MAC Studio Nail Lacquer ($12.00 for 0.34 fl. oz.) is the brand’s latest nail polish formula that is supposed to be brand new. The bottle looks the same as before with a black, rubberized cap and clear glass bottle in a cylindrical shape. MAC has widened the brush that uses what seems like (at least to me) finer strands, because I definitely noticed an improvement in application across the board. I didn’t have any wear issues with MAC’s formula in the past, but the polishes often looked streaky and uneven, and the bristles of the brush just seemed too sharply cut or too thick, contributing to streakiness. The brush is wider but not too wide; it fits well on the nail, even my pinky nail, and you can press and flatten it across the nail so that it splays out and you can get almost coverage across the entire nail in one stroke. (This, of course, will vary depending on the width of your nail bed.) I’ve tested seven shades for wear, and they all lasted seven days with minor tip wear for me, which is the norm for me–almost nothing chips on me.

MAC Rebel Nail Lacquer ($12.00 for 0.34 fl. oz.) is described as a “midtone rich plum [with a Cream finish].” It’s a medium-dark, warm-toned berry purple with a cream finish. It was fully opaque after two coats, and it wasn’t too thick or too thin. The consistency was easy to work with, and I didn’t have issues with the polish streaking or pooling along the edges. In the previous formula, Rebel was somewhat streaky, so there was a definite improvement here (which I owe a lot to the brush, as it is wider, better cut, and seems to use much finer strands). MAC Dayflower (LE, $16.00) is a touch darker, warmer. Rescue Beauty Lounge Bruised (LE, $20.00) is slightly warmer. China Glaze Traffic Jam (LE, $7.50) is cooler-toned. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

MAC Sour Cherry Nail Lacquer ($12.00 for 0.34 fl. oz.) is described as a “dark berry red [with a Cream finish].” It’s a medium-dark, cool-toned red with a cream finish. It was mostly opaque after two coats, but in brighter lighting, there was a very faint hint of visible nail line. The finish came across as almost a jelly-cream hybrid that leaned towards cream. It applied beautifully, though, and it dried down to a smooth, even, high-shine finish. This shade wore well for seven days and had only minor tip wear. Revlon Bordeaux (P, $4.99) is cooler-toned, darker. Tom Ford Beauty Trophy Wife (LE, $32.00) is slightly brighter. NARS Lost Red (LE, $19.00) is brighter. MAC RiRi Woo (LE, $16.00) is similar. MAC Stage Red (LE, $16.00) is darker. Illamasqua Throb (P, $17.00) is similar. Chanel Suspicious (P, $27.00) is cooler-toned, pinker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

MAC Shirelle Nail Lacquer ($12.00 for 0.34 fl. oz.) is described as a “classic bright red [with a Cream finish].” It’s a medium, brightened red with subtle cool undertones and a cream finish. It’s fully opaque in two coats (almost in one!). The consistency wasn’t too thick or too thin, and it applied without streaking or pooling along the edges. NARS Lost Red (LE, $19.00) is darker. MAC RiRi Woo (LE, $16.00) is more muted. MAC Touch of Red (LE, $16.00) is similar. MAC Flaming Rose (P, $16.00) is pinker. Guerlain Rouge d’Enfer (P, $23.00) is similar. Cult Nails Evil Queen (P, $12.00) is more neutral. Zoya Sooki (P, $9.00) Butter London Pillar Box Red (P, $15.00) is slightly darker. See comparison swatches / view dupes.

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MAC Rebel Nail Lacquer

MAC Rebel Nail Lacquer

MAC Rebel Nail Lacquer

MAC Rebel Nail Lacquer

MAC Rebel Nail Lacquer

MAC Rebel Nail Lacquer

MAC Rebel Nail Lacquer

MAC Sour Cherry Nail Lacquer

MAC Sour Cherry Nail Lacquer

MAC Sour Cherry Nail Lacquer

MAC Sour Cherry Nail Lacquer

MAC Sour Cherry Nail Lacquer

MAC Sour Cherry Nail Lacquer

MAC Sour Cherry Nail Lacquer

MAC Shirelle Nail Lacquer

MAC Shirelle Nail Lacquer

MAC Shirelle Nail Lacquer

MAC Shirelle Nail Lacquer

MAC Shirelle Nail Lacquer

MAC Shirelle Nail Lacquer

MAC Shirelle Nail Lacquer