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MAC x Lorde Pure Heroine Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches, Comparisons

MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick
MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick

MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “deep plum [with an Amplified finish].” It’s a slightly muted, purple-plum with subtle warm undertones and a glossy sheen. MAC Punk Couture (LE, $16.00) is darker, cooler-toned. MAC Potent Fig (LE, $16.00) is darker, cooler-toned. MAC Violetta (P, $16.00) is shimmery, brighter. MAC Strong Woman (LE, $16.00) is slightly more muted, more matte. MAC Heroine (P, $16.00) is brighter, lighter, less glossy. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

It’s a limited edition shade that will be available online in North America on June 5th (select stores will also have it), and later in July for international locations. For those that feared it was going to be too similar to MAC Heroine, it’s not; and those who thought it might be like MAC Punk Couture, it’s not. It’s almost a mix of the two, with the warmer, pinky-plum undertones of Heroine with more of the depth and darkness of Punk Couture. The lipstick had more slip than I’d expect from an Amplified finish, and the coverage was mostly opaque but had some translucency. The finish was rather glossy, and the color seemed to pull into lip lines and did not apply as evenly as I would have liked. The color lasted for about four hours, and I did have a little feathering outside of my upper lip towards the end. It does leave behind a slight stain as well.

P.S. — Please keep comments focused on the lipstick — condescending remarks about the collaborator, their fans, etc. will not be tolerated.

See more photos & swatches!

MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick
MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick

MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick
MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick

MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick
MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick

MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick
MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick

MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick
MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick

MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick
MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick

MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick
MAC Lipsticks: Heroine, Pure Heroine, Punk Couture, Cyber, Smoked Purple, Instigator

MAC Pure Heroine Lipstick
MAC Pure Heroine vs. Heroine Lipstick

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Giorgio Armani Maestro
  • Guerlain Les Voilettes Loose Powder

200 Comments

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Meghan Avatar

I know I love Lorde too & don’t want to pass! I’ll save my judgments for the final rating but it definitely looks like I’ll be investing in a matching lip liner!

Elena Avatar

I expected something deeper, probably with nightmoth lip pencil all over then this lipstick would be the key but I’d rather buy Cyber and mix it with something else to give it a bit of purple tone.
I’m so dissapointed.

Elena Avatar

How would you make it look like the actual lipstick Lorde uses? I know her MUA mixes MAC lipsticks but I don’t know which ones. If you know please shareee <3.
Thanks for the pictures, I always wait for your reviews to buy a product.

Lotus Avatar

Hi Elena! I can see if I can find out some insider information for you, okay? Please keep in mind that her pigmentation is unique to herself, so whatever is the exact blend may not turn out the same for you, but I’m sure many here would be helpful in trying to tailor it for you. I’ll see what I can do. 🙂

Lotus Avatar

Okay, I made a call. Basically I found out what most already know, as well that she goes pale purple as well, but for those dark purple lips, they use the Vino lip pencil to outline, define, and fill in, followed by a mixture of Herione and Cyber lipsticks. Cyber is strictly for darkening and Heroine is for the life of purple to come out. These are all MAC Cosmetics products. Try playing around until you find the purple and depth you seek! I hope that helps. 🙂 I enjoy doing these things. XO ~ Lotus

Lotus Avatar

Also, apparently this wasn’t the brand or necessary color coveted by her in Aukland. (Part of Tacapuna, New Zealand) Sucess enabled her to teach it to this brand and a love affair came from there. And in hurry, a black liner of any kind is used wth what I was told she loves to use; Mac Sheen Supreme lipstick in Quite The Thing. Be your own creation. <3, Lotus

Lotus Avatar

I just received message to remember that they are contractually hound legally to report as was given to me, this I cannot state anything for sure other than publicity is just that. And for singular events, profits are made, tours use some Demi-perm tattoo type tattoo ink creation to keep look while formulation creates appearance of color also adhering to lip, yet I cannot say what that means or is, because I don’t know. It’s cryptic. It’s crap. That’s why I separated from the industry and all trend type things to find peace as myself. I did what I could, don’t know if it will help, tried. Sorry.

Sue Avatar

MAC Vino lip pencil + MAC Cyber lipstick + MAC Heroine lipstick.

I was surprised by the disclaimer at the bottom of the post. Lorde isn’t as controversial, as, say, Rihanna.

Allie Avatar

On your lips it looks really similar to Up The Amp. I imagine Up The Amp is quite a bit lighter? Are the two even comparable, or is it just me? xD

amanda michelle Avatar

I thought this would be a lot more of a darker purple but I don’t know if I will get this because I’m pretty sure I already have something similar. It looks amazing on you but then again what doesn’t?! you can pull off any color!

AlyMy Avatar

I agree with you. I thought it was the most beautiful purple I’d ever seen (I don’t own any other purples) and then i put it on and there came the SLIP and the SHEERNESS. I am soo disappointed but i really like the color. Any ideas on what I could do to make it work? I don’t think the lip prep +prime will be enough for this.

Sylirael Avatar

Hm. As a purple lipstick aficionado, I have to say I’m not really impressed with how much red there is in it, but then it’s more purple in the sheen than I expected, so there’s that! I think I was *anticipating* something more along the lines of what Potent Fig looks like in your swatch in the Dupe List, and *hoping* for something more along the lines of MUFE #49 😛

I feel that if they used a lipliner in the shoot, they should have made that part of the collection to!

Chanel Avatar

MAC could of added special packaging at least. This color is really really pretty and I do like it but its not anything special. I still wish they would of pick someone other than Lorde, based on her makeup looks she seems extremely basic and boring which is the opposite of what some people expect for a summer collection. But this is just my opinion I’m sure other people will love this.

JESS Avatar

Lorde is a great choice for a makeup collection because she is bold and has a signature makeup look that people covet. I think a fall release would have been a better choice because women love their vampy lips more in fall. I actually bought a Revlon Matte Balm Stain in the shade Shameless because I wanted to try this look. It is quite similar to this shade. I feel bold, powerful and sexy in it, even I don’t wear it much. Christine, will this lipstick be available in stores? I would love to try it on before buying it.

Amanda Avatar

This is a little disappointing! I was hoping it would have a more even application, be a little more on the matte side (ie with less slip), and – ultimately – darker. I was expecting something closer to Potent Fig. It’s super similar to Heroine to me – almost to where it doesn’t warrant a separate shade? I’m not sure. I agree with others though; the ad was deceptive. Thought it’d be darker!

Etoile Avatar

Hm, the way it looks on you looks like how the regular Heroine looks on me (except of course not as matte). Which is weird how the regular Heroine turns up on my lips because I wouldn’t say they’re super pigmented or anything… Oh well. I’ll probably buy this one just for my love of purples, but I can’t say I wasn’t expecting something different. It’s also rather disappointing that the amplified finish didn’t work for this one, it’s one of my favorite formulas. How would you say it compares to MUFE’s #49?

Etoile Avatar

Thanks Christine! I figured they wouldn’t be similar at all, but #49 ends up super purple (sort of like Potent Fig) on me weirdly enough, so I guess I’ll have to see how this one ends up on my lips.

Etoile Avatar

I would say they definitely end up very plum on me, but other times, they end up more pink than plum, it’s always so disappointing when a color I like doesn’t end up looking how I would like it to! Maybe my lips are more pigmented than I thought they were :/

Kate Avatar

I have a moth-flame relationship with dark and/ or purple lipsticks, which makes me want this. However, I don’t love the unevenness of the swatch… I got Yung Rapnuxel when that came out and was disappointed in how difficult it was to get an even colour from that one. I seriously need someone to hold me back from ordering more of this type of colour anyway. I have far too many as it is.

Alana Avatar

I see this lipstick reminding me of Up the Amp with just a touch of cyber. When it comes to Mac coming out with a shade of lipstick, especially with a collaborator promoting it, its going to sell out quickly. So hopefully I can get my hands on this before it does. But even if I don’t, I have enough purple-ey lipsticks by Mac (Up the Amp, Cyber, Heroine etc.) to mix on my own to get a shade very similar to Pure Heroine.

Alexa Avatar

How disappointing! I thought it would be darker. Christine, which lipstick would you recommend that looks like the mac gloss in Dark as Knight? Or just another lip product in general. I love the color, but it’s such a hassle.

Ruca Avatar

I’m so in for this one. 🙂 I’m a huge fan of Lorde, so this is one collab I have been waiting for because of the artist more than the makeup or packaging (for a change). I love the color, so I’ll see if it’s like Punk Couture and Instigator, two that I HATED when they were new, but they broke in very nicely! I sincerely thought the Punk Couture purples were the worst lipsticks I have ever tried, but after they’d been swatched numerous times, they became really pliable, and even. I’ve found a lot of MAC lipsticks that start out goofy become great with a little use… odd, but true.

Nikki Avatar

I’m surprised as well. I think I could have forgiven the streaky nature of this product and the fact that the lipstick doesn’t look like the ad if they had included a liner (lips) I feel it’s misleading overall. I’m glad you swatch and show us what it looks like, what about those who don’t see your swatches and they think they are getting something much deeper.

Ammara Avatar

I don’t like how it looks uneven, but it’s surprisingly not as dark and unwearable as I’d expected. I do wish the collection had at least something more than an eyeliner and lipstick. Maybe at least two lipsticks?
This sure makes me want to try Heroine.

Petra Avatar

The colour looks amazing! So nice! My only concern is about the retail locations. Hope they’re gonna launch it everywhere later on and not just selected locations. 🙂

Layla Avatar

Well, this is disappointing (to put it mildly). I was expecting something much, much darker, and possibly cooler-toned, and I get…this.
Keeping my money for something better (maybe Sin, or Smoked purple, now those definitely seem up my alley *-*)

A Avatar

I’m a little sad about this one. Heroine is my number one lipstick of all time… so I was hoping for something that matched normal Heroine’s glory, but this one looks iffy. I’m on the fence!

Kate Avatar

Love the colour, shame about the application. Looking forward to full review. Boo to any condescending comments, Temptalia is a safe and friendly place for those who love make up, each to their own, variety is the spice of life and everyone should be free to express themselves the way they want without any ridicule or put down. Keep rocking Christine, we love you!!!!

JJ Avatar

I was a leery about this dark shade being sold the dead of Spring as opposed to the Fall. But this shade is very wearable now. It’s pretty, but I already own Heroine. Is it worth buying Christine?

Greta Avatar

Love lorde but unfortunately we don’t neccessarily share the same taste in lipstick so I though I’d be passing for sure. This is actually something I might wear! I’ll have to see how it applies on me.

Andie Avatar

A little heartbroken. This shade doesn’t look like it has an Amplified finish at all. That was what I was most looking forward to about this purple. I guess this just confirms that I need to purchase MAC Heroine.

Ginny Avatar

I expected it to be much darker! It would probably look darker on me b/c my complexion is more like Lorde’s. I think I’ll pass, I’d prefer the finish on a purple to be matte or iridescent. I’m not crazy about purple lipsticks anyway (RiRi Boy is my only one) but if I got a craving I’d go for Heroine or Violetta before this.

Maddie Avatar

It’s nice, but it’s not what I expected! Lorde wears much darker lips. I might get it because it’s still a cool color, it’s for a good cause and it’s Lorde. I love Lorde! She’s so different in a good way. Unique.

shelley Avatar

When it comes to purple I get week in the knees so even though it didn’t get an A and its patchy….I’m bringing a tube home.

Amanda Avatar

Sorry but when I click on it it just takes me to your previous post about the collection …I can’t find it please help..so sorry

Denise Avatar

My wallet was starting to get palpitations at the thought of being dragged out for yet more lipsticks but after having seen your review it would like to pass on its deepest thanks as its going to remain in the dimmer recesses of my handbag for at least another week. Will pass on this.
Thanks for the review Christine.

Isabela Avatar

I am soooo excited for this lipstick!! As soon as I heard Lord was collaborating with Mac I knew it would be a beautiful bold color. I can’t wait to call it mine!

Andrew Avatar

This is no doubt a gorgeous shade, very reminiscent of a “grape Kool Aid”-type stain, but it’s just not interesting enough for me to grab it. I feel like I already have the colors available to mix this particular color. Maybe I’m just tainted by my enormous intrigue in Alluring Aquatic, Sharon & Kelly, and the MAC X Marge releases coming up! Beautiful shade, but definitely not as unique as its inspiration.

kisha Avatar

I guess technically if u already have heroine AND punk couture u could just mix the 2 n have lords shade lol. yup that’s what i’ll do!!

Saray Avatar

I was expecting this lipstick to have the depth and opacity of Cyber or Media (I own both and love them) because those look closer to what Lorde wears when she isn’t rocking black lips. A little part of me was hoping MAC would make a deep wine shade and call it “Glory & Gore” just because that’s my favorite song of hers. 🙂
As a fan of Sara Gilbert, I love Lorde partly because she so reminds me of Darlene from Roseanne… I’m actually watching it right now, lol. Dark, vampy lipstick is right up my alley and the fact that it’s Lorde’s special shade makes it more awesome. I can’t pass this up and I’m RIDICULOUSLY excited for the launch!

Melle Avatar

Lovely shade, indeed. Sometimes I feel a bit too shy to wear the very deep shades
(and I have a mocha complexion), but Lorde’s look restores in me the confidence
to rock those deep and rich lip colours. If she can look great in them, so can I. 🙂

Hex Avatar

it’s a nice colour. I’m a huge fan of purple lips. I have Cyber, Heroine, Boyfriend Stealer, Rimmel Kate Moss 04 and an Illamasqua bluey-grey purple called Kontrol. I like this colour but knowing Lorde and her style, I was expecting a dark colour and I definitely do not consider this a dark lip. I suppose it’s more of a spring/summer version of a dark lip. I don’t know if I’m into it. I prefer mattes anyway.

Helene Avatar

I don’t think this lipstick will make it to my MAC counters so I’ll not be able to get it. That said, I thought as a lot of others did, that it would be darker and more opaque. I love the colour, but not how it applied so I guess I’ll pass on it.
I really wanted it from the second I saw the add, and though it doesn’t look like the add it’s still a pretty colour. Pity about the application.

Mandie Avatar

Pretty but not a huge fan. The color is too similar to heroine but with diff finish. I am really waiting to be blown away by mac and this seems like this is another disappointment. UGh. I’ll pass :/

kari Avatar

i was so hoping this would be darker than what it is! i don’t own ANY purples in my lipstick collection [closest i’ve got would be mac’s diva? lol which isn’t really close at all! or occ’s black dahlia] because i don’t think purple would look good on me haha but i was willing to try this one because of lorde <3 think i might be able to mix it with a black lipstick, or would i be better off getting something like rebel or smoked purple, etc?

Tory C. Avatar

I’ve been so excited about this release, but now I’m a little unsure. I love the color but I’m worried about the application :-/

anne Avatar

this is really pretty on you! I actually find it different enough from heroine and even violetta which i also own. IF i can get it , i def will. I passed on the aquatic collection, i liked 1 lipstick but it was sheer and 1 e/s but i think i liked the pkg more lol so i can justify this lippie instead.

Emilie Avatar

Nothing too unique, in my opinion. I’m pretty disappointed in this collection, Lorde is a good idea, but she definitely has her “signature” look and it doesn’t vary much so I think doing a line based off of her is kinda hard. I’d rather just go ahead and buy the regular Heroine, to be honest. Looks less patchy and I could always use a dark liner under if I wanted it closer to the Pure Heroine shade. Still, though, if someone is a huge Lorde fan I wouldn’t be surprised if they were pretty psyched about this lipstick!

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