MAC Both Cheeks & Straight Fire Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches
Both Cheeks
MAC Both Cheeks Lipstick ($19.50 for 0.10 oz.) is a vibrant, medium-dark magenta with cool, blue undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly opaque color coverage that applied evenly, but something was off about the texture was it slipped into my lip lines noticeably, which gave my lips a more textured look. The consistency was lightweight with moderate slip, but it didn’t feel too creamy yet it pulled away along my lip lines. The color stayed on well for six hours, left a stain behind, and was a bit drying after five hours of wear.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- KVD Beauty Backstage Bambi (P, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar).
- ColourPop Heart On (P, $7.00) is darker, glossier (95% similar).
- NYX Sweet Pink (P, $6.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- MAC Flamboyish (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- Bite Beauty Nearly Neon Fuchsia (LE, $26.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Revlon Tunnel Vision (P, $12.39) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Are You Surreal (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Shiseido Primrose Sun (RS419) (DC, $28.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Neon Azalea (P, $32.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Electric Pink (15) (P, $55.00) is lighter (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.
Both Cheeks
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Straight Fire
MAC Straight Fire Lipstick ($19.50 for 0.10 oz.) is a deep red with subtle, cool undertones and a barely-there, metallic sheen. The color payoff was opaque in a single layer, though the texture was firmer and denser, so there was some tugging on my lips when I tried to apply it in a fluid stroke. I found the best way to apply this was in shorter strokes across my lips, which was more comfortable and still conducive to full coverage, even application. It wore well for five and a half hours but was a touch on the drying side over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Rocker (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Coquette (LE, $6.00) is more shimmery, glossier (90% similar).
- Chanel Rouge Ombre (89) (LE, $45.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Queen of Cumbia (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Love Drunk (DC, $18.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- ColourPop Let's Play (LE, $7.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Coloured Raine Cherry Blossom (P, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter, glossier (85% similar).
- Sephora Hong Kong by Night (27) (P, $8.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Silk (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, warmer (85% similar).
- NARS Pierce (LE, $26.00) (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.
Straight Fire looks beautiful….in the non-closeup photo. I was actually pretty excited for this shade, tbh. Probably fine over a coat of good ol’ Prep & Prime lips, what do you think?
Straight Fire is beautiful and I love your eye look too Christine.
Straight Fire is a beautiful color, just not a fan of lipsticks that tug when applied (my matte mac lipsticks seem to be guilty of this often)