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MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil
MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil

MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil ($16.50 for 0.05 oz.) is described as a “soft yellow pink.” It’s a medium-dark, warm-toned pink with a matte finish. Urban Decay Rush (P, $19.00) is more muted. Urban Decay Manic (P, $19.00) is a touch lighter, warmer. MAC In Anticipation (P, $19.50) is pinker. MAC Pink Treat (P, $15.00) is slightly darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

It had really good color payoff in a single pass, and it applied evenly to the lips–a lot of lip pencils do not look as even on their own as Cranberry does. It has a totally matte finish, so it gives lips a slightly drier look, but the pencil itself didn’t feel too clingy or drying. It’s not a particularly comfortable formula to wear by itself, but it is helps prolong the wear when worn underneath a shorter-wearing lipstick that is more hydrating. On its own, it wears six hours and is somewhat drying. I believe this shade was once permanent but then discontinued, and now it is set to be re-released with MAC x Sharon Osbourne.

MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil
MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil

MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil
MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil

MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil
MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil

MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil
MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil

MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil
MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil

MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil
MAC Cranberry Lip Pencil

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Lingerie de Peau
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Finishing Powder
  • Kevyn Aucoin Candlelight Liquid Luminizer
  • MAC Corol Blush Duo
On eyes:
  • MAC Nude Eyeshadow Quad
  • Marc Jacobs Beauty Plum(age) Eyeliner

73 Comments

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Sarah Avatar

Oooh this looks like it could be good to use with my pinky coral lipsticks! And even just my pinky ones. Do you think it’s a pretty easy color to match with a lot of pink shades? Thanks 🙂

Isabel Avatar

This color is gorgeous! Are there any lip products (other than liners) that you would consider dupes for this shade? I feel like I’m going to have to go on a quest to find one!

Ember Avatar

Thanks for the swatches Christine. MAC confirmed to me in an email that this is a re-promote of the old permanent lip pencil discontinued about 10 years ago. I loved the original Cranberry lip pencil and I am hoping that the new formula is close to it.

zFashionizta Avatar

Looks great on you!

I need this; reminds me of my favorite discontinued Avon lip liner baby pink and one of my favorite lipsticks Lancome’s Chris & Tell.

Carly Avatar

I think i like this better than UD’s Rush lip liner! I’ve had Rush on my list to wear with lipstick shades like, well.. Rush actually! and other nude shades as well, my thinking is if i wear a pinker/mauver liner the brown tones won’t show up as much on me (like they usually do !!)

Ginny Avatar

This might be the one thing I get from the whole Osbourne collection. Yellow based pinks are not always the best color for me, but it looks so good on you I’m just going to order it and cross my fingers lol. Glad it got an A!

AbigailOD Avatar

This is Stunning on you, Christine! How did I ignore this when I placed my order?!

Is it anywhere like Ablaze maybe if in pencil form?

Ember Avatar

Hi Christine, at the counter today I checked the re-promote of the Cranberry lip pencil against the ten year old pencil I still had, and the colours are pretty close. The new Cranberry is a smidge lighter and more rosy on my arm, but not enough to make a significant different on the lips. I picked up two of them to keep me going for awhile.

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