MAC High Drama & Oh Lady Retro Matte Liquid Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
MAC High Drama Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC High Drama Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is described as a “deep dark plum.” It’s a blackened plum with cool undertones and a matte finish. While a lot of the darker shades actually out-performed light and medium shades, this one was more of a miss. It needs at least two coats, if not a lip liner underneath just to manage some of the unevenness/streakiness present in the shade itself. It had semi-opaque coverage and a longer dry down time (two minutes). On me, it wore for seven hours and was moderately drying after four hours of wear. MAC Fallen Angel (LE, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar). Makeup Geek Risque (P, $15.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Tarte Acid Wash (P, $20.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Darling (LE, $7.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). MAC Oh Lady (P, $21.00) is cooler (95% similar). Too Faced Maneater (P, $22.00) is glossier (90% similar). MAC Viva Glam Ariana Grande (LE, $19.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). Tarte Bonfire (P, $22.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). MAC Self Portrait (LE, $21.00) is darker (95% similar). Makeup Geek Rocker Chick (P, $12.00) is lighter (95% similar). Smashbox Femme Fatale (P, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Alchemist (P, $10.00) is lighter (85% similar). KVD Beauty Motorhead (DC, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Notion (DC, $6.50) is cooler (85% similar). MAC Sumac (LE, $19.00) is darker (85% similar). Make Up For Ever M501 (DC, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar). Makeup Geek Vain (P, $15.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Sin (P, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Pat McGrath Deep Orchid (P, $38.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar). KVD Beauty Damned (P, $20.00) is warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
MAC Oh Lady Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is described as a “deep wine.” It’s a muted, medium-dark berry with cool undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color payoff where the natural lip still peeks through (and will ultimately influence the color and tone of it if you have stronger color in your natural lips). The texture was a little thinner and runnier compared to other shades in the range. This shade wore for seven and a half hours and was moderately drying after five hours. MAC High Drama (P, $21.00) is warmer (95% similar). Smashbox Femme Fatale (P, $21.00) is brighter, cooler, glossier (90% similar). ColourPop Panda (P, $7.00) is cooler, glossier (85% similar). ColourPop Darling (LE, $7.00) is warmer, glossier (95% similar). Makeup Geek Rocker Chick (P, $12.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). MAC Fallen Angel (LE, $21.00) is darker (90% similar). Tarte Wet Suit (P, $22.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar). MAC Babes and Balls (LE, $19.00) is glossier (90% similar). ColourPop Alchemist (P, $10.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Make Up For Ever M501 (DC, $22.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar). Tarte Hangry (P, $20.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (80% similar). ColourPop Viper (DC, $6.50) is lighter (85% similar). ColourPop Bad Habit (DC, $6.50) is lighter (90% similar). Maybelline Berry Bossy (DC, $7.49) is lighter, glossier (85% similar). Milani Embrace (LE, $8.99) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar). MAC Acai (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (80% similar). Illamasqua Shard (P, $24.00) is warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Notion (DC, $6.50) is darker, more muted (85% similar). Chanel Muted Fuchsia (124) (P, $40.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). MAC Fashion Revival (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (80% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
FORMULA OVERVIEW | MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is pigmented, liquid lipstick formula that dries down to a flat, matte finish that is mostly transfer-proof. They have a runnier mousse-like consistency; it is not quite mousse-like in thickness, but it is not as runny as some liquid lipstick formulas–somewhere in-between there. The formula of these is thicker than their Pro Longwear Lustre Lipcolours (which is like the OG of matte liquid lipstick to me). The lighter shades are the least forgiving and most of them “crack” as soon as they dry down and I move my lips or smile. They don’t flake off in chunks, and most of them fade relatively evenly. I get slight transfer on occasion when drinking anything more than water (e.g. latte), and while a lot of the color will make it through a meal, it will vary depending on the oil-content of your meal. They do respond well to layering or touch-ups after there is an initial layer done. They dry down within thirty seconds to two minutes (darker shades took longer to dry), and I was able to manipulate the color as it was drying down without lifting the color entirely. Some shades appeared streaky during initial application, but once it dried down, most of the streaks disappeared (kind of like nail polish can self-level). I found the formula moderately drying after three to six hours of wear, and it is one of the more drying formulas I’ve tried, personally. They are vanilla-scented but have no discernible taste.
High Drama
PPermanent. $21.00.
Oh Lady
PPermanent. $21.00.
MAC High Drama Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC High Drama Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC High Drama Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC High Drama Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC High Drama Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC High Drama Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Oh Lady Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Oh Lady Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Oh Lady Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Oh Lady Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Oh Lady Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Oh Lady Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
FINALLY, two that don’t have that powdery looking finish! Oh, Lady looks stunning! It may just be worth my trying it on and wearing it around the shopping center for a few hours to see whether I can handle the formula.
But, wow, High Drama sure is a major disappointment!
Definitely give it a try and see if it works for you, Nancy!
I like the lip colors, but IDK, I think the finish makes lips look drier than the Sahara and adds lines where none existed. I think I will stick with traditional lipsticks. Christine, what is that blue shadow on you?? It looks gorgeous. You listed the Laura Geller Delectables Nude palette, but I have that palette, and it doesn’t have a blue. Maybe it’s the Cool palette?
It’s Cle de Peau’s Pewter Veil. The photo didn’t turn out right from the original shot, so I had to quickly redo it. Sorry!
Oh Lady really is a beautiful shade! If there was a glossy or creamy version of this, or even a semi-matte one, I’d go for it!
It is a pretty color!
So many matte liquid lippies lately – how do you keep your lips in such good shape? I imagine all this swatching would take a toll!
I alternate how often I wear them. The swatching isn’t an issue, it’s wearing them for hours on end that is damaging, actually!
“Oh Lady” kind of reminds me of Rebel in liquid lipstick form! I might actually consider getting that one. I’m really sad they don’t have more “everyday, natural” shades :(.
It does seem like a darker range!
Ooh, I love Oh Lady on you! Such a pretty berry shade. Kind of disappointed in High Drama, that swatch looks very streaky. 🙁
Thanks, Kelly!
That second one is really pretty, but it sure seems like MAC has become a follower instead of the innovative company it once was (IMHO).
I guess I just think of the Pro Longwear formula as liquid matte lipstick, which they’ve had forever (and still have) – before it was even a craze!
Oh Lady looks great on you and I love your eye look with it!
Thanks, Mary!
Oh Lady is pretty. But, they look a little dry. Idk if this is the formula for me. I just think it would age my lips. Deginetely will try on first!
Keep us posted on how it works for you, Nicole!
They look good. I don’t like the look of some matt liquid lipsticks but these are nice, especially in those dark retro colours.
Glad you liked a few!
Oh Lady does look nice, much less Dry than some too!
At least it doesn’t look super dry!
What is the eyeshadow look with Oh Lady?
Cle de Peau Pewter Veil.
Oh Lady looks gorgeous. I really want to pick some of these up.
Oh Lady is such a gorgeous color!
High Drama looks lovely! Don’t know if I would actually be brave enough to wear it though.
I bet it would be a great color on you, but maybe in a cheaper formula if you’re not sure you’d wear it!
I love the colour of High Drama, but the uneveness and the drying time are a no for me. I’d love Oh Lady if it wasn’t a matte. For some unknown reason It looks as if it should have a shine to me. A beautiful colour nevertheless.
Oh Lady is such a pretty color!
High Drama is beautiful I’m disappointed MAC couldn’t get the formula right though. Oh Lady looks perfect though. I need that!
I’m surprised the formula isn’t better 🙁
I love your blog Christine!! It is superb! I was happy to come across your swatches of these new retro mattes. Safe to say I’m going to pass! Thanks for saving me money! 😛 🙂
Thank you so much, Desiree!
How would you compare these to the kat von d liquid lipsticks in terms of lasting power?
Just depends on the shade!