MAC Simply Smoked, Esspresso, Lady-Be-Good Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolours Reviews, Photos, Swatches
Simply Smoked
MAC Simply Smoked Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour ($21.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a muted, medium-dark taupe brown with neutral-to-cool undertones and a matte finish. It had mostly opaque coverage, though I would recommend a second layer or a lip liner for full opacity. The consistency was thinner than it should have been, as it did not apply as evenly as the best shades in the range have (but it was not the worst and looked decent after it dried down). On me, the lipstick wore well for six and a half hours, while the formula was somewhat drying.
The Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour formula is supposed to be pigmented, last eight hours, and be “non-feathering.” They are typically pigmented and long-wearing, but the quality of the formula is all over the place–some shades wear down evenly, aren’t too drying, and apply well, while other shades are patchy, streaky, or prone to flaking (and also terribly drying!).
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- Anastasia Griffin (P, $18.00) is darker (90% similar).
- Anastasia Resin (P, $18.00) is cooler (85% similar).
- Huda Beauty Silver Fox (P, $20.00) is lighter, cooler (85% similar).
- Anastasia Grim (P, $20.00) is lighter, brighter, warmer (85% similar).
- ColourPop Kapow (DC, $6.50) is brighter (85% similar).
- MAC Gwendolyn (LE, $19.00) is darker, cooler (80% similar).
- Makeup Geek Rare (P, $15.00) is warmer (80% similar).
- Makeup Geek Misfit (P, $12.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
- Maybelline Concrete Jungle (P, $7.49) is cooler (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.17 oz. - $123.53 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "long-wearing" with "pigment-soaked, liquid colour" in the "mattest matte finish." The brand stated that it should wear for "8 hours" and be "non-feathering, non-bleeding." The majority of shades in the formula are opaque in a single layer, and for the most part, I felt like more was on the applicator than necessary for an even, opaque layer of product on my lips.
Sometimes, with richer and less forgiving shades (e.g. more contrast), I found it imperative to remove some from the applicator prior to applying so I didn't get too much product along the edges. Some shades applied smoothly and dried down that way, while other shades dried down and separated more noticeably along deeper lip lines, so it really was shade-dependent.
The formula was quick to dry down, was somewhat flexible, and lightweight to wear. The formula was mostly non-drying with a few, thicker shades feeling a little more drying over time. Many shades lasted six hours or longer with some definitely meeting the brand's "8 hour" wear claim.
They had a subtle vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour swatches.
Simply Smoked
PPermanent. $21.00.
Esspresso
MAC Esspresso Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour ($21.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a dark brown with cool undertones and a matte finish. It ha good color payoff–almost opaque in one layer–that spread evenly across the lips for smooth coverage. It dried down to a totally flat, matte finish that was fairly smooth but there was a bit of color separation at the center of my bottom lip (my deepest lip line). It lasted for seven hours, faded evenly, and was drying over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- MAC Secret Number (LE, $19.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- Anastasia Griffin (P, $18.00) is lighter, cooler (80% similar).
- ColourPop Embellish (DC, $6.50) is darker (80% similar).
- MAC Chocotease (LE, $21.00) is darker, warmer (80% similar).
- NYX Neat Nude (P, $7.50) is more shimmery, lighter (80% similar).
- Bite Beauty Whiskey (DC, $26.00) is darker, warmer, glossier (80% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.17 oz. - $123.53 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "long-wearing" with "pigment-soaked, liquid colour" in the "mattest matte finish." The brand stated that it should wear for "8 hours" and be "non-feathering, non-bleeding." The majority of shades in the formula are opaque in a single layer, and for the most part, I felt like more was on the applicator than necessary for an even, opaque layer of product on my lips.
Sometimes, with richer and less forgiving shades (e.g. more contrast), I found it imperative to remove some from the applicator prior to applying so I didn't get too much product along the edges. Some shades applied smoothly and dried down that way, while other shades dried down and separated more noticeably along deeper lip lines, so it really was shade-dependent.
The formula was quick to dry down, was somewhat flexible, and lightweight to wear. The formula was mostly non-drying with a few, thicker shades feeling a little more drying over time. Many shades lasted six hours or longer with some definitely meeting the brand's "8 hour" wear claim.
They had a subtle vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour swatches.
Esspresso
PPermanent. $21.00.
Lady Be Good
MAC Lady-Be-Good Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour ($21.00 for 0.17 fl. oz.) is a muted, peachy-coral with warm undertones and a mostly matte finish. This shade took longer to dry down, and it did not dry down to a totally flat, matte finish like the majority of the shades in the range did. The consistency was more watery, so application was difficult: streaky and uneven. It had semi-opaque pigmentation, but this was definitely a shade where a second layer would be a necessity. It lasted for five and a half hours and was drying over time.
FURTHER READING: Formula Overview for details on general performance and characteristics (like scent).
Top Dupes
- ColourPop Magic Wand (P, $7.00) is glossier (90% similar).
- Anastasia Spirit (LE, $18.00) is lighter, cooler (90% similar).
- Rare Beauty Talented (P, $20.00) is lighter, warmer (90% similar).
- Bite Beauty Crème Caramel (P, $24.00) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- Estee Lauder Covetous Nude (P, $32.00) is darker, glossier (90% similar).
- Milani Adore (LE, $8.99) is lighter (90% similar).
- MAC Wholesome (LE, $19.00) is warmer, glossier (90% similar).
- Urban Decay Stark Naked (DC, $22.00) is darker, warmer (90% similar).
- Maybelline Nude Embrace (P, $7.99) is lighter, glossier (90% similar).
- NARS Biscayne Park (PiP, $25.00) is glossier (90% similar).
Formula Overview
$21.00/0.17 oz. - $123.53 Per Ounce
The formula is supposed to be "long-wearing" with "pigment-soaked, liquid colour" in the "mattest matte finish." The brand stated that it should wear for "8 hours" and be "non-feathering, non-bleeding." The majority of shades in the formula are opaque in a single layer, and for the most part, I felt like more was on the applicator than necessary for an even, opaque layer of product on my lips.
Sometimes, with richer and less forgiving shades (e.g. more contrast), I found it imperative to remove some from the applicator prior to applying so I didn't get too much product along the edges. Some shades applied smoothly and dried down that way, while other shades dried down and separated more noticeably along deeper lip lines, so it really was shade-dependent.
The formula was quick to dry down, was somewhat flexible, and lightweight to wear. The formula was mostly non-drying with a few, thicker shades feeling a little more drying over time. Many shades lasted six hours or longer with some definitely meeting the brand's "8 hour" wear claim.
They had a subtle vanilla scent but no discernible taste.
Browse all of our MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour swatches.
Ehhhh, if I really had to choose I’d pick Lady Be Good but even that one doesn’t really woo me.
That’s sad to hear about Lady Be Good. Mine isn’t runny or streaky at all and I only need one coat. It’s actually fairly thick and nice, I didn’t have any issues with patchiness or streaks but I do agree with the drying. I love the color on myself but it sucks all of the moisture out of my lips.
I like the Simply Smoked color!
They don’t look half as dry as the competition…
Meh… so glad you reviewed these before I bought them. So many Mac mattes in any form are drying. I think they need to work on this.
Your eyeshadows~ Now those are stunning! Noticed them right off the bat and they stole the show.
Lady Be Good is a colour that I’ve been searching for – it’s the right balance of beige and pink on me! Such a shame that the application is finicky – I’ve only seen and heard great things about this range!
Simply Smoked is such a cool shade! Too bad it’s a drying dry-down liquid matte, though. I have read of a trick that some are doing to turn liquid lipstick into a not full dry-down; adding 3-4 drops of coconut oil to the tube, shaking well, letting it sit and meld, then voila. Gonna try this on a CP Ultra Matte before doing it to an expensive one first!
The color os espresso is lovely. I wish more cool browns existed!
Wow Christine, you are rocking Simply Smoked 😉 It’s such a cool colour. I really love shades like this but they do not look good on me, unfortunately, so I’m forced to admire them on others lol…