look with a low-level sheen and on shimmer. It gives my lips incredibly full coverage color, and the creaminess gives it a nice, defined look without the aid of a lip liner, too–always a nice bonus! It’s similar to Fleshpot, but it’s not quite as fleshy or as light.  It’s lighter and not as peachy as Peachstock, as well.  They’re in the same family, though!

Is this the right nude lipstick for you? Would you wear it?

The Spring Season is a series of posts featuring my favorite soft beige, coral, and pink lipsticks and lipglosses — all perfect for the first blossom of spring — that runs through March 2010.

See photos and swatches…

MAC Myth Lipstick

MAC Myth Lipstick

MAC Myth Lipstick

MAC Myth Lipstick (Diffused Flash)

MAC Myth Lipstick (Studio Lighting)

MAC Myth Lipstick

6 Must-Have MAC Nude Lipsticks

About the Temptalia Must-Haves Series

A series of posts showcasing must-have products from MAC Cosmetics’ permanent line of products. Selections are based on quality, universality, uniqueness amongst the line, and the like. Limited edition shades are deliberately excluded to make buying easier. Readers’ comments act as a supplement to these lists of their favorites and must-haves. You can find the entire series here.

High Tea lipstick is a sheer, lightly pinked nude shade that works really well to mute more pigmented lips or add a little bit of glossiness to lips for everyday wear.

Myth lipstick is a satiny smooth, fleshy beige shade. Good for toned-down lips, especially when paired with smoky eyes.

Honeylove lipstick is often my go-to for a matte, pink-nude lip. It’s a great way to contrast with heavier/more colorful eyes.

See three more picks!

Blankety lipstick is an incredibly creamy, pigmented pinky beige nude shade. This is a great color to pair with more pigmented, brighter lipglosses, too.

Hug Me lipstick is a fleshy pinky-nude than most of the others listed here, but for those who find most nudes wash them out, Hug Me is a great way to go for a muted lip instead.

Creme d’Nude lipstick is a creamy, opaque beigey-nude shade that works well for a warmer nude lip.

What are your favorite nude lipsticks?