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MAC Kinky Lipstick (Kinky Boots Collection) Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Kinky Lipstick
MAC Kinky Lipstick

MAC Kinky Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “vivid neutral-red matte.” It’s a medium-dark, subtly cool-toned red with a matte finish. Tom Ford Beauty Ruby Rush (07) (P, $50.00) is slightly cooler-toned. NARS Deadly Catch (LE, $26.00) is darker. Kat Von D Hexagram (P, $21.00) is cooler-toned. MAC Ruby (LE, $16.00) is brighter. MAC RiRi Woo (LE, $16.00) is cooler-toned. MAC Ruffian Red (LE, $16.00) is less matte. MAC Ruby Woo (P, $16.00) is cooler-toned. MAC Ronnie Red (LE, $16.00) is cooler-toned. MAC MAC Red (P, $16.00) is slightly cooler-toned. Make Up For Ever #43 (P, $19.00) is similar. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

MAC has released a lot of matte reds in the past couple of years (and they have some classics in their permanent range), so this just doesn’t seem particularly different from those past releases. It is lightly creamy, applies without dragging, and is intensely pigmented. The wear tops in at six and a half hours with plenty of color still going. It works well with the coordinating gloss in the small release, and if you’re in the market for a long-wearing, non-drying (though not hydrating!) red, it might do the trick.

MAC Kinky Lipstick
MAC Kinky Lipstick

MAC Kinky Lipstick
MAC Kinky Lipstick

MAC Kinky Lipstick
MAC Kinky Lipstick

MAC Kinky Lipstick
MAC Kinky Lipstick

MAC Kinky Lipstick
MAC Kinky Lipstick

MAC Kinky Lipstick
MAC Kinky Lipstick

MAC Kinky Lipstick
MAC Kinky Lipglass over Kinky Lipstick

MAC Kinky Lipstick
MAC Kinky Lipglass over Kinky Lipstick

MAC Kinky Lipstick
MAC Kinky Lipglass over Kinky Lipstick

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Powder
  • Burberry Gold Glow Highlighter
On eyes:
  • Burberry Gold Eyeshadow Palette
  • Marc Jacobs Brown(out) Eyeliner

67 Comments

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Alecto Avatar

I’m rather astounded at how many of these colors that you swatch look really good on you. (sigh) Wish I were that lucky.

I’m getting back into makeup after sooooo many years of not bothering, and I’m determined to find myself a true red lipstick (something I have NEVER worn). I was thinking this might be the one, but then I saw it’s LE, and I’m allergic to buying things that are deliberately withheld after a short period of time — they make me feel like the lab rat in an experiment about morale and deprivation.

Your comment that “MAC has released a lot of matte reds in the past couple of years (and they have some classics in their permanent range)” is so frustrating. I did a swatch search for matte/semi-matte, warm undertone, red, lipstick, permanent, and I got precisely THREE choices, none of which were MAC (although NARS Amsterdam popped up, and I’ve decided I’m going to get that for its more subdued browny-redness, which would be more appropriate for certain occasions … but I want an eye-popping primary red, too!).

I think it’s my need for a warm undertone in matte/semi-matte that’s killing my choices. I can wear cooler-colored eyeshadows, but blushes and lipsticks have to have distinct warm tones or they look weird on me (unless they’re almost exactly my lip color, like nudes).

Oh, and I don’t like liquid formulas.

Maybe someone here knows of a distinctly warm, matte red in another brand with good, wearable qualities that hasn’t been swatched. I’m feeling so defeated right now that I’m willing to say that price isn’t a factor.

Anyway, frustrated. 🙁

Christine Avatar

MAC has released a lot, though, but many of them are limited edition since that’s the majority of what they launch, and yes, most brands launch more blue-based reds vs. orange-based ones!

http://www.temptalia.com/swatch-gallery?sg=172186,138275,111401,111394,111375,107734,107294,101911,93621&lips=1 for permanent, red-oranges. You may also want to check out MAC So Chaud

Alecto Avatar

Thanks for the quick response! I couldn’t figure out what combination of search terms you used to get that, but man, that is what I’m talking about!

After using that as a jumping point through a bunch of other reviews, I’d say that if it weren’t for me trying to avoid shimmery or glossy shades, I’d have bought Guerlain Habit Rouge two minutes ago. As it is, I think my best choice is NARS Rita, with close seconds and thirds in Rimmel #111 and Nars Majella.

I’m going to see if there’s a way I can sample the Rita, since it’s not exactly Rimmel pricing. If I end up getting it, I’ll let you know! Thanks again!

Katherine T. Avatar

Hi! If you’re looking for the perfect red, you can try mixing up some Obsessive Compulsive Lip Tars to get your perfect shade. I also searched many, many years to find the perfect red and found it (MAC Hearts Aflame) but it was Limited Edition (of course), so I was able to mix some lip tars and come very close, and I was able to come up with some other shades that looked nice, too.

Arden Avatar

Alecto, if you’ve not, try to get Revlon Really Red Matte. I’ve got a fairly good collection of reds, but mattes are a different story because they aren’t forgiving. It’s got to be a good one. The Revlon one is perfect. Another one that is great is Illamasqua Encounter, but sadly it’s discontinued. It’s a dryer matte, so if they bring it back, it’s a good one. But truthfully, once I discovered the Revlon one, I wasn’t so devastated. A surprising one is Kat Von D Adora. I actually chose it when Christine reviewed it because it was so festive, and while it stays on forever, it’s one I can put on without a mirror. It’s somehow forgiving. If I could get a matte stick version of Nars Indian Red (discontinued), I’d give up a kidney.

crystaldw Avatar

Wet&wilds megalast red velvet is a beautiful matte red shade.i decided 2 buy a cheep one b4 i ventured into mac &high end lipsticks as i have never owned a red lipstick(till this yr i was strictly a tinted balm/stain type.).i love it, lasted hours&cant wait 2 add some more high end red lipsticks.goodluck finding urs:)

Erica Avatar

Christine, you can wear various tones of lipstick like no other. When I was a young ‘un, I wore red lipstick to college, work, everywhere! Now that I’m 51, I choose my red lipsticks more judiciously, but Mother still can rock a red hot lippie every once in a while (lol). Beautiful look on you Christine!

Erica Avatar

I tend to lean toward darker reds now – UD Mrs. Mia Wallace (current fave) NARS Audacious lipstick in Charlotte, Mac’s Hearts Aflame and Studded Kiss and Buxom’s Scoundrel. For the holidays, I’ll wear a brighter old friend, Shiseido Lacquer Rouge RD607.

Sylirael Avatar

Like I said on the lipglass review (repeating myself, sorry!) the combo of lipstick and gloss looks fabulous, but the red by itself is insanely dupeable-looking. Now, if you’re in the market for a red, I guess it’s great, but there have been a lot of reds lately…

That sounded negative – but the colour of the lipstick is very nice, and it looks smooth on. It would have been awesome if they could have brought out something that did the gloss lipstick look in one product! Since it is a Kinky Boots collection, and the boots are red and sparkly, it kind of seems like a bit of a cynical move to make it so that you have to buy two products to get the proper look. Because without the gloss, the lipstick is…just a red lipstick. Does that make sense? I should probably take off that cynic hat… 😀

Ginny Avatar

It’s not all that unique but I think it’s that tiny bit different than the scores of reds I have (I don’t have many neutrals and I have zero matte neutrals) so I’m glad I bought it. The pigmentation is so intense and smooth!

kenny Avatar

These look stunning on you christine!
Do you think I need this lipstick if I already have mac red, ruby woo, riri woo, dangerous? And is it as matte as riri woo cos I love matte reds. I hardly wear my mac red cos I think it doesn’t look as good on me as do retro matte reds.

Lotus Avatar

I’m not impressed with this though I love the looks of the lipglass! 😀 OMG: people are doing pre-sales on eBay for Miley’s Viva Glam and asking over $79! That burns me! The money goes to an important needed place! How can people not care at all!!!!??? (Sorry for rant)

Robyn Avatar

This is such a lazy release! I don’t have anything against the lippy – how can I? It’s a lovely red – but I don’t see why they bothered. It’s offering special nothing for the fans of KB and as a LE product they both are too close to thier permanent line.

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