MAC Nutcracker Sweet Red Lip Bag Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Red Lip Bag
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Red Lip Bag ($39.50 for 0.30 oz.) includes a full-size lipstick, Vamplify Lipgloss, and Lip Pencil. The Vamplify and Lip Pencil are repromotes, while the lipstick is new (but it is a matte red, so it is definitely dupable). I verified the color consistency between the two repromotes but did not retest them for wear or re-swatch them, so the lip swatches and review are from the last time I wore them.
Value
- Vamplify Lipgloss: $20.00 for 0.16 oz. or $125.00/oz.
- Lipstick: $17.00 for 0.10 oz. or $170.00/oz.
- Pro Longwear Lip Pencil: $21.00 for 0.04 oz. or $525.00/oz.
- Total Value: $58.00
Suggestive is a bold, bright, medium-dark red with cool, blue undertones and a creamy, glossy finish. It had good pigmentation, but there’s some translucency so the natural lip color will come through still. It applied really well with even coverage and never looked streaky and somehow managed not to slip into lip lines until after four to five hours of wear. The color lasted for five hours in all and was hydrating over time. MAC Utterly Tart (LE, $21.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar). MAC Tease Don't Touch (LE, $20.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Right Up My Alley (LE, $20.00) is more muted (90% similar). MAC Opera (LE, $21.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Smart Aleck (LE, $20.00) is brighter (90% similar). MAC Patrick Woo (LE, $21.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar). MAC RiRi Woo (LE, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Exposed (P, $54.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar). MAC Hot/Cold (LE, $21.00) is lighter, more muted (90% similar). Guerlain Rouge Parade (920) (LE, $30.00) is lighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Red Corset (P, $54.00) is darker, more muted, cooler (90% similar). Chanel Crushed Cherry (DC, $30.00) is more muted (90% similar). Urban Decay Brickhouse (DC, $26.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Send Me Sailing (LE, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Red Corset (P, $54.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). MAC 10s Across Da Board (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (85% similar). Urban Decay 69 (DC, $26.00) is lighter, brighter (85% similar). Chanel Rouge Grenat (826) (LE, $30.00) is more muted, warmer, glossier (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Cherry Lush (P, $54.00) is cooler (90% similar). MAC Gumdrop (LE, $20.00) is lighter (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Candy Cane is a bright, medium-dark red with cool, blue undertones and a matte finish. It had very nearly opaque color that went on evenly, though the texture was a bit firmer in the tube, so it tugged slightly as I applied it and definitely needed more pressure to go on. The consistency was thinner and clung more to the lips, but it was still going strong after six hours of wear. The formula was somewhat drying over time. Charlotte Tilbury Carina's Love (P, $37.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Carmine Rouge (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Rouge en Snow (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). ColourPop Big Bang (P, $9.00) is warmer (95% similar). Guerlain Ruby Red (880) (P, $36.00) is warmer (95% similar). Tarte Cheerleader (P, $20.00) is lighter (95% similar). Bite Beauty Hot Tomato (P, $28.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar). Milani Romance (LE, $8.99) is lighter (95% similar). Revlon Bread Winner (P, $12.39) is lighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Rock Steady (P, $18.00) is warmer (95% similar). Tarte Swamp Family (LE, $20.00) is lighter (95% similar). Lisa Eldridge Velvet Duchess (P, $36.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC So Good For You (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Bite Beauty #078 (P, $18.00) is lighter (95% similar). Pat McGrath Forbidden Love (P, $38.00) is warmer (95% similar). ColourPop Evil Queen (LE, $8.00) is lighter (95% similar). Make Up For Ever M401 (DC, $22.00) is darker (95% similar). Urban Decay Crimson (P, $18.00) is lighter, warmer (95% similar). Fenty Beauty Ma'damn (P, $18.00) is darker (95% similar). ColourPop Hi Striker (P, $7.00) is lighter (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Trust in Red is a slightly muted, medium pinky-red with cooler undertones and a matte finish. The consistency was drier and harder to apply to the lips evenly, so it was most comfortable used to line the lips rather than to fill them in. The color was similar to the last version I had, but the texture was drier. I did retest this one for wear, and it lasted for over eight hours but was drying. ColourPop Jubilee (LE, $7.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Selenaville (LE, $17.50) is lighter (90% similar). Urban Decay Wonderland (P, $20.00) is darker (90% similar). Urban Decay 714 (P, $20.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). MAC Ruby Woo (P, $17.50)(100% similar). Urban Decay 69 (P, $20.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Freehand (LE, $15.00) is darker (85% similar). MAC Cherry (P, $17.50) is darker (85% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Red
LELimited Edition. $39.50.
Suggestive
LELimited Edition. $20.00.
Candy Cane
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Trust in Red
PPermanent. $19.50.
MAC Nutcracker Sweet Red Lip Bag
MAC Suggestive Vamplify Lipgloss
MAC Suggestive Vamplify Lipgloss
MAC Suggestive Vamplify Lipgloss
MAC Suggestive Vamplify Lipgloss
MAC Suggestive Vamplify Lipgloss
MAC Suggestive Vamplify Lipgloss
MAC Candy Cane Lipstick
MAC Candy Cane Lipstick
MAC Candy Cane Lipstick
MAC Candy Cane Lipstick
MAC Candy Cane Lipstick
MAC Candy Cane Lipstick
MAC Trust in Red Lip Pencil
MAC Trust in Red Lip Pencil
MAC Trust in Red Lip Pencil
Nice kit but what’s really killing here is your eyelook! Gorgeous, Christine!
Thank you, Natalia!
My mom always wears red lips so she’d love this. Gift idea? Gift idea!
Perfection!
These actually look like just about perfect blue-reds for me — not too light, and it looks like they would all work together so well. The pencil to outline the gloss would definitely help me to wear it…
If you like your blue-based reds, you would definitely like this kit 🙂 I’m so pleased that the tone is pretty consistent across all three shades!
Blue-based reds are my best reds, mostly! I can wear warm reds much more easily than warm pinks, though, if they’re deep enough and not too orange. But I really like the way this whole kit seems to work well together — reds can be tough to match!
The Vamplify red gloss is stunning on you!!
Thanks, Katherine!
As much as I love this Vamplify gloss, I am leaving this kit be. I think this would make a wonderful kit for someone who doesn’t already own a glut of red lipsticks or a gift for someone who doesn’t have much red, if any!
Well-said, Nancy!
This is a lovely set. I really like the colors and even the lip pencil. I frequently just cover my whole lip with pencil and then add a little gloss. I have a rather small upper lip and this works well for me. I think I am going to pick this up.
Enjoy, Deborah!
Both the lipstick and the vamplify gloss look beautiful, I really dislike a hard lip pencil, though, so no to this set for me.
I do like how MAC are having something for (almost) everyone this holiday.
I wish the lip pencil was better! A little creamier.
Not quite the point, but I feel I really have to own a red lipstick called Candy Cane…
Another great gift option! I’m sure everyone has a friend or relative who is a red lip fan, ()that is, if they aren’t already one themselves lol).
The pencil looks a tad weak, but it would fence in the Vamplify. Idk, haven’t tried the formula. Could be a good personal choice for my dying red stash. I like red…a lot…had >100, before I started purging. (But prob <10 pinks /corals, combined.). Reds are so polarizing, even for 'makeup people.' What never ceases to amaze me about reds, is that you so seldom see it out and about, except on the SAs, if you are cruising makeup. Not one of my closer friends even owns a red. The acquaintances who do wear makeup stick to neutrals, pretty much. I don't see reds as bold or difficult; they are the prototype and template for lipstick. Once I went red (after the Mod pale and Ronnie Spector era was over, and I felt 'old enough,') I never looked back. Reds forever!