MAC Sweet Sakura Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “true red with soft gold pearl.” It’s a brightened, medium red with neutral-to-warm undertones and fine gold pearl. It leans warm to me, but it may appear more neutral on those with cooler or more neutral undertones. It had semi-opaque color payoff that applied smoothly on the lips, though it takes a few seconds for the formula to really glide on as it starts off too firm. This shade lasted for four and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. Guerlain Gala (P, $51.00) is less shimmery, glossier. Too Faced Red Stiletto (P, $22.00) is lighter, brighter. MAC Must Be Red (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, darker. MAC Night to Remember (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery. MAC Cherry Glaze (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, warmer, glossier. Estee Lauder Envious (P, $30.00) is lighter, brighter. MAC Cherry Glaze (LE, $20.00) is less shimmery, warmer, glossier. Revlon 5th Ave. Red (LE, $7.99) is cooler. MAC True Love’s Kiss (LE, $16.00) is less shimmery, warmer. MAC Head in the Clouds (LE, $16.00) is lighter, brighter. Guerlain Red Strass (327) (P, $37.00) is brighter. Guerlain Red Hot (328) (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, more muted, cooler. MAC Oblivion (LE, $16.00) is brighter. MAC Audacious (P, $23.00) is less shimmery, brighter. MAC Dozen Carnations (P, $16.00) is darker, cooler. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Dozen Carnations Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as an “intense warm tomato red.” It’s a brightened, medium-dark red with warm, orange undertones and fine gold pearl. It was semi-opaque with a firmer, almost tacky, consistency that really was better held to the lips for a few seconds to warm it up or else it dragged. It lasted for four and a half hours and was neither drying nor hydrating. Guerlain Red Strass (327) (P, $37.00) is more shimmery, cooler. MAC Excite (LE, $16.00) is lighter, warmer. MAC 5 Alarm (LE, $16.00) is lighter. MAC Sweet Sakura (P, $16.00) is darker, cooler. Chanel Arthur (440) (P, $36.00) is lighter. MAC Cockney (P, $16.00) is darker. Guerlain Gilda (P, $51.00) is less shimmery, brighter. Chanel Coromandel (P, $34.00) is darker. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Pretty Boy Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as an “intense pink coral.” It’s a muted, medium-dark coral-pink with warm undertones and pink and silver pearl. It had semi-opaque pigmentation that covered evenly and lasted for four hours on me, but it was a hair drying. The consistency was firmer and needs time to soften from the heat of the lips before it really glides on easily. Dior Sunset (660) (LE, $34.00) is less shimmery, brighter. Chanel Marie (430) (P, $36.00) is cooler. Chanel Legende (428) (P, $36.00) is more shimmery, cooler. Estee Lauder Blossom Bright (P, $30.00) is less shimmery, darker, cooler. Estee Lauder Heavenly (P, $30.00) is warmer. Givenchy Rose Dentelle (203) (P, $36.00) is brighter. Too Faced Shimmering Spice Spice Baby (LE, $22.00) is more shimmery, lighter. Guerlain Rouge Kiss (325) (P, $37.00) is less shimmery, darker. Chanel Pygmalion (LE, $35.00) is less shimmery. Revlon Cruise Collection (P, $9.99) is darker. Guerlain Pamplelune (P, $35.00) is warmer. 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 Sweet Sakura Lipstick

MAC Sweet Sakura Lipstick

MAC Sweet Sakura Lipstick

MAC Sweet Sakura Lipstick

MAC Sweet Sakura Lipstick

MAC Sweet Sakura Lipstick

MAC Dozen Carnations Lipstick

MAC Dozen Carnations Lipstick

MAC Dozen Carnations Lipstick

MAC Dozen Carnations Lipstick

MAC Dozen Carnations Lipstick

MAC Dozen Carnations Lipstick

MAC Pretty Boy Lipstick

MAC Pretty Boy Lipstick

MAC Pretty Boy Lipstick

MAC Pretty Boy Lipstick

MAC Pretty Boy Lipstick

MAC Pretty Boy Lipstick