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MAC Alluring Aquatics Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches

MAC Alluring Aquatic Lipsticks
MAC Alluring Aquatic Lipsticks

MAC’s Alluring Aquatic collection contains five shades of limited edition lipsticks, and I have four of them to share with you (I’ll review the missing one as soon as I can purchase it!). The collection releases online May 15th and in-stores on May 22nd (North America), and the only date I have for international locations is “May 2014.” Each lipstick is packaged in metallic blue-teal plastic tube with “water droplets” on the case, and the droplets are actually raised–and it’s some of the coolest packaging I’ve seen, personally (and to be clear, “cool” packaging doesn’t impact on the rating of the shades). It really does look wet, and it’s not so thick/textured that it won’t store well.

MAC Mystical Lipstick ($17.50 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “mid-tone creamy rose [with a Cremesheen finish].” It’s a medium-dark, muted rosy pink with subtle, warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had rich, opaque color coverage that applied evenly and easily without pulling at the lip during application. This sahde wore well for four and a half hours, and it wasn’t drying (which is noteworthy, as Cremesheens are often a bit drying on me). MAC Out for Passion (LE, $20.00) is sheerer. Tarte Tulip (P, $16.00) is slightly pinker. Urban Decay Rush (P, $22.00) is cooler-toned. Urban Decay Fiend (P, $22.00) is a touch brighter. Burberry Primrose Hill Pink (P, $30.00) is similar. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

MAC Pet Me, Please Lipstick ($17.50 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “light shimmering mauve [with a Frost finish].” It’s a light-medium, peachy-beige with a hint of mauve/gray to it, but it still looked rather warm-toned overall. It had semi-opaque color coverage, so the natural lip color is going to influence the tone and color of the lipstick applied. This was released previously, and this version was less pigmented, but the color itself was fairly similar (more influence coming from skin/natural lip color since it wasn’t as opaque). This shade only lasted two and a half hours on me, and it was somewhat drying (not a total surprise, given the level of frost in it!). I think this works best with gloss layered on top. MAC Art Directed (LE, $16.00) is warmer. MAC Felicienne (LE, $22.00) is rosier. MAC Eloquent Air (LE, $16.00) is cooler-toned. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

MAC Siren Song Lipstick ($17.50 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “sheer pale beige [with a Lustre finish].” It’s a very light, champagne beige with a frosted sheen–pretty much as MAC describes it. The way this appears applied is going to depend greatly on your natural lip color, as it is semi-sheer. This shade lightens my natural lip color while adding warmth and gold shimmer. The color wore well for two hours, and it was lightly drying on me, which is typical of my experience with Lustres; worth noting, some readers find the Lustre formula very hydrating, others in the middle, and some, like me, drying, so if you generally find them hydrating, then I would be less concerned about the drying aspect of it. MAC Altered Beige (LE, $16.00) is darker, warmer. Giorgio Armani #111 (P, $32.00) is darker, more opaque. Buxom Nudist (P, $21.00) is more opaque, less shimmery. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

MAC Enchanted One Lipstick ($17.50 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “mid-tone neutral pink [with a Matte finish].” It’s a muted, medium peachy-coral with warm undertones and a subtle rosiness, and it has a matte finish. The consistency was lightly creamy and applied evenly and well over lips; and for a matte, lighter shade like this, they can sometimes be unforgiving, but I didn’t have any issues with application. The color lasted for five hours on me and it was neither drying nor hydrating. Marc Jacobs Beauty Flirt (144) (LE, $30.00) is similar. Givenchy Beige Plume (102) (P, $36.00) is slightly pinker. MAC Antonio’s Girls (LE, $16.00) is lighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Mystical Lipstick
MAC Mystical Lipstick

MAC Mystical Lipstick
MAC Mystical Lipstick

MAC Mystical Lipstick
MAC Mystical Lipstick

MAC Mystical Lipstick
MAC Mystical Lipstick

MAC Mystical Lipstick
MAC Mystical Lipstick

MAC Mystical Lipstick
MAC Mystical Lipstick

MAC Pet Me, Please Lipstick
MAC Pet Me, Please Lipstick

MAC Pet Me, Please Lipstick
MAC Pet Me, Please Lipstick

MAC Pet Me, Please Lipstick
MAC Pet Me, Please Lipstick

MAC Pet Me, Please Lipstick
MAC Pet Me, Please Lipstick

MAC Pet Me, Please Lipstick
MAC Pet Me, Please Lipstick

MAC Pet Me, Please Lipstick
MAC Pet Me, Please Lipstick

MAC Siren Song Lipstick
MAC Siren Song Lipstick

MAC Siren Song Lipstick
MAC Siren Song Lipstick

MAC Siren Song Lipstick
MAC Siren Song Lipstick

MAC Siren Song Lipstick
MAC Siren Song Lipstick

MAC Siren Song Lipstick
MAC Siren Song Lipstick

MAC Siren Song Lipstick
MAC Siren Song Lipstick

MAC Enchanted One Lipstick
MAC Enchanted One Lipstick

MAC Enchanted One Lipstick
MAC Enchanted One Lipstick

MAC Enchanted One Lipstick
MAC Enchanted One Lipstick

MAC Enchanted One Lipstick
MAC Enchanted One Lipstick

MAC Enchanted One Lipstick
MAC Enchanted One Lipstick

MAC Enchanted One Lipstick
MAC Enchanted One Lipstick

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
  • Guerlain Les Voilettes Loose Powder

203 Comments

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Chanel Avatar

Did MAC raise the price 1$? Their limited edition lipsticks are usually $16.50. The packaging is really cool I think that’s all that I like from the lipsticks. Thanks for the review 🙂

Christine Avatar

Hi Shada!

Here you go —

From the first paragraph: “Each lipstick is packaged in metallic blue-teal plastic tube with “water droplets” on the case, and the droplets are actually raised–and it’s some of the coolest packaging I’ve seen, personally (and to be clear, “cool” packaging doesn’t impact on the rating of the shades). It really does look wet, and it’s not so thick/textured that it won’t store well.”

Megan Avatar

I have never bought a MAC product because nothing has ever really caught my eye enough to want to buy it, but I may just have to buy Mystical. Gorgeous!

Sally Avatar

Ooh I kind of wish I’d ordered Mystical or Enchanted One instead of Pet Me Please Now, the shades looked much darker on the website!
Still I’ll be more than happy to have it just as a decoration, the packaging is beautiful!
Sally x

Rad Avatar

I have the purple one and it looks so stunning on medium complexions. I am seriously considering whether I should have bought another. Don’t know why but this collection screams Ursula from the Little Mermaid – especially the eyeshadows and the purple lipstick.

Shana Avatar

Okay got to admit after seeing your swatches I’m a little more excited to be buying Enchanted One and Mystical. But I’ve seen so many pictures of Mystical looking different…I’m just gonna wing it and go for it. I gotta’ have this packing. MAC has reeled me in.

Amy Avatar

Hey, Christine! Thanks so much for the swatches.
This collection is already out in the UK (online last Thursday and in stores today) so I’ve ordered Mystical lipstick, Goddess of the Sea lipstick and Golden bronzer. Your swatch of Mystical has made me even more excited! I’m glad it has a great formula too.

Polly Avatar

These look great Christine! Hopefully you’ll be able to get your paws on the last one soon – the description really excites me!!

Christine Avatar

Right? And they’re done really, really well. It totally looks wet in person – but they’re not obnoxiously raised/large, so you can still store them with regular lipsticks, blushes, etc. Every time I look at the compacts, “Badass” comes to mind. There’s just no other word for it!

A Avatar

I know frosts are supposed to be a big no-no nowadays, but I don’t care. I need Pet Me Please!! Also cannot wait to see the blushes and eye shadows swatched from this collection!

Lisa Avatar

I love the packaging! At first I thought Christine somehow placed water droplets on the lipsticks, and I thought “that’s cool!” Ha. Too bad the lipsticks don’t interest me much. Mystical is the only one that would work with my skintone, but not only does it seem close to shades I already own, I find the cremesheen formula really drying. Boo.

A.V Avatar

Hi Christine!! OMG im so excited about this collection!! sorry I’m not sure if someone asked you this before but I’m wondering how Enchanted one lipstick compares to MAC Kinda sexy? and how does Pet me please compare to MAC by design? Thank you so much in advanced 🙂

Alicia M. Avatar

Finally!! I’ve been checking everyday to see your review on this!
I’m definitely getting mystical. Not so sure about enchanted. I didn’t think it would resemble a nude.
Will you be reviewing the bronzing powder?

Thanks!!

Debbie Avatar

Hi love the swatches I already have pet me please the packaging is lovely
I have just ordered mystical
I have the dupe of siren which is altered beige love that one

Mariana Avatar

what is this feeling…..the urge to buy a product…BECAUSE OF PACKAGING?

i’m sorry for the yelling, but i love this packaging omg

CKG Avatar

I’ve never tried a MAC frost!

Sadly, no “thrills” for me in this one. I would have liked to have something in this packaging but nothing stands out to me, personally. I’m liking some of the names, though. “Seduced at Sea” lol

WwendyM Avatar

Pet me Please is a repromote..I already have it. I didn’t care for the formula, the application was difficult and it fiercely dried my lips out. Normally that doesn’t happen with a MAC lipstick, but I remember this one because it was just such a total no go. A bummer because I liked the colour.

JF Avatar

Do you happen to know if there will be Pro discount for Alluring Aquatic or any of the upcoming collections? I know they are LE, and its a silly question to ask, but I saw on a website that Pro Discount is available for the Alluring Aquatic. Just wanted to clarify, so my debit card will be ready when this releases online! Thanks!

Ruca Avatar

it’s very likely there will be since it is not a collaboration, but no guarantees. The past year has seen a lot of odd experimentation from MAC on how to avoid selling out entire collections to pros who abuse the system and go dump the whole collection on eBay for 5x to 10x markups. The most recent attempts to make everyone happy seem to involve making the collection available to the public without a discount BEFORE the scheduled US release, as they did with Punk Couture when they let Nordies and Macy’s all have the collection 2 weeks prior to the release date (can’t use pro cards with department stores). This one was released several weeks ago in the UK, so the collection has already been doing the rounds enough to justify letting pros have the discount at release, but MAC could decide to hold it off for 2 weeks. These special collections that are not discounted at release typically get that discount after 2 weeks on the market.

Lindsey Avatar

That packaging is amazing but none of the shades stand out to me 🙁 I am tempted to buy one though solely for the packaging.

Sylirael Avatar

*cries* why MAC! Why must you make it so difficult for me to boycott you ridiculously inflated international prices but accessing my weak spot – teal things, and things that have water droplets on them? Seriously, my phone case has that same effect. It could only be worse if the packaging was purple, LOL! What am I going to do?! (I rather like mystical, and am intrigued by this missing shade)

Denise Avatar

Well I’ve gotta give it to MAC – they’ve done a bang up good job on the packaging ! Shame that none of the colours is calling my name! Sorry chaps but its a miss for me.

Kat Avatar

I definitely want enchanted! I would be so dissapointed if there wasn’t one I liked, because of the awesome packaging. Are you going to be reviewing the purple lipstick eventually?

Christina Giordano Avatar

I love the packaging! Not so much the colors because I have 2 out of the 4 shades in my collection already! I’ll probably end up buying the mystical color because I’m a sucker for packaging and its shade I don’t have!!

Kimberly Avatar

Christine-how does Mystical compare to Bobbi Brown Nude Rose and Mac Morning Rose? I have both and wasn’t sure if they’d be too similar? Thanks, Kimberly

Emilie Avatar

Gah! The packaging is so beautiful but the shades are kinda underwhelming in my opinion… I could probably only get away with wearing Mystical and Enchanted One if I really wanted to. The two frosts look fairly similar to me and hard to wear with the amount of shimmer, to be honest. :/ oh well. The unreviewed shade Goddess of the Sea looks like it could be very lovely.

Valerie Avatar

Enchanted One is MINE OMG! Love matte colors, what time does this go available pst. time?
Cause i need this in my life, and that packaging ! Beautiful ! Sorry for raving on here lol !

Ammara Avatar

Do you think that after the nyx blushes, you could add swatches for Wet n Wild’s megalast lip colour line and maybe Revlon’s most iconic shades like Fire and Ice and Cherries In The Snow (among others)? They would be great additions to the swatch gallery because a lot of times they are dupes for higher end lipsticks and your swatch gallery is more colour accurate than other images I’ve seen.
I’ve seen so many lists that claim that the megalasts are mac dupes.

Elana Avatar

Enchanted one is lovely! And when i read siren song, I started singing the siren song from family guy, LOL! Ill make sure to wear that color if i ever want to pretend to be a mermaid and sing so beautiful upon a rock that sailors crash their boat, because thats what i do in my spare time, pretend to be a mermaid.

Mia Avatar

Really lovely packaging. I’m interested in the enchanted one but I’m wondering if this doesn’t look to similar to kinda sexy, can you tell?

Leticia Avatar

I’m definitely going to stalk the MAC counter for Mystical….I’m sure it will be the first one to sell out and it´s so my kind of shade. And I can´t stop looking at that packaging, so different from anything I’ve seen!

Klaudiaczy Avatar

Hello Christine, do you know how Mystical compares to Lancome Vintage Rose? And is it dry? I read some comments here that people said the cremesheen formula dries their lips.

Paulina Avatar

That’s really strange, cause I managed to get hold of my own Mystical lipstick (two, in fact, as I fell in love with this shade so hard) and I can see absolutely no resemblance to Urban Decay Fiend lipstick, which I also own… I don’t know if it’s the matter of my (and your) natural lip colour or something else… I find Fiend much more opaque, whereas Mystical turns out to be quite sheer. Also, Fiend is a lot pinker than Mystical, which to me seems more reddish than pinkish. This is not to undermine your excellent review (no toadying here, I really love them all!), but I was really surprised to see Fiend on your list of lipsticks similar to Mystical…

Christine Avatar

Hey Paulina!

Thanks for sharing! Based on swatching them on my end, they’re more similar when I look at them! One thing about Mystical is that it is a shade with more neutral undertones and can easily look pinker/browner depending on where you’re standing!

Ashley Avatar

Mystical literally sold out in minutes- I’m so depressed! Must stalk the counter now! How do you know if MAC will periodically restock the site? I know the the Proenza blushes they’ve restocked them quite a few times now. Thanks Christine!

Mary Avatar

Really hoping Mac stocks back the lipsticks online since all but one is sold out (I only wanted Mystical from the collection).

Erika Avatar

Hi Cristine…Idk if anyone has asked already but how does enchanted one compare to kinda sexy. I’m sorta seeing a similarity.

Alyssa Avatar

Hello! I was wondering how ‘Enchanted One’ compared to ‘Cherish’? Also, silly question, but do you think there’s a chance ‘Enchanted One’ would still be in stock in any store?

Melissa Avatar

Christine, the seller of ebay item 251610404076 is using your photos of Enchanted One for her listing. I’m sure this happens a lot. If you have a specific address where you would like us to report stolen photos used without permission, please email me and let me know your preferred contact email. I don’t have time to search the site at the moment to see if you’ve posted such info somewhere here. And I’m sorry people suck. 🙁

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