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MAC Playland Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches

MAC Lipstick -- Happy-Go-Lucky, Head in the Clouds, Playland, Red Balloon, Sweet Experience, Toying Around<
MAC Lipstick — Happy-Go-Lucky, Head in the Clouds, Playland, Red Balloon, Sweet Experience, Toying Around

MAC Playland launches April 10th April 15th (MAC corporate confirmed as of 4/10 8:26AM PST) online, April 17th in-stores/counters, and it includes six new and limited edition shades of lipstick.

Head in the Clouds is described as a “red with pearl [with a Frost finish].” It’s a vibrant, cherry red with subtle cool undertones and a gold micro-shimmer. It had mostly opaque color coverage, and it applied evenly and easily as the consistency was lightly creamy and didn’t tug on the lips during application. The color wore well for five and a half hours and left a stain behind. It was neither drying nor hydrating. MAC Viva Glam Rihanna (LE, $16.00) is darker, pinker. Chanel Enigmatique (135) (P, $34.00) is warmer, less glossy. NARS Dressed to Kill (P, $26.00) is darker. Milani Cherry Crave (P, $5.49) is more matte. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Playland is described as a “frosted yellow gold [with a Frost finish].” It’s a medium, yellow gold with a metallic finish. It had semi-sheer color coverage, but the texture of the lipstick was somewhat on the drier side, so it didn’t apply as evenly as one would like. It is also unforgiving if your lips are not in tip-top shape, so those with naturally drier/chapped lips will want to do additional prep before applying this shade. It lasted for two and a half hours and was lightly drying during that time. Dolce and Gabbana Topazio (LE, $32.00) is slightly darker. MAC Ruffian Gold (LE, $16.00) is sheerer. Guerlain Altoum (LE, $35.00) is sheerer. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Triptych (P, $18.00) is more opaque, more metallic. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Sweet Experience is described as a “bright pink [with an Amplified finish].” It’s a light-medium pink with subtle, yellow undertones and a satin finish. It had opaque color coverage, and the consistency was lightly creamy and didn’t tug or drag on the lips. It lasted for four hours when I tested it for wear and was neither drying nor hydrating. MAC Vivid Image (LE, $16.00) is lighter. MAC Please Me (P, $16.00) is a few shades darker. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Femme (P, $18.00) is very similar. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Happy Go-Lucky is described as a “hot pink [with an Amplified finish].” It’s a vibrant, medium-dark magenta pink with cool, blue undertones and a natural sheen. It had rich, opaque pigmentation, and the texture of the lipstick was smooth, creamy, and easy to apply. This shade managed to wear for five hours and left behind a noticeable stain that lingered for another hour and a half. It was very lightly hydrating over time. Sephora + Pantone Universe Radiant Rush (LE, $18.00) is darker, less glossy. Bite Beauty Moscato (P, $28.00) is brighter. Chanel La Diva (44) (P, $34.00) is more matte. NARS Full Frontal (LE, $26.00) is more muted. Ardency Inn Twist (P, $25.00) is darker. MAC Dear Diary (LE, $18.00) is darker. MAC Outrageously Fun (LE, $16.00) is more muted. MAC Candy Yum Yum (P, $16.00) is slightly darker. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Nylon (P, $18.00) is brighter, cooler-toned. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Red Balloon is described as a “hot fuchsia [with an Amplified finish].” It’s a brightened, medium-dark, cool-toned pink with a softly luminous finish. It had full color coverage, and the color applied evenly and smoothly as the consistency of the lipstick was lightly creamy. The color lasted for five and a half hours, and it was very lightly hydrating while worn. Guerlain Rose Grenat (864) (LE, $49.50) is redder, darker. Estee Lauder Dominant (P, $30.00) is cooler-toned. Tom Ford Beauty Incorrigible (08) (LE, $49.00) is lighter, more muted. Charlotte Tilbury Velvet Underground (P) is slightly cooler-toned, darker. MAC Pleasure Bomb (LE, $16.00) is darker, more matte. MAC Moxie (LE, $16.00) is more matte, slightly cooler-toned. MAC Girl About Town (P, $16.00) is darker, cooler-toned. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

Toying Around is described as a “hot coral pink [with an Amplified finish].” It’s a brightened, medium coral-orange with a soft shine. It had rich, totally opaque pigmentation when applied to the lips, and the color went on evenly, smoothly, and lasted for five hours. The formula was neither drying nor hydrating. Dior Sunset (660) (LE, $34.00) is darker, more shimmery. Estee Lauder Defiant Coral (P, $30.00) is slightly darker. Revlon Snow Peach (LE, $7.99) is pinker. Bite Beauty Crush (P, $28.00) is brighter. Tom Ford Beauty Paradiso (07) (LE, $49.00) is pinker. Marc Jacobs Beauty Shout (138) (LE, $30.00) is darker, pinker. Charlotte Tilbury Coachella Coral (P) is slightly pinker, more matte. Givenchy Rose Dressing (202) (P, $36.00) is pinker, darker. MAC Elegant Accent (P, $22.00) is pinker. MAC Watch Me Simmer (LE, $16.00) is pinker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick
MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick

MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick
MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick

MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick
MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick

MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick
MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick

MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick
MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick

MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick
MAC Head in the Clouds Lipstick

MAC Playland Lipstick
MAC Playland Lipstick

MAC Playland Lipstick
MAC Playland Lipstick

MAC Playland Lipstick
MAC Playland Lipstick

MAC Playland Lipstick
MAC Playland Lipstick

MAC Playland Lipstick
MAC Playland Lipstick

MAC Playland Lipstick
MAC Playland Lipstick

MAC Sweet Experience Lipstick
MAC Sweet Experience Lipstick

MAC Sweet Experience Lipstick
MAC Sweet Experience Lipstick

MAC Sweet Experience Lipstick
MAC Sweet Experience Lipstick

MAC Sweet Experience Lipstick
MAC Sweet Experience Lipstick

MAC Sweet Experience Lipstick
MAC Sweet Experience Lipstick

MAC Sweet Experience Lipstick
MAC Sweet Experience Lipstick

MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick
MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick

MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick
MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick

MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick
MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick

MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick
MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick

MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick
MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick

MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick
MAC Happy-Go-Lucky Lipstick

MAC Red Balloon Lipstick
MAC Red Balloon Lipstick

MAC Red Balloon Lipstick
MAC Red Balloon Lipstick

MAC Red Balloon Lipstick
MAC Red Balloon Lipstick

MAC Red Balloon Lipstick
MAC Red Balloon Lipstick

MAC Red Balloon Lipstick
MAC Red Balloon Lipstick

MAC Red Balloon Lipstick
MAC Red Balloon Lipstick

MAC Toying Around Lipstick
MAC Toying Around Lipstick

MAC Toying Around Lipstick
MAC Toying Around Lipstick

MAC Toying Around Lipstick
MAC Toying Around Lipstick

MAC Toying Around Lipstick
MAC Toying Around Lipstick

MAC Toying Around Lipstick
MAC Toying Around Lipstick

MAC Toying Around Lipstick
MAC Toying Around Lipstick

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure de Lumiere Foundation
  • Guerlain Les Voilettes Loose Powder
  • NARS Hot Sand Illuminator
On eyes:
  • NARS Baalbek Eye Paint

235 Comments

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June Avatar

You’re very pretty with all these lipsticks! I never understood the appeal of those gold lipsticks though… No colour, all tacky shimmer? I love the colour of Toying Around, though! Perfect for summer.

Quinctia Avatar

I have really pigmented lips, so I’m a pretty big fan of this type of lipstick, actually. But not when they’re a pain to apply, like this one seems to be. 🙁

But, with a good one, lip color shows through, I get some sparkle, it’s win/win.

Christine Avatar

Hi Christine,

You can actually compare any two shades I’ve swatched before here: http://www.temptalia.com/swatch-gallery — just enter the two you’re looking for, and it’ll pull up swatches for both. If you think they’re dupes, you can even submit them right there 🙂

Daddy’s Little Girl is darker, more muted, and warmer.

Christine Avatar

Hoop and Chatterbox are darker, and Snob is very cool-toned!

Also, you can actually compare any two shades I’ve swatched before here: http://www.temptalia.com/swatch-gallery — just enter the two you’re looking for, and it’ll pull up swatches for both. If you think they’re dupes, you can even submit them right there 🙂 I’m happy to give you my insight any time, but I’m also trying to spread the word that this feature exists, too! (It is obviously going to be faster than waiting for me to reply, 9/10 times!)

Chanel Avatar

I have to get these lipsticks except playland I’m sad that it performed so poorly, but I’m excited for this entire collection the colors look adorable

meganlisa Avatar

I love the last two…Red Balloon and Toying around. They all look so pretty on you…those vivid brights work so well with your looks. But I should stay away from these….

C Avatar

Red Balloon is so pretty! I’m such a sucker for those kinds of colours. Normally I hate coral but Toying Around is really calling to me haha.

anna Avatar

Your swatches are lovely but the lighting is soo bright… it would be awesome to see one pic without flash or bright lights and just natural lighting

Christine Avatar

Hi Anna,

I take one photo with direct light (first lip swatch), then the rest are diffused/indirect/bounced light! I only use artificial light because using sunlight is unreliable – sometimes I’m taking photos at 11PM, it might be overcast, etc. so I only use studio lighting as I find it most reliable and consistent no matter the day, time, or season. My lighting is calibrated to simulate daylight.

Tommy Avatar

I LOVE the look of every Amplified finish on here!! Although they DO look more Satin to me… Would you say that they are slightly more or is it perhaps just how they’ve pictured??
I bought “Hoop” recently and even on the Mac site it said “Matte” but it arrived as a “Satin”…. Still feels like a matte though haha.
But some of the finishes of Mac lipsticks have been confusing me lately.
Because I do like Amplified but my 2 favourite finishes are Satin and Matte, and I tend to not stray from that. If these were to be more of a Satin I would probably end up getting them. But if not, for me I find amplified’s just a little too moist for how I like my lips.

Kris Avatar

I love Red balloon, toying around and sweet experience. But overall, I think they’re good colours. I’m gonna get them all, then I’ll be set for summer lol 🙂 Wbu christine? 🙂

Amelia Avatar

Hello! Thank you so much for these swatches – how similar to ‘Force of Love’ is ‘Toying Around’? Also, kudos to you for pulling off yellow lipstick so well!

Raisa Avatar

as always very nice, I love your reviews on lipstick, stunning lips. Tell me, can you become even lipstick Envy Sculpting? I’m waiting for them, but in our country they do not exist ((

Lee Avatar

Yeah, lipsticks!. I’m gonna pick up Happy Go Lucky and Red Balloon. Head in the Clouds is pretty but I almost never wear reds. And Toying Around looks so pretty but I’ve learned that corals that look pretty and pink on you always pull too orange on me.

Veronica Avatar

I am baffled by the performance of Playland when they released a similar shade about a year ago in the Ruffian collaboration that performed just fine. You’d think they would just reuse that formulation instead of releasing a bad product.

The rest of the collection is quite pretty, though! I can dupe almost everything here, so it’s a pass, but it’s nice to see a mostly solid collection from them after the disappointment of the Patent Polish pencils.

Laura_Lou Avatar

Red Balloon and Toying Around are lovely. I’ll definitely check those out when they launch. I’ll pass on the rest tho.

Danielle Avatar

Head in the Clouds & Toying Around are my favorites here! I also like Happy Go-Lucky, but I already have loads of similar shades that I don’t reach for that often.

fancie Avatar

I was so hoping Playland would be more yellow and opaque! I still like it but it looks like it’ll take a lot of layering to get the pop of yellow I want. Happy Go Lucky looks dupable but I really like it! The more I see it the prettier it becomes. Red Balloon is very pretty too!

Lisa Avatar

Oh boy, I can’t choose between Toying Around or Sweet Experience as my favorites from this collection. I own a lot of others that are dupable, but I don’t think I do with those two.

Magdalena Avatar

Toying around is comming home with me if it hits stores in my country (hardly 1/3 of the collections arrive which is heartbreaking to say the least)

Princess Avatar

Why oh Why MAC???? I am going to go broke. I have to have Happy go lucky and Red Balloon. I guess 2 is not that bad. Just got pink poodle and glam last week. Wasn’t too happy with either, I hope Red balloon and Happy Go lucky doesn’t disappoint me.

Jules Avatar

Head in the Clouds is lovely and classic, but I already have MAC Cockney and they look similar IMO, except Cockney is lustre finish instead of frost. Might be tempted by Playland as a fun summer layering shade…dunno…would have loved it more opaque. I’ll wait to feel it myself in shops because drying lipsticks are my pet peeve!

Jules Avatar

I use Cockney frequently and don’t find it drying, but I also use CB96, which is a Frost, and that can be slightly drying. If this one is like CB96 I could probably make it work!

Kadie Avatar

MAC’s Spring collections are usually one of my favorites, but I’m definitely underwhelmed with this one. I like Sweet Experience, but I’m definitely going to have to try that one on my skin before I end up getting it. Just overall, kinda meh.

Daphne Avatar

Do you think that Playland would work for this purpose, or would would application be too troublesome? I was thinking maybe layering it all over another lipstick, or maybe just a dab in the center of the lip over something like Head in the Clouds.

Sarah S. Avatar

I love these! I especially like Toying Around and Sweet Experience, but I honestly don’t know how to wear them. I guess I could always get them and play around with eye looks. Hmmm…

Natalie Avatar

I love Toying Around and Head in the the Clouds……I only have ONE classic red from Burberry that serves me quite well but this one is so unique with the tiny flecks…..big sigh, I am almost out of room in my lip products drawer and I refused to buy new makeup storage!

Helene Avatar

Pity about Playland. I like how it looks on you, but with the grade I guess I’ll skip it. I love most of the others, though. I can’t say i need more lipsticks, but I certainly want Head in the Clouds, Happy go Lucky and Red Ballon. I must try Toying Around, it looks like a good everyday colour.

Ritva Avatar

Toying Around looks very pretty on you! I have Laura Mercier Tangerine Lipstick – is it very similar with Toying Around?