MAC 3N & Runaway Red Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches (Making Pretty)

Christine — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 10:25:58 +0000

MAC 3N Lipstick

Two Well-Loved Lipsticks Make a Return in New Clothes

MAC Making Pretty Lipsticks ($28.00 for 0.15 oz. each) are available in two shades: 3N (milky pastel pink) and Runaway Red (rich red-blue). Both shades are repromotes, though they were well-received shades. The collection online yesterday, and I immediately placed my order and overnighted everything, but unfortunately 3N has already sold out. To find it, you’ll have to find a MAC freestanding on December 13th or Pro store on December 6th.

3N is a pale pink with neutral undertones. It has a lustre finish. The color payoff is semi-opaque with some translucency. It lasts just over two and a half hours on me. theBalm Milly is a bit pinker. MAC Pure Zen is darker, pinker. Chanel Empreinte is sheerer. Cle de Peau #129 is pinker. MAC Lazy Day is grayer.

Runaway Red is a darkened blue-based red with a natural sheen. It has a satin finish and opaque color payoff. This shade lasted right around six hours and left a stain behind. Dior Diorling is similar. MAC Deeply Adored is a touch darker. Guerlain Gwen is lighter. MAC Digna is less red, more berry.

Of all products available during these couture releases, the lipsticks are typically the best value, as they contain more product than the standard lipstick–by a lot. Normal MAC lipsticks retail for $15.00 and contain 0.10 oz., which is equivalent to $150/oz. These specially packaged lipsticks are $187/oz. I believe the lipsticks are packaged in thin metal with faux shagreen wrapped around the tube. I kept trying to clink it with other known plastics and metals, and the cap tinkled nicely, but the inner tube not so much (but there is a plastic insert within it, which might have contributed to the lack of metal-like sound).

MAC lipsticks are vanilla-scented, and the coverage, wear time, and hydration level depends largely on the finish. Lustres like 3N are slightly drying for me, and they have a tendency to wear around two hours. Satin finishes like Runaway Red are neither drying nor hydrating, but they tend to wear longer than the average lipstick.