MAC My Better Half, Off the Record, Stone's Throw Matte Lip Mousses Reviews & Swatches
My Better Half
MAC My Better Half Matte Lip Mousse ($20.00 for 0.24 oz.) is a brighter, medium red with neutral-to-warm undertones and a semi-matte finish. The pigmentation was semi-sheer to medium, buildable to full coverage with a second layer. The texture felt smooth and spreadable with an airy, lightly watery texture–wet but not truly watery.
This particular shade seemed to dry down more quickly than most shades in the range. The color went on evenly, and while it didn’t do anything for my lip texture, it didn’t sink into my lip lines noticeably. It stayed on well for seven hours and felt a little drying over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Anouk (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar).
- Kaleidos Fiamma (P, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Chanel Vivant (144) (P, $45.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- ColourPop Dream Easy (LE, $10.00) is less shimmery, lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Bachelorette (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, brighter (90% similar).
- YSL Coral Revolt (29) (P, $39.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- NARS Ravishing Red (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- ColourPop Daytrip (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Mandarin O (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, more muted, warmer (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Je t'aime (238) (P, $30.00) is less shimmery (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$20.00/0.24 oz. - $83.33 Per Ounce
The product is supposed to have "immediate and long-term hydration" paired with a "long-wearing," "sheer-to-medium buildable coverage" formula that has a "soft matte finish" that wears for "eight hours." All of the shades had the typical vanilla scent (but no discernible taste). The pigmentation was more medium coverage with some getting closer to semi-opaque coverage using one pull of product (applying across my lips using what was on the applicator after removing from the tube). To get sheerer coverage, you'd have to wipe away the excess or spread out with fingertips.
The texture was like a watery mousse; it didn't seem as whipped or as airy as a typical mousse, but it was very lightweight, thin, and had a soft-set--still some transfer initially but wore down to a transfer-resistant finish after a gentle blot or some drinking (where some product transferred onto the glass). The product didn't feel "wet" or creamy after it was applied. The finish was more satiny to me and wore down to semi-matte within an hour and then further mattified after one to two hours of wear. Some shades applied evenly and sat well on my lips, while others were streaky, patchy, or separated along and emphasized my lip lines.
The formula did not seem to be hydrating either immediately or long-term, as I felt like my lips were always drier and a bit worse for the wear after wearing the products for 16-18 hours per day. I did not use lip balm for 48 hours, and my lips started to crack, so I had to resume my normal use of lip balm (at night, while I sleep). They were long-wearing and flexible/comfortable to wear for the most part, and most of the shades lasted five to six hours with some lasting closer to the eight hours claimed. I didn't experience any feathering/bleeding during wear.
Browse all of our MAC Matte Lip Mousse swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, Kaolin, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polyethylene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Nylon-12, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dextrin Palmitate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Vanillin, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 22 Lake (Ci 45380), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
My Better Half
LELimited Edition. $20.00.
Off the Record
MAC Off the Record Matte Lip Mousse ($20.00 for 0.24 oz.) is a deep berry with cool undertones and a semi-matte finish. It had medium coverage in a single layer, which was easily built up to full coverage with a second layer.
The lip color had a lightweight, spreadable texture that was thin, watery, and felt lightly mousse-like but didn’t have the full density I’d expect for a true mousse consistency. The color applied well to my lips with an even layer of product that didn’t sink into my lip lines noticeably (in person, at a normal viewing distance). It lasted well for seven hours and felt neither drying nor hydrating on my lips.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- L'Oreal Le Carmin Courage (P, $13.99) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (95% similar).
- NARS Damage Control (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Plum Sublime (P, $32.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar).
- Stellar Beauty Wicked Aura 01 (P, $22.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Heroic (P, $20.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Claretcast (DC, $21.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- KVD Beauty Miss Argentina (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Laura Mercier Fuchsia Intense (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Lisa Eldridge Skyscraper Rose (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- ColourPop First of All (PiP, $7.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$20.00/0.24 oz. - $83.33 Per Ounce
The product is supposed to have "immediate and long-term hydration" paired with a "long-wearing," "sheer-to-medium buildable coverage" formula that has a "soft matte finish" that wears for "eight hours." All of the shades had the typical vanilla scent (but no discernible taste). The pigmentation was more medium coverage with some getting closer to semi-opaque coverage using one pull of product (applying across my lips using what was on the applicator after removing from the tube). To get sheerer coverage, you'd have to wipe away the excess or spread out with fingertips.
The texture was like a watery mousse; it didn't seem as whipped or as airy as a typical mousse, but it was very lightweight, thin, and had a soft-set--still some transfer initially but wore down to a transfer-resistant finish after a gentle blot or some drinking (where some product transferred onto the glass). The product didn't feel "wet" or creamy after it was applied. The finish was more satiny to me and wore down to semi-matte within an hour and then further mattified after one to two hours of wear. Some shades applied evenly and sat well on my lips, while others were streaky, patchy, or separated along and emphasized my lip lines.
The formula did not seem to be hydrating either immediately or long-term, as I felt like my lips were always drier and a bit worse for the wear after wearing the products for 16-18 hours per day. I did not use lip balm for 48 hours, and my lips started to crack, so I had to resume my normal use of lip balm (at night, while I sleep). They were long-wearing and flexible/comfortable to wear for the most part, and most of the shades lasted five to six hours with some lasting closer to the eight hours claimed. I didn't experience any feathering/bleeding during wear.
Browse all of our MAC Matte Lip Mousse swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, Kaolin, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polyethylene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Nylon-12, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dextrin Palmitate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Vanillin, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 22 Lake (Ci 45380), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Off the Record
LELimited Edition. $20.00.
Stone's Throw
MAC Stone’s Throw Matte Lip Mousse ($20.00 for 0.24 oz.) is a deep, reddened plum with subtle, cool undertones and a natural sheen. There seemed to be very faint pearl in it, but it wasn’t enough that it looked like a shimmery lip color in person. It had medium coverage in one layer, which was buildable to full coverage with a second layer.
The texture was spreadable, lightweight, and thin with a bit of watery slip to it, and given it had sheerness, it actually applied fairly evenly and didn’t spread into my lip lines as noticeably as I’ve seen this type of color (and finish) do in the past–so I would consider it better than average there. It wore well for seven hours and was non-drying over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Guerlain #75 (P, $33.00) is less shimmery (95% similar).
- Rare Beauty Strengthen (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Chicago (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Hermosa (P, $9.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Radicchio (P, $28.00) is less shimmery, cooler, less glossy (90% similar).
- NARS Transeurope Express (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter, less glossy (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Brandy (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Executive Realness (P, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- YSL Dazzling Carmin (95) (LE, $38.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Plum (LE, $24.00) is warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$20.00/0.24 oz. - $83.33 Per Ounce
The product is supposed to have "immediate and long-term hydration" paired with a "long-wearing," "sheer-to-medium buildable coverage" formula that has a "soft matte finish" that wears for "eight hours." All of the shades had the typical vanilla scent (but no discernible taste). The pigmentation was more medium coverage with some getting closer to semi-opaque coverage using one pull of product (applying across my lips using what was on the applicator after removing from the tube). To get sheerer coverage, you'd have to wipe away the excess or spread out with fingertips.
The texture was like a watery mousse; it didn't seem as whipped or as airy as a typical mousse, but it was very lightweight, thin, and had a soft-set--still some transfer initially but wore down to a transfer-resistant finish after a gentle blot or some drinking (where some product transferred onto the glass). The product didn't feel "wet" or creamy after it was applied. The finish was more satiny to me and wore down to semi-matte within an hour and then further mattified after one to two hours of wear. Some shades applied evenly and sat well on my lips, while others were streaky, patchy, or separated along and emphasized my lip lines.
The formula did not seem to be hydrating either immediately or long-term, as I felt like my lips were always drier and a bit worse for the wear after wearing the products for 16-18 hours per day. I did not use lip balm for 48 hours, and my lips started to crack, so I had to resume my normal use of lip balm (at night, while I sleep). They were long-wearing and flexible/comfortable to wear for the most part, and most of the shades lasted five to six hours with some lasting closer to the eight hours claimed. I didn't experience any feathering/bleeding during wear.
Browse all of our MAC Matte Lip Mousse swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Phenyl Trimethicone, Diisostearyl Malate, Kaolin, Bis-Diglyceryl Polyacyladipate-2, Vinyl Dimethicone/Methicone Silsesquioxane Crosspolymer, Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Hdi/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer, Polyethylene, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Nylon-12, Silica, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Aluminum Hydroxide, Dextrin Palmitate, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Vanillin, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 22 Lake (Ci 45380), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Ughhh. Horrible. I was soooo hoping these got bad reviews. I’m a sucker for these kind of lippies.
Even though I don’t see either one listed as a dupe, I’m seeing MAC Damn Glamorous and Framboise Moi for the first two shades. Probably just close enough in some way for my mind to immediately go there.
I do have PMG Executive Realness for Stone’s Throw, and that one had me very tempted! Fall must be creeping in, because I’m feeling my brown-tinged red shades and berries more and more each day!
I love Stone’s Throw. It’s a beautiful shade. And while I do have a plethora of this kind of color in my arsenal, this is my first lip mousse. So, I am glad that I picked it up. And, as always, you rock every color.
I love Off the Record. Iām glad they got good marks. Thank you for reviewing these!