MAC Playland Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches
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.
Head in the Clouds
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Playland
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Sweet Experience
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Happy-Go-Lucky
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Red Balloon
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Toying Around
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
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 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 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 Toying Around Lipstick
MAC Toying Around Lipstick
MAC Toying Around Lipstick
MAC Toying Around Lipstick
MAC Toying Around Lipstick
MAC Toying Around Lipstick
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.
Tacky is more in the eye of the beholder. I love OCC’s Triptych, which is an opaque metallic gold – very fun to wear. You can always layer a gold lipstick like Playland over or under other lipsticks add shimmer/sheen!
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.
Is Happy Go Lucky similar to MAC Archie’s Girls Daddy’s Little Girl?
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.
So Christine—if you could only pick ONE of these new MAC lip colors, which would you recommend??
Toying Around, I suppose, is one that I like personally! They’re nice (well, except Playland, obviously!), but they feel more dupable to me? Head in the Clouds is nice and less dupable compared to the rest, though.
Pity about Playland’s texture, it really does look good on you! I have Triptych and Bobbi Brown’s Canary, but they do look very different.
If you added gloss to it, it would be somewhat similar to Canary, though obviously Canary is larger sparkle!
These look lovely! Especially loving Toying Around and Red Balloon!
Yay!
Oh yeah Red Balloon and Toying Around are so totally my kinda lippies.. I am really gravitating to these pink reds and brightened corals this year. I have fairly close dupes in my stash for both, but they are that smidgen different… (throws more money out window)
Haha! I knew you’d like Toying Around. 😉
Thanks so much for this!!!!
How does sweet experience compare to Hoop, snob, and Chatterbox? I have those so I’m not sure if I should skip.
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!)
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
Playland seems like one of those “fun” shades that has to be used with other products to be decent.
Love happy go lucky, red balloon and toying around!
Woohoo!
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….
Thanks, Megan! 🙂
Looks like toying around will be the only lipstick i get from this collection….
Your wallet is mostly safe then!
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.
Ooh, then maybe you’ll end up indulging since it’s an unusual coral for you!
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
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.
OMG. Toying Around looks AMAZINGGGGG on you!
Thank you!
I’ll be hoping to score Red Balloon and Toying Around online!! Beautiful colors ^_^
Good luck 😀
Oh, man….these are gorgeous. I will definitely be getting Sweet Experience, Red Balloon, and Toying around if I can get my hands on them! I’m REALLY excited for these.
Fingers crossed you can snatch ’em up before they sell out!
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.
I personally find amplified finishes and satin finishes to be a lot closer than not! Even satin to matte – they can be close! Sweet Experience as the “least” Amplified-like finish, the rest were more emollient than true satin finishes.
I like all of them!!
Yay!
Hey Christine! 🙂
Man! Is there a colour that doesn’t suit you?!?!
I have MAC Dreaminess … I find it’s a tad grey-ish or something for my skintone. How would Sweet Experience compare?
Thanks 🙂
Sweet Experience is a little warmer, but you might not find it warm enough still!
Wow, I need to check out Happy Go-Lucky, Red Balloon, and Toying Around. They look so pretty. This might be the first MAC collection I’m looking forward to!
I hope you like ’em when you see them in person, Barbara!
Oh WOW. I’m so excited for these!
Which are your faves, Kris?
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? 🙂
I think these are pretty dupable so none really excite me!
Oh, I’ve been highhly awaiting swatches of these! I am glad that I only want 2 of them! 🙂
Phew!
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!
Hey Amelia!
Force of Love is a lot pinker! 🙂
too bad that gold is so bad, it was one of the more playful shades. the first pink is great too.
If you pair it with something else, it could work. On its own, I think it misses.
Now I can make an informed decision based on swatches and your review. Thank you!! Red Balloon and Toying around for me!
No problem!
OMG I have been waiting for a shade like Toying Around every since I missed out on Watch Me Simmer!! YES! so excited! 🙂
Yay!!
Wowww…I didn’t think I was too interested in this collection, but it’s so pretty! I even think I love Playland and bet it could look gorgeous layered on top of some other lipsticks! My favourite though has got to be Toying Around!
Sounds like Toying Around is going to be a bestseller!
You look great in each and every one of them! thanks for the review!
Thanks, Christina!
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 ((
Thanks, Raisa!
I’m not sure what you’re asking – could you elaborate?
yes, of course) I loved your reviews on Estee Lauder Envy Sculpting, I would like to see more colors for you
I’ll keep it in mind! Thanks!
Toying Around is gorgeous!!! Now of course I want it despite all the coral lipsticks that I already own..
It’s hard to resist for sure!
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.
Almost guaranteed that Toying Around will pull orange on you since it’s not very pink on me either!
Ohhhhh if only Playland was a bit more opaque and not drying, it would’ve been such a winner!
It could have been really fun if it was more opaque!
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.
They’re fun shades, but definitely feel like we’ve seen these before.
Red Balloon and Toying Around are lovely. I’ll definitely check those out when they launch. I’ll pass on the rest tho.
Can’t wait to hear what you think!
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.
I hear ya – Happy-Go-Lucky seems super dupable!
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!
More gold than yellow, unfortunately!
Wow, I love Toying Around! … the good stuff does come when I’m in a spending ban.
Aww!
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.
It’ll be a tough choice!
I love all of them except for Playland!
Yay!
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)
Hope this one does!
How does toying around compare to MAC Vegas volt or MAC crosswires?
Vegas Volt is lighter, more orange, Crosswires is more pink.
Despite it getting a D+ rating, I’m going to need that Playland lipstick! That just popped out of my screen and screamed at me. I’m going to love layering it over red lipstick… it’s stunning!
Enjoy!
Christine you are the bomb.com! Thanks for these amazing swatches and review. I hope red ballon and toying around will look good on my chocalate skin because I need those two lipsticks in my life, lol!
Happy to help, Casandra! 😀 Rock ’em!
I’m loving Head in the Clouds and Happy Go Lucky. As for Playland, I think I’ll pass, but the OCC dupe is stunning!
Triptych <3
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.
Fingers crossed you like these two better!
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!
Are any MAC lipsticks (like Lustres/Glazes/Frosts) drying on you? I know I find Lustres drying most of the time, but many find them hydrating!
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!
I think you should be okay with this then!
I was thinking that it looked similar to Cockney, too. What do you think Christine?
I think Cockney is lighter and less shimmery.
Toying around looks so pretty!
Glad ya liked it, Taslima!
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.
Let us know if Sweet Experience ends up going home with ya, Kadie!
Toying Around would be my pick! I like all the shades on you! 🙂
Thanks, Vineetha!
Toying Around is the only on I’m interested in but I could not pull off watch me shimmer. (it looked neon on my fair skin. lol )
I was also interested in Sweet Experience but I already own Femme.
Toying Around probably will look fairly neon, too, though I want to say less neon than Watch Me Simmer.
I like them all but I’m sad toying around wasn’t a success!
Aw!
I like Toying Around!
Yay!
Oh boy! I am in trouble, I like them all.
Uh oh!
I don’t feel like the colours are terribly original or interesting (just based on what they might have done with this theme, and the colours in their own range/every collection they release in general), but Toying Around is a very pretty colour nonetheless! 🙂
They seem pretty repetitive to me as well!
Thks for the swatch Christine, pls any idea when it hits the UK? Thks
I don’t have a specific date, sorry!
You know, I was originally going to skip Playland, but I’m thinking it will look gorgeous in the fall layered over more vampy plums and reds.
Enjoy!
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.
To be honest, I prefer gloss or eyeshadow if I’m layering over a lipstick! I find it more effective.
Happy go lucky and Toying around for sure!!! Is toying around like a darker Betty Bright?
Definitely a lot darker than Betty Bright and less pink!
I was going to pass on this but Toying Around will look awesome on my NC50 skintone.
It will!
Really intrigued by Toying Around and Sweet Experience – the formula looks lovely!
Hope you like ’em!
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…
Toying Around would be nice with maybe a gold or bronze eye, and Sweet Experience with a smoky purple eye!
Thank you, Christine! In that case, I’m going to go ahead and order them and see how it goes. 😀
Loving Red Balloon and Toying Around! But I just bought all three By Request lipsticks, so I need to think carefully about if I’ll pick either of these up. Soooooo tempting, though.
You could probably skip 🙂
I need Toying Around in my life! Looks beautiful! <3
Enjoy it, Reina!
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!
Awww!
How does Sweet experience compare with Viva Glam Gaga pink? Is it similar?
Viva Glam Gaga is cooler-toned!
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.
Toying Around seems like the most popular of the six!
Toying Around looks very pretty on you! I have Laura Mercier Tangerine Lipstick – is it very similar with Toying Around?