MAC Obviously Bare, Chai, Roulette, Explicit Lipglasses Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Obviously Bare
MAC Obviously Bare Lipglass ($17.00 for 0.10 fl. oz.) is a muted, light-medium brown with warm undertones and fine, white pearl. It appeared lighter applied than swatched for me, and it had a milkier quality to the look of it so that some of the color gathered into my lip lines as milky glosses often do. It was very smooth in feel, and it spread easily across the lips, but it just lacked the evenness that would make it standout. This sahde wore well for four and a half hours on me.
The Lipglass formula is supposed to be “pigmented, very shiny and can impart subtle or dramatic color” that can be worn “on its own, over lip pencil or lipstick” and will “condition lips.” MAC could use an update on the description as some shades are more pigmented than others but several are sheerer and likely intended to be that way. The formula has a very glossy, high-shine finish with a light-medium weight and moderate tackiness. I find that newer Lipglasses (over the last couple of years) are smoother and not quite as tacky as the formula was many years ago. They wear from three to six hours on me and are usually lightly hydrating. MAC recently updated the shade range and packaging for the range (though the formula was said to be unchanged), so worth noting is that with that packaging change came a reduction in quantity to 0.10 fl. oz. (was 0.17 fl. oz.), which may matter for some but not everyone.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- NARS Stripped (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- MAC C-Thru (P, $21.00) is less shimmery (90% similar).
- Maybelline Sandy Sensation (115) (LE, ) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Softly Lit (P, $20.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Body-con (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar).
- NARS Buenos Aires (P, $24.00) is less glossy (90% similar).
- NARS Playin' Around (LE, $26.00) is less shimmery, darker (85% similar).
- NARS Spring Break (P, $26.00) is less shimmery, lighter (85% similar).
- KKW Beauty Super Nude (LE, $18.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter (85% similar).
- MAC Orange Tempera (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.1 oz. - $210.00 Per Ounce
The Lipglass formula is supposed to be “pigmented, very shiny and can impart subtle or dramatic color” that can be worn “on its own, over lip pencil or lipstick” and will “condition lips.” MAC could use an update on the description as some shades are more pigmented than others but several are sheerer and likely intended to be that way. The formula has a very glossy, high-shine finish with a light-medium weight and moderate tackiness.
I have found that newer Lipglasses (over the last couple of years) are smoother and not quite as tacky as the formula was many years ago. They wear from three to six hours on me and are usually lightly hydrating. MAC recently updated the shade range and packaging for the range (though the formula was said to be unchanged), so worth noting is that with that packaging change came a reduction in quantity to 0.10 fl. oz. (was 0.17 fl. oz.), which may matter for some but not everyone.
Browse all of our MAC Lipglass swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated polyisobutene, simmondsia chinesis (jojoba) seed oil, octyldodecanol, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) waxcopernicia cerifera ceracire de carnauba, tocopheryl acetate, cocos nuciefera (coconut) oil, orbignya oleifera (babassu) seed oil, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, acrylates copolymer, alumina, aluminum calcium sodium silicate, calcium aluminum borosicliate, calcium sodium borosilicate, silica, synthetic fluorphlogopite, tin oxide, polyethylene [+/- Mica, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Bismoth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Bronze Powder (CI 77400), Carmine (CI 75470), Copper Powder (CI 77400), Red 6 (CI 15850), (CI 17200), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), 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.
Obviously Bare
PPermanent. $21.00.
Chai
MAC Chai Lipglass ($17.00 for 0.10 fl. oz.) is a light-medium brown with warm, yellow undertones and fine, pale gold pearl. It had semi-opaque color coverage that applied decently to lips, but it could have went on more evenly and settled less into my lip lines. The gloss was smooth, moderately tacky, and lightly hydrating over the four and a half hours it lasted for.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Liquid Passion (LE, $21.00) is lighter (95% similar).
- KKW Beauty Super Nude (LE, $18.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Anastasia Undressed (P, $16.00) is less shimmery, brighter, more pigmented (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.1 oz. - $210.00 Per Ounce
The Lipglass formula is supposed to be “pigmented, very shiny and can impart subtle or dramatic color” that can be worn “on its own, over lip pencil or lipstick” and will “condition lips.” MAC could use an update on the description as some shades are more pigmented than others but several are sheerer and likely intended to be that way. The formula has a very glossy, high-shine finish with a light-medium weight and moderate tackiness.
I have found that newer Lipglasses (over the last couple of years) are smoother and not quite as tacky as the formula was many years ago. They wear from three to six hours on me and are usually lightly hydrating. MAC recently updated the shade range and packaging for the range (though the formula was said to be unchanged), so worth noting is that with that packaging change came a reduction in quantity to 0.10 fl. oz. (was 0.17 fl. oz.), which may matter for some but not everyone.
Browse all of our MAC Lipglass swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated polyisobutene, simmondsia chinesis (jojoba) seed oil, octyldodecanol, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) waxcopernicia cerifera ceracire de carnauba, tocopheryl acetate, cocos nuciefera (coconut) oil, orbignya oleifera (babassu) seed oil, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, acrylates copolymer, alumina, aluminum calcium sodium silicate, calcium aluminum borosicliate, calcium sodium borosilicate, silica, synthetic fluorphlogopite, tin oxide, polyethylene [+/- Mica, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Bismoth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Bronze Powder (CI 77400), Carmine (CI 75470), Copper Powder (CI 77400), Red 6 (CI 15850), (CI 17200), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), 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.
Chai
PPermanent. $21.00.
Roulette
MAC Roulette Lipglass ($17.00 for 0.10 fl. oz.) is a medium-dark taupe with a warm, mauvy tone to it paired with a cream finish. It had semi-opaque, milkier coverage, which resulted in less even application and noticeable color that had pooled into my lip lines. Since it wasn’t full coverage, my natural lip color made it appear pinker and less brown when applied. The consistency was smooth, light-medium in weight, tacky but not goopy, and fairly comfortable to wear. It wore well for four and a half hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Dressed to Dazzle (LE, $20.00) is lighter (85% similar).
- MAC The Zone (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.1 oz. - $210.00 Per Ounce
The Lipglass formula is supposed to be “pigmented, very shiny and can impart subtle or dramatic color” that can be worn “on its own, over lip pencil or lipstick” and will “condition lips.” MAC could use an update on the description as some shades are more pigmented than others but several are sheerer and likely intended to be that way. The formula has a very glossy, high-shine finish with a light-medium weight and moderate tackiness.
I have found that newer Lipglasses (over the last couple of years) are smoother and not quite as tacky as the formula was many years ago. They wear from three to six hours on me and are usually lightly hydrating. MAC recently updated the shade range and packaging for the range (though the formula was said to be unchanged), so worth noting is that with that packaging change came a reduction in quantity to 0.10 fl. oz. (was 0.17 fl. oz.), which may matter for some but not everyone.
Browse all of our MAC Lipglass swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated polyisobutene, simmondsia chinesis (jojoba) seed oil, octyldodecanol, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) waxcopernicia cerifera ceracire de carnauba, tocopheryl acetate, cocos nuciefera (coconut) oil, orbignya oleifera (babassu) seed oil, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, acrylates copolymer, alumina, aluminum calcium sodium silicate, calcium aluminum borosicliate, calcium sodium borosilicate, silica, synthetic fluorphlogopite, tin oxide, polyethylene [+/- Mica, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Bismoth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Bronze Powder (CI 77400), Carmine (CI 75470), Copper Powder (CI 77400), Red 6 (CI 15850), (CI 17200), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), 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.
Roulette
PPermanent. $21.00.
Explicit
MAC Explicit Lipglass ($17.00 for 0.10 fl. oz.) is a dirty, medium taup brown with warm undertones and fine, multi-colored pearl. It had medium coverage, which mostly translated into lots of pearly shimmer on my lips. I’ve always been a fan of this shade on its own or for layering, as the base color blends well with natural lip colors so the lack of coverage never looks uneven, but it’s not listed specifically as a sheerer shade by MAC. The texture was smooth, light-to-medium in weight, and easy to spread across the lips as it wasn’t too thick, though it was noticeably sticky. This shade wore well for five hours on me.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Steel Kiss (P, $21.00) is warmer (95% similar).
- MAC Rock Starz (LE, $21.00) is more shimmery (90% similar).
- Chanel Liquid Bronze (808) (LE, $30.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Deliciously Demure (LE, $21.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Kevyn Aucoin Titanium (P, $30.00) is more pigmented (90% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Hot Chocolit (P, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- ColourPop Health Kick (LE, $8.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Taboo (310) (P, $29.00) is less shimmery, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Beach (P, $24.00) is darker (85% similar).
- MAC Counting Stars (LE, $21.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.1 oz. - $210.00 Per Ounce
The Lipglass formula is supposed to be “pigmented, very shiny and can impart subtle or dramatic color” that can be worn “on its own, over lip pencil or lipstick” and will “condition lips.” MAC could use an update on the description as some shades are more pigmented than others but several are sheerer and likely intended to be that way. The formula has a very glossy, high-shine finish with a light-medium weight and moderate tackiness.
I have found that newer Lipglasses (over the last couple of years) are smoother and not quite as tacky as the formula was many years ago. They wear from three to six hours on me and are usually lightly hydrating. MAC recently updated the shade range and packaging for the range (though the formula was said to be unchanged), so worth noting is that with that packaging change came a reduction in quantity to 0.10 fl. oz. (was 0.17 fl. oz.), which may matter for some but not everyone.
Browse all of our MAC Lipglass swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated polyisobutene, simmondsia chinesis (jojoba) seed oil, octyldodecanol, copernicia cerifera (carnauba) waxcopernicia cerifera ceracire de carnauba, tocopheryl acetate, cocos nuciefera (coconut) oil, orbignya oleifera (babassu) seed oil, prunus armeniaca (apricot) kernel oil, acrylates copolymer, alumina, aluminum calcium sodium silicate, calcium aluminum borosicliate, calcium sodium borosilicate, silica, synthetic fluorphlogopite, tin oxide, polyethylene [+/- Mica, titanium dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491), Iron Oxides (CI 77492), Iron Oxides (CI 77499), Bismoth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Blue 1 Lake (CI 42090), Bronze Powder (CI 77400), Carmine (CI 75470), Copper Powder (CI 77400), Red 6 (CI 15850), (CI 17200), Yellow 5 (CI 19140), 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.
Explicit
PPermanent. $21.00.
MAC Obviously Bare Lipglass
MAC Obviously Bare Lipglass
MAC Obviously Bare Lipglass
MAC Obviously Bare Lipglass
MAC Obviously Bare Lipglass
MAC Obviously Bare Lipglass
MAC Chai Lipglass
MAC Chai Lipglass
MAC Chai Lipglass
MAC Chai Lipglass
MAC Chai Lipglass
MAC Chai Lipglass
MAC Roulette Lipglass
MAC Roulette Lipglass
MAC Roulette Lipglass
MAC Roulette Lipglass
MAC Roulette Lipglass
MAC Roulette Lipglass
MAC Explicit Lipglass
MAC Explicit Lipglass
MAC Explicit Lipglass
MAC Explicit Lipglass
MAC Explicit Lipglass
MAC Explicit Lipglass
IDK, the colors aren’t wowing me, but I can see Roulette being used on its own or toning down lipsticks that are a bit too pink
Maybe next set 🙂
I’m seriously kicking myself in the tush for not getting Explicit during one of my various lip experiment excursions at MAC! Yes, back when it was $15 for .17 oz. I am still going to finally get it even though it is now
*$17 for less product. But being that I’ve loved this shade for literally YEARS, it’s high time i buy it!
I actually really like Roulette, too! Although m thinking that it is one of those tricky shades for me….like KVD Sanctuary. Perhaps the glossy finish would make a world of difference?
Just got sanctuary in a Sephora box today. Can’t get used to the usps packages on sundays gig. Saw it, and said, spin it, Roulette. I’ll play. Explicit is decent, too. Actually never tried lipglass. Prob shouldn’t; I get far too acquisitive, when I find a formula I like.
It is a really underrated shade, IMO! 🙂
Roulette and Explicit are beauties!!
I’m not the biggest fan of the first two, because of the line settling. I don’t have very much lip lines myself, but It’s still a concern for me!
Explicit is great for layering!
Thank you very much for these reviews! I would love a sheer, milky lipgloss, but I’m having a hard time finding one that won’t settle into my lip lines. Something along the lines of Buxom’s White Russian? I know that settling is somewhat unavoidable, as that’s the nature of those kinds of glosses, but I would love any recommendations!!
No problem, Lauren! It’s so rare that they don’t that I don’t recall any offhand – I feel like it can vary from shade to shade 🙁
All very unique shades, but I’m not sure if any of them grab me personally.
Gotcha 😉
Roulette is nice color.
It is!
Roulette is really pretty. You don’t see gloss in that shade very often. Explicit is lovely.