Archived Post

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick Review, Photos, & Swatches

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick
MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick ($15.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “matte vivid lavender” with a “Retro Matte” finish. It is a medium-dark, pink-purple with a matte finish. MAC Heroine is darker, purpler. MAC Seasoned Plum is darker, less pink. MAC Up the Amp is glossier, so it appears a bit lighter, less intense when the two are swatched side-by-side, but applied, I couldn’t tell the difference aside from the finish. See comparison swatches.

The consistency was creamier than is typical of the Retro Matte formula, but it is drier and a little stiffer to work with than the matte formula (or any of the other finishes). It had full, opaque color coverage. The way it felt when I swatched seemed in line with RiRi Woo, which means it shouldn’t be drying (but not hydrating, either) and will wear for at least four hours (probably closer to six or so). I’ll be testing this one for wear later today, and I will update tomorrow with how well it holds up.

The RiRi Hearts MAC summer collection will launch June 18th at noon EST exclusively online for North America; June 20th exclusively online for international.

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick
MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick
MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick
MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick
MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick
MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick
MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick
MAC Up the Amp (left half) | RiRi Boy (right half) Lipstick

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick
MAC Up the Amp (left half) | RiRi Boy (right half) Lipstick

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick
MAC Up the Amp (left half) | RiRi Boy (right half) Lipstick

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick
MAC Up the Amp (left half) | RiRi Boy (right half) Lipstick

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick
MAC Up the Amp Lipstick

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick
MAC Up the Amp Lipstick

MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick
MAC Up the Amp Lipstick

59 Comments

Comments that do not adhere to our comment policy may be removed. Discussion and debate are highly encouraged but we expect community members to participate respectfully. Please keep discussion on-topic, and if you have general feedback, a product review request, an off-topic question, or need technical support, please contact us!

Please help us streamline the comments' section and be more efficient: double-check the post above for more basic information like pricing, availability, and so on to make sure your question wasn't answered already. Comments alerting us to typos or small errors in the post are appreciated (!) but will typically be removed after errors are fixed (unless a response is needed).

We appreciate enthusiasm for new releases but ask readers to please hold questions regarding if/when a review will be posted as we can't commit to or guarantee product reviews. We don't want to set expectations and then disappoint readers as even products that are swatched don't always end up being reviewed due to time constraints and changes in priorities! Thank you for understanding!

Comments on this post are closed.
Yasmin Avatar

I own Up The Amp and the formula is very comfortable. It’s an Amplified finish, and it moistures a bit. I personally love the lipstick for the whole thing.

Rad Avatar

Wow, it is basically Up the amp! Whats the point of releasing colours that already exist? I don’t get it. Does Rihanna have no creative ability or ideas of her own? This shade also looks so similar to “feel my pulse” in matte formula instead of creamsheen.

Christine Avatar

The inspiration seemed to be taking her favorite permanent shades but making them with a retro matte finish, so all was accomplished – but ultimately it matters why you’re buying the collection and if you like the retro matte formula/don’t have the permanent shades that inspired these ones.

Rad Avatar

Ah thanks for clarifying! I personally think the permanent shades work fine as they are. I really see no point in buying this collection for the lipsticks when you can pick up the permanent (non matte) version whenever.

Katie F Avatar

Oooh, this looks similar to a lipstick from Nyx I have – I love the color, but hate the slimy formula, so this might be just what I need! Gotta represent for the retro matte lovers. 🙂

Makeuplovah Avatar

I feel like for this collection the meeting went like this: “lets take a bunch of colors everybody has and call them something else. Lets make them matte though that way we save on the stuff that makes it shiny. Lets see how fast they gobble up this junk lol. Idiots….”

There’s nothing uniques about these items! Lol

Penluche Avatar

You can mix that color with heroine and st germain….

So sad about the lipsticks… The look very different in the preview Fotos 🙁

Kristen Avatar

Oh, that is so pretty! I’m not a Rihanna fan, but I really want that color. I have a feeling it’s going to sell out quick LOL.

Ayzee Avatar

Up the Amp doesn’t look good on me. Having it in a different formula wouldn’t make things better. I’m a bit disappointed. 🙁 I thought it’ll be vampier. Skipping.

karen Avatar

thank you so much christine for this awesome pics and putting up the amp next to riri boy! they are the same with different finishes. i hate mattes so i’ll be sticking with up the amp! u rock!!

Laudes Avatar

Yay, I got it! It was easier than getting RiRi Woo that 1st day MAC released it alone, that’s for sure. I hope it’s that way this morning for everyone who wants something from the RiRi Hearts MAC collection

I really only wanted the RiRi Boy lipstick, and now I can’t wait to try it! Up the Amp has been one of my favorites for ages now, so if RiRi Boy does stay on lips notably longer (while staying intact), I’ll be very happy with it.

Alecia Avatar

I am so glad I googled Riri Boy and Heaux lipstick review and I clicked on your website! You are very detailed with your descriptions and I like that! I wanted Riri Boy but after looking at your swatches etc I see no need for it. It almost looks like my Maybelline “Brazen Berry” but it’s more glossy. If I bought Riri Boy it would because I am in LOVE with matte lipsticks. Otherwise, I see no significant need for it. I’ll be purchasing Heaux! Thanks for the review and you’ve got a new subscriber!

Liz Avatar

I love both MAC Up The Amp and MAC RiRi Boy Lipstick. Thank you Christine for including mac up the amp, it was really a great review, it made me fell more in love with them, now I really need RiRi Boy (and its back-up) in my life, excited to get my hands on it.

Barbara Avatar

Hi Christine! First of all I love Temptalia It’s awesome. And I like your earrings too. They are super pretty. Where do you buy them? Thanks 😀

Amanda Avatar

hmm i think i prefer the finish on up the amp, im happy that nothing from this collection really speaks to me because it sounds like its been quite a frustrating experience for everyone that had wanted to order!

Kellan Avatar

So when will the release in the rose gold packageing be coming out? ( Im figuring around christmas ) . WIll it be in department stores and in the pro stores or only online . I bought this one just because i couldnt wait to try one of her limited editions any longer . I dont own up the amp and i love matte finishes so i hope i love this one 🙂

Beignet Avatar

Oh. My God. Christine, you look GREAT in this color. I am thankful for women like you showing other women that they are able to pull off these unique (and sometimes vampy) colors.

I’m def gonna pick on up for me and my girlfriend.

Dellbie Avatar

Hi christine,
Sorry if this has already been asked but how does ririboy compare to feel my pulse from the temperature rising collection?

Rachael Avatar

I love this color, but wonder how someone with my complexion could pull it off? My skin color is similar to Queen Latifah’s. 🙂

sj Avatar

Many moons ago, MAC released a limited edition retro matte called SoBe. Riri Boy seems to resemble that quite a bit, its just a tinge pinker.

Liz Avatar

I have a question and hope to get an answer, thank you, I bough both the RiRI Boy and HE AUX and when I opened to look at them they had this almost “Creamy Frosting” like blob on them. I have other MAC lipsticks and I have never see this before. So can one of you ladies please give me peace of mind and maybe explain to me what it might be and should I be concerned? and if you also purchased this lipstick , did yours have that as well?
Thank You

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! 🙂 If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!