MAC Nutcracker Sweet Red Retro Matte Lip Kit ($45.00 for 0.59 oz.) includes a full sized lipstick, liquid lipstick, and mascara. In this set, the lipstick is a new, limited edition shade, while the liquid lipstick is part of the permanent range, which I tested and reviewed last year (please note, I did not retest or retake swatch photos, but I did compare swatches to ensure color accuracy between the two). The lipstick was somewhat disappointing (even setting aside the drying factor of the finish), and there are just so many better matte reds out there. 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.

Nutcracker Rouge is a bright, medium red with neutral-to-warm undertones and a matte finish. It had semi-opaque color coverage, and it was surprisingly less pigmented than most Retro Mattes I’ve tried. The texture was more velvety but thin, and it was a struggle to spread the color across the lips evenly. It felt clingy on the lips, and while most of the color hung around for a good six hours, some of the color had faded away more noticeably around the center of the mouth. The formula was drying on me after three hours of wear. Kaleidos Wild Apple (P, $12.00) is darker (95% similar). NARS Clash (LE, $27.00) is more muted (90% similar). Chanel La Bouleversante (51) (DC, $45.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar). NARS Bonifacio (LE, $27.00) is lighter (90% similar). Too Faced Rebel Heart (P, $22.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). NARS Hyde Park (P, $25.00) is more shimmery (90% similar). YSL Rose Curieux (14) (P, $39.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC High Heels (LE, $21.00) is darker (90% similar). ColourPop Trust Me (P, $6.00) is darker, brighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Superbloom (P, $10.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop Fighter (LE, $7.00) is brighter, warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty Bachelorette (DC, $21.00) is brighter (95% similar). NARS Cruella (P, $27.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Pure Luck (LE, $22.00) is more muted (85% similar). Urban Decay 714 (DC, $18.00) is darker, brighter (90% similar). Too Faced Lady Balls (P, $21.00) is darker, brighter (85% similar). NARS Sandrine (LE, $34.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). NARS Jungle Red (DC, $28.00) is more shimmery, lighter, brighter (90% similar). MAC Feels So Grand (P, $21.00) is darker (90% similar). See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Fashion Legacy is a bright, medium-dark orange-toned red with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had rich pigmentation with a smooth consistency that delivered even coverage. It was easy to apply and dried down in about a minute or less. The color wore well for seven and a half hours, but the formula was moderately drying after four hours of wear. ColourPop Lullaby (LE, $6.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Lady Danger (P, $19.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (90% similar). Urban Decay Temper (DC, $22.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar). ColourPop Kismet (P, $7.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Scarlet Ibis (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter, glossier (90% similar). KVD Beauty Santa Sangre (P, $20.00) is darker (85% similar). MAC Dangerous (P, $19.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Melt Cosmetics Miss Argentina (LE, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar). Milani Desire (LE, $8.99) is cooler (90% similar). Maybelline Craving Coral (P, $7.99) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Wild Ginger (P, $55.00) is lighter, warmer, glossier (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Nikita (Left) (LE, ) is cooler (90% similar). Maybelline Siren in Scarlet (P, $7.99) is brighter, better quality, glossier (90% similar). NARS Intrigue (P, $26.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (90% similar). Urban Decay 714 (P, $18.00) is cooler (90% similar). ColourPop First Class (LE, $6.50) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). ColourPop Succulent (LE, $6.50) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar). MAC Von Teese (LE, $19.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). KVD Beauty Gold Blooded (DC, $21.00) is more shimmery, glossier (95% similar). Makeup Geek Beauty Queen (P, $12.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Red Retro Matte Lip Kit

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Red Retro Matte Lip Kit

MAC Nutcracker Sweet Red Retro Matte Lip Kit

MAC Nutcracker Rouge Lipstick

MAC Nutcracker Rouge Lipstick

MAC Nutcracker Rouge Lipstick

MAC Nutcracker Rouge Lipstick

MAC Nutcracker Rouge Lipstick

MAC Nutcracker Rouge Lipstick

MAC Fashion Legacy Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Fashion Legacy Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Fashion Legacy Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Fashion Legacy Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Fashion Legacy Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour

MAC Fashion Legacy Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour