MAC Baby Be Cool Look in a Box Lip Kit Review, Photos, Swatches
Baby Be Cool
MAC Baby Be Cool Look in a Box Lip Kit ($26.50 for 0.28 oz.) includes travel-sized lipsticks and lipglosses (two of each) in shades of pink. In the past, MAC has released lip kits that featured full-sized products at a higher price tag, and I’m digging the travel-sized shades with the more palatable $26.50 price tag. Each Lipstick is 0.06 oz. (full-sized is 0.10 oz.) and each Lipglass is 0.08 fl. oz. (full-sized is 0.10 fl. oz.), which puts the value of the set at $47.60: $20.40 worth of lipstick and $27.20 worth of lipgloss.
Baby Be Cool
LELimited Edition. $26.50.
Not Too Sweet
Not Too Sweet is a soft, medium-dark lavender pink with warm undertones and a natural sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that applied evenly and did not show visible streaks, but there was slight color that had gathered in my lip lines, though the shine in the finish camouflaged that from a normal viewing distance. The consistency was lightweight, a touch tacky but not thick, and comfortable to wear over the four hours it lasted for. The formula was non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Christian Louboutin Beaute Ronron (P, $90.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Clinique Grape Pop (P, $19.50) is lighter (95% similar).
- Revlon Luminous Lilac (018) (P, $9.99) is darker (90% similar).
- Sephora Taffy (P, $14.00) is cooler, less glossy (85% similar).
- MAC Goddess of the Sea (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Revlon Berry Haute (P, $8.49) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Too Faced Melted Fig (P, $21.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Fern (LE, $7.00) is less glossy (85% similar).
- NARS Dominique (P, $34.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$19.00/0.1 oz. - $190.00 Per Ounce
MAC Lipstick comes in a variety of finishes, and the pigmentation and wear tend to be dependent on the finish. The sheer finishes, like Lustres, tend to wear for only a couple of hours and have sheer coverage (as designed) and are non-drying.
Some of the original Matte shades have a stiffer, drier formula, while newer ones have a more velvety, silicone-feel to them, and the latter are creamier, more comfortable to wear, and easier to apply, but most Matte shades are quite pigmented and long-wearing, though some are drying.
The Amplified and Satin finishes tend to have good pigmentation, lightly creamy to moderately creamy consistencies with a bit of shine, and moderate to long wear with deeper, richer shades wearing longer. The Frost and Metallic finishes have the most variance between shades with coverage ranging from semi-sheer to opaque with average wear and non-drying to slightly drying formulas. All MAC lipsticks are vanilla-scented but have no discernible taste.
Browse all of our MAC Lipstick swatches.
Not Too Sweet
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Smoked Rose
Smoked Rose is a rich, fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and a semi-matte finish. The lipstick had a smooth, velvety feel, so it did not tug, but it did not feel slippery or emollient either. It yielded nearly opaque color coverage that covered the lips even color. There was a very slight amount of color that seemed to sit in my deeper lip lines. This shade was still going strong after six hours of wear, though it was lightly drying after four hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Fast as You (LE, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Breathing Fire (P, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- NYX Sweet Pink (P, $6.00) is darker (95% similar).
- MAC Flamboyish (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever C207 (DC, $22.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Le Metier de Beaute Paris (P, $32.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Nearly Neon Fuchsia (LE, $26.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Sephora Celebrate (12) (P, $8.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Crush (LE, $21.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NYX Shocking Pink (P, $6.00) is cooler (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$19.00/0.1 oz. - $190.00 Per Ounce
MAC Lipstick comes in a variety of finishes, and the pigmentation and wear tend to be dependent on the finish. The sheer finishes, like Lustres, tend to wear for only a couple of hours and have sheer coverage (as designed) and are non-drying.
Some of the original Matte shades have a stiffer, drier formula, while newer ones have a more velvety, silicone-feel to them, and the latter are creamier, more comfortable to wear, and easier to apply, but most Matte shades are quite pigmented and long-wearing, though some are drying.
The Amplified and Satin finishes tend to have good pigmentation, lightly creamy to moderately creamy consistencies with a bit of shine, and moderate to long wear with deeper, richer shades wearing longer. The Frost and Metallic finishes have the most variance between shades with coverage ranging from semi-sheer to opaque with average wear and non-drying to slightly drying formulas. All MAC lipsticks are vanilla-scented but have no discernible taste.
Browse all of our MAC Lipstick swatches.
Smoked Rose
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Baby Be Cool
Baby Be Cool is a soft, very light pink with warm undertones and fine golden pearl. It lightened my natural lip color, added milkiness and fine pearl, as well as a glossy shine. The texture was light-medium in weight with moderate tackiness, which helped the gloss last longer (three hours). It had semi-sheer coverage that applied more evenly than anticipated, though the milky quality of the color made it more prone to visibly sitting in my lip lines.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Dress the Part (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Look Who's Here (LE, $20.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- MAC Embraceable Me (LE, $20.00) (95% similar).
- Becca Rose Quartz x Seashell (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Menagerie (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Chanel Allegorie (LE, $30.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Bare Baby (P, $25.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Maybelline Blushing Petal (505) (P, $8.99) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Round Midnight (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Maybelline Pink-a-boo (P, $4.49) is less shimmery (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.1 oz. - $210.00 Per Ounce
The Lipglass formula is supposed to be “pigmented, very shiny and can impart subtle or dramatic color” that can be worn “on its own, over lip pencil or lipstick” and will “condition lips.” MAC could use an update on the description as some shades are more pigmented than others but several are sheerer and likely intended to be that way. The formula has a very glossy, high-shine finish with a light-medium weight and moderate tackiness.
I have found that newer Lipglasses (over the last couple of years) are smoother and not quite as tacky as the formula was many years ago. They wear from three to six hours on me and are usually lightly hydrating. MAC recently updated the shade range and packaging for the range (though the formula was said to be unchanged), so worth noting is that with that packaging change came a reduction in quantity to 0.10 fl. oz. (was 0.17 fl. oz.), which may matter for some but not everyone.
Browse all of our MAC Lipglass swatches.
Baby Be Cool
LELimited Edition. $21.00.
Berry Behaviour
Berry Behaviour is a brighter, medium bubblegum pink with cool, blue undertones and a cream finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage that went on somewhat evenly, though there was a bit of streaking along the edges of my lips as well as color that settled into my lip lines. The texture was thicker and moderately tacky. It wore well for four hours and was lightly hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Obsessed (DC, $26.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Too Faced Peach, Please! (P, $19.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Sweet as Pie (LE, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- L'Oreal Florid Pink (LE, $7.99) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Pink Nouveau (P, $21.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Heart Heist (LE, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- NYX Strawberry Parfait (P, $5.00) is brighter (85% similar).
- Milani Pink Lady (07) (P, $5.49) is darker, brighter (85% similar).
- ColourPop Pretty In (DC, $10.00) is less pigmented, warmer (85% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Charm (P, $25.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.1 oz. - $210.00 Per Ounce
The Lipglass formula is supposed to be “pigmented, very shiny and can impart subtle or dramatic color” that can be worn “on its own, over lip pencil or lipstick” and will “condition lips.” MAC could use an update on the description as some shades are more pigmented than others but several are sheerer and likely intended to be that way. The formula has a very glossy, high-shine finish with a light-medium weight and moderate tackiness.
I have found that newer Lipglasses (over the last couple of years) are smoother and not quite as tacky as the formula was many years ago. They wear from three to six hours on me and are usually lightly hydrating. MAC recently updated the shade range and packaging for the range (though the formula was said to be unchanged), so worth noting is that with that packaging change came a reduction in quantity to 0.10 fl. oz. (was 0.17 fl. oz.), which may matter for some but not everyone.
Browse all of our MAC Lipglass swatches.
Like this group, but would be happy with the lipsticks alone. still.. nicely affordable.
Imagine if they sold mini lipstick duos…
Pretty in pink!
True!
Smoked Rose is pretty on you!
Thank you, Rosie!
Very pretty shades that have a bit of a sweet romantic flare to them! This one is a definite “maybe” for me. But I’ll wait to see how the other set(s) fare first.
I liked it, though milky glosses are always problematic!
I am always looking for a new look in a box kit to add to my collection! I have they have a nude version coming out too!
Glad to hear you’re enjoying the nude one!
I like the concept (of a small size kit) but for some reason these kits always have one total fail (like Baby be Cool) that makes you feel you are not getting your money’s worth.
I hear ya – if you aren’t going to use all of them, then it can feel wasteful!
While not my color, I like Baby Be Cool a lot more than I would have anticipated!
Surprise 😀
Quite a clever little box kit if you like the shades. It would be great if MAC did a berry one, a chocolate one and a coral one too.
I agree! If these are shades you like, it’s a nice kit.
I’d love to purchase this but I cannot find when clicking on the links provided. Can you post a direct link please? Thanks so much! ?
First link in the post is a direct link!
Berry Behavior is such a pretty shade!