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MAC Nutcracker Sweet Pink Retro Matte Kit Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Pink Retro Matte Lip Kit
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Pink Retro Matte Lip Kit

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Pink Retro Matte Lip Kit ($45.00 for 0.59 oz.) includes a full sized lipstick, liquid lipstick, and mascara. In this particular set, both the lipstick and liquid lipstick are new, exclusive shades. The Retro Matte lipstick and liquid lipstick formulas tend to be drying, though they are often very long-wearing and pigmented, so they’re both formulas with trade-offs. Some love the long-wearing power of the Retro Matte ranges, while others prefer reapplication with a more comfortable formula.

Value

  • Lipstick: $17.00 for 0.10 oz.
  • Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour: $21.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.
  • Mascara: $23.00 for 0.42 fl. oz.
  • Total Value: $61.00*

* Note: if you do not use the mascara or the makeup bag, the value to you would only be $38.00.

Pandemonium is a bright, medium pink with subtle, warm undertones and a matte finish. The consistency was more velvety and smooth with less of the firmness typically associated with Retro Mattes, but I find the velvety consistency to be harder to apply evenly as the texture sometimes thickens on itself or accentuates imperfections on the lips. This shade applied rather well, though it only had semi-opaque coverage. It lasted for five and a half hours but was drying after three hours of wear. Makeup Geek Goodie-Two-Shoes (P, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Sexy But Sweet (P, $22.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Feeling Fizzy (LE, $19.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar). Maybelline Nocturnal Rose (P, $7.49) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Sphynx (P, $10.00) is lighter (90% similar). Anastasia Soft Pink (P, $18.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Fetch (LE, $7.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (90% similar). KVD Beauty Saint (LE, $20.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Little Tings (LE, $7.00) is glossier (90% similar). NYX Natural (P, $6.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). MAC Bing Bang Boom (LE, $21.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Pat McGrath Polaroid Pink (P, $38.00) is warmer (90% similar). Maybelline Pink Sugar (P, $7.99) is lighter, brighter, glossier (90% similar). ColourPop Ringleader (LE, $6.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar). Marc Jacobs Beauty Jolly Molly (220) (P, $30.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (85% similar). ColourPop Prince Charming (LE, $9.00) is lighter, less pigmented (85% similar). Bite Beauty Fig (P, $28.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Dilly-Dally (P, $7.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC 2 Truths and a Lie (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). NARS Chaser (LE, $26.00) is warmer (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Bing Bang Boom is a bright, medium pink with warm undertones and a matte finish. It is a touch brighter and warmer than the lipstick, but they are in the same family. The consistency was thin, so it spread across the lips easily, but it was streakier and harder to get even coverage. It seemed to self-level to some degree, but it was still imperfect, and the coverage was surprisingly only semi-opaque. It lasted for six and a half hours (out of the eight it’s supposed to), and it was drying after four hours of wear. Makeup Geek Goodie-Two-Shoes (P, $12.00) is lighter (90% similar). Surratt Beauty A La Mode (P, $34.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty Saint (LE, $20.00) is lighter (90% similar). Chanel Pivoine (832) (P, $45.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). MAC Pandemonium (LE, $19.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). NARS Low Rider (P, $26.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Most Curious (LE, $10.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). Givenchy Rose Graphique (P, $37.00) is darker (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Alma Gemela (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Possession (Left) (LE, ) is glossier (90% similar). Pat McGrath Polaroid Pink (P, $38.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). ColourPop After Shock (P, $6.00) is darker (90% similar). Bite Beauty Fig (P, $28.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). ColourPop Barely There (P, $6.00) is darker (95% similar). Rare Beauty Motivate (P, $20.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). Maybelline Pink Sugar (P, $7.99) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Dilly-Dally (P, $7.00) is lighter (85% similar). Melt Cosmetics Fiesta (P, $19.00) is darker (85% similar). KVD Beauty Ziggy (LE, $21.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (85% similar). ColourPop Ringleader (LE, $6.00) is more muted (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Pink Retro Matte Lip Kit
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Pink Retro Matte Lip Kit

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Pink Retro Matte Lip Kit
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Pink Retro Matte Lip Kit

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Pink Retro Matte Lip Kit
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Pink Retro Matte Lip Kit

MAC Pandemonium Lipstick
MAC Pandemonium Lipstick

MAC Pandemonium Lipstick
MAC Pandemonium Lipstick

MAC Pandemonium Lipstick
MAC Pandemonium Lipstick

MAC Pandemonium Lipstick
MAC Pandemonium Lipstick

MAC Pandemonium Lipstick
MAC Pandemonium Lipstick

MAC Pandemonium Lipstick
MAC Pandemonium Lipstick

MAC Bing Bang Boom Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour
MAC Bing Bang Boom Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Bing Bang Boom Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour
MAC Bing Bang Boom Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Bing Bang Boom Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour
MAC Bing Bang Boom Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Bing Bang Boom Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour
MAC Bing Bang Boom Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Bing Bang Boom Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour
MAC Bing Bang Boom Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Bing Bang Boom Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour
MAC Bing Bang Boom Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Foundation
  • MAC Pleasure Modele Extra Dimension Blush
  • MAC Whisper of Gilt Extra Dimension Skinfinish
On eyes:
  • MAC English Gilt Pigment
  • MAC Stardream Pigment
  • MAC Handsome Prince Pigment
  • MAC Heritage Rouge Pigment
  • MAC Sugar Rush Pigment
  • Urban Decay Scorch Eyeliner

18 Comments

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Comments on this post are closed.
Fran Avatar

Not really my kind of thing! Neither medium warm pinks nor flat matte lips look especially good on me… actually not really a fan of the glowing face-matte lip look. I know the contrasting textures are supposed to create interest, but it looks kind of unbalanced or unnatural to me (says the woman who’ll wear iridescent green eyeshadow and gray lipstick to the food market, lol… )

Claire L Avatar

I kind of love how fluorescent the pinks are but it also makes it difficult to wear for me, it’d wash me out if I didn’t go in heavy with the rest of my makeup.

Julieta Avatar

Hi Christine 🙂 , i was wondering if you don’t review mascaras? i think a decisive point for me would be to know if the mascara included in this set is actually good or not! (i’m sorry if you’ve answered this before)

WARPAINTandUnicorns Avatar

There is so many mascaras on the market and it is one of those personal preference things. I usually don’t review mascara either unless I feel like it’s something that is a game changer which is not often.

BING BANG BOOM seem so dry looking on the lips….

Can I say I just want one of these bags in a future swap. lol I like these large bags but none of the content makes me want to spend $54-$59.50CAN on it. 😉

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