MAC Cockney Lipstick ($15.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “sheer yellow red with multi-dimensional pearl” with a Lustre finish. It’s a luminous, orange-red with very fine, barely-there gold shimmer. Chanel Coromandel is more orange Guerlain Genna is a touch more orange but similar. MAC Ruffian Red is not as warm-toned. Clarins Red Prodige is similar in color and texture/sheen. MAC Strut Your Stuff is brighter.  Cockney is part of the permanent range.

It’s been a couple of years since I’ve reviewed Cockney, and when I first did, it was semi-opaque–there was some translucency–but when I applied the shade from Year of the Snake, it was closer to opaque than anything resembling sheer. There’s a really subtle translucent quality to this version, but you and I both know this is not sheer! (And even the previous tube I had, it wasn’t sheer.)  At the end of the day, I look to the brand to give me guidance on what their product is supposed to do and look like, and this just isn’t sheer.

The Lustre finish really sings here, because it gives a shiny, luminous finish that’s reflective but not frosted or metallic.  It just looks lush and juicy on, even though there’s no gloss!  When I wore this shade, it lasted for five hours on the lips (which is particularly long for a Lustre finish!), but it was a bit drying (on par with my experience with Lustres, though).  The embossing of the snake pattern on the lipstick did not seem to affect the texture or quality of the lipstick. I was also surprised that there was no price increase for the embossing.

MAC Cockney Lipstick

MAC Cockney Lipstick

MAC Cockney Lipstick

MAC Cockney Lipstick

MAC Cockney Lipstick

MAC Cockney Lipstick