Here are the remaining three new shades from the MAC Retro Matte Collection, which will launch online the week of September 3rd and in-stores on September 12th (North America), and September 2013 for international locations.

Relentlessly Red is described as a “bright pinkish coral matte.”  It’s a brightened, medium-dark coral-red that almost looks cool-toned on me.  It had opaque color payoff, and the consistency was slightly dry with some drag when applied but with firm pressure, it will slide across lips well enough.  It lasted seven hours and left a stained behind.  It was somewhat drying.  MAC All Fired Up is definitely similar at a glance, and I think their undertones are slightly different, so it’s going to be a shade that may look more or less similar depending on your coloring and natural color of your lips.  All Fired Up is slightly pinker, less red/warm-toned but just barely. MAC Party Parrot is pinker. MAC Love Goddess is less matte. Guerlain Gigi is pinker, less matte. Guerlain Gourmandise is less red.  See comparison swatches.

Runway Hit is described as a “light nude matte.”  It’s a light-medium coral with a hint of pink, warm undertones, and a matte finish. It had mostly opaque color, and I always find the lighter shades to be less forgiving on lips–somehow they’re a little drier.  This shade wore well for four and a half hours and did not stain.  It was slightly drying when worn for me and faded unevenly.  MAC Flavour is slightly lighter. NARS Bolero is lighter. NARS Montego Bay is not quite as matte. See comparison swatches.

Steady Going is described as a “light pink matte.”  It’s a cool-toned, blue-based, cotton candy pink with a matte finish.  It had opaque color coverage, but like Runway Hit it felt drier and was less forgiving on the lips.  It wore for four and a half hours but was slightly drying during that time.  I noticed that both shades faded somewhat unevenly and left more color on the outer edge of the lip. MAC Raspberry Swirl is lighter, less matte. Maybelline Pink Pop is less matte. MAC Asian Flower is purpler, less matte. MAC Divine Choice is less blue-based, less matte.  MAC Pink Nouveau is less matte, cooler-toned. MAC Naughty Saute is less matte, slightly more blue-based. See comparison swatches.

Repeated from part one:

The MAC Retro Matte Collection brings back MAC’s Retro Matte with a vengeance, as it includes seven new shades in the finish. The collection will launch online the week of September 3rd and in-stores on September 12th (North America), and September 2013 for international locations. There is some uncertainty whether all shades are permanent or only some; the answer I received from MAC’s PR was some, which is what I’ve gone with, but the nearest counter/store are both saying all are permanent. Each lipstick retails for $15.00 and contains 0.10 oz.

If you love the Retro Matte formula, then enjoy and purchase these–I felt like these four were consistent with the formula in general, though creamier than a Retro Matte from five years ago (or older), and are similar to the consistencies of the Retro Matte finishes released with RiRi Loves MAC. The real downside to the Retro Matte formula (in my experience, of course) is that they are drying. I’ve worn nothing but these since getting them on the 29th, and if it weren’t for catching up on hydration while I was sleeping (thank you, Jack Black!), it would be difficult to keep wearing this formula back-to-back. They have great pigmentation and wear exceptionally long, but for me, I would rather wear a more hydrating formula, or if I was aiming for matte, a formula that isn’t drying (Burberry Lip Velvets come to mind).

The always lovely xSparkage has a fantastic tutorial on making your lip color last that uses loose powder (and lip pencil) to really set and lock down the lip color, which also makes it appear matte, that can pretty much turn most of your favorite lipsticks into a long-wearing, mostly matte version. This is the same thing I do when I need all-day color and want to touch up very, very minimally (like at a conference).

MAC Relentlessly Red Lipstick

MAC Relentlessly Red Lipstick

MAC Relentlessly Red Lipstick

MAC Relentlessly Red Lipstick

MAC Relentlessly Red Lipstick

MAC Relentlessly Red Lipstick

MAC Runway Hit Lipstick

MAC Runway Hit Lipstick

MAC Runway Hit Lipstick

MAC Runway Hit Lipstick

MAC Runway Hit Lipstick

MAC Runway Hit Lipstick

MAC Steady Going Lipstick

MAC Steady Going Lipstick

MAC Steady Going Lipstick

MAC Steady Going Lipstick

MAC Steady Going Lipstick

MAC Steady Going Lipstick