MAC How Tropical Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “nude beige.” It’s a yellowed, peachy-beige with warm undertones and a natural sheen. It had semi-opaque pigmentation with a consistency that applied easier after a couple of seconds of warming-up against the natural lip. It applied somewhat unevenly and looked streaky, while the color settled into lip lines from the get-go and only worsened over the next two and a half hours. It was slightly drying as well. MAC Pure Decoration (LE, $17.00) is lighter. MAC Nearly Nude (LE, $17.00) is darker. MAC Salute (LE, $17.00) is less glossy. NARS Biscayne Park (P, $25.00) is darker, warmer, less glossy. Urban Decay Naked 2 (P, $22.00) is darker, warmer. NARS Floralies (P, $25.00) is darker, brighter, warmer. NARS Floralies (P, $25.00) is darker, brighter, warmer. Marc Jacobs Beauty Severine (112) (P, $30.00) is darker, warmer. MAC Sensual Sparks (LE, $17.00) is darker, warmer. Maybelline Truffle Tease (930) (P, $7.49) is darker. Givenchy Beige Deshabille (108) (P, $36.00) is lighter, more muted. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Pillow Talk Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “malty warm nude.” It’s a muted, light-medium peachy beige with warm undertones and fine white pearl. It had mostly opaque pigmentation that tended to settle into lip lines over time, and it was difficult to keep it looking even at all times, as the color would create “lines” when I pressed my lips together. The color lasted for four hours but was slightly drying over time. Guerlain Gracieuse (DC, $51.00) is darker, warmer. MAC Delectable (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, less glossy. MAC Wholesome (LE, $17.00) is lighter, less glossy. MAC Wholesome (LE, $17.00) is lighter, less glossy. NARS Isola Bella (P, $25.00) is lighter, brighter, less glossy. NARS Het Loo (P, $25.00) is darker. Bite Beauty Pecan (P, $28.00) is cooler. Bite Beauty Cream (P, $28.00) is lighter. Urban Decay Stark Naked (P, $22.00) is less glossy. Estee Lauder Covetous Nude (P, $30.00) is less glossy. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Royally Riotous Lipstick ($17.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “malty warm brown.” It’s a muted, medium-dark brown with warm, rosy undertones and a natural finish. It had mostly opaque color coverage that went only smoothly and evenly. The consistency was lightly creamy and never pulled at the lips, while the color lasted for four and a half hours and was slightly hydrating. Estee Lauder Dangerous (P, $30.00) is darker, cooler. Urban Decay Carnal (P, $22.00) is lighter. Bite Beauty Marzipan (P, $28.00) is lighter. NARS Het Loo (P, $25.00) is lighter. Tom Ford Beauty Gustavo (LE, $32.00) is darker, cooler. MAC Tabla (P, $17.00) is warmer. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Formula Summary: MAC Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) has a variety of finishes, which results in color coverage, finish, comfort, wear, and texture to vary from finish to finish. Lustres tend to be sheer to semi-sheer with a thin, slippery consistency and wear one to three hours; they are lightly to moderately drying on me, despite their slip. Cremesheens typically have semi-opaque to opaque coverage, wear an average of four hours, are sometimes drying and sometimes not drying, and have a light shine to their finish. Amplifieds have a light sheen, opaque coverage, slightly thicker consistency but is less “heavy” in look compared to satins; they are typically not drying but not hydrating and can wear four to six hours. Satins have less sheen compared to Amplifieds but have similar coverage and wear. Mattes, particularly newer iterations of the finish, have a velvety, silicone-like consistency that makes them easier to apply without drag, and they typically have opaque coverage and wear four to six hours, but they can be drying. Retro Mattes are ultra-matte with a very flat, nearly no-sheen finish, and they are often stiffer in the tube but thinner in consistency compared to satins or mattes; they are often drying but wear four to eight hours. All MAC Lipsticks are vanilla-scented with no discernible taste.

MAC How Tropical Lipstick

MAC How Tropical Lipstick

MAC How Tropical Lipstick

MAC How Tropical Lipstick

MAC How Tropical Lipstick

MAC How Tropical Lipstick

MAC Pillow Talk Lipstick

MAC Pillow Talk Lipstick

MAC Pillow Talk Lipstick

MAC Pillow Talk Lipstick

MAC Pillow Talk Lipstick

MAC Pillow Talk Lipstick

MAC Royally Riotous Lipstick

MAC Royally Riotous Lipstick

MAC Royally Riotous Lipstick

MAC Royally Riotous Lipstick

MAC Royally Riotous Lipstick

MAC Royally Riotous Lipstick