MAC Ruby Taboo & Works Like a Charm Lipglasses Reviews & Swatches
Ruby Taboo
MAC Ruby Taboo Lipglass ($19.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a darker, orange-copper with flecks of larger copper sparkle and some pinkish-red sparkle throughout. It had semi-sheer color coverage, which could have applied more evenly as some of the sparkles seemed more prone to clumping up and settling into my deeper lip lines. The texture was thicker, definitely tacky, but smooth and spreadable. It lasted well for five hours and was moisturizing over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Autumn Russet (P, $21.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Pat McGrath Lunar Bronze (P, ) is more shimmery, more pigmented (90% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Atomic (400) (LE, $29.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Hot Love (P, $20.00) is lighter, more pigmented (85% similar).
- Urban Decay Dirty Talk (P, $20.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler (85% similar).
- Smashbox Rose Magic (LE, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Smashbox Moscow Muled (P, $24.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$19.00/0.1 oz. - $190.00 Per Ounce
The Lipglass formula is supposed to be “pigmented, very shiny and can impart subtle or dramatic color” that can be worn “on its own, over lip pencil or lipstick” and will “condition lips.” MAC could use an update on the description as some shades are more pigmented than others but several are sheerer and likely intended to be that way. The formula has a very glossy, high-shine finish with a light-medium weight and moderate tackiness.
I have found that newer Lipglasses (over the last couple of years) are smoother and not quite as tacky as the formula was many years ago. They wear from three to six hours on me and are usually lightly hydrating. MAC recently updated the shade range and packaging for the range (though the formula was said to be unchanged), so worth noting is that with that packaging change came a reduction in quantity to 0.10 fl. oz. (was 0.17 fl. oz.), which may matter for some but not everyone.
Browse all of our MAC Lipglass swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax Copernicia Cerifera Cera Cire De Carnauba, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Silica, Titanium/Titanium Dioxide, Alumina, Propylene Carbonate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Vanillin, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Bronze Powder (Ci 77400), Carmine (Ci 75470), Copper Powder (Ci 77400), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 6 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 21 Lake (Ci 45380), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), Yellow 5 (Ci 19140), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Ruby Taboo
LELimited Edition. $19.00.
Explore Temptalia
See all of this year's holiday products rated from best of worst! Plus, our gift guides! Read now.
Works Like a Charm
MAC Works Like a Charm Lipglass ($19.00 for 0.1 oz.) is a brighter, pinky-lavender with warmer undertones and cooler, icy lavender pearl throughout. It had medium color payoff, which was somewhat buildable, but it was definitely not “pigmented” off the bat–not particularly unusual for the formula as the pigmentation does vary a lot (though the brand doesn’t indicate that, unfortunately).
The texture was smooth, moderately thick and much tackier than the majority of formulas on the market, which I have found ensures longer-lasting and more comfortable to wear (e.g. hydration), but it can be uncomfortable for some. It wore well for five hours and was hydrating over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Itsy Bitsy (P, $10.00) is more shimmery, lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- MAC Save Ya Tears Hunny (LE, $19.00) is lighter (90% similar).
- Ciate Zodiac (P, $18.00) is more shimmery, cooler (90% similar).
- Huda Beauty Hypnotic (LE, $18.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Bite Beauty Blush Pearl (LE, $22.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Fenty Beauty Ready to Mingle (LE, ) is cooler (85% similar).
- Huda Beauty Bewitched (LE, $18.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Surratt Beauty Je Ne Sais Quoi (P, $32.00) is less shimmery, lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Pink Steam (322) (P, $29.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$19.00/0.1 oz. - $190.00 Per Ounce
The Lipglass formula is supposed to be “pigmented, very shiny and can impart subtle or dramatic color” that can be worn “on its own, over lip pencil or lipstick” and will “condition lips.” MAC could use an update on the description as some shades are more pigmented than others but several are sheerer and likely intended to be that way. The formula has a very glossy, high-shine finish with a light-medium weight and moderate tackiness.
I have found that newer Lipglasses (over the last couple of years) are smoother and not quite as tacky as the formula was many years ago. They wear from three to six hours on me and are usually lightly hydrating. MAC recently updated the shade range and packaging for the range (though the formula was said to be unchanged), so worth noting is that with that packaging change came a reduction in quantity to 0.10 fl. oz. (was 0.17 fl. oz.), which may matter for some but not everyone.
Browse all of our MAC Lipglass swatches.
Ingredients
Hydrogenated Polyisobutene, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Octyldodecanol, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax Copernicia Cerifera Cera Cire De Carnauba, Tocopheryl Acetate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Aluminum Calcium Sodium Silicate, Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Tin Oxide, Silica, Titanium/Titanium Dioxide, Alumina, Propylene Carbonate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Ethylhexyl Hydroxystearate, Vanillin, Phenoxyethanol, [+/- Mica, Titanium Dioxide (Ci 77891), Iron Oxides (Ci 77491), Iron Oxides (Ci 77492), Iron Oxides (Ci 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (Ci 77163), Blue 1 Lake (Ci 42090), Bronze Powder (Ci 77400), Carmine (Ci 75470), Copper Powder (Ci 77400), Red 6 (Ci 15850), Red 6 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 7 Lake (Ci 15850), Red 21 Lake (Ci 45380), Red 28 Lake (Ci 45410), Red 30 Lake (Ci 73360), Red 33 Lake (Ci 17200), Yellow 5 (Ci 19140), Yellow 5 Lake (Ci 19140), Yellow 6 Lake (Ci 15985)]
Disclaimer: Ingredient lists are as available by the brand (or retailer) at the time of publishing. Please always check product packaging, if it exists, for the ingredient list applicable to the product you're purchasing, or the brand or retailer's website for the most up-to-date ingredient list.
Works Like A Charm is quite a lovely, more sheer lavender that I think I’d enjoy using over, say, UD Bittersweet lipstick for a glossier look! It’s a definite “maybe”.
Works Like A Charm is the prettier and better quality lipgloss on offer here – a nice lavendar shade.
Works Like a Charm sounds perfect. The colour and the shimmer is lovely and the fact that it’s tacky makes me happy. I like the tacker glosses and much prefer them over watery and less tacky ones.
It’s on the WL.