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MAC Magnetic Nude Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches

MAC Magnetic Nude Lipsticks
MAC Magnetic Nude Lipsticks

In the MAC Magnetic Nude collection, there are four shades of Lipstick ($15.00 for 0.10 oz.) releasing. The collection will be available in-stores and at-counter on December 26th.

Carnal Instinct is described as a “deep brick red with gold pearl [with a Frost finish].” It’s a medium-dark, reddish-brown with copper flecks of shimmer. It had mostly opaque color coverage, applied evenly overall, and was lightly creamy. It wore well for five and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. MAC Extended Play (P, $18.00) is less brown. MAC Legendary (LE, $16.00) is darker, browner, less shimmery. MAC Camden Chic (LE, $16.00) is slightly redder. MAC Subverted (LE, $15.00) is a touch more metallic but is very similar. MAC Show-All (LE, $15.00) is slightly redder. See comparison swatches.

Close Contact is described as a “creamy peach [with an Amplified finish].” It’s a light-medium peach with warm undertones and a creamy, liightly shiny finish. It had opaque color coverage and creamy consistency, though it was almost too creamy, so it sometimes bunched up on itself during application. The color wore well for three and a half hours. Givenchy Beige Mousseline (101) (P, $36.00) is warmer, darker. MAC Antonio’s Girls (LE, $15.00) is a touch darker, more matte. MAC Sweet & Sour (LE, $15.00) is slightly warmer. MAC Luxe Natural (P, $22.00) is similar. MAC Pure Decoration (LE, $15.00) is more orange. MAC Nearly Nude (LE, $15.00) is also more orange. Buxom Nudist (P, $21.00) is pinker. See comparison swatches.

Morning Rose is described as a “soft cool rose [with a Cremesheen finish].” It’s a medium, rosy pink with soft, warm undertones and a lightly frosted sheen. It had semi-opaque color payoff, and it did apply evenly, though the consistency did drag a little. It lasted for three hours on me and was lightly drying (which is typical of my experience with this finish–if Cremesheens are normally hydrating, it would probably be fine for you!). L’Oreal I Pink You’re Cute (175) (P, $8.95) is lighter. Chanel Surprenante (129) (P, $34.00) is a touch brighter. Chanel Equivoque (126) (LE, $34.00) is warmer. Urban Decay Fiend (P, $22.00) is less shimmery. Tom Ford Beauty Indian Rose (P, $49.00) is a touch darker. MAC Venus (LE, $15.00) is similar. MAC Sunny Seoul (LE, $15.00) is a touch lighter. See comparison swatches.

Sensual Sparks is described as a “dirty cool caramel [with an Amplified finish].” It’s a muted, peachy-orange with subtle warm undertones and a luminous sheen. It had mostly opaque color payoff, and the consistency was very creamy and glided on without tugging or pulling on the lip. It lasted three hours on me and was neither drying nor hydrating. Too Faced Naughty Nude (P, $21.00) is sheerer. Urban Decay Naked 2 (P, $22.00) is browner. NARS Isola Bella (P, $25.00) is warmer, brighter. NARS Biscayne Park (P, $25.00) is lighter. NARS Floralies (P, $25.00) is similar. MAC Posh Tone (P, $22.00) is warmer, darker. MAC Delectable (LE, $16.00) is similar. MAC Wholesome (LE, $15.00) is a little lighter. MAC Cozy Up (LE, $15.00) is similar. See comparison swatches.

MAC Carnal Instinct Lipstick
MAC Carnal Instinct Lipstick

MAC Carnal Instinct Lipstick
MAC Carnal Instinct Lipstick

MAC Carnal Instinct Lipstick
MAC Carnal Instinct Lipstick

MAC Carnal Instinct Lipstick
MAC Carnal Instinct Lipstick

MAC Carnal Instinct Lipstick
MAC Carnal Instinct Lipstick

MAC Carnal Instinct Lipstick
MAC Carnal Instinct Lipstick

MAC Close Contact Lipstick
MAC Close Contact Lipstick

MAC Close Contact Lipstick
MAC Close Contact Lipstick

MAC Close Contact Lipstick
MAC Close Contact Lipstick

MAC Close Contact Lipstick
MAC Close Contact Lipstick

MAC Close Contact Lipstick
MAC Close Contact Lipstick

MAC Close Contact Lipstick
MAC Close Contact Lipstick

MAC Morning Rose Lipstick
MAC Morning Rose Lipstick

MAC Morning Rose Lipstick
MAC Morning Rose Lipstick

MAC Morning Rose Lipstick
MAC Morning Rose Lipstick

MAC Morning Rose Lipstick
MAC Morning Rose Lipstick

MAC Morning Rose Lipstick
MAC Morning Rose Lipstick

MAC Morning Rose Lipstick
MAC Morning Rose Lipstick

MAC Sensual Sparks Lipstick
MAC Sensual Sparks Lipstick

MAC Sensual Sparks Lipstick
MAC Sensual Sparks Lipstick

MAC Sensual Sparks Lipstick
MAC Sensual Sparks Lipstick

MAC Sensual Sparks Lipstick
MAC Sensual Sparks Lipstick

MAC Sensual Sparks Lipstick
MAC Sensual Sparks Lipstick

MAC Sensual Sparks Lipstick
MAC Sensual Sparks Lipstick

70 Comments

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Jenny Avatar

How is carnal instinct compared to Mac Dubonnet color wise? Is it comfortable for dry lips? I’m torn bc it’s so pretty but those huggable lip colors sound comfy.

Wwendalynne Avatar

Great to see these swatches. I thought I would be completely in love with this lip collection, and I quite like a number of the shades, but I see I already have dupes for the three that would be on my short list. Close Contact is my fav, but Givenchy Beige Mousseline jumped into my Sephora cart when I picked up the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette recently… How dat happen 😀

Christine Avatar

Different animals! Chilled Brandy is cool-toned, more berry-red, and more metallic. Carnal Instinct is very, very warm-toned in comparison! http://www.temptalia.com/milani-chilled-brandy-hot-pink-rage-color-statement-lipsticks-reviews-photos-swatches

xamyx Avatar

Pretty colors, especially Close Contact & Sensual Sparks. Unfortunately, I simply can’t stand the way MAC lipsticks “sit” on my lips… I’m sure I have similar enough shades, at least, since my nude lip product stash is fairly extensive, LOL.

Heather Avatar

I think Carnal Instinct looks very flattering on you. [: I might have to buy that one. Morning Rose is beautiful too. For me, I think it would be one of those “my lips, but better” shades. Great shade none the less though. [:

Brianna Avatar

Christine, are you wearing any other makeup in these photos? You look so flawless and perfect! I’ve been working on refining my skincare so I can hopefully someday have seemingly flawless skin too.

beka Avatar

anyone have any suggestions for dupes of carnal instinct that aren’t mac or nars? i usually love the colors mac and nars do, but my lips do not get along with them at all!

Farjana Avatar

Thank you!! You just saved me a ton of $$$$. Not interested in anything. Usually when see “nude”, I have to have it but there is nothing special about the lipsticks.

Sylirael Avatar

The only one that really catches my eye here is Morning Rose, but I’m impressed with how it manages to be frosy without being *too* frosty. Shame about the drying though 🙁 It tends to be a bit of a deal-breaker for me!
(I find a lot of MAC lipstick formulae drying – one of the reasons I’m so intrigued by the Huggable line!)

AbigailOD Avatar

The three lighter ones look really nice! Although I am not keen on getting a lot of nude shades, only because I don’t wear much eye make-up. Morning Rose is really really pretty!

Cat Avatar

I usually ignore nude lipsticks, but lately I find myself wanting at least one in my collection so I’m interested in both Close Contact and Sensual Sparks. Maybe I’ll get some Christmas money and can check these out at a store.

shelley Avatar

The only one calling my name is Morning Rose. Other than that the others are not screaming at me. Interesting mix considering one shade is quite dark and vampy.

Kesha Avatar

On me, Sensual Sparks and Restrained are exact dupes for each other. They look identical in the tube, in swatches, and on the lips. The subject came up in another forum that I’m on and I posted pics. I had initially bought 2 SS lipsticks but ended up selling one of them at cost because it was a perfect dupe and I already had 2 tubes of Restrained. Just seems like one of those case where MAC literally repromoted a color but just changed the name. I swear the two are exactly the same lol. Some others were able to say the same. Not sure if that’s the case for everyone but I’m really finding it difficult to find a difference at all.

K Avatar

Hi Christine,
I have been using your site “recreationally” for the last year or so, checking it every once in a while for updates and such. I have to say you are doing an amazing job. Anyway, right until that swatch of Carnal Instinct, I never did anything more than drool a bit over the pictures and move on. However, when I saw that one, I knew I had to have it. I even resisted. Then before I knew it, I was at the MAC counter in Galerie LaFayette asking to try it on. I walked around with it for hours. I kept resisting it. Then, what do you know, I was back at the counter. As soon as the sales assistant caught my eye, we both know I had to have it. I dutifully handed over 18.50 euro. So here I have, in my hand, the first lipstick I have ever paid over ten dollars, if even that. I am still wearing it too, from the sample I tried in the morning. I have to say it’s going strong, so that’s a good advertisement for it.

Anyway, this was a long and pointless post but I wanted to mark the occasion. 🙂

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