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). NYX Street Cred (P, $6.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Guerlain Insolence (144) (DC, $37.00) is darker (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). Makeup Geek Clumsy (P, $15.00) is lighter, glossier (85% similar). MAC Pleasurefruit (LE, $17.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar). Maybelline Vivid Rose (DC, $7.99) is darker, cooler (90% 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 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). Make Up For Ever M204 (DC, $22.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Tarte Lovespell (P, $20.00) 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 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). Dior Ultra Daring (755) (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, more muted, warmer (90% similar). MAC No Faux Pas (LE, $19.00) is lighter, warmer (90% 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). MAC Seductive Intent (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar). Revlon Shameless (P, $8.99) is darker, more muted (90% 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). 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.

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