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MAC Star Magnolia, Koi Coral, Nippon, Pickled Plum Cremesheen Pearl Lipsticks Reviews, Photos, Swatches

MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick
MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick

MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “bright carnation pink.” It’s a brightened, light-medium pink with cool, blue undertones and silver and pink frost. It is one of the more frosty (less pearly) shades in the range, and the texture of the shimmer is noticeable when applying the lipstick from the tube. It wore for three hours and was drying on me. Too Faced Metallic Bunny (P, $21.00) is brighter. Chanel Elise (448) (P, $36.00) is less shimmery. Maybelline Hibiscus Pop (715) (P, $7.49) is less shimmery, lighter. MAC Snapdragon (LE, $16.00) is lighter. Estee Lauder Powerful (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter. Too Faced Razzle Dazzle Rose (P, $22.00) is less shimmery. MAC What a Feeling! (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter. MAC Playtime (LE, $17.00) is brighter, cooler. See comparison swatches/ compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Koi Coral Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “pale peachy nude.” It’s a light-medium, peachy-pink with subtle, warm undertones and a soft sheen. This has some of the least noticeable pearl in it. The texture gravitated towards lip lines, though, and didn’t apply evenly. It lasted for two and a half hours and was drying. Chanel Peregrina (P, $34.00) is lighter. Burberry Devon Sunset (P, $30.00) is lighter. Estee Lauder Charmed (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, brighter, more pigmented. MAC Bare Hug (LE, $20.00) is lighter. MAC Passion Charge (LE, $16.00) is lighter, warmer. Chanel Boheme (91) (P, $35.00) is brighter, warmer. bareMinerals Feel the Love (LE, $20.00) is warmer. MAC Touche (LE, $20.00) is lighter. Urban Decay Lovelight (P, $22.00) is darker. Chanel Liberte (P, $35.00) is darker, warmer. Urban Decay Liar (P, $22.00) is darker. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Nippon Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “creamy mid-tone coral pink.” It’s a muted, light-medium pink with warm undertones and gold pearl. It had semi-opaque color payoff that applied evenly, and it didn’t settle too much into lip lines until after thee hours of wear (which was the total length of wear). It was a little drying overall. Tarte Rare (LE, ) is lighter, brighter. MAC Mystical (LE, $16.00) is lighter, brighter. Estee Lauder Dynamic (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, lighter, brighter. MAC Morning Rose (LE, $16.00) is less glossy. Urban Decay Lovelight (P, $22.00) is warmer. MAC Bare Hug (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, lighter. Estee Lauder Charmed (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker, warmer. MAC I’m In (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery. MAC Marque (P, $23.00) is more shimmery. Marc Jacobs Beauty Have We Met? (108) (P, $30.00) is lighter. Too Faced Metallic Tu-tu (P, $21.00) is brighter, warmer. Chanel Mademoiselle (434) (P, $36.00) is brighter, warmer. Chanel Legende (428) (P, $36.00) is darker, brighter. Chanel Desinvolte (97) (P, $35.00) is darker, brighter. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Pickled Plum Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “bright blue-pink.” It’s a medium, fuchsia-pink with cool, blue undertones and faint gold and pink pearl. It had semi-sheer to semi-opaque pigmentation that covered the lips with mostly even color, though it pulled into lip lines just slightly. The color lasted for three and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. MAC Bold Spring (P, $22.00) is lighter, cooler. Marc Jacobs Beauty Happy Ending (116) (P, $30.00) is lighter, cooler. MAC Bold Spring (P, $22.00) is lighter, cooler. Marc Jacobs Beauty Happy Ending (116) (P, $30.00) is lighter, cooler. Too Faced Metallic Dream House (P, $21.00) is brighter. Chanel Jean (454) (P, $36.00) is lighter. MAC Lust Extract (LE, $17.00) is less shimmery, lighter. Maybelline Orchid Ecstasy (730) (P, $7.49) is darker, cooler. Tom Ford Beauty Pablo (LE, $32.00) is darker, cooler. Tom Ford Beauty Jack (LE, $32.00) is darker, cooler. Tom Ford Beauty Justin (LE, $32.00) is more shimmery, darker, cooler. MAC Boutique Pink (LE, $22.00) is lighter, cooler. Urban Decay Ladyflower (LE, $22.00) is less shimmery, darker. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

Formula Summary: MAC Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) has a variety of finishes, which results in color coverage, finish, comfort, wear, and texture to vary from finish to finish. Lustres tend to be sheer to semi-sheer with a thin, slippery consistency and wear one to three hours; they are lightly to moderately drying on me, despite their slip. Cremesheens typically have semi-opaque to opaque coverage, wear an average of four hours, are sometimes drying and sometimes not drying, and have a light shine to their finish. Amplifieds have a light sheen, opaque coverage, slightly thicker consistency but is less “heavy” in look compared to satins; they are typically not drying but not hydrating and can wear four to six hours. Satins have less sheen compared to Amplifieds but have similar coverage and wear. Mattes, particularly newer iterations of the finish, have a velvety, silicone-like consistency that makes them easier to apply without drag, and they typically have opaque coverage and wear four to six hours, but they can be drying. Retro Mattes are ultra-matte with a very flat, nearly no-sheen finish, and they are often stiffer in the tube but thinner in consistency compared to satins or mattes; they are often drying but wear four to eight hours. All MAC Lipsticks are vanilla-scented with no discernible taste.

MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick
MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick

MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick
MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick

MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick
MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick

MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick
MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick

MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick
MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick

MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick
MAC Star Magnolia Lipstick

MAC Koi Coral Lipstick
MAC Koi Coral Lipstick

MAC Koi Coral Lipstick
MAC Koi Coral Lipstick

MAC Koi Coral Lipstick
MAC Koi Coral Lipstick

MAC Koi Coral Lipstick
MAC Koi Coral Lipstick

MAC Koi Coral Lipstick
MAC Koi Coral Lipstick

MAC Koi Coral Lipstick
MAC Koi Coral Lipstick

MAC Nippon Lipstick
MAC Nippon Lipstick

MAC Nippon Lipstick
MAC Nippon Lipstick

MAC Nippon Lipstick
MAC Nippon Lipstick

MAC Nippon Lipstick
MAC Nippon Lipstick

MAC Nippon Lipstick
MAC Nippon Lipstick

MAC Nippon Lipstick
MAC Nippon Lipstick

MAC Pickled Plum Lipstick
MAC Pickled Plum Lipstick

MAC Pickled Plum Lipstick
MAC Pickled Plum Lipstick

MAC Pickled Plum Lipstick
MAC Pickled Plum Lipstick

MAC Pickled Plum Lipstick
MAC Pickled Plum Lipstick

MAC Pickled Plum Lipstick
MAC Pickled Plum Lipstick

MAC Pickled Plum Lipstick
MAC Pickled Plum Lipstick

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Foundation
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Setting Powder
  • Tom Ford Love Lust Blush

61 Comments

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Abbey W. Avatar

The lipsticks are nice and seem easy to wear, but I kept wondering what blush you were wearing. Love Lust is super flattering on you, and I can see why you always name it as one of your favorite Song!

Katherine T. Avatar

Meh, these look like tinted lip balms to me, won’t pay $16 for this. But I do like the way your foundation/powder looks! Is that the new MUFE foundation or the old one?

MeaganS Avatar

I’m so sad that these aren’t being rated well. For some odd reason, frosty lipsticks (within reason) look good on my fair skin and red hair… and I was drawn to this line. 🙁

Kelsey Avatar

Christine, it seems like every lip color you wear looks great on you. What are your favorite types of shades that you think work best for your coloring?

Rachel R. Avatar

Magnolia is really, really pretty. I love corals, but Koi Coral and Nippon are too sheer for me.

I don’t see any pictures of Pickled Plum.

Nicole Avatar

I like the looks of these. I don’t like the drying aspect you are noticing. I like sheers with some moisture or at least non-drying! I may try on Nippon at the counter. Is there a pic for Pickled Plum? I’m not seeing it for some reason.

Nicole Avatar

It’s ok..It’s so pretty! But, these do feel more fitting for spring/ summer. I think along with that and the lower ratings-I’m just not feeling them too much.

Nancy T Avatar

Star Magnolia looks like something from right out of the 80’s, LoL! Pretty, but nah. I kind of like Koi Coral or Nippon for an easy throw-and-go type of lippy for those days when I don’t go all out with my look, more casual-ish, but there may be higher quality, cheaper alternatives to these?

Nancy T Avatar

Thanks! The best (?) dupe I see is UD Lovelight. Such a comfy formula, loving Liar! Probably weird to wear a $22 lipstick for just kickin’ it!

Susan Dowman Nevling Avatar

I like all these colors and finishes for my complexion. Concerned that they didn’t last long for you. No lip color lasts on me, maybe because I’m always sipping water due to a dry mouth. I’ve never actually owned a MAC product!

Bonnie Avatar

These are the 4 colors I was most interested in, especially Nippon. They’re all pretty, but a little more sheer than I had hoped. Thinking I’ll pass.
BTW, I totally agree with Abbey – Love Lust looks great on you! Tempts me to try one of the TF blush.

artemis Avatar

Ew, no. I don’t like the way they look cause of the shimmer ruining the texture. I’m sad I got MAC Modesty without observing it had a bit of tiny microshimmer (yeah, their light is very deceiving….not gonna buy from them again) and it looks bad on my dry (and flaky lips) cause of it…ugh, I should’ve gotten Creme in your Coffee. Still, it ain’t that moisturizing. Only amplifieds are but I tested blankety once and when i wiped it off a bit with my hand and i drank water on the subway train it just…disappeared. This after not even a hour. eh.

Candice Avatar

I like an easy-to-wear, no worries-with-application type of lip colour like Nippon. I’d enjoy a drugstore priced version of this on special for sure! lol

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