MAC Carmine Rouge, Breathing Fire, Bunnybeams Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Carmine Rouge
MAC Carmine Rouge Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a rich, medium-dark pink-red with cool undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque, buildable color payoff with a smooth, creamy texture that wasn’t too thick or too thin. The lipstick applied evenly, sat well on the lips, and lasted for nearly eight hours. It also left a stain behind, and it was neither drying nor hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Candy Cane (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Dior Marilyn (LE, $40.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever C405 (DC, $22.00) is darker (95% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Cherry (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar).
- Tarte Swamp Family (LE, $20.00) is less glossy (95% similar).
- Chanel No. 03 (LE, $45.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Pretty Vulgar Blood Flower (P, $24.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- ColourPop London Fog (P, $7.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- MAC Life's Blood (DC, $21.00) is brighter, glossier (95% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Oh Miley (200) (P, $30.00) is darker, warmer (95% 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.
Carmine Rouge
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Breathing Fire
MAC Breathing Fire Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cool undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly full color coverage that went on evenly and smoothly. This shade has been released before, but this first seemed to have a touch more slip than the last time I tried it. The lipstick applied without tugging on my lips, and it was comfortable to wear. It was still going strong after six hours of wear and felt non-drying while worn, though there was a touch of color that pulled into my lip lines over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Smoked Rose (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- KVD Beauty Crush (LE, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar).
- NARS Candy Stripper (P, $26.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- NYX Shocking Pink (P, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Bite Beauty #094 (P, $18.00) is less glossy (95% similar).
- Ardency Inn Twist (P, $25.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar).
- Sephora Celebrate (12) (P, $8.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- Shiseido Primrose Sun (RS419) (DC, $28.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Tarte Hey Sailor (P, $22.00) is brighter (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Bunny Hop (LE, $12.00) is lighter, less glossy (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.
Breathing Fire
PPermanent. $19.00.
Bunnybeams
MAC Bunnybeams Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a medium, pinky lavender with warm undertones and a satin finish. It had rich, opaque pigmentation that applied evenly on the lips. The texture was light-medium in weight, thicker but not heavy, but it seemed prone to pulling away at my lip lines so a liner or lip primer may be necessary if you have lines like I do. This shade wore well for five hours, left a pinkish stain behind, and was slightly hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Cheetah (P, $10.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Dose of Colors Love Potion (P, $16.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty #088 (P, $18.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Ozzy (LE, $21.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar).
- Too Faced Melted Violet (P, $21.00) is brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- NYX Violet (P, $6.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Ozzy (P, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Makeup Geek Daredevil (P, $12.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Rollergirl (DC, $18.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Dominique (P, $34.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (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.
I like Carmine Rouge, but have Candy Cane, and like Breathing Fire, but have Kimchi. I like Bunnybeams, but it might be too light for me. I may try it, though. It seems that I like many of these Rocker Chick lipsticks 🙂
I think you’re covered in the red family there 😉
Carmine Rouge is stunning – especially with that kind of lasting power too 😉
It’s very rich!
Carmine is a classic color!
It is!
Wow, MAC’s taking a big risk on naming its lipstick after Carmine. The cruelty-free community are not going to be quiet – carmine a color obtained from crushed beetles.
Thanks for sharing!
I couldn’t agree more. I only buy CF makeup and was really disturbed to see that this is named after crushed beetles….not okay. Just another reason NOT to purchase MAC Cosmetics!!
Mac is not cruelty free, which is very disappointing. So many companies make excellent products that are cruelty free, why can’t/won’t mac. Seems like money is more important to them.
“Carmine” also just means “vivid red”… Perhaps unfortunate word choice but is there actual proof to back this up?
I guess we’ll never know what they were truly thinking, but this seems to happen a lot with MAC, that they do something most likely innocently or without intentional distaste, but find themselves in controversy in some way or another. Recently the Vibe Tribe collection, and the backlash they received from posting the (beautiful) photo of a WOC’s lips, Caitlyn Jenner as their transgender collaboration, etc. In the cruelty free movement (and it’s a big movement), carmine is a bit of a trigger word, so I’m really surprised they went with it.
It does describe the colour well, but I totally see the issue.
How I wish all cosmetic companies could just go CF. But I’m not going to start a discussion here, I suppose there are a lot of other forums for that.
Maybe they named it after carmine dye which is red in color…just a thought <>
A lot of companies are using carmine. Carmine is used in some candies, rouge, staining agent to stain cell nuclei, juices, ice cream, yogurt, eye shadow, lipstick etc. I can’t imagine MAC is the only company using carmine but could be.
no, a lot of companies use carmine! it’s mostly used it lipsticks and lip pencils, but also blush and some eyeshadows. but i think it’s pretty hilarious that they chose that name, since it’s literally crushed bugs and that’s kinda gross.
Yes, a lot of companies do use carmine – a whole lot. I just meant I doubt MAC is the only cosmetic company using carmine. : )
Cochineal extract is extracted from the cochineal, specifically the female, a species of insect that belongs to the order entomologists refer to as the “true bugs.” (Don’t trust any account that calls this bug a beetle — it’s not).
livescience.com Just FYI (I thought it was a beetle too.)
http://www.everydayfamily.com/baby-names/name/carmine/
It’s also a boy’s name. I’ll stop now – I think this is fascinating!
I was not aware of that! Is it a variation of Carmen?
Variations:
Carmelo, Carmelio, Carmino, Carmenio
Spanish: (feminine) Carmen
Latin: Carmelus
Portuguese: Carmo, Carmelo
Bunnybeams wins first prize for fun name 🙂
🙂
Bunnybeams is love
It is pretty!
While the color is probably too cool for me, I love Carmine Rouge!
It is a nice red!
I want Bunnybeams!!! Although, I have a funny feeling that it *could* look rather weird against my medium warm olive complexion? I really hope it won’t clash with my coloring, because I just love the sweet name and very springey color.
The other 2 shades are stunning and far more wearable. And easy to dupe, unfortunately for me.
I hope it works for you, Nancy!
These are gorgeous. Carmine is so rich, and I love the hint of pink to it.
I liked the pink undertone it had, too!
The first one is BEAUTIFUL. Oh goodness.!! I would love it in the summer!!
It is!
Oh I have dupes! YAY!
Yay!
I like all of them, but if I had to chose, and I probably do, I’d go for Carmine Rouge. Bunnybeams might be to light, but I would like to test it.
I bet an ombre lip with those two would be pretty, too!
Bunnybeams is so cute! Both the name and the shade. I think I would look deceased wearing it but it’s cute for other people! That Carmine Red tho! My mouth watered lol I’m not even saying that for comic effect. Lipstick just does it for me and that classic pinup red….damn! It’s so good! Other people may have mouths that water over delicious foods or smells, but the look of a classically beautiful lipstick melts me every time!
Do you think you’ll be trying Carmine Rouge?
Yes I do. Idk how it’s going to look on me, blue reds are better for my complexion but I’m justifying the purchase because I do other people’s makeup all the time even though I’m not a mua. If I had a dollar for every time I’ve said I should just go to school for the discount a pro card would give me….I’d be out A LOT of dollars because I would have even more makeup!! Lol
Wow, I love Carmine Rouge. I have more than enough red lipsticks, but it is a beautiful color. Christine, do you use a brush to apply lipstick or apply it straight from the bullet?
I apply from the bullet unless it’s in a pan (like a lip palette).
I really like Carmine Rouge – love those pinky reds!
Me too! 🙂
Bunnybeams is so pretty! I own and love Lavender Jade, and I’m not sure if the two are too similar…
Bunnybeams reminds me of Easter.. ?
is carmine rouge at all similar to the one from prabal gurung?