MAC Catharina, Dangerously Chic, Vogue en Violet Ultimate Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
MAC Catharina Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Ultimate Lipstick ($23.00 for 0.15 oz.) is a new and permanent formula with a shade range of ten (in the U.S., three additional shades available in Asia). The press release doesn’t have any real information regarding the formula, so going off of past years’ Couture offerings, it seems like it should be a hydrating, pigmented lipstick. These were supposed to launch online on the 24th, but I haven’t seen them pop up yet, so I’ll keep checking in hopes that the e-commerce site puts up a more descriptive blurb about the formula and will update the review if the formula makes any additional claims. Update 10/13/2014: MAC has moved the online launch date to 10/29 and in-store date to 12/1.
I couldn’t say for sure if this is the same formula MAC has used in their previous Couture launches (especially since that isn’t always consistent–sometimes it has been the standard formula with fancier packaging), but it feel very similar to the formula used for the Marcel Wanders’ lipsticks (which is also where the packaging is from). A few of the shades now made permanent were launched previously, too. The price is noticeably higher than the standard MAC lipstick, though only a dollar more than the Mineralize Rich Lipstick formula. Worth noting, however, is that these are 50% larger than the standard MAC lipstick. The standard MAC lipstick is $160/oz., while the Ultimate lipstick is $153.33/oz. Of course, if you rarely get through half of a lipstick, then paying less will probably make you better off. Here’s a fun fact: only a $0.50 increase from the price in 2012 (based on Marcel Wanders)!
Catharina is described as a “fuchsia.” It’s a bold, bright fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and a luminous finish. It had mostly opaque color coverage, but there’s a slight translucency that gives it a lighter look applied to the lips. This shade lasted for five hours on me and was lightly hydrating. It had moderately slick, glide-on consistency with a bit of tackiness while worn. Bobbi Brown Hot Berry (P, $26.00) is darker, more shimmery. NARS Janet (P, $32.00) is darker, more shimmery. Too Faced Melted Candy (P, $21.00) is brighter. MAC Red Balloon (LE, $16.00) is lighter. Illamasqua Glissade (P, $26.00) is bluer. Estee Lauder Dominant (P, $30.00) is slightly bluer, brighter. MAC Feeling Amorous? (LE, $20.00) is more muted, redder. NARS Carthage (P, $26.00) is bluer. MAC Lickable (P, $16.00) is very similar. MAC Girl About Town (P, $16.00) is less glossy, slightly bluer. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Dangerously Chic is described as a “cool mid-tone red.” It’s a medium-dark, pink-toned red with neutral-to-cool undertones and a glossy sheen. It had mostly opaque color coverage with a very creamy, emollient consistency. I didn’t experience with feathering with this shade (though I am not prone to it), and it lasted for five hours and left behind a soft, reddish stain. I found it slightly hydrating, but it was a little tacky on. MAC Frank-n-furter (LE, $16.00) is more matte. NARS Charlotte (P, $32.00) is darker. Urban Decay Mrs. Mia Wallace (LE, $22.00) is glossier. MAC True Love’s Kiss (LE, $16.00) is brighter, lighter. Urban Decay Gash (LE, $22.00) is slightly darker. Chanel La Desiree (327) (LE, $34.00) is more matte. MAC Just a Bite (LE, $16.00) is more matte. Givenchy Grenat Initie (307) (P, $36.00) is brighter. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Role Play (P, $18.00) is more matte. Maybelline Infra-red (LE, $7.49) is warmer. Giorgio Armani Red Fuchsia (503) (P, $32.00) is glossier. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Vogue en Violet is described as a “cool mid-tone violet.” It’s a fuchsia-magenta purple with cool, pink undertones and a glossy shine. It mostly opaque color payoff, and the consistency was lightweight, smooth, and had a fair amount of slip but didn’t slide around too much. It lasted for four and a half hours and was lightly hydrating. It’s a bit like a glossy version of MAC Heroine. NARS Silvia (P, $32.00) is lighter. Givenchy Croisiere Fuchsia (309) (LE, $36.00) is pinker. MAC RiRi Boy (LE, $16.00) is more matte, lighter. MAC Zen Rose (LE, $17.00) is pinker. Buxom Swinger (P, $21.00) is pinker, brighter. See comparison swatches / view dupes.
Catharina
PPermanent. $23.00.
Dangerously Chic
PPermanent. $23.00.
Vogue en Violet
PPermanent. $23.00.
MAC Catharina Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Catharina Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Catharina Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Catharina Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Catharina Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Catharina Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Dangerously Chic Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Dangerously Chic Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Dangerously Chic Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Dangerously Chic Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Dangerously Chic Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Dangerously Chic Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Vogue en Violet Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Vogue en Violet Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Vogue en Violet Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Vogue en Violet Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Vogue en Violet Ultimate Lipstick
MAC Vogue en Violet Ultimate Lipstick
Well, all three of these are totally beautiful. This is my favorite finish in a lipstick – not unnaturally glossy or matte – just perfect and healthy looking lips. I love the more chic packaging too. I may need to pick up a shade or two in this formula. I’m glad that it’s permanent, so I can perhaps wait. I love the Marc Jacobs Highliner in Sunset on your waterline too. Love the contrast of warmth on your eyes and a cool lip.
Definitely time to check ’em out in person, since they’re permanent!
Hey Christine!
A bit random, but is there a chance you’ll review the latest YSL Volupt Sheer Candy shades that are online only? I think they look beautiful online but it could be misleading as most online images are! Was just curious, but if not, I will just rely on sephora’s awesome return policy!
Hi Becky,
I don’t have anything at this time, and I probably won’t buy them (that could change, but I think it’s a good bet that I won’t as I had a really bad experience with the formula previously).
Catharina looks great!
It’s a nice fuchsia!
Catharina and Dangerously Chic definitely on the list!! 🙂
Yayyyy! 🙂
Ummm… these are all beautiful. So glad they are permanent!! Can’t wait to see the rest of the shades.
Always nice to see permanent products!
I can’t wait to try these. I cannot decide if I like Catharina or Vogue En Violet better.
I look forward to seeing what you decide!
Is the formula similar to the MAC Mineralize Rich lipsticks? I am loving Vogue en Violet! Although, I kind of wish MAC would make past popular lip products/finishes permanent, like the Mattenes which would match the Matte lip trend that seems to be surfacing. From the color descriptions, none of these colors seem too original, which is also disappointing.
Kind of but heavier, I would say, with less slip. It’s not a totally different formula relative to Mineralize Rich, though, in regards to how it feels and applies.
I love Catharina, but I have way too many vaguely similar orchid-y pinks already!
I hear ya! It’s a very dupable shade.
I like that red a lot! These are $23? For some reason I thought they were $32.
Yep, $23 for these!
I wish brands would stop playing out that almost exact purple shade over and over again. It’s gotten so boring!
Maybe next year we will see something new!
All are gorgeous! I need Dangerously Chic though.
Enjoy!
I know this is totally off topic, but I love your earrings! I always notice the different ones you wear in photos and they are all so pretty!
Thank you <3
OMG I love all three of these! I’ll definitely be buying them. I also really love that packaging, so pretty.
I too thought that Dangerously Chic looked like Frank-N-Furter, and I was thinking maybe I’d be happy with this since it seems unlikely that I’ll crack the code on getting the RHPS lippie. Wish I could wear purples because Vogue en Violet is gorgeous.
These appear to be on par with Nars Audacious lipsticks. I like the packaging too. I’ll probably pick up Nouvelle Vogue, and maybe Vogue en Violet.
I’m loving Dangerously Chic–it is a red that tends to suit my complexion!
It would be gorgeous on you!!
Dangerously chic looks especially gorgeous with your copper eyeliner
Thanks, Jessica! xo
WOW! These look great–finish, colors, pigmentation, packaging–everything! I’m really looking forward to seeing swatches of the rest of the range. I
Are these scented, Christine? Or flavored?
Vanilla scented like all of MAC’s lipsticks but no taste!
Christine, how does Vogue en Violet compare to Up the Amp?
Up the Amp is a lot lighter and more matte! 🙂
They are all nice but I’d probably go for the NARS dupes.
All three are just gorgeous. I love Dangerously Chic. I have Mrs. Mia Wallace, though, which is listed as a dupe. I think I have dupes for all of these. If not, at least they are permanent. Yay!
I’m not too crazy about the packaging, but it looks so creamy and pigmented!
Oooh yes yes!! Now these are NICE!! Catharina especially…and I love that name too:) they all look so pretty on you. Must be nice to be able to make any colour lipstick work Christine lol!!
All three of these are lovely – I particularly like the glowing colour saturation of the first two! 😀 The purple is a little….yellower? than I’d probably go for, but I love that it’s actually purple, and not purple in the bullet and red on the lips 😉
I really love these! Catharina looks amazing, I feel like it’s similar to other pinks that I own though so I’m going to have to try my hardest to resist buying. I really wish we could get some new and really different purple lipsticks from MAC, I absolutely love purple but this shade just isn’t all that special.
Also, slightly unrelated but you look absolutely amazing in all of your recent product photos!
Pretty colours!
I’m really liking the colors MAC has been coming out with lately, in lipsticks that is. Love the soft finish as well!
This is what I am talking about! Gorgeous finish on these, and loving the colors! Finally something from MAC that I actually want to buy!
They are beautiful, all of them! It’s a relief that they are permanent with so many LEs and holiday collections coming now.
Your earrings match all of these so well lol I love it 😀
🙂