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MAC The Matte Lip Collection (2015) Review, Photos, Swatches (Part 1)

MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick
MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick

MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “dark oxblood red [with a Matte finish].” It’s a medium-dark, red-burgundy with a fairly matte finish. It had nearly opaque color coverage, but there was a smidgen of the natural lip color coming through. On me, it lasted for six hours with a bit of feathering after five hours, and it was very slightly drying. This shade has been released previously. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC D for Danger Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “brick red [with a Matte finish].” It’s a medium-dark, berry-red with cool, pink undertones and a matte finish. It had good color coverage that applied evenly and smoothly as the consistency was lightly creamy without being too thick. It wore well for six hours (and definitely could have lasted longer) and left behind a strong stain after removing. I found it a touch drying overall. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “very matte vivid blue red [with a Retro Matte finish].” It’s a brightened, medium-dark red with strong, cool blue undertones and a matte finish. The texture is extremely dry and stiff, which makes it harder to apply as it really pulls at the lips. It was intensely pigmented, but it really takes a lot of effort to get it on. Once on, it lasts for hours and hours and leaves a stain behind, though it is quite drying for me. This shade has been part of the permanent range for years. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC All Fired Up Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “bright fuchsia matte[with a Retro Matte finish].” It’s a brightened, medium-dark fuchsia with very, very subtle blue undertones and a matte finish. It had rich color payoff that covers evenly, but it is on the drier side so it can drag. The color holds on for dear life–easily still intact after six hours of wear–but is drying. This shade was previously released. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Dangerous Lipstick ($16.00 for 0.10 oz.) is described as a “orangey red matte[with a Retro Matte finish].” It’s a medium-dark, orange-red with warm undertones and a matte finish. It had rich, opaque pigmentation that went on evenly with slight drag but was creamier than the other Retro Mattes in this post. Again, the color wears like iron and is still going strong after six hours, but it is drying over time. This shade was previously released. See comparison swatches / compare dupes side-by-side.

MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick
MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick

MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick
MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick

MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick
MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick

MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick
MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick

MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick
MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick

MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick
MAC Studded Kiss Lipstick

MAC D for Danger Lipstick
MAC D for Danger Lipstick

MAC D for Danger Lipstick
MAC D for Danger Lipstick

MAC D for Danger Lipstick
MAC D for Danger Lipstick

MAC D for Danger Lipstick
MAC D for Danger Lipstick

MAC D for Danger Lipstick
MAC D for Danger Lipstick

MAC D for Danger Lipstick
MAC D for Danger Lipstick

MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick
MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick

MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick
MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick

MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick
MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick

MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick
MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick

MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick
MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick

MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick
MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick

MAC All Fired Up Lipstick
MAC All Fired Up Lipstick

MAC All Fired Up Lipstick
MAC All Fired Up Lipstick

MAC All Fired Up Lipstick
MAC All Fired Up Lipstick

MAC All Fired Up Lipstick
MAC All Fired Up Lipstick

MAC All Fired Up Lipstick
MAC All Fired Up Lipstick

MAC All Fired Up Lipstick
MAC All Fired Up Lipstick

MAC Dangerous Lipstick
MAC Dangerous Lipstick

MAC Dangerous Lipstick
MAC Dangerous Lipstick

MAC Dangerous Lipstick
MAC Dangerous Lipstick

MAC Dangerous Lipstick
MAC Dangerous Lipstick

MAC Dangerous Lipstick
MAC Dangerous Lipstick

MAC Dangerous Lipstick
MAC Dangerous Lipstick

Makeup Look
On face:
  • Guerlain Parure Gold Foundation
  • Urban Decay Naked Loose Setting Powder
  • Charlotte Tilbury Filmstar
On eyes:
  • By Terry Smoky Eye Palette
  • Sephora Cappuccino Eyeliner
  • Sephora Blonde Ambition Eyeliner

104 Comments

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Aj Avatar

Really like D for Danger and I don’t have any of the dupes! 🙂 I do like All Fired Up, but will have to swatch it myself.
Christine, do you think you’ll get Tropic Tonic to review/swatch anytime soon? That’s the one that interests me the most. Thanks!

Brenda P Avatar

well, er, don’t judge LOL, but it is my son’s middle name – legally! We had a really serious complication during pregnancy and he made it safely. Started out as a joke and I decided we were keeping it 🙂

Nicole Avatar

I’m glad these are doing well! I think I have Ruby woo buried somewhere and I agree it is drying. But,it looks gorgeous on you.I wish they would make it in the regular matte formula so it wasn’t do drying!

Christine Avatar

The Retro Mattes are really tough to wear, I think, unless you really, really value the longevity and/or apply balm on top. The regular Mattes are better – I think it’s a better compromise between longevity, matte finish, and comfort. Not perfect but a lot easier to wear!

Katherine T. Avatar

These are all gorgeous looking! Studded Kiss is my fave! It’s my kind of color because I already have 2 of the dupes, MAC Hearts Aflame and NARS Amsterdam. Whew!

Olivia Avatar

D for Danger, All Fired Up and Dangerous! YES! I wonder why MAC described D for Danger as brick red… I really love Ruby Woo’s color and finish but I’m not into mattes that tug and pull on the lips when applying.

Christine Avatar

This is my natural smile when the camera is straight on; this is how I smile in photos whether personal or for the blog, and this is how I smile when I’m just hanging out with someone. I am also older, and my jaw structure has shifted to some degree and now have less range there (I have a family history of such things, and I will need braces again, but my health is my personal concern). If there have been any other changes, they are natural and gradual that I’m not consciously doing. There is no smirk – a smirk indicates that there is some ill intention there, when there is none. Ultimately, the way I smile is the way I smile – there are plenty of bloggers to read and visit that you may find more in line with your aesthetic needs if my appearance is unpleasant for you.

Carla Avatar

Not that Christine needs someone to stick up for her, but I have to say it anyhow. That was incredibly rude. She’s a beautiful person, but even if she weren’t, we are here to judge the makeup, not her face or facial expressions!

Ginny Avatar

I own Studded Kiss and Dangerous, and your descriptions are pretty spot on for my experience, too. I really like D for Danger even though I think it will be much darker on me. Probably won’t grab it until the fall 🙂

Brittany Avatar

Dangerous looks a lot like Barbecue fro the Toledo collection! As much as I don’t need it, I’ll probably be picking up D id for Danger! Thanks for the reviews <3

Lotus Avatar

YAY! 🙂 You look lovely! Ruby Woo does not go full color on me! I’m hoping for D is for Danger to finally work! Thank you for the review! 🙂

Nancy T Avatar

After missing out on both Heaux and Fashion Revival, I am pleased as punch about MAC releasing a permanent matte berry color like D For Dangerous! I fell for Studded Kiss too, but then saw that Diva is a dupe and I already have and thoroughly love Diva!
And I have got to tell you, I am stunned and deeply appreciative of just how quickly you got these reviews up! You are Super-Woman!!!

Irene Avatar

I’m so happy these are permanent! These are so beautiful but i really do have enough red lipsticks for the time being and don’t wear them often enough to justify buying more at this time (although I have some stuff for B2M..hmm…). All Fired Up and D for Danger are calling my name though! It’s kinda funny, and a bit confusing, that they have three matte lipsticks with the name “Danger” in it (D for Danger, Dangerous, and Lady Danger)! Ruby Woo is gorgeous, but the dryness and tugging is definitely a turn-off for me.

Kelly Avatar

I love matte lipsticks so naturally I love these. I have Ruby Woo (and Lady Danger… I hope they didn’t discontinue it?) Studded Kiss and Dangerous have my name on them, but I’m disappointed that D for Danger isn’t a brick-red matte like the description. I have enough berry shades, I need a brick red matte in my life.

Susan Dowman Nevling Avatar

Love D is for Danger and Studded Kiss. I think I could wear all of them except Dangerous. Nice but can’t wear orange.

Jules Avatar

I can’t tell the difference between all these MAC matte reds anymore! Eek! I’m just going to take my Damn Glamorous and Sin and rock in the corner for a moment…

Ceranna Avatar

I am in love with this whole collection. I’ve picked up a lot of overtime at work and I feel like a trip to MAC is well earned. 😉 I plan on handing my wallet over and telling the SA to convert my dollars into lipsticks.

Lotus Avatar

I’m wondering.. It’s not exact, but should I just go for TF Plum Lush? Velvet Cherry? Black Dahlia? I don’t want to dry my lips and have been wavering over the TF’s for awhile.. Crimson noir? I can’t keep the names straight but I’m open to suggestions! Thank you! :* xo! 🙂

Christine Avatar

Burberry’s Velvet Mattes or something like that are my favorite matte lip color, though Tom Ford’s is nice, but I still find I prefer Burberry’s texture.

The problem is if you feel like your lips are more prone to drying out compared to mine (relative to what I’ve found drying or not), I don’t know that TF is going to blow you away.

Have you tried taking some of your more hydrating formulas and doing a layer of translucent patted over through a tissue (helps to keep it even and not over-apply) or a satin/natural finish and blotting once or twice?

Lotus Avatar

Thank you for your thoughts! I’ve been looking deeply into Burberry for a while and I think I’m going to try a few. 🙂

As for moisturizing ones.. They don’t need blotted or powdered. I dehydrate. Rapidly. But I thank you! 🙂 Lip balm, like SH lip slip is all I need but I’ve been wanting to find a color similar to my lips which lean more berry, more red, or more purple at times, and use it as a nice layer of reiterated stain. I hope that makes sense! The Bright Poppy looks perfect as well as military red for brightening and I wanted the lip mists in oxblood and blueberry! 🙂 I prefer a juicy smooth lip. 🙂 I appreciate my instincts feeling validated, thank you again! 😀 xoxo!

Ivette Avatar

Just to make sure, even though I read it everywhere they will be PERMANENT!!!! right. Matte is my all time favorite finish I’m so excited

rroro Avatar

Christine is it just me or does D for Danger feel lole a satin to you? I got this and others but was so bumbed at this one. It seemed to have a sheen to it, not flat matte and wasnt red red…more like a pink red no?

rroro Avatar

ya unfortunately I didnt read your review first ;( it is totally a berry red and I wanted a dark red. Do you think Kat Von Ds Hexagram or Hellbent is a teue dark red? I dont want burgundy or berry.

Ami M. Avatar

How does All Fired Up compare to Pleasure Bomb? I love the look of All Fired Up but, don’t want to get it if it is close to Pleasure Bomb. 🙂

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