MAC Pretty Pleats & Elegance is Learned Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolours Reviews & Swatches
Pretty Pleats!
MAC Pretty Pleats! Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour ($24.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a deep, reddish-brown with subtle, cool undertones and a satin sheen. The consistency was more emollient than most in the range, which resulted in sheerer coverage that wasn’t quite as even in its application, plus some product that settled into my deeper lip lines–just enough to be visible in person.
It still had a more velvety-cream like feel when applied, which I’d call signature to the formula. It had semi-opaque color payoff that lasted for five hours and felt lightly hydrating.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Clinique Velour (30) (P, $19.50) is more shimmery, darker (95% similar).
- Laura Mercier Chocolat Divin (P, $32.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- MAC Turn to the Left (P, $22.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- Makeup by Mario Nicole (P, $24.00) is warmer, less glossy (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Divine Brown (P, $38.00) is warmer (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Editrix (250) (P, $30.00) is more shimmery, darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Too Faced Indecent Proposal (P, $22.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever M104 (DC, $22.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
- Bite Beauty Ginger Malt (P, $28.00) is lighter, warmer, less glossy (85% similar).
- MAC Modern Temptress (LE, $19.00) is darker, warmer (85% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.17 oz. - $152.94 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be long-wearing ("10 hours'") with "immediate" moisture while "[blurring] lines and [smoothing] lips" that doesn't settle, crease, flake, or feel drying. Per the brand, one applies using the "hourglass-shaped applicator."
The texture has a more velvety, thicker feel that spreads well and feels plusher with more of a silicone-like glide (if you've tried a silicone-based primer, the feel of it on the lips was similar but creamier). The applicator worked well for applying and distributing product evenly, but it gathered more product than necessary for my lips in a single pull of product to the point where I felt like it over-applied product to the detriment of application.
I had better luck applying product my upper lip (especially around the cupid's bow, as the applicator was better for getting this area) and then pressing my lips together and/or using a fingertip to diffuse and spread out the product to the rest of my lips. This ensured that there wasn't too much product on my lips; too much resulted in the product pilling a bit and being uneven, especially along the inner area of my month, prone to getting on teeth, and sometimes catching on lip texture/imperfections. For reference: all swatch photos are as-applied with the included applicator only.
They were pigmented with most shades being nearly opaque to opaque but a few that fell slightly below. For a more diffused look, you'd want to apply with fingertips or just to the center of the lips and then use a brush or fingertips to blow out the color. The colors went on fairly evenly, and I found most of the time where it did not, it was an issue with an over-application of product (despite just using one pull of product!) and the formula was more forgiving when applied with less product (but that still was plenty to cover my lips with near-full coverage!).
They mattify over time--as the color wore away--and are more transfer-resistant at that point, but the formula itself is a more flexible, though I could definitely feel it on, and has a more satin-like finish for the first couple of hours of wear. I'd recommend blotting gently on the back of your hand (less likely to get tissue bits on your lips that way) to soften and mattify faster, if desired.
The lighter shades didn't wear away as evenly and had more noticeable wear along the center of my lips, while the more mid-tone and deeper shades lasted longer and more evenly as they tended to stain a bit. The wear ranged from five to eight hours, but the formula wasn't providing any "immediate" moisture for me, and after wearing a lot of shades back-to-back, my lips were slightly dehydrated.
Browse all of our MAC Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Tribehenin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Isostearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Vanillin, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 (Ci 15850), Red 22 Lake (Ci 45380), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), 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.
Pretty Pleats!
PPermanent. $26.00.
Elegance is Learned
MAC Elegance is Learned Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour ($24.00 for 0.17 oz.) is a deep pink with subtle, warm undertones and a satin finish. It had nearly opaque pigmentation that applied evenly and fluidly over my lips as the product spread well. The consistency felt velvety and smooth, more mousse-like with an airiness that kept it very lightweight but not clingy. This shade stayed on nicely for five and a half hours and felt lightly moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Keep Dreaming (P, $19.00) is cooler (90% similar).
- Chanel La Favorite (43) (P, $45.00) is warmer (90% similar).
- ColourPop Maui Wowie (P, $7.00) is glossier (85% similar).
- Chanel Fougueuse (138) (P, $45.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Pat McGrath Love Interest (P, $36.00) is more shimmery, warmer, glossier (85% similar).
- Tom Ford Beauty To Die For (LE, $60.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Bobbi Brown Bitten (P, $29.00) is lighter, warmer (85% similar).
- Make Up For Ever C306 (DC, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter, glossier (85% similar).
- Givenchy Rose Flanelle (202) (P, $37.00) is lighter, glossier (80% similar).
- Shiseido Burning Up (RD310) (DC, $28.00) is more shimmery, lighter, warmer (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$26.00/0.17 oz. - $152.94 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be long-wearing ("10 hours'") with "immediate" moisture while "[blurring] lines and [smoothing] lips" that doesn't settle, crease, flake, or feel drying. Per the brand, one applies using the "hourglass-shaped applicator."
The texture has a more velvety, thicker feel that spreads well and feels plusher with more of a silicone-like glide (if you've tried a silicone-based primer, the feel of it on the lips was similar but creamier). The applicator worked well for applying and distributing product evenly, but it gathered more product than necessary for my lips in a single pull of product to the point where I felt like it over-applied product to the detriment of application.
I had better luck applying product my upper lip (especially around the cupid's bow, as the applicator was better for getting this area) and then pressing my lips together and/or using a fingertip to diffuse and spread out the product to the rest of my lips. This ensured that there wasn't too much product on my lips; too much resulted in the product pilling a bit and being uneven, especially along the inner area of my month, prone to getting on teeth, and sometimes catching on lip texture/imperfections. For reference: all swatch photos are as-applied with the included applicator only.
They were pigmented with most shades being nearly opaque to opaque but a few that fell slightly below. For a more diffused look, you'd want to apply with fingertips or just to the center of the lips and then use a brush or fingertips to blow out the color. The colors went on fairly evenly, and I found most of the time where it did not, it was an issue with an over-application of product (despite just using one pull of product!) and the formula was more forgiving when applied with less product (but that still was plenty to cover my lips with near-full coverage!).
They mattify over time--as the color wore away--and are more transfer-resistant at that point, but the formula itself is a more flexible, though I could definitely feel it on, and has a more satin-like finish for the first couple of hours of wear. I'd recommend blotting gently on the back of your hand (less likely to get tissue bits on your lips that way) to soften and mattify faster, if desired.
The lighter shades didn't wear away as evenly and had more noticeable wear along the center of my lips, while the more mid-tone and deeper shades lasted longer and more evenly as they tended to stain a bit. The wear ranged from five to eight hours, but the formula wasn't providing any "immediate" moisture for me, and after wearing a lot of shades back-to-back, my lips were slightly dehydrated.
Browse all of our MAC Powder Kiss Liquid Lipcolour swatches.
Ingredients
Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Isononyl Isononanoate, Polyglyceryl-2 Triisostearate, Diisostearyl Malate, Tribehenin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Lecithin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Isopropyl Myristate, Polyglyceryl-3 Polyricinoleate, Polyglyceryl-2 Diisostearate, Sorbitan Isostearate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Isostearic Acid, Polyhydroxystearic Acid, Vanillin, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 7 (Ci 15850), Red 22 Lake (Ci 45380), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), 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.
Even though it only earned a C+, I really love Pretty Pleats! I think with my more pigmented lips, this could look good on me due to having a darker base underneath it. Still, not something I’d buy until we can go mask-free.
When I saw Pretty Pleats on your lips, Christine I said out loud, ask the dogs, they heard me, “Oh, that IS pretty!” Then I started wondering, I really don’t go for brown toned lipsticks, what’s happening. I think it’s the richness of the colour and the finish.
A pity it didn’t perform as well as it could have.
wow. I’m surprised by how much I like Elegance is Learned. Such a pretty pink. And I love the finish, very pretty and clean.