MAC Red Nutcracker Sweet Lipstick Kit ($35.00 for 0.24 oz.) contains four, miniature sized lipsticks–all shades from the permanent range. If you love your bolder shades, it’s a nice set–it might say “Red” but it is actually a mix of orange, red, burgundy, and berry. I’d say it’s more like a “bold” set than a red set.

The lipsticks come in a small box with a plastic, pull-out drawer. Each lipstick is 0.06 oz., so it’s 60% of the amount you get in a full-sized lipstick, and I think the value is there–it’s not a value-packed set, but you get more than you’re paying for and get four shades for a little more than the price of two. If you fall in love with one shade, you can repurchase it later as well, which is always nice. I didn’t have any issues using the minis directly from the tube, as sometimes minis can break more easily. The shades were very consistent with the individual permanent versions I have, and as I just swatched MAC’s permanent line a few months ago, the lip swatches and full face photos are from then (the swatches are of the actual minis).

Value

• Lipstick: $17.00 for 0.10 oz. or $170.00/oz.
• Total Value: $40.80

Lady Danger is a bright, medium-dark orange-red with warm undertones and a satin finish. The consistency was lightly creamy but did not feel slick or emollient, so there was little shine and a heavier feel overall. It applied fairly evenly, though I noticed a touch of color settling into lip lines. The color wore for six hours, left a stain behind, and was neither drying nor hydrating. NARS Heat Wave (P, $26.00) is darker (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Jagger (LE, $36.00) is lighter (95% similar). Dose of Colors Hot Fire (LE, $18.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Bobbi Brown Sunset Orange (P, $40.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Chanel Ardente (48) (P, $45.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Dior Forever Dior (999) (P, $45.00) is darker, cooler (95% similar). Make Up For Ever C403 (DC, $22.00) is lighter (90% similar). ColourPop First Class (LE, $6.50) is lighter, cooler, glossier (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Flame (06) (P, $55.00) is glossier (95% similar). ColourPop Cruella (LE, $8.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Viva Glam Miley Cyrus 2 (LE, $19.00) is lighter, more muted, cooler (90% similar). Dior Trafalgar (844) (P, $34.00) is glossier (95% similar). MAC Fashion Legacy (P, $21.00) is darker, more muted, less glossy (90% similar). Estee Lauder Carnal (P, $32.00) is glossier (90% similar). Lisa Eldridge Velvet Morning (LE, $36.00) is lighter (90% similar). Bite Beauty Cayenne (DC, $26.00) is darker (95% similar). Bite Beauty Aries (LE, $26.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Maybelline Orange Danger (DC, $7.49) is darker, less glossy (90% similar). Dolce and Gabbana Fire (610) (P, $33.00) is glossier (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Tell Laura (P, $37.00) is lighter (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Red is a bright, medium-dark pinky-red with cool, blue undertones and a satin sheen. It had semi-opaque color payoff–you could see my lip freckle peeking through–and an even translucency, so the natural lip color will come through slightly, but it is still a more dramatic color on the lips. The consistency was a little stiff initially but became softer with use. It wore well for six hours, left a strong stain behind, and was a touch drying. MAC Como La Flor (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). Bobbi Brown Imperial Red (DC, $37.00) is glossier (95% similar). Tarte Firework (P, $22.00) is warmer (95% similar). Clinique Cherry Pop (P, $19.50) is less shimmery, lighter (95% similar). Chanel Memoire (224) (P, $37.00) is glossier (95% similar). Make Up For Ever Raspberry Red (401) (P, $24.00) is darker (95% similar). MAC Ronnie Red (LE, $19.00) is darker, more muted (95% similar). Chanel La Precieuse (317) (LE, $45.00) is warmer (95% similar). Maybelline Rich Ruby (P, $7.99) is warmer (95% similar). MAC Give Me Fever (P, $23.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Stunner (LE, $19.00)(90% similar). ColourPop Jingle (LE, $7.00) is lighter (95% similar). Smashbox Unzipped (P, $21.00) is less glossy (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Red Carpet Red (P, $37.00) is warmer, glossier (95% similar). Chanel Rouge Tentation (169) (P, $45.00) is more muted (95% similar). Estee Lauder Boldface (P, $32.00) is lighter (95% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Fucking Fabulous (LE, $60.00) is less shimmery, lighter, warmer (90% similar). MAC Charlotte (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar). MAC Damn Glamorous (LE, $19.00) is lighter (95% similar). MAC Kinky (LE, $19.00) is warmer (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Diva is a medium-dark burgundy with warm, red-brown undertones and a satin finish. The pigmentation was nearly opaque, while the texture was lightly creamy with a light-medium weight to it–enough density that it covered well and felt smooth on the lips. It lasted for six hours, stained my lips noticeably, and was slightly drying after four hours of wear. Milani I Am Strong (P, $6.99) is cooler (90% similar). L'Oreal Le Plum Dominant (P, $13.99) is cooler (95% similar). ColourPop Sarah (LE, $10.00) is lighter (95% similar). Lancome Pigeon Blood Ruby (481) (P, $32.00) is warmer, glossier (95% similar). Revlon In the Zone (P, $12.39) is lighter (95% similar). Maybelline Smoking Red (DC, $7.49) is cooler (95% similar). NARS Bette (P, $34.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar). Make Up For Ever M500 (DC, $22.00) is darker (85% similar). MAC Dreaming of You (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (85% similar). MAC Runner (LE, $19.00) is darker (95% similar). Tarte Manbun (P, $20.00) is darker (95% similar). Giorgio Armani Nightberry (201) (P, $38.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Guerlain Dusty Brown (940) (P, $36.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar). Chanel Attraction (494) (P, $37.00) is more shimmery, warmer, glossier (90% similar). Guerlain Black Red (910) (P, $36.00) is cooler (90% similar). Urban Decay Hex (DC, $18.00) is darker (90% similar). Kaleidos Rubino (P, $12.00) is darker, more muted (90% similar). Bite Beauty Espresso Brava (P, $28.00) is darker, cooler (90% similar). ColourPop Energy Field (LE, $7.00) is less glossy (90% similar). ColourPop Boarding Pass (LE, $5.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

Rebel is a medium-dark berry with cooler, pink undertones and a natural finish. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that covered evenly, but the natural lip color will come through and have some impact on the overall tone of the lipstick. The texture was lightly creamy, thin but not uncomfortable, and lasted for six hours. It left behind a stain as well, and it felt a little hydrating. Givenchy Purple Fiction (07) (P, $34.00) is lighter (95% similar). Urban Decay Venom (DC, $18.00) is lighter (90% similar). MAC Joie de Vivre (P, $23.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Ingrid (LE, $36.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). Charlotte Tilbury Hel's Bells (P, $37.00) is lighter, less glossy (90% similar). Too Faced Berry Naughty (DC, $22.00) is more shimmery, darker, more muted (90% similar). Urban Decay Afterdark (DC, $18.00) is darker, more muted (85% similar). Urban Decay Venom (DC, $22.00) is darker (95% similar). YSL Forbidden Burgundy (12) (DC, $34.00) is glossier (95% similar). Bite Beauty Acai Smash (P, $24.00) is less shimmery, lighter (90% similar). Tom Ford Beauty Violet Fatale (P, $57.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar). Hourglass Protector (P, $32.00) is lighter (90% similar). Estee Lauder Sly Ingenue (430) (P, $32.00) is more muted (90% similar). Bite Beauty Supreme (DC, $24.00) is lighter (85% similar). ColourPop Too Sexy (LE, $7.00) is less glossy (90% similar). Maybelline Berry Bossy (DC, $7.49) is darker, cooler (90% similar). Estee Lauder Insolent Plum (P, $32.00) is glossier (95% similar). Gucci Beauty Bitter Grape (DC, $39.00) is more shimmery (95% similar). MAC Acai (LE, $19.00) is less glossy (90% similar). MAC Quelle Surprise (LE, $19.00) is cooler (95% similar). Top 20 dupes listed, see the rest. See comparison swatches / view dupes side-by-side.

MAC Red Nutcracker Sweet Lipstick Kit

MAC Red Nutcracker Sweet Lipstick Kit

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