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MAC Dance With Me & Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches

MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is described as a “deep cranberry red.” It’s a deepened, dark, pinky-red with cool undertones and a matte finish. It was semi-opaque, making it one of the less-pigmented shades in the range (but it’s definitely not sheer). Since the formula is amenable to multiple layers, you can get opaque coverage with a second coat. It took about forty-five seconds to dry down, and it lasted well for eight hours with fairly even fading. It was moderately drying after four and a half hours of wear. NARS Rebel (LE, $27.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Bite Beauty Mochi (P, $24.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (95% similar). Chanel Nightfall (LE, $45.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar). Tarte Cheerleader (P, $20.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar). Burberry Ruby (434) (P, $35.00) is glossier (90% similar). Anastasia Vida (LE, $18.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Blood (LE, $7.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (85% similar). MAC PattyPout (LE, $21.00) is brighter (90% similar). Bite Beauty #080 (P, $18.00) is cooler (90% similar). Sephora Red Desert (97) (P, $14.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC Chateau M (LE, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Unmatched (LE, $24.00) is cooler (90% similar). Jouer Cabernet (P, $18.00) is cooler (95% similar). ColourPop Ribbon (LE, $6.50) is warmer (90% similar). Makeup Geek Boss Lady (P, $12.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). ColourPop Dazed (LE, $7.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). NARS Starwoman (P, $26.00) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Silk (LE, $7.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar). MAC Salon Rouge (LE, $19.00) is warmer, glossier (85% similar). Maybelline Rich Ruby (P, $7.99) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is described as a “deep true red.” It’s a medium-dark red with neutral-to-cool undertones and a flat, matte finish. It had mostly opaque color payoff with a really smooth, even finish. This shade was one of the better-applying shades in the range and felt a lot more effortless to use. It wore well for seven hours and was drying after four hours. Too Faced Lady Balls (P, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar). Makeup Geek Beauty Queen (P, $12.00) is glossier (95% similar). Sephora Always Red (PiP, $14.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Jingle (LE, $7.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (95% similar). Anastasia Ruby (P, $18.00) is lighter (95% similar). Estee Lauder Decisive Poppy (P, $32.00) is glossier (90% similar). ColourPop Season 10 (LE, $6.50) is cooler (90% similar). NARS Don't Stop (P, $26.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC RiRi Woo (LE, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop La La Land (LE, $6.50) is darker, cooler (90% similar). MAC Charlotte (LE, $19.00) is glossier (95% similar). NARS Mysterious Red (P, $27.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC High Heels (LE, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar). Dior 999 Matte (999) (P, $35.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). NARS Amontillado (LE, $27.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Lancome Rouge Vintage (178) (LE, $32.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). NARS Riot (LE, $27.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Kinky (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (90% similar). Tarte Firework (P, $22.00) is glossier (90% similar). MAC Wild Memories (LE, $19.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

FORMULA OVERVIEW | MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick ($20.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is pigmented, liquid lipstick formula that dries down to a flat, matte finish that is mostly transfer-proof. They have a runnier mousse-like consistency; it is not quite mousse-like in thickness, but it is not as runny as some liquid lipstick formulas–somewhere in-between there. The formula of these is thicker than their Pro Longwear Lustre Lipcolours (which is like the OG of matte liquid lipstick to me). The lighter shades are the least forgiving and most of them “crack” as soon as they dry down and I move my lips or smile. They don’t flake off in chunks, and most of them fade relatively evenly. I get slight transfer on occasion when drinking anything more than water (e.g. latte), and while a lot of the color will make it through a meal, it will vary depending on the oil-content of your meal. They do respond well to layering or touch-ups after there is an initial layer done. They dry down within thirty seconds to two minutes (darker shades took longer to dry), and I was able to manipulate the color as it was drying down without lifting the color entirely. Some shades appeared streaky during initial application, but once it dried down, most of the streaks disappeared (kind of like nail polish can self-level). I found the formula moderately drying after three to six hours of wear, and it is one of the more drying formulas I’ve tried, personally. They are vanilla-scented but have no discernible taste.

MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Dance With Me Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

MAC Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick
MAC Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Make Up For Ever HD
  • MAC Pearl Sunshine Beauty Powder
  • Laura Mercier #001 Matte Radiance
On eyes:
  • Laura Geller Nude Delectables Eyeshadow Palette
  • Sephora Cocoa Eyeliner

33 Comments

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Patrick Avatar

This formula is underwhelming 🙁 And the shades? meh. With so many options on the market, I see no point in spending money on these. Thanks for your reviews. Really saves me money

Mary Avatar

Both of these colors are beautiful on you, Christine! I have 6 of the Milani Amore Matte Lip Cremes and LOVE Romance. I may have to check out one these MAC colors(after I see more of your reviews).

Paige Avatar

Did someone make you laugh just before taking the pictures? You looked extra happy in this post hahaha…

The colors are nice, but I think my currently peeling lips cannot take another matte formula for now – though I think you carry them off well!

IRockFaces Avatar

I really can’t wait another moment. MAC Feels So Grand Retro Matte Liquid Lipstick is so incredibly rich looking I can’t wait to try it. I wish mac would’ve stepped up the packaging though. Why are they being so lazy?

Nicole Avatar

Surprise! After yesterday’s review ,I was expecting these to be a huge MAC fail. I love the looks of Feels So Grand. I’m not sure though since the ultra mattes haven’t really taken with me because of dryness. Are these shades on par with KVD or better?

Fran Avatar

Dance With Me is a beautiful color that would look great on me, and even manages to be a pinky-red that I don’t already have a dupe for, and I appreciate the shorter applicator (I find the long ones difficult to be accurate with, for some reason), but, the super-dry-looking finish on these is just not for me. Dance With Me actually doesn’t look as painfully dry as some of them, but I just find that my older lips look better with a bit of shine or sheen on them… so I’ll probably pass on all of these.

Casey Avatar

After looking forward to these coming out, I decided to check it out and grab feels so grand. After having it on after it dried, I was disappointed to find out that it’s formulated just like stila’s stay all day liquid lipstick and it crumbles and flakes if I put a lot on. And if I try to wipe the flakes off it takes a chunk off. I don’t know whether I should keep it and give it more time or not. I still think Kat von Ds liquid lipstick reigns supreme in the liquid lipstick category formula-wise. It smells a lot like the sephora cream lip stain, which I already own. It’s a gorgeous red that brings out my eyes but even with two primers layered on top of each other (Too faced lip insurance and Mac lip primer), it still clumps and crumbles off..

Casey Avatar

So apparently I can use a tissue to dab the lips of excess product which causes it to flake and crumble, in light presses which makes it more smooth. Also helps to fill in the lips after primer with liner to make it really stay. But I’m glad feels so grand is a dupe to Kat von Ds outlaw cause I really prefer her formula to this one, and I do have it. I won’t buy this again, unless they reformulate it. It was supposed to be released last fall but there was something wrong with the formula. I think they need to retweak it cause without prepping the lips like I did with primer and liner, as well as lightly dabbing and pressing it on, it will crack and crumble, especially after drinking/eating.

Casey Avatar

Sadly, I’ve made up my mind and chose to return it. I hate how it’s formulated just like stilas liquid lipstick as it crumbles and flakes too much and decided it’s not worth the $$$$. Wish it was like KVD where it goes on smoothly and doesn’t crack and crumble and my lips more hydrated. This made my lips so dry they looked like a prune, and something else I’d rather not say on this forum. KVD is better quality worth the $$$$. And I already have a close dupe of the feels so grand shade-outlaw so I suggest the money should be spent on the kvd liquid lipstick instead.

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