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MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches (Archie's Girls)

MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick
MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick

MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick ($16.50 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “bright red” with a matte finish. It’s a brightened pink-red with blue undertones and a modern matte finish. Dior Marilyn is a touch pinker. MAC Absolute Power is a smidgen darker. MAC Charmed, I’m Sure is also a touch darker. NARS Dragon Girl is cooler-toned and more matte.

This is an incredibly long-wearing red; even by red lipstick standards. It wore six hours and was still going strong, and that was after a cup of (bedtime) tea and dinner. Ronnie Red had no plans on going anywhere any time soon! When I removed it, there was quite a bit of staining left behind and some of it persisted even into early morning. Long, long-wearing.

It was very comfortable to wear, too; not at all drying, and I didn’t feel like my lips were dehydrated after the six hours I wore it for. It is fully pigmented with opaque color coverage. I didn’t experience any bleeding or feathering while I wore it. The texture is creamy enough to enable one-stroke color payoff and maneuver across the lips without pulling or dragging, but it doesn’t have a lot of slip, so it won’t move around once you’ve applied it. ย The only “downside” is that it’s a red that we’ve seen before and by MAC, to boot, in the past few months.

MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick
MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick

MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick
MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick

MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick
MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick

MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick
MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick

MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick
MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick

MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick
MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick

112 Comments

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Jules Avatar

People who already have the red lipsticks from the Marilyn Monroe collection should seriously refrain from getting this. For God’s sake, save some for the rest of us! Especially those who missed out on the Marilyn Monroe collection. You don’t need another red lipstick.

mirian Avatar

It’s already sold out online..you also need to remember people buy these to sell on ebay most of the time. I walked into MAC the day of the marilyn release and heard a woman request 6 of each item.

Lulu Avatar

Does anyone know if it’s true that MAC is taking legal action against this? I went to my local MAC store to buy the last 2 Betty Lipglasses they had, and while talking to the guy I mentioned how the only ones I could find were people who had them on ebay selling them for 4 times the price. He said as far as he knew MAC was trying to stop this and was suing. Not sure if it’e true though. Wondering if anyone had heard. It is so unfair to those of us who truly have a love of makeup, some of can’t get our hands on them quick enough because greedy people take them all.

nawal Avatar

I really hope they do take legal action. People are hoarding loads of L/E MAC items and then selling them on Ebay once it’s sold out everywhere for triple the price. Sorry honey, if I ever had to buy a pre-owned lipstick (even if it’s unused still I don’t know what you could do to it) I’m certainly not gonna pay $100 for a $15 lipstick. Maybe if it was LESS than the actual MAC pricing because it’s used then yes! like how CCO’s sell it for less because it’s old and close to expiring.

Sara Avatar

Thank you SO much for posting this! This is the only item I ordered from the collection (I have an almost unhealthy addiction to red lippies) and I’ve been waiting for a review/post from you featuring this; been hitting the refresh button for the Nth time. Looks great! Looking forward to having this. Thanks again! ๐Ÿ˜€

Roxy Avatar

This was the only item i purchased from the collection as well and did so before reading Christine’s trusty reviews. Glad i ordered after seeing she gave it a A+…now i won’t have to worry about buyers remorse with this one…as i too have an almost unhealthy addiction to red lipsticks lately! =)

Stacey Avatar

Finally…..the lipstick reviews….just too bright leaning towards orange for me….I already have absolute power….love MAC matte lipsticks.

Rachel Avatar

It looks gorgeous on you! Can you think off the top of your head how it compares to OCC’s Harlot Lip Tar? I really want to get this or Betty Bright, but not if I already have a similar color.

Stacey Avatar

Christine, just please rolling out those lipstick reviews….dying to hear what you say about them and lipglass…next thing is to put them on Mellan to get them out faster LOL.

paigest Avatar

I’m being serious… Is there seriously a color you don’t look good in? What do you think about the Viva Glam 2 did you swatch it? I’ll search your page!

Kathi Avatar

Hello Christine (:
I’ve got a question. I’ve got fair skin, darkblond hair and blue eyes. I own Russian Red, but I don’t use it that often because it’s a bit too dark for me (so I leave it my mum :D).
Do you think, that this colour would look good on me?

I hope you answer me. (:

Christine Avatar

MAC Ronnie Red Lipstick ($16.50 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a โ€œbright redโ€ with a matte finish. Itโ€™s a brightened pink-red with blue undertones and a modern matte finish. Dior Marilyn is a touch pinker. MAC Absolute Power is a smidgen darker. MAC Charmed, Iโ€™m Sure is also a touch darker. NARS Dragon Girl is cooler-toned and more matte.

Kelly Avatar

This looks and sounds like an amazing red! I keep telling myself that the last thing I need is any more red lip products but this one looks so great! I must resist the temptation!

Jessica Avatar

Hi Christine! I’m in love with this lipstick but was wondering how you think it compared to the MAC Marilyn Love Godess. I’m sensing a lot of the same pinky toned, red. Thanks in advance!

Qing Avatar

This is so pretty!!! I WANT IT NOW…I just recently purchased Chanel Pirate…should I buy this, too? Hmm…

I think it might be too bold for work…

franky.bonifacio Avatar

this lipstick with the pairing lipglass strawberrymalt I think it was is THE definition of cartoon red lips absolutely in love with the combo

Barbz Avatar

I went yesterday to try it at counter. And it’s the prettiest red ever. I had other red lipstick from Mac before but this is spot on. It’s so pretty. My favorite red so far.

Rad Avatar

I tried this lipstick today too and its probably the best red ever. Its got a slight strawberry tone so compliments my skin colour well. Love it!

Julie B Avatar

I was looking for a good dupe for this color, because I am not a big fan of matte lipsticks, and I was thinking, how would this compare (other than the finish) to Covergirl Lip Perfection in Hot?

Julia Avatar

Hi, Christine! If I have “Russian Red” and “Ruby Woo,” along with NARS “Dragon Girl,” would you say that “Ronnie Red” is an essential? I keep going back and forth in my mind… ๐Ÿ™‚ Thank you!

Rofique Avatar

Thank you soo much for this.
I’m always confused on which red shade to get from mac, i have ruby woo and russian red <3 them both.
Roonie red looks awesome, would definitely try it the next time i visit a MAC store. ๐Ÿ™‚

pucci Avatar

hi christine! i really love / praise / worship your website! ๐Ÿ™‚

hope you could answer for me as i’m deciding whether to get this or not… could you please compare this to mac red (satin) & mac eden rouge (mattene) & mac riri woo (matte) in terms of lighter/brighter/darker/warmer… thanks so much!

We try to approve comments within 24 hours (and reply to them within 72 hours) but can sometimes get behind and appreciate your patience! ๐Ÿ™‚ If you have general feedback, product review requests, off-topic questions, or need technical support, please contact us directly. Thank you for your patience!