MAC Mulling Spices Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a deep, medium-dark red with strong, cool, pink undertones and a cream finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation, but it covered incredibly evenly and smoothly, so I could barely tell (my lip freckle was the only indication it wasn’t opaque). The consistency was soft, lightly balm-like as it melted against the lips, though it is noticeably firm initially. The formula sat well on my lips, didn’t emphsaize lip lines, and made them appear fuller while lasting for a good six and a half hours. It left behind a stain and was neither drying nor hydrating over time. Guerlain Samsara (DC, $37.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Hourglass Icon (P, $32.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). Makeup Geek Elegant (P, $15.00) is brighter (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Leonardo (P, $36.00) is darker (95% similar). Laura Mercier Rose Rouge (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Tarte Miami Vice (P, $21.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Life's Blood (DC, $21.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar). Bite Beauty #009 (LE, $36.00) is lighter, less glossy (95% similar). Dior Splendor (950) (LE, $38.00) is warmer, less glossy (95% similar). Guerlain Vega (DC, $37.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Cle de Peau Pillow Book (P, $65.00) is darker (90% similar). Chanel Vitalite (138) (P, $45.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC MAC Red (P, $19.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Imperial Red (DC, $37.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Bite Beauty Virgo (LE, $26.00) is darker (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Oh Miley (200) (P, $30.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Burberry Ruby (434) (P, $35.00) is warmer, less glossy (90% similar). Laura Mercier Rouge Profond (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Ma'damn (P, $18.00) is less glossy (90% similar). MAC Just a Bite (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Fireworks Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a bright, medium-dark orange with warm,r ed undertones and a lightly glossy, creamy finish. It had good color payoff, though it was not fully opaque, that covered somewhat evenly. The major issue I had with this shade was that the color gathered in lip lines noticeably, and it was more prone to visiblyl streaking to my eye. It was comfortable to wear and lasted for six hours on me. NARS Bloodflower (DC, $28.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Bite Beauty New York (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar). Lancome Bad Blood Ruby (01) (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). MAC Self Esteem (LE, $19.00) is more muted (95% similar). Urban Decay F-Bomb (DC, $22.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (95% similar). MAC Yoni Crush (LE, $19.00) is warmer (95% similar). Urban Decay Spiderweb (LE, $18.00) is warmer (95% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Goddess (202) (PiP, $30.00) is lighter (95% similar). Givenchy Rouge Stiletto (P, $37.00) is darker (95% similar). Dior Ultra Dior (999) (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, more muted (95% similar). Bite Beauty Holly (DC, $24.00) is lighter (95% similar). Hourglass Secretly (P, $34.00) is warmer (95% similar). Anastasia Primary #3 (Vol. 1) (PiP, ) is less glossy (95% similar). Edward Bess Eternal Passion (P, $32.00) is brighter, glossier (95% similar). Bobbi Brown Regal (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, less glossy (95% similar). Clinique Red Hot (P, $19.50) is less shimmery, darker, glossier (95% similar). MAC Cardinal (LE, $19.00) is brighter (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Original Sin (P, $57.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Night Porter (P, $55.00) is more muted (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Dylan (P, $36.00) is warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Habanero Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is a slightly brighter, medium-dark red with neutral-to-warm undertones and a satiny sheen. It had nearly opaque color coverage, but the texture remained a little draggy when applying, so it did not look as even and as opaque in a few places. The texture is a bit thicker, but it did not feel heavy and was fairly comfortable to wear. I was able to wear this one for six and a half hours, but it started to feel drying after four hours. Estee Lauder Uninhibited (P, $32.00) is lighter (95% similar). YSL Prete a Tout (103) (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). Bite Beauty Cayenne (DC, $26.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Guerlain #214 (P, $36.00) is cooler (95% similar). Buxom Rogue (DC, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). Bobbi Brown Flame (DC, $37.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). NYX Pure Red (P, $6.00) is lighter (95% similar). Guerlain Gilda (DC, $58.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar). Guerlain #28 (P, $36.00) is brighter (95% similar). Maybelline Orange Edge (DC, $7.99) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). YSL Rhythm Red (73) (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, cooler (95% similar). Make Up For Ever C403 (DC, $22.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Maybelline Neon Red (DC, $7.99) is brighter (95% similar). Shiseido Volcanic (218) (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar). YSL Rouge Neon (50) (P, $38.00) is less shimmery (95% similar). Bite Beauty Flambé (DC, $24.00) is lighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Drive In (P, $19.00) is less shimmery, warmer (95% similar). Dior Trafalgar (844) (P, $34.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). Giorgio Armani Notorious (408) (LE, $38.00) is cooler (95% similar). Bite Beauty Mimosa (DC, $24.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Formula Overview

MAC Liptensity Lipstick ($21.00 for 0.12 oz.) is supposed to have “intense amounts of pigment” with a gel-like texture that melts on lips that leaves behind a satin finish and wears for “eight hours.” It’s supposed to be “comfortable” to wear, but there are no claims about hydration–and overall, they were non-drying. The majority of the range varied from semi-opaque to fully opaque in one stroke, while the texture had some body and thickness to it but was not heavy. The consistency feels firmer in the tube, but it became softer and more pliable as it warmed up against the lips. This was also true about how the color settled and looked on the lips–it tended to fill up lip lines without emphasizing them as much after thirty seconds of wear. The formula didn”t have a lot of slip, and it was actually lightly tacky, which helped it stay in place better. The wear ranged from four to eight hours with lighter shades typically wearing shorter than deeper and more intense shades. The finish was anywhere from satin to natural with noticeable sheen, sometimes glossiness, but it often wore to a satin to semi-matte finish after a few hours. The formula has MAC’s typical vanilla scent but had no discernible taste.

MAC Mulling Spices Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Mulling Spices Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Mulling Spices Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Mulling Spices Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Mulling Spices Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Mulling Spices Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Fireworks Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Fireworks Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Fireworks Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Fireworks Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Fireworks Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Fireworks Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Habanero Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Habanero Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Habanero Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Habanero Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Habanero Liptensity Lipstick

MAC Habanero Liptensity Lipstick