MAC Blue Bang, Jean Genie, Flatter Me Fierce Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Blue Bang
MAC Blue Bang Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a medium blue with cool undertones and a satin sheen. There seemed to be fine pearl, but it wasn’t overly shimmery, just a noticeable sheen overall. The consistency was smooth, creamy without being too slick or emollient, and it applied without tugging. It had nearly opaque color coverage that went on evenly, but I did have some color that pulled into lip lines a touch. If you have deeper lines like me, a lip primer might be useful with this particular shade. On me, the color wore well for five and a half hours, left a bluish-purple stain, and was neither drying nor hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bite Beauty Nearly Neon Blue (LE, $26.00) is cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Satellite (P, $22.00) is more shimmery (85% similar).
- MAC Shockvalue (LE, $19.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar).
- NYX Blue Velvet (P, $6.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- ColourPop Mr. Blonde (LE, $6.50) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- ColourPop Jellies (LE, $6.50) is darker, cooler (85% 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.
Blue Bang
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Jean Genie
MAC Jean Genie Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a soft, medium-dark periwinkle blue with cool undertones and a cream finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation paired with a creamier, moderately emollient consistency. The added slip seemed to make it more prone to applying unevenly and to cause color to gather in my lip lines. This looked “cracked” as the color separated at my lip lines when I smiled. The lipstick lasted for three and a half hours and was non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Butch (DC, $18.00) is glossier (95% similar).
- NYX Earl Grey (P, $6.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Ya Dig (P, $18.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Dagger (P, $20.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Sephora 5-0 Grind (56) (P, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
- ColourPop Make Believe (LE, $7.00) is 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.
Jean Genie
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Flatter Me Fierce
MAC Flatter Me Fierce Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a pop of lavender purple with cool undertones and a cream finish. It had good pigmentation, though it needed more than one layer for full coverage results. The lipstick felt lightly creamy but did not slide around while worn. It applied without tugging and had mostly even coverage with just a touch of color that pulled into my lip lines after two hours of wear. This shade wore nicely for four hours and was lightly hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bite Beauty Lavender Jam (DC, $26.00) is darker (85% similar).
- Sephora Trippin (50) (P, $8.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Dior Cloudy Matte (380) (LE, $35.00) is lighter, warmer (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.
Omg sorry but this looks horrible (on). Maybe for Halloween?
I don’t think that colors should dictate when or when they can’t be worn so long as the person who wears them enjoys wearing them — whatever the color may be! I don’t think we should relegate what’s “different” or non-traditional as appropriate only for Halloween. If they’re not your cup of tea, that’s cool; however, it’s amazing to see a lot more variety and accessibility of more shades for everyone.
Cheers to that! Very well said. Personally I’m really excited about the variety that a lot of brands are offering now. I’m loving jean genie.
I thought the comment area was for sharing your thoughts on this?
There’s a big difference between saying something like “They’re not shades I’d wear!” and saying, “This looks horrible on! Maybe for Halloween?” Temptalia is a community for everyone, not just someone who likes natural makeup or someone who likes neon makeup or someone who likes blue lipstick or someone who only wears sheer pink lipstick. I want every person to feel their choice–blue lipstick or otherwise–is just as valid as colors common accepted by society, and not just valid but that they are beautiful in whatever color they want to rock.
Sharing your thoughts tactfully.
I’m sure this won’t be a popular comment but, as I’ve said regarding shades like these in the past, I honestly just don’t get it. I don’t understand why someone would want to leave their house with these colours of lipsticks on their lips, unless it was for a costume party or similar type of event.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder – to you, obviously, they aren’t flattering or good or worth wearing in any way except for a costume. For others, they’re shades well-loved and can’t wait to be worn. It’s fine if it’s not for you but please keep in mind that this community is about inclusiveness and allowing everyone to express themselves, enjoy makeup, and be in a positive space free of judgment for those makeup choices.
Here’s are some examples using a more “traditional” color that might help: some people only wear red for special occasions and for others it is an everyday shade, and some people think the color red is the worst shade someone can wear and others feel powerful in it.
What’s great about makeup is that this is all voluntary – if you don’t want to wear blue lipstick, you can opt out, but it is so awesome for every person who always wanted to wear blue to finally have more options at different prices, from different brands, and in different formulas.
Well, I did say my reaction might not be popular (though I seem to be in good company!). And, of course it’s only makeup and it washes off. I just don’t understand the desire to leave the house look what I can only describe as “odd”. You are such a beautiful young woman, Christine, but looking at the photos, I can’t help but notice the jarring difference between the rest of your lovely face and those chalky, dry and strange coloured lips.
But if I’m happy or feel beautiful in a color, no matter what it was, that should make you happy for me, at the very least 🙂 That’s really my point – what might strike you as odd might not be odd to me and I’d rather feel good about that than hear that I’m somehow less beautiful because we don’t agree on what’s “beautiful,” do you get what I mean? My confidence doesn’t take a hit at all when people say I don’t look beautiful or I look odd or strange or horrible in something as I’m very used to it at this point (20 years on the internet!) but I know that when I hear something along those lines from someone I’m close to respect to something else, it can be really upsetting/frustrating. It can completely take the wind out of one’s sails, even if only for a few moments.
Some people aren’t conformists. What makes a red any better than a blue? We have been conditioned to find certain colors acceptable and others unacceptable. Trends dictate what many would wear while many of us don’t want to be confined by arbitrary bs society imposes on us. Is blue lipstick really a big deal? Don’t like em? Don’t wear em!
Blue Bang is cool!
It is! I like the sheen. Wish it was a bit more even, though!
I love these colors! I passed them over in the store yesterday, thinking that Jean Genie and Flatter Me Fierce were too light for me, but seeing them on you, I think I would like to have them to use for ombre looks with darker blues and purples. I have, love, and often wear Lavender Jam; to me Flatter Me Fierce looks much cooler, as well as somewhat lighter. I think Blue Bang would be harder for me to wear; I’d like to try it on in-store.
Flatter Me Fierce is a pretty neat shade, and it’s definitely more unique as it doesn’t lean as pink/warm compared to most lavenders!
Okay, well, what can I say? Christine, you’re a good sport? But, I just don’t get this trend. Please don’t shoot me, people.
Leave it for those who enjoy it, just like any other trend or product that might not be up your alley. You don’t need to call me a good sport — as I LOVE non-traditional shades and am happy to try them out for those who are interested in them. 🙂
And you look amazing in them! Especially the deep, bright colors like Blue Bang. There’s something about dark hair and medium-to-dark eyes that totally works with bold, unconventional colors (not a fan of the pastels myself). I still wear the dark greens, inky blues, etc., but I can’t deny that those types of colors look better with more contrast-y features. (BTW, black lipstick is *made* for you — totally appropriate!)
Thank you, Alecto 🙂 I needed to hear that today. I love, love, and LOVE that we are seeing greater diversity in color across cosmetics. Years ago, trying to find a fairly comfortable, pigmented black lipstick was hard, but now mainstream brands include in their permanent line-ups. I think that’s such a cool thing as it just shows how much the industry has changed, how much more creative we are all able to be, and that more and more styles and attitudes are becoming “mainstream” as it were.
Ah! I find pastels hard to wear. I find those light bubblegum pinks hard to do – the only time I really like them on me is with a really dark smoky eye or cooler violets! But sometimes it is fun just to wear a look for the creative outlet it can be just to put something together and see how it turns out. I think that might be a consequence of inevitably wearing nothing that coordinates at a given moment due to testing, LOL.
Whoa! Blue Bang is impressive!
It is a pop o’ blue for sure!
For the same reason I’m not a fan of blue eyeshadows on myself (except the ones in MetalMatte as I can “warm” those up), I likewise am no fan of such cool based tones on my lips, either. Blue Bang is interesting, I *suppose*, but nothing I’d ever buy for myself. I hardly ever use my CP So Wavy because it clashes with my coloring.
One way I like to wear blue eyeshadow is with golds and greens, more of a tropical look so there’s more warmth! It’s fun with orange, too, but blending blue and orange together is soooo not fun!
Those are 2 of the only ways that I get away with wearing it, or with violet-purple and fuchsia. Love how I can put Watt and Ignite together to make Nebula or Velour wearable, plus use Moss and Feather to blend and blow out the edges to soften it.! Love doing a very warm, peachy/rusty eye with bright cobalt or bright teal liner, too!
To piggyback off this comment, I personally love blending blues into teals with a warm orange-ish color in the crease. It’s a fun way to warm up your blues – very tropical indeed 🙂
Personally, I like this trend, though my comfort zone only extends to grays. If I were younger, I’d be all over these…still would go for a dual ended squid ink/kale. ( I perceive the darker colors as more conservative.) I adore the idea of periwinkle…and would love to see lots more people sporting blues, esp., irl. Perhaps I might feel comfortable in a more cosmopolitan place wearing yellow, blue, green at my age (over 65) but where I live is the antithesis of cosmo. If I were under 50, no way you could keep me away from any of these! Iris Apfel does not live here! Corals are way outside my zone, as well as most pinks….and those are common, everyday shades for most folks. Guess the Nars and CP darks will just continue to keep me company. Chaque un a son gout. (To each his own.) or however you spell it.
Possibly the blackened shades like Squid Ink/Kale offer more depth without the brightness of something like Blue Bang?
And totally agree — to each their own! 🙂 It’s not so much that I expect or am asking anyone to embrace blue for themselves so much as be open and supportive of those who do want to wear it!
You’re right, both of you, it’s the depth of the shade that can make it more wearable. It’s fairly impossible for me to do pastel anything on my lips. However, Kale DID look amazing on me! So has CP Crystal Ball lip gloss, although eyeliner didn’t work out underneath it, I loved it on me as it brought out my eye color. So much has to do with our individual coloring with non-con shades. Or any, for that matter.
Well after this conversation I’m dying to try out a dark blue lipstick! I am so agreeing with you all! It wonderful to see so many different colours, and that someone would know how to rock this colours. I’m just not that creative, but I’ll give it a go now. Is squid ink still available? Navy blue is my favourite colour in everything else so why not lipstick?
Lovely sentiment!
Flatter me Fierce <3 . I love these, but I feel like they'd make my less than white (thanks to the mouthwash i'v had to use for months for my tumor 🙁 ) teeth look worse!!
Hmm!! I'll have to think about these!!
I sooo need to whiten mine! I had the same thought when I was swatching these!
I honestly can’t wait to rock these at work. We have a MAC counter and we’re allowed to wear anything as long as we sell it in the store, so I suppose these are work-appropriate, then. 😛
I’m pretty fair with cool undertones and I really hope Flatter me Fierce will look nice, though I fear it’ll wash me out a bit. We’ll see.
Fingers crossed Flatter Me Fierce works for you, Elina! I feel like it is one of the cooler-toned lavenders out there.
Blue Bang is aptly named! All of these colors are beautiful, but that one really packs a punch. I can’t stop staring at it!
That is true, haha!
I’m happy to see more colors being offered. I tend to look shitting in these in between colors though, both for fashion and makeup. Like if I’m going to wear blue, it needs to dark or exceptionally vivid.
Me too, Erin! It’s nice to have choices.
OMG… Blue Bang is such a beautiful shade of blue!! I sooo need it!!!
It is very rich!
I was at the MAC counter yesterday and the SA tried to get me to try one of these new colors. While I love the bright blue and that beautiful periwinkle, the best I could do for her was the bright pink and red. I do think my age plays a role in that and my personality. I’ve become more conservative with age. If I was in my 20s, you bet I’d be all over this. The SA had a beautiful dark toffee complexion and was wearing Jean Genie. Great combo.
I bet the SAs are having fun with some of these colors – haven’t been to a MAC counter in awhile, but I always remember many artists having great makeup looks!
It’s makes me so happy to see colors like this offered by bigger brands! 🙂 And Flatter Me Fierce has certainly caught my eye!
Me too, MacKenzie!
I love the look of blue lipstick and I’d like to try these out!! I’ve got a few darker blue ones, like KVD Echo and MAC Liptensity Blue Beat (the better of the two), but I’ve never tried any lighter, brighter ones. Also, I’m still a little shy about wearing them out but I’m working on that. Anyway, I like these colors on you!
Blue Bang looks like such a fun Smurf inspired color ! It’s nice that MAC has come out with these unusual, hard-to-dupe shades, knowing they won’t sell as well as a red or MLBB color, but kudos to them for giving customers more options. And given how hard these colors are to get right, I’m even more impressed with the scores. Well done, MAC!
Blue Bang looks killer on you! Love it.
Blue Bang is just gorgeous! I’m having a hard time, using blue and unfortunately I prefere darker blues generally but I do need to try it, I might get a surprise and like it. The lighter would make me look sick, pale blues, greens and some golds do that, oh and most pastels as well, annoying, I think.
I do like that we can get colours from all around the colour wheel as lipsticks. So much fun!
I know I’m really late to the comments party here, but I just want to thank you, Christine, for standing up for people like me who enjoy non-traditional lipstick colors. Its always a bit of a downer when I see people referring to colors like these as “unwearable”.
That being said, I love these! The colors are amazing, and I’ve added all three to my wish list, but I’m disappointed that they are LE. Hopefully I can manage to get my hands on them before they’re gone. Thanks for the reviews!
My pleasure, Al 🙂
It’s all good if someone doesn’t want to wear whatever product, but I want those who DO want to wear it to feel just as good about that choice. One person’s “unwearable” is another person’s holy grail, and I think we should respect each other to know the difference between “I wouldn’t wear it” and “nobody should wear that.”
I’m obsessed with flatter me fierce and think it looks so Good on you!! I also might pick up night mint or indigogo I love this collection
I love blue bang. A beautiful blue. When I tried it on, the universe aligned and I knew I had to get it. It compliments my skin tone and my attitude. I plan on getting a back up because I consider this more ‘everyday’ than say, JS Blue Velvet or Jawbreaker. Love love love! Thank you so much for your reviews Christina. They are INCREDIBLY helpful.