MAC Caketop, Ice Orchid, RoseBuddy Lipglasses Reviews & Swatches
Caketop
MAC Caketop Lipglass ($18.50 for 0.10 oz.) is a medium copper with stronger, warm orange undertones as a base with flecks of sparkles that shifted from mid-tone pink to deeper, copper-red. It seemed to have a rather sheer, more translucent base color (looked almost clear when I spread the gloss out on my skin) with a fair amount of larger, grittier sparkle/micro-glitter. Though Lipglass is a thicker formula and has more density, which often helps disguise the texture of shimmer/sparkle, I felt that this ran a bit thinner and I could feel some of the glitter coming through. It applied somewhat evenly, but there was a bit of product that gathered in my lip lines and the shimmer could have dispersed better. This shade lasted well for four hours and was lightly hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Tarte Remix (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC It's a Great Feeling (LE, $24.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hot Headed (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Jouer Rose Gold (P, $16.00) (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Bronze Venus (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, less pigmented (90% similar).
- MAC Blessedly Rich (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker, more pigmented (80% similar).
- Anastasia Alexandria (LE, $16.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Glass Lip (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, less pigmented (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Bronze Divinity (P, $30.00) is less pigmented (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Electric Lites (372) (P, $29.00) is more shimmery, lighter, 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.
Caketop
LELimited Edition. $21.00.
Ice Orchid
MAC Ice Orchid Lipglass ($18.50 for 0.10 oz.) is a soft pink with warm undertones and fine pearl along with multi-colored micro-sparkle. It had a semi-sheer base with more semi-opaque “coverage” in the form of shimmer/sparkle. I found that it seemed to enhance the natural pink tones of my lip color, which helped keep the gloss looking even. The texture was smooth, moderately sticky, but I found it comfortable to wear, and it was flattering on as it smoothed out my lip lines. It stayed on nicely for four hours on me and was hydrating over time. I really wish MAC would indicate coverage levels on their Lipglasses, as the formula is listed as “high coverage,” but they put out so many sheer to semi-sheer shades that it’s hard to imagine that’s not on purpose.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Panda Kiss (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay SPL (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Jouer St. Tropez (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop Tied Up (P, $8.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- MAC Cultured (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter, more pigmented (90% similar).
- ColourPop Here's 2 U (DC, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Hourglass Cosmic (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Dreamy (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Anastasia Pink Daiquiri (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Look Who's Here (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (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.
Look Using this Product
Ice Orchid
LELimited Edition. $21.00.
Rosebuddy
MAC Rosebuddy Lipglass ($18.50 for 0.10 oz.) is a deep plum with warm undertones and multi-colored pearl. It had medium pigmentation in a single layer, which applied fairly evenly but pulled into my lip lines noticeably. The gloss had a smooth, light-medium thick consistency that was moderately tacky but not glue-like. This shade stayed on well for five hours and was moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Lancome Molten Magenta (13) (P, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Space Bubble (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Astro Naughty (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Make Me Mercurial (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Shadowheart (P, $20.00) is more shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty Casablanca (P, $54.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Hourglass Impact (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- NARS Abruzzo (LE, $26.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Gal on the Moon (LE, $19.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- MAC Pretty Peppa (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, 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.
The last couple lipglosses I’ve bought from Mac were so sheer I was disappointed. If I’m spending money on something I want some pimentation- otherwise I could just wear Vaseline! For cheaper! Lol
Definitely have to check swatches, IMO, they really range ALL over the place. I do enjoy the formula overall, but the sheerer ones start to look the same applied after you have a few (true of most sheer glosses, though).
Rosebuddy would be a beautiful topper gloss.
Gotta say, I’m taken aback seeing a C+ for Caketop! It does run sheerer than I was expecting ( I have to wear Nyx Ever Slim Lip Pencil to line my outer ridge of my lips in order for this to appear full coverage), but I truly love the shift I’m seeing when I have it on. That copper with a strong pinky shift looks like one unique and kick-butt nude on me!
And now I am craving Ice Orchid, too! ?
The first two shades look fairly similar to quite a few that MAC have been releasing lately. The Rosebuddy shade is pretty, but the rating is not.