MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick
MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick ($15.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “matte cool red [with a retro matte finish].” It’s a deep, medium-dark red with strong cool undertones and a matte finish. MAC Ruby Woo is absolutely similar–it’s very, very similar. RiRi Woo is inspired by Ruby Woo, but the difference is very slight–there’s a noticeable difference in darkness and undertone when the two are swatched side-by-side, but applied, it is incredibly difficult to tell.
Other possible dupes include: MAC Ronnie Red is pinker, has more of a sheen. Rimmel #111 is not as blue-based and has a glossier sheen. MAC Charmed, I’m Sure is pinker. MAC Runaway Red is similar in darkness but it is slightly brown in comparison. NYX Chic Red has a slight sheen but it is somewhat similar. NARS Mascate is darker and brown-toned in comparison. NARS Dragon Girl is cooler-toned.
The retro matte finish is drier and stiff; it’s the type of texture that I think you can apply best with a lip brush, because it allows you better control and precision. Because it can be stiff, it will tug/pull on the lip while you’re applying it, which means you may use too much force and it will easily jag outside the lip. The color is incredibly pigmented, though; one swipe and you will see fully opaque color coverage. RiRi Woo has Rihanna’s signature etched around the side of the lipstick itself, but there was nothing on the packaging or exterior packaging. The color is a classic, retro red with cool undertones, but if you have Ruby Woo, RiRi Woo will feel redundant. This just arrived about an hour ago, so I haven’t worn it for long, but so far it feels much like Ruby Woo, so I would expect six to eight hours of wear, some staining, and possibly be slightly drying over time.
P.S. — Watch for a giveaway of RiRi Woo soon! I purchased mine, but I received a press sample this morning, so I’ll be giving away the one I purchased here on the blog.
RiRi Woo
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick
MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick
MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick
MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick
MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick
MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick
MAC RiRi Woo Lipstick
MAC RiRi Woo (Left) / Ruby Woo (Right) Lipstick
MAC RiRi Woo (Left) / Ruby Woo (Right) Lipstick
MAC RiRi Woo (Left) / Ruby Woo (Right) Lipstick
MAC RiRi Woo (Left) / Ruby Woo (Right) Lipstick
They definitely look very very very similar. Thanks for the swatches & comparison, Christine! 🙂
they do look almost the same..BUT …RI RI WOO LOOKS LIGHTER AND BRIGHTER ON MY TAN SKIN….RUBY WOO…IS DARKER ON ME….IF YOUR FAIR…RI RI WOO LOOKS MORE ORANGE….I JUST HAD TO SHOUT THIS OUT….IT GOES WITH EVERYONE…BUT LOOKS DIFFRENT ON DIFFERENT SKIN TONES…..ON TAN SKIN ….THE BOMB!
it looks exactly the same to me….
I think the wrong photo is up? The last photo is not a comparison photo of Ruby Woo and RiRi Woo.
The last photo is showing RiRi Woo and Ruby Woo worn (one on each side of the lips) in a comparison photo of close up vs. full face 🙂
so they are very very similar that the person didnt notice it!
At first I thought it was the wrong photo too! Wow, they’re *just* the same on the lips.
Its nice, I will stick with russian red though this is too bright for me.
Agree. Too bright and I don’t like what Rihanna stands for. Pass.
I couldn’t agree more!!!
Never gonna buy something she advertises, produces or helps create.
Nice to know Im not the only one who thinks this. The world isnt as blind as I feared! 😉
What does she stand for thats so bad? I love her music since the beginning and I think shes very open like her song S&M shes just letting people in to her life.
Their bashing her for her personal choices. I might not agree with them but stop bashing her for them. She a human being and not a politician.
She told everyone to get out of her life after she went back to the man who beat the crap out of her.
Her relationships are her business, but she’s a terrible role model for making such a public mess out of her personal affairs.
Also, that S&M song was in the worst of taste considering how soon it was released after those pictures of her with her face split open were all over the news.
I agree. I respect she makes her own life choices, but I can only cringe at the role model she portrays to her underage fans.
I personally lost respect for her when she came out with s and m and hated her when her “found love in a hopeless place” video aired. So I too will not support her. As for Ruby Woo, I am a Russian Red girl but use Ruby Woo on my clients.
thank you so much for the review! i’m glad i bought this now, i love my matte reds and this will be such a nice addition to my collection!
It’s Ruby Woo ! Well, I’ll skip I have many red lipsticks so I prefer the Temperature Rising ones.
wow! was waiting for your review. i love riri and don’t own ruby woo so i’ll get it with the special packaging whenever that comes out but, if i had ruby woo, i’d definitely pass.
My thoughts exactly!! I love Rihanna and was reeeeally tempted to buy this the first time around because I don’t have Ruby Woo, but I’m truly a sucker for special packaging so I’ll gladly wait for that. Knowing Rihanna’s style, the packaging should be pretty nice!
OMG…too similar to Ruby Woo!!
I’m disappointed….
I had to examine that swatch picture very, very carefully to see the dividing line between the lipsticks. It’s not the same – and I theoretically prefer Riri to Ruby, since it’s a bit darker and less pink – but there is really no difference at all from a normal viewing distance.
Yeah, it’s very, very hard to see it applied and unless you’re looking. I think only in certain lighting is even distinguishable. At my desk, looking in a mirror, I can’t tell at all.
I love your review, but I feel like this is a huge dissapointment! There was a lot ofhype with the collaboration, just for it to be almost the same! Lol
I cannot wait to get RiRi Woo soon! It looks amazing on you!
I really can´t see the difference… Is Ruby Woo with Rihanna´s signature… I´m waiting for the dark red.
I think it’s kinda cool that it’s Rihanna-inspired but it really bugs me that it’s so similar to Ruby Woo. Thanks for the comparison swatch! I don’t have Ruby Woo so I could buy RiRi Woo without it being bright red overkill but… I think I only want it b/c I think Rihanna is sorta cool and I love her red lip look. I have so many reds as is.
I wish it had been a shade or two darker – just something maybe deeper and darker than Ruby Woo to make it different enough 🙂
I totally agreed with you on this one Christine. I thought it was a little deeper or darker than ruby woo. But it turns out to be the same…I’m glad I didn’t bother to purchase it. It’s way too bright for my own taste. I’ll stay with my viva glam 1 thank you!
It’s gorgeous-but I have Ruby Woo-so I’m not too sorry that I missed out
Ohhhhhh Christineeeee 🙂 loveeeeee you in this 😀 and with allll the lip colors dear 🙂
heyyyyyy i managed to get TT stuff 😀 😀
your fav liner yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa
now i guess only CDP # 2 gloss is left in my vanity which is your fav :D:D
ahhhhhh made a big hole in my pocket but eveyrthing is fair in love 😀
Yayy!! I hope you love the eyeliner 🙂
I have Ruby Woo and Ronnie Red so I’ll pass on this one especially since there isn’t any “spacial” packaging
OMG….This is Ruby Woo….I love this schade soooo much but I am dissapointed…
I get one RiRi Woo and my Mom too…
xoxo
I’m not much of a fan of Rihanna, so I wasn’t going to purchase this anyway, but it’s really disappointing how similar they are. I hope the next shades coming out are a little more creative.
Like I said to the girl at the MAC counter today, I’ll just get Ruby Woo with my next B2MAC. Much more excited about my Candy Yum Yum today! 😀
This color looks PERFECT for your complexion!!
Oh this is so weird. On you it doesn’t look so cool. I saw the swatch and the lipstick on another blog today and I commented that it would look too harsh on me. But when I see it now, I am pretty sure it would work.
i like ruby woo better, it looks a tad richer in color. and it will be easier to get. I have never really realized how pretty it is. Thanks for posting!
I would have loved if RiRI Woo was the same color as Ruby Woo but in a more modern matte formula. I hate the formula of Ruby Woo but love the color! Oh well…
So disappointed! I love Ruby Woo it’s my second favourite red after Russian Red. I was really hoping that RiRi Woo would be a kind of inbetween. Like Ruby Woo but a bit of a darker and deeper tone, but not as dark as Russian Red. RiRi and Ruby look literally identical to me! Wish I hadn’t ordered it now.
I see nothing special about this lipstick.
RiRi woo is my first red lipstick and I’m excited to try it out since I’ve heard so many good things about Ruby Woo 🙂
Very pretty! But I will probably just purchase Ruby Woo since I don’t own it yet!
Hmmmm….maybe it’s the lighting, but other swatches I have seen so far makes it look a little darker than it appears in your pics. I don’t own Ruby Woo so either way I don’t have the disappointment that those who do own it would have. I’m actually NOT a RiRi fan so I’m good with the packaging not having anything too distinctive to it (other than the signature but I can ignore that lol). I’m a little sad that the next release is supposed to have some other lip colors in the special packaging because if the rumors are true that there will be a twist on Up The Amp in the mix and a darker purple then I will have to get those despite the packaging lol.
Wow, they do look very similar. I love Rih and was definitely going to purchase Riri Woo, but I own Ruby Woo and now I’m having second thoughts. But then there’s my deep love for Rihanna that makes me reconsider lol. Is there a such thing as too many red lippies? Serious question
Never 🙂
Haha! Dodged that bullet! Oh MAC.. You did it on the fans again with all the hype..
LOL. Yes they did, they did indeed. SMH. Good business model, though, not going to lie.
My curiosity is not so much the difference in coloration only, but is the RiRi just as drying as the original Ruby Woo?
The texture is exactly the same! The wear, now that it’s been about five hours, is the same, too. Somewhat drying, though RiRi Woo seems less drying than Ruby Woo.
I only spot the difference with the swatch — very hard to tell.
Will this be in stores in June?
That’s what it sounded like from MAC but there isn’t much official info at this time!
Absolutely no difference that I can tell…
Hmmm…little disappointing that there is not much of a difference, but guess Ruby Woo was pretty close to classic red. Anyways didn’t have Ruby Woo so ordered Riri Woo. Waiting for it to come! Hope it looks nice on me!
My Lipstick arrived today…love love love it. It is such an awesome red and looks perfect. I guess I am liking it so much because I didn’t have Ruby Woo but I am happy with this purchase!
the foundation you’re wearing is awesome. it looks like great coverage and very natural finish and look
fail to see how this is special.
Thanks a lot Christine for the review & swatches.I really tried hard to get RiRi Woo but it was Sold Out..I love Ruby Woo a lot and I believe its dry finish is its X-factor! It instantly makes the rest of ur face brighter. They are so so similar but still, I would love to own RiRi Woo!!
Thanks for the post, Christine! I ordered one because I didn’t have Ruby Woo so I guess I won’t need it.
Bless you for this review! I have Ruby Woo, so I’m going to return or sell RiRi Woo when I finally get it.
It seems exactly like I expected it to be, (almost) the same colour as Ruby Woo but with Rihanna’s signature engraved on the bullet.
1. Ruby Woo doesn’t suit me (don’t know why people say it’s a universally flattering red) so I guess this won’t suit me either. Sticking with Lady Danger.
2. Not buying anything Rihanna is selling, sorry.
I alerted all my young family members and co workers to get it online and also directed them to your blog :). They either love or hate RiRi, but they were all curious about the lipstick (lol). “Auntie Erica” deliberately passed on RiRi and will keep wearing her Ruby Woo. Frankly, I prefer my Mac Minerialized Rich lipstick in “So Gorgeous”. Aptly named and so moisturizing. I love it.
I’ve been like staring at the swatch with both lipsticks for, like, 10 minutes now. I don’t see any difference at all :/
me neither!
RiRi Woo looks even drier than Ruby Woo…no sheen at all!
To my eye, RiRi Woo seems a smidgeon darker and more matte than Ruby Woo, but the difference is so miniscule, it makes any argument for significant distinction futile.
It looks too dry, I think I’ll just pass on this. I’m not a fan of how matte lipsticks make my lips look very dry after an hour.
Jealous of how well you pull of reds! This looks like it might be slightly easier than Ruby Woo (as slightly as the teensey difference between the two anyways!) for paler people with cool undertones to wear. I missed it before it sold out (both US & UK releases!) but I’m gonna grab it & give it a try next time!
I would say this is exactly like Ruby Woo…which i have btw…… the swatches are hardly different from each other….it just looks as if one was swatched heavier than the other….i was actually on my way to check out this lipstick when it came out on the website, i’m glad I changed my mind!!! Most people mention the drying texture……Strange enough I find this the one characteristic that enables ME to wear this lipstick comfortably, else it would be all over my teeth…..which I hate!!! 🙂
I feel like people either LOVE retro matte or HATE it. I constantly hear those views, either it’s the best finish of all time or, “I wish it wasn’t so matte!”
Aw, I really wish this was more different than Ruby Woo. I know a lot of people don’t like the retro matte formula, but I LOVE it (hate creamy lipsticks – I feel like they’re sliding all over my face!) and would die for more colors in that formula.
LOL ladies, save yourself the headache and just get ruby woo if you like this color. Nothing even remotely different between the two smh.
Geez, they’re twins!
Well that’s awesome, now I don’t feel bad I missed it.
hye Christine.what happened to ur website It seems there slight glitch occurs. I can’t find the picture of yours ( I mean the picture of your face with the lipstick you’re using on your lips ). Its quite difficult to differentiate the difference between some products without the pictures.
Look at here http://www.temptalia.com/nars-mascate-pure-matte-lipstick-review-photos-swatches#image1
AND HERE
http://www.temptalia.com/guerlain-garconne-rouge-g-lipstick-review-photos-swatches
please do something on it. Really appreciate it.
Hi Dewi!
Some older posts do not have them, unfortunately!
i can’t tell the difference 🙁 maybe buying this would be for the pride, not the need of the colour
hi christine!
do you know whether it will be instores for the holiday collection? thanks!
I’m really not sure – they haven’t given more info out yet!
Looks exactly the same to Ruby Woo, not worth it.
Wouldn’t buy anything related to Rihanna, but still expected this shade to be somehow unique. Pictured it darker. Certainly didn’t expect it to mimic Ruby Woo! Disappointing, especially with all the hype out there.
I honestly can’t tell the difference between the two. I’ve always loved Ruby Woo’s color, but the finish and dryness have always turned me away. Pity, because the color is gorgeous. >:
I like the shade, but the lipsticks itself looks drying. I wish it was in a different finish though, say a modern matte, which will make it more wearable for most people.
Christine, in your last photos (where your lips are shown side by side to compare Riri Woo and Ruby), I’m seeing bare lips on the left.
The photo with the lipstick is half RiRi Woo and half Ruby Woo 🙂 It’s just like a regular comparison photo – it’s just that I’m wearing two lipsticks on my lips so you can see them at the exact same moment and lighting/angle!
Oh. Thank you for clearing that up. 🙂 In that case, I can’t really see any difference between the two.
Thanks for the quick review/swatches!! If I owned Ruby Woo it would only add to my disappointment. MAC made no effort whatsoever, with the product, photos of the product, color, packaging, and website… The virtual queue to order was ridiculous. They couldn’t even increase their web servers temporarily, for an online exclusive launch…& Not even one photo with RiRi wearing her lipstick on maccosmetics.com. Christine, you should run MAC cosmetic’s website.. you would do a far better job.
Aww, thank you 🙂
Forget the website, just run MAC instead. I’m now convinced that Estee Lauder is ripping off MAC fans, and that it is time the fans take some action against that.
I’ll cheers to that – Christine running MAC! It will be sooooo organized! =D
Yep, its mine, just gotta wait till next month i think!!
Mac and their “Malibu Stacey with a hat” syndrome all over again. I guess if you’re a huge Rihana fan and don’t own Ruby Woo its all good.
If I owned Ruby Woo it would only add to my disappointment. MAC made no effort whatsoever, with the promo photos of the product, color, packaging, and website… The virtual queue to order was ridiculous. They couldn’t even increase their web servers temporarily for an online exclusive launch…
Ruby Woo didn’t work for me, so I’m definitely not interested in this. I do think it is kind of offensive for MAC to repackage something that already exists (because let’s face it this is basically Ruby Woo), put a celebrity’s name on it, then sell it as if we can be fooled that easily. They would not have released this color were it not for the fact that Rihanna’s name is on it. This just adds to my dislike of the company.
Thanks for this review! I couldn’t see any difference in the comparison photo but looking closer Ruby Woo is slightly brighter. I already have that so won’t be purchasing RiRi Woo.
Ruby Woo can be drying, so I always apply a slick of clear lip balm beforehand. It glides on easier without dragging your lips, lasts longer and makes the lipstick look glossier! I love the colour but not a fan of a completely matte finish 🙂
Sorry if this sounds dumb but are you comparing the top lip with the bottom lip when u say left and right? I think the top lip looks darker and the bottom lip is brighter. I really like the darker color since i have lime crimes velvetines Red velvet and its very similar and looks like a dupe though i personally dont buy from that company.
Nope! The left side (your left) and the right side – straight down the middle, as if you cut my lips in half!
Can’t stand Rihanna so wouldn’t purchase anything with her stamp on it anyway….but my gosh, this looks as dry as the desert. But you can definitely rock the reds, Christine!
This is on its way to me, and I am already disappointed. I thought it would be a vibrantly darker version of Ruby Woo, to attract those who considered purchasing Ruby Woo, but found it not dark or deep enough for their skintone, like myself. I rarely get sucked into the MAC hype, but this time I got taken.
I think it’s gorgeous, though so similar to Ruby Woo it does seem a little silly. Maybe the idea was more to just give it a Rihanna inspired name than actually create a new shade?
Is Riri Woo retro matte, or just matte? Also, I checked your review of Ruby Woo (under the Fall Colour collection) and it seems like Ruby Woo is darker. But that might just be the lighting in the photo. Anyway, thank you for your efforts! I always rely on your reviews whenever I have second thoughts. 🙂
Retro Matte!
The color is gorgeous, but RiRi Woo looks so dry it’s making my lips hurt just to look at your photos, Christine! I guess it’s the retro matte texture, but yikes!
OMG! I just wasted $16. I was so excited about the retro matte texture I bought it asap. What is the point if its a cool red. THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT RUBY WOO IS. Ugh…. Someone smack me…
Whoa! I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing. Looking at the color is hurting my eyes!!! Maybe it’s the white backdrop. Beautiful color, very dupable obviously for something that’s already permanent. Consumers might want it just because of who the name of the color is affiliated to. MAC sure knows how to get consumers to buy into their products if this was sold out very quickly.
I am excited to get this tomorrow. The colors are very similar. That’s why I got Riri Woo because I never tried Ruby Woo. I do feel you don’t need both since they look practically the same on the lips!!
if you guys think riri woo or ruby woo is too bright, and you want a red lipstick thats matte, please give the Viva Glam #1 a try! its 100% donation to the mac aids fund and is a gorgeous classic red. i like it better than russian red but they are very comparable.
I don’t have Ruby woo… Was waiting for this… Now, looks like I’ll wait for your giveaway!!!! 😉
really very good review. thanks for comparing them side by side. couldn’t tell the diff!!!
So I went to times square to get my riri woo.
Disappointment. I swatches against ruby. Walked around.
Literally decided against it. It’s almost the same. Bought a pro long wear eye shadow and a new pro palette instead lol.
If you own ruby. You pretty much own riri. It’s tooooooo slight of a difference and the more I think about it it’s one of those “emperor’s new clothes” hypes….
excited for ruby woo
EXACTLY THE SAME PLESE DONT WAIT UP FOR THE LAUNCH AGAIN IN JUNE GO AHEAD AND GET RUBY WOO NO WAITING NO TROUBLE THE SIMILARITY IS JUST TOO CLOSE SHE JUST TOOK AN IDEA THAT WAS ALREADY OUT AND STAMPED HER NAME ON IT LEAVE IT TRUST ME
I would wear it with an old 60’s pinup look
Hi Christine! I’m a sucker for packaging, any idea whether I should wait until Mac launches the special packaging for riri woo and heaux or should I just get it immediately in the June 7 launch? Do you know whether Mac will actually launch riri woo in special packaging or not? I’m a temptalian, I listen to everything you say! Hahaha
Hi Joyce!
I really don’t have any official info on the next portion of RiRi Woo, so I have no idea!
I’d wear it with a light bronze eye look with winged eyeliner and mascara
I already had Ruby Woo. I was excited to see what riri would come out with. Im not a big fan of hers but i love her funky style. I was hoping for a bit more edge but this is no lie exactly the same. The diff you have to see it with a magnifying glass. If you have ruby woo skip it…f not you can just grab this for the nice signature on the side. =)
I have heard riri woo is less drying than ruby woo. Thoughts? I don’t own either so debating which one to get.
RiRi Woo is definitely less drying!
Just got mine today! RiRi Woo is definitely more different on yellow undertoned skin, at least for me. It is richer and darker in color on my skin. The matte finish is more comfortable for me to wear than Ruby Woo. Love it!
Just as an FYI, I am yellow-toned 🙂 I am glad it is better for you, Euni!