MAC Back in Vogue & Lady Be Good Retro Matte Liquid Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
MAC Back in Vogue Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Back in Vogue Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is described as a “peachy nude.” It’s a light-medium peachy coral with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had opaque color coverage with a consistency that emphasized every line and imperfection on the lip while “cracking” as soon as I smiled. It dried down in about thirty seconds, though it was fairly easy to apply and work with. I noticed quite a few streaks when I was applying, but the majority of them disappeared once the formula dried, which was a nice surprise–so better to get fairly even coverage and let the streaks take care of themselves rather than keep fussing with it! It lasted for six hours but was very drying for me. ColourPop Peppermint (LE, $7.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar). Makeup Geek Beach Bunny (P, $12.00) is glossier (95% similar). MAC Oxblood (LE, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar). ColourPop Exaggerated (LE, $7.00) is glossier (90% similar). NARS Firecracker (LE, $26.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Creme Fresh (P, $10.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC My Tweedy (P, $22.00) is more muted (90% similar). MAC Margherita (LE, $19.00) is brighter (90% similar). Dose of Colors Peachii (LE, $18.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). ColourPop Hades (LE, $8.00) is more muted, cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Chella (LE, $7.00) is cooler, glossier (85% similar). Sephora Peach Tart (LE, $14.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). NARS Grotto (LE, $27.00) is darker (85% similar). NARS Lodhi (P, $25.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar). NYX Daydream (P, $6.00) is more muted, cooler, glossier (85% similar). Urban Decay Kinky (P, $18.00) is lighter, more muted, cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Rayezor (LE, $7.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar). Too Faced Melted Coral (P, $21.00) is brighter, glossier (85% similar). ColourPop Bloom2Bloom (LE, $10.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty James (P, $36.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
MAC Lady Be Good Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is described as a “warm mid-tone nude.” It’s a muted, light-medium peachy-brown with warm undertones and a very, flat matte finish. This one had a dryness to the end result that looked almost powdery, and I did have some issues with the color flaking away here and there unevenly. It was also the fastest-drying of all fifteen shades–about twenty seconds! The color was quite pigmented, but it was very drying, separated from lip lines as soon as I smiled (once it was dry). It looked good for about four hours, and after that, there was too much unevenness/fading. ColourPop Magic Wand (P, $7.00) is glossier (90% similar). Rare Beauty Talented (P, $20.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Bite Beauty Crème Caramel (P, $24.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). Anastasia Spirit (LE, $18.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Milani Adore (LE, $8.99) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Wholesome (LE, $19.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar). Urban Decay Stark Naked (DC, $22.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Estee Lauder Covetous Nude (P, $32.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). Maybelline Nude Embrace (P, $7.99) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). NARS Biscayne Park (PiP, $25.00) is glossier (90% similar). Givenchy Beige Mousseline (101) (P, $36.00) is glossier (90% similar). Too Faced Sorry Not Sorry (P, $22.00) is lighter, cooler, glossier (85% similar). Sephora Crepe (P, $14.00) is lighter (85% similar). Urban Decay Insanity (DC, $18.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (85% similar). Too Faced Melted Nude (P, $21.00) is glossier (90% similar). Tarte Get It! (P, $20.00) is cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Echo Park (P, $7.00) is lighter, cooler, glossier (85% similar). Maybelline Clay Crush (P, $7.99) is darker, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Aquarius (P, $7.00) is glossier (90% similar). KVD Beauty Noble (P, $20.00) is lighter (90% 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.
Back in Vogue
PPermanent. $21.00.
Lady Be Good
PPermanent. $21.00.
MAC Back in Vogue Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Back in Vogue Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Back in Vogue Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Back in Vogue Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Back in Vogue Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Back in Vogue Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Lady Be Good Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Lady Be Good Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Lady Be Good Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Lady Be Good Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Lady Be Good Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Lady Be Good Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
They look sooooooooooo dry in close-up :-O But I do like the shades and in the full face shots the finish looks nice.
Some of them really are unforgiving on!
Ugh, no thanks, these look painfully dry and thick, and I don’t like cracking, drying, or flaking. I could take a tube of under eye concealer, apply to my lips, and get the same effect. MAC was very late to this liquid lipstick game, maybe they should’ve skipped it. And so strange they are debuting this in the dead of winter, when lips are already super dry. Hope their other colors perform better, as they are same price as Kat Von D ($20), but KVD has the better formula and about 30% more product ( .22 oz vs .17 oz) !!
The cracking makes me sooo sad!
I was afraid these were going to have a cracking issue. The formula sounds like ColourPop’s, which is not my favorite. I like the creamier types better. I’ll give this whole line a pass, most likely.
Well, at least they were easier to apply as they didn’t try down as quickly as CP’s, lol!
ouch! these look painful
Some of them were, lol!
Omg! These look painful! Your lips look shrink wrapped and you have the most beautiful, plump,natural looking lips ever! No. I’m passing. Anything that can’t top KVD is just a no go for me. You poor thing! I’m sure your using up the Bite lip mask!
KVD is definitely still my fave of the ultra matte/dry down type liquid mattes!
The fact that this formula looks so dry and is moderately drying on the lips means that I’m not even tempted.
I hear you 🙁
First of all, before I launch into those lipsticks; the rest of your look, eyes, face, are on fleek! Love the warm eyeshadow and liner on you! And you’re wearing one of my all-time fave eyeliners: Sephora Contour Cocoa!
Now onto the obvious. These lipsticks look as dry as the Sahara. Pretty shades. But MAC needs to tweak their lighter shades in this line to make them look less powdery!
They look and feel dry! Double whammy!
Cracking is really a deal-breaker for me! Plus with my super dry lips it would likely be even worse than for you Christine.
I can only imagine 🙁
They look very drying, I think. I can’t really wear lipsticks that are very drying. The cracking is a really huge no for me as well.
Definitely skip these, I think, Helene! Liquid lipsticks are typically drying, and best case scenario, they’re… not drying, lol, but not hydrating!
These both just look painfully dry to me!
Yep! 🙁
I’m disappointed, I really liked the look of Lady Be Good but can’t handle drying formulas.. Btw Christine, what does OG mean? I’m curious! Haha
Technically, original gangster, but it’s slang for something that’s been around for awhile.
Oh god the formula descrition make me cringe! They crack 🙁 Nononononononono…… The fact that the lighter shades crack makes it a fail formula because I was mostly interested in the lighter tones. I can get deep and red from other brands for less or stick with my KvD one.
Wow. That is the complete opposite of how I like my lips to look. I hope afterwards you blamed up your lips. Ouch!
These colours suit you so well! but hey. too dry, too expensive. Too dupable. LOL
That peachy eyeshadow is very flattering on you, Christine.
The colors are really pretty, too bad they’re kinda difficult to wear! D:
I thought these would be brighter and more orange. I’m still looking for the brightest orange lipgloss/stick/stain.
Thanks for the review! I was considering buying these two today but I think I might reconsider. Question did you use any lip balm or anything previously to mositurize your lips before you used these lippies? I’m trying to find ways that won’t leave my lips dry after using these products. I’m still trying to buy them lol
I just exfoliate and take general care of my lips, but I do not apply lip balm underneath it as that would interfere with testing/application (as a standalone product). I’d recommend applying lip balm about 15-30 minutes prior, then blotting right before you apply these 🙂
Hm, on MAC’s website, Back in Vogue is described as a “peachy nude” (whether it is or not is debatable). Rich & Restless is the one described as a “mid-tone pinky salmon.”
Thanks for the heads up, May!