MAC & Marilyn Monroe Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches

Christine — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 10:00:56 +0000

MAC Charmed, I’m Sure Lipstick

How Many Reds Will You Need?

MAC Marilyn Monroe Lipsticks ($16.50 for 0.10 oz.) includes five shades: Charmed, I’m Sure (dark true red), Deeply Adored (deep scarlet), Love Goddess (mid-tone pink red), Pure Zen (frosted warm nude), and Scarlet Ibis (bright orange red). The latter two are repromotes.

Charmed, I’m Sure is a darkened red with a matte finish. It has subtle blue undertones and opaque color coverage. Guerlain Luxure is slightly darker, a touch browner. MAC Red Racer is brighter. MAC Russian Red is darker. MAC Runaway Red is similar, a smidgen darker. Guerlain Samsara is more blue-based. MAC Ruby Woo is more blue-based.

Deeply Adored is a medium-dark brown-toned red with mostly opaque color coverage and a modern matte finish. NARS Amsterdam is slightly browner. MAC Rocker is less brown. shu uemura Rouge Luster is less red. MAC Extended Play is similar, but it is not quite as red/bright. MAC Such Flare is similar.

Love Goddess is a brightened, pink-red with a satin finish. It has opaque color coverage and applies evenly and smoothly. This shade wore for six hours. Tarina Tarantino Fuchsia Lining is lighter. Guerlain Girly is pinker. MAC Gesina is very similar. Chanel Emotive is lighter.

Pure Zen is a rosy beige nude with semi-opaque color coverage. This shade wore for three and a half hours. MAC Lazy Day is slightly grayer. Chanel Rose Dentelle is a bit pinker. Napoleon Paradis Havana is similar. Cle de Peau #129 is very similar, a smidgen less pale. MAC Angel is pinker.

Scarlet Ibis is a reddened orange with a natural matte finish and full color coverage. This has a matte finish. This shade wore for six hours. MAC Sail la Vie is similar. It’s a little redder compared to Givenchy Candide Tangerine. It is similar to Giorgio Armani #405 with a matte finish. Estee Lauder Wild Fire is a touch lighter. Dolce & Gabbana Sheer is similar but a touch brighter.

MAC Lipsticks are vanilla-scented but taste-free. The matte shades in this launch are like the more recent matte launches–creamy, smooth, easy to apply, and opaque. They have a subtle sheen that wears away after an hour or so and results in a true matte finish. I haven’t had the time yet to test all of these shades, but I plan to do so today and tomorrow and will update with wear times. Shades like Charmed, I’m Sure and Deeply Adored tend to wear six hours or so, and they have a tendency to stain as well. Pure Zen was slightly drying, which is typical of my experience with the Cremesheen finish. Scarlet Ibis was neither drying nor hydrating. Love Goddess was just a bit hydrating for a few hours.

Keep in mind, online retailers like Nordstrom, Macy’s, Dillard’s, and Bloomingdale’s will also launch the collection online. These retailers typically launch close in time to the in-store release date (October 4th).