MAC Hey, Sailor Lipsticks Review, Photos, Swatches

Christine — Fri, 18 May 2012 23:40:06 +0000

MAC Red Racer Lipstick

MAC Hey, Sailor: Lipsticks

MAC Hey, Sailor! Lipsticks ($15.50 for 0.10 oz.) include four shades: Red Racer (bright yellow red), Sail la Vie (bright mid-tone orange), Salute! (neutral peach), and To Catch a Sailor (highly frosted tan).

Red Racer is a brightened medium red with subtle yellow undertones. It seems a little blue in certain lighting to me, as it has a pinky-red appearance when used lightly, but then it seems a smidgen orange-red at other angles. This has a satin finish, and it’s opaque once applied. I definitely recommend perusing our gallery of red lipsticks, because there are so many shades and you may find one is similar enough for you there. Guerlain Vega is a bit darker. Maybelline Very Cherry is a smidgen darker. Guerlain Habit Rouge is more orange-toned. NYX Chic Red is blue-based. CoverGirl Hot is a smidgen warmer. Bobbi Brown Old Hollywood seems fairly close. Giorgio Armani #404 is also similar but a touch brighter and has shimmer. Chanel Lover is a touch cooler. Make Up For Ever #43 is a little lighter/brighter. MAC Heartless is a smidgen warmer.
Sail la Vie is an coral-tinted orange-red with a creamy finish. This has a satin finish. When it’s applied, it looks more like a medium-dark burnt orange on my lips. Shades like MAC Neon Orange and MAC Good to Go are brighter, more of a true orange. Givenchy Candide Tangerine is similar but perhaps a smidgen lighter. MAC Scarlet Ibis is a bit redder. Dolce & Gabbana Sheer is very similar. Dolce & Gabbana Fire is a bit lighter. Giorgio Armani #401 is similar, perhaps a little lighter. MAC Korean Candy is a darker orange, but it’s not quite as red-based.
Salute! is a pale peach-beige with a creamy finish. This has an amplified finish. I actually applied and swatched this twice, because it looked so awful on my lips (and I had just exfoliated!)–it grabs onto every single imperfection on your lips and just amplifies it (ha, ha). It has a fair amount of yellow in it, which is why it looks different compared to other common peaches. Dolce & Gabbana Caramel is darker. MAC Archetype is sheerer and darker. MAC Siss is a bit darker but applies better.
To Catch a Sailor is a medium beige-brown with a metallic-like finish. This has a frost finish. MAC Pet Me Please is pinker. MAC Gel is more golden. MAC Tanarama is lighter and warmer. MAC Beachbound is more golden. MAC Beigeland is the closest, but it’s less brown.

First, to those who wanted Red Racer and Sail la Vie, never fear–there are several retailers still yet to launch the collection online, and it’s still not out in-stores (except PRO stores). I wish I could have posted the lipsticks sooner, but I did not have all of them (and ironically, I was missing both the shades that sold out) until 7PM last night!

Truthfully, I was a little surprised that both sold out so quickly, because they seemed dupeable (from the descriptions), but they are certainly lovely shades and wear and apply well to boot. I really say this as a gentle reminder that makeup is supposed to be fun. Sometimes the adventure and efforts it takes to track down just that particular shade can be fun and exciting, but when it takes a turn for aggravating, frustrating, and upsetting? that’s when it’s too much. And never be afraid to mix and match–you might be surprised just how much you can dupe if you mix two or three products together!

The only shade that was problematic was Salute!, which applied awfully on my lips. I thought maybe it was just because it was the first lip product I swatched, so I tried it on again, but it looked just as bad (the second attempt is what is shown below). It just catches on imperfections that a lot of other lipsticks don’t (for instance, To Catch a Sailor was swatched second). All four shades were opaque, and they had good, creamy consistencies that enabled easier application. I tested the wear of To Catch a Sailor (three hours) and Red Racer (five hours with a light stain).

MAC lipsticks are vanilla-scented but have no discernible taste. They’re typically packaged in a semi-matte black tube, but these are in a glossy, navy blue tubes with white striping. The finishes of these lipsticks were not at all problematic, and even though To Catch a Sailor has a very metallic finish, it wasn’t drying (but not moisturizing).