MAC Styleseeker Mattene Lipsticks Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Styleseeker Mattene Lipsticks
Why Aren’t Mattenes Permanent?
MAC Styleseeker Mattene Lipsticks ($15.00 for 0.08 oz.) includes five shades: Camden Chic (rich brick red), Delectable (orange-beige), Eden Rouge (bright blue-red), Fashion Nomad (bright red orange), and Fun Finds (light nude pink). All five shades are limited edition.
- Camden Chic is a brown-red with a natural sheen. The color is opaque on. NARS Amsterdam has less brown in it. MAC Extended Play is more red than brown. MAC Unknown Pleasures is several shades darker, less brown. MAC Legendary is a smidgen darker. Shiseido Mystery is very comparable.
- Delectable is a peachy orange with opaque color and a natural sheen. This shade, while still creamy, was a bit less forgiving on the lips. MAC Peachstock is lighter, less orange, more beige. Bobbi Brown Bare Pink is more beige. Cle de Peau Calliope is similar but not quite as orange.
- Eden Rouge is a blue-based medium bright red with opaque color coveage and a natural sheen. Edward Bess Midnight Bloom is very similar. MAC Red Racer is similar, not quite as bright. CoverGirl Hot is also close. MAC Russian Red is a bit darker.
- Fashion Nomad is a bright medium-dark orange with red undertones. The color coverage is opaque, even, and finishes with a natural sheen. We have seen this color over and over again by MAC. MAC Morange is similar–perhaps jsut a smidgen darker. MAC Booyah!!! is a bit more subdued. MAC Good to Go is close. MAC Neon Orange is also similar. Illamasqua Flare is more matte but close in color.
- Fun Finds is a pale pink-beige with a mostly matte finish. This was the least creamy of the five, and it was definitely the least forgiving. It tended to emphasize any imperfections on the lips (and I actually swatched this first out of the Mattenes–I go light to dark if there are any potentially staining shades, like Eden Rouge, in the line-up). MAC Ruffian Naked is pretty similar, perhaps a little more gray-toned. MAC Myth is a bit pinker. MAC Innocence, Beware! is lighter, less pink.
Mattenes are supposed to deliver rich color, semi-matte finishes, and be hydrating and creamy to apply while still maintaining that semi-matte finish. These are very creamy; they glide-on and yield opaque color coverage in a single stroke–and even color at that.  Delectable and Fun Finds were the two shades that didn’t look really nice on; I think it’s the lighter color combined with the matte formula that makes it harder to really nails these types of colors–they just tend to be less forgivingo n the lips and accentuate the natural texture of my lips.  None of the five shades are particularly unique, though I liked the overall feel and look of Camden Chic, Eden Rouge, and Fashion Nomad (this one being the most dupeable).
Because Delectable and Eden Rouge have both been released previously, I tested those recently using the previous iterations I had, though the swatches and photos are of the most recent release.  Camden Chic wore for five hours, Delectable wore for four, Eden Rouge for six, Fashion Nomad for five, and Fun Finds for four.  While three were somewhat hydrating, Delectable and Fun Finds were just a little drying.  These are vanilla-scented and come in slim matte black tubes and contain just a bit less product than regular MAC lipsticks (0.08 oz. vs. 0.10 oz.).
MAC Styleseeker Mattene Lipsticks Review, Photos, Swatches
MAC Camden Chic Mattene Lipstick
MAC Camden Chic Mattene Lipstick
MAC Camden Chic Mattene Lipstick
MAC Camden Chic Mattene Lipstick
MAC Camden Chic Mattene Lipstick
MAC Camden Chic Mattene Lipstick
MAC Delectable Mattene Lipstick
MAC Delectable Mattene Lipstick
MAC Delectable Mattene Lipstick
MAC Delectable Mattene Lipstick
MAC Delectable Mattene Lipstick
MAC Delectable Mattene Lipstick
MAC Eden Rouge Mattene Lipstick
MAC Eden Rouge Mattene Lipstick
MAC Eden Rouge Mattene Lipstick
MAC Eden Rouge Mattene Lipstick
MAC Eden Rouge Mattene Lipstick
MAC Eden Rouge Mattene Lipstick
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MAC Fashion Nomad Mattene Lipstick
MAC Fashion Nomad Mattene Lipstick
MAC Fashion Nomad Mattene Lipstick
MAC Fashion Nomad Mattene Lipstick
MAC Fashion Nomad Mattene Lipstick
MAC Fashion Nomad Mattene Lipstick
MAC Fun Finds Mattene Lipstick
MAC Fun Finds Mattene Lipstick
MAC Fun Finds Mattene Lipstick
MAC Fun Finds Mattene Lipstick
MAC Fun Finds Mattene Lipstick
MAC Fun Finds Mattene Lipstick
Hi Christine,
I bought Camden Chic and now I think I like your pics of NARS Amsterdam better. Do you think they’re different enough to own both, or should I just suck it up and remember to buy the more expensive one in the first place next time? LOL
Thanks again for all that you do!
I think you could own both – Camden Chic really has strong brown coloring to it, whereas Amsterdam looks more berry against it.
Consider me enabled – thanks. 🙂
I saw several of the Mattenes from the last release – including Eden Rouge – at a CCO a couple weeks ago. If you are looking for that one, might be worth checking out! I bought Unknown Pleasures for around $10, and I am loving it!
Good eye! Thank you for sharing, Emi! 🙂
Wow, that orange is BRIGHT!! I’m not liking any of these lips.
Aww, too bad!
I think these colors work very well with the feel of this collection; although not earth-shatteringly unique, it is at least a well edited LE release (well, except for the shadows. WTH MAC?).
The vibe and colors don’t really suit me; I’m very fair and cool toned, and can’t really pull off bohemian chic. But I feel like there have been tons of releases that have featured my look, so I’m really glad that MAC put out this collection. It’s about time that MAC released some fun lip and cheek products that will look dynamite on olive and darker skin tones. Very little for me here, yet somehow it’s still my favorite MAC LE offering in a long time. Weird, right? But give me a few fun, cohesive collections a year (and ditch the ill-executed celeb collabos and underperforming new product launches) and I could see myself becoming a happy MAC fan girl again. 🙂
Eden Rouge looks so beautiful on you Christine. It reminds me of Red Racer. Thank you for the color swatch.
Thank you! They’re definitely similar!
The new Sephora Collection Color Lip Lasts are comparable to Mattenes, I think.
That’s great to hear!
fashion nomad looks really nice on you! i wasn’t expecting much from these colors but i am pleasantly surprised at fashion nomad, i just may cave in and get that color
Yay! Glad you found one you like, Joanne!
Hey Christine!
Thank you for all the awesome reviews. I have Morange, do you think it’s not necessary to get Fashon Nomad? The finishes sound different but Fashion Nomad doesn’t look as matte as I thought it would be.
Not really, IMO. These aren’t 100% matte, they do have a slight sheen. Pat a little translucent powder over Morange and you’ll have something matte!
I ssssooooo agree Christine!
These are the types of formulas I would love MAC to make permanent & then they can have better color selection. I got eden rouge last time around and I LOVE IT! So I might get a back up. Or maybe Camden Chic because it looks like a great fall color!
Yay! 🙂 So many fans of the Mattenes!
Great post! I’m in love with Delectable and Eden Rouge! 🙂
I hope you have a chance to check ’em out, Agnes!
Christine can you tell me how Camden Chic compares to Chanel Imperial Rouge Allure Laque?
Darker and less orange/brown – http://www.temptalia.com/chanel-imperial-73-rouge-allure-laque-review-photos-swatches
i can see myself buy the pink one i think thats about it i wish MAC would improve soon! i miss the quite cute collection! in my opinion that was their last good one 🙂
Hopefully one of next spring’s collections will do it for you!
I wish Rare Exotic Mattene could be released again… =[
Maybe one day 🙂
Beautiful color! I’ve been vamping around our 99 degree town in Seeds of Desire and still kicking myself for not getting Fresh Amour and Potent Fig
Camden Chic reminds me of my first MAC lipstick, Dubonnet. Do you think Camden Chic is a more matte version?
Not as deep? in a way. Camden Chic is more muted!
Hi Christine,
Just wondering how does Camden Chic differ from Dare You? I own Dare You and am looking for dark vampy burgunrdy color but somehow I feel like Camden Chic is similar to Dare You in a way.
Dare You is a lot redder on me – not really vampy like Camden Chic.
I LOVE Mattenes so much! I completely agree about making these permanent. MAC used to embrace a fully opaque lip, but they seem to have become terrorized by modern pop culture into semi, lustre, shiny Madness! I like all those finishes, I just think there is room for all of them and the opaque, matte, full coverage lip. That’s why I was really suprised by the popularity of Candy Yum Yum and re-emergence of Moxie and Rocker. Pretty exciting stuff for a gloss phobic girlie like me. I’m also sort of sad that the nomad one is so similar to others I own and Camden didn’t *POP* the way I was hoping it would.
Although they do have the Pro Longwear Lipstick range, which is similar, but not quiet the same thing!
“[T]errorized by modern pop culture into semi, lustre, shiny Madness!” ROFL. I almost choked on my coffee. I agree with you, though. Everything seems to be shiny, shinier, shiniest — from lips to eyes to cheeks. I miss the days when matte lipsticks (real mattes) weren’t the rare oddity or an afterthought in a collection. MAC’s mattes were the reason I ever tried the line to begin with and they won my heart. They’ve subsequently not just lost it but turned me into an actively *hostile* consumer. And yet, every now and then, something in their lip line reminds me of that old love and really tempts me. If they didn’t have this endless, asinine L/E silliness, they probably would have a lot more of my money by now for things like these Mattenes.
Can you compare Fun Finds to NARS pure matte lipstick Madere?
Madere is lighter and less pink 🙂
I like all the deepest hues here, but I really wouldn’t define their finish as “semi-matte”. They reflect the light just like a satin finish imo!
They’ll turn more matte as the sheen wears off (takes about an hour or so)!
I’m so… discombobulated. The colours I had liked in the tube in the promo photo I find I now do NOT like on the lips. Fun Finds in particular! (Yikes! That’s like corpse lips. Even worse, it brings to mind a photo I once saw of a porn star.). The colours I hadn’t liked in the tube, now I find okay or pretty on the lips. Like Delectable which could really work as a nude on me to go with smokey eyes. Eden is the only one that I can’t make up my mind about, and which I like or dislike from photo to photo. I think it looks better in the closeup than in the full face. Hm. Maybe I’m losing what’s left of my mind.
I think you’d find these too creamy, LOL! They’re not nearly as dry as NARS’ Pure Matte!
Oh God, creamy??! *shudders and immediately strikes a line through Delectable* I really miss MAC’s old formula for mattes. They were truly one of my favorite lipstick lines ever. *sighs mournfully and goes to stroke her treasured Veruschka*
how does it compare with shy girl? thanks!!
Awww I love the Camden Chic!
Love the brown tone in it, you look gorgeous Christine!
Thanks, Ellen! 🙂
Eden looks lovely. I don’t have any bold red lipsticks and this seems more wearable and flattering than the typical super crazy glossy red lip. I was originally looking at the NARS matte pencil in Dragon but this looks far prettier and honestly I really hate sharpening pencils…
I totally feel ya on lip pencils, Sasha! You might also want to check out NARS’ Pure Matte range for a red, since there are a couple there, if you prefer NARS.
Sasha, you may like the NARS pure matte lipstick in Vesuvio in lieu of the Dragon pencil. The colours are extremely, *extremely* similar, imo. As compared to MAC’s Eden, it looks much brighter (and cooler) and more of a true matte, I’d say. I love Vesuvio and it’s one of my two HG reds. Like you, I’m not into pencils, so it may work out for you. 🙂
Thanks! I’ll have to try some of their matte and semi-matte lipsticks. I haven’t experimented all that much with NARS lipsticks, just their glosses.
The dupe links for Innocence, Beware! and Fleshpot are accidentally merged. The whole thing links to the post containing the former.
It’s sad, but the first thing that crossed my mind with this post was, “Wow, we haven’t seen a MAC LE collection score a B or higher across the board in awhile.” That is a sad statement, MAC, take note.
Eden Rouge is really beautiful. Sometimes, nothing looks better than a bold, rich red.
Thank you, Veronica!
Hi,
Do you know if Macys or Nordstroms will be carrying this line?
Thanks.
Photos are awesome!
M
Hi Martine!
All the regular MAC counters will get this launch on Thursday! 🙂
Yummy. These are GOREGOUS! I am definitely copping an orange and neutral. As for the red, I may have to get that too, looks like the same color as my dame edna red from 2008.
It might be close!
I really love Delectable!
What would you wear it with?
Unrelated but I was perusing eBay and noticed your photos were being used. I read the description and you weren’t given photo.credit, so I thought you should know. Granted i’m using a mobile device so on the full site there may be more info, but I wasnt sure. Here is the link:
http://item.mobileweb.ebay.com/viewitem?itemId=130749581377&index=20&nav=SEARCH&nid=31596041898
I remember you mentioning something a little bit ago about how to contact you with this kind of info, but I unfortunately don’t have a pinterest and don’t know how to shorten urls on twitter. I know there’s an email too but I am having issues with it!! So sorry to tell you here.
Thanks, Kathleen!
It seems MAC is really making an effort, lately. While I’m loving a lot from this collection, I’m still going to have to pass, but only because I have so much similar. My personal style is Goth meets Boho Chic, so color-wise, it’s a dream collection.
Fingers crossed they are!
A plague upon you, Christine! Now I must get Eden Rouge. I HOPE YOU ARE HAPPY.
Slightly (ok, very) off-topic: You once did a really great red lip look. It was a very smooth red with what I think was gold shimmer powder pressed into the center of the lip. Could I have a link to that look, please? It was one of my favourites, and I’m hoping to replicate for a dinner next weekend.
Thanks very much.
LOL!
Was it this one? http://www.temptalia.com/make-up-for-ever-lips-to-love-lip-look
Otherwise maybe you’ll find it in this category… http://www.temptalia.com/category/looks/lips
It was the MUFE one! Thanks very much.
Camden Chic and Eden Rouge are perfection! xx
They’re great shades for fall!
The bright colors look good, but I don’t really like the pale shades.
Me neither!
I love this finish, you’re right, they should make more colours and add them to the permanent range!
If only!
Agreed!
It’s such a shame the light colours are lacking because I lean toward them much more. I like Eden Rouge really rather a lot, but I already have a red which I rarely wear – although it is yellow based, not blue, so I could see myself justifying the purchase! Christine, in your opinion, would the look/wear of Eden Rouge be (significantly) altered/bettered by a lipliner? Ie could you get away without one?
I didn’t need a lip liner, but not many lip products bleed/feather on me. The wear would be improved (longer) with a lip liner, though it doesn’t wear badly without.
Hey Christine! I’ve never used a Mattene. Are they best applied with a lip brush, or straight from the tube? I’m not sure how I’d get on with a flat end like that if I used it straight from the tube- I only have the “normal” shaped lipsticks with the sort of pointed ends, and I don’t know how I’d do my Cupid’s Bow without it! (interesting fact- I just found out from wiki that the technical name for the supid’s bow is a tubercle!) Thanks x
I apply straight from the tube, and I don’t have a problem doing the cupid’s bow, but if you want more precision, you might use a lip brush!
Damn you’re good then! I suppose I won’t know til I try 😉
I must say I’m a little sick of orange everywhere in cosmetics at the moment, is it just me?? It’s all corals and oranges and peaches.
MOAR LILAC AND PINK PLZ! 🙂
Well, it was summer, so that’s probably why 🙂 Lilac and pink tend to crop up in the spring!
I’m glad you said “was” Summer as it’s raining heavily here at the moment in the UK! I’ve just never liked the orange tones against my skin tone, and I don’t even lust after them on their own, but every summer, there they are!!
I kind of just want to weep over how much I need Fashion Nomad!
Aww!
I ordered it and it just came in yesterday. I love it! It has really great staying power on me and I love the feel of of the formula. I need Camden Chic and Eden Rouge now, I think! Especially if they’re LE.
Hey Christine, Any update on the official release date of the MAC and Marilynn Monroe collection?
No, sorry! MAC has not sent me anything!
Thanks Christine
I read on a few sites that it comes out October 4 in the u.s ot sure how legit it is, or the international release date.
I know what you, they should be permanent. They just made all these cream sheen lipstick permanent and I can’t even wear them cause they are too sheer on me. Why Mac? They should have made a permanent line of mateene instead.
I already have 3 out of 5 of these mateene lipsticks duped. So many red, orange and nude lipsticks that already came out this year and they continue to bring out more that look similar. WHY? I like macs spring collections better they’re brighter and more different colors to choose from.
Loved Delectable! Any hints on how to make it more forgiving on less than perfect lips?
Exfoliate beforehand, but that’s really all I can think of. Maybe use a lip liner!
Another question!
Can you compare Fun Finds to Myth and Fleshpot?
MAC Myth is a bit pinker. Fleshpot is a lot lighter.
Hi Christine!
Eden rouge looks so pretty!! But is it worth buying if I already have russian red?
It’s not a must-have!
I Swatched mac red and the Eden one and it was literally the same ! Even the glossiness
Christine,
I’m considering buying either Camden Chic or Dubonnet. I’m fair (NW20) with light brown hair, which one do you think suits fair skins better?
thanks!
I’d say Camden Chic!