MAC Pink Nutcracker Sweet Lipstick Kit Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Pink Nutcracker Sweet Lipstick Kit
MAC Pink Nutcracker Sweet Lipstick Kit ($35.00 for 0.24 oz.) contains four, miniature sized lipsticks–all shades from the permanent range. Of the three sets, “Pink” is a fairly apt description of these, as pink is a common thread either in overall hue or undertone across these shades, but you might also consider it a bright or bold-hued set as they’re all brighter, richer shades.
The lipsticks come in a small box with a plastic, pull-out drawer. Each lipstick is 0.06 oz., so it’s 60% of the amount you get in a full-sized lipstick, and I think the value is there–it’s not a value-packed set, but you get more than you’re paying for and get four shades for a little more than the price of two. If you fall in love with one shade, you can repurchase it later as well, which is always nice. I didn’t have any issues using the minis directly from the tube, as sometimes minis can break more easily. The shades were very consistent with the individual permanent versions I have, and as I just swatched MAC’s permanent line a few months ago, the lip swatches and full face photos are from then (the swatches are of the actual minis).
Value
- Lipstick: $17.00 for 0.10 oz. or $170.00/oz.
- Total Value: $40.80
Impassioned is a bright, medium-dark pink-coral with warm undertones and a lightly creamy finish. It had opaque color coverage that applied evenly and smoothly. The consistency was lightly creamy with a lightweight feel on the lips that didn’t slide around but didn’t cling either. It wore well for five and a half hours and was a touch hydrating but not by much. Estee Lauder Jealous (P, $32.00) is darker (95% similar). Shiseido High Rise (225) (P, $26.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Stimulant (P, $57.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar). MAC Postmodern (DC, $21.00) is lighter, brighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Giacomo (P, $36.00) is less shimmery (90% similar). Burberry Bright Crimson (P, $34.00) is lighter, brighter (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Lukas (LE, $36.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Estee Lauder Blossom Bright (P, $30.00) is warmer (95% similar). Too Faced Melted Candy (P, $21.00) is glossier (95% similar). Givenchy Magnolia Organza (301) (P, $36.00) is brighter (95% similar). NARS Greta (P, $34.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar). NYX Angel (P, $6.00) is lighter (90% similar). Maybelline Shocking Coral (DC, $7.99) is lighter, brighter, warmer (95% similar). Guerlain Rose Grenat (864) (DC, $58.00) is darker, cooler, glossier (90% similar). Tarte Wonder (LE, ) is more muted (90% similar). NYX Street Cred (P, $6.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). MAC Dangerously Red (P, $19.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar). Chanel Rouge Splendide (817) (LE, $45.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Guerlain Insolence (144) (DC, $37.00) is darker (90% similar). Makeup Geek Clumsy (P, $15.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Dangerously Red is a deep pink with subtle, cooler pink undertones and a semi-matte finish. The color payoff was mostly opaque, and it applied decently, but it could have sat better on the lips as it tended to emphasize lip lines slightly. The texture was lightly creamy and didn’t tug on the lips during application. The color wore well for six hours, left a stain behind, and was a bit drying. Maybelline Fiery Fuchsia (DC, $7.49) is darker (95% similar). Chanel La Merveilleuse (347) (LE, $45.00) is glossier (95% similar). MAC Intoxica (LE, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). Make Up For Ever M301 (DC, $22.00) is warmer (95% similar). Urban Decay Alpha (DC, $18.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Pleasure Bomb (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Maybelline All Fired Up (P, $7.99) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Too Faced Candy Cane (LE, $21.00) is warmer (90% similar). Estee Lauder Jealous (P, $32.00) is warmer (95% similar). MAC All Fired Up (P, $19.00) is darker (90% similar). MAC A Killing Smile (LE, $19.00) is lighter, brighter, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Mucho (P, $7.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). MAC Dramarama (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Skyfall (LE, $6.50) is less shimmery, darker, warmer (90% similar). Tarte Selfish (P, $20.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Make Up For Ever M203 (DC, $22.00) is more muted, cooler (90% similar). Anastasia Chrome Red (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, less glossy (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Candy Venom (P, $18.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop I Heart This (LE, $7.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Notorious (P, $60.00) is cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Girl About Town is a bright, medium-dark fuchsia pink with cool, blue undertones and very, very fine violet pearl. It had mostly opaque pigmentation paired with a lightly emollient consistency that glided across lips without tugging. The formula delivered even coverage that lasted for five hours, which left a stain behind and felt a bit moisturizing. Chanel Fuchsia (P, $37.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Zelda (LE, $36.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar). Buxom Exhibitionist (DC, $21.00) is brighter (95% similar). MAC Ultramarine Pink (LE, $30.00) is brighter, warmer (95% similar). Bite Beauty Framboise (DC, $24.00) is cooler (85% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Imari (LE, $36.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Urban Decay Menace (DC, $18.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Tsk Tsk! (LE, $19.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (85% similar). Urban Decay Crush (DC, $18.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Rare Exotic (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). Givenchy Framboise Couture (323) (P, $36.00) is darker, more muted, warmer (90% similar). MAC Lickable (P, $19.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar). Too Faced Troublemaker (P, $22.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). ColourPop Are You Surreal (P, $7.00) is less shimmery, warmer, less glossy (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Justin (P, $36.00) is more shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Make Up For Ever C208 (DC, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar). Laura Mercier Magenta Delicat (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Bianca (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar). Givenchy Fuchsia Irresistible (205) (P, $36.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar). MAC Flat Out Fabulous (P, $19.00) is lighter, cooler, glossier (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Heroine is a slightly brighter, medium-dark purple with warm, pink undertones and a satin finish. It had good color payoff with a fairly creamy consistency that didn’t tug on the lips but does cling noticeably on (though it did not feel too clingy or drying). It wore well for six hours, left a stain behind, but it felt a touch drying toward the end of wear. Too Faced Unicorn (P, $21.00) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). Maybelline Vibrant Violet (P, $7.99) is darker, more muted, less glossy (90% similar). Milani I Am Cool (P, $6.99) is less shimmery, darker (90% similar). Dior Superstitious Matte (789) (P, $35.00) is darker (95% similar). KVD Beauty L.U.V. (P, $20.00) is lighter, less glossy (95% similar). Urban Decay Bittersweet (DC, $18.00) is lighter, glossier (80% similar). MAC Seductive Intent (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Revlon Shameless (P, $8.99) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Urban Decay Cloud9 (LE, $18.00) is darker (90% similar). Fenty Beauty Purpsicle (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter (80% similar). Urban Decay Notorious (DC, $18.00) is cooler (90% similar). KVD Beauty L.U.V. (DC, $21.00) is more muted, less pigmented, lower quality (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Kaia (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). KVD Beauty LUV (P, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar). ColourPop Lychee (LE, $6.50) is less glossy (90% similar). MAC Violetta (PiP, $19.00) is more shimmery, warmer (85% similar). ColourPop Grind (LE, $7.00) is darker (90% similar). Smashbox Tabloid (P, $21.00) is lighter (85% similar). MAC Romantically Inclined (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (80% similar). NYX Twisted (P, $6.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.
Pink
LELimited Edition. $35.00.
Impassioned
PPermanent. $19.00.
Dangerously Red
PPermanent. $19.00.
Girl About Town
PPermanent. $19.00.
Heroine
PPermanent. $19.00.
MAC Pink Nutcracker Sweet Lipstick Kit
MAC Pink Nutcracker Sweet Lipstick Kit
MAC Impassioned Lipstick
MAC Impassioned Lipstick
MAC Impassioned Lipstick
MAC Impassioned Lipstick
MAC Impassioned Lipstick
MAC Dangerously Red Lipstick
MAC Dangerously Red Lipstick
MAC Dangerously Red Lipstick
MAC Dangerously Red Lipstick
MAC Dangerously Red Lipstick
MAC Girl About Town Lipstick
MAC Girl About Town Lipstick
MAC Girl About Town Lipstick
MAC Girl About Town Lipstick
MAC Girl About Town Lipstick
MAC Heroine Lipstick
MAC Heroine Lipstick
MAC Heroine Lipstick
MAC Heroine Lipstick
MAC Heroine Lipstick
I do like seeing the formula consistency in these mini’s. 😉
Me too! I feel like MAC is most consistent with lipsticks/glosses with color/texture.
especially when they are not LE shades. 😉
I shouldn’t have looked at this…I love this set now!
Awww!
I’ve just got mine delivered and couldn’t be happier with the shades . These are my first MAC lipsticks (and I’ve been living on Planet Earth:) ). When I ordered this set I said to myself that I won’t be able to pull off the Heroine shade but upon trying it, I’m not giving it away anymore.
As you mentioned Christine, the small box with the pull-out drawer is very nice and practical as well, as it can hold something else once you remove the plastic holding the lipsticks.
The only thing was trying to get the lipsticks out initially, LOL! I managed to get whole plastic insert out, which was wayy easier.
How are you liking the formula overall? Worth the wait? 😉
Totally agree with you Christine with respect to taking the lipsticks out of the box ! I thought I was the only one having a really hard time taking them out of the plastic insert, especially since the drawer does not come out completely. I had to use the tip of a letter opener which scratched a little bit the name label at the bottom of two of the lipsticks. Oh well :).
I love the formula ! Totally worth the wait ! Christine, I cannot thank you enough for your work; your initial swatches from the sneak peek made me choose this lipstick set over the others. The quality of your swatches, the light, the close-ups etc. are extraordinary, as I can always say if a shade will look good on me or not, even if we have different skin types (I’m fair with cool undertones). 🙂
I’m so glad they were worth the wait, Nicole! 😀
And even happier that my swatches helped you!
These are fun colors that will be a bargain for those who don’t already own these colors and enjoy bright, bold colors.
Agreed!
I wanted this set just for the super cute drawer it came in! But I already have Heroine and don’t like the other 3 colors.
Darn! Maybe one of the other sets? All three have the same packaging!
Yes, eyeing the other sets -will swatch in store, hoping one of them catches my eye
These will be great for darker skinned people. I can see it as a desk drawer back up for many, bec most MAC fans have the majority of these, and love them. Good choice, MAC.
I love all four of these colors — already have Heroine, though. Still want, anyway! I think Impassioned has enough pink in it that it will look good on me…
Bright and happy colors, I like!
If I could rock bold colours well, this set would be WANT WANT WANT!! I think MAC did a great job with the colour selection – incredible variety!
Out of all the mini sets, this is absolutely my favorite! I do not see myself buying both a lipstick mini set and my yearly Lipglass set. And yep, pink is suddenly on my radar for the Lipglass set, too! It’ll be one or the other.
I’m loving your eyeshadow look in the Impassioned photo!
There are some errors in this post near the top where you call the pink set the red set.
I’m so sorry, that’s been fixed!
Beautiful!
Agreed!
All quite lovely, I’ll have to check the dupe lists. I need more lipstick like I need a hole in the head.
I feel like we all say that after this year, lol!
Girl About Town is one of my favourite pinks. This is a lovely set, if you don’t have any of the lipsticks, I have two. I might just have to buy Impassioned and Dangerously Red in full size instead.