MAC Deep with Envy, Mean Green Machine, Instant Icon Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Deep with Envy
MAC Deep With Envy Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a deep green with subtle, warm undertones. It’s almost a neutral-toned green, as the yellow undertone only seems noticeable at the edges or when it is sheered out. The lipstick had some slip but did not slide around too easily, and it applied evenly for the most part–it did not seem to want to apply quite as evenly along the inner portion of my lips compared to the outer edges. It had good color coverage that lasted for five hours. This shade stained and was non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Brucie (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, more muted, cooler (85% similar).
- Guerlain #111 (P, $36.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Dolce and Gabbana Smeraldo (LE, $33.00) is darker, more muted, less pigmented (85% similar).
- Makeup Geek Twerk (LE, $12.00) is darker, less glossy (85% similar).
- KVD Beauty Plan 9 (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Cosplay (DC, $18.00) is lighter, glossier (80% similar).
- Smashbox Frankenstein (LE, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Bite Beauty Kale (DC, $26.00) is darker (80% 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.
Deep with Envy
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Mean Green Machine
MAC Mean Green Machine Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a blackened green with warm, olive undertones and a satin sheen. It had semi-opaque color payoff with a smooth, moderately creamy texture that wasn’t too thin or too thick on the lips. There was slight unevenness, particularly along the inner portion of my lips, where the color just wouldn’t adhere as well. I was able to wear this shade for five hours, and the formula was non-drying.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Urban Decay Junkie (DC, $18.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty #052 (P, $18.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Dolce and Gabbana Smeraldo (LE, $33.00) is lighter, less pigmented, cooler (85% similar).
- Sephora Cash Money (47) (P, $8.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar).
- Bite Beauty Kale (DC, $26.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Brucie (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (80% 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.
Mean Green Machine
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Instant Icon
MACInstant Icon Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is a bright, sky blue with cool undertones and a satin finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that applied unevenly and looked patchy, a bit streaky, and settled into lip lines immediately after applying it. Even though the consistency seemed creamy enough to apply comfortably, it just looked underwhelming on. The only way to salvage this one would be to use a lip liner or lip primer underneath it. The color wore for just over three and a half hours on me and was non-drying in feel.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Pool Boy (DC, $18.00) is lighter, more pigmented, better quality (95% similar).
- MAC Dreampot (P, $19.00) is darker, more pigmented, better quality (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever C602 (DC, $22.00) is darker, more pigmented, better quality (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Dreamer (P, $20.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Mr. Blonde (LE, $6.50) is darker, less glossy (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Motorboat (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (80% 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.
Instant Icon
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
MAC Deep with Envy Lipstick
MAC Deep with Envy Lipstick
MAC Deep with Envy Lipstick
MAC Deep with Envy Lipstick
MAC Deep with Envy Lipstick
MAC Deep with Envy Lipstick
MAC Mean Green Machine Lipstick
MAC Mean Green Machine Lipstick
MAC Mean Green Machine Lipstick
MAC Mean Green Machine Lipstick
MAC Mean Green Machine Lipstick
MAC Mean Green Machine Lipstick
MAC Instant Icon Lipstick
MAC Instant Icon Lipstick
MAC Instant Icon Lipstick
MAC Instant Icon Lipstick
MAC Instant Icon Lipstick
MAC Instant Icon Lipstick
I love the two greens.
Yay! 🙂
Mean green machine is BEAUTIFUL. oh my goodness!!! I love that on you Christine! You look stunning!
I’ll be at a mac store on my birthday in 2 weeks. So I might have to check this out!
Thank you, Shannon!
Wow, Deep with Envy is really pretty and I’m impressed with the score since it’s hard shade to get right, but I think BITE Kale would go better with my yellow undertones, just wish it came in a mini size with smaller price tag
A Kale mini would be awesome!
Out of these 3, I definitely like the overall color and quality of Deep With Envy the best. It looks smooth and well pigmented. The other 2 just do nothing for me. Except to perhaps sell me on Bite Kale! I forgot whether or not Kale is permanent, though…?
Sephora doesn’t list Kale as LE!
Deep with Envy and Mean Green Machine are both so edgy and pretty! I already have Kale, though, so I don’t think I could justify buying either right now, especially as I’ve made a vow to focus my purchases on skincare this year. lol Oh well.
Stay strong! 🙂
Deep With Envy looks amazing on you. I wish I could wear these types of hues without looking foolish.
Aw, thank you, Kristina! 🙂
And I’m sure you do not look foolish in these shades!
Kristina, I think it’s worth trying! When I feel brave and wear blue or grey lipstick grocery shopping, I get compliments from random strangers 🙂
I find that some non-traditional colors look better on me than others, and, just like with traditional shades, I have to try them in order to find out. I bought Deep With Envy the other day because it looked fabulous on me the other day at the MAC counter. And I really didn’t expect a green lipstick to actually look flattering on me!
Love the blackened green of Mean Green Machine.
Me too!
I was pretty surprised that I like Deep With Envy on myself (at least in some kinds of lighting!). I’ve been adventurous with taupes, greys, weird purples and blues, but so far not with greens. Now I want to try Mean Green Machine and Kale, too. I find the darker shades easier to wear.
I think I prefer a lot of the non-traditional lip colors in arty looks, like ombre lips. At least for everyday wear. Maybe I feel like that makes it clear that I’m being creative with my makeup?
That makes sense – possibly that we have seen more colors on the eyes for longer vs. lips is really far newer as a more recognized trend/idea! (Obviously not NEW as people have used other colors as long as people have been creative!)
Since I don’t have Kale, and we don’t have Bite Beauty herre and Sephora US doesn’t ship here I must try Mean Green Machine. So far I’ve not managed to find a green that doesn’t make me look very sick, but the search continues.
Kale is my dream green, though. Sigh 🙂
Here’s hoping Mean Green Machine works!
I really should get Kale.
Good choice!
The black green is nice but BiTEs Kale has that color perfect. The lighter green is lovely.
Both of the green ones look amazing on you!! I’m dying to try these now!! I got Kale but it was so slippery I had to return it. Maybe these will work better!
I just want to say your reviews are THE best! Not only do you have an awesome rating system but if we like the color you put dupes that are better quality. Thank you SO much! 🙂
Thank you, Mackenzie! 🙂