MAC Claretcast Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark pinky berry with subtle, cool undertones paired with a satin finish. It had full color coverage that applied evenly and smoothly, with just a bit of tugging initially but became easier to glide on as it melted against the lips. The texture was light-to-medium in weight, lightly tacky but comfortable to wear over a six and a half hour period. The formula was a smidgen drying after four hours of wear. ColourPop What If (P, $10.00) is lighter (95% similar). YSL Forbidden Burgundy (12) (DC, $34.00) is glossier (90% similar). Bite Beauty Aubergine (DC, $24.00) is warmer (95% similar). Too Faced Melted Berry (P, $21.00) is glossier (95% similar). Lisa Eldridge Skyscraper Rose (LE, $36.00) is brighter, cooler, less glossy (90% similar). Tarte Popsicle (P, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Malibu Sunset (LE, $10.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop First of All (PiP, $7.00) is more muted (95% similar). Hermes Rose Velours (78) (LE, $67.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar). Stellar Beauty Wicked Aura 01 (P, $22.00) is cooler (90% similar). Maybelline Plum for Me (P, $7.49) is darker, more muted (90% similar). NARS Jolie Mome (P, $26.00) is less glossy (90% similar). Giorgio Armani Art Deco (502) (PiP, $38.00) is warmer (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Grenadine (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, darker, less pigmented (90% similar). NARS Damage Control (P, $26.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Rose de Russie (LE, $60.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Chanel Roman (208) (P, $37.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Exotica (P, $57.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Clinique Raspberry Pop (P, $19.50) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Estee Lauder Confident (P, $32.00) is lighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Eros Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and a satin finish. The texture was denser and pulled more than other shades, and while I could feel it melting, it did not melt as much and was always a big draggy going on. It had good pigmentation, but it was harder to get smooth, even application; I expect this one to be more unforgiving on those with drier or flakier lips as well. The color lasted a solid six hours, left behind a pinkish stain, and was non-drying. Bite Beauty Bellini (DC, $24.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Burberry Bright Pink (233) (P, $34.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Cooper (LE, $36.00) is darker, less glossy (95% similar). Bobbi Brown Raspberry Pink (DC, $37.00) is darker, less glossy (95% similar). Hourglass Leader (P, $32.00) is darker (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Ashley (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery, less glossy (90% similar). Bite Beauty Sangria (DC, $26.00) is lighter, cooler, less glossy (90% similar). Revlon Cherries in the Snow (004) (P, $9.99) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Velvet Underground (P, $37.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar). Dior Ultra Atomic (660) (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Roll the Dice (118) (DC, $30.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Otranto (P, $55.00) is more muted (90% similar). Estee Lauder Dominant (P, $32.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). L'Oreal Lacquered Strawberry (P, $9.99) is warmer (90% similar). Sephora Cancer (92) (LE, $8.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Hourglass I Can't Wait (P, $34.00) is less glossy (90% similar). Revlon Seal the Deal (P, $10.99) is cooler (90% similar). Givenchy Framboise Couture (323) (P, $36.00) is cooler (90% similar). Chanel Exaltee (93) (P, $45.00) is more shimmery, cooler, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Viva Glam Miley Cyrus (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Life’s Blood Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium red with neutral-to-cool undertones that has a lightly glossy, cream finish. It is the combination of brightness and undertone that seems to appear a bit warmer on me, though to my eye, it is neutral-to-cool. It had nearly opaque pigmentation, and the color went on evenly and smoothly while the consistency seemed to fill in lip lines and made my lips appear fuller and smoother. This shade wore well for six and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. Chanel Rouge Captivant (86) (P, $45.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Hourglass Icon (P, $32.00) is darker (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Jasmin Rouge (P, $57.00) is lighter (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Oh Miley (200) (P, $30.00) is warmer (95% similar). Urban Decay The 405 (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Screen Siren (P, $34.00) is more muted (95% similar). Givenchy Heroic Red (321) (LE, $36.00) is warmer (95% similar). Make Up For Ever Iconic Red (400) (P, $24.00) is lighter (95% similar). Hourglass My Icon Is (P, $34.00) is warmer (95% similar). Estee Lauder Boldface (P, $32.00) is more muted (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Naomi (LE, $36.00) is lighter, more muted (95% similar). Stellar Beauty Super Sonic 04 (P, $22.00) is warmer (95% similar). Tarte Juicy (LE, $20.00) is warmer (95% similar). Clinique Cherry Pop (P, $19.50) is more shimmery, warmer (95% similar). MAC Carmine Rouge (LE, $19.00) is more muted, less glossy (95% similar). Maybelline Wicked (P, $12.99) is less shimmery, glossier (95% similar). Givenchy Rouge Insomnie (12) (P, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar). Guerlain #25 (P, $36.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Mulling Spices (DC, $21.00) is more muted, cooler (90% similar). Chanel Magic (128) (P, $45.00) is more muted (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Formula Overview

MAC Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is supposed to have “intense amounts of pigment” with a gel-like texture that melts on lips that leaves behind a satin finish and wears for “eight hours.” It’s supposed to be “comfortable” to wear, but there are no claims about hydration–and overall, they were non-drying. The majority of the range varied from semi-opaque to fully opaque in one stroke, while the texture had some body and thickness to it but was not heavy. The consistency feels firmer in the tube, but it became softer and more pliable as it warmed up against the lips. This was also true about how the color settled and looked on the lips–it tended to fill up lip lines without emphasizing them as much after thirty seconds of wear. The formula didn”t have a lot of slip, and it was actually lightly tacky, which helped it stay in place better. The wear ranged from four to eight hours with lighter shades typically wearing shorter than deeper and more intense shades. The finish was anywhere from satin to natural with noticeable sheen, sometimes glossiness, but it often wore to a satin to semi-matte finish after a few hours. The formula has MAC’s typical vanilla scent but had no discernible taste.

MAC Claretcast Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Claretcast Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Claretcast Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Claretcast Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Claretcast Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Claretcast Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Eros Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Eros Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Eros Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Eros Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Eros Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Eros Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Life’s Blood Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Life’s Blood Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Life’s Blood Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Life’s Blood Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Life’s Blood Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Life’s Blood Liptensity Lipstick