MAC Flesh Stone, Dash O' Spice, Cafe au Chic Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolours Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Flesh Stone
MAC Flesh Stone Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour ($21.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a muted, medium taupe brown with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had nearly opaque color coverage in a single layer, and the color applied evenly on the lips. The consistency was thin without being watery, so it spread well but was still easy to work with. There was very slight “cracking” where the color pulled away at my deeper lip lines (center of my bottom lip). It lasted for six and a half hours and faded fairly evenly and did not flake away. The formula was drying over time, though.
The Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour formula is supposed to be pigmented, last eight hours, and be “non-feathering.” They are typically pigmented and long-wearing, but the quality of the formula is all over the place–some shades wear down evenly, aren’t too drying, and apply well, while other shades are patchy, streaky, or prone to flaking (and also terribly drying!).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Gritty Girl (LE, $19.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Spike (DC, $17.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Café au Chic (P, $21.00) is darker (80% similar).
- Makeup Geek Rare (P, $15.00) is darker (80% similar).
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Soy Latte (DC, $17.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.17 oz. - $123.53 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "long-wearing" with "pigment-soaked, liquid colour" in the "mattest matte finish." The brand stated that it should wear for "8 hours" and be "non-feathering, non-bleeding." The majority of shades in the formula are opaque in a single layer, and for the most part, I felt like more was on the applicator than necessary for an even, opaque layer of product on my lips.
Sometimes, with richer and less forgiving shades (e.g. more contrast), I found it imperative to remove some from the applicator prior to applying so I didn't get too much product along the edges. Some shades applied smoothly and dried down that way, while other shades dried down and separated more noticeably along deeper lip lines, so it really was shade-dependent.
The formula was quick to dry down, was somewhat flexible, and lightweight to wear. The formula was mostly non-drying with a few, thicker shades feeling a little more drying over time. Many shades lasted six hours or longer with some definitely meeting the brand's "8 hour" wear claim.
They had a subtle vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour swatches.
Flesh Stone
LELimited Edition. $21.00.
Dash O' Spice
MAC Dash O’ Spice Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour ($21.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a muted, light-medium brown with strong, yellow undertones that look almost green-tinged at times. The consistency was smooth, thin but not watery and spread well across the lips without leaving behind any streaking or unevenness. It had mostly opaque coverage (but I’d go back and add a little product here and there for complete coverage) that wore well for six and a half hours. The formula was somewhat drying to me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Bite Beauty Enoki (LE, $26.00) is glossier (95% similar).
- MAC Siss (P, $19.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Soy Latte (DC, $17.00) is darker, glossier (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever Neutral Beige (107) (P, $20.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Naturally Transformed (P, $19.00) is brighter, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Maybelline Carnal Brown (P, $7.49) is darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Anastasia Starfish (P, $20.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC A Girl's Got Needs (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Bite Beauty Porcini (LE, $26.00) is darker, brighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Bite Beauty Cremini (LE, $26.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.17 oz. - $123.53 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "long-wearing" with "pigment-soaked, liquid colour" in the "mattest matte finish." The brand stated that it should wear for "8 hours" and be "non-feathering, non-bleeding." The majority of shades in the formula are opaque in a single layer, and for the most part, I felt like more was on the applicator than necessary for an even, opaque layer of product on my lips.
Sometimes, with richer and less forgiving shades (e.g. more contrast), I found it imperative to remove some from the applicator prior to applying so I didn't get too much product along the edges. Some shades applied smoothly and dried down that way, while other shades dried down and separated more noticeably along deeper lip lines, so it really was shade-dependent.
The formula was quick to dry down, was somewhat flexible, and lightweight to wear. The formula was mostly non-drying with a few, thicker shades feeling a little more drying over time. Many shades lasted six hours or longer with some definitely meeting the brand's "8 hour" wear claim.
They had a subtle vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour swatches.
Dash O' Spice
LELimited Edition. $21.00.
Café au Chic
MAC Cafe au Chic Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour ($21.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a muted, medium-dark brown with a hint of gray and a matte finish. It had rich, opaque color coverage that went on smoothly and evenly with little effort. It dried down fast enough that it did not immediately settle into lip lines but I still had enough time to work with it. After it dried down, there was slight “cracking” along the center of my bottom lip. This shade lasted for six and a half hours, was somewhat drying, and faded evenly for the most part.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Makeup Geek Rare (P, $15.00) is darker (90% similar).
- MAC Cold Hard Cash (LE, $19.00) is brighter, warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Flesh Stone (LE, $21.00) is lighter (80% similar).
- ColourPop Pillow Talk (P, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Mess Around (P, $7.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- MAC Stone (P, $19.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- MAC Gritty Girl (LE, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- MAC Big Bertha (LE, $21.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Sephora Vacation Goals (59) (P, $8.00) is darker, cooler, glossier (80% similar).
- Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Spike (DC, $17.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.17 oz. - $123.53 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "long-wearing" with "pigment-soaked, liquid colour" in the "mattest matte finish." The brand stated that it should wear for "8 hours" and be "non-feathering, non-bleeding." The majority of shades in the formula are opaque in a single layer, and for the most part, I felt like more was on the applicator than necessary for an even, opaque layer of product on my lips.
Sometimes, with richer and less forgiving shades (e.g. more contrast), I found it imperative to remove some from the applicator prior to applying so I didn't get too much product along the edges. Some shades applied smoothly and dried down that way, while other shades dried down and separated more noticeably along deeper lip lines, so it really was shade-dependent.
The formula was quick to dry down, was somewhat flexible, and lightweight to wear. The formula was mostly non-drying with a few, thicker shades feeling a little more drying over time. Many shades lasted six hours or longer with some definitely meeting the brand's "8 hour" wear claim.
They had a subtle vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour swatches.
I don’t like these super light/pale nudes on me (hell I barely any NUDE on me!) But I’m glad they aren’t HORRIBLE for people who do like them!!
I like more variety, and these were some more unique shades!
Between the color, the ultra matte finish, and formula, don’t like any of these, but that’s ok– glad to be able to skip some lippies !
And here I was hoping that 2017 was going to be the year of something other than the lip… I gotta say, not so far.
I’m dying to try the Retro Mattes but I can definitely say that none of these colors will work for me. I’ll look like a zombie. I was hoping that Stone would work but I seriously doubt it.
Aww, darn!
Eeeegh nope, not my colors at all, hehe… 🙂
Maybe the next set!
Cafe au Chic is the one and only shade in this trio that I find appealing, and even then I’d still go for a less drying dupe like their regular matte finish Stone or something similar. My one foray into grayer lipstick has worked out quite well so far. I am loving Maybelline Gone Greige. Stone is the next step up!
YAY! I’m so glad gray is working for ya, Nancy!
I thought you’d like it. (Gone Greige.) It’s a big fave for both Rachel and me. Now I’m heavy on En Taupe Road. Even my cps are leaning that way. But for me, it needs to lean gray, not yellow. Mac Stone, yes. Flesh Stone in a mega drying matte? Um, no thanks.
When I look at “Dash O’ Spice” the jingle “I’m stuck on BandAids cuz BandAid’s stuck on me” popped into my head. Seriously, it would look like that on my face.
To each her own, but nope.
Good thing there are so many shades in the range to choose from! 🙂
Am I the only one who does not like the retro matte liquid lipcolour? And now so many new colours ?
I like some (as far liquid lipstick goes), others are a total miss!
The “normal” matte lipsticks are so much better and also last very long. My favourite pink pigeon lasts the whole day and does not dry out the lips. In General I also do not like to put on lipstick with an applicator.
Completely my color, but I’m not the least bit interested in the formula. Anyone have any idea how the liquid mattes like this perform over very moisturizing balms? I really don’t care about the longevity.
I don’t think this would have any issues going over a balm, since it isn’t one of the dry down mattes. It’s quite pigmented and denser, too, that I expect balm not to interfere much unless you’re wearing straight up petroleum jelly.
I am not liking the trend towards yellowish and “deadening” colors that zap the life right out of your face. Hope it passes quickly!
I love seeing more unique shades 🙂 These often look great on other skin tones and aren’t “deadening” at all!
Good to know they work for some skin tones at least.
In addition to appealing to the DnD geek in me because of the name, Flesh (to) Stone really fascinates me conceptually despite the fact that it probably looks bad on like 95% of the population.
That aside, I’m glad this formula seems to have improved and I’m keeping an eye out for more of these reviews since my grandmother’s birthday is coming up. I have to wonder if there’s going to be any crossover between these shades and the extension to MAC’s traditional matte lipstick line – which is definitely my preferred variety of lipstick.
I feel like it is better — at least in application and how it fades/wears away. They’re drying but most liquid lipsticks are!
Not for me but not bad!
Same! 🙂