MAC Gwendolyn, Valiant, Modern Temptress Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Gwendolyn
MAC Gwendolyn Lipstick ($17.50 for 0.10 oz.) is a medium-dark, purple-leaning taupe with neutral-to-cool undertones and a satin finish. There were fine pearls strewn thorughout, but it did not read metallic or shimmery in person. The consistency had moderate slip, and unfortunately, the color went on unevenly and was prone to settling in my lip lines. It wore well for four and a half hours and was lightly hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Anastasia Resin (P, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter, less glossy (85% similar).
- MAC Deep Rooted (P, $19.00) is lighter (80% similar).
- MAC Simply Smoked (P, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- ColourPop Kapow (DC, $6.50) is lighter, warmer (80% similar).
- Smashbox Punked (P, $21.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
- Huda Beauty Silver Fox (P, $20.00) is lighter (80% similar).
- Anastasia Griffin (P, $18.00).
- Maybelline Concrete Jungle (P, $7.49).
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.
Gwendolyn
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Valiant
MAC Valiant Lipstick ($17.50 for 0.10 oz.) is a deep, plummy black with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. There was fine pearl strewn throughout the lipstick, though it did not actually seem shimmery in person. The texture was lightly creamy with slight slip but not enough to feel slippery while worn. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that went on somewhat evenly with some color gathering in my lip lines. The lipstick stayed on well for five and a half hours and was neither drying nor moisturizing.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Dior Ultra Night (111) (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- MAC In the Spirit (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC In My Fashion (LE, $19.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- Anastasia #13 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is warmer (90% similar).
- Sephora Woof (44) (P, $8.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- NARS Paint It Black (P, $26.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Slayer (P, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Kaleidos Scorpion Fruit (P, $12.00) is less shimmery, cooler, less glossy (90% similar).
- MAC Hautecore (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler, glossier (90% similar).
- Milani I Am Invincible (P, $6.99) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% 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.
Valiant
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Modern Temptress
MAC Modern Temptress Lipstick ($17.50 for 0.10 oz.) is a muted, medium-dark brown with subtle, warm red undertones and very fine gold and copper pearl. It had good color coverage in a single layer, which was buldable to full coverage. The consistency was lightly creamy and had a bit of slip (definitely not matte!), so it glided on without dragging but did not look patchy. This shade lasted for six hours and was neither drying nor hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Too Faced Indecent Proposal (P, $22.00) is glossier (95% similar).
- Guerlain #99 (P, $33.00) is glossier (95% similar).
- Anastasia #6 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is less glossy (95% similar).
- Kaleidos Bloodstone (P, $12.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- Bite Beauty Cognac (P, $24.00) is more shimmery (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Chocolat Divin (P, $32.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- Maybelline Chocoholic (DC, $7.49) is darker (95% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Flaunty Auntie (P, $20.00) is cooler (95% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M104 (DC, $22.00) is lighter, less glossy (95% similar).
- Pat McGrath She's So Deep (LE, $40.00) is warmer (95% 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.
This makes me want to cry. I’m SO interested in this velvet matte formula, but super dark shades look very unflattering on me, and all the MAC velvet mattes are dark.
Well, I guess instead of pouting about not finding a suitable shade in this line I could smile about having saved $17.50.
Gwendolyn and Modern Temptress look so beautiful for fall/ winter! I’m actually quite surprised by how much I’m liking Gwendolyn! Even though, truthfully, I know it probably wouldn’t look “right” on me, due to it and my undertones clashing. Not like I need anymore lipstick, but this one is unique enough that it is worth at least a try-on, no?
Gorgeous shades, especially Modern Temptress.
Modern Temptress is right up my lipstick alley.